scholarly journals Factors that affect the adoption and maintenance of weekly vitamin A supplementation among women in Ghana

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 827-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelee Hill ◽  
Betty Kirkwood ◽  
Carl Kendall ◽  
Eunice Adjei ◽  
Paul Arthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Drug Sellers

AbstractObjectiveTo identify regimen, individual, community and cultural factors that affect adoption and adherence to weekly vitamin A supplementation in Ghana.DesignFifty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who would be eligible for vitamin A supplementation, 30 with husbands, and 13 with drug sellers, birth attendants and health workers. Six focus group discussions were also conducted with women. These interviews were followed by a 4-month capsule trial with 60 women. Data from a previously conducted communication channel survey of 332 women were also reviewed.SettingThe study was conducted in Kintampo District in central Ghana.SubjectsParticipants for the semi-structured interviews and focus groups were selected from four villages and the district capital, and women in the capsule trial were selected at random from two villages.ResultsKnowledge of vitamins was low and taking ‘medicines’ for long periods and when healthy is a new concept. In spite of this, long-term supplementation will be accepted if motives are explained, specific questions answered and clear instructions are given. Potential barriers included the idea of ‘doctor’ medicines as curative, false expectations of the supplement, forgetting to take the supplement, losing the supplement, travelling, lack of motivation, perceived side-effects, concerns that the supplement is really family planning or will make delivery difficult, and concerns about taking the supplement with other ‘doctor’ or herbal medicine, or when pregnant or breast-feeding, or if childless.ConclusionSuccessful supplementation programmes require appropriately designed information, education and communication strategies. Designing such strategies requires pre-programme formative research to uncover barriers and facilitators for supplementation.

scholarly journals A comparative study on the costs and returns of organic vs. inorganic farming practices at selected areas near Dhaka, Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-299
Author(s):  
Md Arafat Islam ◽  
Nazmul Ahsan Khan ◽  
Raisa Bashar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Effective Choice

Inorganic farming is the norm in most areas of Bangladesh today, especially at croplands near Bangladesh’s capital - Dhaka. However, several recent studies have shown that such practices cause soil degradation overtime, consequently leading to long-term harm to the environment and economic profits. This long-term cost is often avoided by most farmers as inorganic farming is believed to fetch increased productivity/monetary gains, than its environmentally friendly, organic counterpart: the primary aim of this research was to find out the validity of this belief. The research used literature review and analysis of primary data collected about input costs, returns, crop yields, environmental effects, etc., from sixty respondents (mostly farmers and consumers involved in both types of farming), using one-on-one structured interviews, and three focus group discussions at the selected areas of Savar, Sreenagar and Rupganj, focusing primarily on two popular crops – tomato and corn; graphical and tabular analyses were conducted using MS Excel to propose interpretations and record findings. Keeping all other things constant and internalizing environmental externalities, while organic farming was found to produce around 50% and 33% less tomatoes and corns in net terms, respectively, than inorganic farming, the input costs and returns from one cycle of production were found to be lower (50%) and higher (around 200USD), respectively. Hence, from a long-run perspective, organic farming was concluded as the more cost-effective choice both in economic and environmental terms, given that the Dhaka market for organic products are managed better by the producers, consumers and government, alike. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 289-299, August 2019

scholarly journals Factors influencing the uptake of pulse vitamin A supplementation among children in a rural area in India: a cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Vinod K. Ramani ◽  
Anand Lakshman
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Factors Influencing

Background: The change in strategy of India’s National Program for the prevention and control of nutritional blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency during 2006, aims for all children aged 9 months to 5 years to receive biannual pulse dose of Vitamin A with a total nine mega doses of Vitamin A. Micronutrient initiative (MI) was providing technical assistance to the State Health department of Karnataka in implementing the new bi-annual strategy, in partnership with UNICEF during the period 2006 to 2010.Methods: During July 2006, the Investigator evaluated its coverage in Gulbarga district. This study assessed the factors influencing the uptake of pulse Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) among children from impoverished background. Using oral questionnaires, a total of 30 Parents (Mothers) of these children, 12 childcare workers (AWWs), 12 peripheral health workers (ANMs) were interviewed regarding barriers towards implementing this Program and assessment of the facilities (12 Anganwadi centres) were conducted.Results: Only 28% of the facility had some IEC display regarding VAS. 75% of ANMs were aware that either green leafy vegetables or fish or fruits are the main source of micronutrients. A similar number of ANMs knew that Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, >90% of AWW had informed parents about the program during the monthly mother meetings. <20% of parents were aware of the current pulse VAS program and a similar number were aware of the next round of supplementation.Conclusions: Regular interaction with families, monitoring the activities of field level health workers and supportive supervision will enable uptake of VAS Program. Future action should prioritize sub-district level units – blocks and villages, with higher concentration of poor households.

scholarly journals SUPLEMENTASI VITAMIN A PADA ANAK DIARE USIA 12– 59 BULAN

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
Latifah Susilowati ◽  
Masta Hutasoit
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Case Group ◽  
District Health ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Organization

Diarrhea is the leading cause of infant mortality in Indonesia. Data from the Bantul District Health Office showed that the diarrhea morbidity rate in 2015 was 4.57 per 1000 population. World Health Organization launched program to reduce morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia and diarrhea by recommending supplementation of vitamin A as an effort to maintain health since baby was born. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of vitamin A supplementation with the incidence of diarrhea in children aged 12 - 59 months in Kasihan 1 Public Health Center. This study was used case control design with a retrospective approach. The number of control and case group were 44 children of each. Researcher collected data of children aged 12 - 59 months who suffered diarrhea last 6 months then conducted a home visit to ask about the history of vitamin A supplementation in children. There was no statistically significant correlation between vitamin A supplementation and the incidence of diarrhea in children aged 12 - 59 months. Health workers especially nurses need to increase public awareness of vitamin A supplementation to children under five years old as a form of support for government program to prevent diarrhea.

scholarly journals ‘I know those people will be approachable and not mistreat us’: a qualitative study of inspectors and private drug sellers on peer supervision in rural Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Bagonza ◽  
Stefan Peterson ◽  
Andreas Mårtensson ◽  
Milton Mutto ◽  
Phllis Awor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Peer Supervision ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Inappropriate Treatment ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Drug Sellers

Abstract BackgroundPeer supervision improves health care delivery by health workers. However, in rural Uganda, self-supervision is what is prescribed for licensed private drug sellers by statutory guidelines. Evidence shows that self-supervision encourages inappropriate treatment of children less than five years of age by private drug sellers. This study constructed a model for an appropriate peer supervisor to augment the self-supervision currently practiced by drug sellers at district level in rural Uganda.MethodsIn this qualitative study, six Key informant interviews were held with inspectors while ten focus group discussions were conducted with one hundred and thirty drug sellers. Data analysis was informed by the Kathy Charmaz constructive approach to grounded theory. Atlas ti.7 software package was used for data management.Results A model with four dimensions defining an appropriate peer supervisor was developed. The dimensions included; incentives, clearly defined roles, mediation and role model peer supervisor. While all dimensions were regarded as being important, all participants interviewed agreed that incentives for peer supervisors were the most crucial. Overall, an appropriate peer supervisor was described as being exemplary to other drug sellers, operated within a defined framework, well facilitated to do their role and a good go-between drug sellers and government inspectors. Conclusion Four central contributions advance literature by the model developed by our study. First, the model fills a supervision gap for rural private drug sellers. Second, it highlights the need for terms of reference for peer supervisors. Third, it describes who an appropriate peer supervisor should be. Lastly, it elucidates the kind of resources needed for peer supervision.

scholarly journals Perspectives and practices of health workers around diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis in hospitals in a resource-poor setting – modern diagnostics meet age-old challenges

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquie Narotso Oliwa ◽  
Sabina Adhiambo Odero ◽  
Jacinta Nzinga ◽  
Michaël Boele van Hensbroek ◽  
Caroline Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
System Level ◽  
Resource Poor Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Physical Conclusion ◽  
Hospital Practices

Abstract Background Detection of tuberculosis (TB) in children in Kenya is sub-optimal. Xpert MTB/RIF® assay (Xpert®) has potential to improve speed of TB diagnosis due to its sensitivity and fast turnaround for results. Significant effort and resources have been put into making it widely available in Kenya, but its use remains low, especially in children. We set out to explore the reasons for the under-detection of TB and underuse of Xpert® in children, identifying challenges that may be relevant to other newer diagnostics in similar settings.Methods This was an exploratory qualitative study and data collection involved semi-structured interviews; small-group discussions; key informant interviews; observations of TB trainings, sensitisation meetings, policy meetings, hospital practices; and desk review of guidelines, job aides and policy documents. The Capability , Opportunity and Motivation (COM-B) framework was used to interpret emerging themes.Results At individual level, knowledge, skill, competence and experience, as well as beliefs and fears impacted on capability (physical & psychological) as well as motivation (reflective) to diagnose TB in children and use diagnostic tests. Hospital level influencers included hospital norms, processes & patient flows and resources which affected how individual health workers attempted to diagnose TB in children by impacting on their capability (physical & psychological) , motivation (reflective & automatic) and opportunity (physical & social). At the wider system level, community practices & beliefs, and implementation of TB programme directives impacted some of the decisions that health workers made through capability (psychological) , motivation (reflective & automatic) and opportunity (physical).Conclusion We used comprehensive approaches to identify influencers of TB case detection and use of TB diagnostic tests in children in Kenya. These results are being used to design a contextually-appropriate intervention to improve TB diagnosis, which may be relevant to similar low-resource, high TB burden countries.

No strong long-term effect of vitamin A supplementation in infancy on CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets. A community study from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Stabell Benn ◽  
Ida Maria Lisse ◽  
Carlitos Bale ◽  
Kim Fleischer Michaelsen ◽  
Jørn Olsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Community Study ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Long Term Effect

scholarly journals Engagement of Fathers in Parent Group Interventions for Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 3862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Smythe ◽  
Antony Duttine ◽  
Ana Carolina Dias Vieira ◽  
Barbara da Silveira Madeira de Castro ◽  
Hannah Kuper
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
Program Data

We aimed to explore the engagement of fathers in a community-based group intervention (Juntos) for children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and their caregivers in Brazil. Six Juntos groups were facilitated from August 2017 to May 2018. We conducted a qualitative study to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for fathers of children with CZS. Methods included participant observation, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews of fathers with a child enrolled in the program. Data collected were transcribed, coded and thematically analyzed to explore father preference for, and beliefs about the intervention and to assess potential barriers and enablers to their involvement. Forty-nine families (61 participants) enrolled, of whom 20% (12/61) were fathers. Seven (58%) fathers attended more than 7 out of 10 sessions. The content of Juntos was found to be acceptable to those fathers who attended. Participation in the group offered fathers the opportunity to share experiences of caring for their child and demonstrate their importance as care agents. Work commitments, and the view of mothers as primary caregivers were barriers to engagement of fathers. Facilitators to engagement included a presentation of clear objectives for fathers’ involvement and the opportunity to learn a practical skill related to caring for their child. A better understanding of the perspectives of fathers is crucial to help increase their involvement in parenting interventions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document