scholarly journals Implementation Challenges of Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin Program for Control of Onchocerciasis in Ulanga, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Vivian Mushi
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Drug Distribution ◽  
Dose Calculation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Drug Distributors ◽  
Onchocerciasis Control

Background: Community drug distributors (CDDs) have a crucial role in distributing ivermectin for onchocerciasis control and prevention. Their roles, experiences and challenges faced in the implementation of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) programme could potentially affect coverage, consequently leading to persistent transmission. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experience and the roles which CDDs plays in implementation of community directed treatment with ivermectin program for onchocerciasis control in Ulanga, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect qualitative data in 2018 in Ulanga district, Tanzania. Five community drug distributors were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Thematic framework approach for qualitative data analysis was used to generate codes, categories and themes. Results: Out of the five community drug distributors interviewed, two had experience of 15 to 20 years on implementation of the community directed treatment with ivermectin programme while the remaining community drug distributors had experience of less than 10 years. The main challenges faced by CDDs in the implementation of the CDTI programme include; the geographical location of the hamlets (hard to reach hamlets), long distances between houses, low compliance of community members to medication due to fear of side effects experienced before and mistrust of methods of dose calculation, short time of drug distribution and absence of people from their households as the exercise was conducted when community members were involved in agricultural activities. Conclusions: The challenges faced in the implementation of the CDTI programme could negatively affect the distribution and coverage of ivermectin treatment in the Ulanga district. It’s now an opportune time to address the challenges that CDDs are facing in the implementation of the CDTI programme to ensure effective control of onchocerciasis in the district.

Community drug distributors’ experiences and challenges faced in the implementation of community-directed treatment with ivermectin programme for onchocerciasis control in Ulanga, Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Mushi
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Drug Distribution ◽  
Dose Calculation ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Community Drug Distributors ◽  
Onchocerciasis Control

Abstract Background: Community drug distributors (CDDs) have a crucial role in distributing ivermectin for onchocerciasis control and prevention. Their experiences and challenges faced in the implementation of the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) programme could potentially affect coverage, consequently leading to persistent transmission. Therefore, this study aimed to explore CDDs experiences and challenges faced in the implementation of the CDTI programme in Ulanga, Tanzania.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Ulanga, Tanzania, in 2018. An in-depth interview guide was used to collect data from 5 CDDs above 18 years who were selected purposively. The analysis was performed using a thematic framework approach to generate codes, categories and themes.Results: Out of the five CDDs interviewed, two had 15 to 20 years of experience in the implementation of the CDTI programme, while the remaining CDDs had less than 10 years of experience. The main challenges faced by CDDs in the implementation of the CDTI programme include the geographical location of the hamlets (hard to reach hamlets), long distances between houses, low compliance of community members to medication due to fear of side effects experienced before and mistrust of methods of dose calculation, short time of drug distribution and absence of people from their households as the exercise was conducted when community members were involved in agricultural activities.Conclusions: The use of CDDs in the implementation of the CDTI programme has been successful despite the challenges mentioned. It is now opportune time to address the challenges that CDDs are facing in the implementation of the CDTI programme to ensure effective control of onchocerciasis in the district.

scholarly journals HANDLING DISTRUST ON RISK COMMUNICATION IN NIGERIA: A STRATEGY TO STRENGTHENING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK RESPONSE

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Priscilla Onaopemipo Akosile ◽  
Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika Afolabi ◽  
Victor Okoliko Ukwenya
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the level of trust in the COVID-19 risk communication efforts in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among community members aged 15 years and above in Ondo state in October, 2020. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies. Trust was ranked from “1” implying “Low level of trust” to “7” denoting “High level of trust”. We conducted bivariate Chi-square test on respondents’ level of trust in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and socio-demographic characteristics. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results Among the 691 respondents, 244 (35.3%) were aged 21 to 29 years, and 304 (51.4%) used the NCDC to obtain COVID-19 knowledge. Overall, 205 (41.8%) had high level of trust in the NCDC. Furthermore, 51 (51.5%) individuals aged 30-39 years had high level of trust in the NCDC (ᵡ2=17.455, p= 0.001). Also, 114 (48.5%) persons who lived with children below 18 years had high level of trust in the NCDC (ᵡ2= 8.266, p= 0.004). Conclusion Policy makers should prioritize the involvement of young and educated persons in COVID-19 risk communication strategies.

scholarly journals An AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC ALANALYSIS OF LABORATORY CONFIRMED CASES OF CHIKUNGUNYA, PAKISTAN, 2016-2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-156
Author(s):  
Nosheen Ashraf ◽  
Sana Habib Abbasi ◽  
Fariha Munir ◽  
Amna Ali ◽  
M. Akram Qamar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Age Range

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease that is spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Disease mostly occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Recent outbreak of chikungunya was reported in 2017 in Karachi, Pakistan, after which sporadic cases were reported from different areas of Pakistan. There are very limited demographic data available for chikungunya in Pakistan and therefore, further information is required. The current study will provide latest information to assist public health professionals and policy makers in order to provide effective management of cases by means of appropriate resource. Methods: In this cross sectional study, information regarding 750 laboratory confirmed cases from Dec 2016 to Apr 2018 were collected from the virology laboratory, NIH. Data regarding age, sex, reporting facility, district and province were collected. Data entry and cleaning was done in Microsoft excel and descriptive analysis using epiInfo. The data were grouped, tabulated and represented graphically while geographical location of the cases was mapped. Results: A total of 403(53.73%) cases were male and 347 (46.27%) female with an age range from 0.6 to 80 years and the mean age was (32.5+- 17.5). The most affected age group was 20 to 29 Years. Sindh remained the most affected province with 494 (65.87%) cases reported followed by KP with 167 (22.27%) cases. The highest number of cases [148(19.7%)] were reported in May 2017. Conclusion: Provision and sharing of accurate and timely data can reduce the risk and spread of the disease.

Maternal Healthcare Services Along Indo-Bangladesh Bordering Districts: Exploring Effects of Social Determinants on Access to Maternal Healthcare Services.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayan Jyoti Nath ◽  
Bedanga Talukdar ◽  
Tanu Shukla ◽  
Sangeeta Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Peripheral Region ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Utilization Of Healthcare

Abstract Background Regardless of government efforts toward ameliorating easy access and utilization of healthcare services, the disparity in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is significantly higher across states of India. Post-Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equity in healthcare largely remain in the health policy discourse. The policy implementation's effectiveness remained confined to the central geographical location, remotely reaching the peripheral region. The study seeks to assess socio-demographic and household wealth's effect on the access and utilization of healthcare services among women. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 women aged 15–49 years in three Indian districts of Assam that share an international border with Bangladesh. Results The study's findings reported that utilization and accessibility are primarily influenced by households' wealth and women's age. Education qualification has no significant effect on healthcare utilization. Younger women from wealthier households are more likely to utilize government healthcare services in India's borderline regions. Conclusion Besides educating women, the availability of healthcare resources and empowering the livelihood resources in the peripheral region should be prioritized. In these fragile areas, efforts to empower women and their families to seek healthcare should be strengthened, which shall enhance well-being.

Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the nature of an Episode.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiros Fenta ◽  
Tewolde Wubayehu ◽  
Nega Mamo Bezabih ◽  
Yrgalem Meles ◽  
Goitom Mehari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Facility Level ◽  
Psychogenic Illness ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Mass psychogenic illness has been documented for more than 600 years in a variety of culture, ethnic, and religious settings. The aim of this study was to assess the nature and characteristics of mass psychogenic illness in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, Methods School based cross-sectional study was conducted in haraza elementary school from January –February, 2020. Students who were victims of an episode were subjects of the study. A total of twelve students were investigated using semi-structured questionnaire for quantitative study. Seven key informant interviews were conducted using guiding questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using XL sheet while qualitative data was analyzed manually. Result the mean age of study participants was 14 years (SD±1.3). Majority (87%) were teenage female students. The incident was unspecified disease with psychiatric disorder, migraine and syncope with no plausible organic causes. An important feature of migraine and syncope was their co-morbidity with mass psychogenic illness. The community perceived that Evil-devil force and blaming as being an evil-eye were common causes for the occurrence of an episode. Conclusion lack of empirical knowledge and awareness about its management and prevention among community members and health professionals resulted exaggerated rumor that would perceived as newly emerging disease that affected school activities. Integrating MPI in PHEM package at health facility level, advocacy workshops for media and other relevant stakeholders will minimize its impact for the future.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Concurrent Prescription Opioid and Hazardous Alcohol Use Among Older Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study of Community Members

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirsada Serdarevic ◽  
Kelly K. Gurka ◽  
Catherine W. Striley ◽  
Krishna Vaddiparti ◽  
Linda B. Cottler
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol

scholarly journals Relationship between social capital indicators and lifestyle in Brazilian adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1636-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Roberto Loch ◽  
Regina Kazue Tanno de Souza ◽  
Arthur Eumann Mesas ◽  
David Martinez-Gómez ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Relationship

The present study examined the relationship between indicators of social capital and health-related behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1,062 participants representative of the population aged 40 years or older from a city in Southern Brazil. The following indicators of social capital were examined: number of friends, number of people they could borrow money from when in need; extent of trust in community members; number of times members of the community help each other; community safety; and extent of membership in community activities. Also, an overall score of social capital including all indicators was calculated. A poor social capital was associated with insufficient leisure-time physical activity (OR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.07-2.70), low consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.05-2.24), and smoking (OR = 1.97; 95%CI: 1.21-3.21). No clear association was found between capital social and binge drinking. A score of social capital showed an inverse relationship with the number of prevalent risk behaviors (p < 0.001). These results reinforce that policies to promote health should consider social capital.

scholarly journals Britain Breathing: using the experience sampling method to collect the seasonal allergy symptoms of a country

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markel Vigo ◽  
Lamiece Hassan ◽  
William Vance ◽  
Caroline Jay ◽  
Andrew Brass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Experience Sampling ◽  
Experience Sampling Method ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Seasonal Allergies ◽  
Allergy Symptom

Abstract Objective Allergies are increasing, but the reasons for this are unclear. Although environmental factors are thought to be important, there is a lack of data on how they contribute to symptom development. To understand this relationship better, we need accurate data about both symptoms and environmental factors. Our objective here is to ascertain whether experience sampling is a reliable approach for collecting allergy symptom data in the general population, allowing us to map symptoms and understand etiology. Materials and Methods We conducted a 32-week cross-sectional study where individuals reported their seasonal allergy symptoms and severity via a mobile application. Symptom geographical location and timestamp were also collected automatically. Results The experience sampling method reliably infers the incidence of seasonal allergies as indicated by the strong correlation (r = 0.93, P &lt; .003) between the reported lack of wellness and the number of antihistamines prescribed by General Practitioners. Discussion and Conclusion The project has resulted in the first dataset to map allergy symptoms over time and place and reveals periods of peak hay fever symptoms in the UK.

scholarly journals Comparing the Lifestyle of Veteran and Non-Veteran Families in Tehran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Alireza Afshani ◽  
Seyed Mostajad Hosseini-motlagh
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lifestyle Questionnaire ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Descriptive Level

Introduction: Lifestyle of a community members  should be investiagted, especially in the devotees and their families. The present research aimed at measuring and comparing the lifestyle status of veteran and non-veteran families in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population included the veteran and non-veteran families in Tehran City and the sample size included 360 people. The research instruments were Lali, Abedi, and Kajbaf’s Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ) (2012), and All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS, 2013). The data were analyzed by SPSS v.24. At the descriptive level, graphing was performed and at the inferential level, Pearson, t-test, Friedman, and analysis of variance tests were run. Results: A significant difference was observed between the mean scores of lifestyle in two groups of Veteran and Non-Veteran in Tehran. No significant difference was found between the lifestyle scores of men and women in the Non-Veteran group as well as between the mean scores of the single and married lifestyle in the Veteran and Non-Veteran group (P<0/05). However, a significant relationship was found between health literacy and lifestyle of the veteran and non-veteran participants (p<0/05). Conclusion: The results showed that lifestyle should be considerd as a set of observable behaviors and health literacy should be investiagted as predicting variables in promoting lifestyle in the Veteran and Non-Veteran groups.

scholarly journals Active Surveillance, Drug Resistance, and Genotypic Profiling of Staphylococcus aureus Among School-Age Children in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingshao Liang ◽  
Xiaoyun Liang ◽  
Fei Gao ◽  
Yan Long ◽  
Jialiang Mai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multi Locus Sequence Typing ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Resistance Rates

Methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization predisposes individuals for endogenous infections and is a major threat to children. Recently, oxacillin/cefoxitin-susceptible mecA-positive S. aureus (OS-MRSA) has been reported worldwide. Herein, a prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted across five schools, representing three educational stages, in Guangzhou, China. Nasal swabs from 2,375 students were cultured for S. aureus and all isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing phenotypically and confirmed by femB and mecA genetic detection; all the isolates were classified as MSSA, MRSA, or OS-MRSA. All strains were also analyzed by multi-locus sequence typing. Among the 2,375 swabs, S. aureus was detected in 744 children (31.3%, 95% CI: 25.9–36.7%), of whom 72 had MRSA (3.0%, 95% CI: 0.6–5.4%) and 4 had OS-MRSA (0.2%, 95% CI: 0.1–0.3%), of which an oxacillin- and cefoxitin-susceptible MRSA strain was identified. The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA was higher in younger children. The highest percentage of drug resistance of the S. aureus isolates (n = 744) was to penicillin (85.5%), followed by erythromycin (43.3%) and clidamycin (41.0%). The most prevalent sequence types (STs) were ST30, ST45, and ST188 in MSSA, accounting for 38.7% of the total isolates, whereas ST45, ST59, and ST338 accounted for 74.6% of the MRSA isolates and ST338 accounted for 50.0% of the OS-MRSA isolates. The MRSA and OS-MRSA isolates (n = 76) were grouped into three clades and one singleton, with clonal complex (CC) 45 as the most predominant linkage. The top nine multi-locus sequence typing-based CCs (CC30, CC45, CC5, CC1, CC15, CC944, CC398, CC59, CC7) represented 86.7% of all S. aureus isolates. All CC30 isolates were resistant to erythromycin and clidamycin, and almost all these isolates were also resistant to penicillin (99.2%). The CC45 and CC59 isolates exhibited high resistance rates to oxacillin at 31.5 and 59.0%, respectively. This study provides updated data valuable for designing effective control strategies to mitigate the burden of disease and to improve the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial treatments for potentially harmful infections.

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