scholarly journals Awareness of family planning services among ASHA workers in a municipality of northern Kerala

Author(s):  
Arya Lokesan Ratnam ◽  
Jayasree Anandabhavan Kumaran

Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is one of the key components of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).The success of national health programs on family planning depends on how well ASHAs are trained and perform. Therefore it’s essential to assess the knowledge of ASHA workers. This study intends to assess the awareness of family planning services among ASHA workers in a municipality of northern Kerala.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among ASHA workers working in a municipality in Kannur District, during a study period of two weeks (July 1- July14, 2017). Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software and the results were expressed in terms of means, frequencies and percentage.Results: Majority (42.1%) of the ASHAs belongs to the age group of 42- 45 years and none of them were below 30 years. The mean population catered by ASHA workers were 1250. All of them were experienced for at least 7 years.Conclusions: All ASHA workers had satisfactory knowledge about family planning services. Despite this some of the ASHA workers don’t have adequate knowledge about ECPs, Progesterone only pills and non-contraceptive uses of condom. Hence it is essential to ensure that they are getting proper training from qualified personnel at regular intervals. 

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Sanjay Prasad Gupta ◽  
Shristi Rauniyar

Introduction: An orthodontic emergency is a problem arising from an orthodontic appliance and the patient may experience pain and discomfort, where an unscheduled appointment might be required to resolve the issue. Dental care settings invariably carry the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the nature of procedures performed. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards management of orthodontic emergency during COVID-19 pandemic among orthodontic professionals. Materials and Method: In this descriptive cross sectional study, evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice towards management of orthodontic emergency during COVID-19 pandemic were done by administering the online semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 20 questions to 120 orthodontic professionals of the Nepal through online platforms. The filled online forms were then documented for further evaluation. Result: This study found that among the total of 120 participants, 74 (61.66%) were male while 46 (38.33%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 36.4±6.45 years while mean years of experiences was 6.15±5.55 years. Most of the orthodontists think that poking distal wire or ligature wire (87.5%) followed by periodontal abscess (85.8%) around the loose band as the most common orthodontic emergencies. Majority of the orthodontists recommended that, the patient should be triaged by telephone or through video call (79.1%), ask the patient to take picture and send to identify the type of problem (74.1%) while offer any interim self-care advise to solve the problem (58.3%) before face to face consultation. Around 57.5% of orthodontists were practicing only for urgent and emergency cases during this pandemic and lockdown. Conclusion: This study showed that most of the orthodontic professionals had adequate knowledge about orthodontic emergency problems and had positive attitude towards their profession but the practice was limited due to COVID-19 pandemic and the risks involved in this.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259402
Author(s):  
Emmanuella Chinonso Osuala ◽  
Boikhutso Tlou ◽  
Elizabeth Bolanle Ojewole

Background Foods and the nutrients they contain can interact with drugs and thereby interfere with their therapeutic safety and efficacy. Adequate knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) about drug-food interactions can help in preventing potential drug-food interactions among patients. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of HCPs about common drug-food interactions. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 459 HCPs from three public hospitals in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal between November 2018, and January 2019. Informed consent was obtained from the HCPs, and a structured questionnaire was thereafter administered. Data were analysed using SPSS® version 25. Factors associated with knowledge of the HCPs were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 459 participants, 22.2% (n = 102) were doctors, 11.3% (n = 52) pharmacists, 63.8% (n = 293) nurses and 2.6% (n = 12) dietitians. Most of the HCPs were females 79.7% (n = 366), the mean age of the HCPs was 38.61±0.48. The knowledge score of the HCPs was 22.66±0.25 out of an overall score of 46. The HCPs poorly identified food types that interact with drugs and correct administration time of drugs relative to meals. Being a pharmacist (OR: 14.212, CI: 4.941–40.879, p<0.001), doctor (OR: 5.223, CI: 2.146–12.711, p<0.001), or a dietitian (OR: 5.476, CI: 1.103–27.191, p = 0.038) was associated with higher knowledge of drug-food interactions. Conclusion The HCPs in this survey had low drug-food interaction knowledge. These findings suggest the need for additional training and educational courses for the HCPs on drug-food interactions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Anu Olowookere ◽  
Adegboyega Adeleke Abiodun ◽  
Joseph Gbenga Omole ◽  
Akinwumi Oluwole Komolafe ◽  
Akintunde Julius Olowookere ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Postmortem examination is necessary to diagnose the cause of sudden death, and family caregivers are expected to consent to this examination. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, practices and willingness of family caregivers to consent to postmortem examination of their relative if they die suddenly in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study of family caregivers of our patients that completed an interviewer administered semistructured questionnaire assessing their knowledge, attitude, practices and willingness to consent to postmortem examination of their relative if they die suddenly. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.RESULTS: A total of 224 caregivers were interviewed. The mean age (SD) was 34.95 (11.74), ranging 22-75 years. They were parents (32.6%), siblings (37.9%), spouses (11.2%) and other relatives (18.3%). Only 17% had adequate knowledge, 44.6% positive attitude and 11.2% good practices to postmortem examination of sudden death. The majority (75.9%) would consent to postmortem examination of their relatives if they die suddenly. Sociodemographic variables associated with willingness to consent to postmortem examination after relative’s sudden death include being male (AOR 3.61; 95%CI 3.09-8.92; p=0.001), having tertiary education (AOR 4.83; 95%CI 1.01-8.29; p=0.034), Christianity (AOR 2.59; 95%CI 1.25-5.35; p=0.010) and skilled worker (AOR 1.43; 95%CI 1.33-3.80; p=0.020).CONCLUSION: Some family caregivers would not consent to postmortem examination of their relatives when they die suddenly. Sensitization programs targeting family caregivers are necessary to increase knowledge and enhance prevention of sudden death as well as improve willingness to consent to postmortem examination when their relatives die suddenly.


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.


Author(s):  
Anika Boitchia ◽  
Shabnam Naher ◽  
Sabbir Pervez ◽  
Moyazzem Hossainc

Abstract The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among rural women. Data collection was carried out between March to June 2019 among 380 women in Kumarkhali Upazila, Kushtia, Bangladesh. Participants were interviewed with a structured questionnaire including background characteristics, anthropometric measurements, prevalence, and risk factors of hypertension. IBM SPSS version 25 was used for analyzing the data. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among the total participants was 21.3% and 17.1%, respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 126.65 (±19.31) mmHg and 77.21 (±12.51) mmHg. Association was found between the prevalence of hypertension and participant’s age, marital status, educational level, body mass index, intake of raw salt, secondary smoking, stress, and diabetes (p<0.05). Among the diabetic women, prehypertension and hypertension prevailed as 26.3% and 55.3% respectively. The lowest risk of hypertension was found with limited raw salt (aOR: 1.42) and red meat (aOR: 0.05) consumption. Hypertension was more likely to affect overweight (aOR: 3.98) and women aged 55 to 64 years (aOR: 13.44). Thus, effective and integrated intervention agendas are required for women, which can improve the rate of diagnosis and prevent uncontrolled hypertension in Bangladesh. Keywords: Prevalence, hypertension, women, blood pressure, risk factor, Bangladesh


2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110427
Author(s):  
Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman ◽  
Alireza Taherifard ◽  
Abbas Esmaeili ◽  
Hassan Ahmadinia ◽  
Mohsen Rezaeian

Exposure to lead-based paints is a major threat to the health of painters. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of lead (Pb) in painters of buildings and cars. The present study was a cross-sectional study in which a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information. Lead concentration in blood samples was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. A total of 32 male painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in the painters was 8.1 ± 4.93 μg/dL. Pb levels in car and building painters were 9.42 ± 5.5 μg/dL and 6.7 ± 1.85 μg/dL, respectively. Pb concentration in none of the blood samples was more than 30 μg/dL. The prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL and BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL was 97% and 19%, respectively. According to the findings, the rate of BLL among car painters was higher than building painters. Considering the presence of Pb in all blood samples, it seems necessary to increase the awareness of painters about the adverse effects of lead exposure even in low concentrations. However, the sample size in this study was small and more investigations are required in this regard.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 107-11
Author(s):  
Helena Siregar ◽  
Azwin Lubis ◽  
M. Arif Nasution ◽  
Indra Kesuma Nasution ◽  
Thamrin Tanjung

A cross sectional study about the relationships between family size and marital age and the impact of educatimt, occupation and family planning programme was conducted in the region of South Tapanuli North Sumatera. The study was performed on 246 married couples by simple random sampling of households in the villages Pakantea, Tamiang, Muarasoro and Sumuran, during the period of September 25 up to October 3, 1982. The eariiest age of marriage for women was 14 years, ancl the latest 20 years. Most of the women (68%) married at 15-20 year. The main education of responders were primary school (67%). The occupational status was mostly (90%) farmer. The mean family size under 20 years old was 6.3 and over 20 years, 5.3. Fertility rate under 20 years was still high. Family Planning was not yet widely accepted in this area.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shriya Ankit Seksaria ◽  
Mini K Sheth

<p>Diarrhoea, a major contributor of childhood morbidity and mortality is mostly caused by poor hygiene and sanitation. Literature reveal that hygiene practices at household levels greatly affects the occurrence of diarrhoea among children. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine association between hygiene knowledge and practices of mothers with occurrence of diarrhoea in young children below 3 years in the tribal villages of Gujarat. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on personal hygiene (PH), food Hygiene (FH), and environmental Hygiene (EH) practices of 536 mothers with children between 6-36 months of age. Past one month diarrhoeal episodes were recorded using the recall method. The mean percent scores for FH, PH and EH practices were 77%, 88% and 80% respectively. Almost 35% children suffered from diarrhoea in the past one month of which 10 were admitted to the hospital. Diarrhoeal incidences were associated with FH and EH practices (p&lt;0.001) and not with PH practices. Improvement in the environmental and personal hygiene practices of the mothers can contribute largely in reducing the prevalence of diarrhoea among children in Chikhli taluka of Gujarat.</p>


Author(s):  
Aliyu Sokoto Sabo ◽  
Lawali Yakubu ◽  
Aliyu Alkammawa Luba ◽  
Samira L. Ya`u ◽  
A. T. Bakare ◽  
...  

Background: A contraceptive choice that couples make is a key component of the Sustainable Development Goal agenda and a major contributor to national health. In spite of the importance of increased contraceptive uptake among couples of reproductive ages, meeting the reproductive health rights of women remains an issue due to multi-faceted obstacles within complex environments. The issues which impact women’s reproductive health rights in relation to contraception relate to availability, accessibility, affordability, literacy, tradition, and culture. This study explores the influence of socio-demographic data on the choice of contraceptives among women who are accessing family planning services at a Specialist hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional study was used in this quantitative research to generate data on contraceptive choices of women within the reproductive age (18-49 years) who are accessing family planning services at Specialist hospital, Sokoto. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 352 respondents who were randomly sampled at a Specialist hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were used in the data analyses.Results: The findings of this study established age, occupation and level of education to be related with the usage and choice of contraceptives among women attending family planning unit at a Specialist hospital in Sokoto.Conclusions: The result of the study indicated that the socio–demographic data of the respondent, has a significant role in the choice of contraceptives among the women attending family planning unit of Specialist Hospital Sokoto.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document