scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practices pertaining to urogenital schistosomiasis in Lambaréné and surrounding areas, Gabon

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Claude Dejon-Agobé ◽  
Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou ◽  
Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji ◽  
Jean Ronald Edoa ◽  
Bayodé Roméo Adegbité ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Control of schistosomiasis remains a priority in endemic areas. Local epidemiological data are necessary for a tailored control programme, including data on population behaviour in relation to the disease. The objective of this study was to assess schistosomiasis-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in the general population of Lambaréné, a small city in Gabon, in order to optimise the design and implementation of a local control programme that is tailored to need. Methods The study was cross-sectional in nature. Eligible adults and children living in the study area who volunteered (with informed consent) to participate in the study were interviewed using standardised questionnaires, one of which was a simplified version of the primary questionnaire for participants aged 6–13 years. Data on the participants’ knowledge, attitudes and practices that enhance the risk for contracting schistosomiasis were collected. Results A total of 602 participants were included. The mean (± standard deviation) age was 21.2 (± 15.0) years, the female:male gender ratio was 1.6 and 289 (48%) participants completed the simplified version the questionnaire. Of the 602 participants, 554 (92%) reported past or current contact with freshwater, 218 (36%) reported a history of a diagnosis of schistosomiasis and 193 (32%) reported past intake of praziquantel medication. The overall levels of knowledge and adequate attitudes toward schistosomiasis among young adults and adults were 68 and 73%, respectively. The proportion of participants pursuing risk-enhancing practices (REP) was 60% among the whole study population. Location was significantly associated with differences in knowledge and REP levels. A history of confirmed schistosomiasis and larger family size were significantly associated with an increase in good knowledge and REP levels. However, the indication of freshwater-associated activities was only associated with a significant increase in the REP level. Conclusions The results of this survey reveal a high level of population exposure to schistosomiasis, which is in line with known prevalence of schistosomiasis in Lambaréné and its surroundings. The local population has a reasonable level of knowledge of and adequate attitudes toward schistosomiasis but the level of REP is high, particularly in areas where piped water is absent. In terms of interventions, improving hygiene should have the highest priority, but in a context where provision of safe water is difficult to achieve, the effectiveness of praziquantel treatment and the education of at-risk populations on the need for protective behaviours should be a prominent feature of any local control programme. Graphical abstract

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akash John ◽  
Muhammad Saleem Rana ◽  
Asif Hanif ◽  
Tallat Anwar Faridi ◽  
Sofia Noor ◽  
...  

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a subgroup of retrovirus causing HIV infection which if prolongs turns into a progressive failure of the immune system called as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is commonly prevalent in Male Transgenders who are born male and disobeys the cultural defined social norms and identify themselves as a female. The objective was to assess knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Transgender Community regarding Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Lahore, Pakistan. A Descriptive Cross-sectional Survey was conducted in Nine Towns of Lahore. A sample size of 79 was calculated and data was collected in duration of 9 months. A self-administered survey-based questionnaire was developed using WHO and National AIDS control Programme guidelines followed and pilot tested. Data was collected after Informed consent.The mean age of Respondents was 29.56 ± 8.27 years with minimum and maximum age as 19 and 50. In this study the mean knowledge score of the transgender about HIV Transmission was 2.804±0.32, the mean score of attitudes of transgender were 3.25±0.19 and the mean practice score was 2.931±0.28.Majority of the transgender have insufficient knowledge, and bad attitude towards their health. They have unsafe sexual practice and Drug Interventions playing a significant role in HIV epidemic. Majority of them are uneducated, unemployed and found sex selling and dancing an easiest way of earning. Their knowledge about HIV screening, transmission, and antiretroviral therapy is low.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-592
Author(s):  
I. E. Saeed ◽  
E. S. Ahmed

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among displaced people in Khartoum state to determine risk factors associated with malaria. Data were collected from 856 households about sociodemographic characteristics, history of malaria, and knowledge, attitudes and treatment-seeking behaviour. Overall, 68.2% reported a malaria attack among household members in the previous year. Risk of malaria attack was significantly associated with tribe, language, education, water supply and food expenditure. The highest rates of attack were among local language speakers [85.5%] and illiterate residents [70.4%]. Half the respondents [50.2%] delayed seeking treatment for malaria. Knowledge, attitudes and practices had no association with malaria attacks, except for a 4.7-fold increased risk of malaria when obtaining water from carts rather than wells


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Sabria Al-Marshoudi ◽  
Haleema Al-Balushi ◽  
Adil Al-Wahaibi ◽  
Sulien Al-Khalili ◽  
Amal Al-Maani ◽  
...  

Oman is globally acknowledged for its well-structured immunization program with high vaccination coverage. The massive spread of misinformation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the easy access to various media channels, may affect acceptance of a vaccine, despite the inherent trust in the local system. This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) in Oman toward COVID-19 vaccines. It included 3000 randomly selected adults answering a structured questionnaire via telephone. Participants were 66.7% Omani, 76% male, and 83.7% without comorbidities. Their mean age was 38.27 years (SD ± 10.45). Knowledge of COVID-19′s symptoms, mode of transmission, and attitudes toward the disease was adequate; 88.4% had heard of the vaccine, 59.3% would advise others to take it, 56.8% would take it themselves, and 47.5% would take a second dose. Males (CI = 2.37, OR = (2.00–2.81)) and non-Omanis (CI = 0.49, OR = (0.42–0.57)) were more willing to be vaccinated. The history of chronic disease, source of vaccine knowledge, and education level were factors that affected the willingness to accept the vaccine. The Omani community’s willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine can be enhanced by utilizing social media and community influencers to spread awareness about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustin Mouinga-Ondémé ◽  
Sydney Maghendji-Nzondo ◽  
Julie Buekens ◽  
Jéordy-Dimitri Engone-Ondo ◽  
Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The seroprevalence of HIV in Gabon is 4.1%. This rate varies among its nine provinces and is estimated at 4.2% in the province of Nyanga. This variance is believed to be the result of a lack of information and beliefs regarding HIV transmission and prevention. There are currently scarce epidemiological data from this region of Gabon. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women of childbearing age from Nyanga province towards HIV.Methods: A 13-day cross-sectional descriptive study of 631 women aged 15 to 49 years was conducted within the five departments of the province to assess their knowledge and attitudes about HIV, with particular emphasis on mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT). Household recruitment of participants was conducted and information was collected by means of a questionnaire. Correct answers were considered as indicating a basic knowledge of the topic assessed.Results: Around 90% of women (570/631) were of childbearing age but not pregnant during the survey, with a mean age of 28 years. Also, 10% (61/631) were pregnant. Among surveyed women, 99.2% had heard of HIV/AIDS and 81.8% knew at least one screening site for HIV. More than 83.6% knew that MTCT could occur during pregnancy, and 76.5% knew about transmission during breastfeeding. In addition, 86.5% knew that HIV couldn’t be transmitted through sharing food with an infected person. Similarly, 68.8% answered that HIV transmission cannot occur through mosquito bites. However, 45.8% of women said that HIV could be transmitted by witchcraft. For 81.6% of participants, HIV could be prevented by having a single monogamous sexual partner and protected sex. Seventy percent of the women were aware of antiretroviral therapy. More than 80% of the participants indicated that they had been screened overall, and 77.3% said that they had been offered HIV screening services during antenatal visits.Conclusions: Almost all women of childbearing age in Nyanga had heard of HIV, yet about half of them had poor knowledge of its modes of transmission. It is therefore imperative to carry out awareness campaigns in conjunction with HIV testing services to better understand the current prevalence of HIV infection in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Owono Etoundi ◽  
Junette Arlette Metogo Mbengono ◽  
Ferdinand Ndom Ntock ◽  
Joel Noutakdie Tochie ◽  
Dominique Christelle Anaba Ndom ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Kranthi Swaroop Koonisetty ◽  
Ubydul Haque ◽  
Rajesh Nandy ◽  
Nasrin Aghamohammadi ◽  
Tamanna Urmi ◽  
...  

Dengue fever is one of the most important viral infections transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Accurate identification of cases and treatment of dengue patients at the early stages can reduce medical complications and dengue mortality rate. This survey aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among physicians in dengue diagnosis and treatment. This study was conducted among physicians in Turkey as one nonendemic country and Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia as three dengue-endemic countries. The dosing frequencies, maximum doses, and contraindications in dengue fever were examined. The results found that physicians from Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia have higher KAP scores in dengue diagnosis and treatment compared to physicians in Turkey. This may be due to a lack of physician’s exposure to a dengue patient as Turkey is considered a nonendemic country. This assessment may help establish a guideline for intervention strategies among physicians to have successful treatment outcomes and reduce dengue mortality.


2021 ◽  
pp. 100184
Author(s):  
Maria de Fátima Carvalho Alves ◽  
Maria da Luz Lima Mendonça ◽  
Janice de Jesus Xavier Soares ◽  
Silvânia Leal ◽  
Menilita dos Santos ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok-Jin Hong ◽  
Byoung-Eun Yang ◽  
Dae-Myoung Yoo ◽  
Sung-Jae Kim ◽  
Hyo-Geun Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease resulting in patients exhibiting high levels of inflammatory factors causing systemic inflammatory bone destruction that may lead to osteoporosis development. The association between periodontitis and osteoporosis has been documented; however, the findings remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the association between periodontitis and osteoporosis using a cross-sectional study design and Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) health examinee data. Methods This cross-sectional study used epidemiological data from the KoGES during 2004–2016. Of 125,324 participants (age, 40–79 years), 9969 with periodontitis and 115,332 controls (without periodontitis) were selected. We analyzed the history of osteoporosis and fractures of all participants. All participants were examined according to age, sex, income group, obesity, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and food intake. To analyze the odds ratio (OR) of periodontitis for those with osteoporosis and fractures, a logistic regression model was used. Results The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of periodontitis for osteoporosis was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01–2.31; P < 0.001). The aOR of periodontitis for any fracture was 1.54 (95% CI 1.46–1.62; P < 0.001). Conclusion Osteoporosis and fractures are associated with periodontitis. Performing regular oral hygiene and examinations of bone mineral density are recommended to prevent aggravation of osteoporosis and periodontitis.


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