scholarly journals Social Factors Associated With Adherence to Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Among Rural and Semi-urban Communities in Western Maharashtra, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhas P. Shewale ◽  
Suvarna Sanjay Sane ◽  
Dhammasagar Dnyaneshwar Ujagare ◽  
Rais Patel ◽  
Sudipto Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
The Government

Background: To control the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, the Government of India (GoI) had taken stringent precautionary measures during the lockdown period. This study aimed to explore determinants affecting adherence to protective measures against COVID-19 infection among rural and semi-urban settings of Maharashtra, India.Methods: A cross-sectional telephonic survey among 1,016 adults from randomly selected households was conducted between June 5 and July 16, 2020. The data were explored for knowledge, awareness, practices related to protective measures, and self-risk perception. Socio-demographic and attitudinal correlates of failure to use protective measures against COVID-19 were measured.Results: In the survey, 72% of the participants were men. The mean age was 46 years (SD: 13.8). The main source of information was television (91%); however, information from healthcare providers (65%) and mass media announcements (49%) was trustworthy. Washing hands immediately with soap after returning from outdoors was reported by 95% of the respondents, always using a mask while outdoors by 94%, never attended social gatherings by 91%, always using hand sanitizer while outside by 77%, and 68% of the respondents followed all protective measures. The knowledge score [mean score 20.3 (SD: 2.4) out of 24] was independently associated with the risk of not using protective measures, with each unit increase in knowledge score, the risk of not using protective measures reduced by 16%. No source of income was independently associated with not using protective measures [AOR 1.5 95% CI (1.01–2.3)].Conclusions: The COVID-19 public health interventions and behavior change communication strategies should be specifically directed towards the low socio-economic populations through trusted sources. The association between knowledge and practices demonstrates the importance of accurate public health communication to optimally follow preventive measures, such as structural interventions to address poverty and employment policies to address the unemployment crisis are required. Surveillance activity is needed to understand the actual behavior change among the population.

scholarly journals Public Response, Anxiety and Behaviour during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4628
Author(s):  
Amani Salem Alqahtani ◽  
Meshael Mohammed Alrasheed ◽  
Ada Mohammed Alqunaibet
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Public Response ◽  
Social Events ◽  
Phone Survey ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Government

This study aims to investigate public response attitude, anxiety, practices and trust in the authorities’ mitigation plan during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. A national cross sectional phone survey was conducted among Saudi residents aged 16 years and above. A total of 90,421 (45.2%) individuals participated in the study. Of those, the overall rate of COVID-19 correct knowledge was 82% (mean: 9.84); social media was the most reported source of knowledge. Younger age, low levels of education and foreign residents were associated with poor knowledge. Overall, 49.5% scored 5 or more on the GAD-7 test, indicating anxiety symptoms, 19.2% of them scored 10 and above, suggesting moderate to severe anxiety. Majority of participants (>78%) trusted and supported the interventions implemented by the government to control COVID-19. Social distancing practices among participants was as following, 72.5% stayed at home and avoid going out for nonessential business and 49.5% avoided attending social events and family gatherings. Trust in authorities, being anxious, worry and levels of knowledge about the disease, were the most common factors affecting adoption of the recommended practices. Continuous evaluation of public response about COVID-19, and the effectiveness of protective measures is essential to better inform policy-makers and identify ways of encouraging behaviour change among public during pandemic.

scholarly journals Analysis of Community’s Knowledge of Hepatitis A Disease and Vaccines in Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwi Endarti ◽  
Irfan Ahmad ◽  
Tri Murti Andayani
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
National Immunization Program ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Government ◽  
Central Sulawesi

Hepatitis A is a viral disease with a high potential for morbidity and mortality which is also the second highest incidence in Indonesia after hepatitis B. The purpose of this research is to measure knowledge of Indonesian community about hepatitis A disease and vaccine and to analyze the factors related to knowledge. This study used an observational survey research design applying a cross-sectional multi-center approach. The number of sample was 500 respondents located in 5 provinces in Indonesia, namely DIY, Lampung, West Java, North Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire that was modified from the questionnaire in a similar study before. The results showed that the mean of knowledge score obtained was 75.2% ± 12.2% with a median of 76.9%. There are 2 items of knowledge that were lack understood by respondents, namely treatment of hepatitis A that cannot be treated with antibiotics and immunizations and hepatitis A is not included yet in the national immunization program in Indonesia. Statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney test showed that there were significant differences score of knowledge between groups on the characteristics of the number of dependents (p=0,000), experience of hearing a disease (p=0,000), experience of hearing a vaccine (p=0,000) and the experience of the child being vaccinated (p=0,000). It is recommended that the government conducts education programs for the community of Indonesia to improve knowledge related to hepatitis A diseases and the benefits of using hepatitis Avaccine.

scholarly journals Analisis Hubungan Sikap dan Pengetahuan Keluarga dengan Penerapan Program Indonesia Sehat dengan Pendekatan Keluarga

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Ifon Driposwana Putra ◽  
Ulfa Hasana
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Approach ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Improve Health

<p><em>The government has proclaimed Healthy Indonesia Program with Family Approach (PIS-PK), aiming to improve health level of its people; howeverthe implementation is far from satisfying and not equally distributed so that there is still a low degree of public health. This study aims to analyze the relationship between attitudes and family knowledge with the adoption of the Healthy Indonesia Program with a family approach in Pekanbaru. The type of research is descriptive correlation with cross sectional approach. The sample in this study was 100 families. The result of bivariate analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between family’s attitudes toward PIS-PK, with p value of 0.018. On the other hand, it also showed that there was no significant correlation between family’s knowledge toward PIS-PK, with p value only 0.159. It is hoped that this study can be used as leaning materials, references for health officers, as well as suggestions regarding the implementation of PIS-PK</em></p><p><em><em>Pemerintah telah membuat Program Indonesia Sehat melalui penedekatan keluarga (PIS-PK) dengan tujuan agar meningkatnya derajat kesehatan masyarakat, namun dalam penerapannya masih belum maksimal dan merata sehingga masih terdapat derajat kesehatan masyarakat yang masih rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan sikap dan pengetahuan keluarga dengan penerapan Program Indonesia Sehat dengan pendekatan keluarga di Pekanbaru. Jenis penelitian desktiptif korelasi dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 100 Keluarga. Hasil analisis bivariat didapatkan bahwa ada hubungan yang signifikan antara sikap keluarga dengan penerapan PIS-PKmdengan p value adalah 0,018. Didapatkan juga bahwa tidak ada hubungan yang signifikan antara pengetahuan keluarga dengan penerapan PIS-PK dengan nilai p value adalah 0,159. Hasil penelitian ini dapat dijadikan bahan ajar dan menjadi acuan oleh petugas kesehatan serta menjadi masukan untuk dalam penerapan PIS-PK</em></em></p>

scholarly journals Analisis Tingkat Pengetahuan Masyarakat Terhadap Penyakit dan Vaksin Hepatitis A di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan Ahmad ◽  
Dwi Endarti ◽  
Tri Murti Andayani
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Government ◽  
Central Sulawesi

Hepatitis A is a viral disease with a high potential for morbidity and mortality. It is also the second highest viral disease in Indonesia after hepatitis B. Community’s knowledge regarding Hepatitis A disease dan vaccine is required to support such program for eradication of Hepatitis A. The aims of this study was to measure the knowledge of Indonesian community about hepatitis A disease and its vaccine indicated from knowledge score of correct answer towards questionnaire, as well as to analyze the factors that can influence it indicated from difference of mean of knowledge scores among groups of respondents characteristics. This study used an observational survey research design applying a cross-sectional multi-center approach. The number of sample was 500 respondents located in 5 provinces in Indonesia, namely DIY, Lampung, West Java, Central Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire that was modified from the questionnaire in a similar previous study. The results showed that public knowledge related to diseases and hepatitis A vaccine in Indonesia was considered sufficient with the mean score obtained was 75.2% ± 12.2%. Statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney test showed that there were significant differences in score of knowledge between groups on the characteristics of experience of hearing a disease (p=0,000), experience of hearing a vaccine (p=0,000) and the experience of the child being vaccinated (p=0,000). There are 2 items of knowledge that werelack understood by respondents, namely treatment of hepatitis A that cannot be treated with antibiotics and immunizations and hepatitis A is not included yet in the national immunization program in Indonesia. It is concluded that community knowledge regarding hepatitis A disease and vaccine was fair (mean knowledge score between 65 – 80%). However, the government still needs to conduct educational programs for the Indonesian community about disease prevention through the vaccination process and provide counseling about the types of vaccines that are not included in the national health insurance program in Indonesia.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional survey assessing the preparedness of the long-term care sector to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Yu-Hin Siu ◽  
Lorand Kristof ◽  
Dawn Elston ◽  
Abe Hafid ◽  
Fred Mather
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant public health emergency that impacts all sectors of healthcare. The negative health outcomes for the COVID-19 infection have been most severe in the frail elderly dwelling in Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of Ontario LTC Clinicians working in LTC homes in Ontario Canada was conducted to provide the LTC clinician perspective on the preparedness and engagement of the LTC sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey questionnaire was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians organization (OLTCC) and was distributed between March 30, 2020 to May 25, 2020. All registered members of the OLTCC and Nurse-led LTC Outreach Teams were invited to participate. The primary outcomes were: 1) the descriptive report of the screening measures implemented, communication and information received, and the preparation of the respondent’s LTC home to a potential COVID-19 outbreak; and 2) the level of agreement, as reported using a five-point Likert scale), to COVID-19 preparedness statements for the respondent’s LTC home was also assessed.Results: The overall response rate was 54% (160/294). LTC homes implemented a wide range of important interventions (e.g. instituting established respiratory isolation protocols, active screening of new LTC admissions, increasing education on infection control processes, encouraging sick staff to take time off, etc). Ample communications pertinent to the pandemic were received from provincial LTC organizations, the government and public health officials. However, the feasibility of implementing public health recommendations, as well as the engagement of the LTC sector in pandemic planning were identified as areas of concern. Medical director status was associated with an increased knowledge of local implementation of interventions to mitigate COVID-19, as well as endorsing increased access to reliable COVID-19 information and resources to manage a potential COVID-19 outbreak in their LTC home.Conclusions: This study highlights the communication to and implementation of recommendations in the Ontario LTC sector, despite some concerns regarding feasibility. Importantly, LTC clinician respondents clearly indicated that better engagement with LTC leaders is needed to plan a coordinated pandemic response.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding coccidioidomycosis among healthcare providers in four counties in Washington State, 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 730-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Hubber ◽  
A Person ◽  
L Jecha ◽  
D Flodin-Hursh ◽  
J Stiffler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
South Central ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Coccidioidomycosis is an emerging infection in Washington State. The epidemiology of the disease in Washington is poorly understood at present; underrecognition and underreporting of coccidioidomycosis is suspected based on reports of only severe disease. We sought to characterize healthcare provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding coccidioidomycosis awareness, diagnosis, and treatment in south-central Washington. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of actively practicing healthcare providers in four counties in south-central Washington, an area recently described as endemic for Coccidioides. Survey results were used to assess awareness of reporting requirements, confidence in ability to diagnose and treat, confidence that knowledge is current, calculated knowledge score, and consideration of risk in patient population. The majority of respondents were unaware of the reporting requirement for coccidioidomycosis in Washington and further unaware that the disease had been reported in the state. Less than a third of survey respondents reported confidence in their ability to diagnose coccidioidomycosis and confidence that their knowledge is current. The majority of respondents never or rarely consider a diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis, and &lt;25% of respondents indicated a working knowledge of serologic tests for the infection. The average knowledge score for respondents was 65%. Previous education, training, or practice regarding coccidioidomycosis was the only identified predictor of confidence and consideration of risk. These data indicate the substantial need for education and training among healthcare providers in south-central Washington and support the concern that a small proportion of existing cases of coccidioidomycosis are reported to the health department.

scholarly journals Assessment of Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and the Practice of Vitamin D among the General Public in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Qais Blebil ◽  
Juman Abdulelah Dujaili ◽  
Enie Teoh ◽  
Pik Sze Wong ◽  
Bhuvan KC
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
General Public ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
The Government ◽  
Educational Campaigns

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a global epidemic, which is still undertreated despite increased treatment availability and increase in therapeutic options. This study aimed to explore the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Vitamin D among the general public in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a public area using a convenience samplingtechnique to recruit participants around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur shopping malls area. An anonymous self-administeredquestionnaire was used for data collection and it was circulated to 603 Malaysian. A total of 400 participants were completed and returned to the researchers.   Result: Although 90.5% of the participants have heard/learnt about Vitamin D. About 78.0% of them showed limited knowledge about some aspects of Vitamin D with (mean ± SD = 1.78 ± 0.894). Additionally, there was a negative attitude towards Vitamin D and sunlight exposure. For instance, nearly 70.0% of the respondents did not like to expose themselves to sunlight.  Only 30.0% of the participants had taken Vitamin D supplement before.There is a small, positive correlation between the knowledge score and education level, rho = 0.124, n = 400, P = 0.013, with a higher score associated with higher education level. Conclusion: The findings provided a piece of contemporary real-world evidenceon the lack of knowledge and practices about Vitamin D among the general public. Therefore, extensive health educational campaigns for the public should be implemented by the government to raise their knowledge on the importance of Vitamin D.

scholarly journals Healthcare providers’ level of involvement in provision of smoking cessation interventions in public health facilities in Kenya

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy W. Gichuki ◽  
Rose Opiyo ◽  
Possy Mugyenyi ◽  
Kellen Namusisi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Public Health Facilities

Healthcare providers can play a major role in tobacco control by providing smoking cessation interventions to smoking patients. The objective of this study was to establish healthcare providers’ practices regarding smoking cessation interventions in selected health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among healthcare providers working in public health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 400 healthcare providers selected using a two-stage stratified sampling technique. Only 35% of the healthcare providers surveyed reported that they always asked patients about their smoking status. Less than half (44%) reported that they always advised smoking patients to quit. Respondents who had received training on smoking cessation interventions were 3.7 times more likely to have higher practice scores than those without training (OR=3.66; 95%CI: 1.63-8.26; P=0.003). Majority of the healthcare providers do not routinely provide smoking cessation interventions to their patients. Measures are needed to increase health worker’s involvement in provision of smoking cessation care in Kenya.

scholarly journals Operational considerations for peritoneal dialysis management during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhikai Yang ◽  
Jie Dong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Clinic Management ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Remote Patient

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus—severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is spread from human to human and has resulted in a global pandemic, posing a disastrous public health risk worldwide. Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, are considered to be at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 due to their immunocompromised status and frail condition. The home treatment setting of peritoneal dialysis (PD) has advantages in terms of implementing self-care when routine hospital visits and social activities are restricted, thus greatly reducing exposure of PD patients to the virus. Methods and Results We outline general operational considerations in PD management during the COVID-19 pandemic, including precautionary measures for PD patients and healthcare staff. Precautionary measures for PD patients include education on prevention of, and screening for, COVID-19, preclinic screening, in-clinic management, meticulous remote patient management and special hospitalization arrangements. The diagnosis and treatment of PD patients with COVID-19 are discussed. Precautionary measures for PD staff include continuous education on, and training in, COVID-19, exposure history surveillance and self-monitoring for COVID-19 among healthcare personnel, appropriate personal protective equipment and hand hygiene, organization of medical activities and staffing, and adequate environment cleaning. Conclusions This is a battle of the entire human society against the novel coronavirus. Integrated teamwork among healthcare providers, supported by society as a whole, is needed as part of the ongoing public health response to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Related Misconceptions and Prevention Practices Among the Public in a Southeastern City in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-159
Author(s):  
Sorochi Iloanusi ◽  
Osaro Mgbere ◽  
Nchebe-Jah Raymond Iloanusi ◽  
Ismaeel Yunusa ◽  
Ekere J. Essien
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Anambra State ◽  
The Public ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Government

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought several misconceptions that could hinder individuals from taking necessary measures to prevent infection, thus, undermining the public health containment efforts. We aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 related misconceptions and their associations with demographic characteristics and prevention practices in Onitsha city in Anambra state, Nigeria. Methods: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of 140 adult residents of Onitsha city in Anambra state, Nigeria, conducted in March 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the study population and determine the associations between COVID-19 misconceptions, demographic characteristics, and implementation of COVID-19 prevention practices. Data management and statistical analyses were conducted using SAS JMP Statistical DiscoveryTM Software version 14.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA). Results: The participants’ average age was 34.5 (SD: ±10.9) years, and most were males (54.3%). Misconceptions about COVID-19 among the study population resulted in markedly reduced compliance with nearly all prevention practices. Some participants believed that COVID-19 would not spread in Nigeria (34.4%, p<0.0001), was not fatal (10.8%, p<0.0001), can be prevented and cured through spiritual means (48.2%, P <0.0001), use of herbs (13.6%, P <0.0001), use of antibiotics (11.4%, p<0.0001) and that COVID-19 vaccine was available (25.4%, p<0.01). Misconception about the possibility of COVID-19 spread was significantly associated with non-compliance to all prevention practices (P<0.05) except travel restrictions. Conclusions and Implications for Translation: Our study suggests the need for the government to tailor interventions targeting the common misconceptions in Onitsha in order to improve the public’s trust and compliance with recommended COVID-19 prevention practices. Misconception has become a significant public health challenge, primarily as its prioritization over scientific evidence and guidelines directly affects the pandemic preparedness and control efforts and may cause more people to be at risk of contracting COVID-19.   Copyright © 2021 Iloanusi et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

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