Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Risk Factors of Malaria Among Caregivers of Under-Five Children in the Buea Health District, South West Region, Cameroon

Aims: The study measured the level of knowledge and attitudes towards malaria and examined associated factors among caregivers of under-five children. Study Design: The study was community-based, descriptive cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Buea Health District (BHD) from February to June 2020. Methodology: Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the caregivers of under-fives. The above mean scores were used to determine the level of knowledge. The attitude levels were measured by using 3-point Likert scales. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with knowledge and attitude. SPSS software version 20.0 was used for analysis. Results: Out of the 390 respondents, 69.5% of them had a neutral attitude. Meanwhile, 27.7 % of participants carried a favorable attitude towards malaria and only 2.8 % of them had an unfavorable attitude, Caregivers of under-five children who scored below the mean score were 25.1 % which was considered having poor knowledge and above the mean score was 74.9% which was considered good knowledge. In the multivariable logistic analysis, caregivers with a primary school level of education were 4.1 times (AOR = 4.1, CI = 1.486-11.102) times more likely of receiving a high malaria knowledge score as compared to those with no formal education. Factors associated with caregiver's attitude level towards malaria risk were educational level and marital status which showed significant associations in the univariate analysis Conclusion: Caregivers of under-fives displayed a good knowledge of malaria risk factors. However, in these endemic areas for malaria, caregiver attitude was found to be unenthusiastic and unresponsive, and this poses additional challenges in reaching the malaria elimination goal. Thus, suggesting that educational messages during the campaign should be contextual to reach out to local communities to trigger a positive behavioural change.

Prevalence of Malaria and the Use of Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Nets in Households of Rural and Semi-urban Communities in Mbengwi Health District, North West Region, Cameroon

Aims: In Cameroon, on August 2011 and October 2015 the Ministry of Public Health launched the national campaign for distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) to all families as a means of effectively fighting malaria transmission. The study area Mbengwi Health District found in the North West Region of Cameroon benefitted from this distribution of LLINs, but the impact of this intervention has not been evaluated. This study was designed to assess the use of LLINs in selected households of rural and semi-urban communities in Mbengwi Health District. Study Design: A cross sectional study was conducted in households, between July 2017 to September 2017 in Mbengwi health district. Methodology: Two questionnaires were administered; one to the household head and the other to the occupants. Blood samples were obtained to diagnose and quantify malaria parasite and to determine hemoglobin concentrations (HB). A total of 93 households and 440 inhabitants of all sexes and age groups were surveyed. Results: Of the 440 participants, 49 were positive for malaria parasite giving an overall prevalence of 11.1%. From the questionnaires it was observed that 87 (93.5%) of the households owned LLINs, with up to 82 (94.3%) sleeping under the nets. All the owners of LLINs (87; 100%) obtained the nets from the government free of charge. There was no significant difference in bed-net ownership (p=0.978) and usage (p=0.664) between the rural and semi-urban communities. Malaria prevalence was significantly lower among users of LLINs (4.8%) than non-users (23.5%, p<0.001). Malaria parasite density negatively correlated significantly with HB (r= -0.097, p=0.041). Conclusion: Overall, there was a high degree ownership and usage of LLINs by households in both rural and semi-urban communities, which was associated with protection from malaria infection.

Study about Tuberculosis in Thailand: An approach to Treatment, GIS and Sichon Model

In this study, we seek to identify geographical areas where ongoing tuberculosis epidemiological characteristics is occurring by linking Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology in Thailand. In addition, we seek to assess how the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) program improved new tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment successes in Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand from 2014 to 2016. The assessment program included seven indicators, and the results revealed that 73 new cases of tuberculosis were admitted for treatment on average every year, with rates of risk group screening findings of 4.28, 5.23, and 6.04 %, respectively. Patients who come to the hospital for diagnosis make up most of the demographic. However, only a minor proportion of patients are identified through community-based primary screening. In the years 2013-2016, the mortality rate of TB cases is expected to rise by 10.25 %, 4.25 %, and 5.56 %, respectively. The elderly and HIV-positive patients comprise most of the TB mortality population. When completing the DOTS program at a hospital, however, the rate of success has fallen short of the targets. Furthermore, the screening technique excludes the target group. As a result, people suffering tuberculosis are reported to be slower and more susceptible to symptoms. As a result, researchers advise that the DOTS program be supported by enhancing treatment follow-up to improve the effectiveness of TB treatment and collaboration with health care worker (HCW).

Case Study in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stunting, Low Birth Weight, Maternal Mortality and Infant Mortality in Semarang, Central Java-Indonesia

Background and Objective: Stunting, low birth weight, maternal death, and child mortality have all become public health issues in recent years, particularly in Semarang, Indonesia. Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading. Between the years 2019 and 2021. Methods: The Semarang City Health Service's secondary data analysis strategy was combined with a quantitative descriptive research methodology in this study. To evaluate numerical patterns in stunting, low birth weight, maternal death, and infant mortality in the data, simple regression were utilized. Results: According to the findings, the trend of stunting (modeling results y = 35,236 x + 361.77) and maternal mortality (modeling results 0.0218x+1.2921) increased between 2019 and 2021, whereas the trend of low birth weight (modeling results y = - 0.5425x+60.008) and child mortality (modeling results y = -0.0028x+ 2.202) decreased. The number of low birth weight has the lowest trend value, while the stunting rate has the greatest. Conclusion: Stunting rates increased, the low birth weight dropped, maternal mortality increased, and child mortality decreased in Semarang. The conditions of the Covid-19 epidemic have at least influenced this condition.

In-vivo Anti-plasmodial Activity of Ethanol Tetracarpidium conophorum Seed Extract and Its Anti-typhoidal Activity In-vitro

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the in-vivo anti-plasmodial activity of ethanol Tetracarpidium conophorum seed extract and its anti-typhoidal activity in-vitro. Study Design: Experimental study. Methodology: Standard methods were conducted to determine the acute toxicity test of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed ethanol extract, determination of Body Weight and Temperature of Mice, determination of antibacterial activity of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed crude extract and antibiotic sensitivity testing of clinical and typed Salmonella Typhi isolates Results: There were no signs of toxicity such as paw licking, sleeping, reduced activity, respiratory distress observed in mice and there were no mortality. Changes occurred in the weight of mice in group 1 (mice treated with 200mg/kg) from 19.71g to 14.50g wherein significant increment was observed only from day 3 to 4 (18.67g to 16.00g), group 2 (mice treated with 400mg/kg) 19.71g to 16.00g). The ethanol extract of Tetracapidium conophorum were all resistant to typed isolates of Salmonella typhimurium and clinical isolates of Salmonella typhimurium at 6.01±0.10 mm. Ciprofloxacin (5 µg) had the highest zone of inhibition at 32.50±2.50 mm against typed Salmonella typhimurium while tetracycline (30 µg) had the least at 15.50±0.50 mm. Conclusion: This study has revealed the anti-plasmodial efficacy of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed. Findings have shown that the ethanol seed extract of T. conophorum relatively possess anti-plasmodial and anti-typhodial activities compared to the positive antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella typhi. Auxiliary evaluation must be conducted to establish the anti-typhoidal activity of ethanol T. conophorum extract in-vivo.

Awareness about Human Brucellosis in Healthcare Professional in India

Introduction: Human brucellosis is a widespread zoonosis of serious public health consequences. The infection is transmitted from animal to human through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of infected, unpasteurized animal milk. Being a disease with wide and non-specific clinical manifestations, a case of brucellosis can be detected only if the treating health care professional is aware of the disease and keeps a high rate of suspicion when dealing with suspected cases. We surveyed to find the extent of awareness about Human brucellosis in healthcare professionals in Gujarat, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals from December 2020 to May 2021 using a self-administrated questionnaire. This study included healthcare professionals including AYUSH practicing in Gujarat. A validated questionnaire consisting of 23 items was administered to assess the knowledge of professionals toward suspecting, diagnosing, preventing, and managing a case of brucellosis. Both physical and Google forms were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program, IBM version 22. Results: Sixty-nine healthcare professionals responded to the questionnaire. The findings of the study showed overall good awareness about brucellosis with a higher rate of knowledge in allopathic healthcare professionals and nurses in comparison to AYUSH doctors. Nearly 50% of respondents did not know the treatment as well as the preventive potential of human brucellosis. Conclusion: The current study suggests a need for creating more awareness in the healthcare professional, particularly AYUSH practitioners about brucellosis for better management and prevention.

Patients’ Perceptions of Hospital Care in a Covid-19 Pandemic Population

Background: COVID-19 pandemic was associated with pandemonium and misinformation, affecting patients' health-seeking behavior. This study was designed to explore patients' perceptions of hospital care during this period and to provide evidence-based and appropriate public health planning strategies. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 155 patients using 22 items structured and self-completion questionnaires to determine (A) Socio-demographic variables, (B) Knowledge and perception of the disease, and (C) The participants’ behaviors towards COVID-19. A Hardcopy version of the questionnaire was administered to the respondents by direct issuance. Results: 103(66.45%) of the respondents knew the cause of COVID-19, while 104 (67.09%) agreed that people can be infected with COVID-19 in the hospital. 84 (54.19%) were afraid of a hospital visit and 66 (42.58%) are unwilling to self-report if they have minor symptoms. A large number 43(27.74%) perceived a clean environment as the impetus to make them comfortable in the hospital. Conclusion: Our study illuminates gaps in the patients’ perceptions of hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted negatively on the patient population as they avoided hospitalization for fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital. Furthermore, appropriate public health strategies can improve patients’ perceptions and health-seeking behavior in a pandemic period.

Pattern and Outcome of Paediatric Surgeries: A Private Paediatric Hospital Experience in Southern Nigeria

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the pattern and outcome of paediatric surgeries in a private hospital in Southern Nigeria. Study Design: A retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out at a private paediatric hospital over a 14-months period from 1st April 2020–31st May 2021. Methodology: Essential information needed were retrieved from the hospital Health Management System and data analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Of 1289 children admitted during the study period, 105 had surgical interventions (prevalence of 8.1%). Age range was from 8 days to 16 years (median age of 36months) with male predominance. Only 34.3% of the patients were self-paying. The most common surgical conditions were congenital anomalies (28.1%), followed by surgical infections (22.8%) and then urogenital diseases (19.3%). The least common were central nervous system diseases (0.9%). Emergencies accounted for 39.8% of cases done. The commonest surgeries done were circumcision (16.8%), appendicectomy (15.9%) and herniotomy/herniorraphy (14.2%). One child died (mortality rate of 1%). Duration of stay was mostly < 3days (41.7%). Longest duration was seen in those who had Laparotomy and Skin graft. Conclusion: The prevalence of surgical interventions in a paediatric private hospital in Southern Nigeria was high with emergency surgeries constituting 38.9% of all cases. Thus, for reduction in paediatric morbidity and mortality, we advocate the improvement of surgical infrastructure and manpower not only in tertiary but also in the private health sector.

Waardenburg Syndrome Type II, Associated with Atrial Septal Defect and Rocker Bottom Foot in a New Born – A Rare Case Presentation

Background: There are a number of syndromes with a combination of pigmentary abnormalities, hearing abnormalities and other defects. One among these pigmentary syndromes is waardenburg syndrome, which is further classified into four types. All these types show marked variability even within pedigrees. Case-Report: We are reporting a case of Waardenburg syndrome type 2, with an unusual presentation of atrial septal defect and rocker bottom foot. Conclusion: All clinicians on noticing, any child with white forelock of hair or heterochromia iris should get the child’s hearing tested and further systemic evaluation, at the first instance, because an early intervention for hearing impairment and other defects can improve the outcome of child. Family counselling is at-most important for these children with syndromes. We describe a unique case of Waardenburg syndrome type 2 with an unusual presentation of atrial septal defect and rocker bottom foot.

Modelling Neonatal Mortality Rate in Nigeria Using a Continuous Poisson-Lindley Distribution

Nigeria’s effort to reduce under-five mortality has been biased in favour of childhood mortality to the neglect of neonates and as such the literature is short of adequate information on the determinants of neonatal mortality, whereas studies have shown that about half of infant deaths occur in the neonatal period. Knowledge of the determinants of neonatal mortality is essential for the design of intervention programmes that will enhance neonatal survival. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the trends in neonatal mortality in Nigeria. It also proposed a Poisson based continuous probability distribution called Poisson-Lindley distribution to neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria. Some properties of the new model and other relevant measures were obtained. The unknown parameters of the model were also estimated using the method of maximum likelihood. The fitness of the proposed model to the neonatal mortality rate was considered using a dataset on neonatal mortality rate from 1967 to 2019.