scholarly journals From Knowledge to Practice: Are we Prepared to Handle COVID-19 Pandemic? A Health Centre Based Cross-sectional Study

Author(s):  
Surinderpal Singh ◽  
Anurag Chaudhary ◽  
Mahesh Satija ◽  
Pranjl Sharma

Introduction: Knowledge is the beginning of prevention, and transformation of knowledge into preventive practices. Knowledge, attitude and practice surveys among populations provide useful information about community behaviour in prevention and control of infectious diseases like Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aim: To assess the knowledge, perceptions and practices of patients about COVID-19 visiting Outpatient Department (OPD) of a health training centre during lockdown period. Materials and Methods: A health centre based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 15th May 2020 for 15 days in Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) of Department of Community Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. All patients (18 years and above) who visited the healthcare facility for the first time (visit) during the study period were included in the study. A total of 485 participants recruited through consecutive sampling were interviewed using adapted World Health Organisation (WHO) and previously published questionnaire on knowledge (15 questions), perceptions (2 questions) and practices (3 questions). Knowledge score ranged from 0 to maximum 15. Analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square test were used to determine the difference between the groups for different variables at 0.05 level of significance. Results: Mean knowledge score of the participants was 10.6±2.1. Out of 485 participants (mean age 48.8±16.2 years), majority 425 (87.6%) knew about main clinical symptoms and 448 (92.4%) knew isolation and treatment of COVID-19 infected persons as an effective way of prevention and control of COVID-19. However, 284 (58.6%) and 276 (56.9%) participants knew about transmission through respiratory droplets and by touching contaminated surfaces, respectively. Educational status showed an independent association with higher knowledge. Total 190 (39.2%) of the participants agreed on stigma against specific individuals. Regularly washing of hands (77.7%), three layered masks (29.9%) and physical distancing (33.2%) were commonly followed practices. Higher knowledge score was significantly associated with regular handwashing practices (p<0.001) and wearing of three layered masks (p<0.001). Conclusion: Results highlighted good knowledge about COVID-19 of study participants. However, continued efforts over time are required to increase the COVID appropriate behavior regarding usage of face mask and physical distancing.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Yanelza Supranelfy ◽  
Sulfa Esi Warni ◽  
Nur Inzana ◽  
Nungki Hapsari Suryaningtyas

The main strategy of World Health Organization (WHO) in the prevention and control of malaria, namely through case management that includes the detection, diagnosis, management and treatment of cases. The detection of malaria cases or patients with microscopic confirmation by the health services including hospitals both private and public is one of the main activities carried out in malaria elimination efforts. The purpose of this  study was to determine the picture of malaria patients in Siti Aisyah and  dr. Sobirin hospitals in 2016. Data collection with peripheral blood sampling and interviews using questionnaires with cross-sectional study design. The results of this research is the detection of 13 malaria Falciparum and Vivax patients from two hospitals ;  two patients with malaria Falciparum and six with malaria Vivax in Siti Aisyah Hospital Lubuklinggau  and five  patients with malaria Falciparum in dr.Sobirin hospital Musi Rawas. The type of treatment of malaria which has been received by the respondents were with chloroquin,  primaquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and also sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, each was six percents.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Ibrahim ◽  
M.K. Tijani ◽  
R. I. Nwuba

AbstractBackgroundIn developing countries, infections caused by soil-transmitted helminthes (STH), such as Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm, pose major public health problems among the school-age children, resulting in impaired physical growth such as stunting and thinness, and cognitive development. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of STH infections, stunting and thinness, and risk factors among school-age-children in Ibadan. This becomes highly imperative in order to serve as a guide on the prevention and control.MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out in 8 primary schools at Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, between May and November 2018. All the school-age-children between the ages 5 and 18 years old (mean 10.4 ± 1.7 years), from primary one to six took part in the study. Demographic data were obtained and STH infections was analysed in single-stool samples by Kato-Katz. Anthropometric parameters were taken to calculate Height for-age Z score (HAZ) and Body-Mass-Index (BMI) for-age Z score (BAZ), in order to determine among school-aged-children stunting and thinness respectively.ResultsIn overall, 458 school-age-children partook in the study. The prevalence of STH was 9.0%, out of which 7.6%, 2.8% and 1.5% were recorded for Ascaris, Trichuris and multiparasitism respectively. The overall prevalence obtained revealed that the results of stunting and thinness (HAZ < -2SD, BAZ < -2SD) were 24.7% and 27.3% respectively based on the WHO Child Growth Standards (2007). Notably, ages of the children (P< 0.01), their classes (P=0.05), different schools (P=0.003), washing of hands after toileting (P = 0.05) were important risk factors determining STH infection, HAZ and BAZ.ConclusionThe study showed that specific risk factors among school children in the studied area will make them vulnerable with high risk of STH infection, HAZ and BAZ. Effective prevention and control strategies can be well planned when risk factors and dynamics of transmission in vulnerable groups have been painstakingly identified.SummaryAscaris, Trichuris and hookworm are responsible for major public health problems among the school-age children (SAC); this has led to stunting and thinness, and impaired cognitive development. With the aim to determine prevalence of STH infections, stunting, thinness and associated risk factors, a cross-sectional study of STH infection in 8 primary schools at Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria was conducted in 2018. School-aged children between the ages of 5 and 18 were enrolled, demographic data, stool samples and anthropometric parameters were obtained in order to determine STH infection and nutritional status. 9.0% was the prevalence of STH, the prevalence of 7.6%, 2.8% and 1.5% were recorded for Ascaris, Trichuris and multiparasitism respectively, while 24.7% and 27.3% were obtained for stunting and thinness respectively. The children’s age, hand washing after toileting and locations of the different schools were significantly correlated with STH infection, HAZ and BAZ. This study is highly imperative because its shows some risk factors associated with STH infection, HAZ and BAZ among SAC, this can serve as a guide on the prevention and control among SAC.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letebrhan Gebrezgiher ◽  
Gebretsadik Berhe ◽  
Aregawi Gebreyesus Belay ◽  
Alefech Adisu

AbstractBackgroundRabies is nearly 100% fatal zoonotic disease. One thousand seven hundred suspected rabies exposures reported in north Ethiopia, Tigray region in 2017, which has the highest rabies prevalence from Ethiopia. Almost half of them were from Central zone only. Of these 38% were in Aksum town and Laelay-Machew. Though Rabies exposure is prevalent in Tigray, there is scanty information on rabies prevention and control practices among dog owners. Thus, this deals with rabies prevention and control practice and associated factors among dog owners.Methods and materialsComparative community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Aksum town and Laelay-Machew district from March 01 to 20, 2018. A multi stage sampling was employed to recruit 558 households. Data were collected via structured and pretested questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi_info_7 and then exported to SPSS_20 for analysis. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was done with 95% confidence intervals at p value of 5% for the final model.ResultThe overall prevalence of poor rabies prevention and control practice was 56% [95%CI (50, 61.9)] in urban and 62% [95% CI (57.2, 67.7)] in rural dog owners. In urban; being government employee [AOR (95%CI) = 0.35 (0.13, 0.94)], private employee [AOR (95%CI) =0.39(0.16, 0.97)] and having poor attitude [(AOR (95%CI) =1.84 (1.04, 3.25)] were significantly associated with outcome variable. Whereas in rural dwellers; having no formal education [AOR (95%CI)=6.41(1.1,38.6)], poor attitude [AOR (95%CI)= 2.19 (1.18,4.05)], having one dog [AOR (95%CI)=3.31(1.34,8.15)], travel ≥30 minute to get vaccine [AOR (95%CI)= 4.26 (2.14,8.47]), no history of dog bite exposure [AOR (95%CI)= 4.16(1.49,11.6)] and neighbors as their source of information [AOR (95%CI) =3.64 (1.31,10.1)] have statistical significance with the outcome variable.Conclusion and RecommendationThe prevalence of poor rabies prevention and control practice was higher among rural dog owners. Thus; interventions should be implemented both to urban and rural residents based on the identified findings so as to promote effective rabies prevention and control activities.


Author(s):  
Bogale Belay ◽  
Tegenu Gelana ◽  
Araya Gebresilassie

Abstract Background Ethiopia has achieved considerable progresses in the prevention and control of malaria in the past decades; hitherto it is a formidable health concern and socio-economic impediment. This study aimed at assessing the magnitude, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria among febrile patients attending Chagni health center, northwest Ethiopia. Methods Health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of malaria and KAP towards malaria among febrile patients at Chagni health center in Chagni Town during September 2017 to February 2018. In order to determine the magnitude of malaria, finger prick blood samples were collected and thick and thin smears were prepared and microscopically examined for the presence of malaria parasites. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was also applied to assess KAP of suspected malaria patients, attending the health center. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results Prevalence of malaria among febrile patients, who visited the sampled health facility, was 7.3%. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infections accounted for 55, 44.3 and 0.7% of the cases, respectively. This study also revealed that 97% of the respondents had ever heard about malaria and recognized it as a serious health problem. Mosquito bite was identified as the main malaria transmission. Taking drug (86.3%), use of mosquito nets (73.3%), drain stagnated water (68%), and house spay with insecticides (66%) were mentioned as the main malaria prevention methods. Mosquito net coverage and utilizations in the prior night were 98 and 75%, respectively. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage was 99%, of which 77.5% of study participants’ houses have been sprayed in the last 6 months. Conclusions The current study revealed that prevalence of malaria among febrile illnesses in the study area was relatively low (7.3%) with a high proportion of P. falciparum. Besides, participants had adequate knowledge, encouraging attitudes, and good practices about prevention and control of malaria. However, some misconceptions on malaria disease, its transmission, and prevention have been noted that actually require due attention by the concerned stakeholders. The findings of this study could be used as important inputs for the implementation of effective malaria prevention and control methods, including community health education programs, and scaling up coverage of evidence-based interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahd Aljarbou ◽  
Sundus Bukhary ◽  
Abdullah Althemery ◽  
Abdullah Alqedairi

Objectives: To investigate the clinical dental students’ knowledge on the proper dental setting during COVID-19. Methods: Using multicenter cross-sectional study, a 10-items questionnaire was distributed in April 2020 among senior dental students from two dental schools. It comprised three main domains: demographic questions, questions investigating student’s access to the proper recommendations of dental settings during COVID-19 and the specific recommendations questions. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 654 clinical dental students and the total number of respondents were 267 representing a response rate of 40.83%. The overall knowledge mean was low (1±0.92). Gender was not a statistically significant factor affecting the knowledge score (P > 0.05). Most of the participants never visited the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Saudi CDC) website and received no guidance or advice regarding proper dental practices during COVID-19. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the mean knowledge score and access to knowledge variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was noted that clinical dental students have low knowledge on the proper dental settings during COVID-19 pandemic that was recommended by the Saudi CDC guidelines and they must be equipped with adequate knowledge from reliable sources to overcome their insufficiencies such as a well-structured and dynamic curriculum. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 How to cite this:Aljarbou FA, Bukhary SM, Althemery AU, Alqedairi AS. Clinical dental students’ knowledge regarding proper dental settings for treating patient during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Pratap Bhan Kaushik* ◽  
Ajit Singh Solanki ◽  
Neeraj Pal Singh ◽  
Chandan Mal Fatehpuria

INTRODUCTION: HIV causes morbidity and mortality in infants and children, pertaining to its Parent- tochildtransmission(PPTCT)risk.PPTCTis responsiblefor90%childhoodHIVinfection.Existingstudywasdone tomeasuretheawarenessregardingHIV/AIDStransmissioninwomenandtheirattitudetowardspeoplelivingwithHIV/AIDS(PLHA). METHODOLOGY: It was a facility based cross-sectional study conducted on women attending general OPD at Urban health training centre (UHTC) attached with MB Hospital & R.N.T Medical College, Udaipur. 360 women interviewed by a semi structured questionnaire for duration of 6 months. RESULTS : Out of 360 women majority were of age group 21-30 years ,64.4% were housewives.79.7% women knew that HIV is transmitted by sexual route. 29.4% of the mothers thought that one could get infected by just touching an HIV positive people. The association of knowledge score with educational status and occupation is highly signicant (p<0.001).


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