scholarly journals Reducing missed opportunities for vaccination in selected provinces of Mozambique: A study protocol

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bvudzai Priscilla Magadzire ◽  
Gabriel Joao ◽  
Stephanie Shendale ◽  
Ikechukwu Udo Ogbuanu
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Missed Opportunity

Background: A missed opportunity for vaccination (MOV) refers to any contact with health services by an individual who is eligible for vaccination, which does not result in the person receiving the vaccine doses for which he or she is eligible. A consortium of partners, including VillageReach, the Ministry of Health in Mozambique and the World Health Organization, will implement a strategy to reduce MOV in Mozambique. The strategy involves demonstrating the magnitude of missed opportunities and their causes, and exploring tailored health system interventions to reduce them, with the aim of increasing vaccination coverage and timeliness of vaccinations. Methods: A mixed-methods approach will incorporate both quantitative and qualitative tools. The assessment will target caregivers of children between the ages of 0–23 months who attend a health facility in the selected districts on the day of the assessment. Caregivers who are at least 18 years old will be eligible for inclusion. Another component of the assessment will target all health workers in the selected health facilities on the day of the assessment. A sample of 30 health facilities in different regions of the country will be assessed, with a target sample size of 600 caregiver exit interviews, 300 health worker interviews and focus group discussions with both caregivers and health workers. Data collection will commence late 2017, and the data will be electronically captured, managed and analyzed. Thematic analysis of data from the qualitative aspects of the assessment will be conducted, presenting the scope of interviews, representative verbatim quotes and key conclusions.  Conclusions: A concerted effort to reduce or eliminate MOV could increase vaccine coverage by up to 30% and may contribute to wider improvements in efficiencies of service delivery beyond the immunization program. In addition, the findings could contribute to a better understanding of MOV in similar settings.

scholarly journals The Mentor Mothers Program in the Department of Defense in Nigeria: An Evaluation of Healthcare Workers, Mentor Mothers, and Patients’ Experiences

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Josephine Moshe Ibu ◽  
Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo
Keyword(s):  
Department Of Defense ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Hiv Awareness ◽  
Health Organization

Nigeria contributes the highest to the global burden of HIV/AIDS and also accounts for the largest proportion of new vertically transmitted HIV infections among children. The Mentor Mothers program in the Nigerian Department of Defense was introduced in accordance with the World Health Organization and its implementing partner guidelines to curb the high incidence of vertically acquired HIV infections. Understanding the experiences of participants could serve as a gateway to evaluating the effectiveness of the program to better provide quality services within targeted health facilities. This qualitative study employed key informant interviews with six healthcare workers as well as two focus group discussions with six mentor mothers and six prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) patients in four selected hospitals in the Nigerian Department of Defense to explore their experiences of the Mentor Mothers program. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the collated data. As a result, four main themes emerged, with the program perceived by most participants as providing psychosocial support to the patients, a valuable educational resource for raising HIV awareness, a valuable resource for promoting exclusive breastfeeding and mitigating vertical transmission of the virus, and functioning as a link between patients and the healthcare system. The participants reported that the program had effectively decreased HIV infections in children, reduced child and maternal mortality, and supported the livelihood and development of women, families, and communities in and around the Nigerian Department of Defense health facilities.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda: a health facility level assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Kwikiriza Magambo ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Western Uganda

Abstract Background Globally, immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of a health facility may influence performance of its immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of a health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The main study unit was a health center and we also interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of these facilities (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p < 0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations. Conclusions Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda: A health facility level assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Western Uganda

Abstract Background: Globally immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of health facility may influence performance of their immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The study unit was a health center and we interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results: We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of the health units (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions: Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda, a Health Facility level assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Western Uganda

Abstract Background: Globally immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of a health facility may influence performance of its immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of a health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The study unit was a health center and we interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results: We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of these facilities (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions: Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

scholarly journals Missed Opportunities in Tuberculosis Investigation and Associated Factors at Public Health Facilities in Uganda 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Kakame ◽  
Noel Namuhani ◽  
Andrew Kazibwe ◽  
Felix Bongomin ◽  
Joseph Baluku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract BackgroundThe incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is high in Uganda; yet, TB case detection is low. A recent national TB prevalence survey revealed that only 16% of presumptive TB patients seeking care at health facilities were offered sputum microscopy or chest-X ray (CXR). The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of, and patient factors associated with missed opportunities in TB investigation at public health facilities of Wakiso District in Uganda.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted at 10 high volume public health facilities offering comprehensive TB services in Wakiso, Uganda, among adults (≥18 years) with at least one symptom suggestive of TB predefined according to World Health Organisation criteria. Using exit interviews, data on demographics, TB symptoms, and clinical data relevant to TB were collected. A missed opportunity in TB investigation was defined as a patient with symptoms suggestive of TB who did not have sputum and/or CXR evaluation to rule out TB. Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with missed opportunities in TB investigation using STATA 14.ResultsTwo hundred forty seven presumptive TB patients were recruited into this study exiting at antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics (n=132) or general outpatient clinics (n=115) at public health facilities. Majority of participants were females (161/247, 65.2%) and the mean +SD age was 35.1 + 11.5 years. Sputum and/or CXR were not requested from 138 (55.9%) patients with symptoms suggestive of TB disease. Patients who did not inform health workers about TB related symptoms were more likely to miss a TB investigation (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.68, 95%CI; 1.36-2.08, P<0.001). Conclusion; A large proportion of patients with symptoms suggestive of TB did not have sputum and/ or CXR requested for investigation. Patients who did not inform health workers about their TB related symptoms were more likely to miss having sputum and/ or CXR requested. We recommend studies to explore barriers and facilitators of disclosure of TB symptoms to enable formulation of effective interventions to empower people to improve likelihood of disclosing TB related symptoms.

scholarly journals Missed opportunities in tuberculosis investigation and associated factors at public health facilities in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Twirire Kakame ◽  
Noel Namuhani ◽  
Andrew Kazibwe ◽  
Felix Bongomin ◽  
Joseph Baruch Baluku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is high in Uganda; yet, TB case detection is low. The population-based survey on the prevalence of TB in Uganda revealed that only 16% of presumptive TB patients seeking care at health facilities were offered sputum microscopy or chest-X ray (CXR). This study aimed to determine the magnitude of, and patient factors associated with missed opportunities in TB investigation at public health facilities of Wakiso District in Uganda. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted at 10 high volume public health facilities offering comprehensive TB services in Wakiso, Uganda, among adults (≥18 years) with at least one symptom suggestive of TB predefined according to the World Health Organisation criteria. Using exit interviews, data on demographics, TB symptoms, and clinical data relevant to TB diagnosis were collected. A missed opportunity in TB investigation was defined as a patient with symptoms suggestive of TB who did not have sputum and/or CXR evaluation to rule out TB. Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with missed opportunities in TB investigation. Results Two hundred forty-seven (247) patients with presumptive TB exiting at antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics (n = 132) or general outpatient clinics (n = 115) at public health facilities were recruited into this study. Majority of participants were female (161/247, 65.2%) with a mean + SD age of 35.1 + 11.5 years. Overall, 138 (55.9%) patients with symptoms suggestive of TB disease did not have sputum and/or CXR examinations. Patients who did not inform health workers about their TB related symptoms were more likely to miss a TB investigation (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.68, 95%CI; 1.36–2.08, P < 0.001). However, patients who reported duration of cough of 2 weeks or more were less likely to be missed for TB screening (aPR; 0.69, 95%CI; 0.56–0.86, p < 0.001). Conclusion There are substantial missed opportunities for TB diagnosis in Wakiso District. While it is important that patients should be empowered to report symptoms, health workers need to proactively implement the WHO TB symptom screen tool and complete the subsequent steps in the TB diagnostic cascade.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda, a facility level assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Western Uganda

Abstract Background Globally immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of health facility may influence performance of their immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The study unit was a health center and we interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of the health units (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations. Conclusions Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda: A health facility level assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Western Uganda

Abstract Background: Globally, immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of a health facility may influence performance of its immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of a health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The main study unit was a health center and we also interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results: We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of these facilities (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions: Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

scholarly journals Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Ugandan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Magambo Kwikiriza ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Fred Bagenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Management Information System ◽  
Program Performance ◽  
Immunization Program

Abstract Background Globally immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of health facility may influence performance of their immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The study unit was a health center and we interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test.Results We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of the health units (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p < 0.05). Inadequate commitment and competing interests of health workers in the more urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.

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.

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