scholarly journals COVID-19 case management strategies: what are the options for Africa?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Luba Lomole Waya ◽  
David Ameh ◽  
Joseph Lou K. Mogga ◽  
Joseph F. Wamala ◽  
Olushayo Oluseun Olu
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a strain on health systems globally. Although Africa is the least affected region to date, it has the weakest health systems and an exponential rise in cases as has been observed in other regions, is bound to overwhelm its health systems. Early detection and isolation of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases are pivotal to the prevention and control of the pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all laboratory-confirmed cases should be isolated and treated in a health care facility; however, where this is not possible due to the health system capacity, patients can be isolated in re-purposed facilities or at home. An already very apparent future challenge for Africa is facility-based isolation of COVID-19 cases, given the already limited health infrastructure and health workforce, and the risk of nosocomial transmission. Use of repurposed facilities requires additional resources, including health workers. Home isolation, on the other hand, would be a challenge given the poor housing, overcrowding, inadequate access to water and sanitation, and stigma related to infectious disease that is prevalent in many African societies. Conflict settings on the continent pose an additional challenge to the prevention and control of COVID-19 with the resultant population displacements in overcrowded camps where access to social services is limited. These unique cultural, social, economic and developmental differences on the continent, call for a tailored approach to COVID-19 case management strategies. This article proposes three broad case management strategies based on the transmission scenarios defined by WHO, and the criteria and package of care for each option, for consideration by policy makers and governments in African countries. Moving forward, African countries should generate local evidence to guide the development of realistic home-grown strategies, protocol and equipment for the management of COVID-19 cases on the continent "Image missing" .

scholarly journals A health worker knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices. Methods A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in casualty departments, outpatient departments, and entrance points of health facilities. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection. Results A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD = 1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (< 40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments. Conclusions The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the relevant provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals Rabies mortality and morbidity associated with animal bites in Africa: A case for Integrated Rabies Diseases Surveillance, Prevention and Control - A Scoping review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Nyasulu ◽  
Jacqueline Weyer ◽  
Rea Tschopp ◽  
Adane Mihret ◽  
Abraham Aseffa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
And Control

Background: Rabies a neglected tropical disease, mostly affecting poor and vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas in developing countries. The disease continues to pose a significant public health a threat with an estimated 59,000 dog-transmitted human deaths, of which an estimated 21,476 human deaths occur in Africa each year. The global strategy has been set by the quartite World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), aiming for "zero human deaths associated with dog transmitted rabies by 2030". African countries, however, face several challenges and there are still gaps in controlling rabies. The aim of this study review is to determine rabies prevalence, mortality and associated risk factors in both human population and animal population and to evaluate the presence or absence of integrated one health surveillance response in African nations. Methods and analysis: We will conduct an electronic literature searches on PubMed, CINAHL, (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and Web of Science and other relevant databases. Reference lists from identified published articles or reviews and conference abstracts will also be searched for relevant articles. Published and unpublished literatures (grey) will be included in the search. The findings will be presented graphically in terms of mortality, morbidity, interventions for rabies control in Africa, research gaps identified, available research evidence, rabies surveillance, prevention and control and adverse events. Conclusion: This review will contribute to the coordination of interventions for surveillance, prevention, and control with African countries as country-based gaps and challenges and opportunities will be highlighted. In addition, the scaling up of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP rabies will be evaluated in African countries and the projection to achieve the target of "zero deaths of human rabies by 2030" in Africa.

Capacity of Commune Health Stations in Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province, for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 94S-101S ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga ◽  
Bui Thi My Anh ◽  
Nguyen Nguyen Ngoc ◽  
Dang Minh Diem ◽  
Vu Duy Kien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
National Budget ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
And Control

The primary health care system in Vietnam has been playing an important role in prevention and control of diseases. This study aimed to describe the capacity of commune health stations in Chi Linh district, Hai Duong province for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative approaches) approach was applied to collect data in 20 commune health stations. The participants, including health workers, stakeholders, and patients with NCDs, were selected for the study. The findings reported that the main activities of prevention and control of NCDs at commune health stations (CHSs) still focused on information-education-community (IECs), unqualified for providing screening, diagnosis, and treatments of NCDs. The capacity for prevention and control of NCDs in CHSs was inadequate to provide health care services related to prevention and control of NCDs and unmet with the community’s demands. In order to ensure the role and implementation of primary care level, there is an urgent need to improve the capacity of CHSs for prevention and control of NCDs, particularly a national budget for NCDs prevention and control, the essential equipment and medicines recommended by the World Health Organization should be provided and available at the CHSs.

scholarly journals Impact of long-term care facility size on preparedness and adherence to infection prevention and control guidance for the mitigation of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Alexander Wachholz ◽  
Ruth Caldeira de Melo ◽  
Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto ◽  
Paulo Jose Fortes Villas Boas
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
And Control

Objectives: To evaluate the adherence of Brazilian long-term care facilities(LTCFs) to the World Health Organization(WHO) infection prevention and control(IPC) guidance, and examine its association with LTCF size. Methods: Cross-sectional study of LTCF managers. We classified adherence using a global adherence score as (1)excellent for LTCFs following ≥14 recommendations, (2)good for those following 10-13, and (3)poor for those following <10 recommendations. LTCF size was established as small, medium, and large according to a 2-step cluster analysis. We used descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Results:308(85.1%) out of 362 facilities adhered to 14 or more recommendations. We found a lower adherence to screening visitors(p=0.037) and isolating patients until they have 2 negative laboratory tests(p=0.032) in larger facilities. Discussion: Preparedness for mitigating COVID-19 in Brazilian LTCFs was considered excellent for most recommendations, regardless of LTCF size. Maintaining a sufficient stock of materials, workforce management, and financial distress were the most prevalent difficulties.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities in South Africa: A knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey of health workers in four provinces

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in the casualty and outpatient departments. A structured questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. The questionnaire was self-administered, and COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection.Results: A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD=1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (<40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments.Conclusions: The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals Applying WHO COVID-19 Workforce Estimate Tools Remotely in an African Context: A Case Report From Mali and Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela A. McQuide ◽  
Amy Finnegan ◽  
Katherine M Terry ◽  
Andrew Nelson Brown ◽  
Cheick Oumar Toure ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Context ◽  
African Countries ◽  
African Context

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden on health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where health systems already struggle. To meet health workforce planning needs during the pandemic, IntraHealth International used two tools created by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. The Health Workforce Estimator (HWFE) allows the estimation of the quantity of health workers needed to treat patients during a surge, and the Adaptt Surge Planning Support Tool helps to predict the timing of a surge in cases and the number of health workers and beds needed for predicted caseload. These tools were adapted to fit the African context in a rapid implementation over five weeks in one region in Mali and one region in Kenya with the objective to test the feasibility of adapting these tools, which use a Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN)-inspired human resources management methodology, to obtain daily and surge projections of COVID-19 human resources for health needs.Case presentationUsing a remote team in the US and in-country teams in Mali and Kenya, IntraHealth enacted a phased plan to gather stakeholder support, collect data related to health systems and COVID-19 cases, populate data into the tools, verify modeled results with results on the ground, enact policy measures to meet projected needs, and conduct national training workshops for the ministries of health.ConclusionsThis phased implementation in Mali and Kenya demonstrated that the WISN approach applied to the Health Workforce Estimator and Adaptt tools can be readily adapted to the local context for African countries to rapidly estimate the number of health workers and beds needed to respond to the predicted COVID-19 pandemic caseload. The results may also be used to give a proxy estimate for needed health supplies—e.g., oxygen, medications, and ventilators. Challenges included accurate and timely data collection and updating data. The success of the pilot can be attributed to the adapted WHO tools, the team composition in both countries, access to human resources data, and early support of the ministries of health, with the expectation that this methodology can be applied to other country contexts.

scholarly journals Rabies Mortality and Morbidity Associated with Animal Bites in Africa: A Case for Integrated Rabies Diseases Surveillance, Prevention and Control - A Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Nyasulu ◽  
Jacqueline Weyer ◽  
Rea Tschopp ◽  
Adane Mihret ◽  
Samuel Victor Nuvor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Rabies a neglected tropical disease, mostly affecting poor and vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas in developing countries. The disease continues to pose a significant public health a threat with an estimated 59,000 dog-transmitted human deaths, of which an estimated 21,476 human deaths occur in Africa each year. The global strategy has been set by the quartite World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), aiming for "zero human deaths associated with dog transmitted rabies by 2030". African countries, however, face several challenges and there are still gaps in controlling rabies. The aim of this study review is to determine rabies prevalence, mortality and associated risk factors in both human population and animal population and to evaluate the presence or absence of integrated one health surveillance response in African nations.Methods and analysis: We will conduct an electronic literature searches on PubMed, CINAHL, (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and Web of Science and other relevant databases. Reference lists from identified published articles or reviews and conference abstracts will also be searched for relevant articles. Published and unpublished literatures (grey) will be included in the search. The findings will be presented graphically in terms of mortality, morbidity, interventions for rabies control in Africa, research gaps identified, available research evidence, rabies surveillance, prevention and control and adverse events.Conclusion: This review will contribute to the coordination of interventions for surveillance, prevention, and control with African countries as country-based gaps and challenges and opportunities will be highlighted. In addition, the scaling up of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP rabies will be evaluated in African countries and the projection to achieve the target of "zero deaths of human rabies by 2030" in Africa.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Impact on Medical Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa; The Need to Guard Against Medical Negligence: A Case Report in a Health Care Facility in Kumasi, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 2632010X2110253
Author(s):  
Paul Poku Sampene Ossei ◽  
William Gilbert Ayibor ◽  
John Taylor ◽  
Lawrence Agyemang ◽  
Kwabena Owusu Aninkora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Diagnostic Dilemma ◽  
Negative Results

With the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still in pandemic mode, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African continent has experienced continued growth in the total tally. According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has spread to almost all 54 recognized African countries. Figures from the CDC indicate that the highly affected countries include South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, and Ghana (with more than 55 000 cases and 400 deaths as of the time of writing). The WHO and the United Nations have projected the ongoing pandemic could push medical practitioners toward high rates of clinical misdiagnosis. So far, the coronavirus pandemic has been more devastating and life-threatening than the usual seasonal flu. As of the time of writing, here is presently no proven vaccine or treatment for the disease, with the vaccines still under development; hence, a timely and accurate diagnosis could prove critical. Patients can also receive supportive care earlier if they are diagnosed early. Considering the fact that the coronavirus infection mimics the signs and symptoms of normal flu and other respiratory infections, a problem now emerges, where these symptoms are treated as manifestations of the deadly virus. This has caused a diagnostic dilemma in the absence of laboratory tests with new cases adding to the pool daily. In Ghana, many patients on suspicion of flu-like symptoms are sometimes denied the care so deserved due to the stigma associated with the disease, often in cases where laboratory tests are absent. This study is a postmortem report of a client who died while on admission at a private medical facility. It was an unconfirmed case of COVID-19, and the client was left unattended to and died, having spent 8 days on the ward. His test report was not done initially, but the diagnosis was purely based on suspicion. Nasopharyngeal swabs conducted on the fifth day of admission proved negative. Results became available on the day of the client’s demise. Postmortem findings established the actual cause of death, and it was not COVID-19 related.

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