scholarly journals Prevalence of Anti-leptospiral IgM and Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira Species DNA in Neonates Presenting With Clinical Sepsis in Southwestern Uganda

Author(s):  
Derick Hope ◽  
Stephen Businge ◽  
Stella Kyoyagala ◽  
Joel Bazira

Abstract BackgroundLeptospirosis is an emerging neglected zoonotic disease that presents with nonspecific signs/symptoms and it can be mistaken for other diseases. Due to limited diagnostic capacity and unawareness, data on human leptospirosis particularly in neonates is scarce in many sub-Saharan countries. It has been underreported hindering preventive and control measures in place. The study aimed at determining prevalence of leptospirosis as a cause of febrile illness in neonates using a commercially available IgM ELISA and a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study that included 103 neonatal sepsis cases whose parents/legal guardians gave informed consent. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics was collected using structured data collection form. EDTA whole blood sample was collected from the neonates by trained study nurses. From the samples, IgM ELISA was done using automated analyzers, DNA extracted and qPCR was performed using primers for LipL32, specific for the pathogenic leptospires. ResultsThe prevalence of anti-leptospiral IgM among the neonates as determined by ELISA was 4.3%, where all of them presented with lethargy and poor feeding. No pathogenic Leptospira species DNA was amplified by qPCR.ConclusionsEvidence of leptospirosis was demonstrated in neonatal sepsis cases in this study. The findings suggest considerations of leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis of neonates with sepsis. More data is needed on the real epidemiology, clinical features and burden of leptospirosis in neonates. There is need to include intermediate pathogenic species of Leptospira in the diagnostic qPCR assays.

BMJ Open ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. e001217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastase Dzudie ◽  
André Pascal Kengne ◽  
Walinjom F T Muna ◽  
Hamadou Ba ◽  
Alain Menanga ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
Reda Goweda ◽  
Ahmed Faisal

Dengue fever (DF) is one of the common mosquito-borne viral diseases. It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.The aim to study the clinical and laboratory manifestations of serologically confirmed cases of DF in outpatient clinics.This cross-sectional study was carried out in outpatient setting. According to WHO criteria all patients above 14 years old who were suspected to have DF were tested by IgM dengue antibody test. Additionally all patients underwent history, clinical examination and investigation including complete blood count, liver function test and abdominal ultrasound. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Out of 126 patients presented with acute febrile illness, 71 (56.3%) had seroreactivity for dengue IgM antibodies. Fever, headache and muscloskeletal pain were the most common clinical presentation (100%). Decreased appetite (92.9%) , retro-orbital pain (78.8%)  and dizziness(64.7%) were the next common symptoms. 29(40.8%) had hepatomegally, 11 (15.4%) had splenomegally.Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed in 58(81.6%) and 53(74.6%) respectively. Lastly; Fever associated with headache, retro-orbital pain, along with thrombocytopenia and elevated liver transaminases should prompt a clinician on the possibility of DF. Increased community awareness and vector control measures need to be strengthened to reduce the burden of dengue cases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tazebew Flatie ◽  
Abaineh Munshea

Background. Malaria is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide. It is a leading cause of suffering, death, and socioeconomic problem, especially in many developing countries like Ethiopia. To introduce appropriate preventive and control measures, assessment of community’s levels of knowledge, attitude, and preventative practices regarding malaria is crucial. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards malaria and its preventive and control methods among people attending Mekaneeyesus primary hospital, South Gondar, northwestern Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP of 390 randomly selected individuals. The data collecting tool was pretested before commencing the actual data collection. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21 software. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The overall prevalence rate of malaria in the study area was 8.5%. Nearly two-third of the participants had good knowledge (63.1%) and positive attitude (62.6%) scores towards malaria while only half of the participants had (50.8%) good practice score towards malaria prevention and control measures. Sex, age category, family monthly income, residence, and occupational and educational status of the participants were significantly associated with knowledge and practice scores ( P < 0.05 ). The odds of 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 among individuals who had poor knowledge and poor practice towards malaria, respectively, as compared to individuals who were knowledgeable and had good practice score towards malaria. Conclusion. The overall knowledge score, attitude, and practice level of respondents towards malaria was relatively good. However, significant proportion of the participants still have misconception about the cause, sign and symptoms, modes of transmission, and practices towards prevention methods of malaria. Thus, health education which is aimed at raising community’s awareness about the disease is necessary to address the gaps identified by this study.


1970 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Md Jawadul Haque ◽  
Md Rafiqul Alam

A community based cross-sectional study among the geriatric people i.e. 60 years and aboveage group was carried out in the rural villages of Rangpur district with a view to find out theircommon health problems and the relationship between the health problems and some of theirsocio-economical factors. A total of 1000 geriatric people were interviewed. Among them 73.6%were male and 26.4% were female, majority of them (47.8%) were in the age group 60-64 yearsand about 30% of them were smokers. About 86% of the respondents were suffering from eithera disease or diseases at the time of Interview. The most common diseases suffered by themwere arthritis, diarrhoea, hyperacidity and peptic ulcerative diseases, bronchitis, asthma,hypertension, cataract, dental caries, skin disease, diabetes mellitus, hydrocele, etc.A positive relationship of disease prevalence was found with educational status (p< .001),economical status (p<.01) and dependency states (p< .001) of the respondents. Statisticallysignificant relationship was found between dependency state and mental state of therespondents (p< .001). Good relation with other members of the family was found more inindependent group (p< .001). This study might provide information to formulate effectivepreventive and control measures for health problems of the aged.doi: 10.3329/taj.v16i1.3896TAJ June 2003; Vol.16(1): 15-19


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Wafa Ali ◽  
Amal Alqufly ◽  
Ibrahim Aljabr ◽  
Sharafaldeen Bin Nafisah

BACKGROUND: The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia, despite ongoing control measures, warrants further analysis. AIM: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic risk factors of COVID-19 in Al Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. We explored perceptions toward vaccination, social isolation and community adherence to social distancing measures. METHODS: We collected data reported by the Weqaya, Saudi Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and conducted a cross-sectional study within the province. RESULTS: Up to 9 May 2021, 15 497 positive cases were detected, comprising a prevalence of 1.46%. Uyun Al-Jiwa and Riyadh Al-Khabra had the highest infection rate. Our sample of 511 participants revealed an exposure rate of 52.1% (n=266) with no specific sociodemographic risk factor. Self-isolation following exposure to a confirmed or probable case occurred less among older age groups and married participants, and was not influenced by the presence of underlying chronic diseases. The majority of participants perceived community compliance with social distancing measures to fall within the ‘sometimes’ category. Finally, the vaccination acceptance rate was 72.6% (n=371). CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study emphasise the need to adopt further measures to encourage adherence to social distancing and self-isolation, especially among vulnerable groups.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (08) ◽  
pp. 1710-1716
Author(s):  
Naveed Ahmed ◽  
Azka Rizvi ◽  
Ayesha Naeem ◽  
Waqas Saleem ◽  
Altaf Ahmed ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine and assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19 the among residents of Lahore. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Different Institutions in Lahore. Period: March 2020. Material & Methods: The present study was organized by the Department of Microbiology, Pakistan kidney and liver institute & research center. Respondents filled a pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of 21 multiple-choice questions. The variables were accessed their knowledge of disease regarding etiology, mode of transmission, prevention and control measures of COVID-19 infection. A total of 1875 questionnaires were collected. Results: The data showed that 49.6% of respondents were male and rest 50.4% were females. From the total data 6.56% of respondents were doctors by profession. While 14.4% were nurses, 6.08% laboratory & other medical staff and 72.96% were students. 74.68% of respondents give correct answers on their knowledge about COVID-19, while 13.92% of respondents were wrong. 65.6% were aware about cause of COVID-19. However, 34.4% of participants were not aware of its cause. 60.0% of our respondents were not aware about symptoms and treatment. 89.04% of participants have no knowledge about transmission. 26.96% of respondents even didn’t know how to prevent this pandemic disease. Conclusion: Awareness campaigns should be conducted to make people aware of the ways COVID-19 spreads, its mode of transmission, severity of infection and preventive measures to minimize its spread as well as chances to acquire COVID-19 infections. It is important to understand the need to educate people, especially from lower socio-economic statuses as they might not know about these infections and how its spreads.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 4817
Author(s):  
Higina Kelly Lemos Nogueira ◽  
Ângela Cristina Fagundes Góes ◽  
Daniela Fagundes de Oliveira ◽  
Naiane Andrade de Simõs ◽  
Marianna Saba Fernandes ◽  
...  

RESUMOObjetivo: verificar o conhecimento do bundle de infecção do trato urinário associado ao uso de sondas por profissionais de unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: estudo quantitativo, tipo transversal, com 82 profissionais de um hospital público. Realizou-se análise descritiva, utilizando frequências absolutas e relativas, apresentadas em tabela. Resultado: evidenciou nível satisfatório de conhecimento quanto aos cuidados na inserção do cateter e à necessidade de revisão diária do uso deste dispositivo, entretanto, quanto às práticas que compõem o bundle, no quesito de indicações ao uso da SVF e cuidados na sua manutenção, encontrou-se fragilidade de conhecimento. Conclusão: medidas de prevenção e controle de infecções causadas pelo uso de SVF devem ser adotadas pelos profissionais envolvidos no cuidado, baseado nos conhecimentos teóricos e técnicos e na experiência prática, a fim de qualificar a assistência e minimizar o risco de iatrogenias. Descritores: Segurança do paciente; Unidade de Terapia Intensiva; Conhecimento; Infecção.ABSTRACTObjective: to verify the knowledge of the bundle of urinary tract infection associated with the use of probes by intensive care unit professionals. Method: quantitative cross-sectional study with 82 professionals from a public hospital. A descriptive analysis was performed, using absolute and relative frequencies, presented in the table. Results: it showed a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding catheter insertion care and the need for a daily review of the use of this device. However, regarding the practices that make up the bundle, in terms of indications for FVP use and care in its maintenance, fragility of knowledge. Conclusion: prevention and control measures of infections caused by the use of FVP should be adopted by professionals involved in care, based on theoretical and technical knowledge and practical experience, in order to qualify care and minimize the risk of iatrogenies. Descriptors: Patient Safety; Intensive Care Units; Knowledge; Infection.RESUMENObjetivo: verificar el conocimiento del bundle de infección del tracto urinario asociado al uso de sondas por profesionales de unidad de terapia intensiva. Método: estudio cuantitativo, tipo transversal, con 82 profesionales de un hospital público. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, utilizando frecuencias absolutas y relativas, presentadas en tabla. Resultados: evidenció un nivel satisfactorio de conocimiento en cuanto a los cuidados en la inserción del catéter y la necesidad de revisión diaria del uso de este dispositivo, sin embargo, en cuanto a las prácticas que componen el bundle, en lo que se refiere a indicaciones al uso de la SVF y cuidados en su mantenimiento, se encontró  fragilidad de conocimiento. Conclusión: medidas de prevención y control de infecciones causadas por el uso de SVF deben ser adoptadas por los profesionales involucrados en el cuidado, basado en el conocimientos teóricos y técnicos y en la experiencia práctica, a fin de calificar la asistencia y minimizar el riesgo de iatrogenias. Descriptores: Seguridad del Paciente; Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos; Conocimiento; Infección.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amadou Barrow ◽  
Mansour Badjie ◽  
Jainaba Touray ◽  
Bakary Kinteh ◽  
Musa Nget ◽  
...  

Background. Socioeconomically disadvantaged and neglected communities were found to be the most affected groups for schistosomiasis as a result of inadequate safe water and sanitation facilities. In order to inform policies and practices, the present study examined the influence of sociodemographic factors and attitudes on the knowledge and practice in the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in eighteen endemic rural communities in the Gambia. Methods. In January 2019, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in which 383 household heads in rural communities across Kuntaur and Janjanbureh Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Central River Region were recruited. A structured interview questionnaire was developed to elicit information regarding residents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice on schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. Percentages, chi-square test, and binary and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with the KAP variables. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results. Among the 383 participants, only 14.9% had good knowledge, while 54.3% had poor knowledge, 96.9% had positive attitude, and 57.7% had good practice towards prevention and control of schistosomiasis. Older age (≥40 years), compared with residents aged 30–39 years (AOR = 0.331; 95% CI: 0.133, 0.825); ever heard of bilharziasis (AOR = 11.911; 95% CI: 3.452, 41.099); and risks of contact with the polluted river (AOR = 0.101; 95% CI: 0.042, 0.242) were more likely to have good knowledge on schistosomiasis prevention and control in the rural Gambia. Conversely, young people (≤30 years), compared with residents aged ≥40 years (AOR = 2.503; 95% CI = 1.539, 4.071); residents aged 30–39 years (AOR = 2.880; 95% CI = 1.559, 5.320); and male residents (AOR = 2.631; 95% CI = 1.703, 4.067) were more likely to have good practice towards schistosomiasis prevention and control in the rural Gambia. Conclusion. Despite the low knowledge, rural dwellers’ attitudes were found to be positive with slightly good practice towards schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. Thus, while maintaining health system improvement strategies, disease control efforts should focus on these factors as they may influence the knowledge and practices of rural dwellers in a given setting. The findings could prompt appropriate policy responses towards improving the knowledge and practices on schistosomiasis prevention and control in the Gambia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Argaw Ambelu ◽  
Zewdie Birhanu ◽  
Yimenu Yitayih ◽  
Yohannes Kebede ◽  
Mohammed Mecha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic led individuals to suffer from different levels of mental health problems such as psychological distress, anxiety, depression, denial, panic, and fear. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among the Ethiopian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed through an online survey using different online platforms. The questionnaire was created through Google Form and the survey link was administered by e-mail, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Facebook. Educated Ethiopian population who have access to the internet were invited to participate through an online survey and addressed to 929 respondents. The study participants completed the survey anonymously without any personal identifier. The psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 10-item tool to measure psychological distress. Data were analyzed using SPSS and logistic regression to examine mutually adjusted associations, expressed as adjusted odds ratios. A generalized additive model was also employed to identify additional predictors using R. Results The prevalence of high psychological distress among the study population was 236 (25.5%). Of all respondents, 421 (45.1%) had low psychological distress, 274 (29.4%) had moderate psychological distress, 164 (17.6%) had high psychological distress, and 72 (7.3%) had very high psychological distress. Psychological distress increased with being at young and middle-aged adults, getting information from social media, and not correctly practicing infection prevention and control measures to prevent COVID-19 infection. Respondents with high perceived severity had increased psychological distress. On the contrary, those with the highest score of perceived response efficacy had low distress. Conclusion Prevalence of psychological distress was substantial. The need for intervention of psychological distress inline with the prevention of COVID-19 is critically essential. The intervention target groups are those whose information sources are from social media, young and middle-aged adults, and those who do not correctly practice infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19 infection.


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