scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among Pregnant Women at a Primary Health Care Facility in Durban, South Africa

Author(s):  
A. M. Hoque ◽  
S. Buckus ◽  
M. Hoque ◽  
M. E. Hoque ◽  
G. Van Hal

A vaccine represents the most promising strategy for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic through primary prevention. No study has been reported on the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa (SA) and in the region. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Kwadabeka Community Health Center (KCHC), Durban. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors for vaccine acceptability among pregnant women. About two-thirds of pregnant women (63.3%) may accept COVID-19 vaccination once it becomes available in SA. Participants who were <22 years of age were 72% less likely (OR=0.28, CI: 0.13 -0.62) to accept the vaccine, compared to those who were >39 years old. Women with 0-1 parity were 4.3 times more likely (OR=4.3, CI: 1.98-9.48) to accept the vaccine than those with four or more parity. Single pregnant women were less likely (OR=0.23, CI: 0.10- 0.51) to accept the vaccine than those living with their partners. Employed pregnant women had four times more chances of accepting the vaccine (OR= 4.2, CI: 2.28-7.75) than unemployed pregnant women. It was also found that having a positive attitude towards vaccination increased the chance of accepting the vaccine by four times (OR=4.05, CI: 1.89-8.69). Our study found a 63.3% acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine, but there were noticeable demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice disparities observed in vaccine acceptance among pregnant women. Before a COVID-19 vaccine is introduced to SA, public health officials and policymakers must prioritize effective COVID-19 vaccine-acceptance messages and mass education for all South Africans, especially for the most vulnerable.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
A. M. Hoque ◽  
M. Hoque ◽  
M. E. Hoque ◽  
G. Van Hal

The COVID-19 epidemic has impacted significantly on the general population including pregnant women. The psychological impact of COVID-19 among vulnerable population like pregnant women is yet to be estimated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety, depression, and overall psychological problems. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among black pregnant women attending a Primary Health Care facility in South Africa. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the significant factors for psychological problems. A total of 346 pregnant women participated in this study. The rates of anxiety, depression and overall psychological problems were 35.7%, 38.2% and 34.3% respectively. Gestational age between 14-26 weeks were 60% (OR=.397, p<0.05), part-time employment 53% (OR=0.47, p<0.05) and pregnant women having adequate funding for monthly expenses were 62% less likely (OR=0.381, p<0.05) to have anxiety problems. Married women were 2.5 times more likely (OR=2.54, p<0.05) and women living together or widowed were 2.9 times more likely (OR=2.91, p<0.05) to have anxiety. Pregnant women aged between 20-29 years were nine times (OR=9.03, p=0.016), women aged 30 to 39 years were 6.3 times (OR=6.3, p=0.032) more likely to have depression. Parity one 91% (OR=0.094, p=0.007), parity two 86% (OR=.143, p=0.027) and part-time employment 65% (OR=0.354, p=0.002) were less likely to have depression. Comparing with women aged >39 years, women who were between 20-29 years were 28 times (OR=27.8, p<0.01) and women aged between 30-39 years were nine times more likely to have overall psychological problems. Respondents with parity one was 83% (OR=0.17, p<0.05) less likely to have psychological problems when compared with other parity groups and women having adequate funding were 65% less likely (OR=0.35, p<0.05) to have overall psychological problems than those did not have adequate funding. Higher rates of anxiety, depression and overall psychological problems are found among black pregnant women. It is therefore imperative that appropriate and timely mental health care supports are provided to reduce adverse health outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Klingberg ◽  
Esther M. F. van Sluijs ◽  
Stephanie T. Jong ◽  
Catherine E. Draper

Abstract Background Nurturing care interventions have the potential to promote health and development in early childhood. Amagugu Asakhula was designed to promote developmentally important dietary and movement behaviours among children of preschool age (3–5 years) in South Africa. An initial formative study in Cape Town found the intervention to be feasible and acceptable when delivered by community health workers (CHWs) linked to a community-based organisation. This study evaluated the delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention by CHWs linked to a public sector primary health care facility in Soweto, as this mode of delivery could have more potential for sustainability and scalability. Methods A qualitative design was utilised to assess feasibility, acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, implementation, fidelity and context. CHWs (n = 14) delivered the intervention to caregivers (n = 23) of preschool-age children in Soweto over 6 weeks. Following the completion of the intervention, focus group discussions were held with CHWs and caregivers. Further data were obtained through observations, study records and key informant interviews (n = 5). Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis guided by a process evaluation framework. Results The delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention through CHWs linked to a primary health care facility in Soweto was not found to be feasible due to contextual challenges such as late payment of salaries influencing CHW performance and willingness to deliver the intervention. CHWs expressed dissatisfaction with their general working conditions and were thus reluctant to take on new tasks. Despite barriers to successful delivery, the intervention was well received by both CHWs and caregivers and was considered a good fit with the CHWs’ scope of work. Conclusions Based on these findings, delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention is not recommended through public sector CHWs in South Africa. This feasibility study informs the optimisation of implementation and supports further testing of the intervention’s effectiveness when delivered by CHWs linked to community-based organisations. The present study further demonstrates how implementation challenges can be identified through qualitative feasibility studies and subsequently addressed prior to large-scale trials, avoiding the wasting of research and resources.


Author(s):  
Ekta Arora ◽  
Nidhi Budh ◽  
Rohit Katre ◽  
Bratati Banerjee

Another decade is suffering from the wrath of another coronavirus. Currently, this pandemic has spread to almost all countries of the world taking lives of millions of people globally. This study has uncovered the perceived facts about COVID-19 by general population as well as the effect of IEC in modulating their perception and presenting right amount of information in a scientific manner. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out at rural health training center, Barwala on patients attending out-patient department at RHTC, for a duration of 2 months. Pre-tested questionnaire for assessing public perception and awareness were used to collect data. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to find out association between different variables. Majority of study subjects (98.5%) were aware about the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. Out of the total study subjects, 90% of them had correct knowledge about various preventive strategies undertaken to break the chain of transmission. However, only about half of the study subjects (53.1%) had correct knowledge regarding various modes of transmission of novel coronavirus. Motivating the people to report any possible infection and to follow the preventive strategies being recommended by experts on timely basis is an important aspect to curb the ongoing menace of COVID-19.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 716-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha E van Stuijvenberg ◽  
Serina E Schoeman ◽  
Carl J Lombard ◽  
Muhammad A Dhansay

AbstractObjectiveTo assess serum retinol, liver intake patterns, breast-feeding history and anthropometric status in pre-school children of a low socio-economic community where liver is regularly consumed.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNorthern Cape Province, South Africa.SubjectsChildren aged 1–6 years (n243) who attended the local primary health-care facility and had not received a vitamin A supplement in the 6 months preceding the study. Non-pregnant female caregivers (n225), below 50 years of age, were also assessed.ResultsDespite stunting, underweight and wasting being prevalent in 40·5 %, 23·1 % and 8·4 % of the children, only 5·8 % had serum retinol concentrations < 20 μg/dl, which is in sharp contrast to the national prevalence of 63·6 %. None of the caregivers were vitamin A deficient. Liver was eaten by 89·2 % of children, with 87 % of households eating liver at least once monthly and 30 % eating it at least once weekly; liver was introduced into the diet of the children at a median age of 18 months. Ninety-three per cent of the children were being breast-fed or had been breast-fed in the past; children were breast-fed to a median age of 18 months. A significant negative correlation was found between educational level of the caregiver and frequency of liver intake (r= −0·143,P=0·032). There was no correlation between serum retinol and indicators of anthropometric or socio-economic status.ConclusionsThe blanket approach in applying the national vitamin A supplementation programme may not be appropriate for all areas in the country, even though the community may be poor and undernourished.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-335
Author(s):  
Surendra Nath Soren ◽  
Partha Sarathi Sahu

: Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) is considered as a good indicator of maternal nutritional status in pregnant women. Very few studies have been done to establish a relationship between MUAC and birth weight of newborn. This study was carried out to analyze the relationship between MUAC and birth weight of newborn in a tertiary health care facility.This cross sectional study was conducted in 240term pregnant women. MUAC was measured to the nearest millimeters using a non-stretchable tape at the midpoint between acromian process and olecranon process. Newborn baby weight was measured within 24 hrs of birth. The association between MUAC and birth weight was established by linear regression analysis.The mean of MUAC among pregnant women delivering LBW was 21.68±2.27 cm which was significantly low (p&#60;0.001) compared to women delivering normal babies (23.47±2.56 cm). There wasa positive correlation(r=0.32;p&#60;0.05)between MUAC and birth weight of newborn.The cut off value of MUAC for the prediction of LBW in our study was found to be 22.59 cm with 62.77% sensitivity and 71.55% specificity.Among the various maternal factors for the prediction of LBW, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be correlated with birth weight outcome effectively.


Curationis ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Peltzer ◽  
T Mosala ◽  
O Shisana ◽  
A Nqeteko

The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of delivery services in the context of PMTCT in a rural community in South Africa. Based on a cross-sectional survey, the sample included 870 pregnant women who had delivered before recruited from five PMTCT clinics and surrounding communities. Results indicated that 55.9% had delivered their last child in a health care facility and 44.1% at home (mostly without assistance from a traditional birth attendant). The odds of access to the health facility were (1) women who stayed close to the hospital (OR=2.87), (2) those who had higher formal education (OR=l .55), (3) higher traveling costs (affordability) to get to nearest clinic (OR=1.77), and (4) those who were single (OR=1.58). Childbirth experiences of the mother or mother-in-law greatly influenced the delivery choices in terms of home delivery. The majority of the pregnant women were aware of mother-to-child HIV transmission but only 9% of the pregnant women had ever been tested for HIV. HIV knowledge, HIV testing behaviour and attitudes were found to be not associated with the delivery option.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093783
Author(s):  
Francesc X. Marin-Gomez ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Pere Roura Poch ◽  
Carles Janes Sariola ◽  
Rosa Taberner Ferrer ◽  
...  

Skin conditions are one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a primary health care facility, making it of vital importance that general practitioners (GPs) have the right knowledge and tools to diagnose the most frequent dermatological conditions. Methods: This study evaluates the accuracy of dermatological diagnoses made by 120 GPs based on photographs taken with a smartphone by an anonymous online cross-sectional survey. Results: The study was carried out between August and October 2018. The results show that the majority of the participants are in favor of using mobile phones to communicate with other professionals and use them to consult medical images. The majority (69%) took dermatological photographs and the preferred device was a smartphone (70%). From 22 different images evaluated, in 69% of responses, participants expressed a high degree of confidence in their ability to diagnose the lesion shown and in 72% of the cases, the diagnosis chosen was correct. Conclusions: The study confirms that the use of smartphone to send medical images is growing rapidly and its potential for taking medical images is an opportunity to help primary care teams deal with dermatological problems. The results suggest that GPs need further training in interpreting dermatological images, to increase their diagnostic confidence and to avoid the need for referrals to face-to-face visits.


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