scholarly journals Effectiveness of Positive Deviance, an Asset-Based Behavior Change Approach, to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Dengue in Low-Income Communities (Slums) of Islamabad, Pakistan: A Mixed-Method Study

Insects ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shafique ◽  
Muhammad Mukhtar ◽  
Chitlada Areesantichai ◽  
Usaneya Perngparn

Dengue is a mosquito-borne, viral disease that has emerged as a global health concern in recent years. In the absence of specific antiviral treatment and vaccines, prevention remains the key strategy for dengue control. Therefore, innovative and community-driven approaches are required to improve the vector control practices. This study applied and evaluated the positive deviance (PD) approach on dengue prevention and control in selected slums of Islamabad during June–October 2020. The two most dengue-affected slums, the Faisal colony and France colony, were purposively selected as intervention and control groups, respectively. A total of 112 participants (56 for the intervention and 56 for the control group) participated in the study. The intervention group was exposed for two months to locally identified role model behaviors through weekly interactive sessions, dengue sketch competitions, and role plays. Another two months enabled the community to practice these behaviors without any external support in order to explore the intervention’s sustainability. Three surveys were conducted: before the intervention, after two months, and after four months, to assess any changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of participating communities. Results found that the PD intervention had a significant positive impact on dengue knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the intervention group. PD could offer an empowering and efficient community engagement tool for future dengue prevention and control, both in Pakistan and more globally.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Akhénaton Manga ◽  
Aissatou Gaye ◽  
Aliou Dia Kouevidjin ◽  
Ekoue ◽  
Maria Rosa Dos Reis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background MOSKI KIT® is a fun tool designed to interest children for prevention and management of malaria. This study was carried out with the objective to assess the short- and long-term impacts of this tool on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of school children, and on the transmission of the knowledge received at the household level as well. Method The study took place in elementary schools in the city center (with relatively low endemicity) and in the Niayes area (at high risk of anopheline and malaria) in the Dakar region of Senegal. The various schools chosen for our study were divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention schools were also divided into two subgroups, a full package subgroup and another partial package. We conducted three surveys there, a first before exposure to the MOSKI KIT®, a second a week later and a third a year later. In the control schools, we only carried out one at the same time as the last in the intervention schools. We carried out two household surveys (a week and a year after exposure) for the intervention schools, against one for the control schools.Results Before sensitization, the proportion of school children with a grade above or equal to the average was 50% for the complete package subgroup (CPS) and 53% for the partial package subgroup (PPS). A week later, these proportions were 69% and 71% respectively for the complete and PPSs. A year later, they were 99.4% for the CPS, 98.1% for the PPS and 99.5% for the control group; The number of children who spoke to their parents about malaria was greater in intervention schools than that of control schools. They were 46.63% and 32.58% respectively in intervention and control schools.Conclusion The MOSKI KIT, has enabled an increase of the knowledge of school children about malaria in the short term and favored its retention in the long term. However, its impact was not felt on their attitudes and practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-250
Author(s):  
Karimeh AL-Nuaimi ◽  
Reem Ali ◽  
Fatima Hatem Ali

Background Counselling, education and support from health professionals is key to increasing breastfeeding practices. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a breastfeeding educational workshop on Jordanian nurses' and midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards breastfeeding. Methods A convenience sample of 82 nurses and midwives were recruited and randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. A pre-test was conducted for both groups and a post-test was conducted 2 weeks after the intervention for both groups. Findings The results showed significantly higher mean and standard deviation in the intervention group (M=11.73; SD=2.6), compared to the control group (M=8.38; SD=2.59) after conducting the workshop (P<0.001), indicating that the workshop was beneficial in improving knowledge and practice towards the importance of breastfeeding. Conclusion The 2-hour educational workshop increased health professionals' knowledge and this may lead to improvements in practice and better breastfeeding outcomes.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-189
Author(s):  
O. U. Manafa ◽  
T. S. Awolola ◽  
A. N. Isamah

A study in human Onchocerciasis was undertaken in four endemic communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews were conducted on peoples' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Onchocerciasis aetiology, treatment, prevention, and symptoms. These were complemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Based on this information, an educational program was set up which included the training of selected villagers (motivators) and community intervention organized by these motivators. Evaluation used a control group where intervention was focused on other health problems in the area. Onchocerciasis education took place only with the intervention group. At the start of the project, peoples' knowledge about Onchocerciasis, its cause, treatment, prevention, and symptoms were varied and only a small proportion could link the bite of the blackfly to Onchocerciasis. The educational intervention achieved a high level of participant satisfaction which was expressed in continuous attendance at workshops and keeping appointments with motivators. The intervention helped to bring a significant improvement in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the respondents. The knowledge of Onchocerciasis aetiology increased to 79.8 percent, 71.5 percent, and 74 percent from 48.5 percent, 48.7 percent, 34 percent, and 45 percent pre-intervention in the four study areas used. The project demonstrated that a community-based health education can be effective in Onchocerciasis control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tria Astika Endah Permatasari ◽  
Fauza Rizqiya ◽  
Walliyana Kusumaningati ◽  
Inne Indraaryani Suryaalamsah ◽  
Zahrofa Hermiwahyoeni

Abstract Background Almost one-third of children under 5 years old in Indonesia suffer from stunting. Stunting can be prevented optimally during pregnancy as the initial phase of the first 1000 days of life. This study aims to determine the effect of nutrition and reproductive health education of pregnant women in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 194 pregnant women from August to November 2019. The pregnant women were randomly selected from four different villages in Bogor Regency. The intervention group (n = 97) received 2 h of nutrition and reproductive health education in small groups (four or five mothers per group) every 2 weeks for 3 consecutive months. This interactive education was given by facilitators using techniques such as lectures, role-playing, simulation, and games. The control group (n = 97) received regular health care services. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect data consisting of maternal characteristics, nutritional and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the intervention and control groups. Data were analysed using t-test and chi-square analysis. Results Pregnant women in the intervention group indicated a significant increase in knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nutrition and reproductive health after receiving education. The pre-test and post-test mean scores in the intervention group were 55.1 and 83.1 for overall knowledge, 40.2 and 49.0 for attitudes, and 36.2 and 40.2 for practices, respectively. In the control group, there was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores for these three variables. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the post-test mean between the intervention group and the control group, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05) in the pre-test. Conclusion Providing nutrition and reproductive health education through small groups with interactive methods improves the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women. This intervention has the potential to be replicated and developed for large-scale implementation by optimising collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and maternal and child health service providers.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nutcharat Mangklakeree ◽  
Somdej Pinitsoontorn ◽  
Sompong Srisaenpang

AbstractBackground: The world is entering the post-outbreak period of the 2009 A H1N1 strain of the influenza virus. The strain is expected to continue spreading, as seasonal influenza viruses do each year. The majority of children have relatively low immunity and engage in activities at school where opportunities abound for exposure to and spreading of diseases.Objectives: We compared the effectiveness of influenza prevention by using non-pharmaceutical measures in primary schools.Methods: This study was conducted at two medium-sized primary schools in Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand. Multistage sampling was used to select students from Grades 4 to 6. The study group consisted of 230 students from the 2 schools and the control group 224 students from the 2 schools. The research included (a) 8 h of instruction on influenza-like illnesses and their prevention integrated into health promotion and physical education classes and (b) building understanding among parents and in the community. Data were analyzed for frequencies, percentages, and multiple logistic regression.Results: Non-pharmaceutical influenza interventions reduced the rate of influenza-like illnesses by 77% (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.15"0.36). Students who did not receive the influenza-like prevention and control training had a morbidity of 54.9%; whereas those who received the training had a morbidity of 23.5%. Overall, the group receiving the educational model saw a 57% reduction in its morbidity compared with the control group. The students in the intervention group who washed their hands for 20 seconds three or more times per day had a morbidity of 38.9%, which resulted in an overall reduction in morbidity of 36.4%. The morbidity rate of students who missed school because they were ill was 39.5%. When comparing training methods, the hand-washing group saw morbidity reduced by 34.7%, while simply receiving news and information from public health officials resulted in only a 29.2% reduction in morbidity. Overall, the group receiving the disease prevention and control training was able to reduce morbidity by 58.7%.Conclusion: Influenza prevention education among students was integrated into the health education curriculum. Children were taught hand-washing and respiratory etiquette (i.e., covering the nose and face when sneezing, coughing, and nose-blowing). Cartoon media were used as visual teaching aids. The results from this program helped to decrease the number of cases of influenza-like illness and morbidity among students and families.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-82
Author(s):  
Shah Md. Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
A Akter ◽  
KF Mostari ◽  
S Ferdousi ◽  
IJ Ummon ◽  
...  

Background: Cornonavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th March 2020. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population towards the COVID-19, play an integral role in determining community’s readiness to engage themselves in government measures including behavioural change in prevention and control of the disease. Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 among the Bangladeshi population. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1549 adult population across Bangladesh including Dhaka city and rural areas during March-April 2020. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire through online, self-administered and face to face interview. The study instrument consisted of 7 items on socio-demographic characteristics, 12 items on knowledge, 4 items on attitudes and 5 items on practices related to COVID-19. Independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression were performed to assess the attitudes and practices in relation to knowledge. Results: Of the total 1549 study population, 1249 were interviewed online, 194 were self-administered and 106 were through face to face interview. The lowest level of knowledge prevailed among the above 50 years’ age group regarding the disease, which was higher among female (p=0.03), and more among the respondents having education level below graduation (p=0.000; OR=1.6, χ2=17.6). Of the total respondents, 73.5% having negative attitude towards use of face mask, though 69.8% having the appropriate knowledge on mode of transmission of the virus (p=0.000). Though, 51.6% of the study population, having adequate knowledge, but only 52.1% using face mask (p>0.05) and 51.8% practicing hand washing (p>0.05). More than 70.0% respondents having knowledge on social distancing, but only 50.0% was practicing it. Male respondents had 1.5 times more knowledge about the social distancing than the female counterpart (p=0.000). Conclusion: Public awareness campaign should be enhanced critically focusing the target audience covering the knowledge gaps, motivation for appropriate practices and further improvement of attitudes towards prevention and control of COVID-19 in Bangladesh thus suggested. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 73-82


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabina Ghimire ◽  
Samriddh Dhungel ◽  
Anil Pokhrel

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV 2 pandemic is the greatest public health concern of the century. Healthcare workers are the front liners of pandemic management. Their knowledge, attitudes and practices can influence the outcome of pandemic. The study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices among healthcare workers.Methods: Knowledge, attitude and practice related questionnaire based online survey through Google forms was conducted from Healthcare workers, following ethical approval from NHRC (ERB protocol registration number: 297/2020 P). Online forms were disseminated via Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Viber and personal messaging. Responses containing anonymized data was collected analyzed in using SPSS-version 26, (Year: 2019). The results were interpreted in terms of percentage response, knowledge score, and practice and discussed on the possible solutions in improving the infection prevention and control practice.Results: 473 HCWs responded to the questionnaire, out of which 426 responses met inclusion criteria which is 90% of the total responses. The mean score for knowledge was 3.20 + 1.15 out of maximum seven; with 45.7% correct answers. 70.4 % (300) participants felt that Nepal will be unable to contain the pandemic, 64 % of the total employed participants felt that there was inadequate institutional preparedness to protect HCWs from exposure. 91% participants reported practicing hand hygiene after every patient encounter; whereas 31.7% (77) and 22.1% (59) participants did not know how to check sealing of the N95 masks and use personal protective equipment’s respectively.Conclusions: The survey findings showed deficiencies in knowledge and appropriate practice among the HCWs, in prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Attitudes towards COVID19 were a mix of both positive and negative viewpoints. Even in health care workers with access to internet, there is significant gap in universal infection prevention and control practices required for self-protection and limiting untoward transmission. Keywords: Attitude and practice; COVID-19; healthcare workers; infection prevention and control; knowledge, Nepal; SARS CoV 2


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Demsa Simbolon ◽  
Beatrix Soi ◽  
Ina Debora Ratu Ludji ◽  
Mareta Bakale Bakoil

Background: From pregnancy, until the child is two years old, it is a prone period for stunting due to inadequate nutritional care at the family level. Mothers' ability in parenting and child health will affect their nutritional status and health, especially mothers who have stunted children. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of specific nutrition assistance (SNA) through empowering cadres to change the behavior (knowledge, attitudes, practices) of mothers who have stunted children aged 6-24 months.Method: The research used a quasi-experiment with pre-post design with a control group. The research was conducted in Bengkulu Utara (BU) District and Timur Tengah Selatan (TTS) District. The intervention group received SNA for six months (June-November 2019) by Posyandu cadres and health workers. The control group received standard services from the Health Center or the Posyandu. Whilst, the intervention group received nutrition and health counseling during home visits. Mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in parenting and child health nutrition were measured as dependent variables. Sample of 120 mothers with stunted children aged 6-24 months. Data analysis used independent t-test and dependent t-test.Results: The SNA was effective in increasing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers. The increased knowledge, attitudes, and practices were higher in the intervention group both in BU District (116%) and TTS District (26.33%). In BU District, there was an increase in knowledge (116%), attitude (40%), and practices (20.07%), likewise in TTS District; there was an increase in knowledge (26.33%), attitudes (42.5%), and practices (22.15%) which are significantly different from the increase in the practices of the control group. SNA needs to be carried out continuously to increase mothers' ability in parenting and child health. Therefore, that stunted children can catch up with their height growth. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tigist Engda

Abstract Background Nosocomial infection, also called a hospital-acquired infection, is an infection acquired during admitting patients in health care facilities. Nosocomial infection can be prevented and controlled by giving training to those responsible. This study aimed to assess the contribution of the medical education system on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the graduate students of health sciences about the prevention and control of nosocomial infection in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Gondar in the Academic Year of 2018. Method An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among all graduate health science students posted in the different departments at the University of Gondar in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences from February to June 2018. A total of 422 study participants were included. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Out of a total of 422 respondents, only 40% have taken training for infection prevention; out of which 39% had taken the training for a year ago. Moreover, only 35.5% have good knowledge of nosocomial infections as a result of the training; and only 32.5% have good understanding of the practical training given on prevention and control. Only 36% have good attitude towards its prevention and control. Conclusion The result shows that only a few of the respondents have taken the infection prevention training. Yet, a smaller proportion of them had good knowledge, attitude, and practice on nosocomial infections. Hence, the Medical Education System should give more attention to the training of the nosocomial infection control by developing different strategies to prepare the students on these issues before they start their clinical attachment.


Epidemiologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Md. Siddikur Rahman ◽  
Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic ◽  
Miftahuzzannat Amrin ◽  
Arman Hossain Chowdhury ◽  
Md. Selim Mondol ◽  
...  

As other nations around the world, Bangladesh is facing enormous challenges with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. To design a prevention and control strategy for this new infectious disease, it is essential to first understand people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19. This study sought to determine KAP among rural and urban residents as well as predictors of preventive practices associated with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. A social media-based (Facebook) cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore these variables among Bangladeshi adults. Of 1520 respondents who completed the questionnaire, low level of good or sufficient knowledge of COVID-19 (70.8%) and practices associated with COVID-19 (73.8%) were found. Despite the low level of knowledge and practices, respondents’ attitude (78.9%) towards COVID-19 was relatively high. Results suggest that compared to urban, rural residents are at a particularly high risk of COVID-19 because they were found to have significantly lower knowledge (p = 0.001) and practice levels (p = 0.002) than were urban residents. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified gender, education, knowledge of COVID-19 transmission, signs and symptoms, and sources of information as factors significantly associated with preventive practices against COVID-19. Further attention and effort should be directed toward increasing both knowledge and practices targeting the general population in Bangladesh, particularly the rural and less educated residents. Findings from this study provide baseline data that can be used to promote integrated awareness of and effective health education programs about COVID-19 prevention and control strategies in Bangladesh, and similar COVID-19 endemic countries.


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