scholarly journals Knowledge and Practice of Malaria Control Measures among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Abakaliki, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
V Azuogu ◽  
C Ndie ◽  
C Onah ◽  
C Akpa ◽  
N Eze ◽  
...  

Background: Pregnant women, children and immune-compromised persons are highly vulnerable to malaria morbidity and mortality. Malaria accounts for about 50% of all clinic attendance in Nigeria and contributes significantly to anaemia in pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm births, still births and perinatal mortality. It is therefore imperative that these highly susceptible groups of people are adequately informed and supported for prevention of malaria at all times. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of malaria control measures among Antenatal Care attendees in Abakaliki. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the two biggest hospitals in Abakiliki, among 400 Antenatal Care attendees selected using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Chi-square was used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. The significance level was set at p< 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.2 ± 4.1 years. Majority correctly identified methods of diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy. Although 375(93.7%) of the women constantly owned a long-lasting insecticide treated net, only 187(49.9%) of them always slept under it. While 363(90.7%) of the respondents cleared their surrounding bushes, only 130 (32.5) regularly used in-door insecticide spray and 153(38.3%) always used anti-malaria prophylaxis in the index pregnancy. Conclusion: Knowledge about malarial control measures was high but use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Net with drug prophylaxis was suboptimal. It is therefore recommended that health education on malaria prevention practice be intensified during Antenatal clinic visits.

Author(s):  
Gebreamlak Gidey ◽  
Desta Abraha

 Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the proportion and associated factors for early initiation of antenatal care visit in Mekelle City, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2015.Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among 391 pregnant women’s in Mekelle special zone. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through interview. Data were entered into EPI info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20, respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to see significant variables with p<0.05 at 95% confidence interval (CI).Result: The proportion of pregnant women who initiate early antenatal care (ANC) visit was found to be 41.1%. Perceived correct time of initiation before 4 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.261, 95% CI 1.391–7.645) and correct time told by others before 4 months with (AOR=6.617, 95% CI 2.580, 16.971) were found to have statistically significant positive outcomes association with early initiation of antenatal care visit.Conclusion: The proportion of early ANC initiation in Mekelle is lower than the World Health Organization recommendation which is <16 weeks gestation. Therefore, providing information to the community, initiation counseling, and providing health education on the benefits early ANC is crucial to improving maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Sendy Ayu Mitra Uktutias ◽  
Niniek Lely Pratiwi ◽  
Windhu Purnomo

Basic Health Research Results (Riskesdas) conducted by the Ministry of Health shows that the coverage of K4 during the last 3 years in 2010–2013 is the year 2010 by 86.85% and the year 2013 of 87.48%. The lack of utilization of ANC by pregnant women is associated with many factors, one of which is the lack of awareness of pregnant women about the importance of pregnancy care. The purpose of this study analyzed the influence of awareness of the situation of pregnant women with the frequency of antenatal visits. The research method was analytic observational with cross sectional  study design. The study sample was 38 pregnant women who lived in the working are at waru public health center’s. The sampling technique using simple random sampling. Data collection using primary data by questionnaire and secondary data with the instrument KIA book. Data were processed and analyzed by using frequency distribution and inferential analyze of linier regression with a significance level of 5% (p = 0.05). The results of linear regression analysis in pregnant women showed significant value of β 0.684 (β > 0.500), that the awareness of the situation had an effect on the frequency of antenatal care. A good situation awareness is a necessary process to influence the decision to act, it is a pregnancy test and can be seen the frequency of antenatal care of a pregnant woman. This conclusion Waru public health center’s is a health clinic located in the highlands. Still less maximal antenatal care visits because of the support and access to antenatal care. It is suggested to raise awareness of pregnant women situation through family involvement, husband as reinforcement factor in support of improvement of antenatal care examination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radha Kumari Paudel ◽  
Yuba Nidhi Basaula ◽  
Sunita Tiwari

Inappropriate complementary feeding practice is one of the main reasons for malnutrition among Nepal children aged less than two years. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months followed by complementary feeding along with breastfeeding is vital for proper growth and development of a child. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and practices of mothers regarding complementary feeding, and to determine the factors influencing the inappropriateness of complementary feeding. A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out at Bharatpur Hospital Chitwan, Nepal, involving mothers of children from 6 to 24 months of age who attended outpatient department of this hospital, using systematic sampling technique and applying semi-structured questionnaire. About 73.8 % of mothers knew they had to start breast feeding within ½-1 hours after birth. It was found in this study that around 20.8% mothers practiced exclusive breast feeding more than six months. Study shows that 52.30% mothers had introduced complementary feeds within six months. This study found that 50% mother fed their children appropriate complementary feeding. About26.1% mothers were found to be practicing ideal feeding in this study. It was observed in the study that 73.8% mothers had knowledge about the exclusive breast feeding. Most mothers (18.4%) knew when to start complementary feeding . Study shows that 52.30% mothers had introduced complementary feed within six month. Half of the mothers fed their child appropriate complementary feeding there was a knowledge and practice gap of duration of exclusive breast feeding and initiation and continuation of complementary feeding.


Author(s):  
Asmerom Seyoum Tecle ◽  
Albadawi Abdelbagi Talha ◽  
Khalid Abdelsamea Mohamedahmed ◽  
Adam Dawoud Abakar

Introduction: The majority of human infections with Toxoplasmagondii produce no symptoms, but in congenitally infected children can cause devastating effects including blindness, brain damage, or miscarriage. Transmission to the fetus occurs predominantly in women who acquire their primary infection during gestation. The study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in different areas of Asmara, Eritrea, and to identify possible risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending the ANC centers. Methods: In this cross-sectional laboratory-based study, the data were collected from 210 pregnant women in four health facilities. Voluntary sampling technique and a structured questionnaire were used to collect the associated data and socio-demographic information. Cobas e411 Analyzer was used to test the blood serum for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Epi-Info version 7.0 was used for data entry and SPSS version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 210 samples, 112 (53.6%) samples were seropositive and 97 (46.4%) samples were seronegative for T. gondii specific IgG antibody. Furthermore, 2.9% (6) of the samples were seropositive and 97.1% (203) of the samples were seronegative for T. gondii-specific IgM antibodies. Conclusion: The seroprevalence was considerably high, 53.6% for IgG antibody and 2.9% for IgM antibody, which require attention in order to implement preventive control measures, screening tests, and health education.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ayenew Addisu ◽  
Yalewayker Tegegne ◽  
Yenesew Mihiret ◽  
Abebaw Setegn ◽  
Ayalew Jejaw Zeleke

Background. Malaria is a severe parasitic disease that can progress to complications of the nervous system, respiratory distress, renal problems, metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia which can result in death in case of delay or absence of appropriate treatment. Even though health service facilities and vector control strategy in the community are implemented as control measures, variations in temperature and rainfall that can affect the life cycle of parasite are among the factors of malaria prevalence over the years. The aim of this trend analysis was to assess the prevalence and the impact of malaria over the seasons and years. Methods. A cross-sectional study using retrospective information was conducted at two health centers Gorgora and Chuahit in Dembia district. The data was collected from lab logbooks routinely diagnosed and registered for seven years. A systematic sampling technique was used by taking patient results from lab logbooks during the first ten days of every month. Data were entered directly into the EpiData Entry software version 3.1 and analysed with the SPSS software version 20. Moreover, a chi-square test with a level of significance set at less than 5% was used. Results. From a total of 11,879 clients that participated, 56.6% were males. The overall malaria prevalence in the last seven years was 21.8%, and the dominant parasite was P. falciparum which accounted for 15.6% of the participants which was threefold higher than P. vivax in the seven-year trend. Moreover, at Gorgora health center, the prevalence which was 15% at the beginning of the study (2012) rose to 33.9% and 30.5% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In the analysis of the seven years, October and September in which the prevalence of malaria was 32.6% and 27.2%, respectively, constituted the peak months. High malaria prevalence was observed in autumn (September to November) season, and the least was observed in spring (March to May) with the prevalence of (17.8%) (p≤0.001). Malaria attack showed significant variability among different age groups, and the age group 15-29 and males were the most affected (p≤0.001). Conclusion. In this study, malaria transmission remained high, which affected males more than females. Thus, appropriate season-based bed net use, health education, immediate patient treatment, and stagnant water drainage methods are needed to alleviate the problem.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dagmawit Birhanu Kebede ◽  
Yeshitila Belay Belachew ◽  
Desta Workneh Selbana ◽  
Admasu Belay Gizaw

Background. A woman’s satisfaction with antenatal care service has immediate and long-term impacts on maternal and her baby’s health. It also ensures further use of service. However, it is not well studied in Ethiopia in general and at the southern region in particular. Objective. The main objective of this study is to assess the level of a maternal satisfaction with antenatal care services and associated factors. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study that involves both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was employed. A systematic sampling technique was used to obtain study participants, and quantitative data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. For qualitative data, Focus Group Discussions were done among clients that have a repeated visit by taking educational status as homogeneity criteria. EpiData version 3.1 and SPSS version 21 were used for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to describe and identify factors associated with maternal satisfaction on antenatal care. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically and manually. Results. Overall, 74% of mothers were satisfied with antenatal care services rendered in public health institutions of Hossana town. Most of the respondents were satisfied with privacy, cleanness, physical facility, and approaches of care. Age, educational status, privacy, cleanness, distance, and respect were significantly associated with a client’s satisfaction. Conclusion. Three-fourths of the respondents were satisfied with the service. Age, education, living distance, maintenance of privacy, cleanness of the facility, and respect from providers were the significant predictors of the satisfaction level.


Author(s):  
Kennedy D. Konlan ◽  
Roberta M. Amoah ◽  
Joel A. Saah ◽  
Juliana A. Abdulai ◽  
Iddrisu Mohammed ◽  
...  

Background: The presence of anaemia in pregnancy is one of the serious public health concerns across the globe especially in developing countries like Ghana. This study assessed pregnant women's knowledge on factors influencing aneamia in pregnancy in a low-income district of Ghana.Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. 112 pregnant women seeking antenatal care were recruited using systematic sampling technique in the Wassa East district of Ghana. Data were cleaned and entered into SPSS version 22 and analysed into descriptive statistics.Results: Majority of participants; 72.3% did not know the causes of anaemia in pregnancy. Pregnant women (27.7%) indicated nutritional deficiency as a common cause of anaemia; 18.7% of them could identify appropriately at least one sign of anaemia in pregnancy with 28% asserting that pregnancy-related anaemia can affect labour, despite 72% indicating that anaemia could cause maternal mortality. The reasons for irregular ANC attendance included; perceived non importance of ANC (18.8%), financial difficulties (17.9%), health facility inaccessibility (18.8%) and time constraints (44.5%). There was a strong association between knowledge level on the cause of anaemia in pregnancy and the educational level of pregnant women (p=0.005 chi square = 50.289).Conclusions: Lack of knowledge on the importance of antenatal care and financial constraints were among the reasons leading to a surge in anaemia amongst pregnant women in the district. Health providers should incorporate services which enable pregnant women to access valuable information on anaemia prevention in pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmerom Seyoum Tecle ◽  
Albadawi Abdelbagi Talha ◽  
Khalid Abdelsamea Mohamedahmed ◽  
Adam Dawoud Abakar

Abstract Background The majority of human infections with Toxoplasma produce no symptoms, but in congenitally infected children can cause devastating effects including eye blindness, brain damage, or miscarriage. Transmission to the fetus occurs predominantly in women who acquire their primary infection during gestation. Objective The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in different sites of Asmara, Eritrea, and to identify possible risk factors associated with Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal center. Methods The study has followed a cross-sectional laboratory-based survey. The data were collected from 210 pregnant women in four health facilities. Voluntary sampling technique and a structured questionnaire were used to collect associate factors and socio-demographic information. Cobas e411 clinical chemistry Analyzers was used to test the blood serum for IgG and IgM antibodies. Epi-Info (V 7.0) was used for data entry and SPSS (V 20.0) was used for data analysis. Results From the 210 samples, 53.6% (112) samples were seropositive and 46.4% (97) samples were seronegative for toxoplasma specific IgG antibody. Furthermore, 2.9% (6) samples were seropositive and 97.1% (203) samples were seronegative for toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies. Conclusion The seroprevalence was considerably high, 53.6% IgG antibody and 2.9% IgM antibody which requests attention, in order to introduce preventive control measures, screening tests, and health education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabeta Seeiso ◽  
Mamutle M. Todd-Maja

Antenatal care (ANC) literacy is particularly important for pregnant women who need to make appropriate decisions for care during their pregnancy and childbirth. The link between inadequate health literacy on the educational components of ANC and maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undisputable. Yet, little is known about the ANC literacy of pregnant women in SSA, with most studies inadequately assessing the four critical components of ANC literacy recommended by the World Health Organization, namely danger signs in pregnancy; true signs of labour; nutrition; and preparedness for childbirth. Lesotho, a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in SSA, is also underexplored in this research area. This cross-sectional study explored the levels of ANC literacy and the associated factors in 451 purposively sampled women in two districts in Lesotho using a structured questionnaire, making recourse to statistical principles. Overall, 16.4 per cent of the participants had grossly inadequate ANC literacy, while 79.8 per cent had marginal levels of such knowledge. The geographic location and level of education were the most significant predictors of ANC literacy, with the latter variable further subjected to post hoc margins test with the Bonferroni correction. The participants had the lowest scores on knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and true signs of labour. Adequate ANC literacy is critical to reducing maternal mortality in Lesotho. Improving access to ANC education, particularly in rural areas, is recommended. This study also provides important recommendations critical to informing the national midwifery curriculum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
Nita Sharma ◽  
Pratima Sharma ◽  
Tulashi Adhikari Mishra

Introduction: Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a problem with structure and function of the heart that is present at birth.  Children with CHD require special care, treatment and follow up for a number of common conditions which may be quite straining to the care givers. The objective of the study was to find out the burden of care among mothers having children with CHD. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a cardiac centre of Nepal. A total of 95 mothers having children with CHD attending outpatient department of our institute were selected as the sample for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique. A semi structured interview questionnaire consisting of the Modified Caregiver Strain Index was used to assess the burden of care among mothers having children with CHD. Frequency and percent were used to describe the variables and chi- square test at 0.05 significance level was used to analyse associations. Results: Most (77.9%) of the mothers were regularly strained to find that their children’s health condition was deteriorating due to CHD. Nearly half (44.2%) of the mothers always had financial constrain while giving care to the child, nearly half (40%) of the mothers had done emotional adjustments to take care of their children with CHD, another two-fifths (28.4%) of the mothers sometimes had disturbed sleep and almost half (46.3%) of the mothers were always upset due to some behaviour of their child with CHD. Half (50.5%) of the mothers had high level of burden of care. Statistically significant association were found between age of the mother and level of burden of care (p value = 0.05). Similarly, the type of family (p value = 0.005), age of the children (p value = 0.000) and type of CHD (p value = 0.002) were significantly associated with the level of burden of care among the mothers. Conclusion: The study concluded that mothers tend to feel less burden of care as the child grows older, mothers having children with cyanotic heart disease tend to experience more burden of care. Mothers of less than thirty years of age and living in a joint family also experience more burden of care.  


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