scholarly journals Pregnant Women and Malaria Preventive Measures: A Case of Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Abdul Rauf Alhassan

Background. In Saharan Africa, an estimated 25 million pregnancies are all at risk of malaria every year, with substantial morbidity and death effects for both the mother and the fetus. Aim. To investigate the use of malaria preventive measures among pregnant women patronizing antenatal services of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methodology. This study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 250 participants. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Graphs and tables were used to present the study data. Bivariate analysis was done using Chi-square use to determine the relationships and binary logistics regression used for identification of predictor variables. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 30.0 ± 4.5 years and most of them (73.0%) were within the age group of 25–35 years. Respondents’ favorable knowledge, a favorable attitude, and favorable practice were 78.0%, 62.0%, and 57.6%, respectively. And the following variables were associated with malaria preventive practice: age of the respondent (X2 = 6.276, P = 0.043 ), religion (X2 = 6.904, P = 0.032 ), level of education (X2 = 41.482, P < 0.001 ), employment status (X2 = 20.533, P < 0.001 ), monthly income (X2 = 21.838, P < 0.001 ), and attitude level towards malaria prevention (X2 = 35.885, P < 0.001 ). Further analysis revealed educational level and attitude level as predictors of malaria preventive practice. Conclusion. This study recorded favorable knowledge, attitude, and practice with regards to malaria prevention among more than half of the study participants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariame Ouedraogo ◽  
Jaameeta Kurji ◽  
Lakew Abebe ◽  
Ronald Labonté ◽  
Sudhakar Morankar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, malaria infections and other complications during pregnancy contribute to the high burden of maternal morbidity and mortality. Preventive measures are available, however little is known about the factors influencing the uptake of maternal health services and interventions by pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods We analyzed data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2016 in three rural districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, with 3784 women who had a pregnancy outcome in the year preceding the survey. We used multivariable logistic regression models accounting for clustering to identify the determinants of antenatal care (ANC) attendance and insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership and use, and the prevalence and predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women. Results Eighty-four percent of interviewed women reported receiving at least one ANC visit during their last pregnancy, while 47% reported attending four or more ANC visits. Common reasons for not attending ANC included women’s lack of awareness of its importance (48%), distance to health facility (23%) and unavailability of transportation (14%). Important determinants of ANC attendance included higher education level and wealth status, woman’s ability to make healthcare decisions, and pregnancy intendedness. An estimated 48% of women reported owning an ITN during their last pregnancy. Of these, 55% reported to have always slept under it during their last pregnancy. Analysis revealed that the odds of owning and using ITNs were respectively 2.07 (95% CI: 1.62–2.63) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32–2.27) times higher among women who attended at least one ANC visit. The self-reported prevalence of malaria infection during pregnancy was low (1.4%) across the three districts. We found that young, uneducated, and unemployed women presented higher odds of malaria infection during their last pregnancy. Conclusion ANC and ITN uptake during pregnancy in Jimma Zone fall below the respective targets of 95 and 90% set in the Ethiopian Health Sector Transformation Plan for 2020, suggesting that more intensive programmatic efforts still need to be directed towards improving access to these health services. Reaching ANC non-users and ITN ownership and use as part of ANC services could be emphasized to address these gaps.


Author(s):  
Abinet Arega Sadore ◽  
Demelash Woldeyohannes Handiso ◽  
Tekle Ejajo Wontamo ◽  
Dejene Ermias Mekango ◽  
Sisay Moges

Abstract Background: Infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a severe public health issue worldwide. A broad amount of information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was disseminated by social media in Ethiopia. To date, there is limited evidence on the influence of social media use for covid-19 related information on covid-19 preventive practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of social media use on the practice of COVID-19 preventive measures in Ethiopia. Methods: This study employed an anonymous internet-based online cross-sectional survey using Google forms to collects the data from the respondents from 15 May to 17 June 2020 in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between social media usage as a predictor and COVID-19 preventive practice, after adjusting for socio-demographic and risk perception of COVID-19 variables. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 372 respondents have participated in the study. From 372, 208(55.9%) respondents in this study were male. Study participants who had good utilization of social media to get COVID-19 related information were 9.5 times engaged in COVID-19 preventive practices compared to study participants who had poor utilization of social media to get covid-19 related information (AOR= 9.59, 95% CI = 5.70 - 16.13). Also, study participants who had a high-risk perception of COVID-19 were 2.6 times engaged in COVID-19 practices compared to study participants who had a low-risk perception of covid-19 (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.58 - 4.38). Study participants who were students at the time of this study were four times more likely to show adequate COVID-19 preventive practice score compared to those who had another occupational status (AOR= 4.07, 95% CI= 1.66 - 9.98) Conclusions: Our results show that the usage of social media networks can have a positive effect on the practice of preventive measures and public safety against COVID-19; high-risk perception contributed to preventive activities against COVID-19. Social networking platforms can be used by public health agencies as an important method to raise public health understanding by disseminating concise messages to targeted audiences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Getachew Roba Agegnew ◽  
Seyoum Robo Gebremariam ◽  
Abera Haile Adello ◽  
Yasin Abafita Abawari ◽  
Abiyot Mamo Mergia ◽  
...  

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and resultant coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have evolved into a pandemic, requiring persons around the world to attend to rapidly changing messages about public health and take immediate actions. Related to this, community’s awareness toward the preventive practice of coronavirus is assessed. Hence, the purpose of this was to investigate the awareness and preventive practice among communities. Cross-sectional survey design was conducted among 400 participants. Simple random sampling, technique particularly lottery method was used to select the study participants. Data was collected by using questionnaire and observation. After the data was collected, data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 26. Hence, data gathered using questionnaire and observation was computed by using simple descriptive statistics (percentage and frequencies). Regarding awareness level of communities 61% of respondents aware that covid-19 transmits from victim by hand shaking and close contacts. And hence, 37.8% of participants aware that awareness creation was done by health organization service centers. And hence, the findings in this study revealed that community’s awareness was high on each specific aspect of COVID-19 among the study participants. Communities are not still totally pay attention to aware about COVID 19, crisis. According to finding in this research communities wash their hand in order to prevent covid-19 better than the previous. Kaffa zone as well as stakeholders should have to provide ample information for all communities including urban and rural societies to aware about COVID-19 and practice how to prevent. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Roshani Gautam ◽  
Bishnu Dutta Paudel ◽  
Rejina Shrestha ◽  
Bhagawaty Kalikotay

People with cancer are at high risk for coronavirus infection because of immunosuppressive nature of disease itself and adverse effect of treatment. Knowledge and adoption of preventive practice is critical to control the outbreak of infectious disease in vulnerable populations. Hence, this study aimed to identify the awareness, perceived risk and preventive practices regarding coronavirus disease among people with cancer. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 83 cancer patients in Bir Hospital. Total enumeration sampling technique was used to collect data for two weeks and interview schedule was used. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 16, descriptive and inferential statistics was calculated. Out of 83 participants, mean score of knowledge was 37.33±7.5 and 76% of study participants had adequate awareness (>75% of total score) and the mean practice score was 24.6±2.88. None of the study participants were practicing preventive measures as per guidelines of government. The study found that level of awareness was significantly associated with the age of the participants (p=0.04). However, other socio-demographic factors were not associated with awareness. The study concluded that people with cancer had adequate awareness but had inadequate practices on preventive measures as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO, which should be mandatory to contain disease outbreak. Therefore, there is an urgent need to focus on the adoption of preventive behaviors for cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana da Fonseca ◽  
Jorge Harrison Arroz ◽  
Maria do Rosario O. Martins ◽  
Zulmira Hartz ◽  
Nuria W Negrao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Mozambique, the socio-economic and cultural factors influence the wide adoption of disease preventive measures, which is relevant for malaria control strategies that rely on early recognition of disease, prompt seeking of medical care, sleeping under mosquito nets, and taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. However, there is a critical information gap regarding to previous and ongoing malaria Social Behaviour Communication (SBC) interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours of the beneficiaries of SBC interventions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2018 in two rural districts of Zambezia province, Mozambique. A structured questionnaire was administered to 773 randomly selected households. Respondents are the heads of the households, adults above 18 years old. Descriptive statistics were done.Results: The main results show that around 96.4 % respondents recalled hearing about malaria in the previous 6 months and 90.0% had knowledge on malaria prevention and 70.0% on preventive measures ; from 97.7% respondents that received bed nets through the mass bed net distribution campaign, 81.7% slept under a bed net the night before the survey; 70.5 % recognized the role of community volunteers in the dissemination of malaria prevention messages; 76.1 % of respondents considered worship places (churches and mosques) to be the main places where they heard key messages on malaria prevention and 79.1 % asserted that community dialogue sessions helped them better understand how to prevent malaria.Conclusions: Results show that the volunteers/activists/teachers have played an important role in the dissemination of key malaria prevention messages which brought the following successes: community actors are recognized and people have knowledge on malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and where to get treatment. There is room for improvement on the SBC messaging regarding some malaria symptoms (anaemia and convulsions); and operational research is needed to ascertain the drivers of malaria prevalence and social and behaviour communication approach.


2021 ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Azeez Oyemomi Ibrahim ◽  
Tosin Anthony Agbesanwa ◽  
Olabode Muftau Shabi ◽  
Kayode Ebenezer Ariyibi ◽  
Ayodele Kamal Alabi ◽  
...  

Background: National surveys indicate that among countries in Africa where malaria is endemic, Nigeria alone accounts for 21% of pregnancies that are unprotected from malaria. This study aimed to ascertain the extent of utilization and effectiveness of malaria prevention methods, found out the existing relationship between maternal parasitaemia and the effectiveness of these methods at (p<0.05) level of signicance.Methods: The study was a cross sectional survey involving 264 consenting pregnant women who were recruited at booking clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido -Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on their socio-demographic characteristics, mode and extent of utilization of malaria prevention methods and their effectiveness. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for malaria parasitaemia using the microscopy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 Results:The malaria prevention methods most commonly reported as being effective were the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) or both, which were utilized by 97(36.5%), 79 (30.0%) and 88 (33.4%) participants respectively. Eight (8.3%), 9 (10.8%), and 7 (7.9%) of the participants that used ITNs, IRS or both combination respectively tested positive for malaria parasitaemia. There was a statistically signicant association between maternal parasitaemia and malaria prevention methods using ITNs (p=0.001), IRS (p = 0.001) or both (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The most commonly adopted malaria prevention methods were ITNs, Indoor Residual Spray or both. Despite their protective effectiveness, their utilizations are still poor. Information and communication strategies by the stakeholders are suggested to improve the utilization of these methods as adopted by other countries.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roméo Karl IMBOUMY-LIMOUKOU ◽  
Sydney MAGHENDJI-NZONDO ◽  
Pater Noster SIR-ONDO-ENGUIER ◽  
Julie Niemczura ◽  
Nathalie Pernelle TSAFACK TEGOMO ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is little information on the social perception of malaria and the use of preventative measures in Gabon, especially in rural areas. Adequate knowledge of malaria prevention and control can help in reducing the burden of malaria among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children aged under 5 years old living in malaria endemic settings. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria and the knowledge and attitude towards this disease in households in the Nyanga Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess malaria knowledge, prevention practices and prevalence of the infection in five departments of the Nyanga Province. Malaria infection was confirmed using rapid diagnostic tests. A questionnaire was administered randomly to 535 households during a two weeks period in March 2018. Overall, the respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge on malaria, malaria prevention practices and malaria prevalence were evaluated and compared across the five departments. Results: Data was collected on 1,307 participants were included in this study, 631 women of childbearing age (including 61 pregnant women) and 676 children. Practically the entire (97.7%) interviewed population had already heard about malaria and attributed the cause of malaria to a mosquito bite (95.7%). This survey revealed that the bed net coverage rate was 73.3%. The study observed an average malaria parasite prevalence of 13.9%. All departments of Nyanga province had significant level of malaria infection except for the Mayumba department where no plasmodial infection was found. The overall prevalence of the plasmodial infection was significantly higher in children and pregnant women compared to adults in the cities of Tchibanga and Moabi. Conclusion: Malaria is highly prevalent in the province of Nyanga. Our findings show that children under five and pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria in this area of the country. This study reveals that respondents have a high knowledge of mode of transmission, malaria symptoms and preventive measures. Despite this high level of knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures, the incidence of malaria remains relatively high in this rural community highlighting the need for continuous strategic interventions particularly health awareness and educational programs


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henok Dagne ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Alemu ◽  
Baye Dagnew ◽  
Demewoz Taddesse ◽  
Abiy Maru Alemayehu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: An acute respiratory disease, known as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in the late 2019. As launched by World Health Organization, it is now a pandemic problem. So far there is no any vaccine or drug for treatment to this disease. The world including Ethiopia have been relying on practicing different preventive measures. As of 17-Apr-2020, the Ethiopian health minister reported 96 confirmed cases and 3 deaths of COVID-19 from the total of 6231 laboratory tests conducted. The mainstay of approach to avoid COVID-19 is applying preventive measures. Therefore, the current survey aimed to assess self-reported measures of prevention practice and associated factors regarding COVID-19 among educated Ethiopians in the early stage of this outbreak.Methods: An online based cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information from educated Ethiopians during the early stage of the outbreak from March 25 to April 4, 2020. Electronic based questionnaire developed by reviewing literature and revising from ''COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring comprised monitoring knowledge, risk perceptions, preventive behaviors, and public trust in the current coronavirus outbreak. Data were analyzed using SPSS-25. Results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. To determine predictor variables for preventive practice, a binary logistic regression model was fitted. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the final model were declared as predictors.Results: Five-hundred and twenty-eight Ethiopians participated in this study of which 80.7% were males. The mean age of study participants was 33.2 (±7.4) years. Above one-third (34.7%) of the participants had a health-related profession. Majority (79.7%) of the respondents attended degree and above education. Overall, above half (55.9%) of the study participants had good knowledge about COVID-19. About 55.3% and 57.8% had good knowledge regarding symptoms and prevention methods of COVID-19, respectively. Overall, above half (54%) of the respondents had good COVID-19 preventive practice. Being female [Adjusted Odds Ratio (Adjusted Odds Ratio): 2.00; 95%CI (1.14, 3.50)], higher age (aged 33-37 years [AOR: 1.98; 95%CI (1.01, 3.87)] and 38-72 years [AOR: 2.60; 95%CI (1.33, 5.10)]), good knowledge of symptoms [AOR: 2.82; 95%CI (1.85, 4.31)], good knowledge of prevention methods [AOR: 4.55; 95%CI (2.92, 7.10)], having sufficient knowhow to protect self [AOR: 1.83; 95%CI (1.14, 2.96)] and belief of presence of re-infection [AOR: 1.86; 95%CI (1.03, 3.38)] were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive practices.Conclusion: The COVID-19 preventive practice is not sufficiently satisfactory among educated Ethiopians. Females, those with advanced age, those who believes presence of re-infection by COVID-19, those with good knowledge of symptoms, prevention methods, and self-protective knowhow had better preventive practice. Extensive public awareness raising focusing on young population and males is essential to fight further spread of the virus.


Author(s):  
P. A. Awoyesuku ◽  
C. Ohaka ◽  
B. Ngeri

Background: Prevention of malaria is a major priority for the roll back malaria partnership which recommends three-pronged approach for reducing the burden of malaria among pregnant women. The WHO framework for malaria prevention during pregnancy in areas of stable malaria transmission recommends IPT, use of ITN, and case management of malaria illness. Objective: This study sought to determine the knowledge of malaria and its preventive measures among pregnant women, assess their utilization of malaria preventive measures and attitude to treatment. To ascertain whether there exists any relationship between their knowledge and practice of prevention. Methodology: An institutional based, cross-sectional study was carried out. 385 consenting participants, between 18-48 years, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria and its preventive measures, use of IPT and ownership/use of ITN, and attitude to treatment were recorded. Data were entered into Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Associations between different variables were determined using Fisher’s exact test or Chi-square test, as appropriate, and logistic regression used to test statistical significance at P<0.05. Results: Of the 385 women, 307 (79.7%) had excellent (18.7%) and good (61%) knowledge, while 78 (20.3%) had average (16.6%) and poor (3.6%) knowledge. There was no difference in association of Knowledge with age, marital status, education, occupation, and parity. Of the 385 women, 61.3% were using IPT for chemoprophylaxis, 66.2% were using insecticide spray or repellants and 71.4% owned mosquito net; of these, 84% owned insecticide treated nets, but only 65.8% were using it in this current pregnancy. Reasons for not using nets ranged from unavailable 49.0%, discomfort due to heat 32.9%, fear of suffocation 6.9%, Spouse’s disapproval 3.9% and 1.0% ineffective. There was statistically significant difference between knowledge and use of IPT, ITN and insecticide sprays. Conclusion: There was adequate knowledge of malaria in pregnancy and its preventive measures, but utilization of these measures needs improvement. Efforts should be made to address barriers to utilization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana de Sousa Pinto ◽  
Jorge A. H. Arroz ◽  
Maria do Rosário O. Martins ◽  
Zulmira Hartz ◽  
Nuria Negrao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Mozambique, socio-economic and cultural factors influence the wide adoption of disease preventive measures that are relevant for malaria control strategies to promote early recognition of disease, prompt seeking of medical care, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. However, there is a critical information gap regarding previous and ongoing malaria social and behavioural change (SBC) interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices of beneficiaries of SBC interventions. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2018 in two rural districts of Zambezia Province, Mozambique. A structured questionnaire was administered to 773 randomly selected households. Respondents were the adult heads of the households. Descriptive statistics were done. Results The main results show that 96.4% of respondents recalled hearing about malaria in the previous 6 months, 90.0% had knowledge of malaria prevention, and 70.0% of preventive measures. Of the 97.7% respondents that had received ITNs through a mass ITN distribution campaign, 81.7% had slept under an ITN the night before the survey. In terms of source of health information, 70.5% mentioned the role of community volunteers in dissemination of malaria prevention messages, 76.1% of respondents considered worship places (churches and mosques) to be the main places where they heard key malaria prevention messages, and 79.1% asserted that community dialogue sessions helped them better understand how to prevent malaria. Conclusions Results show that volunteers/activists/teachers played an important role in dissemination of key malaria prevention messages, which brought the following successes: community actors are recognized and people have knowledge of malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and where to get treatment. There is, however, room for improvement on SBC messaging regarding some malaria symptoms (anaemia and convulsions) and operational research is needed to ascertain the drivers of malaria prevalence and inform the SBC approach.


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