Prevalence and determinants of caesarean section in private and public health facilities in underserved South Asian communities: cross-sectional analysis of data from Bangladesh, India and Nepal

Introduction: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is recognised as a leading cause of antibiotic resistance. Little is known about antibiotic prescribing practices at public health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. We examined patterns of antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities in Nepal and explored factors influencing these practices. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities was conducted in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Six public health facilities were selected based on WHO guidelines, and data were extracted from administrative records for 6,860 patient encounters. Patterns of antibiotic prescribing were investigated using descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests and logistic regressions were applied to explore factors associated with antibiotic prescribing. Results: Of patients attending public health facilities, the proportion prescribed at least one antibiotic (44.7%) was approximately twice the WHO recommended value (20.0 to 26.8%). The antibiotic prescribing rate for hospital inpatients (64.6%) was higher than for other facilities, with the prescribing rate also high in primary health care centres (50.4%) and health posts (52.2%). The most frequently (29.9%) prescribed antibiotic classes were third-generation cephalosporins. Females (p = 0.005) and younger (p < 0.001) patients were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics. High prescribing rates of antibiotics for selected diseases appeared contrary to international recommendations. Conclusion: Antibiotic prescribing in public health facilities was high compared with WHO guidelines, suggesting the need for strategies to reduce misuse of antibiotics. This study provides useful information to assist in formulating policies and guidelines to promote more appropriate use of antibiotics in Nepal.

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Meconium-stained liquor and low birth weight increases the odds of low fifth-minute apgar scores in public health facilities of arba minch town, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Care ◽

10.15406/jpnc.2020.10.00417 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 86-90

Author(s):

Abera Mersha ◽

Shitaye Shibiru ◽

Agegnehu Bante

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Apgar Scores ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Public Health Facilities

Background: Low Apgar scores in the childbirth period increased risk globally and significantly contributes to both newborn morbidity and mortality. Hence, it is very essential to update information on the status of low fifth-minute Apgar scores and factors affecting. Some studies were conducted, but most are retrospective and record reviews. Besides, there is limited study in country-Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recent status of low fifth-minute Apgar scores and factors affecting in the study setting. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 newborns in public health facilities of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia from February 6 to March 9, 2019. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklist were used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to Stata version 15 for analysis. A crude and adjusted odds ratio was computed in the binary logistic regression model. In this study, P-value, < 0.05 was considered to declare factors as a statistically significant association. Results: In this study, 17.8% (95%CI: 13.8%, 22.7%) of neonates had low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Condition of labor (induced/augmented) (AOR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.24, 8.90), meconium-stained liquor (AOR=3.37, 95%CI: 1.17, 9.74), and birth weight (AOR=3.48, 95%CI: 1.23, 9.86) were significantly associated with neonate’s low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Conclusions: This study indicated that a significant number of newborns resulted in low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Strengthen the provision of health information during antenatal care; avoid delay in screening high-risk mothers during pregnancy and delivery, and give immediate interventions should be recommended.

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Knowledge and practice of immediate new-born care among midwives in central zone public health facilities, Tigray, Ethiopia: cross sectional study

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-019-4532-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tesfay Tsegay Gebru ◽

Rajalakshmi Murugan ◽

Alem Gebremariam Abrha ◽

Mekonnen Haftom Goyteom

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Central Zone ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public Health Facilities ◽

New Born ◽

Knowledge And Practice

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Healthcare providers’ level of involvement in provision of smoking cessation interventions in public health facilities in Kenya

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2015.523 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Judy W. Gichuki ◽

Rose Opiyo ◽

Possy Mugyenyi ◽

Kellen Namusisi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Level Of Involvement ◽

Public Health Facilities

Healthcare providers can play a major role in tobacco control by providing smoking cessation interventions to smoking patients. The objective of this study was to establish healthcare providers’ practices regarding smoking cessation interventions in selected health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among healthcare providers working in public health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 400 healthcare providers selected using a two-stage stratified sampling technique. Only 35% of the healthcare providers surveyed reported that they always asked patients about their smoking status. Less than half (44%) reported that they always advised smoking patients to quit. Respondents who had received training on smoking cessation interventions were 3.7 times more likely to have higher practice scores than those without training (OR=3.66; 95%CI: 1.63-8.26; P=0.003). Majority of the healthcare providers do not routinely provide smoking cessation interventions to their patients. Measures are needed to increase health worker’s involvement in provision of smoking cessation care in Kenya.

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