scholarly journals A Lay-User Assessment of Hepatitis C Virus Self-Testing Device Usability and Interpretation in Johannesburg, South Africa

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Mohammed Majam ◽  
Alex Fischer ◽  
Elena Ivanova Reipold ◽  
Naleni Rhagnath ◽  
Vanessa Msolomba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
First Response ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Instructions For Use

Only 20% of people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) know their status. In low-income countries diagnosis is under 10%. Self-testing for HCV antibodies (HCVST) could expand the coverage of HCV testing services. Currently, there are no stringent regulatory authority (SRA) approved HCVSTs, therefore lay-user usability of three prototype kits was assessed. This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted with 171 (CareStart n = 60, Bioline n = 52, First Response n = 59) participants. Participants were given one of the three HCVST kits with only instructions for use (IFU) and asked to perform the test in front of a professional trained in rapid diagnostic tests (RDT). Usability indices were calculated based on the correctness of performing each step of the product-specific process followed by contrived results interpretation and a post-test interview. The usability index was 93.9% for CareStart, 90.7% for Bioline and 94.9% for First Response. Most errors were on incorrect handwashing, sample collection and transfer to the test device. An average of 93.1% of contrived results were correctly interpreted, with most errors related to interpreting invalid results. Most participants (n = 167) stated they would visit a clinic after a positive result. With negative results, nearly half (28/60 (46.7%)) stated they should condomize, while just over two-thirds of participants that used Bioline (35/52 (67.3%)) and First Response (38/59 (64.4%)) said they should re-test. Most participants (n = 162) found the devices easy to use. Participants liked that self-testing was fast, private and convenient, however there were some confusion with IFU steps and pictures, finger-pricking with the lancet, collecting blood after the finger-prick, and transferring the sample/buffer. Prototype HCVST kits exhibit high usability and result interpretation by lay-users, and should be considered for SRA approval.

Efficiency of second pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination treatment for the relapsed hepatitis C virus infection in low-income countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadir Ceylan ◽  
Ferhat Aslan ◽  
Cem Yardimci ◽  
Muzaffer Fincanci ◽  
Nail Özgüneş
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Pegylated Interferon ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Infection

scholarly journals Knowledge and Risk Behavior on Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Laboratory Technicians in A Selected Army Medical Unit

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42
Author(s):  
AKM Farhad Hossain ◽  
Md Mahfuzur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Unit ◽  
Army Medical ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a new virus identified in the year l989. Regarding the morbidity & mortality and also for disease burden HCV infection is now an important disease phenomenon worldwide especially among the health care professionals. Laboratory technicians are at increased risk for acquiring blood-borne infections as they have to collect blood samples to find out the disease pathology. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and risk behavior on HCV infection among laboratory technicians in a selected army medical unit. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among laboratory technician in a selected army medical unit from 01September 2015 to 31 December 2016. Total 105 participants were interviewed by pretested structured questionnaire. Results: This study explored that 44.8% respondents were in between 31-40 years and 63.8% were educated up to HSC level. All the respondents had overall knowledge about the cause, high risk group and prevention of HCV infection and 20.95% were not aware that water did not transmit HCV infection, 55.24% had no information of vaccination for prevention of HCV infection. This knowledge was gained by majority (62%) of participants from their existing course curriculum. Use of disposable syringe, sterilize instruments, practice of recapping after using needles and their proper disposal were found among all of the respondents and 61% did not habit to use gloves during sample collection due to negligence and lack of time. This study showed that there is an association between level of education and risk behavior (use of gloves) (P<.005). Conclusion: Adequate program on updating knowledge, strict use of gloves, sterile instrument during sample collection will be helpful in minimizing transmission of HCV infection. Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 10, No. 1: Jan 2019, P 38-42

scholarly journals State of the Art, Unresolved Issues, and Future Research Directions in the Fight against Hepatitis C Virus: Perspectives for Screening, Diagnostics of Resistances, and Immunization

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Trucchi ◽  
Andrea Orsi ◽  
Cristiano Alicino ◽  
Laura Sticchi ◽  
Giancarlo Icardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Low Income ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Screening Strategy ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Future Research

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) still represents a major public health threat, with a dramatic burden from both epidemiological and clinical points of view. New generation of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has been recently introduced in clinical practice promising to cure HCV and to overcome the issues related to the interferon-based therapies. However, the emergence of drug resistance and the suboptimal activity of DAAs therapies against diverse HCV genotypes have been observed, determining treatment failure and hampering an effective control of HCV spread worldwide. Moreover, these treatments remain poorly accessible, particularly in low-income countries. Finally, effective screening strategy is crucial to early identifying and treating all HCV chronically infected patients. For all these reasons, even though new drugs may contribute to impacting HCV spread worldwide a preventive HCV vaccine remains a cornerstone in the road to significantly reduce the HCV spread globally, with the ultimate goal of its eradication. Advances in molecular vaccinology, together with a strong financial, political, and societal support, will enable reaching this fundamental success in the coming years. In this comprehensive review, the state of the art about these major topics in the fight against HCV and the future of research in these fields are discussed.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Practices of In-Home Pesticide Use: A Community Survey in Uganda

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Nalwanga ◽  
John C. Ssempebwa
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Pesticide Application ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Instructions For Use ◽  
Insecticide Spray

Many communities in low-income countries use in-home pesticides for the control of pests. Such use is often inadequately controlled. In this study, 100 households in Kireka ward, Wakiso district in Uganda were involved in a cross-sectional survey to assess pests, knowledge, and use patterns of pesticides. A structured pretested questionnaire was administered via personal interviews, and observational checklists were used. Mosquitoes were the most prevalent pests (83%), followed by cockroaches (69%) and rats (52%). Pesticides were the most preferred method for pest control (98%), with insecticide spray being the most common form of application (71.4%). Pesticide application was inappropriately done in many households mainly due to inadequate knowledge on use. Only 48% of the respondents read manufacturer's instructions for use. Information on what pesticide to use was obtained from friends (53.1%), points of sales (48%). Educational interventions particularly at points of sale would be a critical avenue for promoting safe use of pesticides in households.

scholarly journals Antihepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies among Pregnant Women in an Urban Area of Mwanza City, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elieza Chibwe ◽  
Vitus Silago ◽  
Edwin Kajoro ◽  
Muhsin Juma ◽  
Emmanuel Mkumbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hbv Vaccination ◽  
Mwanza City ◽  
Hepatitis C Viruses

Background. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV and HCV) are life-threatening infections of public health importance due to their association with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite HBV being moderately endemic in many low-income countries, there is no routine HBV vaccination among child bearing aged women making them at risk of transmitting infections to the foetus during pregnancy. This study investigated the seroprevalence of antihepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) and HCV antibodies among pregnant women in Mwanza city to provide data that can be used in devising preventive strategies. Methods. A cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 339 pregnant women was conducted between June and July 2017. Data were collected using structured data collection tool. Detection of anti-HBs was performed using enzyme immunoassay while qualitative rapid immunochromatographic tests were employed to detect HCV antibodies. Data was analyzed by using STATA version 13. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 25.6±5.8 years. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 85/339 (25.1%, 95% CI: 20.4-29.6) while that of HCV antibodies was 1/333 (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4). By univariate logistic regression analysis, increase in age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09, P=0.03), unknown HIV status (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.11-0.79, P=0.035), and multigravidity (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.8, P=0.038) were significantly associated with anti-HBs seropositivity. Conclusion. A significant proportion of pregnant women have anti-HBs while the seroprevalence of HCV is low among pregnant women in the city of Mwanza. Routine screening of HBV among pregnant women coupled with appropriate management should be emphasized in developing countries. Further studies to determine seroprevalence of HCV are recommended across the country.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Audu Onyemocho ◽  
Agwa Moses ◽  
Aboh Kisani ◽  
Omole Namben Victoria ◽  
Anejo-Okopi Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Dog Owners ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Rabies, one of the oldest and fatal infectious diseases known to human race, is transmitted by infected dogs. The global target of zero dog-mediated rabies human deaths has been set for 2030; however, the realization of this goal poses challenges in most low-income countries where rabies is endemic due to weak surveillance. Dogs have been increasingly deployed for domestic uses over the years, especially for security purposes. This study assessed the assessment of knowledge and practice of vaccination of dogs against rabies by dog owners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was employed to study 400 dog owners in Makurdi metropolis through multistage sampling techniques. Sighting of valid dog vaccination card was used as criteria for current vaccination. Bivariate analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between the respondent knowledge of rabies and dog vaccination with significant value set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31 (Â ± 0.8) years, majority of them had tertiary and secondary education (40.0% and 39.0%, respectively), 26.0% were traders, and 50.0% were married. Overall, 73.0% of the respondents had good knowledge score, 61.0% had seen at least a rabid dog in their life time, and 74.0% have a history of dog vaccination, but evidence of up to date vaccination of dogs by owners was seen in only 18.0% of all the vaccination cards sighted. The relationship between the educational status of the respondents, their knowledge score, and their dog vaccination was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies among dog owners in Makurdi was good, but the practice of dog vaccination was poor. Educational status was a good predictor of practice. Awareness campaign on dog vaccination should be strengthened and adequate measures should be put in place at the veterinary hospitals in Makurdi for vaccination of dogs.

A Cross-sectional Study of the Clinical Profile of Children With Cerebral Palsy in Benin, a West African Low-Income Country

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 842-850
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Segnon Sogbossi ◽  
Damienne Houekpetodji ◽  
Toussaint G. Kpadonou ◽  
Yannick Bleyenheuft
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Classification System ◽  
West African ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Low Income Country ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a common cause of pediatric motor disability. Although there are increasing amounts of data on the clinical profile of children with cerebral palsy in high-income countries, corresponding information about low-income countries and developing countries is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of cerebral palsy in children in Benin, a representative West African low-income country. Our cross-sectional observational study included 114 children with cerebral palsy recruited from community-based rehabilitation centers and teaching hospitals (median age: 7 years, range 2-17; sex: 66% male). Data were collected through review of medical records and interviews with children’s mothers. Assessment included risk factors, clinical subtypes according to the Surveillance of CP in Europe criteria, severity of motor outcome scored by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System, comorbidities, and school attendance. We recorded a high prevalence of intrapartum adverse events. Seventeen percent of children had postneonatal cerebral palsy, with cerebral malaria being the most common cause. Most children were severely affected (67.5% as bilateral spastic; 54.4% as GMFCS IV or V), but severity declined substantially with age. Only 23% of the children with cerebral palsy had attended school. Poor motor outcomes and comorbidities were associated with school nonattendance. These results suggest that intrapartum risk factors and postnatal cerebral malaria in infants are opportune targets for prevention of cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan low-income countries.

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