scholarly journals Knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women in a low-resource African setting

Author(s):  
Johnbosco Ifunanya Nwafor ◽  
Joseph Kenechi Aniukwu ◽  
Bonaventure Okechukwu Anozie ◽  
Arinze Chidiebere Ikeotuonye

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease pandemic has resulted in death of thousands of people across several countries. Several preventive measures have been recommended to halt the spread of the disease and its associated mortality. However, the level knowledge and practice of these preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women, which constitute vulnerable groups, are yet to be evaluated.AimTo determine the knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women in Abakaliki.Materials and MethodsThis was a self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted from February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 among 284 antenatal clinic attendees at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. A pretested and validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.ResultsOf 284 participants, 60.9% (n=173) had adequate knowledge of the preventive measures against COVID-19 infection. However, the overall practice of these preventive measures among the participants were poor as 69.7% of the participants were not practicing the preventive measures against the coronavirus. The determinants of poor practice of the preventive measures among the participants were being in age group 31-40 years (AOR=2.04, 95%CI: 1.26 - 5.37, p=0.022), married (AOR=2.99, 95%CI: 1.40 - 6.33, p=0.035) grandmultiparous (AOR=3.11, 95%CI: 1.32 - 6.56, p=0.021), residing in rural area (AOR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.32 - 4.05, p=0.031), and having no formal education (AOR=6.73, 95%CI: 2.66 - 18.34, p=0.002).ConclusionThe study showed that most of the participants had adequate knowledge of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection but the practice of these preventive measures were poor among the participants.

Author(s):  
Mamatha Shivanagappa ◽  
Yerva Sai Bhavana ◽  
Smitha Malenahalli Chandrashekarappa

Background: The presently ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not spared any segment of society including pregnant women. It is absolutely essential that pregnant mothers and their caregivers be fully aware of accurate facts about COVID-19. Objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women of Mysore City.Methods: This was a cross sectional study, conducted among pregnant women attending prenatal care at a tertiary care centre. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire administered via google form to consenting pregnant women. The variables assessed were knowledge about aetiology, mode of spread and preventive measures to protect against COVID-19. Data was also collected on socio-demographic characteristics, which included age, parity, marital status, residence, occupation, participant’s education, husband’s education.Results: Out of the 93 responders, majority 71 (76.3%) were in the age group 20-30 years. 17 (18.3%) were in the 30-40 years age group. Regarding number of children 41 (44.1%) had one child 16 (17.2%) had 2 children and 32 (34.3%) were primigravida. With respect to educational status 70 (75.26%) were having graduate degree. 19 (20.4%) were non graduates, but had completed high school. Educational level of the husbands of the respondents was along similar lines with 62 (66.66%) having completed graduation, and 28 (30.1%) had completed high school. 91(97.8%) respondents were correct in identifying virus as the cause of COVID-19. 88 (94.6%) rightly chose mode of spread by sneezing or cough. 1 (0.1%) respondent wrongly indicated that injections were the mode of spread. Main symptoms cough and fever were correctly identified by 80 (86%) respondents. The practice of preventive medicine was low with respect to all aspects of covid prevention. Only 27 (29.7%) were following frequent washing recommendation. Only 26 (28.6%) were following staying indoors advise. 28 (30.8%) of the respondents were wearing masks. However, 82 (90.1%) were following at least one of the preventive measures. There was a positive association of age and knowledge about covid causation. Respondents of higher age group having more correct answers than those of lower age groups.Conclusions: The knowledge levels of pregnant women were satisfactory However this was not translated into practice by majority of the respondents.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Baffah Aminu ◽  
Mohammed Alkali ◽  
Bala M. Audu ◽  
Toyin Abdulrazak

Background: Pregnant women are at increasing risk of GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and heartburns, most of these symptoms are as a result of the hormonal and physical changes associated with pregnancy. This study aimed to determine prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) among pregnant women attending booking clinic at a Northeastern Nigerian Teaching Hospital.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey of four hundred and fifty-two pregnant women booking for antenatal care. Their sociodemographic variables as well as the presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms in index pregnancy were obtained at by the use of researcher-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages. A 5% significance level (p <0.05) to test associations.Results: Two fifty-five women had heart burns (56.4%) while 235 (52.0%) had nausea in pregnancy, these were observed to be the most prevalent GI symptoms among the women. Diarrhea and hemorrhoids were the uncommon GI symptoms in the study population constituting 406 (89.5%), and 360 (79.6%) respectively. Easy fullness was noted in 39.8% of the women while vomiting was in 41.8% and constipation in 29% of the respondents. A significant association was observed (p value <0.05) between parity and development of anorexia and hemorrhoids in pregnancy (p values of 0.049 and 0.051 respectively) but not for the other symptoms.Conclusions: GI symptoms are common in pregnancy, the most prevalent symptoms are that of heart burns and nausea, while diarrhea is relatively uncommon.


Med Phoenix ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumitra Mulepati ◽  
Tanuja Kumari Chaudhary

Background: Anemia is a common problem in pregnancy, particularly in developing countries which causes low birth weight and increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted to determine the factors associated with anemia among pregnant Systematic Random Sampling technique was used and sample size was 280 pregnant women who visited the antenatal clinic of the Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. Data was collected by face to face interview technique by pretested questionnaire. Chi-square, bivariate, multivariate logistic regression model was used, and statistical significance was determined with a 95% confidence level.Results: Mean age of respondents was 25.86±4.191 years. Anemia among pregnant women was 22.1%.The significant determinants associated with anemia were pregnant women who had not taken iron regularly (AOR=18.380, 95% CI=3.687-91.624, p=0.005).Conclusion: The results indicate that anemia is still prevalence in pregnant women in tertiary level hospital at Kathmandu. Irregular intake or discontinuation of iron was significant factor for anemia. Therefore, pregnant women and their family members need counseling about the importance of regular intake of iron during pregnancy.Med Phoenix Vol.2(1) July 2017, 24-33


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Om K Acharya ◽  
Takma KC ◽  
Krishna D Shrestha

Introduction: Diabetes is a major contributing factor for overall health status, morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Adequate knowledge and sufficient practice can prevent many possible diabetic complications. Hence, the objective of this study was to find out the knowledge and practice regarding prevention of complications of diabetes among diabetic patients. Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional design was carried out in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital Kathmandu (TUTH). A total 124 diabetic patients who came for follow-up in endocrine Out Patient Department were selected through purposive sampling technique by using pre-tested structured interview schedule during four weeks. Data was analyzed by using the descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 16. Results: The study findings showed that 24.2% respondents had adequate knowledge about complications. More than half of the respondents had sufficient practice (52.4%) regarding prevention of diabetic complications. Association between knowledge and selected variables showed that sex and education level tends to be significantly associated and regarding practice, area of residence and duration of illness were significantly associated (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) and average positive relationship (r=0.605) was found between knowledge and practice. Conclusion: The study concluded that though only few respondents had adequate knowledge, more than half of the respondents had sufficient practice regarding preventing complications. This finding suggests awareness program regarding prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus should be launched periodically to increase knowledge and sufficient practice on prevention of diabetic complications.


Author(s):  
L. M. Gauthamme Sai ◽  
Radha Kumar ◽  
Vemulapalli Harsha

Background: Young children are prone for accidental injuries in the home environment and these injuries can be easily prevented by better supervision and improving safety in the home. Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice of mothers regarding child safety in under five children at home and its correlation with sociodemographic details. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital at Kancheepuram. The duration of the study was 2 months. Mothers with at least one child under 5 years of age who visited the pediatrics outpatient department during the study period were included in the study. The sample size was 160. After obtaining approval from the institutional review board (approval no SMC/IEC/2021/03/046) a self designed and validated questionnaire was administered to the participants after obtaining consent. The data was entered into an excel sheet and analysed using SPSS 24. Results: A total of 160 mothers of under five children who visited the outpatient department of pediatrics during the study period were included in the study.  The mean age of mothers was 25 years. 73.12% of mothers who participated in the study had adequate knowledge about child safety at home and 53.12% mothers had adequate practice. The association of knowledge towards child safety at home and mothers’ education was statistically significant (P = 0.006). Graduate mothers were found to have more knowledge regarding child safety at home among under five children than mothers educated upto middle school and high school. The association of practice towards child safety and type of family was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.016). Mothers belonging to joint families were found to have better practices towards child safety than mothers belonging to nuclear and three generation families. 65% of the mothers stated that their child has suffered from home injuries earlier including minor and major injuries. 41.8% of mothers said that they have a first aid kit at home. Conclusion: Although most of the mothers had adequate knowledge towards child safety at home among under five children, half of the mothers lacked adequate practice towards child safety. Hence it is essential to counsel and educate mothers to improve practices at home that would be beneficial in improving child safety.


Author(s):  
Adebayo A. Akadri ◽  
Bamidele D. Osuolale ◽  
Tessie O. Shorunmu ◽  
Oluwaseyi I. Odelola

Aims: To establish the prevalence, determinants and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Group B streptococcus in pregnant women in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the antenatal clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, between July 2017 and December 2017. Methodology: The study involved 184 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Lower vaginal and rectal swabs were collected under aseptic condition and immediately sent to the laboratory for processing. The samples were assayed for the presence of group B streptococcus using conventional methods. Information on the socio demographic characteristics and details of delivery were recorded on a data capture sheet. Results: The prevalence of Group B streptococcus was 27.7%. The odds of Group B streptococcus colonization was significantly higher among women of low parity (≤ 2) and binary logistic regression analysis showed that parity was predictive of Group B streptococcus colonization (OR 3.7; 95% CI = 1.03-13.46; P=.045). Younger women (age ≤ 30 years) and women carrying term pregnancies had a non significant trend towards higher odds of Group B streptococcus colonization [(OR= 1.22, 95% CI: 0.6-2.3, P = .54) and (OR=1.6, CI: 0.8-3.2; P = .15) respectively]. The resistance of group B streptococcus isolates to penicillin and ampicillin was 39.2% and 37.3% respectively.                           Conclusion: The group B streptococcus colonization rate in this study is high. Factors such as low parity, young maternal age and term pregnancies are associated with increased odds of colonization. The emergence of resistance to the commonly prescribed antibiotics calls for re-evaluation of the current recommendations regarding the antibiotics prophylaxis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemu Degu Ayele ◽  
Gedefaye Nibret Mihretie ◽  
Habtamu Gebrehana Belay ◽  
Adanech Getie Teffera ◽  
Bekalu Getnet Kassa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The current corona virus disease (COVID-19) is now become the global concerns and declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization on March 2020. To date, no antiviral treatment or vaccine has been explicitly recommended for COVID-19. So, applying preventive measures to control COVID-19 infection is the most critical intervention. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to respiratory pathogens and severe pneumonia, because they are at immunosuppressive state and physiological adaptive change during pregnancy. As the same time the determinants of knowledge and practice to prevent COVID-19 among pregnant women, who constitute vulnerable groups, are yet to be evaluated. This study was therefore designed to assess knowledge and practice of preventive measures against corona virus disease and its associated factors among pregnant women in Debre Tabor Town. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 pregnant women from May 25-June 15, 2020. Simple random sampling technique was employed. Data was collected by face to face interview using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out and p-value < 0.05 at 95% CI were considered as statistically significant. Result: A total of 422 participants were included with response rate of 95.9%. The mean age was 27.15 (SD± 4.719) years. About 46.8% and 47.6 % of women were knowledgeable and had good practice against corona virus respectively. The predictor for knowledge were age(15-24)( AOR=4.85, 95% CI: 1.34-5.42), educational status(AOR:3.70; 95% CI: 1.16-5.40) being civil servant (AOR:2.84; 95% CI: 1.55-5.21), wanted pregnancy(AOR:3.37; 95% CI: 1.20-9.45), antenatal care follow-up(AOR:2.07; 95% CI: 1.03-4.13), whereas educational status (AOR:3.78; 95% CI: 1.19-5.11), number of children (AOR:2.89; 95% CI: 1.29-6.45) and knowledge (AOR:8.42;95% CI: 4.50-15.85), were also the predictors for practice. Conclusion: This study showed that most of the participants had poor knowledge and inappropriate practice. As per finding increasing health education program via different medias, coordinated and combined efforts of authorities and all individuals will be needed to battles the spread of the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Ezeme M. Sunday ◽  
Paul C. Okoli ◽  
Vincent O. Dinwoke

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders are somewhat masked by features of pregnancy; hence many women are ignorant of them and are untreated.Aim: To determine the level of awareness and treatment of anxiety and depression in pregnancy.Setting: The study was carried out at the antenatal clinic of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.Method: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of 200 pregnant women in consecutive attendance of the antenatal clinic using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Results: Of the participants, 23.5% had anxiety and/or depression, 7.5% of them were aware of their condition and only 0.5% of all the participants or 6.7% of those who were aware of their problem received treatment.Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among pregnant women. Because of overlap of symptoms of anxiety and depression with those of pregnancy, the awareness is very low; hence many of them suffer immensely without treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
Sabitra Subedi

 Birth preparedness and complication readiness is the process planning for normal birth and anticipating the action needed in case of an emergency. Promoting birth and emergency planning helps to improve preventive behavior, increase awareness of mothers about danger signs and improvement in care seeking behavior in the case of obstetric complication. A cross sectional descriptive quantitative community-based study was conducted to assess knowledge and practice on birth preparedness and complication readiness among 150 pregnant women of 24 weeks gestation and above in selected wards of Biratnagar with non- probability purposive sampling. The findings of the study showed that 22.7% of the respondents had adequate knowledge on the birth preparedness and complication readiness and 19.8% of respondents had adequate practice. However, the only 9.3% of respondents were prepared for birth complications. Analysis using chi square test identified statistically significant association between knowledge and practice. The study found significant association of knowledge with gravida and weeks of gestation. It seemed there is significant association of practice level with occupation and weeks of gestation and weeks of gestation. The study identified inadequate knowledge and practices on birth preparedness and complication readiness. Thus, the government office, policy makers and partner that are working in maternal health should give due emphasis to preparation for birth and its complication and provide information and education to all pregnant women at community level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 261-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafi A. Togoo ◽  
Balsam Al-Almai ◽  
Fatimah Al-Hamdi ◽  
Salha H. Huaylah ◽  
Mashael Althobati ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out among 251 pregnant women to assess their level of knowledge and perception regarding pregnancy gingivitis and the oral health of new born children. Materials and Methods A self-administered validated questionnaire was distributed among pregnant women visiting the Child and Maternity Hospital, Ministry of Health, Aseer, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included the questions related to their knowledge/awareness about cause, treatment, preventive measures, and the adverse effects of gingivitis on oral health of a woman. Statistical Analysis The data was entered into Microsoft excel sheet and put to statistical analysis using SPSS (version 17). Descriptive analysis and also chi-squared test was used for comparison. Results Majority of pregnant women were found unaware about developing of pregnancy gingivitis as well as the cause, effects, treatment, and preventive measures for the same. Most of the subjects agreed that it was essentially required to have oral health education before their pregnancy term would start. Conclusion Most of the pregnant women said that they were unaware about pregnancy gingivitis, though few reported of being aware about it. It is inferred that the collaborative efforts between general dentists, pediatric dentists, public health dentists, and medical professionals are needed to raise awareness among pregnant women regarding timely dental care to avoid the adverse pregnancy related outcomes due to gingivitis and periodontitis.


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