scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practices of frontline health workers in relation to detection of brucellosis in rural settings of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Joseph Mligo ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Richard B. Yapi ◽  
Coletha Mathew ◽  
Ernatus M. Mkupasi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Brucellosis an important zoonotic disease worldwide, which frequently presents as an undifferentiated febrile illness with otherwise varied and non-specific clinical manifestations. Despite its importance, there are few reports on its awareness among frontline health workers. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to detection and management of brucellosis among frontline health workers (FHWs) namely; healthcare workers (HWs) and community health workers (CHWs). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 in Kilosa and Chalinze districts of Tanzania. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding brucellosis were collected from the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 32 HWs and 32 CHWs who were systematically selected in study districts. Chi square/fisher Exact was used to assess the association between sociodemographic variables and those related to knowledge, attitude and practices. Results Overall, a total of 30 (93.8%) HWs and nine (28.1%) CHWs from the study districts heard about brucellosis, with (34.4%) of HWs having knowledge about the causative organism. Overall, knowledge showed almost half (46.9%) HWs and (28.1%) CHWs were aware of the symptoms, clinical signs, diagnosis and control regarding brucellosis. Knowledge difference was statistically significant with HWs’ age (p = 0.016). Almost half (46.9%) HWs and less than quarter (12.5%) CHWs had good practices regarding brucellosis control. Almost three quarters (71.9%) of HWs and (21.9%) CHWs had positive attitude regarding brucellosis control; overall attitude was statistically significant with CHWs age (p = 0.028) and education level (p = 0.024). Lack of awareness and unavailability of diagnostic tools were the main challenges faced by FHWs in the two districts. Conclusion The majority of participants were not aware of human brucellosis. Moreover, their overall knowledge was inadequate and the common practices were diagnostic tools, and adequate knowledge to manage brucellosis cases. These findings highlight the need to strengthen frontline health workers knowledge, practices and diagnostic capacities related to brucellosis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Indu Padmey ◽  
Arindam De ◽  
DiptoKantih . ◽  
Aditya Prasad Sarkar ◽  
Asit Baran Saren ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 110288
Author(s):  
Olufemi Erinoso ◽  
Olusola Adejumo ◽  
Azeez Fashina ◽  
Ayodeji Falana ◽  
Mary T Amure ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lipi B Mahanta ◽  
Manisha Choudhury ◽  
Sikha Borthakur ◽  
Ritul Bhagabati ◽  
Partha Gogoi

Frontline health workers are now key component in any public health delivery system, providing essential information on basic components of health, nutrition and sanitation for improving the utilization of primary health care delivery system by the community. This study was conducted to find out the Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers on maternal health and child health components, service delivery system and to find out the association of different communication media on KAP status regarding above components. It is a cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire from 264 ASHA workers from 8 blocks of 5 districts of Assam selected randomly. Multiple regression analysis has been used to associate various findings and variables. The overall KAP status of most of the ASHAs (72%) was found to be 'Good'. It was observed that 70.45% had good KAP regarding maternal health components, 82.2% had good KAP on child health components, and 78.79% on common diseases. Communication media like TV, radio and mobile have also been found to have significant effect on certain KAP by ASHAs. Most of the ASHAs have been found competent in some aspects of health and nutrition components which have direct impact on child survival and maternal health. But at the same time average to poor knowledge level have been seen in some other important indicators. Hence proper training and timely re-orientation and information sharing through different suitable medium would be helpful for improving the KAP status of ASHAs.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.5(2) 2015: 57-64


Author(s):  
Gunta Laizāne ◽  
Anda Ķīvīte ◽  
Ilze Grope ◽  
Liene Smane ◽  
Edvīns Miklaševics ◽  
...  

Abstract In developed and developing countries, most cases of acute gastroenteritis in children are caused by viruses, and rotaviruses are known as the leading cause. The aim of our study was to estimate the main circulating serotypes of rotavirus before the introduction of routine immunisation in Latvia, and to search for their possible correlation with clinical symptoms and circulating genotypes. A cross-sectional study was carried out among children who had been hospitalised in the Children’s Clinical University Hospital from April 2013 to December 2015. Genotyping was done for 462 stool samples. Among G/P combinations, the most predominant genotypes were G4P[8] (61.3%), G9P[8] (12.4%) and G2P[4] (10.0%) in children of age < 5 years, G4P[8] (45.5%), G2P[4] (18.2%), G9P[8], G3P[8], and G1P[8] (9.1%) in children of age > 5 years. There was a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between clinical signs (vomiting, dehydration, chronic diseases) and G1P[8] and G8P[8] genotypes. Infants infected with genotype G4P[4] had a statistically significant negative correlation with severity of acute gastroenteritis episodes (p < 0.05). We detected nine different rotavirus G genotypes, and two different P genotypes. G4P[8], G9P[8], and G2P[8] were predominant. We observed correlation between the dominant genotypes and clinical manifestations of rotavirus infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-471

Background: Hyponatremia is associated with unfavorable outcomes in many cases. The mainstay of hyponatremia treatment depends on its symptoms and etiology. However, etiologies, clinical manifestations, and factors associated with severe symptomatic hyponatremia have been rarely reported. Objective: To analyze and report etiologies, clinical manifestations, and factors associated with severe symptomatic hyponatremia. Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, the authors enrolled hospitalized patients with hyponatremia who had consulted a nephrologist between October 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018. Their baseline characteristics and clinical manifestations were recorded. Etiologies were confirmed by the attending nephrology staff. Factors associated with severe symptomatic hyponatremia were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: One hundred patients were included in this study. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD), hypovolemia, and hydrochlorothiazide use were the leading hyponatremia etiologies. Hyponatremia etiologies differed between patients with community-acquired hyponatremia (n=50) and those with hospital-associated hyponatremia (n=50). Patients with communityacquired hyponatremia were older, presented with a higher frequency of severe symptomatic hyponatremia, and showed lower SNa-levels. Low SNa-levels were significantly associated with severe symptomatic hyponatremia (p=0.014). Conclusion: Hyponatremia remains an important health problem. SIAD, hypovolemia, and hydrochlorothiazide use are among the leading etiologies of hyponatremia. Low SNa-levels are associated with severe symptomatic hyponatremia; thus, physicians should pay close attention to low SNa-levels in hospitalized patients. Keywords: Hyponatremia, Symptomatic Hyponatremia, Community-acquired hyponatremia, Hospital-associated hyponatremia


Author(s):  
Sofia Pappa ◽  
Joshua Barnett ◽  
Ines Berges ◽  
Nikolaos Sakkas

The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems and the physical and mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been substantial. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the psychological wellbeing of mental health workers who provide care to a vulnerable patient population that have been particularly affected during this crisis. A total of 387 HCWs from across a large urban mental health service completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-based information and validated psychometric scales. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively; sleep problems with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS); burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); and resilience with the Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine potential mediating factors. Prevalence of burnout was notable, with 52% recording moderate/severe in Emotional Exhaustion, 19.5% moderate/severe in Depersonalisation, and 55.5% low/moderate Personal Accomplishment. Over half of all respondents (52%) experienced sleep problems; the presence of depressive symptoms was a significant predictor of insomnia. An increase in potentially harmful lifestyle changes, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and overeating was also observed. However, high Resilience was reported by 70% of the samples and the importance of this is highlighted. Female gender was associated with increased levels of depression and emotional exhaustion while those with a history of mental health conditions were most at risk of affective symptoms, insomnia, and burnout. Overall, our study revealed considerable levels of psychological distress and maladaptive coping strategies but also resilience and satisfaction with organizational support provided. Findings can inform tailored interventions in order to mitigate vulnerability and prevent long-term psychological sequelae.


Author(s):  
Hari Shankar ◽  
Sobhan Phookan ◽  
Mrigendra Pal Singh ◽  
Ram Suresh Bharti ◽  
Naseem Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Malaria elimination requires targeting asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infections that largely remain undetected. Therefore we conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the burden of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection using conventional and molecular diagnostics. Methods A total of 9118 participants, irrespective of age and sex, were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Results Among the participants, 707 presented with symptoms and 8411 without symptoms, of which Plasmodium was present in 15.6% (110/707) and 8.1% (681/8411), respectively. Low-density infection was found in 5.1% (145/2818) of participants and 8327 of 9118 were Plasmodium negative. Endemicity was propotional to asymptomatic infections (high endemicity 11.1% [404/3633] vs low endemicity 5.8% [277/4778]; odds ratio [OR] 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.7 to 2.4]) but inversely related to low-density infection (high endemicity 3.7% [57/1545] vs low endemicity 6.9% [88/1273]; OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.7]). The spleen rate in children 2–9 y of age was 17.9% (602/3368) and the enlarged spleen index was 1.6. Children between 8 and 14 y showed higher odds for asymptomatic (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.75 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.2]) and low-density infections (aOR 0.63 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.0)] than adults. Conclusions The prevalence of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection undermines the usefulness of standard diagnostic tools used by health agencies. This necessitates deploying molecular tools in areas where malaria microscopy/RDTs indicate a dearth of infection.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046638
Author(s):  
Sk Masum Billah ◽  
Abdullah Nurus Salam Khan ◽  
S M Rokonuzzaman ◽  
Nafisa Lira Huq ◽  
Marufa Aziz Khan ◽  
...  

Study objectiveTo evaluate the competency of trained health workers in detecting and managing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy during routine antenatal check-ups (ANCs) at primary care facilities in Bangladesh.Study design and settingsCross-sectional study; conducted in 26 primary care facilities.Outcome measuresAccurate diagnosis of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.MethodIn total 1560 ANC consultations provided by primary health workers, known as Family Welfare Visitors (FWVs), were observed using a structured checklist between October 2017 and February 2018. All consultations were reassessed by study physicians for validation.ResultOf the ‘true’ cases of gestational hypertension (n=32), pre-eclampsia (n=29) and severe pre-eclampsia (n=16), only 3%, 7% and 25%, respectively, were correctly diagnosed by FWVs. Per cent agreement for the diagnosed cases of any hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 9% and kappa statistics was 0.50 (p value 0.0125). For identification of any hypertensive disorders by FWVs, sensitivity and positive predictive values were 14% and 50%, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between the blood pressure measurements taken by FWVs and study physicians. Only 27% of those who had ‘some protein’ in urine were correctly identified by FWVs. Women diagnosed with any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by FWVs were more likely to be counselled on at least one danger sign of pre-eclampsia (severe headache, blurring of vision and upper abdominal pain) than those without any such diagnosis (41% vs 19%, p value 0.008). All four cases of severe pre-eclampsia diagnosed by FWVs were given a loading dose of intramuscular magnesium sulphate and three among them were referred to a higher facility.ConclusionThe FWVs should be appropriately trained on risk assessment of pregnant women with particular emphasis on accurately assessing the diagnostic criteria of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its management.


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