Perception of episiotomy among pregnant women in Kano, North-Western Nigeria

BackgroundThe use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for malaria prevention is a cost-effective intervention. WHO recommends universal coverage and use of LLINs. In lower- and middle-income countries, LLINs are provided free of charge but are either not used or misused. Our study sought to improve LLIN use in Kayange community of north-western Burundi by using a model for improvement (MFI).MethodsA one-group, pre/post-test study was conducted. LLIN weekly use was assessed for four weeks before intervention and for another four weeks after intervention. The study was conducted in 96 households. The intervention consisted of testing four different weekly small change actions by using the MFI.ResultsOf the 96 households, 83 households (87%) owned at least one LLIN. However, only 40 households (42%) owned at least one LLIN for every two people. After intervention, the number of LLINs used increased from 32 to 75 per cent (134% increase) and the number of persons (general population) sleeping under LLIN from 35 to 73 per cent (108% increase). The number of children under 5 years old sleeping under LLIN increased from 31 to 76 per cent (145% increase) and the number of pregnant women who slept under LLIN from 43 to 73 per cent (69% increase). Also, the averages of the number of nights in each week that the general population slept under LLIN increased from 2.13 to 5.11 (140% increase), children under 5 years old slept under LLIN from 1.68 to 4.78 (184% increase) and pregnant women slept under LLIN from 1.56 to 4.47 (186% increase).ConclusionOur intervention led to significant increase in all outcome indicators. This increase is the result of a combination of an enabling context and an effective implementation of an evidence-based quality improvement intervention. Small tests of change at the community level have the potential for achieving improved outcomes.

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Validating a questionnaire to identify women in first trimester of pregnancy during preventive chemotherapy interventions against soil-transmitted helminths in North-western Tanzania

10.21203/rs.2.11605/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Humphrey Deogratias Mazigo ◽

Antonio Montresor

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

First Trimester ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Preventive Chemotherapy ◽

Pregnancy Test ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

Pregnancy Status ◽

North Western ◽

Western Tanzania

Abstract Background Women of reproductive age carry a large burden of disease from soil-transmitted helminths infections. Preventive chemotherapy with anthelminthic is an effective treatment to control soil-transmitted helminths morbidity. However, as a precautionary measure, the treatment of pregnant women is recommended only after the first trimester. This has resulted in many women of reproductive age be denied treatment because of doubt on their pregnancy status. The standard assessments of the pregnancy status (i.e. urine pregnancy rapid test or blood test) are too expensive to be used in mass drug administration campaigns. Thus, use of a simple alternative approach is recommended. The present study was conducted to evaluate the performances of a questionnaire in assessing the pregnancy status of women of reproductive age during preventive chemotherapy interventions. Methodology A questionnaire (20 questions) followed by rapid pregnancy test (RPT) were administered to a group of women of reproductive age in two districts in North-western Tanzania. Results A total of 1,217 women of reproductive age participated in the study. Overall, 10.8% of the women reported to be pregnant at the specific question in the questionnaire. The rapid pregnancy test identified 15.1% (184/1217) of the women to be pregnant. In total, 86.4% (114/1,217) of the women who reported to be pregnant during the interview were confirmed to be pregnant using the RPT. The question on pregnancy demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 62% and specificity 98.3%. Conclusion The questionnaire can be used to identify pregnant women in first trimester during preventive chemotherapy campaigns. The question on last date of start of menstrual period yield the highest sensitivity and appeared to be the key one to be used in combination with other questions. However, validation of these results in other countries with different cultures are needed to fully evaluate performance of this method.

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