scholarly journals Tungiasis in Western Kenya: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices of Household Heads – A Crossectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Andrew Okoth Aballa

Background: According to reports of AHADT Kenya, tungiasis afflicts four million Kenyans with 10 million more at risk of severe infestation. Anecdotal reports suggest that lack of knowledge and retrogressive beliefs and practices of household heads, them being the key decision makers in rural homes, might be barriers to the control of tungiasis. Objective: To assess the knowledge, perceptions, and practices of household heads regarding tungiasis in Kenya Methodology: A crossectional study was done in Otwenya Location, Maseno Division, Kenya. Seventy-eight (78) homes were visited and all their household members checked for the presence of tungiasis. Structured pretested questionnaires were used to collect the socio demographic data of household heads and the knowledge, perceptions, and practices around tungiasis evaluated. Data analysis was done using version 21 of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. A modified technique by Memon et al. was used to compute the knowledge and attitude scores. Fisher’s exact test with Cochran Mantel Haenszel statistics was used for data analyses at 95% CI. Results: Our data was collected in Urudi Rata (39.7%), Mbeka (35.6%), and Mariwa (24.4%) villages. Most houses had iron sheer roofs (93.6%) and floors plastered with dung or cement (60.3%). Household heads were mainly female (71.8%) with primary level education (67.9%). Tungiasis was found in 39.7% of households. Earth floors (OR=11.1, P<0.01) and overcrowding (OR=3.4, p=0.04) were risk factors for tungiasis. Most respondents (75.7%) had a moderate knowledge of tungiasis with it being lowest among heads with no formal education (OR=35.56 (1.7 to 732.6), p=0.02). The knowledge of tungiasis did not influence its occurrence in homes. (p=0.49). Most respondents (82.1%) had poor perceptions of tungiasis, which did not vary by the age, education, and gender of household. However, odds of infestation was over 4.9 times higher in homes where household head had negative perception of tungiasis (OR=4.9 p=0.03). The extraction of fleas (91.1%) was the commonest treatment option. Conclusion: Tungiasis is a common ectoparasitosis in rural Kenya with a prevalence of 19.5%. Household heads are knowledge about tungiasis. However, retrogressive beliefs, negligence, and stigma are barriers for its control.

Author(s):  
Maged Elnajeh ◽  
Hasanain Faisal Ghazi ◽  
Mohammed A. Abdalqader ◽  
Mohammed Faez Baobaid

Background: The aim of this research is to find out the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice towards blood donation and its association with socio-demographic factors, field of study, and blood groups of the students.Methods: A cross-section study was conducted among 679 university students using self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaires consist of 4 parts mainly socio-demographic data, knowledge towards blood donation (10 questions), attitude towards blood donation (6 questions) and practice towards blood donation (1 question).Results: Majority of respondents have good knowledge (97.1%), good attitude (88.8%); however majority of them have poor practice (70.3%). There was an association between Knowledge, and gender (p=0.001), attitude and field of study, blood group (p<0.001, 0.001 respectively). By using regression analysis, the only factor associated with Knowledge was gender with adjusted OR of 5.2.Conclusions: Most of the students have good knowledge and attitude but they have poor practice towards blood donation. More promotion and education are needed to encourage students for more blood donation in the future. 


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1893
Author(s):  
Christoph Randler ◽  
Ana Adan ◽  
Maria-Mihaela Antofie ◽  
Arturo Arrona-Palacios ◽  
Manecas Candido ◽  
...  

Animal Welfare Attitudes (AWA) are defined as human attitudes towards the welfare of animals in different dimensions and settings. Demographic factors, such as age and gender are associated with AWA. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among university students in a large convenience sample from twenty-two nations in AWA. A total of 7914 people participated in the study (5155 women, 2711 men, 48 diverse). Participants completed a questionnaire that collected demographic data, typical diet and responses to the Composite Respect for Animals Scale Short version (CRAS-S). In addition, we used a measure of gender empowerment from the Human Development Report. The largest variance in AWA was explained by diet, followed by country and gender. In terms of diet, 6385 participants reported to be omnivores, 296 as pescatarian, 637 ate a vegetarian diet and 434 were vegans (n = 162 without answer). Diet was related with CRAS-S scores; people with a vegan diet scored higher in AWA than omnivores. Women scored significantly higher on AWA than men. Furthermore, gender differences in AWA increased as gender inequality decreased.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097168582110159
Author(s):  
Sital Mohanty ◽  
Subhasis Sahoo ◽  
Pranay Kumar Swain

Science, technology and human values have been the subject of enquiry in the last few years for social scientists and eventually the relationship between science and gender is the subject of an ongoing debate. This is due to the event of globalization which led to the exponential growth of new technologies like assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART, one of the most iconic technological innovations of the twentieth century, has become increasingly a normal social fact of life. Since ART invades multiple human discourses—thereby transforming culture, society and politics—it is important what is sociological about ART as well as what is biological. This article argues in commendation of sociology of technology, which is alert to its democratic potential but does not concurrently conceal the historical and continuing role of technology in legitimizing gender discrimination. The article draws the empirical insights from local articulations (i.e., Odisha state in eastern India) for the understandings of motherhood, freedom and choice, reproductive right and rights over the body to which ART has contributed. Sociologically, the article has been supplemented within the broader perspectives of determinism, compatibilism alongside feminism.


Author(s):  
Hashim A. Mahdi ◽  
Hamza M. Assaggaf ◽  
Mohammad Alfelali ◽  
Omar B. Ahmed ◽  
Radi Alsafi ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants’ demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected. Four hundred participants aged 18–65 (median 36) years completed the survey, of which 215 (53.8%) were female. The visitors’ mean knowledge score about hand hygiene was 6.4 (± standard deviation (SD) 1.35) of total 12. Most participants (392, 98%) were aware of the role of hand hygiene in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); nevertheless, 384 (96%) said hand hygiene lowers body immunity and 316 (79%) thought <60% alcohol is sufficient for hand disinfection. Males had a higher knowledge score than females (6.46 (±1.41) vs. 6.14 (±1.27), p = 0.02) and, visitors who had no formal education scored higher than those with post-graduate education (6.88 (±1.45) vs 5.73 (±1.12), p = 0.01). Washing hands with soap and water was the predominant method practiced after a meal (365, 91.7%), after toilet visit (354, 88.5%), after touching a surface (262, 65.7%), after waste disposal (332, 83.2%), and when hands were visibly dirty (357, 89.5%). Al Madinah visitors had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene, but demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in practice that are crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19.


Urban Studies ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 004209802091641
Author(s):  
Zifeng Chen ◽  
Anthony Gar-On Yeh

The concept of conventional place-based accessibility, despite being well researched, tends to ignore people’s space–time constraints arising from mandatory activities (e.g. work and household duties), which confine people’s potential movement and delimit the accessible opportunities. As people with different socioeconomic statuses may have different space–time constraints even while living in similar locations, using the place-based measures could lead to an underestimation of accessibility inequality. This study applies a space–time measure to unravel the disparities in service accessibility in suburban China. Since the late 1970s, suburbanisation in Chinese cities has fostered income inequality and has elevated other dimensions (e.g. institutional status and gender) of disparity within each income class. Within this context, we conduct a case study of suburban neighbourhoods in Guangzhou, based on the activity diary data derived from a home-based questionnaire survey. Findings indicate that the use of a space–time measure effectively captures the disparities in service accessibility among residents in suburban Guangzhou. On the basis of structural equation modelling, we further identify that certain socioeconomic groups (e.g. high-income residents, public sector workers, local hukou holders, male household heads and welfare housing residents) tend to experience fewer space–time constraints from rigid activities, such as work, commuting and household duties, and are thus more advantaged in accessing service facilities. These findings imply that urban planning should address the space–time perspective to promote equal service access for the highly heterogeneous social groups in suburban China and to incorporate time-sensitive policies (e.g. flexitime policies).


Author(s):  
Beniamino Brunetti ◽  
Rosa Salzillo ◽  
Stefania Tenna ◽  
Bruno Brunetti ◽  
Mario Alessandri Bonetti ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Evidence in literature about the best reconstructive approach after melanoma resection is controversial, with some authors advocating that tissue rearrangement flap techniques might hinder the early detection of local relapses. The aim of the present study is to evaluate oncological, aesthetic, and functional outcomes following melanoma reconstruction using pedicled perforator-based flaps. Methods The authors reviewed all patients affected by melanoma treated during a 6-year period. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and operative variables were evaluated. Locoregional recurrence was assessed with clinical and radiological follow-up. One-year postoperatively patients rated on a 5-point Likert scale the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the procedure. Three blind observers examined preoperative and 1-year postoperative photographs and rated the aesthetic outcome of the reconstructive procedure. Results One-hundred sixty-five patients were treated with wide excision and delayed reconstruction, including pedicled perforator-based flaps in 70 patients (group A) and primary closure in 95 patients (group B). Mean Breslow thickness was 2.972 and 2.189 mm in group A and B, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in locoregional recurrence (chi-squared test, p = 0.8333; Fisher's exact test, p > 0.9999) between the two groups. Group A reported a higher satisfaction with both the aesthetic (mean rating 4.390 in group A and 4.094 in group B) and functional (mean rating 4.732 in group A and 4.170 in group B) outcomes of the procedure, the latter being statistically significant (p = 0.0006). Conclusion This series suggests that pedicled perforator-based flaps provide optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes in melanoma reconstruction without impairing the locoregional control of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
pp. 2824-2839
Author(s):  
Naomi M Saville ◽  
Macharaja Maharjan ◽  
Dharma S Manandhar ◽  
Helen A Harris-Fry

AbstractObjective:To model the potential impact and equity impact of fortifying rice on nutritional adequacy of different subpopulations in Nepal.Design:Using 24-h dietary recall data and a household consumption survey, we estimated: rice intakes; probability of adequacy (PA) of eight micronutrients commonly fortified in rice (vitamin A, niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), cobalamin (B12), thiamin (B1), folate (B9), Fe and Zn) plus riboflavin (B2), vitamin C and Ca and mean probability of adequacy (MPA) of these micronutrients. We modelled: no fortification; fortification of purchased rice, averaged across all households and in rice-buying households only. We compared adequacy increases between population subgroups.Setting:(i) Dhanusha and Mahottari districts of Nepal (24-h recall) and (ii) all agro-ecological zones of Nepal (consumption data).Participants:(i) Pregnant women (n 128), mothers-in-law and male household heads; (ii) households (n 4360).Results:Unfortified diets were especially inadequate in vitamins B12, A, B9, Zn and Fe. Fortification of purchased rice in rice-purchasing households increased PA > 0·9 for thiamin, niacin, B6, folate and Zn, but B12 and Fe remained inadequate even after fortification (PA range 0·3–0·9). Pregnant women’s increases exceeded men’s for thiamin, niacin, B6, folate and MPA; men had larger gains in vitamin A, B12 and Zn. Adequacy improved more in the hills (coefficient 0·08 (95 % CI 0·05, 0·10)) and mountains (coefficient 0·07 (95 % CI 0·01, 0·14)) but less in rural areas (coefficient −0·05 (95 % CI −0·09, −0·01)).Conclusions:Consumption of purchased fortified rice improves adequacy and gender equity of nutrient intake, especially in non-rice-growing areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fifi Khoirul Fitriyah ◽  
Nur Hidayah ◽  
Muslihati Muslihati ◽  
Im Hambali ◽  
Mursyidul Ibad

Although many studies have examined the relationship between spirituality and empathy, very few studies have focused on demographic and spiritual dimensions in influencing empathy for pre-service teachers. This study analyzes the effect of gender, age, and years of formal education on spirituality and empathy and analyzes the influence of the spiritual dimensions on empathy. This research is a cross-sectional study, with 319 Muslim pre-service teachers as respondents. The data collection technique used an online questionnaire adapted from the Spirituality Assessment Scale (SAS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The results show that age affects spirituality, while empathy is influenced by age and gender. One unanticipated finding was that years of formal education had no effect on either spirituality or empathy. The most important finding of this study is the higher the level of innerness, the more likely it is to have high empathy. This study's findings are useful as an assessment material and creating counseling designs to increase empathy for pre-service teachers. This is a part of forming the ideal profile of counselors in schools later. Integrating Islamic values ​​is also an essential alternative in counseling for Muslims.


Author(s):  
Anuja Jha ◽  
Manju Agrawal ◽  
Arvind Neral ◽  
Rajesh Hishikar ◽  
Basant Maheshwari

Background: Empirically chosen antibiotics based on the local resistance pattern of uropathogens remain the principle treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI).Methods: Antibiogram of most frequent uropathogen was determined. Based on the antibiogram result, authors compared effectiveness of drugs recommended for UTI by National centre for disease control (NCDC), India, and assessed age and gender based variability in the effectiveness of these drugs.Results: 1278 urine samples were accounted, of which 405 samples showed significant growth. E. coli was the most common uropathogen (n=146, 36%) followed by enterococcus species (31%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%). Using McNemar’s test authors found that nitrofurantoin (90% sensitivity) was statistically the most effective drug among drugs recommended by NCDC for uncomplicated cystitis. Furthermore, authors used Fisher’s exact test on adults and paediatrics and found that significant difference in effectiveness was observed for nitrofurantoin (p-value <0.001) and cotrimoxazole (p-value 0.034). Using logistic regression, authors found that with age, effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole deteriorate significantly (p-value 0.021 and 0.002 respectively). Additionally, authors observed that cotrimoxazole has significantly better efficacy in males compared to females (p-value 0.022).Conclusions: In accordance with present study, nitrofurantoin can be used as first line treatment for uncomplicated cystitis. Age and gender should be considered while prescribing empirical treatment for UTI. Periodic surveillance should be carried out to identify the on-going pattern of antibiogram to update the guideline for empirical therapy.


Author(s):  
Abdullah Musleh ◽  
Sarah Ali AlShehri ◽  
Anas Mohammed AlShehri ◽  
Sultan Khalid Kadasah ◽  
Mohammed Sharaf Alshahrani ◽  
...  

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Epistaxis is the common occurrence of bleeding from the nose. It is usually noticed when blood drains out through the nostrils. There are two types: anterior (the most common), and posterior (less common, more likely to require medical attention). Sometimes in more severe cases, the blood can come up the nasolacrimal duct and out from the eye<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted in main five hospitals in Aseer region targeting residents dealing with emergency room (ER) cases during the period from 1st July to 31st July, 2018. Data were collected using a pre-structured written questionnaire by the researchers. The questionnaire composed of three parts. First part was for residents’ demographic data. Second part considered epistaxis cases rate and treatment. Third part covered 10 questions for knowledge regarding epistaxis<span lang="EN-IN">.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total sample of 165 residents was involved with ages ranged from 27 years to 32 years old and 65.5% of the sampled residents were males. Exact of 47.3% of the residents were ER residents and 24.2% were general practitioners (GPs)<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-IN">Conclusions:</span></strong><span lang="EN-IN"> Nearly one out of each four residents had good awareness level regarding epistaxis especially GPs and ER residents. Position of patients with epistaxis and sites of epistaxis were the only items well known by residents. </span></p>


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