scholarly journals Determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of front-line health workers during the first wave of COVID-19 in Africa: a multi-center online cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Larrey Kasereka Kamabu ◽  
Hervé Monka Lekuya ◽  
Richard Newton Iranya ◽  
Bienvenu Muhindo Kasusula ◽  
Franck Katembo Sikakulya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: During its first wave of COVID-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa, there was insufficient understanding of the pandemic among front-line health care professionals that has led to a misidentification, and mistreatment of affected patients, with a potential risk of contracting and spreading the disease. This study was carried out to determine the Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of front-line health workers (HWs) towards COVID-19 in Africa and their related factors.Methods: This was a multi-centers online cross-sectional study conducted over a 3-months study-period using a google survey link among front lines HWs involved in the COVID-19 response in 26 African countries. Chi-square test & logistic regression were used in the bivariate and multivariate analysis respectively to assess determinants of KAP. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 16; all tests were two-sided with 95% confidence interval. Results: Five hundred and seventeen (517, 96.3%) consented to participate in this study from 26 African countries; 289 (55.9%) were male and 228 (44.1%) female. Overall, most of HWs, 379 (73.3%) showed poor knowledge about COVID-19 infection and preventive measures. In contrast, majority of them showed good attitude (89%) and practice (90.3%) towards prevention of COVID-19 infections. Knowledge varied among countries; Uganda had the greatest number of HWs with good knowledge. (OR = 28.09, p <0.0001) followed by Ghana (OR=10.92, p=0.001) and DRC (OR: 4.59, p=0.015). The cadre of HWs also influenced knowledge; doctors were the most knowledgeable as compared to other cadres (OR: 3.4, p= 0.005). Additionally, knowledge increased with increasing HWs’ education level (p=0.011).Attitude and practice were both influenced by HWs country of workplace (p=0.05 & p< 0.0001 respectively) and their cadre (p = 0.025 & p < 0.0001 respectively).Conclusions: Majority of the front-line HWs in the African region had an overall good attitude and practice towards COVID-19 infection and practice measures despite relatively poor Knowledge. The KAP is influenced by HWs country of workplace, their cadre and level of education.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042750
Author(s):  
Charles Okeahalam ◽  
Victor Williams ◽  
Kennedy Otwombe

IntroductionThe current COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat. This elicits questions on the level of preparedness and capacity of health systems to respond to emergencies relative to other parts of the world.MethodsThis cross-sectional study uses publicly available core health data for 53 African countries to determine risk factors for cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases per million in all countries in the continent. Descriptive statistics were determined for the indicators, and a negative binomial regression was used for modelling the risk factors.ResultsIn sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in the number of nursing and midwifery personnel decreased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0178), while a unit increase in universal healthcare (UHC) index of service coverage and prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults increased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0432 and p=0.0127). An increase in the proportion of infants initiating breast feeding reduced the number of cases per million (p<0.0001), while an increase in higher healthy life expectancy at birth increased the number of cases per million (p=0.0340).ConclusionDespite its limited resources, Africa’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be improved by identifying and addressing specific gaps in the funding of health services delivery. These gaps impact negatively on service delivery in Africa, which requires more nursing personnel and increased UHC coverage to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tazebew Flatie

Abstract Background : Malaria is worldwide health problem causing high mortality and morbidity, not only a major cause of suffering and death, but also the cause of socioeconomic problems, especially in developing country like Ethiopia. Methods: This study is aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria and its preventive and control methods among people attending in Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia. Cross sectional study was employed by using random sampling technique was carried out to select representative individuals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. The data quality control was tested by using pretest and study protocol of the research was approved by the Ethical Review Committee. Results: The overall prevalence rate of malaria was 8.5%. Individuals having poor knowledge and poor practice toward malaria were 26.93 (CI = 3.67-197.47, p=0.001) and 13.09 (CI=0.93-183.47, p=0.036) times higher respectively as compared to individuals who are knowledgeable and had good practice toward malaria. Level of education was significant predictor of practice level which, education status of being uneducated and attaining grades 1-8. Respondent’s less than 500 family economic statuses were also significantly associated with practice level (P < 0.05) among study participants. The overall knowledge, attitude and practice level was relatively good, but its practice towards ITN utilization was poor. Poor knowledge and practice were significantly increase malaria risk. Conclusion: Malaria is still causes a serious health burden so special attention should be taken to malaria prevention and control by giving awareness and using different intervention method.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balamurugan Janakiraman ◽  
Moges Gashaw ◽  
Mulualem Yinunie

Abstract Background “Is pregnancy opportunity or a barrier for engaging in exercise”. Maternal health still is a top priority in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Participation in exercises during pregnancy in low-middle income countries is constrained. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercises among Ethiopian women during pregnancy, and also to find out why some women do not exercise during pregnancy. Method: A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 349 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the ANC clinic, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital were recruited. Data were obtained on maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers towards antenatal exercise (ANEx) by interview method. Results Among 349 pregnant women, 138 (39.5%) and 193 (55.3%) had adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice respectively. Overall, 108 (30.9) of the respondents practiced antenatal exercise, while only 41 (37.9%) among them had a good practice. Brisk walking (90.7%), relaxation (38.9%), and breathing exercise (36.1%) were most practice ANEx, while pelvic floor 6 (5.6%) and 3 (2.8%) yoga were the least practiced. Enhancing post-natal recovery (71%) and vaginal bleeding (64.5) were perceived as benefits and contraindication of ANEx. More than half of them (53.6) think that ANEx doesn’t suit Ethiopian culture. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of ANEx among pregnant women are significantly associated with higher education, government employees, pre-pregnancy exercise, and being advised on ANEx before. Women with adequate knowledge are more likely to have a good practice (AOR 4.53, 95%CI: 1.64, 15.3). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that knowledge concerning antenatal exercise is low and their attitude is reasonably favorable. However, very few Ethiopian pregnant practices ANEx according to recommended guidelines during pregnancy.


Jurnal Gizi ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Sari Tirthawati ◽  
Ali Rosidi ◽  
Enik Sulistyowati ◽  
Rr. Annisa Ayuningtyas

The iron-folate tablets program on adolescent girls for anemia prevention still facing some obstacles, especially adherence to consuming them. This study aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and health worker’s support with the adherence of iron-folate tablets consumption. This study was a cross-sectional study, conducted at SMKN 1 Bangsri Jepara. Anumber of 73 respondents were selected by stratified random sampling. The data were obtained through interviews using a questionnaire, and analyzed using Rank Spearman test.The results showed that most respondents had moderate knowledge (54.8%), good attitude (69.9%), and good health worker’s support (65.8%). As much as 82.2% of adolescent girls did not comply to consume iron-folate tablet which were given once in a week. The unpleasant smell and taste of iron-folate was the reason for the respondent’s (31,5%) disiobedient. The statistical tests showed that there were relationships between knowledge and respondent’s compliance (p=0.004;r=0.334), attitude and respondent’s compliance (p=0.000;r=0.543) and health worker’s support with the respondent’s compliance (p=0.000;r=0.544).The health worker’s support variable is the most dominant variable related to the compliance of iron-folate tablets consumption. It is shown that the higher the support from health workers, the higher the compliance of iron-folate tablets consumption.Keywords: Compliance, adolescent girl, iron-folate tablet consumption


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mtondera Munthali ◽  
Isabel Kazanga Chiumia ◽  
Chrispin Mandiwa ◽  
Saul Mwale

Abstract Background Preconception care is one of the preventive strategies in maternal and new-born health as recommended by WHO. However, in sub-Saharan Africa there is poor preconception care practices. This study examined knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age group in Mzuzu City, Malawi. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Selection of respondents was done through a multistage and purposive sampling techniques respectively. A total of 253 women of reproductive age from nine townships of Mzuzu City responded to the questionnaire and 20 health workers were interviewed. Results A total of 136 (54%) respondents had heard of preconception care. About 57.7% (n = 146) demonstrated a good level of knowledge of preconception care while 42.3% (n = 107) had poor knowledge. About 72% (n = 105) of those with good of knowledge of preconception care, lacked awareness on possibilities of talking to a health care provider on intentions of getting pregnant. About 74.7% (n = 189) of women had a positive perception towards preconception care. Knowledge of preconception care was a good predictor of positive perception (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.2–5.0), however its predictability was influenced by the academic level attained. Those with secondary (AOR = 10.2; 95% CI 3.2–26.2) and tertiary (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–4.9) were more likely to have good knowledge of preconception care than those with primary school education level. About 95% (n = 19) of health workers lacked details about preconception care but they admitted their role in preconception care. Conclusion Preconception care practice among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City was low. However there was positive perception towards preconception care in both parties. There is an opportunity in existing platforms for implementation of interventions targeting identified predictors for increased knowledge and uptake of preconception care.


Author(s):  
Thounaojam Tamphasana ◽  
Bishwalata Rajkumari ◽  
Longjam Usharani Devi

Background: Adolescent girls’ understanding of menstruation is characterized by poor knowledge and erroneous beliefs about menstruation. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent schoolgirls and to assess any factors associated with menstrual hygiene.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2017 to April 2019 among 1963 school girls of class 8 to 12 standards in Imphal-East District, Manipur. From the list of schools in the district, schools were selected randomly by lottery method and all eligible girls in the selected schools were included. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM Statistics version 21. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to test for association. A p value<0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results: The mean (±SD) age was 15.45 (±1.59) years. More than half (51.3%) of the respondents had good knowledge regarding menstruation. Majority (60.2%) of the respondents have good attitude regarding menstruation. Studying in higher class AOR (95% CI) of 1.399 (1.157-1.675), Christian by religion AOR (95% CI) of 1.640 (1.038-2.591), higher educational level of father AOR (95% CI) 4.492 (1.492-13.52), studying in private schools AOR (95% CI) of 1.370 (1.031-1.172) and belonging to rural community AOR (95% CI) 1.266 (1.025-1.500) were significantly more likely to have good knowledge about menstruation.Conclusions: More than half of the respondents had good knowledge and three-fifth of them had good attitude. Health education on menstruation and menstrual hygiene should be incorporated early enough in the school curriculum to prepare girls for menstruation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naima Said Sheikh ◽  
Abdiwahab Moallim Salad ◽  
Abdi Gele

BBackground. The TB case detection rate in Somalia is 42%, which is much lower than the WHO target of detecting 70% of new TB cases. Understanding the factors contributing to the delay of TB patients in the diagnosis, and reducing the time between the onset of TB symptoms to diagnosis, is a prerequisite to increase the case detection rate and to ultimately bring the TB epidemic in Somalia under control. The aim of this study is to examine the duration of delay, and factors associated with the delay among patients in TB management centers in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods. An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in TB management clinics providing directly observed treatments (DOTS) programs in Mogadishu. A total of 276 patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from June-October 2018. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and different logistic regression models. Results. Approximately 78% of study participants were male. Nearly a third (36.5%) came from a household of nine individuals or more, while 73% were unemployed. The median patient and provider delays were 50 days and one day, respectively. The median total delay was 55 days, with an inter-quartile range of 119 days. Patients who had a poor knowledge of the symptoms of TB had 3.16 times higher odds of delay over 50 days than their counterparts. Furthermore, a poor knowledge of the symptoms of TB (aOR 4.22, CI 2.13-8.40), not making ones own decisions in seeking TB treatment (aOR 2.43, CI 1.22-4.86) and a poor understanding of the fact that TB can be treated with biomedical treatment, as opposed to traditional treatment (aOR 2.07, CI 1.02-4.16), were predictors of a patient delay over 120 days. Conclusions. The duration in the delay of TB patients under diagnosis in Mogadishu is one of the highest reported in developing countries, exceeding two years in some patients. Training local community health workers to detect suspected TB cases, and referring the cases of prolonged cough over three weeks for TB care centers for diagnosis, is imperative to help break the transmission and reduce the infectious pool in the population of Mogadishu. This may not only increase the community awareness of TB disease, but it may also facilitate the early referral of TB patients to diagnostic and treatment care centers.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247533
Author(s):  
Balamurugan Janakiraman ◽  
Tsiwaye Gebreyesus ◽  
Mulualem Yihunie ◽  
Moges Gashaw Genet

Background “Is pregnancy opportunity or a barrier for engaging in exercise”. Maternal health still is a top priority in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Participation in exercises during pregnancy in low-middle income countries is constrained. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercises among Ethiopian women during pregnancy, and also to examine the barriers to prenatal physical activity. Methods A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 349 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the ante-natal care clinic, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital were recruited. Data were obtained on maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers towards antenatal exercise (ANEx) by interview method. Results Among 349 pregnant women, 138 (39.5%) and 193 (55.3%) had adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice respectively. Overall, 108 (30.9) of the respondents practiced antenatal exercise, while only 41 (37.9%) of those pregnant women had a good practice. Brisk walking (90.7%), relaxation (38.9%), and breathing exercise (36.1%) were most practice ANEx, while pelvic floor 6 (5.6%) and 3 (2.8%) yoga were the least practiced. Enhancing post-natal recovery (71%) and vaginal bleeding (64.5) were perceived as benefits and contraindication of ANEx. More than half of the pregnant women (53.6) reported that ANEx is not appropriate for Ethiopian culture. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of ANEx among pregnant women are significantly associated with higher education, government employees, pre-pregnancy exercise, and being advised on ANEx before. Women with adequate knowledge are more likely to have a good practice (AOR 4.53, 95%CI: 1.64, 15.3). Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that knowledge concerning antenatal exercise is low and their attitude is reasonably favorable. However, very few Ethiopian pregnant practices ANEx according to recommended guidelines during pregnancy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatinder Singh ◽  
Vaneeta Bhardwar ◽  
Anchal Kumra

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the best nutrition for children during the first six months of life. However EBF remains a challenge.</p><p><strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of the study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards EBF among lactating mothers.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 mothers using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using 'recall since birth' method. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants and descriptive statistics were conducted.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 350 lactating women, maximum women belonged to the age group of 26 to 30 years (31.4%). Maximum of them were from nuclear family (71.7%). 320 lactating mother (91.4%) of study participants had information about EBF.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The majority of mothers knew about EBF and had a positive attitude towards EBF but did not know the recommended duration or that EBF is sufficient for six months. Breastfeeding counselling and health education on nutrition to the mother by health workers should be promoted.</p>


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Ajayi ◽  
T C Olotu ◽  
G G Sofowora

Severe generalized pruritus is a common drawback in chloroquine therapy of malaria in black Africans. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice of 117 Nigerian hospital workers, who historically itch to chloroquine, to the use of prednisolone to prevent chloroquine pruritus in malaria. Ninety per cent of respondents had a positive family history of chloroquine induced pruritus. Seventy-five per cent (92) of the subjects were aware of the anti-pruritic action of prednisolone, but only 43% ( n = 40) have ever used it during malaria. Among the prednisolone users ( n = 40), 25 (62.5%) had total prevention, 25% ( n = 10) had marked pruritus attenuation, but no effect was seen in 12.5% ( n = 5). The modal prednisolone dose causing inhibition of itching was 10 mg orally given once. Concurrent prednisolone increased compliance with chloroquine in 68% of all who used the combination, and there was no evidence of malaria recurrence.


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