scholarly journals An analysis about knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of HIV and AIDS among the Himba people of the Kunene region, Namibia

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Filippine Nekulu Nakakuwa ◽  
Kabwebwe Honore Mitonga ◽  
Josephine De Villiers ◽  
Scholastika Iipinge

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, practices and risk perceptions with regard to HIV/AIDS among the Himba people from the Kunene region; and to identify its determinant factors.Design: The research study was quantitative. That is, cross sectional, descriptive and analytical. A total of 290 respondents were posed a number of multiple-choice questions about specific areas: HIV modes of transmission, knowledge on prevention measures, wrong conceptions of HIV/AIDS, beliefs, attitudes and practices.Results: In this study, the mean overall score of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its transmission modes was found to be 15.8 out of 30 with a 95% confidence interval of [15.1]; [16.5]. It was found that the Himba people’s knowledge on HIV/AIDS does not differ according to the gender of the respondent. In fact, the mean score of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its modes of transmission among females was 15.9 with a confidence interval of [15.1]; [16.8], whilst the mean score of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its modes of transmission among males was 15.7 with a confidence interval of [14.5]; [16.8]. Using a bivariate analysis, factors such as condom use as a safer sex practice, level of education, type of marriage, and the gender of the respondents showed a statistically significant association with HIV knowledge at a 0.05 level of significance.Conclusion: There is a need to increase knowledge that can be translated into change in behaviour and practices among the Himba, the efforts of all stakeholders are required. Such efforts include promoting education through mobile schools, intensifying sex education within the community through outreach programmes and putting in place policies integrated with indigenous cultural practices that will lead to positive attitudes and beliefs.

Author(s):  
Suresh C. Gupta ◽  
Karan J. Jain ◽  
Anjana Tiwari ◽  
Indu Padmey ◽  
Nandkishor J. Bankar ◽  
...  

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the deadliest diseases that modern medicine has ever had to tackle. Understanding the knowledge about HIV/AIDS in general populations will help in formulating strategy for prevention and treatment. With this background, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS among general population.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at C.C.M. Medical College and Hospital, Durg during December 2018 to January 2019. The data was collected from 450 patients attending the medicine outpatient department. Study subjects were selected using convenient sampling technique. Patients giving consent and willing to participate were included in the study. The data was collected in predesigned and pretested questionnaire.Results: 77.11% study participants were aware that unprotected sex can lead to transmission of HIV, 73.78% knew that shaking hands will not transmit the disease. 79.8% knew that use of condom can prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS. Overall males had better knowledge than females. 76.85% said they would behave friendly with people having HIV/AIDS and 69.78% were willing to take care of relatives with HIV.Conclusions: This study indicates that majority participants have good knowledge about difference between HIV and AIDS, modes of transmission and prevention though they were not completely aware of it. The proportion of those with lack of correct knowledge though comparatively less, needs to be taken as a challenge and addressed through well planned health educational activities at various platforms including teaching hospital premises.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Gamboa Madeira ◽  
C Reis ◽  
T Paiva ◽  
T Roenneberg

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Social Europeu (FSE) Introduction Atypical work schedules encompass more than 20% of the European workforce. The link between shift work and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been extensively studied being lifestyle behaviours, sleep disruption and circadian misalignment the key mechanisms involved. Social Jetlag (SJL) has been proposed as a proxy for circadian misalignment in epidemiological studies, once it takes into account  individual’s chronotype and working schedules. Therefore we hypothesize that, among  workers under fixed atypical work schedules, those with a greater SJL have a higher CVD risk. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among blue-collar workers of one retail company. Fixed working schedules were early morning, late evening, and night work. Sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle and sleep data were collected through questionnaire. SJL was quantified by the difference for mid-sleep points on work- and free-days. Even though SJL is a continuous variable, 3 categories have been used (≤2h; 2-4h; ≥4h). Blood pressure (BP) and the total cholesterol (TC) were assessed. The CVD risk was estimated according to the relative risk SCORE chart. A relative risk≥3 was considered "high CVD risk". Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis according to the CVD risk (high vs other) was performed. The relationship between SJL and high CVD risk was analysed through logistic binary regression using generalized linear models adjusted for age, sex, education, Body Mass Index, consumptions, sleep duration and quality plus work schedule and seniority. Results Of the 301 workers, 56.1% were male with a mean age of 33.0 ± 9.4years. Average SJL was 1:57 ± 1:38hours with the majority of workers experiencing ≤2h (59.4%) and 8% (n = 24) more than 4h. Less than a half had hypercholesterolemia (48.8%), overweight (37.9%)or hypertensive values (10.6%), however 50.5% were currently smokers. We found a significant trend for hypertension (p = 0.006) and smoking prevalence (p = 0.043) among ordinal SJL categories. A relative "high CVD risk" was found in 20.3% of the sample (n = 61). These workers were significantly older (p < 0.001), less educated (p = 0.003) and slept less hours on workdays (p = 0.021). In the multiple regression analysis, SJL was an independent risk factor for a "high CVD risk" (p = 0.029).The odds of having a "high CVD risk" increased almost thirty per cent  per each additional hour of SJL (OR = 1.29; 95% CI:1.03-1.63), even after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, sleep and working features. Conclusions We found compelling evidence that a greater SJL was associated with a bigger chance of high CVD risk. From this innovative perspective, the focus is not just on the working schedule itself but also on the worker’s chronotype. These findings suggest that interventions aimed to reduce Social Jetlag, especially in extreme chronotypes and working schedules, poses a great opportunity to minimize the cardiovascular health impact of shift work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Shahin ◽  
Rasha Mohammed Hussien

Abstract Background People’s perceptions of pandemic-associated risk are key factors contributing to increased public participation in disease preventive measures. The aim of the study was to investigate risk perceptions regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, among the general population. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 723 participants, recruited from the general population of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Data collection was performed using a standardized risk perception assessment questionnaire, in April 2020. Results The mean score for the perception of COVID-19 seriousness was significantly higher and the mean scores for the perception of disease susceptibility and extent of anxiety were also higher among Saudi Arabian participants than participants from Egypt and Jordan. Participants from Egypt had significantly lower mean scores for the perception of efficacy and self-efficacy to cope with COVID-19, and significantly lower intention to comply with COVID-19 precautionary measures than the other populations. A significant positive correlation was detected between the perception of COVID-19 seriousness and self-efficacy to handle COVID-19, for the entire sample. The primary reasons reported by participants driving their willingness to perform certain preventive measures against COVID-19 was a feeling of responsibility toward their own health, followed by preventing transmission to other people and the feeling that COVID-19 can be serious. Most of the study sample reported a desire to receive information about COVID-19 treatment, ways to prevent disease contraction, and the incubation period for the novel coronavirus. Also, most of the study sample reported that they prefer receiving COVID-19 updates from national authorities. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, communications designed to promote the adoption of preventive behaviors should focus on increasing the perception of seriousness, the risk perception, self-efficacy to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of the adopted behavioral measures for reducing risk. Health education programs that are tailored to various sociodemographic categories, to improve public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes, are vital for increasing the adoption of outbreak preventive measures.


1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2044-2047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda M. H. Elbers ◽  
Henk Asscheman ◽  
Jacob C. Seidell ◽  
Jos A. J. Megens ◽  
Louis J. G. Gooren

The amount of intraabdominal (visceral) fat is an important determinant of disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism. Cross-sectional studies in women have found associations between high androgen levels and visceral fat accumulation. The causal relation between these phenomena is unknown. We, therefore, studied prospectively the effect of testosterone administration on body fat distribution in 10 young, nonobese, female to male transsexuals undergoing sex reassignment. Before, after 1 yr, and after 3 yr of testosterone administration, magnetic resonance images were obtained at the level of the abdomen, hip, and thigh to quantify both sc and visceral fat depots. After 1 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots at all levels showed significant reductions compared to baseline measurements. The mean visceral fat area did not change significantly, but subjects who gained weight in the first year after testosterone administration showed an increase in visceral fat. After 3 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots were no longer significantly lower compared to pretreatment measurements, but the mean visceral fat depot had increased significantly by 13 cm2 (95% confidence interval, 4–22 cm2), a relative increase of 47% (95% confidence interval, 8–91%) from baseline. The increase in visceral fat was most pronounced in those subjects who had gained weight. We conclude that long term testosterone administration in young, nonobese, female subjects increases the amount of visceral fat. In addition, an increase in weight in this hyperandrogenic state leads to a preferential storage of fat in the visceral depot.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-149
Author(s):  
Bernard YA Asare ◽  
Henrietta Y Yeboaa ◽  
Bismark Dwumfour-Asare

Background: In Ghana, efforts including ‘Know Your Status’ campaign have been made to increase awareness and improve the uptake of HIV screening. Objective: This study examined the acceptance and utilization of the HIV/AIDS ‘Know Your Status’ campaign and determine dthe differences in HIV testing by demographic characteristics among the youth in Techiman, Ghana. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted among the youth aged 15-24 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 purposively selected respondents. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 19.6±2.72 years. There was a universal awareness (100%) of HIV/AIDs, and were knowledgeable about the mode of transmission, symptoms and the prevention of HIV. A high proportion of the respon- dents (n=161, 80.5%) had heard about the ‘Know Your Status’ (KYS) campaign. Less than half of respondents (n=91, 45.5%) had tested for HIV, and only 16.5% (n=15/91) of respondents tested through the KYS campaign. Testing for HIV was associ- ated with age (p<0.001) and marital status (p<0.001). Conclusion: The youth should therefore be targeted in the awareness and the ‘Know Your Status campaigns’, and in an effort- sto promote screening for HIV. Keywords: Awareness; campaign; knowledge; HIV/AIDS; know your status; screening.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Arrum Firda Ayu Maqfiroch ◽  
Zahroh Shaluhiyah

ABSTRAKPenanggulangan HIV AIDS membutuhkan keterlibatan dari berbagai pihak. Salah satu pihak yang terlibat adalah OHIDHA. OHIDHA merupakan anggota keluarga yang hidup bersama ODHA dan memberikan dukungan kepada ODHA. Stigma di Kabupaten Sukoharjo dan Grobogan masih tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor apakah yang menentukan respons OHIDHA dalam upaya penanggulangan HIV AIDS di Kabupaten Sukoharjo dan Grobogan.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Teknik pengambilan data kuantitatif melalui wawancara dengan kuesioner. Penelitian ini didukung dengan penelitian kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan data FGD. Jumlah responden adalah 92 OHIDHA, proporsi 50% dan selang kepercayaan 95%. Analisis data menggunakan analisis univariat dengan distribusi frekuensi, bivariat menggunakan Chi-Square dan multivariat menggunakan regresi logistik.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa variabel yang berhubungan dengan respons OHIDHA adalah hubungan dengan ODHA (p-value=0,001), lama hidup dengan ODHA (p-value=0,030), lama mengetahui status ODHA (p-value=0,001) dan sikap (p-value=0,005). Hasil analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa sikap (p-value=0,006) merupakan variabel yang mempunyai pengaruh paling signifikan dibanding variabel lainnya.Kata Kunci : OHIDHA, respons, Grobogan, Sukoharjo Respons of People Living With HIV AIDS to Control HIV and AIDS in Sukoharjo and Grobogan District; Controlling HIV and AIDS requird the involvement of various sector. One of the sector involved is People Living With HIV AIDS (PLWHA).  PLWHA is a family member who lives with people living with HIV and provide support to people living with HIV. Stigma in Sukoharjo and Grobogan still high. This study aims to determine the factors that determine whether the PLWHA response in control to HIV and AIDS in Sukoharjo Grobogan. This research was a quantitative study with cross sectional approach. Quantitative data collection techniques through interviews with questionnaires . This research was supported by qualitative research with FGD. The number of respondents was 92 PLWHA, the proportion of 50% and 95% confidence interval . Analysis of the data using univariate analysis with frequency distribution, bivariate using Chi-Square and multivariate using logistic regression. The results showed that the variables related to the PLWHA response is a relationship with people living with HIV ( p = 0,001 ) , long life with people living with HIV ( p = 0.030 ) , longer know the status of PLWHA ( 0.001 ) and attitude ( p = 0.005 ). Multivariate analysis showed that the attitude (p value = 0,006) was a variable that has the most significant effect compared to other variables .Keywords : AIDS , response , Grobogan , Sukoharjo


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
Asal Acharya ◽  
Praveen Mishra ◽  
Rabindra Man Shrestha ◽  
Pooja Shah

Introduction: General dentists and specialists other than orthodontist may encounter patient requiring orthodontic treatment. For proper counseling and referral, it is important that general dentists and non-orthodontic specialists have adequate level of orthodontic knowledge. Objective: To assess the knowledge of orthodontic treatment among general dentists and non-orthodontic specialists and to compare the knowledge between the two groups. Materials & Method: A descriptive cross sectional study using questionnaire was performed among 185 actively practicing general dentists and non-orthodontic specialists of Nepal. The questionnaire comprised of three parts. The first part included demographic details, second part contained 5 multiple choice questions regarding orthodontic counseling and third part integrated 18 questions for evaluating knowledge of orthodontic treatment. Each correct answer was given score 1 and every incorrect answer was scored zero in the third part of the questionnaire. Result: Among total participants, 60.5% think first orthodontic evaluation of a child should be carried out within 7 to 8 years of age and 44.3% think orthodontic treatment can even be started after 40 years of age. Around 66% of the participants think that orthodontic treatment cannot be performed in periodontally compromised cases. No significant difference was found between the mean scores of knowledge among general dentists and non-orthodontic specialists (p=0.891), or among dentists with different years of experience (p=0.644). Conclusion: There is a need for more education of orthodontic treatment concepts to the dentists who do not belong to orthodontic field for proper counseling and referral.


Author(s):  
Ajeet Kumar Khilnani ◽  
Rekha Thaddanee ◽  
Gurudas Khilnani

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are routinely used for formative and summative assessment in medical education. Item analysis is a process of post validation of MCQ tests, whereby items are analyzed for difficulty index, discrimination index and distractor efficiency, to obtain a range of items of varying difficulty and discrimination indices. This study was done to understand the process of item analysis and analyze MCQ test so that a valid and reliable MCQ bank in otorhinolaryngology is developed.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 158 students of 7<sup>th</sup> Semester were given an 8 item MCQ test. Based on the marks achieved, the high achievers (top 33%, 52 students) and low achievers (bottom 33%, 52 students) were included in the study. The responses were tabulated in Microsoft Excel Sheet and analyzed for difficulty index, discrimination index and distractor efficiency.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean (SD) difficulty index (Diff-I) of 8 item test was 61.41% (11.81%). 5 items had a very good difficulty index (41% to 60%), while 3 items were easy (Diff-I &gt;60%). There was no item with Diff-I &lt;30%, i.e. a difficult item, in this test. The mean (SD) discrimination index (DI) of the test was 0.48 (0.15), and all items had very good discrimination indices of more than 0.25. Out of 24 distractors, 6 (25%) were non-functional distractors (NFDs). The mean (SD) distractor efficiency (DE) of the test was 74.62% (23.79%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Item analysis should be an integral and regular activity in each department so that a valid and reliable MCQ question bank is developed.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-116
Author(s):  
Nofi Susanti ◽  
Reinpal Falefi ◽  
Tri Bayu Purnama

Adolescent sexual behavior remains a global problem with high reports of cases of adolescents behaving freely. The lack of knowledge about sexuality is caused by limited information, services, and advocacy. There has not been a reproductive health curriculum for adolescents in schools. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between sex education and sexual behavior in adolescents. This research is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. The sampling was taken using a total sampling technique. The sample included all students of class X and XI, with a total of 102 people. The research instrument used a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square and multiple logistic regression. Bivariate analysis results showed that there was a relationship between sex education by parents, teachers, peers, and social media and sexual behavior. The results of multivariate analysis with logistic regression tests showed that sex education provided by parents was the most substantial relationship with sexual behavior. The study concluded that parents, teachers, and social media were associated with sex education. Extensive sex education from other trusted information could reduce pre-marital sexual activity among adolescents.  Elaborating on external factors would implicate a good attitude and behavior in students.


Author(s):  
Marinete Silva Santos ◽  
Gilderlene Aires Santos ◽  
Simone Marques Almeida ◽  
Anny Karoline Rodrigues Batista ◽  
Carlos Alailson Licar Rodrigues

Resumo: Este estudo objetivou verificar o papel da escola sobre a prática de prevenção e combate ao HIV/AIDS por meio de ações/programas de educação em saúde na sala de aula, e fornecer subsídios para a realização de intervenções educativas aos estudantes do Ensino Médio. Um estudo qualitativo, transversal e descritivo foi realizado através da aplicação de questionários estruturados e ações programadas na escola. Identificou-se pouco conhecimento dos alunos sobre a temática e, nesse contexto, observou-se a necessidade de inserção da temática na sala de aula e para além dela, articulando família, escola, sociedade e governo municipal com o intuito de disseminar informações e a aplicabilidade entre elas, de modo a aproximar a comunidade à realidade epidemiológica da cidade. Por fim, ficou evidente a aceitação da sociedade, demonstrando que essas práticas podem ser estimuladoras e validadas como ferramentas de promoção da cultura dos cuidados com a saúde em sala de aula.Palavras-chave: Educação em saúde; HIV/AIDS; Metodologias ativas; Projeto integrador. Sex education beyond the classroom: educational intervention about HIV/AIDS for high school studentsAbstract: This study aimed to verify the school’s role on the practice of preventing and combating HIV/AIDS through health education actions/programs in the classroom and providing subsidies for carrying out educational interventions for high school students. A qualitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out through the application of structured questionnaires and programmed actions at the school. Little knowledge of the students on the theme was identified and, in this context, the need to approach the theme in the classroom and beyond was observed, articulating the family, the school, society and municipal government in order to publicize information and theapplicability among them, in order to bring the community closer to the city’s epidemiological reality. Therefore, society's acceptance was evident, demonstrating that these practices can be stimulating and validated as tools to promote the culture of health care in the classroom.Keywords: Health education; HIV/AIDS; Active methodologies; Integrating project. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document