scholarly journals Micro-Elimination: Updated Pathway to Global Elimination of Hepatitis C in Small Communities and Industrial Settings during the COVID 19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 4976
Author(s):  
Anca Elena Butaru ◽  
Dan Ionuț Gheonea ◽  
Ion Rogoveanu ◽  
Mircea Diculescu ◽  
Ancuța-Ramona Boicea ◽  
...  

Background: In response to the goal of the World Health Organisation to eliminate hepatitis C virus infections by 2030, Romania is striving for national elimination. An already successful micro-elimination project was expanded to test-and-treat specific populations and at-risk groups. The aim of this project was to identify the individuals with HCV infection in disadvantaged regions who do not have proper medical care access. Materials and Methods: Our two-arm interventional cross-sectional study used rapid anti-HCV antibody testing on two population groups from the Romanian southwestern region of Oltenia, approached between September 2020 and May 2021. The first group consisted of predominantly over 40 years old individuals, recruited through five family doctors from two medium-sized towns (community lot—CL). We approached a second group, aged 18–65, through 11 medical offices of five large factories in the same region (industry lot, IL). A 12-items questionnaire was given to each participant, to determine risk factors and record demographic data. Eligible patients initiated antiviral therapy using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Results: We enrolled 15,383 individuals between all 16 locations. The overall prevalence by antibody testing was 0.77% (119 cases). Of these, 57 subsequently received treatment with DAAs. We identified blood transfusions as a risk factor within the CL. Participants in the IL reported a relatively high risk for the following situations: sharing of personal hygiene belongings with another person, performing previous blood transfusions, dental interventions and previous surgery. Conclusions: In this global context, the use of micro-elimination allows interventions to be faster and more efficient. This is possible by targeting smaller and specific HCV risk groups.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Parnis ◽  
Neville Calleja ◽  
Petra Jones

AbstractThe World Health Organisation (2016) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age and the introduction of complementary foods at around 6 months. International literature suggests that although knowledge of the guidelines is high, only a minority of parents wait until 6 months to wean and sub-optimal weaning practices are common. The aim of this study was to assess breastfeeding and weaning practices and to evaluate the effect of socio-economic determinants on such behaviours in a Mediterranean setting.A cross-sectional study design was used. One-time short interviews with 250 consenting mothers having 8 month old infants were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Mothers attending all the well baby clinics in the primary health care centres of the Maltese Islands for a period of two months were included in the study. The questionnaire included socio-economic and demographic data, details on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding, weaning practices and a short assessment of the infant's usual diet at 8 months.Mothers between 25–34 years old (26%) and mothers with a high level of education (25%) were more likely to breastfeed only during the first 8 months of life without using any other type of milk, compared to younger (6.5%) or older (21%) mothers, and to mothers with a lower level of education (16%). The level of education was also positively associated with the continuation of breastfeeding, with the mean duration of breastfeeding for higher educated mothers being 4 months compared to 2.6 months in less educated mothers. Mothers with a lower level of education and mothers who are house-wives are more likely to give their infants only ready-made foods however associations were in this case borderline significant. On the other hand, appropriateness of weaning age was not associated with any socio-economic factors.The length of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods varied widely between mothers. Compliance with infant feeding guidelines was poor. The mother's age, level of education and employment status all have an impact on breastfeeding and weaning practices. The provision of professional advice and a supportive environment for mothers, together with interventions for increasing awareness may promote maternal adherence to WHO guideline.


Author(s):  
Himali Vyas ◽  
Raunak Goyal ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Meena ◽  
Medha Mathur ◽  
Arvind Yadav

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) had reported COVID-19 disease as a pandemic in March 2020, following which India witnessed more than 29,451 cases on 29th April. Correct knowledge about the disease, the right attitude, and response to infection control recommendations among people is of utmost importance to limit the contagion.Methods: A Cross-Sectional, web-based online study was conducted for five days. The responses (N= 1231) were collected across social networks using snowball sampling. The survey questionnaire assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practical aspects of participants for COVID-19. Knowledge items assessed the causative agent of COVID-19, it’s clinical symptoms, routes of transmission, preventive measures etc. Positive or negative attitudes towards mask usage and restriction compliance were assessed. Socio-demographic data and scores were de-identified and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: The mean age of participants (N=1231) was 32.3±13.7 years and 60.9% were males. High knowledge years and 60.9% participants were males. High knowledge accuracy rate of 84.5% and a mean score of 10.19±1.6 out of 12 was observed. Mean attitude and practice scores were 2.33±0.66 (3) and 1.97±0.16 (2) respectively. A significantly higher knowledge status was observed among females, medical workers, students, and homemakers. Similarly, better attitudes were noticed in males, adults (30-60 years), graduates, and those in job/service. As for practices, no such difference was noticed as more than 98% of participants were compliant to lockdown restrictions and practiced proper distancing and personal hygiene measures.Conclusions: Satisfactory awareness and response were observed owing to the public awareness campaign. Knowledge gaps, poor attitudes, and prevailing myths need to be addressed through targeted communication strategy. 


2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Syed ◽  
Tawfik M Masaud ◽  
Nmandi Nkire ◽  
Chinedu Iro ◽  
Malcolm R Garland

AbstractObjectives: We sought to determine the point prevalence of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in an out-patient psychiatric population.Methods: Patients (n=243) attending five different outpatient clinics in a largely urban adult psychiatric service completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, a recently developed instrument by the World Health Organisation. Clinical and demographic data were recorded.Results: There was a high apparent rate of adult ADHD detected (23.9%). Such patients were significantly more likely to have lower educational attainment, ADHD as children, a forensic history and the diagnosis of personality disorder as well as a higher rate of benzodiazepine use. They were no more likely to be dissatisfied with the service, nor to be heavier users of the service.Conclusions: We report a high apparent rate of adult ADHD. Correlates of this high rate indicate individuals with less positive lifestyles than other patients. Screening for this disorder appears warranted, particularly in the light of the emergence of new non-amphetamine-based therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-292
Author(s):  
Sheetal Aurangabadkar ◽  
Asmita Karajgi

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation. Pandemics can lead to increased level of stress and anxiety. This is especially true for COVID -19 when there is speculation surrounding the mode and rate of transmission, with the disease spreading at such a magnitude all around the globe. This online survey, related to the knowledge, attitude and anxiety about the novel Corona virus, was conducted among the urban population of Mumbai, India. A total of 155 responses were obtained. All the participants were above 18 years and of Indian origin. Among the participants, 74.2% were females and 25.8% were males. A majority of responders were aware of the basic knowledge of the disease COVID 19. About 65.2% participants reported that Corona virus can spread through touching, sneezing, kissing and food. Most of the participants had positive attitude towards the disease and the social practises related to the COVID 19. Majority of the participants complained of high anxiety and stress related to their personal hygiene, keeping a stock of all the essentials in their home and a constant fear of getting infected. Conclusion – There is moderate level of awareness about the knowledge related to the mode and spread of COVID 19 among the study population due to their high level of education and internet access. Though there is a positive attitude towards the practise of COVID protocol like isolation and the need for avoiding crowded places, there is still fear of getting infected among the study population. Key words: Corona virus, Knowledge, Attitude, Anxiety, World Health Organisation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 510
Author(s):  
Lauren Périères ◽  
Fabienne Marcellin ◽  
Gora Lo ◽  
Camelia Protopopescu ◽  
El Ba ◽  
...  

Detailed knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination coverage and timeliness for sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. We used data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2018–2019 in the area of Niakhar, Senegal, to estimate coverage, timeliness, and factors associated with non-adherence to the World Health Organisation-recommended vaccination schedules in children born in 2016 (year of the birth dose (BD) introduction in Senegal) and 2017–2018. Vaccination status was assessed from vaccination cards, surveillance data, and healthcare post vaccination records. Among 241 children with available data, for 2016 and 2017–2018, respectively, 31.0% and 66.8% received the BD within 24 h of birth (BD schedule), and 24.3% and 53.7% received the BD plus at least two pentavalent vaccine doses within the recommended timeframes (three-dose schedule). In logistic regression models, home birth, dry season birth, and birth in 2016 were all associated with non-adherence to the recommended BD and three-dose schedules. Living over three kilometres from the nearest healthcare post, being the firstborn, and living in an agriculturally poorer household were only associated with non-adherence to the three-dose schedule. The substantial proportion of children not vaccinated according to recommended schedules highlights the importance of considering vaccination timeliness when evaluating vaccination programme effectiveness. Outreach vaccination activities and incentives to bring children born at home to healthcare facilities within 24 h of birth, must be strengthened to improve timely HBV vaccination.


Author(s):  
Claire Sunyach ◽  
Barbara Antonelli ◽  
Sophie Tardieu ◽  
Michele Marcot ◽  
Jeanne Perrin ◽  
...  

The exposure of adults of reproductive age as well as pregnant women and children to environmental contaminants is of particular concern, as it can impact fertility, in utero development, pregnancy outcomes and child health. Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international societies advocate including Environmental Health (EH) in perinatal care, yet perinatal health professionals (HPs) hardly put these recommendations into practice. In 2017, a cross-sectional study was performed in a large panel of perinatal HPs in south-eastern France with the aim of painting a picture of their current attitudes, representation, knowledge, and training expectations. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected via auto-questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by 962 participants, mainly midwives (41.1%), physicians (25.6%) and nursery nurses (11%). Indoor/outdoor air quality and endocrine disruptors were the best-mastered topics, whereas electromagnetic fields and diet gave rise to unsure responses. Overall, perinatal HPs were ill-trained and -informed about the reproductive risks linked to daily environmental exposure. HPs reported scarce knowledge, fear of patient reaction and lack of solutions as the main barriers to providing information regarding EH to the public. Our findings highlight the need to set up EH training programmes focused on scientific knowledge and to provide simple messages and tips to help perinatal HPs deliver advice to populations to mitigate exposure to environmental toxicants.


Author(s):  
Nuralia Akma ◽  
Mohamad Mustafa ◽  
Siti Aishah Suran ◽  
Abdul Aziz Marwan ◽  
Mohd Rahman Omar

Malaysia is categorized as an intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden country by World Health Organisation. This cause great challenge as an occupational hazard for healthcare providers (HCPs) in Malaysia, as they received two- to three-fold greater risk of contracting TB than the general population. This cross-sectional questionnaire study aimed to assess HCPs' knowledge, attitude, practice, and stigma (KAPS) towards TB in Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh. A pilot-tested questionnaire was designed based on the WHO recommendation for KAPS study in TB. A survey was carried out between September 2018 and February 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.The majority of respondents have moderate knowledge (75%) and practice (93%) on tuberculosis whilst scored lower on attitude (49%). Average self-perceived stigma was observed (67%) with higher sympathy (73%). Overall knowledge and practice on tuberculosis among HCPs in HOSHAS was good with some misconceptions about disease transmission. However, more works needed to improve the attitude and stigma towards TB, as it may affect health services delivery towards TB patients.


Author(s):  
Ruchita Dixit ◽  
Aaradhana Bandhani

Background: Family planning is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as, “a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decisions by individuals and couples, in order to promote the health and welfare of family groups and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country”. The extensive acceptance of family planning, in a society, is an integral component of modern development and is essential for the incorporation of women into social and economic life. Therefore the present study as well focused on the women knowledge and participation in family planning. Objectives: This study projected to evaluate the knowledge of the women about various family planning methods and its sources of information.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 married women between 15-60 years of age group selected by multistage random sampling. The women were asked to complete the 20 questions including demographic data. Self structured questionnaire was used to evaluate their knowledge about Family planning methods. Subsequently, the data analyzed by using SPSS version 1.2.Results: In this present study knowledge of family planning methods were higher. Female sterilization and use of condom is the most widely known and practiced method of all contraceptive methods followed by oral Pills and IUDs. Health functionaries were found to the more informative as compared to media and others sources of information regarding family planning methods.Conclusions: From the results found in this study it can be accomplish that women’s awareness regarding family planning was higher and found satisfactory.


Author(s):  
Bambang Irawan ◽  
Erizal

Badan kesehatan dunia yaitu World Health Organisation (WHO) berupaya agar pelayanan kesehatan di dunia ini dapat memberikan suatu sistem pelayanan yang baik untuk meningkatkan derajat kesehatan masyarakat diberbagai belahan dunia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan komunikasi terapeutik perawat dan fasilitas dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019. Penelitian ini bersifat analitik dengan desain penelitian cross sectional study. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 84 responden yang merupakan pasien rawat inap. Data dianalisa secara univarat dan bivariat menggunakan uji Chi square. Hasil penelitian diperoleh ada hubungan komunikasi terapeutik perawat dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019 dengan nilai p-value (0,007) dan ada hubungan fasilitas dengan kepuasan pasien rawat inap di Rumah Sakit Umum Cut Meutia Kota Langsa tahun 2019 dengan nilai p-value (0,030).


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