scholarly journals Factors affecting willingness to comply with public health measures during the pandemic among sub-Sahara Africans

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1629-39
Author(s):  
Obinna Nwaeze ◽  
Raymond Langsi ◽  
Uchechukwu L Osuagwu ◽  
Richard Oloruntoba ◽  
Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Ssa Countries

Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries. Method: Cross sectional study using self-administered surveys distributed on social media platforms between April 18th and May 16th, 2020, corresponding with the mandatory lockdown period in most SSA countries. Multivariate analysis examined theassociated factors. Results: The prevalence of hand hygiene, quarantine, self isolation practices, wearing of face mask and attending large gatherings during COVID-19 were 94%, 39%, 31%, 64% and 14%, respectively. In multivariate models, older age 49+ years: adjusted OR2.13, 95%CI 1.22,3.71), females (OR 1.41,95%CI 1.03,1.93), Central African countries (OR 3.73,95%CI 2.02,6.87) were associated with wearing face mask. Living alone (aOR 1.52,95%CI 1.04,2.24) during the lockdown was associated with avoiding large gatherings including religious events. Female respondents (aOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.30, 2.00), married (aOR 1.71,95%CI 1.33,2.21) and unemployed (aOR 1.62,95%CI 1.25,2.09) SSAs were more likely to practice self-quarantine measures. Conclusion: The low prevalence of mitigation practices suggest the need for targeted education campaign programs to sensitise the population. Keywords: Facemask; Handwashing; Self-isolation; Mitigation; Survey monkey; Pandemic; Lockdown; West Africa; Eastern Africa; South Africa; Nigeria.

Meconium-stained liquor and low birth weight increases the odds of low fifth-minute apgar scores in public health facilities of arba minch town, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 86-90
Author(s):  
Abera Mersha ◽  
Shitaye Shibiru ◽  
Agegnehu Bante
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Apgar Scores ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Public Health Facilities

Background: Low Apgar scores in the childbirth period increased risk globally and significantly contributes to both newborn morbidity and mortality. Hence, it is very essential to update information on the status of low fifth-minute Apgar scores and factors affecting. Some studies were conducted, but most are retrospective and record reviews. Besides, there is limited study in country-Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recent status of low fifth-minute Apgar scores and factors affecting in the study setting. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 newborns in public health facilities of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia from February 6 to March 9, 2019. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklist were used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to Stata version 15 for analysis. A crude and adjusted odds ratio was computed in the binary logistic regression model. In this study, P-value, < 0.05 was considered to declare factors as a statistically significant association. Results: In this study, 17.8% (95%CI: 13.8%, 22.7%) of neonates had low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Condition of labor (induced/augmented) (AOR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.24, 8.90), meconium-stained liquor (AOR=3.37, 95%CI: 1.17, 9.74), and birth weight (AOR=3.48, 95%CI: 1.23, 9.86) were significantly associated with neonate’s low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Conclusions: This study indicated that a significant number of newborns resulted in low fifth-minute Apgar scores. Strengthen the provision of health information during antenatal care; avoid delay in screening high-risk mothers during pregnancy and delivery, and give immediate interventions should be recommended.

Factors Affecting Adherence to Pediatrics Antiretroviral Therapy in Mekelle Hospital, Tigray Ethiopia

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teklemariam Gultie ◽  
Tesfay G/Amlak ◽  
Girum Sebsibie
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Male Care ◽  
Sub Saharan

The most important factor in the success of HIV treatment is adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).The challenge to adherence to ART is particularly serious in Sub-Saharan Africa as the high rates of HIV/AIDS lead to greater numbers of affected individuals. Although long-term good ART adherence has been observed in certain settings of public sectors the magnitude of this challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa remains large and there is evidence for high rates of patient’s poor adherence. Study aimed to assess the factors affecting adherence to pediatrics antiretroviral therapy (ART) among children in Mekelle hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. A Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 children on antiretroviral therapy from May 01 to 30/2014 at Mekelle hospital. Data was collected from care givers of children under 15 years old who are on ART. Of the 226 children under 15 years, 90.3 % reported complete adherence to antiretroviral therapy medications at the regular schedule over the past 7 days. Factors associated with adherence were having male care giver (AOR=2.10[1.01, 7.22]), age of the child (AOR=1.43[1.16, 3.98]) below 5 years and use of first line ART drugs (AOR=2.86[1.54, 3.67]). Over all the adherence of children on ART to their medication in this study is relatively higher as compared to others. However, complete adherence is expected in order to make the drugs effective. Different strategies have to be designed to improve the adherence level.

scholarly journals Factors associated with COVID-19 infections and mortality in Africa: a cross-sectional study using publicly available data

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042750
Author(s):  
Charles Okeahalam ◽  
Victor Williams ◽  
Kennedy Otwombe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Expectancy At Birth ◽  
Services Delivery

IntroductionThe current COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat. This elicits questions on the level of preparedness and capacity of health systems to respond to emergencies relative to other parts of the world.MethodsThis cross-sectional study uses publicly available core health data for 53 African countries to determine risk factors for cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases per million in all countries in the continent. Descriptive statistics were determined for the indicators, and a negative binomial regression was used for modelling the risk factors.ResultsIn sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in the number of nursing and midwifery personnel decreased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0178), while a unit increase in universal healthcare (UHC) index of service coverage and prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults increased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0432 and p=0.0127). An increase in the proportion of infants initiating breast feeding reduced the number of cases per million (p<0.0001), while an increase in higher healthy life expectancy at birth increased the number of cases per million (p=0.0340).ConclusionDespite its limited resources, Africa’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be improved by identifying and addressing specific gaps in the funding of health services delivery. These gaps impact negatively on service delivery in Africa, which requires more nursing personnel and increased UHC coverage to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Seroprevalence of human Taenia solium cysticercosis in Haiti

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.P. Raccurt ◽  
P. Agnamey ◽  
J. Boncy ◽  
J.-H. Henrys ◽  
A. Totet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Blots

AbstractHuman Taenia solium cysticercosis is common in developing countries due to poor sanitary conditions and economics based on breeding livestock, especially pigs, with low hygiene standards. Neurocysticercosis, caused by migration of the larvae of the tapeworm in the nervous system, is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy in adults in Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and East and South Asia. This makes neurocysticercosis a large public health problem in developing countries. Two clinical cases of neurocysticercosis have been observed recently in Haiti. In order to evaluate the prevalence of human T. solium cysticercosis in this country, in 2007 we conducted a cross-sectional serological retrospective survey using a Western blotting test (LDBIO Diagnostics®) in Port-au-Prince, where sewage systems are rare and swine usually roam freely throughout the area. A total of 216 serum samples, obtained from healthy adults seen in the work setting of periodical medical visits, were tested after storage at − 20°C. The frequency of antibodies in serum samples of the study population was 2.8% (6/216). The immunodominant bands recognized in Western blots were 23–26 kDa (100%), 39 kDa (67%), 45 kDa and 6–8 kDa (50%), 50–55 kDa (33%). These results confirm for the first time an endemic situation of cysticercosis in humans in Haiti, with similar prevalence as that reported in other Latin American and African countries. It reinforces the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by local public health services.

scholarly journals Mastalgia: Prevalence at a Sub-Saharan African Tertiary Hospital

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
T. Makumbi ◽  
M. Galukande ◽  
A. Gakwaya
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Western World ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Cyclical Mastalgia

Introduction. Mastalgia is a common breast condition among women referred to breast clinics worldwide. Whereas the prevalence is known in the Western world and Asia, the prevalence of the disease is unknown in many African countries. The aim of this study therefore was to determine the prevalence and describe factors associated with mastalgia among women attending a tertiary hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done in Kampala, Uganda. Mastalgia was defined as self-reported breast pain (unilateral or bilateral) for a period not less than two months. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11. Ethical approval was obtained. Results. Out of the 1048 women who presented to the breast clinic during the study period, 168 (16%) were diagnosed with mastalgia in the absence of breast cancer. Noncyclical and cyclical mastalgia were 22/168 (13%) and 5/168 (3%), respectively. The onset of noncyclical category as compared to the cyclical type of mastalgia was observed to manifest before 24 years of age (P=0.006). Conclusion. Mastalgia was a common condition among women in this sub-Saharan African setting as is elsewhere. The early onset mastalgia in this sub-Saharan African study requires further exploration for determination of its risk factors.

scholarly journals Determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of front-line health workers during the first wave of COVID-19 in Africa: a multi-center online cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larrey Kasereka Kamabu ◽  
Hervé Monka Lekuya ◽  
Richard Newton Iranya ◽  
Bienvenu Muhindo Kasusula ◽  
Franck Katembo Sikakulya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Front Line ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Good Attitude

Abstract Background: During its first wave of COVID-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa, there was insufficient understanding of the pandemic among front-line health care professionals that has led to a misidentification, and mistreatment of affected patients, with a potential risk of contracting and spreading the disease. This study was carried out to determine the Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of front-line health workers (HWs) towards COVID-19 in Africa and their related factors.Methods: This was a multi-centers online cross-sectional study conducted over a 3-months study-period using a google survey link among front lines HWs involved in the COVID-19 response in 26 African countries. Chi-square test & logistic regression were used in the bivariate and multivariate analysis respectively to assess determinants of KAP. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 16; all tests were two-sided with 95% confidence interval. Results: Five hundred and seventeen (517, 96.3%) consented to participate in this study from 26 African countries; 289 (55.9%) were male and 228 (44.1%) female. Overall, most of HWs, 379 (73.3%) showed poor knowledge about COVID-19 infection and preventive measures. In contrast, majority of them showed good attitude (89%) and practice (90.3%) towards prevention of COVID-19 infections. Knowledge varied among countries; Uganda had the greatest number of HWs with good knowledge. (OR = 28.09, p <0.0001) followed by Ghana (OR=10.92, p=0.001) and DRC (OR: 4.59, p=0.015). The cadre of HWs also influenced knowledge; doctors were the most knowledgeable as compared to other cadres (OR: 3.4, p= 0.005). Additionally, knowledge increased with increasing HWs’ education level (p=0.011).Attitude and practice were both influenced by HWs country of workplace (p=0.05 & p< 0.0001 respectively) and their cadre (p = 0.025 & p < 0.0001 respectively).Conclusions: Majority of the front-line HWs in the African region had an overall good attitude and practice towards COVID-19 infection and practice measures despite relatively poor Knowledge. The KAP is influenced by HWs country of workplace, their cadre and level of education.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Mortality in Women and Men in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti Dalal ◽  
Isotta Triulzi ◽  
Ananthu James ◽  
Benedict Nguimbis ◽  
Gabriela Guizzo Dri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Credible Intervals ◽  
Sub Saharan

Objective: To investigate differences of COVID-19 related mortality among women and men across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from the beginning of the pandemic. Design: A cross sectional study. Setting: Data from 20 member nations of the WHO African region until September 1, 2020. Participants: 69,580 cases of COVID-19, stratified by sex (men, n=43071; women, n=26509) and age (0-39 years, n=41682; 40-59 years, n=20757; 60+ years, n=7141). Main outcome measures: We computed the SSA- and country-specific case fatality rates (CFRs) and sex-specific CFR differences across various age groups, using a Bayesian approach. Results: A total of 1,656 (2.4% of total cases reported; 1656/69580) deaths were reported, with men accounting for 1168/1656 (70.5%) of total deaths. In SSA, women had a lower CFR than men (mean CFR<diff> = -0.9%; 95% credible intervals -1.1% to -0.6%). The mean CFR estimates increased with age, with the sex-specific CFR differences being significant among those aged 40 or more (40-59 age-group: mean CFR<diff> = -0.7%; 95% credible intervals -1.1% to -0.2%; 60+ age-group: mean CFR<diff> = -3.9%; 95% credible intervals -5.3% to -2.4%). At the country level, seven of the twenty SSA countries reported significantly lower CFRs among women than men overall. Moreover, corresponding to the age-specific datasets, significantly lower CFRs in women than men were observed in the 60+ age-group in seven countries and 40-59 age-group in one country. Conclusions: Sex and age are important predictors of COVID-19 mortality. Countries should prioritize the collection and use of sex-disaggregated data to understand the evolution of the pandemic. This is essential to design public health interventions and ensure that policies promote a gender sensitive public health response.

scholarly journals Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 12902
Author(s):  
Prince Yeboah ◽  
Dennis Bomansang Daliri ◽  
Ahmad Yaman Abdin ◽  
Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong ◽  
Werner Pitsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Attitude ◽  
The Government

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations globally, including Ghana. Knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, and the application of preventive public health interventions are pivotal to its control. Besides a lockdown, measures taken against the spread of the virus include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and, more recently, vaccination against the virus. In order to establish a possible link between the knowledge of the disease and compliance with preventive measures, including vaccination, a cross-sectional study employing an interview-structured questionnaire was conducted in six regions of Ghana (n = 1560). An adequate level of knowledge of COVID-19 (69.9%) was reported. The linear multiple regression analysis further explicated the differences in the knowledge of COVID-19 among the respondents by their knowledge of cholera and influenza (adjusted R-Square = 0.643). Despite this profound knowledge of the illness, two thirds of the respondents were unwilling to follow basic preventive measures and only 35.3% were willing to be vaccinated. Amazingly, neither knowledge of COVID-19 nor the socio-demographic characteristics had any meaningful influence on the practice of preventive measures. Personal attitude leading to efficient public compliance with preventive measures, therefore, is a critical issue demanding special attention and effective interventions by the government and locals with authority to curb the spread of the pandemic which surpasses the traditional channels of public health communication. This includes a roll-out of persuasion, possibly including public figures and influencers, and in any case, a balanced and open discussion addressing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to avoid new variants and comparable problems currently facing many countries of Western Europe. Indeed, a profound hesitancy against vaccination may turn African countries such as Ghana for many years into hotspots of new viral variants.

scholarly journals The Effect of Public Health Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Smoking Dependence & Passive Smoking

2021 ◽  
pp. 167-180
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mater Aljohani ◽  
Abdullah Yussef Alluqmani ◽  
Eyas Abdulqader Alrehaili ◽  
Mohammed Naji Almohammadi ◽  
Hisham Abdullah Alahmadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Passive Smoking ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Secondhand Smoking ◽  
Urge To Smoke ◽  
Significant Change

Background: According to increasing concern about the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of smoking this study was conducted to find the effect of health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking dependence & passive smoking. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2020, by using a valid and reliable questionnaire, the data were analyzed by using SPSS, version 20 software. Results: The study showed 16.9% of participants increased their nicotine use and 12.4% decreased their nicotine use. Despite no significant change in smoking dependence, we found that smokers who used to smoke more than 30 cigarettes per day before the quarantine increased by two folds. In addition, we found that smokers who awaken at night sometimes to have cigarettes before quarantine had increased markedly by 50% during quarantine. Furthermore, smokers who had an extreme urge to smoke over the week before the quarantine have elevated markedly during the quarantine from 31 smokers to 60. Also, over 35.2 % of surveyed individuals experienced a rise in smoking desire during the quarantine. Regarding passive smoking, the surveyed individuals reported a generally slight decline in exposure to secondhand smoking. However, the number of exposed individuals to smoking for more than 8 hours increased by 27%. Conclusion: During the lockdown, individuals smoked marginally more cigarettes compared to the periods before the lockdown with no significant change in smoking dependence. There was a slight decline in exposure to secondhand smoking. However, the number of exposed individuals to household smoking for more than 8 hours had been increased.

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