scholarly journals Knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among rural residents in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Molla ◽  
Birhanie Mekuriaw ◽  
Endashaw Habtamu ◽  
Moges Mareg

Abstract Background Although epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological problems, it is highly surrounded by stigma and prejudice, which results in negative attitude towards the illness. Due to numerous misconceptions and beliefs attributed towards epilepsy, most people in rural communities have poor understanding and perception about epilepsy. Studying knowledge and attitude of this major neurologic problem among rural residents is crucial to add knowledge and show area of interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude towards Epilepsy among rural residents in Ethiopia. Methods This was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in rural parts of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 732 randomly selected adult residents were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. The collected data were entered to Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were performed. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the presence of a statistically significant association between explanatory variables and outcome variables at corresponding 95% CI. Results The magnitude of poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude towards epilepsy were 27.0 and 51.6%, respectively. Participants who can’t read and write, having stigma related to epilepsy, participants who did not live with epileptic patients; unfavorable attitude and age were factors associated with poor knowledge towards epilepsy. On the other hand, Stigma related to epilepsy, poor knowledge, age and perceiving epilepsy as a God punishment for sinful activities were variables significantly associated with unfavorable attitude of epilepsy. Conclusions There is a gap regarding the knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among community residents in southern Ethiopia. This demonstrates a need for community educational program regarding epilepsy which can increase community awareness particularly in rural areas to decrease stigma and negative beliefs towards epilepsy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Abate Dargie Wubetu ◽  
Elyas Admasu Basha ◽  
Nigus Alemnew Engidaw

Background. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain defined by any of the following conditions. First, at least two unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring greater than 24 hours apart, and secondly, the presence of one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures. Due to persisted misunderstandings and negative attitudes, individuals living with epilepsy live with a poor quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community general knowledge about epilepsy and attitude towards person living with epilepsy and its associated factors. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted from March 10 to June 10, 2019, to assess the community general knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy and its associated factors. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and transported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Results. 596 study participants participated in a response rate of 98%. Among the study participants, 43.6% (95% CI: 39.6, 47.5) had poor knowledge and 41.3% (95% CI: 37.4, 45.1) had an unfavorable attitude. Lack of modern education, married, never witnessed a seizure, and not hearing the term epilepsy showed statistically significant association with poor knowledge about epilepsy. Lack of modern education, earning less than 1000 Ethiopian birr, not witnessing seizure, not hearing the term epilepsy, and half to one-hour walking time from health facility variables showed statistically significant association with the unfavorable attitude about epilepsy. Conclusions. The current study revealed that nearly half of Debre Berhan dwellers have deficits in terms of general knowledge about epilepsy and attitude towards a person living with epilepsy. Poor knowledge about epilepsy and unfavorable attitude towards a person living with epilepsy are likely to have an important impact on stigmatization and treatment-seeking behavior, and it should be given due attention. It would be better if health educators give special emphasis for the individuals with predictors of poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengesha Birkie ◽  
Tamrat Anbesaw

Abstract Background Knowledge and attitude towards mental illness are poor and neglected as compared to medical illness. However, there is an increasing burden of mental illness in the community. As per the knowledge of the investigators, studies are scarce and not done in the study area about knowledge and attitudes of mental illness. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards mental illness among, Dessie town residents. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dessie town, Northeast, Ethiopia from October 27 to November 29/2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed. The data were collected from 477 study participants using a standard structured questionnaire, which were Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and Community Attitude to Mental Illness Inventory (CAMI) respectively. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and, then exported to SPSS version 26 for analyses. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression analyses was employed. Results From 477 study participants the prevalence of poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude towards mental illness were 55.3% (95% CI: 50.9, 60.0) and 45.1% (95% CI: 40.7,49.5) respectively. Being female [AOR = 1.62 (95% CI:1.06,2.47)], could not read and write [AOR = 6.28 (95% CI: 2.56, 15.39)], lack of information about mental illness [AOR = 5.82 (95% CI: 3.78,8.94)] and unfavorable attitude [AOR =1.73 (95% CI: 1.12,2.66)] were variables found statistical significant with poor knowledge. Whereas, income < 2166 [AOR = 1.64, (95% CI: 1.12, 2.41)], poor social support [AOR = 2.04, (95% CI: 1.13, 3.68)], moderate social support [AOR = 2.44, (95% CI: 1.45, 3.97)] and poor knowledge [AOR = 1.66, (95% CI: 1.13,2.43)] were variables significantly associated with unfavorable attitude toward mental illness. Conclusion In this study about half of the community have poor knowledge, and less than half of the participants have an unfavorable attitude to wards mental illness. There are many factors associated with poor knowledge and unfavorable attitudes. This having poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude may cause certain problems like a decrease in health care of a person with mental illness. Therefore, we recommend practice-based awareness in the community regarding mental health problems needs to be addressed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelalem Belayneh ◽  
Birhanie Mekuriaw

Abstract Background Menstruation is a normal physiological process of females at their reproductive age. However, it is surrounded with social taboos and supernatural beliefs. The poor knowledge and understanding of menstruation may lead to unsafe hygienic practice that intern increases the risk of reproductive and genito-urinary tract infections, cervical cancer, school drop-out, poor academic performance and overall poor quality of life. Despite such clinical and academic effects, the knowledge and hygienic practice of adolescent girls towards menstruation is not well addressed in Ethiopia, particularly among school adolescent girls. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and menstrual hygiene practice among adolescent school girls in southern Ethiopia. Methods This was an institutional based cross-sectional study conducted at Gedeo zone high schools among 791 randomly selected adolescent girls using multi stage sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered to EPI-INFO (soft ware) and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistics analyses were computed to identify factors associated with the poor menstrual hygienic practice. During bi-variable analysis, variables with P-values of less than 0.25 were entered to multivariable model for further analysis. In the final model, P-value of less than 0.05 was used as a base to identify factors having a statistically significant association with poor menstrual hygiene practice at corresponding 95% confidence interval. Result From a total of 791 adolescent girls participated in this study, 68.3% had poor knowledge of menstruation. About 48.1% of school girls used absorbent materials, and 69.5% clean their external genitalia. Generally, 60.3% of girls had poor menstrual hygienic practice. Age less than 15 years [OR = 1.71:95% CI (1.22, 2.39)], longer days of menstrual flow [OR = 2.51:95% CI (1.66, 3.80)] and poor knowledge of menses [OR = 1.48:95% CI (1.04, 2.1)] had a significantly associated with poor menstrual hygiene practice. Conclusion Majority of adolescent school girls had poor knowledge regarding menstruation and their hygienic practices are incorrect. This demonstrates a need to design acceptable awareness creation and advocacy programs to improve the knowledge and promote safe hygienic practice of adolescent school girls during menstruation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Muhamat Nofiyanto ◽  
Muhamad Munif ◽  
Miftafu Darussalam

Background: Early mobilization is necessary in critically ill patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to prevent hypovolemia which endangers patient’s life. The role of nurses in early mobilization is important by providing explanations and motivating patients to achieve the purpose of healing. Guidance and intensive intervention from nurses can reduce the recurrence of disease. Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses on patients early mobilization in ICU of RSUD Panembahan Senopati Bantul. Method: A descriptive, cross sectional study, was applied on 20 nurses in ICU of RSUD Panembahan Senopati Bantul. Univariate data analysis was administered to characteristics of respondents, knowledge, attitudes, and cross-tabulations. Result: Most of nurses have good level of knowledge (70%), and on attitude domain, most nurses are being supportive (75%) in terms of early mobilization to patients. Nurses whose age are  22-35 years old (10%), male (10%), have been working for 1 month up to 5 years (10%), have background of 3 years diploma in nursing (10%)  fall into poor knowledge category. Similar characteristics contribute to attitude domain where nurses whose age are 22-35 years old (25%), male (15%), have been working for 1 month up to 5 years (25%), have background of 3 years diploma in nursing (35%) are placed into unsupportive category. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of nurses on patients early mobilization is in good category where the attitude is in supportive category. Keywords: Knowledge, attitude of nurses, early mobilization.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abate Dargie ◽  
Nigus Alemnew ◽  
Elyas Admasu

AbstractIntroductionEpilepsy is chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent derangement of the nervous system due to the sudden excessive disorderly discharge of the cerebral neurons. People living with epilepsy continue to suffer from enacted or perceived stigma that is based on myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings that have persisted for many years. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community general knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy.MethodsCommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess public general knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy and its associated factors using structured pretested questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and transported to SPSS version 21 further analysis. Both Bivariable and Multivariable Logistic Regression was done to identify associated factors. Odds Ratios and their 95% Confidence interval were computed and variables with p-value less than 0.05 was considered significantly associated factors.Results596 study participants participated in a response rate of 98%. Among the study participants, 43.6 (95% CI: 39.6, 47.5) had poor knowledge and 41.3 (95% CI: 37.4, 45.1) had an unfavorable attitude. Being secondary education, marital status, witnessed a seizure and heard the term epilepsy were showed statistically significant association with poor knowledge about epilepsy. Level of education, low average monthly income, not witnessed a seizure, not heard the term epilepsy and distant from health facility showed statically significant association with the unfavorable attitude.ConclusionIn this study, Debre Berhan communities were found to have deficits in terms of general knowledge and attitude about epilepsy; and it should be given due attention.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritbano Ahmed Abdo ◽  
Hassen Mosa Halil ◽  
Biruk Assefa Kebede ◽  
Abebe Alemu Anshebo ◽  
Negeso Gebeyehu Gejo

Abstract Background: Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal mortality worldwide. In Ethiopia, birth asphyxia remains a severe condition that leads to significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of birth asphyxia among the neonates delivered at the Negest Eleni Mohammed Memorial Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed from June 1- 30, 2019. Two hundred seventy nine study participants were selected using the systematic sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire, check list and chart review. Data were entered into Epi-data (version 3.1) and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (version 24). Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis were made and P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Result: The overall prevalence of birth asphyxia among newborns was found to be 15.1%. Factors that were significantly associated with birth asphyxia included mothers aged ≥ 35 [AOR=6.4, 95% CI (2.0, 20.5)], primigravida [AOR=5.1, 95% CI (2.0, 13.3)], prolonged second stage of labor [AOR=4.6, 95%CI (1.6, 13.3)], preterm birth [AOR=4.7, 95% CI (1.5, 14.1)], meconium stained amniotic fluid[AOR=7.5, 95% CI (2.5, 21.4)]and tight nuchal[AOR=3.1, 95% CI (1.2, 9.3)]. Conclusion: Birth asphyxia is still prevalent in the study setting. The results of this study show the need for better maternal care, creating awareness about contributing factors of birth asphyxia to the maternity health professionals, careful monitoring of labor, and identifying and taking proper measures that could help in reducing the occurrence of birth asphyxia.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e035823
Author(s):  
Nebiyu Dereje ◽  
Alemu Earsido ◽  
Layla Temam ◽  
Ashenafi Abebe

ObjectiveHypertension is a global public health problem, with its burden increasing particularly in developing countries. However, it has not yet received due attention in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adult population in Hosanna town, southern Ethiopia.DesignCommunity-based cross-sectional study.SettingHosanna town, southern Ethiopia.ParticipantsAdult population aged ≥18 years (n=634) were recruited by a multistage stratified sampling technique.Outcome measuresA face-to-face interview using structured questionnaire was carried out by trained nurses. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured following standard procedures. Hypertension status was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg in two separate measurements or reported use of prescribed antihypertensive drugs for raised blood pressure. Factors associated with hypertension were identified by multivariable binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 17.2% (19.3% and 14.2% among men and women, respectively). About 40% were unaware that they were hypertensive prior to the study. Older age ≥35 years (adjusted OR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.4 to 10.8), alcohol use (adjusted OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.3), consumption of saturated oil (adjusted OR=6.5, 95% CI: 1.5 to 17.5) and unspecified different types of oil (adjusted OR=8.2, 95% CI: 1.9 to 25.1) and overweight/obesity (adjusted OR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.9 to 4.6) were found to be independently associated with hypertension.ConclusionsThe prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed hypertension is alarmingly high in the town. These findings underscore the need to design health information provision systems on the risk factors of hypertension and promote good health practices. Blood pressure screening programmes at community levels to identify and treat undiagnosed hypertension should be considered.


Author(s):  
Samreen Khan ◽  
M. Athar Ansari ◽  
Shaista M. Vasenwala ◽  
Zehra Mohsin

Background: Urinary incontinence is defined as the complaint of any involuntary loss of urine that is a social or hygienic problem.  Worldwide, over 200 million people are living with urinary incontinence and as the life expectancy of women is increasing, more number of women are bound to suffer from it. The aim of the present study is to find out the effect of menopause on the occurrence of Urinary Incontinence in women and to find out risk factors in post-menopausal women associated with Urinary Incontinence.Methods: It was a community based cross-sectional study involving post-menopausal women living in the urban and rural areas registered under Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh, India. A total of 530 women were taken for this study. Descriptive statistics as well as simple proportion were calculated with SPSS 20.0. Tests of significance and Binary Logistic regression analysis were used for analysis.Results: Significant differences were found in the association of Urinary Incontinence with increasing age groups and consequent years spent in menopause, rural area of residence, illiteracy, lower socio-economic class, inadequate housing standards, obesity, smoking, parity, history of hysterectomy, and co-morbidities such as Urinary Tract Infection and Pelvic organ prolapse.Conclusions: From a public health perspective, there is considerable opportunity to improve women's quality of life by increasing health education about urinary incontinence and its treatment by taking steps for life style modifications.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritbano Ahmed Abdo ◽  
Hassen Mosa Halil ◽  
Biruk Assefa Kebede ◽  
Abebe Alemu Anshebo ◽  
Negeso Gebeyehu Gejo

Abstract Background : Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal mortality worldwide. In Ethiopia, birth asphyxia remains a severe condition that leads to significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of birth asphyxia among the neonates delivered at the Negest Eleni Mohammed Memorial Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed from June 1- 30, 2019. Two hundred seventy nine study participants were selected using the systematic sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire, check list and chart review . Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 24. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis were made and P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Result: The overall prevalence of birth asphyxia among newborns was 15.1%. Factors that were significantly associated with birth asphyxia included mothers aged ≥ 35 [AOR=6.4, 95% CI (2.0, 20.5)], primigravida [AOR=5.1, 95% CI (2.0, 13.3)], prolonged second stage of labor [AOR=4.6, 95%CI (1.6, 13.3)], preterm birth [AOR=4.7, 95% CI (1.5, 14.1)], meconium stained amniotic fluid [AOR=7.5, 95% CI (2.5, 21.4)]and tight nuchal [AOR=3.1, 95% CI (1.2, 9.3)]. Conclusion: Birth asphyxia is still prevalent in the study setting. The results of this study show the need for better maternal care, creating awareness about contributing factors of birth asphyxia to the maternity health professionals, careful monitoring of labor, and identifying and taking proper measures that could help in reducing the occurrence of birth asphyxia.


Author(s):  
Geeta V. Bathija ◽  
Rana Sarvar

Background: The unsafe disposal of excreta is a principal cause in the transmission of pathogens within the environment and improvements in excreta management provide significant reductions in diarrhoeal diseases. Objectives of present study are to understand the factors impacting on defecation practices and to study the prevailing defecation practices in adults and children and to assess the knowledge and attitudes with regard to sanitation practices in rural areas and urban slums of Hubballi, Dharwad, Karnataka.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in 3 areas of Hubballi and Rural Areas of Noolvi. A total of 120 households were visited; 55 of urban and 65 rural. The adult member of the household was interviewed about the sanitary practices followed and their knowledge and attitude towards Safe Sanitation and Open Air Defecation was assessed.Results: 64.18% of the households had an independent toilet in their house (87% in urban and 44.6% in rural). Among these, in only 85% households the toilet was used by all members. While in 11 houses some individuals preferred open air defecation. The practice of open air defecation was found in 44.16% of study sample (21% in urban slums and 63% in rural areas). In children, usage of toilets was only 46.5%. 54% children practiced open air defecation (28.8% in urban slums, 80% in rural areas). The usual sites for open air defecation were open fields (77%), alongside gutter (3%) and streets (20%).Conclusions: According to World Health Organisation, open defecation is the “riskiest sanitation practice of all.” Effort from individuals, communities and government is essential to achieve the goal of open defection free India.


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