scholarly journals The effect of community dialogues and sensitization on patient reporting of adverse events in rural Uganda: uncontrolled before-after study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Byomire Ndagije ◽  
Leonard Manirakiza ◽  
Dan Kajungu ◽  
Edward Galiwango ◽  
Donna Kusemererwa ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThe patients that experience adverse events are in the best position to report them, only if they were empowered to do so. Systematic community engagement and support to patients in a rural setting to monitor any potential harm from medicines should provide evidence for patient safety.MethodsThis paper describes an uncontrolled before and after study aimed at assessing the effect of a community engagement strategy, the Community Dialogues and Sensitization (CDS) intervention between January and April 2017, on the knowledge, attitude and practice of reporting adverse drug events by community members in the two eastern Ugandan districts. A representative cross-sectional baseline household survey was done prior to the intervention in September 2016 (n=1034) and the end-line survey (n=827) in July 2017.ResultsAfter implementation of the CDS intervention, there was an overall 20% (95% CI=16- 25) increase in awareness about adverse drug events in the community. The young people (15- 24 years) demonstrated a 41% (95% CI =31-52) increase and the un-educated showed a 50% (95% CI=37-63) increase in awareness about adverse drug events. The attitudes towards reporting increased overall by 5% in response to whether there was a need to report ADEs (95% CI =3-7). An overall 115% (95% CI =137-217) increase in the population that had ever experienced ADEs was also reported.ConclusionOur evaluation shows that the CDS intervention increases knowledge, improves attitudes by catalyzing discussions among community members and health workers on health issues and monitoring safety of medicines.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice Mallari ◽  
Gideon Lasco ◽  
Don Jervis Sayman ◽  
Arianna Maever L. Amit ◽  
Dina Balabanova ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community health workers (CHWs) are an important cadre of the primary health care (PHC) workforce in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Philippines was an early adopter of the CHW model for the delivery of PHC, launching the Barangay (village) Health Worker (BHW) programme in the early 1980s, yet little is known about the factors that motivate and sustain BHWs’ largely voluntary involvement. This study aims to address this gap by examining the lived experiences and roles of BHWs in urban and rural sites in the Philippines. Methods This cross-sectional qualitative study draws on 23 semi-structured interviews held with BHWs from barangays in Valenzuela City (urban) and Quezon province (rural). A mixed inductive/ deductive approach was taken to generate themes, which were interpreted according to a theoretical framework of community mobilisation to understand how characteristics of the social context in which the BHW programme operates act as facilitators or barriers for community members to volunteer as BHWs. Results Interviewees identified a range of motivating factors to seek and sustain their BHW roles, including a variety of financial and non-financial incentives, gaining technical knowledge and skill, improving the health and wellbeing of community members, and increasing one’s social position. Furthermore, ensuring BHWs have adequate support and resources (e.g. allowances, medicine stocks) to execute their duties, and can contribute to decisions on their role in delivering community health services could increase both community participation and the overall impact of the BHW programme. Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of the symbolic, material and relational factors that influence community members to participate in CHW programmes. The lessons drawn could help to improve the impact and sustainability of similar programmes in other parts of the Philippines and that are currently being developed or strengthened in other LMICs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Castelo-Branco ◽  
R P Santos ◽  
B R Santos ◽  
D D Pinnock ◽  
H P Silva

Abstract Background In the Amazon there are several quilombola communities, remnants of the enslaved peoples of African descendant. In Pará/Brazil (Eastern Amazonia) there are over 300 quilombola communities established in rural areas. The aim of this study is to investigate the living conditions and morbidity of individuals aged 18+ years who live in a quilombola community in the city of Ananindeua/Pará. Methods A cross-sectional study was done with 132 individuals (71.3% of the population). A household survey and a questionnaire evaluating socioeconomic, life habits and self-reported morbidity were conducted. Results Among the participants 90.2% belonged to the D/E economic class, 60.6% were women, the median age was 39.5 years (p = 0.343) and the per capita income was U$41.50/month with no difference between sexes (p = 0.266). 97.0% of the participants self-declared black or brown. Women had more education than men (7x5 years, p = 0.019). Most worked with agriculture and fishing (55.5%). 53.8% of men rated their health status as good while 41.0% of women rated their health as good (p = 0.002). 55.3% had never smoked cigarettes, 25.8% were ex-smokers, and 25.8% were smokers. More men (78.8%) used alcohol regularly than women (43.8%) (p = 0.000), among the users 32.5% reported weekly or daily use. The frequency of self-reported morbidity was as follows: Asthma 21.7%, Hypertension 10.6%, Diabetes 6.8%, Chronic infectious diseases 5.6%, Kidney disease 3.9%, Stroke 3.3%, Angina 3.1%, Liver disease 2.3%, Chronic heart failure 1.5%, with no difference between the sexes. Only 4.0% used medication for diabetes, and 7.6% for hypertension. Conclusions The study shows the social vulnerability of this quilombola community, which is similar to others in the region. The rural afro-derived Amazonian populations need to be empowered to help inform policy makers about their main health issues and healthcare needs. Key messages There are few studies about health of quilombola communities. This research shows the need for further investigations to produce sensible information and promote the empowerment of these populations. This study shows a high level of vulnerability of this community, similar to others in rural Amazon. Information about their health needs is fundamental to promotion of public policies in the region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 006-012
Author(s):  
Azubuike Benjamin Nwako ◽  
Okechukwu Francis Nwako ◽  
Charles Emeka Nwolisa ◽  
Magaret-Lorritta Chidimma Nwako ◽  
Charles Nwaora Nwako

Background/Aim: Vaccines are said to be associated with side effects. The aim of the study was to show the pattern and distribution of adverse events following immunization observed with ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] Covid-19 vaccine after the first dose. Methodology: The study design was cross-sectional descriptive study over four weeks. We included records of 6589 high risk recipients of the vaccine and 33 of them who reported adverse events following immunization. The study used secondary data from the covid-19 vaccination register and District Health Information system II. Result: Out of 6589 individuals vaccinated with the first dose of ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] Covid-19 vaccine, 69.66% were female, 69.49% were fifty-five years or less, 86.04% were health workers and 27.26% had comorbidity. Only 0.5% of those vaccinated reported adverse events following immunization out of which 0.41% was systemic, 0.06% local and 0.03% allergic reactions. The commonest systemic side effects were headache and dizziness while local adverse events had pain at injection site as the commonest side effect. Multiple swelling in the buttock and swelling of the face and lip were the only two cases of allergic reactions reported. Eighty-eight percent of those who reported side effects did so on the day of vaccination. Conclusion The study reported less adverse events with the first dose of ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] Covid-19 vaccine than in other studies which included headache, dizziness and pain at the injection site. Most were reported in the first day of vaccination. There is need for encouraging vaccine recipients to report any adverse events following immunization.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A37.1-A37
Author(s):  
Helen Ndagije ◽  
Victoria Nambasa ◽  
Dan Kajungu

BackgroundDrug regulatory authorities promote patient safety by, among other ways, monitoring adverse drug events (ADEs). Reporting of ADEs in Uganda is below the average for a well-performing system. Enhancing patients’ understanding of and involving them in reporting ADEs improves drug safety and treatment outcome monitoring. The objective of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients and healthcare workers regarding ADEs and ADEs reporting.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1034 respondents from randomly selected households and 327 health workers at health facilities in the Iganga Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IMHDSS). The IMHDSS, located in Uganda, covers 90,000 people living in 17,000 households.ResultsOver half of respondents (59%) sought treatment from private drug shops, 37% from either clinic, health center or hospital, while 4% sought treatment from herbalists, friends or relatives. Over half (56%) were aware of ADEs, 57% expressed willingness to report an ADE while 43% did not know what to do when it occurs. Almost half (46%) could not differentiate between an ADE and the symptoms, and for those who could, the majority (76%) were willing to report it. Only 34% had ever reported an ADE when it occurred to them. Of those who reported, 43% had their drugs changed, 31% were only counseled while 11.5% continued taking the same medication. Among healthcare workers, 95% knew about ADEs, but only 35% had ever reported. Reasons for not reporting were: fear of being victimised or sued (35%); lack of adequate knowledge about ADE (26%); 20% thought it would disappear shortly; and 14% did not find it necessary to report.ConclusionPatients seek their treatment from private providers. Patients want to report ADEs, but they do not have adequate knowledge. Healthcare workers’ reasons for not reporting are subjective. Dedicated pharmacovigilance-related interventions at community level would improve community members’ knowledge and hence ADE reporting rate.


2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. HALWINDI ◽  
P. MAGNUSSEN ◽  
S. SIZIYA ◽  
D. W. MEYROWITSCH ◽  
A. OLSEN

SummaryCross-sectional surveys with carers, health workers, community drug distributors (CDDs) and neighbourhood health committees were conducted to identify factors associated with utilization of community-directed treatment (ComDT) of soil-transmitted helminths in children aged 12–59 months in Mazabuka district, Zambia. The surveys took place in December 2006 and December 2007. In addition child treatment records were reviewed. The factors that were found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with treatment of children by the CDDs were: (1) the perception of soil-transmitted helminth infections as having significant health importance, (2) the community-based decision to launch and subsequently implement ComDT, (3) the use of the door-to-door method of drug distribution, (4) CDDs being visited by a supervisor, (5) CDDs receiving assistance in mobilizing community members for treatment, (6) CDDs having access to a bicycle and (7) CDDs having received assistance in collecting drugs from the health centre. Despite the effectiveness of ComDT in raising treatment coverage there are factors in the implementation process that will still affect whether children and their carers utilize the ComDT approach. Identification and understanding of these factors is paramount to achieving the desired levels of utilization of such interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugwu I. Omale ◽  
Onyinyechukwu U. Oka ◽  
Ifeyinwa M. Okeke ◽  
Benedict N. Azuogu ◽  
Chihurumnanya Alo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A good understanding of the demand for malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT), malaria health care-seeking behavior, and drug use among community members is crucial to malaria control efforts. The aim of this study was to assess the demand (use and/or request) for MRDT, health care-seeking behavior, and drug use, as well as associated factors, among rural community members (both children and adults) with fever or malaria-like illness in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted between October 1st and November 7th, 2018, in 18 rural geographical clusters. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done using summary statistics. Associated factors (socio-demographic, knowledge and opinion level) were assessed using bivariate and multivariate binomial logistic regressions while the overall effects of these factors were assessed using the “postestimation test” command in Stata. Results A total of 1310 children under 5 years of age and 2329 children ages 5 years and above and adults (excluding pregnant women) (3639 overall) participated in the study. Among the 1310 children under 5 years of age: 521 (39.8%) received MRDT of which the caregivers of 82 (15.7%) requested for the MRDT; 931 (71.1%) sought care with public/private sector providers (excluding traditional practitioners/drug hawkers) the same/next day; 495 (37.8%) sought care at government primary health centres, 744 (56.8%) sought care with the patent medicine vendors (PMVs); 136 (10.4%) sought care with traditional practitioners; 1020 (77.9%) took ACTs (=88.2%, 1020/1156 of those who took anti-malarial drugs). Generally, lower values were respectively recorded among the 2329 children ages 5 years and above and adults (excluding pregnant women). The most important overarching predictor of the demand for MRDT and care-seeking behaviour was the knowledge and opinion level of respondent female heads of households about malaria and malaria diagnosis. Conclusions Among the rural community members with fever or malaria-like illness in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, while majority did not receive MRDT or diagnostic testing, and sought care with the PMVs, most took anti-malaria drugs, and mostly ACTs. Interventions are needed to improve the knowledge and opinion of the female heads of households about malaria and malaria diagnosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Kemmeren ◽  
L. van Balveren ◽  
A. Kant ◽  
H. de Melker

Abstract Background In 2018, meningococcal ACWY-TT vaccine (MenACWY-TT) was offered to adolescents in the Netherlands within the National Immunization Programme at 14 years of age. A questionnaire study assessed the tolerability of this vaccine. Methods Five thousand adolescents were invited to participate and to fill in two questionnaires about systemic events in the week before vaccination and local reactions and systemic events in the week after vaccination. Frequencies of local and systemic adverse events in the week after vaccination were calculated. Association between the occurrence of systemic symptoms in the week before and after the vaccination was tested by using generalized mixed models (GLMM). Results Of all adolescents, 139 returned one or both questionnaires. Any local reaction within 7 days after vaccination was reported by 55.6% of the adolescents. Pain (50%) and reduced use of the injected arm (21.3%) were most often reported. Any systemic event was reported by 67.6% of the participants, with myalgia as the most often reported event (37.0%). Compared with the week before vaccination, there were no increased odds of experiencing systemic symptoms in the week after vaccination (OR 0.95; 95%CI 0.40–2.27). Conclusions After vaccination with MenACWY-TT vaccine, most adolescents reported one or more adverse events, which were mostly mild and transient. Systemic symptoms were not reported more often in the week after compared to the week before vaccination. Unfortunately, due to a low response rate we were not able to detect the absolute elevated risks the sample size calculation was based on. However, despite limited data, our results are in line with results from prelicensure data, and indicate that MenACWY-TT vaccination is well tolerated in adolescents.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260638
Author(s):  
Prativa Subedi ◽  
Gopal Kumar Yadav ◽  
Binod Paudel ◽  
Anu Regmi ◽  
Prajjwal Pyakurel

Introduction The study aimed at exploring the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and their incidences among health workers in three different districts of central and western Nepal following the first dose of Covishield vaccine,. It also aimed at studying the association of AEFI with demographic and clinical characteristics of vaccinees, pre-vaccination anxiety level and prior history of COVID-19 infection (RT- PCR confirmed) status. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out via face-to-face or telephonic interview among 1006 health workers one week after receiving their first dose of the Covishield vaccine. Incidence of adverse events was calculated in percentage while Chi-square Test was used to check the association of AEFI with independent variables. Logistic regression was used to find out the adjusted odd’s ratio at 95% CI. Results Incidence of AEFI was 79.8% with local and systemic AEFI being 68.0% and 59.7% respectively. Injection site tenderness was the commonest manifestation. Local and systemic symptoms resolved in less than one week among 96.8% and 98.7% vaccinees respectively. Females were more likely to develop AEFI than males (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2–2.4). Vaccinees aged 45–59 years were 50% less likely to develop AEFI as compared to those aged less than 30 years (AOR 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8). Most of the vaccinees had not undergone RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 (59.8%). Those who were not tested for COVID-19 prior were 1.5 odds more likely to develop AEFI compared to those who were negative (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1). Conclusion More than two-third of the vaccinees developed one or more forms of adverse events, but most events were self-limiting. Females and young adults were more prone to develop AEFI.


Author(s):  
Nadio Etabo Clement ◽  
Peter Edome Akwee ◽  
Josephat Bitok ◽  
Peterson Kariuki

Patient, Health-facility and Socio-cultural related factors associated with non-adherence have contributed to poor management of ART among HIV/AIDS clients. In Lodwar County and Referral Hospital, Turkana County, a significantly high number of clients on ARV therapy have defaulted treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with non-adherence to anti-retroviral treatment in Lodwar County and Referral Hospital (LCRH), Turkana, Kenya. The study was guided by cross sectional descriptive study design where qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The research instruments used for data collection consisted of structured questionnaires, interview schedules among clients on ARV therapy and documents analysis. The sample size was obtained using the modified Fishers formula at 95% level of confidence. The Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings in the study revealed that there are many patient, health system and socio-cultural related factors associated with non-adherence. From the study document analysis at LCRH there should be 5243 people on ARVs, however, as at January 2018 there were 1551 (30%) who were actively on ARVs this shows that there is 70 % default rate. The study found that, Patients’ related factors that are causing non-adherence include; lack of education, lack of support, the distance to facility, lack of food, the side effects, alcohol use among many others. The study concluded that, health facility should improve their service delivery to the patients, change attitude and conduct adherence counseling. There is need to sensitize the community members to accept the HIV+ people to enable them express their health issues. They should support them and ensure that they are trained on how to use ARVs and not seek the tradition herbs and medicine men.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document