Issues of measuring and improving the treatment of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obinna Onwujekwe ◽  
Enugu Nigeria ◽  
Nkem Dike ◽  
Benjamin Uzochukwu
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Presumptive Treatment ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Enugu State ◽  
Sub Saharan

This paper, using focus group discussions and questionnaires in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, examines the implications of consumer malaria perceptions and behaviour for measuring the disease burden and improving its treatment. The results show that, because peoples' understanding of the disease was related to its symptoms, this could lead to overestimation of the economic burden of malaria, based only on surveys without diagnostic confirmation. Survey-based estimations of the burden of malaria should control for the different local terminologies of malaria, and health personnel should be aware of these in order to improve the appropriate use of antimalarial drugs in presumptive treatment of malaria.

Examining user experience of eLearning systems implemented in two universities in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Joel S. Mtebe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hedonic Quality

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors that influence user experience (UX) of eLearning systems implemented in two institutions in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted questionnaire consisting of Nielsen’s heuristics and didactic metrics as pragmatic metrics and hedonic metrics followed by focus group discussions with students. Findings The study found that the eLearning system of University of Dar es Salaam had 43 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 54 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. The eLearning system of the Open University of Tanzania had 50 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 59 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. Moreover, the two systems provided positive UX hedonic quality on identification and evocation dimensions while stimulation was perceived to be neutral. Research limitations/implications The study has used learners as evaluators rather than expert evaluators. Learners are not particularly experienced in the learning domain, and therefore, it is difficult for them to identify many didactic violations of the eLearning systems. Originality/value The study contributes toward finding the underlying factors for non-use or underuse of the installed eLearning systems in various universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Informal social protection actors: A focus on women self-help groups in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 612-625
Author(s):  
Phoene Mesa Oware
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Safety Nets ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Self Help Groups

For most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, social protection is provided by formal and informal actors. Focusing on women self-help groups as informal social protection actors, this qualitative study examines their nature, activities and functions and how they provide informal social protection. Data on self-help groups were collected from 25 women through in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. The findings show that these groups provide crucial safety nets by smoothing incomes and consumption, and providing social assistance and insurance. However, social protection provided informally is exclusionary and limited. The implications of these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Compassion Practice by Ugandan Nurses Who Provide HIV Care

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Harrowing
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Fatigue Data ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Meaningful Relationships ◽  
The Impact

Compassion is fundamental to ethical nursing practice; it represents a commitment to acknowledge and respond to the suffering of the patient. Many structural, economic, and sociopolitical challenges confront Ugandan nurses in their efforts to incorporate compassion into their care of persons with HIV illness. After reviewing the literature related to compassion fatigue, the author describes nursing in sub-Saharan Africa and presents a qualitative study exploring the impact of education on 24 nurses’ lives, including their capacity to avoid or mitigate the development of compassion fatigue. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and focus group discussions. Findings illustrate the barriers participants faced in providing competent care and the liberating effects of new knowledge and skills. Engaging in meaningful relationships, maintaining hopeful attitudes, and advocating for the profession were found to transform and affirm the nurses’ approach toward their work and enhance their experiences of compassion satisfaction. The author discusses the unique aspects of the experience of compassion among Ugandan nurses caring for persons with HIV illness.

scholarly journals Analysis of Land Cover Change Detection in Gozamin District, Ethiopia: From Remote Sensing and DPSIR Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abebaw Gedefaw ◽  
Clement Atzberger ◽  
Thomas Bauer ◽  
Sayeh Agegnehu ◽  
Reinfried Mansberger
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Change Detection ◽  
Land Cover Change ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dpsir Framework ◽  
Land Cover Change Detection

Land cover patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are rapidly changing. This study aims to quantify the land cover change and to identify its major determinants by using the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Responses (DPSIR) framework in the Ethiopian Gozamin District over a period of 32 years (1986 to 2018). Satellite images of Landsat 5 (1986), Landsat 7 (2003), and Sentinel-2 (2018) and a supervised image classification methodology were used to assess the dynamics of land cover change. Land cover maps of the three dates, focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews, and farmers’ lived experiences through a household survey were applied to identify the factors for changes based on the DPSIR framework. Results of the investigations revealed that during the last three decades the study area has undergone an extensive land cover change, primarily a shift from cropland and grassland into forests and built-up areas. Thus, quantitative land cover change detection between 1986 and 2018 revealed that cropland, grassland, and bare areas declined by 10.53%, 5.7%, and 2.49%. Forest, built-up, shrub/scattered vegetation, and water bodies expanded by 13.47%, 4.02%, 0.98%, and 0.25%. Household surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs) identified the population growth, the rural land tenure system, the overuse of land, the climate change, and the scarcity of grazing land as drivers of these land cover changes. Major impacts were rural to urban migration, population size change, scarcity of land, and decline in land productivity. The outputs from this study could be used to assure sustainability in resource utilization, proper land use planning, and proper decision-making by the concerned government authorities.

scholarly journals Understanding perceived access barriers to contraception through an African feminist lens: a qualitative study in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan A. Potasse ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Social Barriers ◽  
Village Health

Abstract Background There are many barriers that impact a woman’s access to contraception in rural sub-Saharan Africa, such as financial constraints, supply shortages, stigma, and misconceptions. Through and African Feminist lens, this study examines how these perceived barriers intersect with each other, and how they negatively impact women’s access to family planning and their perceived value of contraceptives in Luweero, Uganda. Methods This qualitative study analyzed data collected from healthcare workers at one private clinic and one public clinic that offer family planning services in four focus group discussions in Luweero, Central Region, Uganda. Two focus group discussions were held in each clinic. Eligible participants spoke English, were at least 18 years of age, and had at least 3 years of experience as a healthcare worker in Luweero. Among the participants were nurses, midwives, family planning counsellors, and village health workers, both male and female. Coded transcripts were analyzed using a reflexive methodology through an African Feminist lens. Results Most of the responses indicated that financial constraints experienced either by the clinic or the women significantly impact access to family planning. Certain social barriers were discussed, and the participants explained that barriers such as stigma, misconceptions, lack of knowledge, religiosity and cultural values impact women’s motivation or ability to access contraceptive methods. Side effects also have a significant role to play in women’s ability or motivation to navigate through these perceived social barriers. Conclusions Participants determined that increased funding for transportation for village health teams, consistent funding for free contraception, and expanded sensitization efforts that particularly target men would be some of the most impactful methods they can adapt to address some of these barriers.

scholarly journals “Antibiotics Can Work as a Contraceptive:” Contraceptive Knowledge and Use Among University Students in Calabar, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibitola Asaolu ◽  
Nidal Kram ◽  
Christopher Ajala ◽  
Ememobong Aquaisua ◽  
Akinsola Asaolu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
University Students ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Modern Contraceptives

Introduction: Many sexually active youths who wish to delay pregnancy are not using any form of modern contraceptives. In sub-Saharan Africa, less than 1 in 5 sexually active youth do not use contraceptives. In Nigeria, 48.4% of all sexually active unmarried women have an unmet need for contraception. Although the literature is replete with information on structural barriers to modern contraceptives, there is limited scholarship on contextual factors that may inhibit modern contraceptive use among Nigerian youth. This study uses a qualitative research approach to assess knowledge and use of natural, modern, and folkloric contraceptive methods among a sample of university students in Calabar, Nigeria.Methods: This study used data from focus group discussions among women and men in university halls of residence, all of whom were unmarried. Also, three male pharmacists and three female community health workers were interviewed. All focus group discussions and interviews took place in August 2017 and were conducted in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The audio recordings were transcribed into detailed summaries of the interviews and focus group discussions. All data analysis was completed using Atlas.Ti (version 8).Results: University men and women have limited knowledge of and application of natural and modern contraception. Participants listed folkloric methods of contraceptives, including repurposing pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics, quinine, and Andrews Livers Salt-a laxative) as contraceptive agents. Respondents also discussed the use of non-pharmaceuticals such as water, salt solution, and squatting after intercourse as contraceptives. Generally, university students defaulted to withdrawal, calendar method, and emergency contraceptives as preferred methods of contraception. Lastly, condoms were used among participants in causal sexual encounters. In dating relationships, however, both male and female students cited their partners' hesitancy to condom use as such act could indicate distrust.Conclusion: Awareness and use of modern contraceptives are limited among university students in Calabar, Nigeria. The use of folkloric contraceptives could lead to bodily harm and unintended pregnancy. Further research is needed to elucidate factors that promote use of folkloric methods of contraceptives. Integration of contraceptive awareness into health promotion services for young people may help to dispel myths about folkloric methods of contraceptives while promoting awareness and use of safe and effective contraception.

“We never speak about death.” Healthcare professionals' views on palliative care for inpatients in Tanzania: A qualitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 566-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Grace Lewis ◽  
Lloyd L. Oates ◽  
Jane Rogathi ◽  
Ashanti Duinmaijer ◽  
Aisa Shayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

ABSTRACTObjective:Little is known about the current views and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regarding delivery of hospital palliative care. The present qualitative study explored the views of nursing staff and medical professionals on providing palliative and end-of-life care (EoLC) to hospital inpatients in Tanzania.Method:Focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of HCPs working on the medical and pediatric wards of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, a tertiary referral hospital in northern Tanzania. Transcriptions were coded using a thematic approach.Results:In total, 32 healthcare workers were interviewed via 7 focus group discussions and 1 semistructured interview. Four major themes were identified. First, HCPs held strong views on what factors were important to enable individuals with a life-limiting diagnosis to live and die well. Arriving at a state of “acceptance” was the ultimate goal; however, they acknowledged that they often fell short of achieving this for inpatients. Thus, the second theme involved identifying the “barriers” to delivering palliative care in hospital. Another important factor identified was difficulty with complex communications, particularly “breaking bad news,” the third theme. Fourth, participants were divided about their personal preferences for “place of EoLC,” but all emphasized the benefits of the hospital setting so as to enable better symptom control.Significance of results:Despite the fact that all the HCPs interviewed were regularly involved in providing palliative and EoLC, they had received limited formal training in its provision, although they identified such training as a universal requirement. This training gap is likely to be present across much of SSA. Palliative care training, particularly in terms of communication skills, should be comprehensively integrated within undergraduate and postgraduate education. Research is needed to develop culturally appropriate curricula to equip HCPs to manage the complex communication challenges that occur in caring for a diverse inpatient group with palliative care needs.

Health literacy among Malawian HIV-positive youth: a qualitative needs assessment and conceptualization

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1137-1149
Author(s):  
Nadege Sandrine Uwamahoro ◽  
Bagrey Ngwira ◽  
Kirsten Vinther-Jensen ◽  
Gill Rowlands
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
National Association ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Despite growing evidence of the significance of health literacy in managing and coping with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV), it is not yet an integrated part of HIV/AIDS-related health promotion research and practice in Africa. This article contributes to addressing the gap in research on health literacy and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess health literacy-related needs of young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) and adapt existing health literacy frameworks to the context of HIV/AIDS in Malawi. We used focus group discussions to collect data from a sample of the membership of the national association of YPLHIV. Twenty-four HIV-positive youth (18–29 years) participated in focus group discussions. Participants came from three regions of Malawi. Additionally, we conducted three in-depth interviews with key informants. We used a thematic framework approach to analyse data in MAXQDA. We contextualized definitions of four dimensions of health literacy: functional, interactive, critical and distributed health literacy, which we used as an a priori analytical framework. To further contextualize the framework, we revised it iteratively throughout the analysis process. We identified the need for comprehensive information about HIV and sexual reproductive health, skills to interact with healthcare providers and navigate the health system, and skills to appraise information from different sources, among others. The identified needs were translated into nine action recommendations for the national association of YPLHIV, and with relevance within the wider HIV sector in Malawi and beyond. We found that the dimensions in our analytical framework operate on the individual, system and public policy levels.

scholarly journals Policies, Multi-Stakeholder Approaches and Home-Grown School Feeding Programs for Improving Quality, Equity and Sustainability of School Meals in Northern Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Roothaert ◽  
Hosea Mpogole ◽  
Danny Hunter ◽  
Justus Ochieng ◽  
Dyness Kejo
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
School Meals ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Feeding Programs ◽  
School Feeding ◽  
Key Informant

Malnutrition among children of school-going age is a challenge of serious concern in developing countries especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Many programs focus on mothers and under-5-year-old children, leaving the school going age unattended. It has been shown that school meals can reduce school absenteeism, improve concentration in class and reduce early dropouts. In Tanzania, successful home-grown school feeding programs are localized in few areas but have not been scaled-out. The objective of this study was to analyze the policy and organizational environment which enables or promotes home-grown school feeding approaches. The study consisted of a systematic review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions in Arumeru and Babati Districts, Tanzania. In total, 21 key informant interviews with 27 participants and 27 focus group discussions with 217 participants were conducted. The results show that Tanzania lacks a clear policy on school feeding; there are no guidelines for school meal quality, participation in school feeding programs is not mandatory, leading to many students being left out and going hungry. Students in private schools tend to be better off than those in public schools in terms of provision and quality of school meals. We recommend that policies and practices are developed based on positive experiences of home-grown school feeding programs implemented in Tanzania by the World Food Programme and Project Concern International and emphasize that these policies need to be developed in a multi-sectoral manner. A conceptual framework for improving home-grown school feeding in public schools in Tanzania highlights four critical components: leadership and public awareness; operational modalities; contributions from parents; and meal diversity and nutrition. The home-grown school feeding model provides mechanisms to improve diversity of meals and their nutritional value, increase participation of communities and inclusion of students. Parents will still be responsible for the largest part of food supplies, but the model also requires participation of multiple stakeholders, and provision of natural resources such as land and water by the local government for production of nutritious food for young students. Minimum levels of social protection are recommended to ensure that no student is denied school meals.

scholarly journals Perceptions of diabetes in rural areas of Eastern Uganda

Curationis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa ◽  
Sheila K. Katureebe ◽  
Sheba N. Gitta ◽  
Amos D. Mwaka ◽  
Lynn Atuyambe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Fatty Food ◽  
Eastern Uganda

Background: People diagnosed with diabetes mellitus are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa and prompt care seeking depends on perceptions of the illness. Objective: The objective was to explore perceptions of diabetes in rural areas. Method: We conducted a qualitative, explorative and descriptive study in rural eastern Uganda. Eight focus group discussions with community members were conducted. Community members were presented with a story about a person with diabetes symptoms and their perceptions of the diagnosis and treatment elicited. Four focus group discussions with people with diabetes and seven key informant interviews with health workers were conducted. Respondents were asked how the community interpreted symptoms of diabetes, its causes and whether it was curable. Manifest content analysis was used. Results: Some respondents thought people with diabetes symptoms had HIV or were bewitched. Causes of diabetes mentioned included consuming too much fatty food. Some respondents thought diabetes is transmitted through air, sharing utensils with or sitting close to people with diabetes. Some respondents thought that diabetes could heal fast whilst others thought it was incurable. Conclusion: Misdiagnosis may cause delay in seeking proper care. Preventive programmes could build on people’s thinking that too much fatty food causes diabetes to promote diets with less fat. The perception of diabetes as a contagious disease leads to stigmatisation and affects treatment seeking. Seeing diabetes as curable could create patient expectations that may not be fulfilled in the management of diabetes. Rural communities would benefit from campaigns creating awareness of prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and management of diabetes.

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