scholarly journals Knowledge About Leprosy Among Health Care Workers In Balaka District, Southern Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelvin Mponda ◽  
George Anafi ◽  
Eric Thom Laja ◽  
Rapson Chidothe ◽  
Lawrence Mahuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Leprosy Patients

Abstract Background Health care workers (HCW) who are knowledgeable about leprosy can play an important role in promoting early case detection to prevent disabilities. Poor knowledge of leprosy leads to poor attitude about the disease and towards its sufferers. This study was done to assess knowledge and attitudes of health workers towards leprosy in Balaka district, southern Malawi. Methods This was a cross sectional study that included all HCW that do outpatient consultations in health facilities in Balaka district using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for analysis. Results Thirty five of the approached 38 HCW had heard about leprosy (21 nurses, 3 health surveillance assistants and 11 medical assistants). While 21 (60%) reported to ever have suspected leprosy in a patient, 13 (37%) HCW had never seen a case of leprosy before and 6 HCW (17%) had ever made a correct diagnosis of leprosy themselves. Twenty nine (83%) knew leprosy is an infectious disease, 1 (2.9%) thought it is due to witchcraft, 2 (5.7%) thought dirty environment causes leprosy. Six HCW (17%)mentioned inhalation as mode of transmission, 19 (54%) thought touching someone with the disease, 4 (11%) eating infected meat and another 4 (11%) uncleanliness can transmit leprosy. The skin and peripheral nerves were correctly mentioned by 32 HCW (91%) as organs which may be affected by leprosy. Whether leprosy is curable, 25 (71%) thought it is, 5 (14%) thought it is incurable and another 5 (14%) did not know. Seventeen HCW (49%) felt leprosy patients need isolation and 19 HCW (54%) were afraid they might catch leprosy at work. Of three diseases leprosy, HIV and diabetes, 26 (74%) HCW felt leprosy was the most dangerous as opposed to 4 (11%) and 3 (9%) that chose HIV and diabetes respectively. Only (16) 46% had learnt about leprosy during their training but 24 (69%) had read about leprosy out of self-interest and all the HCW felt they need on job or refresher training about leprosy. Conclusion There is a general lack of knowledge about leprosy. This may explain why many HCW have not had experience with leprosy patients even though it exists in their areas. Their fears about leprosy infectiousness and dangerousness are also based on this knowledge lack. Since such poor knowledge may lead to delayed diagnosis and stigma, education about leprosy to HCWs in Balaka must be part of any priority interventions to address challenges with leprosy control in the district.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Preparedness on Corona Virus Pandemic among Healthcare Workers in Igembe South Health Facilities, Meru County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
P. K. Kubai ◽  
M. P. Ndiba ◽  
L. K. Ikiara ◽  
C. K. Karani
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Care Workers

Worldwide Corona virus outbreak has cause panic and enormous health and economic effects due to inadequate or lack of appropriate information about COVID -19. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the Level of knowledge and Preparedness to Corona Virus (COVID –19) Pandemic among Health Workers in Igembe South, Meru County, Kenya. Study Design: This was cross-sectional study was conducted to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness among HCWs on COVID-19 pandemic. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Igembe South Health Facilities between March and June 2020. Methodology: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Igembe South Sub County of Meru County from March 2020 to June 2020 among 87 Health Care Workers to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness on COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using structured Likert’s Scale questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was performed to obtain frequencies and distribution of the variables. Results: The results shows that eight seven (87) health care workers with mean age of 34± 9 (SD) years with a minimum age of 19 years and maximum age of 60 years were recruited responded to the questions of the study. Among the 87 participants, 51 (58.6%) had at least a bachelor's degree, 30 (34.5%) participants had a diploma and 6 (6.9%) participants had a certificate. About 32 (36.8%) of the participants were nurses. Other professional disciplines included nutritionists, records officers, supporting staff, social workers among others. Majority of the facilities acknowledged receiving Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols on COVID-19 case management. Regarding knowledge of COVID -19 Almost half (48.3%) of the participants somewhat agreed that health care workers had knowledge of Corona Virus Pandemic, however, most of the respondents (50.6%) strongly disagreed that they are equipped with adequate Knowledge to manage severe Corona Case compared to (8%) respondents who strongly agreed that Corona Virus Incubation period is an average of 7 days and maximum of 14 days. Conclusion: The study concludes that knowledge and preparedness level on COVID - 19 was above average, however, there is need for continuous professional development (CPD) training and support supervision for HCWs to ensure maintenance of appropriate practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further concludes that those with knowledge and are conversant with their respective areas of practice are at less risk, considering that inadequate knowledge is not only a risk factor for poor delivery of WHO approved COVID -19 guidelines met to prevent the spread of COVID -19, but also increases the occupational risk to health care workers.

scholarly journals Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (235) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bikram Kafle ◽  
Yashoda Bagale ◽  
Sima Kafle ◽  
Aabishkar Parajuli ◽  
Samudra Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Introduction: Health personnel working in the frontline to deal with COVID 19 outbreak are at increased risk of developing psychological problems. This study aims to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among Nepalese health care workers. Methods: This is a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from July 10 2020 to September 10, 2020. All health care workers (total 280) were included in the study. HADS-14 item was used to measure anxiety and depression. Perceived stress scale was used to measure stress. Data was analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 24.0. Statistical data was analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results: Out of total 270 respondents the prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress was found to be 112 (41.4%), 65 (24.1%) and 203 (74%) respectively. Females accounted for 148 (54.8%) and males 122 (45.2%). More than one third 96 (35.6%) of the health workers were working in front line. Conclusions: Prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress is higher among health workers when compared to similar studies. Effective strategies toward improving the mental health like adequate rest, supply of protective equipments, frequent breaks, ensuring safety issues of their family members, training on management of stress might be helpful in reducing stress.

Epidemiology of needlestick injuries among health-care workers in Awassa City, Southern Ethiopia

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moges Tadesse ◽  
Takele Tadesse
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Needlestick Injury ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Needlestick Injuries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

Accidental needlestick injuries sustained by health-care workers are a common occupational hazard and a public health issue in health-care settings. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and 30.9% of health-care workers had experienced at least one needlestick injury in the previous year.

scholarly journals Correction to: Mental health status among family members of health care workers in Ningbo, China, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchen Ying ◽  
Liemin Ruan ◽  
Fanqian Kong ◽  
Binbin Zhu ◽  
Yunxin Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Occupational exposure of health care workers to blood and body fluids in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2018: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaye Solomon ◽  
Dejene Lemessa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Needle Stick Injury ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background: Health care workers are susceptible to acquiring blood and body fluids borne infections due to their occupations involving contact with patients and their body fluids, although studies conducted in Ethiopia are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in governmental health facilities in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Materials and methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 19 to June 25, 2018. A total of 381 health care workers were selected by simple random sampling from 31 sampled governmental health facilities using proportional to size allocation. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, entered into Epi-info version 7, and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for variables retained in the multivariable logistic regression and significance declared at p<0.05.Results: Of 377 health care workers who participated, the study found that 233 (61.2%) were exposed to blood and body fluids in their lifetime. Previous needle stick injury (AOR=0.30; 95%CI: 0.12-0.75), type of health facility (AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.26-0.68), handwashing practice (AOR=0.15; 95%CI: 0.07, 0.31), and perceiving at risk (AOR=0.16; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.98) were protective factors whereas long work experience (AOR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) was a risk factor for the exposure.Conclusions: Exposures to blood and body fluids during patient care were common among health care workers in the study area. Therefore, health care workers especially those newly hired and working in hospitals should pay due attention to their occupation's safety and regularly practice hand washing during critical times.

scholarly journals Clinical evaluation of mark induced dermatitis on health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Sushma I. ◽  
Nivin Simon ◽  
A. J. S. Pravin ◽  
M. K. Padmaprasad ◽  
M. Vijayabharathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Mask induced dermatitis is common among health care workers now because of the obligatory use of facemask for a longer period during COVID-19, the clinical features vary. Very few studies could be conducted due to the COVID induced constraints. Studies regarding reactions to face masks in health workers published to date are limited and hence we decided to do this study. The objective of this study was to find out the clinical presentations of mask induced dermatitis due to long term use of facemask on healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 healthcare workers attend our OPD with face mask for 6 months. After getting informed written consent clinical evaluation was made by history and dermatologic examination.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Total 40 health care professionals between the age group of 21-50 years (17 females and 23 males) came to our OPD with complaints of itching and dryness with signs of erythema, scaling, papules for 6 months duration. Out of them, 15 (37.5%) patients had exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses like atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, acne. 10 patients (25%) had irritant contact dermatitis 7 patients (17.5%) had sweat-induced dermatitis, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to sponge strip at the nasal bridge, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to vehement use of ear loop involving retroauricular region.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study showed that wearing face masks results in the development and aggravation of other skin diseases due to various causes. Itch can induce scratching and thus lead to inappropriate use of face masks, which could compromise their function.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluation of facemask associated acne/ “Maskne” among health care workers and non-health care workers of India during COVID-19 pandemic-A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-248
Author(s):  
Krina B Patel ◽  
Savfeena M. Nagani ◽  
Aanal T. Patel ◽  
Nirav Bapat
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Front Line Workers

“MASK-NE”-Mask associated Acne, is a common form of acne during COVID-19 pandemic. It is type of acne mechanica seen when external factor occludes the skin, leads to irritation, inflammation and starts/aggravates all grades of acne.We conducted a cross-sectional study among 773 participants, using a Self-administered, aim oriented, questionnaire which includes demographic data, acne related history, type and duration of wearing mask & other mask related skin problems in COVID-19 pandemic during 15 October to 15December,2020.: Among 773 participants, age ranged 18-45 years with mean 30.69 (SD: 61.30) and M:F was 1:1.78. After starting of Pandemic, occurrence of new development of mask associated Acne/ Maskne was higher among Health Care Workers (HCW) (34.98%) as compared to non- Health Care Workers (non-HCWs) (17.36%). Moreover, more number of HCWs had aggravation of their pre-existing acne and/or development of new of acne during pandemic (81.2%) than non-HCWs (61%). Wearing N95 type of mask showed the highest aggravation (82%) of Maskne as compare to wearing Surgical mask (75.5%) and wearing cloth (cotton) mask (65.6%).Wearing a face mask for 4 to 8 hours/day and &#62;8 hours/day showed increase in the aggravation of Maskne as compared to wearing a facemask &#60;4 hrs/day.Though wearing face masks can be the best strategy against COVID-19 infection, HAZARD OF THIS SAFETY is not negligible especially in front-line workers-doctors, nurses, pharmacist, policemen, hospital staff who are at higher risk due to several factors including type of mask use, duration of mask use etc.

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