scholarly journals Cross-Study of Malaria Prevalence in History, Bed Net Utilization, and Knowledge about the Disease among Tanzanian College Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Yakobo Nyahoga ◽  
Zanda Bochkaeva
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Two Factors

University campuses are potential reservoirs of infectious diseases, but they are not in the research focus. It is obvious that the use of malaria preventive tools is extremely necessary in campus conditions in endemic countries. This study is the first malaria survey, conducted in a student campus in Tanzania. This cross-sectional study uncovered a surprisingly high prevalence of malaria history among students: 89,4% of 246 random respondents assume that they had malaria in history, among whom 145 (58,9%) suffered from the disease during the last year. And although students are relatively confident about the vector, parasite, and prevention measures of the disease, only 44,7% of the students use bed nets and 4,5% use a body spray or ointment daily. The others seldom use spray or ointment or do not care about the problem at all. This situation was found to be associated with two factors, financial and educational. Current results show that students are relatively educated on malaria, but they do not follow the malaria prevention guidance. It has become clear that at least proper informational propaganda of bed net use is required in Tanzanian university campuses.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with and without symptoms seeking care in Managua, Nicaragua: results of a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e051836
Author(s):  
Jorge A Huete-Pérez ◽  
Kacey C Ernst ◽  
Cristiana Cabezas-Robelo ◽  
Lucia Páiz-Medina ◽  
Sheyla Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

ObjectiveThis study aimed to capture key epidemiological data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nicaraguan children (≤18 years) seeking medical care, between 6 October and 16 November 2020.DesignIn this cross-sectional study, 418 children were recruited: 319 with symptoms characteristic of COVID-19 and 99 with no symptoms of illness. Children were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification. A questionnaire was employed to identify symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities and COVID-19 prevention measures.SettingResearch was carried out in four hospitals and two clinics in Managua, Nicaragua, where schools and businesses remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.ParticipantsChildren were enrolled into a possible COVID-19 group if presenting with clinical symptoms. A comparison group included children lacking any COVID-19 symptoms attending routine check-ups or seeking care for issues unrelated to COVID-19.ResultsA high prevalence (43%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found, which was relatively equivalent in symptomatic and non-symptomatic children. Age distribution was similar between symptomatic and non-symptomatic children testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Symptomatic children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 2.7 times more likely to have diarrhoea (26.7% in positive vs 12.0% in negative; OR=2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.8), p=0.001) and were 2.0 times more likely to have myalgia (17.8% in positive vs 9.8% in negative; OR=2.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.8), p=0.04). Children with COVID-19 symptoms, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, were more likely to be under age 5 years and to have a pre-existing comorbid condition than children who tested positive but did not have symptoms.ConclusionsThis is the first paediatric study to provide laboratory-confirmed data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nicaragua, crucial for paediatric health services planning and a successful COVID-19 response. The high prevalence of the virus suggests widespread and sustained community transmission, underscoring the urgent need for robust data on the true extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout Nicaragua.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Behaviours on Malaria Prevention in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana da Fonseca ◽  
Jorge Harrison Arroz ◽  
Maria do Rosario O. Martins ◽  
Zulmira Hartz ◽  
Nuria W Negrao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prevention Messages

Abstract Background: In Mozambique, the socio-economic and cultural factors influence the wide adoption of disease preventive measures, which is relevant for malaria control strategies that rely on early recognition of disease, prompt seeking of medical care, sleeping under mosquito nets, and taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. However, there is a critical information gap regarding to previous and ongoing malaria Social Behaviour Communication (SBC) interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours of the beneficiaries of SBC interventions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2018 in two rural districts of Zambezia province, Mozambique. A structured questionnaire was administered to 773 randomly selected households. Respondents are the heads of the households, adults above 18 years old. Descriptive statistics were done.Results: The main results show that around 96.4 % respondents recalled hearing about malaria in the previous 6 months and 90.0% had knowledge on malaria prevention and 70.0% on preventive measures ; from 97.7% respondents that received bed nets through the mass bed net distribution campaign, 81.7% slept under a bed net the night before the survey; 70.5 % recognized the role of community volunteers in the dissemination of malaria prevention messages; 76.1 % of respondents considered worship places (churches and mosques) to be the main places where they heard key messages on malaria prevention and 79.1 % asserted that community dialogue sessions helped them better understand how to prevent malaria.Conclusions: Results show that the volunteers/activists/teachers have played an important role in the dissemination of key malaria prevention messages which brought the following successes: community actors are recognized and people have knowledge on malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and where to get treatment. There is room for improvement on the SBC messaging regarding some malaria symptoms (anaemia and convulsions); and operational research is needed to ascertain the drivers of malaria prevalence and social and behaviour communication approach.

scholarly journals Determinants of Malaria Prevention and Treatment Seeking Behaviours of Pregnant Undergraduates Resident in University Hostels, South-East Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthonia Ukamaka Chinweuba ◽  
Noreen Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu ◽  
JaneLovena Enuma Onyiapat ◽  
Chidimma Egbichi Israel ◽  
Clementine Ifeyinwa Ilo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

This cross-sectional descriptive survey investigated determinants of malaria prevention and treatment seeking behaviours of pregnant undergraduates resident in university hostels, South-East Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to enrol 121 accessible and consenting undergraduates with self-revealed and noticeable pregnancy residing in twenty-three female hostels of four university campuses in Enugu State, Nigeria. Structured interview guide developed based on reviewed literature and WHO-recommended malaria prevention and treatment measures was used to collect students’ self-report data on malaria preventive health behaviours, sick role behaviours, and clinic use using mixed methods. The WHO-recommended malaria prevention measures were sparingly used. Some believed that pregnancy does not play any role in a woman’s reaction to malaria infection. Only 41 (50.6%) visited a hospital for screening and treatment. Thirty-four (28.1%) used antimalaria medicine bought from chemist shop or over-the-counter medicines, while 33 (27.3%) used untreated net. The students were more likely to complete their antimalaria medicine when they were sick with malaria infection than for prevention (p=0.0186). Knowledge, academic schedule, cultural influence on perception and decision-making, and accessibility of health facility were key determinants of the women’s preventive and treatment seeking behaviours. Health education on malaria prevention and dangers of drug abuse should form part of orientation lectures for all freshmen. University health centres should be upgraded to provide basic antenatal care services.

scholarly journals Retrospective and cross-sectional study on the prevalence of malaria in selected areas under elimination program in Dembiya district, North-western Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihretu Tarekegn ◽  
Habte Tekie ◽  
Sisay Dugassa ◽  
Yitbarek Wolde-hawariat
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Malaria Parasites ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: Ethiopia embarked on combating malaria with an aim to eliminate malaria from low transmission districts by 2030. This involves malaria vector interventions by implementing mainly indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) against endophilic and endophagic female Anopheles mosquitoes. Limited published reports are available about the status of malaria in areas under malaria elimination program in Ethiopia. This study intended to assess the prevalence of malaria in selected areas with a long history of implementing malaria prevention and elimination strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in two selected malaria endemic areas in Dembiya District, Northwest Ethiopia. Thin and thick blood smears collected from 735 randomly selected individuals were microscopically examined for malaria parasites. Six years retrospective malaria data was also collected from the medical records of the health centres. Structured questionnaires were prepared to collect information about the socio-economic data of the population. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20 and p ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The six-year retrospective malaria prevalence trend indicates an overall malaria prevalence of 22.4%, out of which Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant species. From a total of 735 slides examined for the presence of malaria parasites, 3.5% (n=26) were positive for malaria parasites, in which P. falciparum was more prevalent (n=17; 2.3%), P. vivax (n=5; 0.7%), and mixed infections (n=4; 0.5%). Males were 2.6 times more likely to be infected with malaria than females (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 6.4), and individuals with frequent outdoor activity were 16.4 times more vulnerable than individuals with limited outdoor activities (AOR= 16.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 147.9). Furthermore, awareness about malaria transmission was significantly associated with the prevalence of malaria.Conclusions: Malaria is still a public health problem in Dembiya district irrespective of the past and existing vector control interventions. A malaria elimination plan might not be successful unless other alternative intervention tools targeting outdoor malaria transmission are included. For this, continuous monitoring of vectors’ susceptibility, density, and behaviour is very important in such areas.

Household Predictors of Incidence of Malaria in Northern Uganda: Its Implication for Future Malaria Control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Echodu ◽  
William Sam Oyet ◽  
Tereza Iwiru ◽  
Felister Apili ◽  
Julius Julian Lutwama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: Use of indoor residual spraying (IRS), long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINS) and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) have been greatly promoted in northern Uganda but the region still records highest number of malaria cases with prevalence up to 63%. This study assesses household predicators of malaria in the region and its impact on incidence of malaria at household levels.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of Gulu, Oyam, Kitgum and Agago covering sixteen known hyper-endemics villages with high malaria burden in northern Uganda. In total, 193 households were surveyed. Data was collected through pre-tested structured questionnaires and systematically coded and analyzed using R software.Results:Women headed 58% of the 193 households surveyed. Six hundred and five (605) individuals were declared to have spent a night in the 193 households surveyed. Nighttime is when mosquitoes mostly gain access to victims in the study area. On average, there were two bed nets per household and out of the 605 individuals declared, 502 502 (86%) spent the night prior to interview under a bed net. Despite this effort, these households still reported malaria incidences in the last three months. Overall, children were prone to malaria more than adults by a ratio of 3:2, and in general, malaria incidences were strongly related to lack of bed nets or use thereof, and also linked directly to the number of individuals in a house. Households without bed nets controlled malaria by means of IRS in combination with closing doors (with the hope of keeping mosquitos at bay), draining stagnant water pool where mosquitos lay their eggs, trimming mosquito covers (grass) around homestead and/or receiving treatment after malaria incidences. When given a choice between insecticides (IRS) and treated bed nets, 1 in 3 households preferred treated bed nets. At the same time, bed nets were perceived unnecessary once IRS was applied. If true, the driving force to spraying insecticides indoor then becomes lack of a bed net. Conclusions:Household predicators of incidence of malaria in northern Uganda includes bed nets, use of treated bed nets, and indoor residual spraying with households not practicing any of these bearing the heaviest burden of malaria. Hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) clusters households into four types in northern Uganda, 1) household that use bed nets and sleep in houses sprayed with insecticides; 2) households that use bed nets but no indoor residual spraying with insecticides; 3) households that have no bed nets and no indoor residual spraying; and 4) test bed nets before use. An opportunity therefore arises for tailoring malaria messages to fit each cluster of households given that clustering here appears not to be random. Malaria incidence was higher in children as compared to the adults that necessities having guidelines for management of interventions in local community setting.

scholarly journals Community knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria in Ha-Lambani, Limpopo Province, South Africa: a cross-sectional household survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukhethwa Munzhedzi ◽  
Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade ◽  
Jennifer L. Guler ◽  
Piper E. Shifflett ◽  
Sara Krivacsy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Positive Treatment ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background Malaria remains a global health concern and is endemic in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal Provinces of South Africa, which aims to eliminate malaria by 2025. Community engagement plays a significant role in improving the acceptability and effectiveness of programmes aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The success of such intervention efforts depends on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the community, and understanding the KAP of community residents may support malaria control efforts in the locality. In this context, a cross-sectional household survey to assess community KAP on malaria transmission and prevention in the Ha-Lambani village, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province was conducted. Methods Data were collected between November 2018 and May 2019 by questionnaire of 261 consenting adults (213 females and 48 males, aged between 18 and 95 years) selected from different households. Also, a focus group discussion among 13 randomly selected participants was conducted. Pearson’s Chi Square test was used to determine statistical differences by village. Results Study participants (100%, 261/261) were aware of the presence of malaria in their community and 95% associated it with mosquito bites. The local health clinic was the most prominent source of malaria information (85%). Only 22% correctly identified headache, chills and fever as the three most common symptoms of malaria. The majority of participants (98%) knew that effective medication for malaria is available and had a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. Knowledge of malaria prevention measures was high (82%); contrarily, 97% of respondents did not sleep under a bed net the previous night. The focus group data concurred with these results and also revealed that poor bed net use resulted from lack of access to bed nets because community residents could not afford them. Conclusions The study demonstrates that participants have appropriate knowledge about malaria transmission and a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. However, economic barriers are responsible for the inadequate use of bed nets. Therefore, distribution of bed nets to the community should be considered to improve practice of malaria prevention measures. Furthermore, knowledge of signs and symptoms and appropriate malaria treatment was limited, and initiatives to improve awareness on these topics should be continued.

scholarly journals Mosquito Bed Net Preferences and Efficacy in the Prevention of Gestational Malaria in Yaounde, Cameroon

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Judith Lum Ndamukong-Nyanga ◽  
Tchanga Chanceline Flore ◽  
Ngo Batandi Helen Virginie ◽  
Fegue Celestine
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Health District ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Bed Net ◽  
Mosquito Net ◽  
Health Institutions ◽  
Prevention Method ◽  
Prevention Methods

Malaria prevention methods are diverse. Their availability sometimes does not guarantee effective usage and the use of each method in isolation may not provide the necessary results for the fight against malaria. Pregnant women are relatively more vulnerable and so it is recommended that they should be protected against malaria. Proper protection will require the use of long lasting insecticide treated mosquito bed nets as major malaria prevention method. This study was designed to find out malaria prevalence and factors influencing the use of mosquito bet nets among pregnant women of Biyem-Assi Health District. Information on the knowledge of malaria and use of malaria prevention methods, especially bed nets was collected from 302 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in health institutions within the Biyem-Assi Health District of Yaounde VI subdivision using a pretested questionnaire. Thick smear was prepared for screening Plasmodium parasites. Analysis was done using EPI INFO version 16 (Chicago IL USA) and test of Chi 2. The study revealed that malaria prevalence was 48.5%. The shape of mosquito net had a significant (P = 0.05) effect on its use and a reduction on prevalence of malaria. The use of mosquito bed net was 47.7% while some of the women (52.3%) did not use it. Profession significantly influenced (P ˂ 0.04) the use of mosquito bed nets. Some of the women did not use mosquito bed nets for different reasons such as heat, forgetfulness, neglect, dislike, etc. The shape and color influenced the use, but this was not significant. Use of mosquito bed nets as major malaria prevention methods is not considered as priority by pregnant women. Sensitization campaigns by government and NGOs should reduce malaria prevalence during pregnancy and give a priority position to mosquito bed nets. 

scholarly journals Assessment of occlusal characteristics of the primary dentition: a cross-sectional study in Brazilian preschool children

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane Bervian ◽  
Carlos Alberto Feldens ◽  
Paulo Floriani Kramer ◽  
Larissa Correa Brusco Pavinato
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary Dentition ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The City

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the occlusal characteristics and prevalence of malocclusion among Brazilianpreschool children. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1004 children aged 2-5 years enrolled in public preschools of the city of Canoas, RS, Brazil. A questionnaire was administered to guardians addressing demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral characteristics of the children and their families. The clinical exam was performed by previously calibrated dentists and the characteristics of the primary dentition were verified according to set criteria. Data analysis was performed through the chi-square test. Results: Stability in the sagittal and transverse planes of the posterior region, and a variability of incisal relations in the primary dentition were verified. The findings show high prevalence of malocclusion (70.3%) and its association with age. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition, implementing educational programs and prevention measures for preschool children is highlighted.

scholarly journals The protective effectiveness of control interventions for malaria prevention: a systematic review of the literature

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Kesteman ◽  
Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia ◽  
Christophe Rogier
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽  
Indoor Residual Spraying ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
Malaria Prevention ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Only Children ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Protective Effectiveness

Background: Thanks to a considerable increase in funding, malaria control interventions (MCI) whose efficacy had been demonstrated by controlled trials have been largely scaled up during the last decade. Nevertheless, it was not systematically investigated whether this efficacy had been preserved once deployed on the field. Therefore, we sought the literature to assess the disparities between efficacy and effectiveness and the effort to measure the protective effectiveness (PE) of MCI. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for references with keywords related to malaria, to control interventions for prevention and to study designs that allow for the measure of the PE against parasitemia or against clinical outcomes. Results: Our search retrieved 1423 references, and 162 articles were included in the review. Publications were scarce before the year 2000 but dramatically increased afterwards. Bed nets was the MCI most studied (82.1%). The study design most used was a cross-sectional study (65.4%). Two thirds (67.3%) were conducted at the district level or below, and the majority (56.8%) included only children even if the MCI didn’t target only children. Not all studies demonstrated a significant PE from exposure to MCI: 60.6% of studies evaluating bed nets, 50.0% of those evaluating indoor residual spraying, and 4/8 showed an added PE of using both interventions as compared with one only; this proportion was 62.5% for intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, and 20.0% for domestic use of insecticides. Conclusions: This review identified numerous local findings of low, non-significant PE –or even the absence of a protective effect provided by these MCIs. The identification of such failures in the effectiveness of MCIs advocates for the investigation of the causes of the problem found. Ideal evaluations of the PE of MCIs should incorporate both a large representativeness and an evaluation of the PE stratified by subpopulations.

Minerals Intake Distributions in a Large Sample of Iranian at-Risk Population Using the National Cancer Institute Method: Do They Meet Their Requirements?

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.

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