scholarly journals Knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City, Malawi: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mtondera Munthali ◽  
Isabel Kazanga Chiumia ◽  
Chrispin Mandiwa ◽  
Saul Mwale
Keyword(s):  
Preconception Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Preconception care is one of the preventive strategies in maternal and new-born health as recommended by WHO. However, in sub-Saharan Africa there is poor preconception care practices. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age group in Mzuzu City, Malawi. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Selection of respondents was done through a multistage and purposive sampling techniques respectively. A total of 253 women of reproductive age from nine townships of Mzuzu City responded to the questionnaire and 20 health workers were interviewed. Results A total of 136 (54%) respondents had heard of preconception care. About 57.7% (n = 146) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of preconception care while 42.3% (n = 107) had poor knowledge. About 72% (n = 105) of those with good of knowledge of preconception care, lacked awareness on possibilities of talking to a health care provider on intentions of getting pregnant. About 74.7% (n = 189) of women had a positive perception towards preconception care. Knowledge of preconception care was a good predictor of positive perception (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.0), however its predictability was influenced by the academic level attained. Those with secondary (AOR = 10.2; 95% CI 3.2–26.2) and tertiary (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–4.9) were more likely to have good knowledge of preconception care than those with primary school education level. About 95% (n = 19) of health workers lacked details about preconception care but they admitted their role in preconception care. Conclusion Preconception care practice among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City was low. However there was positive perception towards preconception care in both parties. There is an opportunity in existing platforms for implementation of interventions targeting identified predictors for increased knowledge and uptake of preconception care.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Perceptions of Preconception Care Among Health Workers and Women of Reproductive Age in Mzuzu City, Malawi. A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mtondera Eness Munthali-Nkhoma ◽  
Isabel Kazanga-Chiumia ◽  
Chrispin Mandiwa ◽  
Saul Mwale
Keyword(s):  
Preconception Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Good Level ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Abstract Background: Preconception care is one of the preventive strategies in maternal and new-born health as recommended by WHO. However, in sub-Saharan Africa there is poor preconception care practices. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age group in Mzuzu city, Malawi. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional mixed methods approach utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Selection of respondents was done through a multistage and purposive sampling techniques. A total of 253 women of reproductive age from 9 townships of Mzuzu City responded to the questionnaire and 20 health workers were interviewed.Results: Of the 253 women, 57.7% (n =146) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of preconception care while 42.3 % (n =107) had poor knowledge level. About 72% (n =105) of those with good level of knowledge lacked awareness on possibilities of talking to a health care provider on intentions of getting pregnant. About 74.7 % (n =189) of women had a positive perception towards preconception care. Knowledge level of women was a good predictor of positive perception (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.215 – 5.023), however its prediction capacity varied with the academic level attained. Those with secondary (AOR =10.2; 95% CI = 3.285 - 26.276) and tertiary (AOR=2.3; 95% CI = 1.146 – 4.952) were more likely to have good knowledge than those with primary school level education. About 95% (n =19) of health workers lacked details about preconception care but they admitted their role in preconception care.Conclusion: Preconception care practice among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City is low but there is positive perception towards preconception care among both parties. There is an opportunity in existing platforms for implementation of interventions targeting identified predictors for increased knowledge and uptake of preconception care.

scholarly journals Identifying risk factors of anemia among women of reproductive age in Rwanda - a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2014/2015

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieudonne Hakizimana ◽  
Marie Paul Nisingizwe ◽  
Jenae Logan ◽  
Rex Wong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Pregnant Woman ◽  
Intrauterine Device ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hemoglobin Level ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) continues to be among the major public health problems in many developing countries, including Rwanda, where it increased in prevalence between the 2015 and 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) reports. A thorough understanding of its risk factors is necessary to design better interventions. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted in Rwanda on a nationally representative sample to assess factors associated with anemia among WRA. Accordingly, this study was conducted to address such gap. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the RDHS 2014-2015 report. The study population consisted of 6680 WRA who were tested for anemia during the survey. Anemia was defined as having a hemoglobin level equal to or below 10.9 g/dl for a pregnant woman, and hemoglobin level equal to or below 11.9 g/dl for a non-pregnant woman. Pearson’s chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were conducted for bivariate and multivariable analysis, respectively. Results The prevalence of anemia among WRA was 19.2% (95% CI: 18.0 - 20.5). Four factors were found to be associated with lower odds of anemia, including being obese (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40 - 0.91), being in the rich category (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63 - 0.87), sleeping under a mosquito net (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74 - 0.98), and using hormonal contraceptives (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50 - 0.73). Five factors were associated with higher odds of anemia, including being underweight (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.78), using an intrauterine device (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.75), being separated or widowed (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.67), and living in the Southern province (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.11 - 1.89) or in the Eastern province (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.88). Conclusion Anemia continues to pose public health challenges; novel public health interventions should consider geographic variations in anemia risk, seek to improve women’s economic statuses, and strengthen iron supplementation especially for Intrauterine device users. Additionally, given the association between anemia and malaria, interventions to prevent malaria should be enhanced.

scholarly journals Antenatal care among women in Chitwan district of Nepal: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
pp. 74-86
Author(s):  
Sharmila Pokharel ◽  
Ram Krishna Maharjan
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Community

Antenatal care is one of the most effective measures to reduce maternal mortality in Lower Middle-income Countries. The study aims to assess the utilization of antenatal care and related factors by breastfeeding mothers in Chitwan district of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bharatpur municipality in April 2020, among all women of the reproductive age group (15-49) who have had a birth child in the last 12 months before the survey date. A census sampling technique was used to select respondents. The vaccination period was two weeks. All the mothers who came to the vaccine center to vaccinate their children were the respondents of this study. The data were collected by using an interview schedule. The collected data were managed using SPSS Version 20. The study found that 84.31 percent of respondents attended more than four antenatal care utilization. The educational level of the respondents and the occupation of their partners were linked to the use of antenatal care. The number of pregnancies, the number of live births, the place of delivery, and the educational level and occupations of the birth attendees were also significantly linked to the use of antenatal care. Community mobilization and intensive use of community health workers are essential factors to improve the use of antenatal care.

scholarly journals OVARIAN MALIGNANCY

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 237-241
Author(s):  
Shabana Rafiq ◽  
Razia Bibi ◽  
Samina Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Ovarian Malignancy ◽  
Ovarian Mass ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Setting

Objectives: To determine the frequency of ovarian malignancy in women ofreproductive age presenting with ovarian mass and to determine frequency of factors leadingto ovarian malignancy. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics& Gynaecology, Lady Wallington Hospital, Lahore. Period with Dates: From 05.11.11 to26.06.12. Results: The result of our study reveals majority of the patients between 21-30 yearsi.e. 45.88%(n=39), common age was 24.21+3.76 years, 43.53%(n=37) were nulliparous (inmajority), while frequency of ovarian malignancy in women of reproductive age presenting withovarian mass was recorded in 14.11%(n=12) while frequency of factors leading to ovarianmalignancy was 91.67%(n=11) patients were nulliparous while family history of ovarianmalignancy was in 8.33%(n=1) patients. Conclusions: The frequency of ovarian malignancy ishigher among reproductive age females with increased risk of nulliparity.

scholarly journals Associated factors of pregnancy spacing among women of reproductive age Group in South of Iran: cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Dehesh ◽  
Elaheh Salarpour ◽  
Neda Malekmohammadi ◽  
Sepideh Arjomand Kermani
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Recurrent Event ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pregnancy Spacing ◽  
Contraception Use ◽  
Reproductive Age Group

Abstract Background Optimal pregnancy spacing is an important incidence in reproductive women’s health. Short or long pregnancy spacing leads to the greatest health, social and economic problems such as increase in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the mean of pregnancy spacing and associated factors of pregnancy spacing among women of reproductive age group with recurrent event analysis. Methods The fertility history of 1350 women aged 15–49 years was collected in this cross-sectional study. The women were selected through multistage random sampling method from a list of clinics in 2018. Some predictors were collected from their records and others were collected by face-to-face interview. The recurrent event survival analysis was used to explore the effect of predictors on pregnancy spacing. The R software program was used for analysis. Results There were nine predictors that had significant effect on pregnancy spacing. These predictors included the age of mother at marriage, mother’s BMI, contraception use, breast feeding duration of the previous child, the education level of husband, the sex preference of the mother, presence of abortion or stillbirth in the preceding pregnancies, income sufficiency, and mother’s awareness of optimum pregnancy interval. The most influential predictors; contraception use (HR = 2.34, 95%CI = 1.23 to 2.76, P < 0.001) and income sufficiency (HR = 2.046, 95%CI = 1.61 to 3.02, P = 0.018) lead to longer and son preference of mother (HR = 2.231, 95%CI = 1.24 to 2.81, P = 0.023) lead to shorter pregnancy spacing. Conclusion The up to date contraception tool should be at hand for couples to manage their pregnancy intervals. The unfavorable economic situation of a family leads to long pregnancy spacing. Despite the relative equality of the status of girls and boys in today’s societies, the desire to have a son child is still an important factor in shorter pregnancy spacing. The benefit of optimal pregnancy spacing should be more announced.

scholarly journals Factors associated with anaemia and iron deficiency among women of reproductive age in Northeast Thailand: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutatip Jamnok ◽  
Kanokwan Sanchaisuriya ◽  
Pattara Sanchaisuriya ◽  
Goonnapa Fucharoen ◽  
Supan Fucharoen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Northeast Thailand ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

scholarly journals Prevalence and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Thatta Pakistan: Findings from a cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. e0239320
Author(s):  
Sumera Aziz Ali ◽  
Zahid Abbasi ◽  
Babar Shahid ◽  
Ghazal Moin ◽  
K. Michael Hambidge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of front-line health workers during the first wave of COVID-19 in Africa: a multi-center online cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larrey Kasereka Kamabu ◽  
Hervé Monka Lekuya ◽  
Richard Newton Iranya ◽  
Bienvenu Muhindo Kasusula ◽  
Franck Katembo Sikakulya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Front Line ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Good Attitude

Abstract Background: During its first wave of COVID-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa, there was insufficient understanding of the pandemic among front-line health care professionals that has led to a misidentification, and mistreatment of affected patients, with a potential risk of contracting and spreading the disease. This study was carried out to determine the Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of front-line health workers (HWs) towards COVID-19 in Africa and their related factors.Methods: This was a multi-centers online cross-sectional study conducted over a 3-months study-period using a google survey link among front lines HWs involved in the COVID-19 response in 26 African countries. Chi-square test & logistic regression were used in the bivariate and multivariate analysis respectively to assess determinants of KAP. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 16; all tests were two-sided with 95% confidence interval. Results: Five hundred and seventeen (517, 96.3%) consented to participate in this study from 26 African countries; 289 (55.9%) were male and 228 (44.1%) female. Overall, most of HWs, 379 (73.3%) showed poor knowledge about COVID-19 infection and preventive measures. In contrast, majority of them showed good attitude (89%) and practice (90.3%) towards prevention of COVID-19 infections. Knowledge varied among countries; Uganda had the greatest number of HWs with good knowledge. (OR = 28.09, p <0.0001) followed by Ghana (OR=10.92, p=0.001) and DRC (OR: 4.59, p=0.015). The cadre of HWs also influenced knowledge; doctors were the most knowledgeable as compared to other cadres (OR: 3.4, p= 0.005). Additionally, knowledge increased with increasing HWs’ education level (p=0.011).Attitude and practice were both influenced by HWs country of workplace (p=0.05 & p< 0.0001 respectively) and their cadre (p = 0.025 & p < 0.0001 respectively).Conclusions: Majority of the front-line HWs in the African region had an overall good attitude and practice towards COVID-19 infection and practice measures despite relatively poor Knowledge. The KAP is influenced by HWs country of workplace, their cadre and level of education.

scholarly journals Risk Factors of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Women of Reproductive Age in Xi’an: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianling Zeng ◽  
Yafei Zhang ◽  
Taohong Zhang ◽  
Yan Xue ◽  
Huiqiu Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics ◽  
History Of

Purpose. To explore risk factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) among women of reproductive age in Xi’an district and then to offer reference for clinical prevention and treatment of VVC. Methods. Patients from the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from June 2016 to May 2017 were recruited strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants diagnosed as simple VVC were assigned to the case group, while women who underwent routine gynecological examination and had normal vaginal microflora were assigned to the control group. Then we conducted a questionnaire survey of the two groups and used the logistic regression model to explore the related risk factors of VVC. Results. In the present study, ninety-seven cases were sample VVC patients and eighty-seven cases were healthy women. This cross-sectional study showed that occasionally or never drinking sweet drinks (odds ratio [OR] =0.161, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.056-0.462, P=0.001), occasionally or never eating sweet foods (OR=0.158, 95%CI=0.054-0.460, P=0.001), and the use of condom (OR=0.265, 95%CI=0.243-0.526, P=0.001) were regarded as protective factors for VVC. In addition, sedentary life style (OR=7.876, 95%CI=1.818-34.109, P=0.006), frequently wearing tights (OR=6.613, 95%CI=1.369-27.751, P=0.018), frequent intravaginal douching (OR=3.493, 95%CI=1.379-8.847, P=0.008), having the first sexual encounter when under 20 years old (OR=2.364, 95%CI=1.181-7.758, P=0.006), the number of sexual partners being over two (OR=3.222, 95%CI=1.042-9.960, P=0.042), history of curettage (OR=3.471, 95%CI=1.317-9.148, P=0.012), history of vaginitis (OR=8.999, 95%CI=2.816-28.760, P<0.001), and not cleaning the vulva before or after sexual encounters (OR=13.684, 95%CI=2.843-65.874, P=0.001) were considered to be risk factors of VVC. Conclusion. In conclusion, risk factors of VVC are various, involving ages, hygienic habits, disease history, and other aspects.

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