scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Malaria Community Worker towards Prevention and Control of Malaria in Kokap, Kulon Progo: A Pilot Study

Author(s):  
Noor Afif Mahmudah ◽  
Intan Esaputri ◽  
Halwan Fuad Bayuangga ◽  
Nova Yuli Prasetyo Budi ◽  
Alif Kurniawan ◽  
...  

Background: Malaria Community Worker (CMW) has a crucial role in malaria prevention and control in the community. However, a number of studies showed that there is a lack of competence from MCW in carrying out its duties. Knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) can represent the behavior about health services. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the Malaria Community Worker towards prevention and control of malaria in Kokap, Kulon Progo. Methods: KAP survey with cross-sectional design was conducted in this study. CMW from Puskesmas Kokap I (n = 8) was asked to fill out a KAP questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used to analyze the data. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25. Results: The study found that 100% of respondents (n = 8) obtained high knowledge scores with the highest aspect on understanding about malaria and the lowest on diagnosis. The attitude score showed a moderate attitude for 100% of respondents (n = 8) with the highest aspect was fogging for malaria prevention and the lowest was the attitude that malaria is a serious disease. Meanwhile, the score of practice described good practice in 100% of respondents (n = 8) with the lowest part was compiling daily/weekly reports to the malaria program coordinator of Primary Health Care. From the observations, there was no significant correlation (p> 0.05) between demographic characteristics and between knowledge, attitudes and practice. Conclusion: The CMWs had a high knowledge score, moderate attitude, and good practice towards malaria prevention and control. Further studies with a larger sample are recommended for future study. CMW training is also recommended to improve the KAP of CMW.

2021 ◽  
pp. 81-84
Author(s):  
Poorwa Roy ◽  
Praveen Davuluri ◽  
Nandini Roy

Background and aim: The world is currently facing a public health emergency in the form of COVID-19 pandemic. United Kingdom conrmed it's initial cases in February 2020 and since then the NHS (National Health Services) and its healthcare workers have been working diligently to ght this pandemic facing unprecedented challenges. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) survey was conducted using a questionnaire among healthcare professionals belonging to an NHS University Health Board in Wales, UK. The responses were assessed and relevant statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: Atotal of 208 frontline NHS Workers participated in the study. Mean knowledge score in the study was 87.83%. Majority (67.79%) of the participants had a high knowledge score. Knowledge scores were found to have a positive association with age. The general attitude among the participants was found to be optimistic with a mean attitude score of 69.87%. Practices varied amongst the participants with 77.5% reporting regular use of the mask at work. Conclusion: This study reects that majority of healthcare professionals had a sound knowledge and understanding about the pandemic with an optimistic attitude towards its control. Majority of them have been implementing safe practices at workplace.


Author(s):  
Bogale Belay ◽  
Tegenu Gelana ◽  
Araya Gebresilassie

Abstract Background Ethiopia has achieved considerable progresses in the prevention and control of malaria in the past decades; hitherto it is a formidable health concern and socio-economic impediment. This study aimed at assessing the magnitude, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria among febrile patients attending Chagni health center, northwest Ethiopia. Methods Health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of malaria and KAP towards malaria among febrile patients at Chagni health center in Chagni Town during September 2017 to February 2018. In order to determine the magnitude of malaria, finger prick blood samples were collected and thick and thin smears were prepared and microscopically examined for the presence of malaria parasites. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was also applied to assess KAP of suspected malaria patients, attending the health center. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results Prevalence of malaria among febrile patients, who visited the sampled health facility, was 7.3%. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infections accounted for 55, 44.3 and 0.7% of the cases, respectively. This study also revealed that 97% of the respondents had ever heard about malaria and recognized it as a serious health problem. Mosquito bite was identified as the main malaria transmission. Taking drug (86.3%), use of mosquito nets (73.3%), drain stagnated water (68%), and house spay with insecticides (66%) were mentioned as the main malaria prevention methods. Mosquito net coverage and utilizations in the prior night were 98 and 75%, respectively. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage was 99%, of which 77.5% of study participants’ houses have been sprayed in the last 6 months. Conclusions The current study revealed that prevalence of malaria among febrile illnesses in the study area was relatively low (7.3%) with a high proportion of P. falciparum. Besides, participants had adequate knowledge, encouraging attitudes, and good practices about prevention and control of malaria. However, some misconceptions on malaria disease, its transmission, and prevention have been noted that actually require due attention by the concerned stakeholders. The findings of this study could be used as important inputs for the implementation of effective malaria prevention and control methods, including community health education programs, and scaling up coverage of evidence-based interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohannes Kebede ◽  
Morankar Sudhakar ◽  
Guda Alemayehu ◽  
Lakew Abebe ◽  
Zewdie Birhanu

Abstract Background Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) access-use has been pivotal monitoring indicator for malaria prevention and control, particularly in resource limited settings. The objective of the study was to compare ITN access-use based on universal household and population indicators and measures adapted to sleeping spaces. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, March, 2019. 762 HHs were sampled for the survey. Multi-stage followed by simple random sampling used. Monitoring and evaluation reference group’s (MERG’s) indicators were used for measuring ITN access-use. MERG’s indicators are each adapted ITN access-use to sleeping spaces. Household (ownership, saturation and sufficiency) and population access and household members’ status of last night sleeping under ITN compared based on the two models. Differences of estimates of ITN access-use based on the two methods reported as magnitude of over/under estimations, at p-value < 0.05. Results Based on MERG’s approach, the study revealed household (HH) based indicators as such: HH ownership of at least 1 ITN (92.6%), sufficiency of ITN for every two people in HH (50.3%), and saturation of ITN for every 2 people in HHs with any ITN (54.6%). Moreover, population based indicators were: population with ITN access (P3 = 78.6%), people who slept under ITN previous night (63.0%), people who slept under ITN among who accessed it (73.1%), ITN use-gap (26.9%). Equivalent indicators of HH ownership, sufficiency, saturation, and people accessed at where they actually slept, and people slept under ITN among those accessed at where they slept estimated at 71.3%, 49.4%, 69.3%, 66.3%, and 92.1%, respectively. MERG’s approach over-estimated ownership, people’s access, and behaviour-failures by 21.3%, 12.3%, 19.0%, respectively. Over-estimation occurred for reasons such as many sleeping spaces lack ITN and > 2 people actually slept per sleeping space. Conclusions MERG’s universal indicators over estimated households and populations ITN access-use as a result of absence of measures capturing access-use values at spaces where people actually slept. Consequently, measures adapted to sleeping contexts revealed potential misdistributions practiced when the existing indicators are in use. Insertion of sleeping spaces into existing approach will be worthwhile and needs to be promoted as it improves curiosity in ITN distribution, produces closer estimates and prevents malaria prevention and control programmes from overlooking access-use challenges.


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.


Author(s):  
Elnadi Hager ◽  
Ismail A. Odetokun ◽  
Obasanjo Bolarinwa ◽  
Ahmed Zainab ◽  
Ochulor Okechukwu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed and impacted lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 pandemic.A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary cross-sectional survey. The mean knowledge score was 14.7±2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors) and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards the preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 ± 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 ± 2.7. A satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly associated with good attitude and perceptions (p < 0.001) of respondents. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their country’s handling of the pandemic.It is imperative that to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. Governments need to strengthen health systems, improve their surveillance activities in detecting cases, and effectively apply standard infection prevention and control measures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 150-156
Author(s):  
Omar Yousof Mohamed Ali

This paper represented the founding of community based cross sectional study conducted to assess methods of prevention and control of malaria in Shendi city. Specifically it aims to evaluate the different methods of prevention service offered by local health authorities.Evaluation of community participation towards control of malaria and evaluation of personal protection against mosquito bite.Sample size of 192 was selected randomly out of 9000 households. An interview’ questionnaires and observations were used to collect the data from households, then the data was analyzed using both Microsoft Excel and Statistic Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS).The main results showed that Most dominant level of education of shendi populationwas university and secondary school.The study concludes that most population used personal protection against mosquito bites.


Author(s):  
Surinderpal Singh ◽  
Anurag Chaudhary ◽  
Mahesh Satija ◽  
Pranjl Sharma

Introduction: Knowledge is the beginning of prevention, and transformation of knowledge into preventive practices. Knowledge, attitude and practice surveys among populations provide useful information about community behaviour in prevention and control of infectious diseases like Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aim: To assess the knowledge, perceptions and practices of patients about COVID-19 visiting Outpatient Department (OPD) of a health training centre during lockdown period. Materials and Methods: A health centre based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 15th May 2020 for 15 days in Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) of Department of Community Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. All patients (18 years and above) who visited the healthcare facility for the first time (visit) during the study period were included in the study. A total of 485 participants recruited through consecutive sampling were interviewed using adapted World Health Organisation (WHO) and previously published questionnaire on knowledge (15 questions), perceptions (2 questions) and practices (3 questions). Knowledge score ranged from 0 to maximum 15. Analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square test were used to determine the difference between the groups for different variables at 0.05 level of significance. Results: Mean knowledge score of the participants was 10.6±2.1. Out of 485 participants (mean age 48.8±16.2 years), majority 425 (87.6%) knew about main clinical symptoms and 448 (92.4%) knew isolation and treatment of COVID-19 infected persons as an effective way of prevention and control of COVID-19. However, 284 (58.6%) and 276 (56.9%) participants knew about transmission through respiratory droplets and by touching contaminated surfaces, respectively. Educational status showed an independent association with higher knowledge. Total 190 (39.2%) of the participants agreed on stigma against specific individuals. Regularly washing of hands (77.7%), three layered masks (29.9%) and physical distancing (33.2%) were commonly followed practices. Higher knowledge score was significantly associated with regular handwashing practices (p<0.001) and wearing of three layered masks (p<0.001). Conclusion: Results highlighted good knowledge about COVID-19 of study participants. However, continued efforts over time are required to increase the COVID appropriate behavior regarding usage of face mask and physical distancing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohannes Kebede ◽  
Morankar Sudhakar ◽  
Guda Alemayehu ◽  
Lakew Abebe ◽  
Zewdie Birhanu

Abstract Background: Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) access-use has been pivotal monitoring indicator for malaria prevention and control, particularly in resource limited settings. Objectives: To compare ITN access-use based on universal household and population indicators and measures adapted to sleeping spaces Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, March, 2019. 762 HHs were sampled for the survey. We used multi-stage followed by simple random sampling. Monitoring and evaluation reference group’s (MERG’s) indicators were used for measuring ITN access-use. MERG’s indicators are each adapted ITN access-use to sleeping spaces. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Differences of estimates of ITN access-use based on the two methods reported as magnitude of over/under estimations, at p-value <0.05. Results: Based on MERG’s approach, the study revealed household (HH) based indicators as such: HH ownership of at least 1 ITN (92.6%), sufficiency of ITN for every two people in HH (50.3%), and saturation of ITN for every 2 people in HHs with any ITN (54.6%). Moreover, population based indicators were: population with ITN access (P3=78.6%), people who slept under ITN previous night (63.0%), people who slept under ITN among who accessed it (73.1%), ITN use-gap (26.9%). Equivalent indicators of HH ownership, sufficiency, saturation, people accessed at where they actually slept, and people slept under ITN among those who accessed where they slept estimated at 71.3%, 49.4%, 69.3%, 66.3%, and 92.1%, respectively. MERG’s approach over-estimated ownership, people’s access, and behavior-failures by 21.3%, 12.3%, 19.0%, respectively. Over-estimation occurred for reasons such as many sleeping spaces lack ITN and > 2 people actually sleep in one space. Conclusions: MERG’s universal indicators over estimated households and populations ITN access-use as a result of absence of measures capturing access-use values at spaces where people actually slept. Consequently, measures adapted to sleeping contexts revealed potential misdistributions practiced when the existing indicators are in use. Insertion of sleeping spaces into existing approach will be worthwhile and needs to be promoted as it improves curiosity in ITN distribution, produces closer estimates and prevents malaria prevention and control programs from overlooking access-use challenges.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yushi Mo ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Dewei Xiao ◽  
Shuqing Liu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND In face of the sudden epidemic of COVID-19, strict prevention and control measures had been urgently carried out all over China. Because of the long-term home quarantine, all kinds of people were affected by it. OBJECTIVE In order to understand the mental health of children during the pandemic of COVID-19, this study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of emotional and behavioral problems of children aged 1-11 in Guizhou. METHODS Based on the online survey platform, the survey link was pushed through Wechat in April 2020. Electronic questionnaires were used to investigate children's demographic characteristics, emotional or behavioral problems. RESULTS A total of 3505 valid questionnaires were received from 9 prefectures and cities in Guizhou Province. 39.67% of the children in the 1-2-year-old group had emotional problems. 17.63% of the children agd 3-5 years had behavioral or emotional problems. And 23.57% of the children agd 6-11 years havd behavioral problems. CONCLUSIONS During the home quarantine period of prevention and control of COVID-19, even young children were adversely affected. The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in children was high, which was mainly manifested as anxiety, difficulty in concentration and sleep problems.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.


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