scholarly journals Symptom monitoring of childhood illnesses and referrals: A pilot study on the feasibility of a mobile phone-based system as a disease surveillance tool in a rural health district of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 1465-1476
Author(s):  
Aliyu Mohammed ◽  
Princess Ruhama Acheampong ◽  
Easmon Otupiri ◽  
Ellis Owusu-Dabo
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Sick Children

Despite the potential of mobile technology in improving health systems, its use as a surveillance tool is still unclear. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of a mobile phone-based system as a surveillance tool for identifying common symptoms of childhood illnesses. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study involving caregivers (n = 161) of children under 5 years. The system was designed to assess disease symptoms of the sick children and provide health advice to caregivers regarding what to do with the sick child. The capacity of the system to correctly assess the disease symptoms of sick children, and provide referral was examined using Kappa statistics. Of the 126 calls recorded by the system, 52 (41.3%) were valid with complete data. The level of agreement between the system and clinicians’ report with respect to common symptoms of childhood illnesses varied: fever (kappa = 0.70, p < 0.001); vomiting (kappa = 0.46, p < 0.002); diarrhoea (kappa = 0.44, p < 0.007); and cough (kappa = 0.37, p < 0.0129). An acceptable level of symptom reliability was achieved by the system. The results suggest that the system can be used as a first line surveillance tool for identifying potential childhood disease outbreaks based on symptom reports.

scholarly journals Relationships Between the Usage of Televisions, Computers, and Mobile Phones and the Quality of Sleep in a Chinese Population: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Jie Xie ◽  
Daphne SK Cheung ◽  
Alice Y Loke ◽  
Bernice L Nogueira ◽  
Karry M Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Tv Viewing ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mobile Phone Usage

BACKGROUND No study has comprehensively investigated the association between the usage of typical screen-based electronic media devices and sleep quality in a Chinese population with individuals in a wide range of ages. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand the characteristics of television (TV) viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage in a representative Chinese population in Macau and to examine their roles in predicting the variations in sleep quality. METHODS This cross-sectional study was an analysis of 1500 Macau residents aged 15 to 90 years based on a community-based health needs assessment study entitled, “Healthy Living, Longer Lives.” Data collection was conducted in 7 districts of Macau from 2017 to 2018 through face-to-face interviews. The durations of daily TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. RESULTS The prevalence of TV, computer, and mobile phone usage was 78.4% (1176/1500), 51.6% (769/1490), and 85.5% (1276/1492), respectively. The average daily hours of usage were 1.75 (1.62), 1.53 (2.26), and 2.85 (2.47) hours, respectively. Females spent more time watching TV (<i>P</i>=.03) and using mobile phones (<i>P</i>=.02) and less time on the computer (<i>P</i>=.04) as compared to males. Older adults were more likely to watch TV while young people spent more time using the computer and mobile phones (<i>P</i> for all trends&lt;.001). The mean PSQI global score was 4.79 (2.80) among the participants. Females exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores than males (5.04 vs 4.49, respectively; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). No linear association was observed between the PSQI score and the amount of time spent on the 3 electronic devices (<i>P</i>=.58 for PSQI-TV, <i>P</i>=.05 for PSQI-computer, and <i>P</i>=.52 for PSQI-mobile phone). Curve estimation showed significant quadratic curvilinear associations in PSQI-TV (<i>P</i>=.003) and PSQI-computer (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) among all the participants and in PSQI-mobile phone among youths (age, 15-24 years; <i>P</i>=.04). After adjustment of the gender, age, body mass index, demographics, and lifestyle factors, more than 3 hours of TV viewing and 4 hours of computer usage or mobile phone usage was associated with 85% (95% CI 1.04-1.87; <i>P</i>=.008), 72% (95% CI 1.01-2.92; <i>P</i>=.045), and 53% (95% CI 1.06-2.22; <i>P</i>=.03) greater odds of having poor sleep quality (PSQI score&gt;5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The mobile phone was the most popular screen-based electronic device used in the Macau population, especially among young people. “J” shape associations were observed between sleep quality and the duration of TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage, indicating that the extreme use of screen-based electronic devices predicted poorer sleep status, whereas moderate use would be acceptable.

scholarly journals Evaluation of community-based disease surveillance systems for priority disease detection in Nairobi County Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4692
Author(s):  
Annastacia Katuvee Muange ◽  
John Kariuki ◽  
James Mwitari
Keyword(s):  
Community Involvement ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Community based disease surveillance (CBDS) may be defined as an active process of community involvement in identification, reporting, responding to and monitoring diseases and public health events of concern in the community. The scope of CBS is limited to systematic continuous collection of health data on events and diseases guided by simplified lay case definitions and reporting to health facilities for verification, investigation, collation, analysis and response as necessary.Methods: A cross sectional study design, interventions study program was adopted to determine the effectiveness of CBDS in detecting of priority diseases. Purposive and random sampling methods was employed to select the respondents.Results: The results of the study assisted the Ministry of health to understand the effectiveness of Community based surveillance in detection of priority diseases and hence strengthen the community-based surveillance initiative. From the findings, the integrated disease surveillance data for five years from 2014-2018 shows, more cases of priority diseases reported in health facilities linked to a community unit trained on CBDS. Cholera (9/5), Malaria (4757/2789), Neonatal tetanus (27/3) respectively.Conclusions: The study concluded that, use of community-based surveillance system, improves detection of the notifiable diseases in the community. The study revealed that there is a gap on training of community-based disease surveillance system and therefore there is need for continuous refresher trainings on CBDS to the CHVs and CHAs to accommodate also the newly recruited.

scholarly journals Magnitude of metabolic syndrome in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0257306
Author(s):  
Solomon Mekonnen Abebe ◽  
Abayneh Girma Demisse ◽  
Shitaye Alemu ◽  
Bewketu Abebe ◽  
Nebiyu Mesfin
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Awareness Campaigns

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is becoming a major public health problem globally; it is clear that the burden of MetS is rapidly increasing the rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD). In Ethiopia studies done so far have shown a large disparity in magnitude of the prevalence of MetS and were mainly institution-based studies. Therefore, this study assess the prevalence of MetS among adults who are residing in Gondar city using Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) assessment tool. The findings are imperative to developing and strengthening national NCD prevention and control programs. Methods This study was conducted in Gondar city Northwest Ethiopia in 2018. It employs a community-based cross-sectional study design among 3,227 individuals 18 years of age or older. Data was collected using the WHO stepwise tool, lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC) body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose levels (FG), and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence estimation was made along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The Kappa statistic was used to analyze the statistical agreement between ATP III and IDF definitions of the MetS. Stratified analysis was also performed for description and analysis components using ATP III and IDF as an outcome. Result Of the total study participants (3227), 3059 (94.8%) were included in the final analysis and 52.5% were female. The mean (±SD) age of the study participant was 40.8 years (16.2 ±SD). The overall prevalence of MetS using ATP III was 11.2% [95%CI: 10.1, 12.3] and using IDF was 11.9% [95%CI: 10.8, 13.2]. The sex-specific proportion was high in females rather than males irrespective of the criteria. The overall level of agreement between ATP III and IDF prevalence was 91.7% and the Kappa statistics was 0.594. Older age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, being female, born in an urban area, consumption of an alcoholic drink in the preceding 30 days, and non-fasting practice was significantly associated with MetS. Conclusion and recommendation There was a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome among females than males irrespective of metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria. This also shows good agreement between ATP III and IDF. Being female, urban birthplace, frequent alcohol consumption in the last 30 days, and non-fasting practice are factors associated with higher rates of metabolic syndrome. Hence, awareness campaigns, physical exercise, and nutrition education intervention should be undertaken to promote health behavioral practice.

scholarly journals Relationships Between the Usage of Televisions, Computers, and Mobile Phones and the Quality of Sleep in a Chinese Population: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/18095 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e18095
Author(s):  
Yao Jie Xie ◽  
Daphne SK Cheung ◽  
Alice Y Loke ◽  
Bernice L Nogueira ◽  
Karry M Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Tv Viewing ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mobile Phone Usage

Background No study has comprehensively investigated the association between the usage of typical screen-based electronic media devices and sleep quality in a Chinese population with individuals in a wide range of ages. Objective This study aimed to understand the characteristics of television (TV) viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage in a representative Chinese population in Macau and to examine their roles in predicting the variations in sleep quality. Methods This cross-sectional study was an analysis of 1500 Macau residents aged 15 to 90 years based on a community-based health needs assessment study entitled, “Healthy Living, Longer Lives.” Data collection was conducted in 7 districts of Macau from 2017 to 2018 through face-to-face interviews. The durations of daily TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. Results The prevalence of TV, computer, and mobile phone usage was 78.4% (1176/1500), 51.6% (769/1490), and 85.5% (1276/1492), respectively. The average daily hours of usage were 1.75 (1.62), 1.53 (2.26), and 2.85 (2.47) hours, respectively. Females spent more time watching TV (P=.03) and using mobile phones (P=.02) and less time on the computer (P=.04) as compared to males. Older adults were more likely to watch TV while young people spent more time using the computer and mobile phones (P for all trends<.001). The mean PSQI global score was 4.79 (2.80) among the participants. Females exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores than males (5.04 vs 4.49, respectively; P<.001). No linear association was observed between the PSQI score and the amount of time spent on the 3 electronic devices (P=.58 for PSQI-TV, P=.05 for PSQI-computer, and P=.52 for PSQI-mobile phone). Curve estimation showed significant quadratic curvilinear associations in PSQI-TV (P=.003) and PSQI-computer (P<.001) among all the participants and in PSQI-mobile phone among youths (age, 15-24 years; P=.04). After adjustment of the gender, age, body mass index, demographics, and lifestyle factors, more than 3 hours of TV viewing and 4 hours of computer usage or mobile phone usage was associated with 85% (95% CI 1.04-1.87; P=.008), 72% (95% CI 1.01-2.92; P=.045), and 53% (95% CI 1.06-2.22; P=.03) greater odds of having poor sleep quality (PSQI score>5), respectively. Conclusions The mobile phone was the most popular screen-based electronic device used in the Macau population, especially among young people. “J” shape associations were observed between sleep quality and the duration of TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage, indicating that the extreme use of screen-based electronic devices predicted poorer sleep status, whereas moderate use would be acceptable.

scholarly journals High common childhood illnesses while the treatment-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers’ was low in rural northwest Ethiopia in 2018. A community-based cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zemene Tigabu Kebede ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Mehari Woldemariam Merid ◽  
Temesgen Yihunie Akalu ◽  
Ashenafi Tazebew Amare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Illness ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Abstract Background: In most developing countries, childhood illness, and deaths are among the most challenging health issues. Most of these deaths were due to preventable causes including acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhea, and febrile illnesses. Thus, the identification of determinants of this childhood illness would help to guide strategic planning and prioritize interventions.Method: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select households and mothers/caregivers. A total of 2,158 mothers/caregivers with at least one under-five child were included. Mothers/caregivers were interviewed at their homes using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for variables with P-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were reported to show the significance and the direction of the association. Result: The overall prevalence of childhood illnesses was 16.5% (95% CI: 15.0, 18.2). Of all, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.5, 6.72), 7.5% (95% CI: 6.5, 8.76), and 12.0% (95% CI: 10.66, 13.40) had diarrhea, ARI, and fever, respectively. The treatment-seeking behavior of mothers/care-givers for any of the childhood illnesses was 22.7% (18.72, 27.42). The odds of childhood illness was higher among mothers’ age 15-19 years (AOR=2.87-; 95%CI: 1.33, 6.13), employed mothers’ (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.84, 4.39), living far away from the nearest health center (AOR=1.02; 95%CI: 1.005, 1.027), presence of two under-five children (AOR=1.33;955CI: 1.029,1.74) and three or more under-five children in the house (AOR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.12, 6.53) than a single child. About 23% (95% CI: 18.7, 27.4) of mothers/caregivers sought health care for the sick child. Mothers’ occupation (AOR= 4.08 (95% CI: 1.35, 12.39) was the only independent predictor of treatment-seeking behavior.Conclusion: The common childhood illness remains high while the treatment-seeking behavior of the caregivers’ was low. Mothers’ age, occupation, distance from the health center, and the presence of two or more under-five children in the house were independent factors of childhood illness. Being skilled mothers was significantly associated with good health-seeking behavior of mothers/caregivers. Thus, involving women in skilled/semi-skilled occupations would help in decreasing childhood illness and enhance health-seeking behaviors for their under-five children.

scholarly journals An assessment of facilities and activities under integrated child development services in a city of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 2000
Author(s):  
Mausumi Saha ◽  
Romy Biswas
Keyword(s):  
West Bengal ◽  
Female Child ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Childhood Care ◽  
Toilet Facility ◽  
Childhood Care ◽  
Sick Children

Background: ICDS is the unique community based programme for early childhood care and development. The objective of the study were to assess the facilities and activities of ICDS centres and the utilization of ICDS services among children aged 6 months to 6 years in a city of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. Study setting and design – Community based cross-sectional study done in a city of Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India during June – September 2016.Methods: 30 ICDS centres were selected by cluster sampling method. From each cluster 7 households were selected randomly with help of register of AWCs. 30 AWWs and 210 mothers of 6 months – 6 years children were interviewed with pre-designed, pre-tested schedule.Results: 86.66% AWCs were running in pukka building. Toilet facility was absent in 43.33% AWC. All AWCs were well equipped & all workers were literate. 65.12% male child and 70.74% female child had received supplementary nutrition. Immunization records were present in all AWC. NHED was celebrated in all AWC twice monthly. 80% AWC referred sick children verbally. 17.61% of children took the meal to their home and 29.57% mother didn’t attend NHED meeting.Conclusions: There was gap in infrastructural facility and some activities. Mothers were satisfied with overall functioning of AWC. 

scholarly journals Colostrum avoidance practice among primipara mothers in urban Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilksew Ayalew ◽  
Eden Asmare
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Normal Delivery ◽  
Childhood Illnesses ◽  
Complete Form ◽  
Strength Of Association

Abstract Background Breast milk is the ideal and complete form of nutrition for infants colostrum contains all the necessary nutrients for infants’ growth and development and antibodies that can protect from many childhood illnesses. Understanding the extent of and barriers to colostrum avoidance in Ethiopia is important for learning how to best improve optimal breastfeeding. No single study has been conducted on primigavida mothers in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the rate of colostrum avoidance practice and associated factors among primigavida mothers. Method A community- based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2016 among (n = 398) randomly selected primigavida mothers in Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version25. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of association. Statistical significance was declared at P-value ≤0.05. Results Out of 398 primipara mothers, 8.8% discarded colostrum. The most common reasons for discarding colostrum were; yellow and creamy (39.2%), bad for infant (35.2%), traditional/cultural reason (17.1%) and infant unable to feed (8.5%). Married mothers (AOR = 4.52, 95%CI: 1.13, 18.16), unemployed mothers (AOR = 3.46, 95%CI: 1.15, 10.51), mothers underwent normal delivery (AOR = 5.20, 95%CI: 1.87, 20.90) and mothers who initiated breastfeeding within 1 h (AOR = 2.79, 95%CI: 0.96, 8.16) were less likely to discard colostrum. Conclusion The current study revealed that colostrum was discarded by 8.8% of primipara mothers. Primipara mothers who were married, unemployed, underwent normal delivery and initiated breastfeeding within 1 h were less likely to discard colostrum. These results suggest that multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approaches are needed to decrease colostrum avoidance among primipara mothers in Ethiopia.

Lipophilic Statin Use and Suicidal Ideation in a Sample of Adults With Mood Disorders

Crisis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Davison ◽  
Bonnie J. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
Lipophilic Statin

Background: Mood disorders are associated with a high risk of suicide. Statin therapy has been implicated in this relationship. Aims: To further clarify reported associations between suicide and cholesterol in mental health conditions, we conducted an analysis of dietary, clinical, and suicidal ideation measures in community-living adults with mood disorders. Method: Data were used from a cross-sectional study of a randomly selected community-based sample (> 18 years; n = 97) with verified mood disorders. Dietary (e.g., fat, iron, vitamin intakes), clinical (e.g., current depression and mania symptoms, medications), and sociodemographic (age, sex, and income) measures were analyzed using bivariate statistics and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Participants were predominantly female (71.1%) with bipolar disorder (59.8%); almost one-third (28.9%) were taking lipophilic statins. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was more than 2.5 times in those taking statins, PR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.27–5.31, p < .05. The prevalence ratio for suicidal ideation was 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.15, p < .001, for each unit increase in mania symptom scores. No associations between suicidal ideation and dietary intake measures were identified. Conclusion: Individuals with mood disorders may be susceptible to neuropsychiatric effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs, which warrants further research.

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