scholarly journals Knowledge and home treatment of measles infection by caregivers of children under five in a low-income urban community, Nigeria

Author(s):  
Obioma Uchendu ◽  
Olusimbo Ige ◽  
Oluwapelumi Adeyera

Background: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children in developing countries.Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and home treatment of measles by caregivers of children under 5 years.Setting: Abebi community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 509 caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5 years in a semi-urban community in Ibadan was conducted using a multi-stage sampling method. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of aetiology, main symptoms and signs, and home treatment of measles. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to explore associations at 5% level of significance.Results: Most of the caregivers were females (96.3%), married (86.1%) and were the biological parents of the children (90.9%). More than half had good knowledge of the cause (59.7%) and main symptoms and signs (52.8%) of measles. However, the composite knowledge was good in 57.6% of caregivers. Over half (54.4%) of the caregivers reported that their children ever had measles. Majority (91.3%) of caregivers whose children had measles gave home treatment, while 24 (8.7%) sought treatment from health facilities alone. There was a significant association between caregivers’ educational status, age, tribe and marital status and their knowledge of measles; however, tribe was the only significant predictor of knowledge after regression analysis. Caregivers from other tribes were 3.3 times more likely to have good knowledge of measles than Yoruba caregivers. Caregivers who were 35 years and older compared to those younger than 35 years (OR: 0.625; 95% CI: 0.425–0.921) and those who were not currently married compared to those married (OR: 0.455; 95% CI: 0.273–0.758) had lower odds of having good knowledge of measles, respectively.Conclusion: Home treatment by caregivers of children with measles is high. Health education on the cause, prevention and treatment of measles should be provided for caregivers.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirubel Minsamo Mishore ◽  
Abebaw Demissie Woldemariam ◽  
Solomon Assefa Huluka

Introduction. Ethiopia has a high incidence of unwanted pregnancies and incomplete and unsafe abortions, particularly among adolescents. This can be avoided by using different contraceptive methods including emergency contraceptives (EC). This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of EC among female college graduating students in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 214 female students selected from two randomly selected colleges. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 20.1. Level of significance was taken at P <0.05. Results. The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 21.06 (±2.14) years. Of the 200 (93.5%) study participants who had ever heard of ECs, 140 (70.0%) had good knowledge. Among the 214 graduating female students, 66 (33.0%) had ever used EC. Being above the age of 20 years old, father’s and mother’s literacy were found to be determinants of knowledge of EC. Moreover, knowledge was the only determinant factor of practice of EC. Conclusion. Most of the respondents had relatively good knowledge of EC. The study revealed that female students of older age and higher educational status of parents had higher knowledge and practice of EC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Ali Fattahi Bafghi ◽  
◽  
Elham Rezaee ◽  

Leishmaniasis is considered as an important health problem in the world. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is epidemic in all of places of Iran, this disease begins as small swells and then they gradually grow and turn into wounds. Since the epidemiological study of this problem is effective in preventing and controlling it. The current research was conducted to study the epidemiological study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Yazd province during the past 5(2014-2018) years. This cross-sectional study has been conducted on registered information and documents of the patients having problem in Yazd province remedial and health care centers over the past 5 years. First, the registered demographic and epidemiological data of the patients were extracted and then they were analyzed by using SPSS 18 software with chi-square test and descriptive statistics.897 patients included 457 males (51.06%) and 439 females (48.94%). The majority of the patients were between nine 20-29 years old and the minority of them were over the range of 5-9 years old. Most lesions were on the hand and leg of the patients. It was also found that there was a significant relationship between age groups and types of Leishmaniasis (P<0.05) as well as gender and type Leishmaniasis (P<0.05). According to our study, there has been an ascending trend in disease frequency in Yazd province from 2014 to 2018. This increase in diseases due to lack of health and educational status of the people-is also a lack of personal hygiene.


2021 ◽  
pp. 205343452110616
Author(s):  
Budi Yanti ◽  
Nurdarlila Armita ◽  
Iskandar Zakaria

Introduction Health workers are at high risk of contracting the disease because they are at the forefront of assisting COVID19 patients. Globally, Indonesia has the worst death toll of health workers. Many previous studies have shown the differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of health workers in handling with the COVID19 pandemic. This study aims to asses the role of knowledge, attitudes, and health workers' preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aceh Pidie Jaya District. Methods A cross-sectional study and the data were collected by distributing online questionnaires about knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and preparedness related to the COVID-19 at 12 Pidie Jaya District health centers. The knowledge, behavior, and preparedness parameters used Guttman and Likert scales to measure the workers' attitudes. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and preparedness. Results In this study, 377 health workers were selected, the majority of respondents' education level was diploma, level 3 (257, 76.3%), and one-third of the respondents did not attend training. There are 197 (58.5%) respondents who had good knowledge, 177 (52.5%) positive attitudes, 283 (84%) good behavior, and 173 (51, 3%) well prepared. Furthermore, good knowledge, positive attitude, and good behavior had a significant correlation statistically with well prepared during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Discussion Most of the health workers in Aceh Pidie Jaya have good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good behavior that create adequate preparedness. Even though training is still very limited, educational attainment would remain the cornerstone for preparedness to encounter COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Kshitiz Upadhyay Dhungel ◽  
Agya K.C.

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is one of the leading health problems globally. In developing countries like Nepal, the prevalence of hypertension is increasing yearly. This study aims to find the prevalence of hypertension and associated demographic factors among Chepang people, an indigenous ethnic group also known as one of the isolated tribal groups of Nepal. Material and Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed in total of 324 respondent living in chepang community of Majbang-09 of Kalika Municipality. Semi structured questionnaire including socio-demographic, anthropometric measurement, 24 hour diet recall, and food frequency to explore dietary diversity information. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 20. Chi-Square test was used to measure the association between variables and was considered significant at p <0.05. Results: According to the study the 35.5% of the respondent were hypertensive and 50.3% of were pre-hypertensive. More than half of the respondent (58.3%) had normal BMI followed by (26.9%) of the respondent were overweight, (9.0%) of the respondent were under nutrition and (5.9%) of the respondent were obese. Among the respondent who had hypertension (60.7%) were above 60 years and the lowest (21.3%) were below 40 years. Conclusion: The socio demographic variables like age, sex, educational status, annual income and marital status were found to be significantly associated with hypertension.


Author(s):  
Kushalata Baral ◽  
Maginsh Dahal ◽  
Shreya Shrestha ◽  
Anup Adhikari

Background: Self-medication is defined as the use of medicines to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms, instead of seeking advice from professionals. Aim: Our study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among undergraduates in different colleges of Kathmandu valley. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduates of Kathmandu valley. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to students in 4 different colleges. Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. Likert’s scale was used to measure attitude. Results: 240 students participated in this study. Totally, (92.9%) students had known and taken medicine without doctor’s prescription. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had good knowledge on self-medication and nearly three quarter (74.7%) of the respondents had a positive attitude regarding self-medication. Fever, cough/cold and aches/pain were the most common symptoms for self-medication, thus making antipyretics and analgesics the most popular self-medication drugs. Pharmacists and family were the major source of information regarding self-medication. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the prevalence of self-medication was high (94.9%). Majority respondents had good knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of self-medication but still practiced it.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawit Getachew Assefa ◽  
Tigist Tekle Woldesenbet ◽  
Wondwosen Molla ◽  
Eden Dagnachew Zeleke

Abstract Background Through the health extension package Ethiopia had practiced infant and young child feeding. However, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice has been poor. Hence, in this study, the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the mothers/caregivers on infant and young child feeding were assessed.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 486 mothers/caregivers from Assosa Districts in Assosa Zone of Benshangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. To isolate independent predictors for good knowledge, good practice, and favorable attitude of the mothers/caregivers related to child feeding, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Out of 486 study participants, 456(93.8%) of mothers had good knowledge, 432(88.9%) had a positive attitude, and 380 (78.2%) mothers had good practice of IYCF practice recommendations. Furthermore, age of mothers, educational status of the mother, place of delivery, father’s educational status, father’s involvement & support, previous knowledge about IYCF, discussion with their husband about IYCF, and ANC follows up were significantly associated with mother’s knowledge on IYCF recommendation.Conclusions Overall mothers had good knowledge and a positive attitude about IYCF practices. To support IYCF practices, behavior change communications intervention strategies should be introduced in mothers to bridge the gap between knowledge and practices.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Bridget Omotoso ◽  
Darlington Falana

Introduction: Hospital cleaning job is outsourced to companies that employ unskilled cleaners. Despite the importance of hospital cleaners little attention is paid to the work place hazards they are exposed to.Objective: This study therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of and factors associated with occurrence of work related hazards among hospital cleaners at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 249 hospital cleaning staff was conducted. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics and work place related hazards. Descriptive statistics were done and associations were explored with the chi square test at 5% level of significance.Result: The mean age of respondent was 34 ± 7 years, (range 20 - 60 years), 142(57.0%) attended secondary school. In all, 67.7% of the cleaners spent less than 8 hours at work daily. Chemical hazards affected 79.1% females compared to 57.9% of the males (p=0.03). Also, 60% of those with primary education had mechanical hazards compared to 39.1% of those with tertiary education. (p=0.02). Mechanical hazards occur in 53.8% cleaners sitting for < 5hours compared to 38.1% sitting ≥ 5hours at work daily (p=0.03). Hazards of greatest concern were dust 13.3%, and insect bite 4.8%. Respondents were exposed to physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological hazards. Low income was a major source of concern to 80% of them.Conclusion: Various forms of hazards were reported by the cleaners studied. Research examining ways to reduce it should be done.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.10083 


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Aiswarya Ravichandran ◽  
Sudershan R. Vemula ◽  
Vishnu Vardhana Rao Mendu ◽  
Archana Konapur ◽  
SubbaRao M. Gavaravarapu

Energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular in India. There is a need to understand the extent of consumption and perceptions among consumers. There are no studies in India in this direction. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and practices related to consumption of energy drinks among consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (n=132) and employed persons (n=48) of 13–40 yrs age, who were purposively selected using snowballing technique. Only those who have ever consumed energy drinks were included as subjects. Those consuming at least twice a month were categorized as frequent consumers. A pretested and pre-coded questionnaire with open-ended (5) and closed-ended questions (26) was administered in interview mode. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for analysis. Frequent consumers were more among students (47%) than in working group (14.6%). Significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher number of participants from high socio-economic groups (71%) reported higher consumption of energy drinks than their middle and low-income counterparts. A majority (53.3%) were introduced to energy drinks by their peers. Participants mostly consumed energy drinks when hanging-out with friends (56.1%), during parties (43.3%), when they feel tired (36.1%) and during performance (28.8%). Consumers were using energy drinks for taste (64.4%), flavour (60.6%), and to feel energetic (57.2%). Frequent consumers (53.3%) assume that energy drinks give extra energy. Considering that there are hardly any studies in India in this direction, the study provides information that even frequent consumers of energy drinks were unaware that energy drinks are caffeinated beverages and their knowledge about health benefits/effects was varied and scanty. Most of them perceive that energy drinks provide ‘extra energy’ and are ‘beneficial’ to health. This myth should be dispelled.


Author(s):  
Larissa de Araújo Lemos ◽  
Maria Luciana Teles Fiuza ◽  
Renata Karina Reis ◽  
André Carvalho Ferrer ◽  
Elucir Gir ◽  
...  

Objective: assess the adherence levels to antiretroviral therapy in people coinfected with HIV/tuberculosis and correlate these levels with the sociodemographic and clinical variables of the study population. Method: cross-sectional study involving 74 male and female adults coinfected with HIV/tuberculosis. For the data collection, a sociodemographic and clinical assessment form and the Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Assessment Questionnaire were used. For the data analysis, the software STATA version 11 was used, through descriptive statistics, Fisher's chi-square exact test and the probability test. Results: men were predominant (79.7%), between 30 and 39 years of age (35.1%), low income (75.7%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (71.6%). Adherence to antiretroviral therapy was inappropriate in 78.1% of the men; 61.0% of single people; 47.0% unemployed and 76.5% among people gaining less than one minimum wage. A significant difference was observed between compliance and length of use of antiretrovirals (p=0.018), sexual orientation (p=0.024) and number of children (p=0.029). Conclusion: the coinfected patients presented inappropriate adherence to the antiretrovirals, a fact that negatively affects the health conditions of the people living with HIV/tuberculosis coinfection. A statistically significant correlation was found between the levels of adherence and some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Camila Fragelli ◽  
Manuel Restrepo ◽  
Diego Girotto Bussaneli ◽  
Fabiano Jeremias ◽  
Rita De Cássia Loiola Cordeiro ◽  
...  

Introduction and objective: The Dental Fluorosis (DF) is a development de­fect of enamel resulting from overexposure to fluoride and can aesthetically compromise the patient. This study aims to investigate the relationship be­tween aesthetic perception and dental fluorosis (DF) in a low-income com­munity with high DF prevalence. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 171 Colombian schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years living in low socioeconomic community (El Cedro, district of Ayapel, Córdo­ba, Colombia). After receiving authorization, the students were examined for DMFT and dmft indexes (WHO criteria), and for DF (TF index). The aesthetic per­ceptions were verified by the Child Perceptions Questionnaire About Tooth Appearance (CQATA). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statis­tics, the chi-square test, the Student´s t-test, the one-way ANOVA test, and linear regression at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of DF in this sample was 84.8% (n=145). Only the presence of caries (DMFT/ deft≠ 0) had a significant impact on aesthetic perceptions. A significantly lower rate was found in girls for the report of pleasant color domain. The number of teeth affected by DF had a significant positive correlation with mean overall perception of dental health. Conclusion: The presence of mild DF in children with low socioeconomic status, from a population with a high prevalence of the condition, did not seem to have an impact on the report of pleasant color of teeth domain. 


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