scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Provincial Dwellers on Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis: Evidence from a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Gambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amadou Barrow ◽  
Mansour Badjie ◽  
Jainaba Touray ◽  
Bakary Kinteh ◽  
Musa Nget ◽  
...  

Background. Socioeconomically disadvantaged and neglected communities were found to be the most affected groups for schistosomiasis as a result of inadequate safe water and sanitation facilities. In order to inform policies and practices, the present study examined the influence of sociodemographic factors and attitudes on the knowledge and practice in the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in eighteen endemic rural communities in the Gambia. Methods. In January 2019, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in which 383 household heads in rural communities across Kuntaur and Janjanbureh Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Central River Region were recruited. A structured interview questionnaire was developed to elicit information regarding residents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice on schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. Percentages, chi-square test, and binary and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with the KAP variables. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results. Among the 383 participants, only 14.9% had good knowledge, while 54.3% had poor knowledge, 96.9% had positive attitude, and 57.7% had good practice towards prevention and control of schistosomiasis. Older age (≥40 years), compared with residents aged 30–39 years (AOR = 0.331; 95% CI: 0.133, 0.825); ever heard of bilharziasis (AOR = 11.911; 95% CI: 3.452, 41.099); and risks of contact with the polluted river (AOR = 0.101; 95% CI: 0.042, 0.242) were more likely to have good knowledge on schistosomiasis prevention and control in the rural Gambia. Conversely, young people (≤30 years), compared with residents aged ≥40 years (AOR = 2.503; 95% CI = 1.539, 4.071); residents aged 30–39 years (AOR = 2.880; 95% CI = 1.559, 5.320); and male residents (AOR = 2.631; 95% CI = 1.703, 4.067) were more likely to have good practice towards schistosomiasis prevention and control in the rural Gambia. Conclusion. Despite the low knowledge, rural dwellers’ attitudes were found to be positive with slightly good practice towards schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. Thus, while maintaining health system improvement strategies, disease control efforts should focus on these factors as they may influence the knowledge and practices of rural dwellers in a given setting. The findings could prompt appropriate policy responses towards improving the knowledge and practices on schistosomiasis prevention and control in the Gambia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Ward ◽  
Abimbola Phillips ◽  
Olusola Oresanya ◽  
Gloria Olisenekwu ◽  
Ekundayo Arogunade ◽  
...  

Abstract IntroductionSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a WHO-recommended intervention for children aged 3-59 months living in areas of high malaria transmission to provide protection against malaria during the rainy season. Operational guidelines were developed, based on WHO guidance, to support countries to mitigate the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission within communities and among community distributors when delivering SMC.MethodsA cross-sectional study to determine adherence to infection prevention and control measures during two distribution cycles of SMC in Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso. Community distributors were observed receiving equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence across six domains was calculated as the proportion of indications in which the community distributor performed the correct action. Focus group discussions were conducted with community distributors to understand their perceptions of the infection prevention and control measures and barriers and facilitators to adherence.ResultsWe observed community distributors in Nigeria (n=259), Burkina Faso (n=252) and Chad (n=266) receiving infection prevention and control equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence to infection prevention and control indications varied. In all three countries, adherence to mask use was the highest (ranging from 73.3% in Nigeria to 86.9% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to hand hygiene for at least 30 seconds was low (ranging from 3.6% in Nigeria to 10.3% in Burkina Faso) but increased substantially when excluding the length of time spent hand washing (ranging from 36.7% in Nigeria to 61.4% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to safe distancing in the compound ranged from 5.4% in Chad to 16.4% in Nigeria. In Burkina Faso and Chad, where disinfection wipes widely available compliance with disinfection of blister packs for SMC was low (17.4% in Burkina Faso and 16.9% in Chad). Community distributors generally found the infection prevention and control measures acceptable, however there were barriers to optimal hand hygiene practices, cultural norms made social distancing difficult to adhere to and caregivers needed assistance to administer the first dose of SMC.ConclusionAdherence to infection prevention and control measures for SMC delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across domains of infection prevention and control, but was largely insufficient, particularly for hand hygiene and safe distancing. Improvements in provision of equipment, early awareness raising and adaptations to make infection prevention and control measures more feasible to implement could increase adherence.


Author(s):  
Manisha V. Ghate ◽  
Pallavi R. Shidhaye ◽  
Keshav R. Gadhe ◽  
Shraddha G. Gurav ◽  
Pramod Deoraj

Background: Studies on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) are important for implementation of interventions. This cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV infected individuals attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre at Pune, India, to assess KAP towards COVID-19.Methods: The study conducted between June and December 2020 consisted of twelve, five and seven questions pertaining to knowledge, attitude, and practices respectively towards COVID-19. Frequencies and percentages of correct knowledge, attitude and practices were calculated. Overall knowledge scores were categorized into poor, moderate and good using class width equation.Results: Of the total 1175 participants enrolled, 649 (55.2%) were females. Mean age and CD4count of participants at study entry were 44 years (SD: 9.1) and 637 cells/mm3 (SD: 297) respectively. Overall, 400 (34.0%, 95% CI: 31.33-36.83), 612 (52.1%, 95% CI: 49.18-54.98) and 163 (13.9%, 95% CI: 11.95-15.98) participants had good, moderate and poor knowledge respectively regarding COVID-19. Illiterate participants had six times higher probability of having poor knowledge as compared to their counterparts (OR 5.70, 95% CI: 3.94-8.23; p<0.001). Majority of people living with (PLHIV) had correct attitude towards adherence to government prevention and control measures. Healthy preventive practices of social distancing (99.5%), wearing masks at public places (99.7%) and frequent washing hands with soap and water (98.7%) were followed by PLHIV.Conclusions: PLHIV have average knowledge, correct attitude towards adherence to government prevention and control measures, and appropriate practices towards prevention of COVID-19. Counselling sessions at ART centres should include information for improving knowledge related to COVID-19 especially targeting illiterate individuals. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tazebew Flatie ◽  
Abaineh Munshea

Background. Malaria is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide. It is a leading cause of suffering, death, and socioeconomic problem, especially in many developing countries like Ethiopia. To introduce appropriate preventive and control measures, assessment of community’s levels of knowledge, attitude, and preventative practices regarding malaria is crucial. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards malaria and its preventive and control methods among people attending Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, northwestern Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP of 390 randomly selected individuals. The data collecting tool was pretested before commencing the actual data collection. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21 software. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The overall prevalence rate of malaria in the study area was 8.5%. Nearly two-third of the participants had good knowledge (63.1%) and positive attitude (62.6%) scores towards malaria while only half of the participants had (50.8%) good practice score towards malaria prevention and control measures. Sex, age category, family monthly income, residence, and occupational and educational status of the participants were significantly associated with knowledge and practice scores ( P < 0.05 ). The odds of malaria were 26.93 ( CI = 3.67 ‐ 197.47 , P = 0.001 ) and 13.09 ( CI = 0.93 ‐ 183.47 , P = 0.036 ) times higher among individuals who had poor knowledge and poor practice towards malaria, respectively, as compared to individuals who were knowledgeable and had good practice score towards malaria. Conclusion. The overall knowledge score, attitude, and practice level of respondents towards malaria was relatively good. However, significant proportion of the participants still have misconception about the cause, sign and symptoms, modes of transmission, and practices towards prevention methods of malaria. Thus, health education which is aimed at raising community’s awareness about the disease is necessary to address the gaps identified by this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (08) ◽  
pp. 1710-1716
Author(s):  
Naveed Ahmed ◽  
Azka Rizvi ◽  
Ayesha Naeem ◽  
Waqas Saleem ◽  
Altaf Ahmed ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine and assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19 the among residents of Lahore. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Different Institutions in Lahore. Period: March 2020. Material & Methods: The present study was organized by the Department of Microbiology, Pakistan kidney and liver institute & research center. Respondents filled a pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of 21 multiple-choice questions. The variables were accessed their knowledge of disease regarding etiology, mode of transmission, prevention and control measures of COVID-19 infection. A total of 1875 questionnaires were collected. Results: The data showed that 49.6% of respondents were male and rest 50.4% were females. From the total data 6.56% of respondents were doctors by profession. While 14.4% were nurses, 6.08% laboratory & other medical staff and 72.96% were students. 74.68% of respondents give correct answers on their knowledge about COVID-19, while 13.92% of respondents were wrong. 65.6% were aware about cause of COVID-19. However, 34.4% of participants were not aware of its cause. 60.0% of our respondents were not aware about symptoms and treatment. 89.04% of participants have no knowledge about transmission. 26.96% of respondents even didn’t know how to prevent this pandemic disease. Conclusion: Awareness campaigns should be conducted to make people aware of the ways COVID-19 spreads, its mode of transmission, severity of infection and preventive measures to minimize its spread as well as chances to acquire COVID-19 infections. It is important to understand the need to educate people, especially from lower socio-economic statuses as they might not know about these infections and how its spreads.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 4817
Author(s):  
Higina Kelly Lemos Nogueira ◽  
Ângela Cristina Fagundes Góes ◽  
Daniela Fagundes de Oliveira ◽  
Naiane Andrade de Simõs ◽  
Marianna Saba Fernandes ◽  
...  

RESUMOObjetivo: verificar o conhecimento do bundle de infecção do trato urinário associado ao uso de sondas por profissionais de unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: estudo quantitativo, tipo transversal, com 82 profissionais de um hospital público. Realizou-se análise descritiva, utilizando frequências absolutas e relativas, apresentadas em tabela. Resultado: evidenciou nível satisfatório de conhecimento quanto aos cuidados na inserção do cateter e à necessidade de revisão diária do uso deste dispositivo, entretanto, quanto às práticas que compõem o bundle, no quesito de indicações ao uso da SVF e cuidados na sua manutenção, encontrou-se fragilidade de conhecimento. Conclusão: medidas de prevenção e controle de infecções causadas pelo uso de SVF devem ser adotadas pelos profissionais envolvidos no cuidado, baseado nos conhecimentos teóricos e técnicos e na experiência prática, a fim de qualificar a assistência e minimizar o risco de iatrogenias. Descritores: Segurança do paciente; Unidade de Terapia Intensiva; Conhecimento; Infecção.ABSTRACTObjective: to verify the knowledge of the bundle of urinary tract infection associated with the use of probes by intensive care unit professionals. Method: quantitative cross-sectional study with 82 professionals from a public hospital. A descriptive analysis was performed, using absolute and relative frequencies, presented in the table. Results: it showed a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding catheter insertion care and the need for a daily review of the use of this device. However, regarding the practices that make up the bundle, in terms of indications for FVP use and care in its maintenance, fragility of knowledge. Conclusion: prevention and control measures of infections caused by the use of FVP should be adopted by professionals involved in care, based on theoretical and technical knowledge and practical experience, in order to qualify care and minimize the risk of iatrogenies. Descriptors: Patient Safety; Intensive Care Units; Knowledge; Infection.RESUMENObjetivo: verificar el conocimiento del bundle de infección del tracto urinario asociado al uso de sondas por profesionales de unidad de terapia intensiva. Método: estudio cuantitativo, tipo transversal, con 82 profesionales de un hospital público. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, utilizando frecuencias absolutas y relativas, presentadas en tabla. Resultados: evidenció un nivel satisfactorio de conocimiento en cuanto a los cuidados en la inserción del catéter y la necesidad de revisión diaria del uso de este dispositivo, sin embargo, en cuanto a las prácticas que componen el bundle, en lo que se refiere a indicaciones al uso de la SVF y cuidados en su mantenimiento, se encontró  fragilidad de conocimiento. Conclusión: medidas de prevención y control de infecciones causadas por el uso de SVF deben ser adoptadas por los profesionales involucrados en el cuidado, basado en el conocimientos teóricos y técnicos y en la experiencia práctica, a fin de calificar la asistencia y minimizar el riesgo de iatrogenias. Descriptores: Seguridad del Paciente; Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos; Conocimiento; Infección.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Argaw Ambelu ◽  
Zewdie Birhanu ◽  
Yimenu Yitayih ◽  
Yohannes Kebede ◽  
Mohammed Mecha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic led individuals to suffer from different levels of mental health problems such as psychological distress, anxiety, depression, denial, panic, and fear. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among the Ethiopian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed through an online survey using different online platforms. The questionnaire was created through Google Form and the survey link was administered by e-mail, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Facebook. Educated Ethiopian population who have access to the internet were invited to participate through an online survey and addressed to 929 respondents. The study participants completed the survey anonymously without any personal identifier. The psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 10-item tool to measure psychological distress. Data were analyzed using SPSS and logistic regression to examine mutually adjusted associations, expressed as adjusted odds ratios. A generalized additive model was also employed to identify additional predictors using R. Results The prevalence of high psychological distress among the study population was 236 (25.5%). Of all respondents, 421 (45.1%) had low psychological distress, 274 (29.4%) had moderate psychological distress, 164 (17.6%) had high psychological distress, and 72 (7.3%) had very high psychological distress. Psychological distress increased with being at young and middle-aged adults, getting information from social media, and not correctly practicing infection prevention and control measures to prevent COVID-19 infection. Respondents with high perceived severity had increased psychological distress. On the contrary, those with the highest score of perceived response efficacy had low distress. Conclusion Prevalence of psychological distress was substantial. The need for intervention of psychological distress inline with the prevention of COVID-19 is critically essential. The intervention target groups are those whose information sources are from social media, young and middle-aged adults, and those who do not correctly practice infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19 infection.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Sharon Bright Amanya ◽  
Richard Nyeko ◽  
Bonniface Obura ◽  
Joy Acen ◽  
Caroline Nabasirye ◽  
...  

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) has increasingly been underscored as a key tool for limiting the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and safeguarding health workers from infections during their work. Knowledge and compliance with IPC measures is therefore essential in protecting health workers. However, this has not been established among health workers in northern Uganda in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda.  Methods: An online cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 75 health workers in regional referral hospitals within northern Uganda. A structured questionnaire was distributed to health workers via WhatsApp messenger. Sufficient knowledge was considered at a correct response score of ≥80%, while adequate compliance was rated ≥75% of the maximum score. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.   Results: The majority of the health workers had sufficient knowledge (69%) and adequate compliance (68%) with Covid-19 IPC. Adequate compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 IPC (p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC at workstations (p=0.036), and having strong institutional support (p=0.031). However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.07). The socio-demographic characteristics of health workers, including age, sex, education level, occupation, working hours and work experience, had no statistically significant relationship with Covid-19 IPC knowledge or compliance.  Conclusion: Our results show fairly good knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 IPC among health workers in northern Uganda. There is need for more training and provision of guidelines to promote compliance with Covid-19 IPC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (09) ◽  
pp. 1281-1285
Author(s):  
Cucu Herawati ◽  
Awis Hamid Dani ◽  
Herlinawati ◽  
Syaeful Bakhri ◽  
Lilis Banowati ◽  
...  

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic influences the spirituality and mental health of individuals. It also has caused a global economic recession. COVID-19 is easily transmitted and causes death. Consequently, severe prevention and control measures of COVID 19 are required in this situation. This study aims to analyze the relationship between anxiety, stigma, religiosity, economic conditions, and the prevention of COVID-19. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed. The data collection was taken through online surveys. The population in this study is ninety-two lecturers from the College of Health Sciences and the State Islamic Institute who were chosen using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. Data analysis used logistic regression analysis. Results: The results showed that there was a relationship between anxiety (p = 0.001), stigma (p = 0.008), religiosity (p = 0.005) and the efforts to prevent COVID-19, while economic conditions (p = 0.882) were not related to the preventive efforts. The results of multivariate analysis indicated that the most influential variable affecting COVID-19 preventions was the level of anxiety, with an Odds Ratio of 4.9. Conclusions: There was a relationship between anxiety, stigma, religiosity, and COVID-19 preventions, while there was no relationship between economic conditions and COVID-19 preventions. The most influencing variable was anxiety. Respondents must be able to manage anxiety levels related to COVID-19 with good coping strategies.


Author(s):  
Khadervali Nagoor ◽  
Surendra Babu D. ◽  
Bayapa Reddy N. ◽  
Shakeer Kahn ◽  
Reddy Jawaharbasha Kalluri ◽  
...  

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is a viral infection carried by Aedesaegypti. Dengue is one of the major public health concerns and an emergent disease and contributes annual outbreaks in India. The aims and objectives of the study were to know the levels of knowledge regarding causation and modes of transmission Dengue fever in urban slums of Chittoor and to know the levels of awareness and practices regarding the prevention and control measures against dengue fever.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was done in urban slums of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. The data from the family members residing in 100 households of urban slums were randomly selected from the list and interviewed individually. Apart from education and occupation of the participants, information on knowledge about Dengue fever, preventive practices are taken. The results were shown in proportions, percentage and association of the knowledge attitude and practices with the different factors.Results: Over all 100 (males 57 and females 43) people were interviewed with the mean age of 34.5 years. Almost 68% of the individuals knew mosquito causes vector borne diseases irrespective of their educational status and majority of them were daily wagers. Amongst them more than 70% of them were using protective measures. Majority of them responded the probable breeding sites were plastic pots, muddy pots and vessels (38%). The most commonly using protective measures were mosquito repellants (33%) and coils (19%). More than 90% of the individual visit the hospital for health seeking.Conclusions: The awareness regarding dengue and mosquito control measures was satisfactory to an extent. Surveillance along with periodic health education to the community and proper training of health personnel is required.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Bright Amanya ◽  
Richard Nyeko ◽  
Bonniface Obura ◽  
Joy Acen ◽  
Caroline Nabasirye ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Infection prevention and control (IPC) has increasingly been underscored as a key tool for limiting the transmission of Covid-19 and safeguarding health workers from infections during their work. Knowledge and compliance with IPC measures is therefore essential in protecting health workers. However, this has not been established among Ugandan health workers in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.Objective: To determine the knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in Northern Uganda.Methods: An online cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 75 health workers in regional referral hospitals within Northern Uganda. A structured questionnaire was distributed to health workers via WhatsApp messenger. Sufficient knowledge was considered at a correct response score of ≥80%, while adequate compliance was rated ≥75 of the maximum score. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.Results: The majority of the health workers had good knowledge (69%) and compliance (68%) with Covid-19 IPC. Good compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 IPC (p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC at work stations (p=0.036), and having sufficient institutional support (p=0.031). However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.007). The sociodemographic characteristics of health workers, including age, sex, education level, occupation, working hours and work experience, had no statistically significant relationship with Cvid-19 IPC knowledge or compliance.Discussion: Our findings provide support for IPC training and guidelines as well as adequate PPEs to be available to health workers to improve compliance with Covid-19 IPC.


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