scholarly journals Neonatal Cord Care Practices among Mothers and Caregivers in the Volta Region of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Sybil S. Opoku Asiedu ◽  
Nana Abena Ansah Apatu ◽  
Rosemond Tetteh ◽  
Abraham Hodgson

Background: The umbilical cord is a major route of infection among newborns. In Ghana, infections among neonates accounts for majority of under-five deaths. This study sought to investigate what mothers apply to the umbilical cord of their newborns and what motivates them to put such applications on the cord. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of neonatal cord care practices among mothers and caregivers in the Nkwanta South District of the Volta region of Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Results: Majority of the mothers/caregivers used substances that have not been recommended for umbilical cord dressing (64.3%). Factors such as level of education [χ2=8.2, p=0.02], place of delivery [χ2 = 40.1, p<0.001], relationship with whoever has made a recommendation for a particular dressing to be used [χ2=95.2, p<0.001] and number of days it takes the umbilical cord to fall off [χ2=6.2, p=0.05] were found to influence the type of dressing used on the umbilical cord. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: In order to reduce the number of neonates who die due to avoidable cord-related infections, the type of substances used on the umbilical cord should be approved substances. Health education particularly on neonatal cord care targeting community members and health care providers at the lower levels of the healthcare delivery system should be intensified. Key words: • Umbilical cord • Neonates • Newborns • Rural • Dressing • Infections • Ghana   Copyright © 2019 Asiedu et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-180
Author(s):  
Emmerance Uwingabire ◽  
Olive Tengera ◽  
Miriam Batamuriza ◽  
Donatilla Mukamana

Background Infections contribute to 30% of the 2.5 million neonatal deaths that occur globally every year. A newly cut umbilical cord can be a pathway for bacteria to enter the vulnerable neonate and cause neonatal sepsis. Most infections are preventable with evidenced-based cord care. Objective To assess postnatal mothers’ knowledge and practice of umbilical cord care in the Kibungo Hospital catchment area in Rwanda.  Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study design and purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 224 postnatal mothers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data.   Results A third of mothers (33%) had adequate knowledge, and a half (54%) had good umbilical cord care practice. The majority (70%) reported dry cord care practice, though many applied substances including Vaseline (23%) and Movit ointment (15%). There was a negative correlation between knowledge of cord care and substance applied to cord (R2=0.224, p=0.001), and days applied (R2=0.167, p=0.012).  Conclusion The study population had low cord care knowledge. Health care providers need to educate mothers on the practice of allowing the cord to dry naturally, and discourage the use of harmful substances that delay cord separation and increase risk of sepsis and subsequent neonatal mortality. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2020;3(2):167-180


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Aborajooh ◽  
Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh ◽  
Baraa Mafrachi ◽  
Muhammad Yassin ◽  
Rami Dwairi ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED We aimed to measure levels of knowledge, awareness, and stress about COVID-19 among health care providers (HCP) in Jordan. This was a cross-sectional study on 397 HCPs that utilized an internet-based questionnaire to evaluate knowledge about COVID-19, availability of personal protective equipment (PEE), future perception, and psychological distress. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with knowledge and psychological stress. Overall, 24.4% and 21.2% of the participants showed excellent knowledge and poor knowledge, respectively. Social media (61.7%) was the most commonly used source of information. Being female (β= 0.521, 95% CI 0.049 to 0.992), physician (β=1.421, 95% CI 0.849 to 1.992), or using literature to gain knowledge (β= 1.161, 95% CI 0.657 to 1.664) were positive predictors of higher knowledge. While having higher stress (β= -0.854, 95% CI -1.488 to -0.221) and using social media (β= -0.434, 95% CI -0.865 to -0.003) or conventional media (β= -0.884, 95% CI -1.358 to -0.409) for information were negative predictors of knowledge levels. HCPs are advised to use the literature as a source of information about the virus, its transmission, and the best practice. PPEs should be secured for HCPs to the psychological stress associated with treating COVID-19 patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 658-661
Author(s):  
Mafalda Lemos Caldas ◽  
Miguel Julião ◽  
Ana João Santos ◽  
Harvey Max Chochinov

AbstractIntroductionThe Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) is a clinical tool developed with the aim of reinforcing the sense of personhood and dignity, enabling health care providers (HCPs) to see patients as people and not solely based on their illness.ObjectiveTo study the acceptability and feasibility of the Portuguese version of the PDQ (PDQ-PT) in a sample of palliative care patients cared for in primary care (PC).MethodA cross-sectional study using 20 palliative patients cared for in a PC unit. A post-PDQ satisfaction questionnaire was developed.ResultsTwenty participants were included, 75% were male; average age was 70 years old. Patients found the summary accurate, precise, and complete; all said that they would recommend the PDQ to others and want a copy of the summary placed on their family physician's medical chart. They felt the summary heightened their sense of dignity, considered it important that HCPs have access to the summary and indicated that this information could affect the way HCPs see and care for them. The PDQ-PT's took 7 min on average to answer, and 10 min to complete the summary.Significance of resultsThe PDQ-PT is well accepted and feasible to use with palliative patients in the context of PC and seems to be a promising tool to be implemented. Future trials are now warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najmieh Saadati ◽  
Poorandokht Afshari ◽  
Hatam Boostani ◽  
Maryam Beheshtinasab ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many countries around the world and Iran was no exception. The aim of this study was to evaluate health anxiety of Iranian pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 300 pregnant women in different trimesters (n = 100 in each trimester) were recruited. A demographic questionnaire and the Health Anxiety Questionnaire were used to collect data. Scores of < 27, 27–34 and more than 35 were defined as low, moderate and high health anxiety, respectively. Due to nationwide restrictions, data were collected through social media groups. Chi-square tests, ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results Mean (SD) total anxiety scores were 22.3 ± 9.5, 24.6 ± 9.3 and 25.4 ± 10.6 in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. 9, 13 and 21% of women had severe anxiety in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Women in the third trimester had significantly higher health anxiety scores than those in the first trimester (p = 0.045). Conclusion At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were more worried about consequences of disease, but total health anxiety scores were significantly higher among women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Health care providers should pay more attention to the mental health of pregnant women in times of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Heba Shaaban ◽  
Mohsina Bano Shaikh

Abstract Electromagnetic radiation is the fastest growing environmental factor due to the vast development in technology in the last decades. Awareness about radiation has received more attention worldwide due to its health hazards. Adolescents are exposed to radiation from various sources on a daily basis. The number of studies conducted to assess the knowledge and perception of adolescents and young adults regarding radiation and its risks is limited, especially in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception about radiation and its associated hazards among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, our aim was to identify the best methods of education regarding radiation and its protective measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 506 participants in Saudi Arabia. It was found that the overall knowledge and awareness on radiation sources and its hazards among adolescents and young adults is inadequate. The majority of participants had misconceptions regarding radiation sources and its detriments to health. Socio-demographic variables were associated with the participants’ perception. Educating adolescents on radiation and its safety measures is much needed. It was found that the most preferred methods of education are social media and health care providers. The findings of this study will provide insight when designing future interventions to promote specific messages to enhance knowledge and improve awareness regarding radiation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zobaer Alam ◽  
Md Monoarul Haque ◽  
Md Rijwan Bhuiyan ◽  
Md Shahinoor Islam ◽  
Monirul Haque ◽  
...  

Background: The burden of childhood disability as a public health problem in developing countries remains relatively unrecognized. One out of 750 children born in the world suffer from club foot among them 80% are in low and middle income countries. Most of these babies have limited access to receive effective treatment for their clubfoot due to lack o knowledge, awareness and some barriers. We actually don’t know the level of knowledge of parents who have child with clubfoot deformity. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of parents who have children with clubfoot during clubfoot treatment. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 102 parents who have children with clubfoot deformity during its treatment in a selected clinic. The samples were selected purposively from the clinics where clubfoot treatment was given and face to face interview was done by using semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the respondents were 24.7 (±6.0) years where 87.3% (n=89) respondents ware female and 59.8 %(n=61) respondent’s educational status ware up to primary level. About 44.1% respondents started treatment of their child within 6 months of birth and 33% within 6 to 12 months where 57% (n=58) respondents are referred by health care professional to this clinics. About 93.1% of parents (n=95) said that they knew nothing about clubfoot deformity before their child was diagnosed where 97% are aware after diagnosis of their child. About 93.1% respondents knew the best time for treatment initiation where 59.8% respondents know the correct follow up time of clubfoot management. In case of knowledge of parents’ roles in the treatment of clubfoot about 91.2%, parents have knowledge weekly visit for treatment and 86.3% know the plaster care where 52.9% (n=54) parents have lack of knowledge about how to use the brace Conclusion: There is need to improve the communication skills of clinicians/health care providers offering treatment to children with clubfoot at the Clinics. Need to share information with the parents about the condition. Finally, there is need to emphasize of educating parents about plaster care and how to use brace. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v14i1.22882 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.14 (1); Jan 2015; Page 42-46


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 164-170
Author(s):  
SEEMA DAUD ◽  
RABIAH MAHWISH ◽  
HAJRA SHUJA

Background: WHO Guidelines recommends ‘‘My five moments for hand hygiene” for prevention of HCAI. Objective: Toassess the knowledge and practices of medical students about HCAI and hand hygiene. Setting: Lahore Medical & Dental College(LMDC), Lahore. Period: Four weeks, in January and February, 2012. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted usingWHO’s “Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire”, among MBBS students from 3rd to final years, 2012. Data was entered and cleaned inSPSS 19 and presented in tables and graphs. Descriptive statistics was used in the forms of numbers and percentages. Results: Among227 respondents, 63% were female, 67% were 20 to 22 years old, 38% were from 3rd year, 40% from 4th year and 22% from final year,61% never received hand hygiene training and 67% never used hand rubs. Few students named unclean hands as main route (42%) andsource of HCAI (21%). Hand hygiene was preferred before touching patients (76%) and after body fluid exposure (70%). It was perceivedto be rapid (63%), effective (66%), cause of skin dryness (57%) and it was supposed to be used concomitantly with hand washing (74%),before abdomen palpation (48%), giving injection (31%), after removing gloves (22%) and making patient’s bed (31%). Damaged skin(92%), artificial fingernails (78%) and jewelry (53%) were perceived to increase hand contamination. Conclusions: There were seriousgaps in knowledge of proper hand cleaning techniques and their importance in prevention of health HCAI. Hand hygiene, must be part ofcurriculum and training of all health care providers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 518-524
Author(s):  
GHULAM SARWAR ◽  
FARIDA MANZUR ◽  
IMTIAZ HAMID

Objectives: (1) To determine the mode of services being rendered and practices done by the health care providers of the study area. (2) To identify various socio-demographic factors about the health care providers. A health care provider provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative and spiritual health services to the community. Health care is being provided by not only the registered and qualified doctors, but also by non-qualified non-registered and inexperienced persons in Pakistan. Methodology: A total of 57 health care providers from the union council 42 area in district Faisalabad were included. A pre-tested questionnaire to know about the services and practices of the individuals was served upon them to collect the relevant data. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Union council 42 area in district Faisalabad. Period: 2008. Results: Out of 57, 30 (52.63%) were males and 27 (47.37%) were females. Most of them, 18 (31.6%) were above 49 years of age. 51 (89.47%) were practicing in the private; whereas, only 2(3.51%) in the public sector. Most of the individuals, 21 (36.8%) were LHW and only 2(3.5%) were doctors or medical assistants; 3(5.3%) were dispensers, 9(15.8%) were hakeems and 7 (12.3%) homeopaths. Most of them, 40(70.2%) were matriculates and 14(24.6%) graduates. Only 20 (35.1%) were having certificates and 11(19.3%) were diploma holders. Further, only 2(11.76%) out of 57 were registered with PM&DC and Punjab Medical Faculty. 30 (52.6%) individuals were rendering curative and only 5 (8.8%) preventive services. None of the health care providers was rendering laboratory, x-ray or ultrasound services. Most of the individuals, 36 (63.2%) were practicing allopathy and 7(12.3%) homeopathy way of treatment. Further, most of the professionals, 45 (78.95%) were not doing any surgery. As regards sterilization, the most 8(66.7%) were practicing boiling of instruments. Most of them 47 (82.45%) were giving injections to the patients, however, using disposable syringes, and 27(57.4%) were disposing of the syringes by cutting the needles to dump. 20 (42.55%) were referring their patients to DHQ Hospital and 47 (82.46%) were keeping the record. Conclusions: Qualified medical professionals were scarce in the locality. However, allopathic system of medicine was being widely practiced. Only LHWs were providing curative services with proper training to deliver first aid services.


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