scholarly journals Maternal Attitudes about Objectively Monitored Bednet Use in Rural Uganda

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Krezanoski ◽  
Data Santorino ◽  
Nuriat Nambogo ◽  
Jeffrey I. Campbell ◽  
David R. Bangsberg
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Maternal Attitudes ◽  
Objective Monitoring ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Itn Use

Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) are a mainstay of malaria prevention, yet poor adherence poses a major barrier to effective prevention. Self-reports of bednet use suffer from recall and social desirability biases. We have designed a device that electronically records ITN usage longitudinally. SmartNet consists of circuits made from a conductive fabric interwoven into the sides and top of a rectangular ITN. Digital sampling of the state of these circuits allows for determining whether the SmartNet is deployed for use or folded up. We conducted a study among pregnant women and women with children <5 years in Uganda to determine attitudes about objective bednet monitoring and SmartNet. Fifty women were interviewed with an average age of 27 years and 2.3 children. Twenty-two percent were pregnant. Ninety-five percent had used a bednet and 90% reported having a bednet at home. After displaying a SmartNet, 92% thought it would be easy to use and 100% expressed interest in using SmartNet. Concerns about SmartNet included washing the net, worries about being monitored while asleep, and worries about users removing the device components. Objective monitoring of ITN use appears to be acceptable among women in rural Uganda, setting the stage for further SmartNet field testing.

scholarly journals Knowledge of risks of malaria in pregnancy on use of ITNs among pregnant women in northern Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Dun-Dery ◽  
C Beiersmann ◽  
N Kuunibe ◽  
O Müller
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Malaria In Pregnancy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Malaria Knowledge ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Every year malaria in pregnancy causes 10,000 maternal mortalities worldwide, 20% of stillbirths, 11% of all new-born deaths and 900,000 low-birth-weight babies in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal knowledge of malaria risks in pregnancy plays a significant role in malaria prevention. However, it is unknown if this preventable loss of lives and morbidities are caused by lack of knowledge, lack of prevention tools or both. We measured the pregnancy-related risks of malaria knowledge and bed net availability and use among pregnant women in Ghana. Methods We interviewed 770 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in 37 primary care clinics in Ghana from January through May 2019. We integrated this data in a sequential explanatory design with qualitative insights from 6 focus groups with 8 pregnant women each. Results 697/770 questionnaires were analyzed. 67% have general knowledge on malaria prevention but only 19% knew the specific risks on pregnancy outcomes. ITNs were owned by 89%, but only 75% reported to regularly use them. There was a statistically significant correlation between specific risks of malaria knowledge and ITN use (P&lt;.001, OR = 2.0, CI:1.3-3.0). Other factors associated with ITN use were higher income, owning an ITN, higher parity, formal education, religion, and age. Reasons for non-adherence to ITN use include inappropriate hanging infrastructure, discomfort with using an ITN, and use of other prevention alternatives. Conclusions The study demonstrates that maternal knowledge on the risks of malaria in pregnancy significantly influenced their adherence to the use of insecticide-treated bed nets. Key messages The use of ITNs as a prevention method for malaria correlates to the knowledge of mothers about risks of malaria in pregnancy. Antenatal care malaria prevention efforts should focus more on teaching the specific risks of malaria in pregnancy.

scholarly journals Rural–urban variation in insecticide-treated net utilization among pregnant women: evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽  
Kenneth Setorwu Adde ◽  
Shadrach Dare ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Itn Use

Abstract Background In 2018, Nigeria accounted for the highest prevalence of malaria worldwide. Pregnant women and children under five years bear the highest risk of malaria. Geographical factors affect utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), yet existing literature have paid little attention to the rural–urban dimension of ITN utilization in Nigeria. This study aimed at investigating the rural–urban variation in ITN utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria using data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Methods A total of 2909 pregnant women were included in the study. The prevalence of ITN utilization for rural and urban pregnant women of Nigeria were presented with descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was employed to assess the association between residence, socio-demographic characteristics and ITN utilization at 95% level of significance. Subsequently, binary logistic regression was used to assess the influence of residence on ITN utilization. Results Eight out of ten of the rural residents utilized ITN (86.1%) compared with 74.1% among urban residents. Relative to urban pregnant women, those in rural Nigeria had higher odds of utilizing ITNs both in the crude [cOR = 2.17, CI = 1.66–2.84] and adjusted models [aOR = 1.18, CI = 1.05–1.24]. Pregnant women aged 40–44 had lower odds of ITN utilization compared to those aged 15–19 [aOR = 0.63, CI = 0.44–0.92]. Poorer pregnant women had higher odds of ITN utilization compared with poorest pregnant women [aOR = 1.09, CI = 1.04–1.32]. Across regions, those in the south [aOR = 0.26, CI = 0.14–0.49] and south-west [aOR = 0.29, CI = 0.16–0.54] had lower odds of ITN use compared to their counterparts in the north-west region. Conclusion The high use of ITNs among pregnant women in Nigeria may be due to the prioritization of rural communities by previous interventions. This is a dimension worth considering to enhance the attainment of the national anti-malarial initiatives. Since possession of ITN is not a guarantee for utilization, women in urban locations need constant reminder of ITN use through messages delivered at ANC and radio advertisements. Moreover, subsequent mass ITN campaigns ought to take cognizance of variations ITN use across regions and pragmatic steps be taken to increase the availability of ITN in households since there is a moderately high use in households with at least one ITN in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Do they really wash their hands? Prevalence estimates for personal hygiene behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic based on indirect questions

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mieth ◽  
Maike M. Mayer ◽  
Adrian Hoffmann ◽  
Axel Buchner ◽  
Raoul Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Crosswise Model

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people have to change their behaviours to slow down the spreading of the virus. Protective measures include self-isolation, social (physical) distancing and compliance with personal hygiene rules, particularly regular and thorough hand washing. Prevalence estimates for the compliance with the COVID-19 measures are often based on direct self-reports. However, during a health crisis there is strong public pressure to comply with health and safety regulations so that people’s responding in direct self-reports may be seriously compromised by social desirability. Methods In an online survey, an indirect questioning technique was used to test whether the prevalence of hygiene practices may be lower than in conventional surveys when confidentiality of responding is guaranteed. The Extended Crosswise Model is an indirect questioning technique that guarantees the confidentiality of responding. To the degree that direct self-reports are biased by social desirability, prevalence estimates of hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing based on the Extended Crosswise Model should be lower than those based on direct self-reports. Results We analysed data of 1434 participants. In the direct questioning group 94.5% of the participants claimed to practice proper hand hygiene; in the indirect questioning group a significantly lower estimate of only 78.1% was observed. Conclusions These results indicate that estimates of the degree of commitment to measures designed to counter the spread of the disease may be significantly inflated by social desirability in direct self-reports. Indirect questioning techniques with higher levels of confidentiality seem helpful in obtaining more realistic estimates of the degree to which people follow the recommended personal hygiene measures. More realistic estimates of compliance can help to inform and to adjust public information campaigns on COVID-19 hygiene recommendations.

scholarly journals Individual, community and societal correlates of insecticide treated net use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-level analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Malaria in pregnancy is a crucial public health concern due to the enormous risk it poses to maternal and newborn health. The World Health Organisation therefore recommends insecticide-treated net (ITN) for pregnant women. The world over, sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest prevalence of malaria and its associated complications. This study investigated the individual, community and society level factors associated with ITN use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The study was conducted with Demographic and Health Survey data of 21 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 17,731 pregnant women who possessed ITN participated in the study. Descriptive computation of ITN use by survey country and socio-demographic characteristics was conducted. Further, five multi-level binary logistic regression models were fitted with MLwiN 3.05 package in STATA. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation procedure was used in estimating the parameters whilst the Bayesian Deviance Information Criterion was used for the model fitness test. Results On average, 74.2% pregnant women in SSA used ITN. The highest prevalence of ITN use occurred in Mali (83.7%) whilst the least usage occurred in Namibia (7%). Women aged 30–34 were more likely to use ITN compared with those aged 45–49 [aOR = 1.14; Crl = 1.07–1.50]. Poorest women were less probable to use ITN relative to richest women [aOR = 0.79; Crl = 0.70–0.89]. Compared to women who did not want their pregnancies at all, women who wanted their pregnancies [aOR = 1.06; Crl = 1.04–1.19] were more probable to use ITN. Women in male-headed households had higher likelihood of ITN use compared to those from female-headed households [aOR = 1.28; Crl = 1.19–1.39]. On the whole, 38.1% variation in ITN use was attributable to societal level factors whilst 20.9% variation was attributable to community level factors. Conclusion The study has revealed that in addition to individual level factors, community and society level factors affect ITN use in SSA. In as much as the study points towards the need to incorporate community and societal variations in ITN interventions, active involvement of men can yield better outcome for ITN utilisation interventions in SSA.

scholarly journals A perspective of the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in Sudan

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (02) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishag Adam ◽  
Elhassan M Elhassan ◽  
Abd Elrahium D Haggaz ◽  
Abdel Aziem A Ali ◽  
Gamal K Adam
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Vitamin B12 Deficiency ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional

Introduction: Both malaria and anaemia have adverse effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Thus there is an urgent need to investigate the co-epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their combined impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in the different regions of Sudan Methodology: Various cross-sectional and case control studies conducted during the years 2003-2010 to investigate the epidemiology of malaria and anaemia and their impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes in different regions of Sudan were compared. Results: While 13.7% of antenatal attendants in New Halfa had peripheral microscopically detected Plasmodium falciparum malaria, placental malaria (using histological examinations) was prevalent in 32.0-40% and 19.5% of parturient women in New Halfa and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. Malaria was a risk factor for anaemia in New Halfa and for stillbirths in Omdurman Maternity Hospital. Anaemia was present in 52.5%, 62.6% and 80.2% of pregnant women in Medani, New Halfa, and Gadarif Hospitals, respectively. In Gadarif, 57.3% of pregnant women had a folate deficiency, while 1% had a vitamin B12, deficiency. In Medani, zinc and copper deficiencies were detected in 45.0% and 4% of pregnant women, respectively. Anaemia was a risk factor for low birth weight in Al-Fashir, for fetal anaemia in New Halfa, and for stillbirth in Kassala Hospital. Conclusion: More care should be taken to ensure proper nutrition and malaria prevention such as bed nets and intermittent preventive treatments to avoid these diseases and their effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Influence of pregnancy on iron and copper exchange rates in women with normal body weight and women with obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
E. L. Makarova ◽  
N. A. Terekhina
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Copper Metabolism ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Perinatal Complications ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Normal Body ◽  
Normal Body Weight

The number of obese pregnant women increases annually and reaches 20-30%. The metabolism of hormones and minerals changes in the presence of a large amount of adipose tissue in the body of a pregnant woman, which leads to a number of obstetric and perinatal problems. The aim of the work is to study and compare the influence of the gestational process on the indicators of iron and copper metabolism in the blood serum of women with normal body weight and women with obesity. In the blood serum of 125 women of reproductive age, the content of hemoglobin, iron, transferrin, ferritin, copper and ceruloplasmin was determined. The influence of pregnancy on the indicators of iron and copper metabolism in the blood serum of women was revealed. Pregnancy in women with normal body weight increases the content of transferrin and ceruloplasmin. Correlation of ceruloplasmin and ferritin content with body mass index of obese pregnant women was revealed. In pregnancy with concomitant obesity, hyperferritinemia is formed with a reduced content of hemoglobin and serum iron. Knowledge of the indicators of iron and copper metabolism is necessary to optimize the observation of pregnant women, effective prevention and prediction of obstetric and perinatal complications.

scholarly journals PO 7167 IMPROVING USE OF LONG-LASTING INSECTICIDAL NETS IN KAYANGE COMMUNITY OF NORTH-WESTERN BURUNDI: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A20.1-A20
Author(s):  
Desire Habonimana ◽  
Gabriel Ndayisaba ◽  
Gideon Nimako
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
General Population ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Quality Improvement Intervention ◽  
Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets ◽  
North Western ◽  
Children Under 5

BackgroundThe use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for malaria prevention is a cost-effective intervention. WHO recommends universal coverage and use of LLINs. In lower- and middle-income countries, LLINs are provided free of charge but are either not used or misused. Our study sought to improve LLIN use in Kayange community of north-western Burundi by using a model for improvement (MFI).MethodsA one-group, pre/post-test study was conducted. LLIN weekly use was assessed for four weeks before intervention and for another four weeks after intervention. The study was conducted in 96 households. The intervention consisted of testing four different weekly small change actions by using the MFI.ResultsOf the 96 households, 83 households (87%) owned at least one LLIN. However, only 40 households (42%) owned at least one LLIN for every two people. After intervention, the number of LLINs used increased from 32 to 75 per cent (134% increase) and the number of persons (general population) sleeping under LLIN from 35 to 73 per cent (108% increase). The number of children under 5 years old sleeping under LLIN increased from 31 to 76 per cent (145% increase) and the number of pregnant women who slept under LLIN from 43 to 73 per cent (69% increase). Also, the averages of the number of nights in each week that the general population slept under LLIN increased from 2.13 to 5.11 (140% increase), children under 5 years old slept under LLIN from 1.68 to 4.78 (184% increase) and pregnant women slept under LLIN from 1.56 to 4.47 (186% increase).ConclusionOur intervention led to significant increase in all outcome indicators. This increase is the result of a combination of an enabling context and an effective implementation of an evidence-based quality improvement intervention. Small tests of change at the community level have the potential for achieving improved outcomes.

scholarly journals Low Utilization of Insecticide-Treated Bed Net among Pregnant Women in the Middle Belt of Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Manu ◽  
Ellen Abrafi Boamah-Kaali ◽  
Lawrence Gyabaa Febir ◽  
Emmanuel Ayipah ◽  
Seth Owusu-Agyei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Premature Birth ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background. Malaria in pregnancy leads to low birth weight, premature birth, anaemia, and maternal and neonatal mortality. Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) during pregnancy is one of the proven interventions to reduce the malaria burden. However, Ghana has not achieved its target for ITN use among pregnant women. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in seven communities purposively selected from the middle belt of Ghana. Participants who had delivered in the six months prior to this study were selected. In all, seven focus group discussions and twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted between June and August 2010. Results. Respondents knew of the importance of ITNs and other malaria-preventive strategies. Factors such as financial access and missed opportunities of free distribution denied some pregnant women the opportunity to own or use an ITN. Reasons for not using ITNs during pregnancy included discomfort resulting from heat, smell of the net, and difficulty in hanging the net. Participants maintained their ITNs by preventing holes in the nets, retreatment, and infrequent washing. Conclusion. Pregnant women know about the causes and prevention of malaria. However, this knowledge is not transformed into practice due to lack of access to ITNs and sleeping discomforts among other logistical constraints.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Zika virus in pregnant women from central Thailand

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257205
Author(s):  
Chayawat Phatihattakorn ◽  
Artit Wongsa ◽  
Kirakorn Pongpan ◽  
Sanitra Anuwuthinawin ◽  
Sakita Mungmanthong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Denv Serotypes ◽  
Siriraj Hospital ◽  
Health Care Monitoring ◽  
Central Thailand

Zika virus (ZKV) infection in a pregnant woman, especially during the first trimester, often results in congenital anomalies. However, the pathogenic mechanism is unknown and one-third of ZKV infected pregnancies are asymptomatic. Neutralizing antibodies against ZKV has been reported in 70% of Thai adults, but the prevalence among pregnant women is unknown. Currently, vaccines and specific treatments for ZKV are under development. A better understanding of the immune status of pregnant women will increase the success of effective prevention guidelines. The prevalence of ZKV infection in pregnant women in antenatal care clinics was investigated during the rainy season from May to October 2019 at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. We recruited 650 pregnant women (39.42% first, 52.26% second and 7.36% third trimester) and found that 30.77% had ZKV-specific IgG, and 39.81% had neutralizing antibodies (nAb) against ZKV (titer ≥10). Specific and neutralizing antibody levels varied by maternal age, trimester, and month. We further characterized the cross-reaction between ZKV and the four Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes by focused reduction neutralization test (FRNT) and found that cross-reactions were common. In conclusion, about 60% of pregnant women who living in central Thailand may be at risk of ZKV infection due to the absence of neutralizing antibodies against ZKV. The functions of cross-reactive antibodies between related viral genotypes require further study. These findings have implications for health care monitoring in pregnant women including determining the risk of ZKV infection, assisting the development of a flavivirus vaccine, and informing the development of preventative health policies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document