scholarly journals Attitudes towards early marriage and related factors among adolescent girls in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Gulema ◽  
Ayah Hamdan ◽  
Jessica Gingles ◽  
Lauren E. Friedman ◽  
Bizu Gelaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Early Marriage ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Abstract Background Early marriage, although it remains a common practice in sub-Saharan Africa, has detrimental effects on women’s sexual and reproductive health, social networks, and educational attainment. We sought to investigate the association between attitudes towards early marriage and marital status among adolescent girls in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3,013 adolescent girls aged 13-17 years of age, living in four districts of the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Sociodemographic characteristics and were participants’ attitudes towards early marriage were measured using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Results The prevalence of early marriage among adolescent girls was 8.3% and approximately 87.0% of girls had an overall positive attitude towards early marriage. Compared to adolescent girls who were unmarried, those who were married or living with a partner were less likely to believe they should have a say whether they want to marry or not (OR=0.32; 95%CI: 0.18-0.57), believe they should get to decide when to marry (OR=0.52; 0.31-0.88), and believe they should have the final decision over the decision to marry (OR=0.48; 0.32-0.73). Conclusions Interventions to prevent early marriage should strengthen women decision-making processes and promote women’s agency.

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Stunting in Preschool Children (1-5Years) attending selected Health Centers in a Food Rich Area - Bushenyi District Southwestern Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Mugarura ◽  
HERBERT IZO NINSIIMA ◽  
Hellen wambuyi Kinyi ◽  
Daniel Ejike Eze ◽  
Sam Tumwesigire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Data Card ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Nutrition ◽  
Concentration Method ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background; The prevalence of stunting and helminthiasis among children in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa is still high and if Uganda is to achieve the food-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must urgently invest in improving nutrition and sanitation . In a food rich area like Bushenyi, chronic under nutrition could be due to several other factors than mere scarcity of food. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and socio-clinical factors responsible for chronic under nutrition (stunting) among pre-school children aged 1-5 years in selected Health facilities in Bushenyi district.Methods: A cross-sectional study on prevalence of chronic under nutrition (stunting) and related factors among children 1-5 years. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and using anthropometric measurements (height/ length), and standard laboratory procedures (stool analysis for eggs of soil transmitted helminthes), then recorded in a data card. Stool samples were collected from 206 children and analyzed for soil transmitted helminthes’ eggs using Formol-ether concentration method. Results: Majority were female (59.7%) aged above two years, with a median age of 2.1 years (IQR= 1.6-2.8). Most children (92.2%) stayed with their parents and resided within Bushenyi municipality (54.9%). Many lived within an extended family (52.4%) and 92.2% had been brought to the health center by their parents who were married (71.8%). children who were likely to be stunted were those who drank unboiled water (aPR=1.21, 95%CI 1.10-1.34) and were exclusively breastfed (aPR=1.35, 95% CI 1.11-1.65). The proportion of children with stunting was 89.3% (95%CI 83.3-92.9).Although most of the children were dewormed twice a year (64.1%), they did not wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating (84.6%). Furthermore, a majority of them (76.2%) rarely wore shoes. Almost all of the caregivers (96.1%) reported that they had never received any form of education on how to feed their children. However, many of the children (74.3%) had or were being exclusively breastfed and half of them (50.5%) drank boiled water. A few of the children (10.7%) were infested with soil transmitted helminthesConclusion: The prevalence of chronic malnutrition is in Bushenyi district is very high despite the abundance of food. This is due to several factors including parents’/care takers’ low knowledge. The study therefore recommends intensive continuous education on proper nutrition of preschool children and its benefits to the communities in Bushenyi District.Trial registration: Not applicable.

scholarly journals Maternal healthcare utilsation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study of 29 nationally representative surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e045992
Author(s):  
Eugene Budu ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽  
Ebenezer Kwesi Armah-Ansah ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sub Saharan

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to examine the association between maternal healthcare utilisation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignOur study was a cross-sectional study that used pooled data from 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.ParticipantsA total of 60 964 mothers of children aged 11–23 months were included in the study.Outcome variablesThe main outcome variable was complete childhood vaccination. The explanatory variables were number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, assistance during delivery and postnatal care (PNC).ResultsThe average prevalence of complete childhood vaccination was 85.6%, ranging from 67.0% in Ethiopia to 98.5% in Namibia. Our adjusted model, children whose mothers had a maximum of three ANC visits were 56% less likely to have complete vaccination, compared with those who had at least four ANC visits (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.44, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.46). Children whose mothers were assisted by traditional birth attendant/other (aOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.56) had lower odds of complete vaccination. The odds of complete vaccination were lower among children whose mothers did not attend PNC clinics (aOR=0.26, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.29) as against those whose mothers attended.ConclusionThe study found significant variations in complete childhood vaccination across countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal healthcare utilisation (ANC visits, skilled birth delivery, PNC attendance) had significant association with complete childhood vaccination. These findings suggest that programmes, interventions and strategies aimed at improving vaccination should incorporate interventions that can enhance maternal healthcare utilisation. Such interventions can include education and sensitisation, reducing cost of maternal healthcare and encouraging male involvement in maternal healthcare service utilisation.

scholarly journals Unravelling the Perspectives of Day and Night Traders in Selected Markets within a Sub-Saharan African City with a Malaria Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3468
Author(s):  
Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo ◽  
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie ◽  
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu ◽  
John Ahenkorah ◽  
Emmanuel Afutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African City ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Treatment Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Malaria is still endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with a high disease burden. Misconceptions about malaria contribute to poor attitudes and practices, further increasing the burden in endemic countries. Studies have examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of malaria among different populations. However, there seems to be no available literature reporting on the perspectives of day and night market traders. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on malaria KAP with a focus on day and night market traders. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving day and night market traders in 10 selected markets within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was carried out. Data were collected from consenting respondents using a structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 760 respondents (33.3% (n = 253) night and 66.7% (n = 507) day traders) interviewed, there was no significant difference between the day and night market traders in terms of malaria KAP. Although the market traders had an overall moderate knowledge (54.0% of the day traders and 56.5% of the night traders), misconceptions about malaria (especially that it could be caused by exposure to the sun) still existed among the traders. Moreover, the majority of the traders who demonstrated high knowledge (43.98%, n = 250) did not always take laboratory tests to confirm their suspicion, indicating poor attitude. Furthermore, the market traders’ choice of drug for malaria treatment (p = 0.001) and preferred malaria treatment type (orthodox or herbal) (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with their knowledge level. Conclusions: Despite the observation that no significant difference in KAP exists between day and night market traders, appropriate health education programs and interventions still need to be directed at misconceptions, poor attitudes, and poor practices revealed by this study. This will ultimately help in the prevention and control of malaria in Ghana, and globally.

Study of epidemiological determinants of undernutrition among adolescent girls in urban slums of Berhampur, Odisha: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sambedana Mohanty ◽  
Manasee Panda
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Urban Slums ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent girls are vulnerable to many problems, undernutrition being the most common. This results in growth restriction resulting in stunting, wasting, underweight and last but not the least iron-deficiency anaemia. Nutritional needs are high during puberty which later leads to complications during pregnancy and its outcomes.Materials and methodsA field based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of the girls and to determine the various factors responsible for undernutrition. After clearance from the Institution Ethical Committee (IEC) and permission from Child Development Programme Officer (CDPO), the study was conducted in the anganwadi centres (AWC) of urban slums in the field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine from the 1st October 2014 to the 31st October 2016. All the adolescent girls enlisted in the seven anganwadi centres were included as study subjects with their consent. A pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on following sections. (a) socio-demographic profile and (b) nutritional status. Dietary intake was taken using the 24-h recall method. Anthropometry was measured and haemoglobin (Hb) was estimated. SPSS version 21 was used for descriptive and analytic statistics.ResultsAmong the 160 girls 98(61.3%), 69(43.1%), 53(33.1%) were underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. Anaemia was present among 144(90%) of the girls.ConclusionStrict monitoring of weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFS) as well as nutrition education are essential measures to solve the problem of undernutrition among adolescent girls.

scholarly journals Predictors of HIV Testing among Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e0164052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibitola O. Asaolu ◽  
Jayleen K. Gunn ◽  
Katherine E. Center ◽  
Mary P. Koss ◽  
Juliet I. Iwelunmor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Prevalence of Anemia and Undernutrition of Adolescent Females in Selected Schools in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Marina Aferiba Tandoh ◽  
Abigail Owusuaa Appiah ◽  
Anthony Kwaku Edusei
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Poor Nutrition ◽  
Prevalence Of Anemia

Anemia among adolescent females is a major worldwide public health problem which should be given appropriate attention. Half of all anemic cases are caused by iron deficiency. In addition to anemia, poor nutrition is also a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among adolescent females in school. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 adolescent females in four basic schools in the Ahafo region of Ghana. The hemoglobin level and anthropometry measures of participants were taken to determine their anemic and nutritional status. The prevalence of anemia among adolescent females in school was 50.3%. Out of the 151 participants, 6.6%, 19.9%, and 23.8% were severely anemic, moderately anemic, or mildly anemic, respectively. Only 2% of the participants were underweight, but the rate of stunting was 26.5%. The notable high prevalence of anemia that was found among adolescent females was correlated with other health and wellness concerns. Anemia and under nutrition negatively affect academic performance, productivity, and general wellbeing of adolescents; therefore, effective measures should be put in place to correct and eradicate these nutritional problems.

scholarly journals High residual prevalence of vaccine-serotypeStreptococcus pneumoniaecarriage after introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Malawi: a prospective serial cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd D. Swarthout ◽  
Claudio Fronterre ◽  
José Lourenço ◽  
Uri Obolski ◽  
Andrea Gori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Pneumococcal Carriage ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Induced Immunity ◽  
Indirect Protection ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere are concerns that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in sub-Saharan Africa sub-optimally interrupt vaccine-serotype (VT) carriage and transmission, thus limiting vaccine-induced direct and indirect protection. We assessed carriage in vaccinated children and unvaccinated populations targeted for indirect protection, between 4 and 7 years after Malawi’s November 2011 introduction of PCV13 using a 3+0 schedule.MethodsWe conducted sequential prospective nasopharyngeal carriage surveys between 2015 and 2018 among healthy PCV-vaccinated and PCV-unvaccinated children, and HIV-infected adults. VT and NVT carriage risk by age was analysed by non-linear regression.ResultsAmong PCV-vaccinated children, there was a 24% relative reduction in carriage, from a mean 21.1% to 16.1%; 45% reduction among older PCV-unvaccinated children, from 27.5% to 15.2%; 41.4% reduction among adults, from 15.2% to 8.9%. Using carriage data from children 3.6 to 10 years of age, VT carriage probability declined with age, with a similar prevalence half-life among PCV-vaccinated (3.34 years) and PCV-unvaccinated (3.26 years) children.ConclusionCompared to high-income settings, the 3+0 schedule in Malawi has led to a sub-optimal reduction in pneumococcal carriage prevalence. This is likely due to recolonisation of vaccinated children with waning vaccine-induced immunity, resulting in insufficient indirect protection of unvaccinated populations. Rigorous evaluation of strategies to augment vaccine-induced control of carriage, including alternative schedules and catch-up campaigns is required.

The Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Malawi

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony D Harries ◽  
Nicola J Hargreaves ◽  
John H Kwanjana ◽  
Felix M Salaniponi
Keyword(s):  
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Smear Microscopy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Diagnostic Practices ◽  
Hospital Resources ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Made In

There is little information on a country-wide basis in sub-Saharan Africa about how the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is made. A country-wide cross-sectional study was carried out in 40 non-private hospitals in Malawi which register and treat (TB) patients in order to assess diagnostic practices in adults registered with EPTB. All patients aged 15 years and above in hospital on treatment for EPTB were reviewed using TB registers, case note files and clinical assessment. There were 244 patients, 132 men and 112 women whose mean age was 36 years. In 138 (57%) patients, all appropriate procedures and investigations, commensurate with hospital resources, had been carried out. Of 171 EPTB patients with cough for 3 weeks or longer, 138 (81%) submitted sputum specimens for smear microscopy of acid-fast bacilli (AFB). A confirmed diagnosis of TB was made in 15 (6%) patients based on finding AFB or caseating granulomas in specimens. In 157 (64%) patients, the diagnosis of EPTB was considered to be correct. In 46 (19%) patients the diagnosis was considered to be TB, although different from the type of EPTB with which the patient was registered. In 39 (16%) patients an alternative non-TB diagnosis was made and in two (1%) patients it was not possible to make a decision. Diagnostic practices need to be improved, and ways of doing this are discussed.

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