Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedesa egypti, or Aedes albopictus mosquito, and re-emerged as a disease of global public health importance in March/April 2015 in Brazil. The objective of this s...Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedesa egypti, or Aedes albopictus mosquito, and re-emerged as a disease of global public health importance in March/April 2015 in Brazil. The objective of this study is to assess the formal education related pattern of awareness, and basic knowledge on Zika virus disease, among women visiting children immunization unit in a tertiary hospital, in Nigeria. Study was conducted in 2016/2017 with 256 randomly selected respondents. Semi-structured questionnaire was used in the cross-sectional study. Findings including 77.8% of respondents with postgraduate educational qualification were aware that there is a disease known as Zika Virus Disease (ZVD), 62.0% for tertiary education qualification, 53.8% for secondary education level, 20.0% for primary education level, while none of the three respondents that had no formal education were aware of ZVD. The level of awareness increased with increasing educational qualification. These findings were analyzed using the Likelihood Ratio which was calculated to be 28.329, with P-value of <0.001. Television was the commonest source of first ZVD information. Overall mean percentage knowledge level of the different educational groups revealed as followed;no formal education 22.2%, primary level 12.0%, secondary level 46.1%, tertiary level 54.4%, and postgraduate level was 51.5%. The mean for the stated scores was 37.2%. Students’ T-Test at 95.0% confidence interval was 0.012, showing that the difference in the mean percentage scores between the groups was significant. Respondents with tertiary and postgraduate education qualifications recorded overall mean score above 50.0% each, while secondary, primary, and no formal education groups recorded overall mean percentage scores below 50.0%. Stepping up ZVD health education and awareness activities, especially among women with educational qualification below tertiary level will greatly improve the awareness and knowledge on ZVD among this study population.展开更多
Malaria commonly causes fever in tropical Africa. In 2010, World Health Organization recommended parasitological diagnosis of malaria before treatment. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) aims at making malaria diagnosis more...Malaria commonly causes fever in tropical Africa. In 2010, World Health Organization recommended parasitological diagnosis of malaria before treatment. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) aims at making malaria diagnosis more accessible. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, and perception of malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), among doctors in a tertiary health facility. A descriptive, cross sectional study, conducted in October 2016, in a state University Teaching hospital, Enugu state, Nigeria. 86 doctors in the General Outpatient, Internal Medicine, and Paediatrics departments participated. 90.7% of respondents knew parasitological examination of blood is the certain method of making malaria diagnosis, 89.5% knew microscopy and RDT are methods for parasitological diagnosis, 91.9% knew mRDT is quick blood test for malaria, 54.7% knew mRDT is usually specific for one or more species of malaria, 46.5% knew mRDT detects circulating malaria parasite antigen, 29.1% knew mRDT is read 15 to 20 minutes after the test, 70.9% knew mRDT is not superior to microscopy, 79.1% knew mRDT is not 100% specific, 80.2% knew mRDT ought not be done always by Laboratory Scientists, and 66.3% knew more than one type of mRDT kit is available. On perception, 64.0% thought it was important to confirm diagnosis before commencing treatment, 90.7% perceived mRDT as being very useful, 96.5% did not perceive mRDT as endangering patients, 70.9% opinioned that presumptive diagnosis of malaria is not a better way of making diagnosis, 76.7% did not believe malaria diagnosis is always clear on listening to the patient, 90.7% did not perceive mRDT as being hazardous, 83.7% believe using mRDT can reduce the quantity of anti-malaria drugs consumed, and 94.2% opinioned that mRDT should be encouraged and promoted. Training and re-training of health workers shall greatly enhance mRDT use in implementing the WHO T3 Initiative, and ultimately eliminating malaria.展开更多
In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countri...In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countries. The research was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria. Objective was to assess key HIV misconceptions among rural community dwellers. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used, and information was collected from 296 respondents, most of whom were above 50 years of age, married, had no formal education, and were farmers. Correct responses to the misconceptions investigated were: HIV infection found only among sinners (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by eating from the same plate with an infected person (24.7%);HIV can be transmitted through handshake (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by touching the urine or faeces of an infected person (24.0%);HIV can be transmitted by hugging or touching an infected person (28.0%);HIV can be cured (19.9%);Praying daily can prevent HIV infection (20.3%);and Worshipping our ancestors can prevent HIV infection (27.0%). Inhabitants of rural communities are more likely to hold misconceptions about HIV. It is recommended that relevant governments in developing countries design interventions aimed at addressing misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.展开更多
Zika virus disease is a disease of public health importance and was declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”, by the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. It is mostly transmitted throu...Zika virus disease is a disease of public health importance and was declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”, by the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. It is mostly transmitted through the bite of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> mosquitos. Transmission can also occur through blood transfusion and sexual intercourse. It could cause microcephaly and other neurological problems in newborns and adults, such as <em>Guillain-Barre syndrome</em>. It could also lead to abortion and stillbirth in pregnant women. Prevention methods are essentially targeted at transmission routes, which are mosquito bite, sexual intercourse, and blood transfusion. The study was of observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design, and conducted in a tertiary health institution in the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Two hundred and fifty-six female caregivers participated in the study, with most of them being within the childbearing age group, and educated up to tertiary level. The objective was to assess the knowledge of Zika virus infection prevention methods, among female caregivers that bring babies for immunization in a Teaching Hospital, Southeast Nigeria. Out of the eight questions that sought to assess the knowledge level of the respondents, they scored 50% and above only in three, which were on prevention through protection against mosquito bite (60.5%), avoiding unnecessary blood transfusion in endemic areas (53.9%), and avoidance of oily meals not being a preventive measure (51.2%). Respondents in the childbearing age group, and those with higher educational qualifications, generally exhibited higher knowledge level than the other respondents. Scores on questions that sought to assess their knowledge on prevention aspects related to sexual behavior, and vaccination were poor. Sensitization, or awareness creation activities for persons in this study area, ought to be designed to address the observed gaps.展开更多
Malaria is a major health problem in Nigeria that has as high as 25% of all global cases, and 30% of deaths attributable to malaria. In 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended universal confirmation of diagn...Malaria is a major health problem in Nigeria that has as high as 25% of all global cases, and 30% of deaths attributable to malaria. In 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended universal confirmation of diagnosis of malaria through blood parasitological test, prior to initiation of treatment. In addition to Microscopy, Malaria Rapid diagnostic Tests (mRDTs) are blood tests for malaria. Early diagnosis of malaria ensures that the correct treatment is commenced in good time, and this subsequently improves the prognosis. The objective of this study is to assess the use of mRDTs among medical doctors working in a tertiary hospital, Southeast Nigeria. This study was conducted in Enugu State Teaching hospital, Southeast Nigeria. The study was of cross-sectional design, and conducted in October 2016 among medical doctors working in the General Outpatient, Internal Medicine, and Paediatrics departments of the Teaching hospital. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for data analysis. A total of 86 medical doctors, out of the eligible 91 in the three departments participated in the study, and were distributed as follows;24 (27.9%) in the General Outpatient, 30 (34.9%) in the Internal Medicine, and 32 (37.2%) in the Paediatrics departments. More medical doctors in the Paediatrics department (31.3%) used mRDTs in making diagnosis of malaria, followed by Internal medicine (13.3%), then General Outpatient Department (8.3%). Malaria rapid diagnostic tests are cost-effective, and useful tools in malaria control and elimination programmes. If tangible progress on the implementation of the WHO guidelines on confirming diagnosis of malaria before treatment;and the T3: Test, Treat, Track initiative is to be made;then the government and the Management of hospitals ought to take more determined efforts aimed at educating and informing health workers, especially medical doctors on the benefits of mRDTs.展开更多
Background: This study assessed treatment interruption of tuberculosis (TB) patients managed by treatment supporters and health care workers and other predictors of treatment interruption. Methods: A descriptive cross...Background: This study assessed treatment interruption of tuberculosis (TB) patients managed by treatment supporters and health care workers and other predictors of treatment interruption. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and seventy new smear positive TB patients above 14 years of age were consecutively recruited between October 1 and December 31 2012 from 34 (23 public and 11 private) directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) facilities that offered TB treatment and microscopy services. They were followed up till treatment was completed. Logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of treatment interruption. Results: A significantly higher proportion of smokers (58.6% vs 38.3%, p = 0.030), patients supervised by treatment supporters (44.4% vs 34.7%, p = 0.032), patients not counselled before initiation of treatment (55.6% vs 38.2%, p = 0.041), patients managed at private DOTS facilities (50% vs 36.3%, p = 0.010) and TB/HIV co-infected patients (54.2% vs 38.6%, p = 0.038) had treatment interruption. Predictors of treatment interruption were supervision by treatment supporters, smoking, lack of pre-treatment counselling and TB/HIV co-infection. Conclusion: A higher proportion of patients supervised by treatment supporters had treatment interruption than those supervised by health care workers. There may be a need to review the concept of treatment supervision by treatment supporters in Lagos state Nigeria.展开更多
Setting: Private and public tuberculosis (TB) treatment centers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Objective: To compare adherence of private and public providers of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in the Lagos ...Setting: Private and public tuberculosis (TB) treatment centers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Objective: To compare adherence of private and public providers of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in the Lagos State TB control program, Nigeria (LSTBLCP) with the national TB guidelines. Design: A retrospective review of treatment cards of TB patients managed within the first and second quarter of 2012 in 34 DOTS facilities {23 public, 7 private for profit (PFP), and 4 private not for profit (PNFP)} involved in the private public mix of the LSTBLCP. Results: Of the 1896 treatment cards reviewed, 1524 (80.4%), 132 (7.0%) and 240 (12.6%) were from public, PFP and PNFP DOTS facilities, respectively. About 19%, 25% and none of the patients managed at the public, PNFP, and PFP DOTS facilities were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines respectively. A significantly higher proportion of adults and sputum smear positive TB patients were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines (p < 0.05). Treatment success was associated with full adherence with the national guidelines. Conclusion: There is a need to reorient health care providers in public and private health facilities in Lagos State Nigeria to ensure full adherence with the national TB guidelines.展开更多
文摘Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedesa egypti, or Aedes albopictus mosquito, and re-emerged as a disease of global public health importance in March/April 2015 in Brazil. The objective of this study is to assess the formal education related pattern of awareness, and basic knowledge on Zika virus disease, among women visiting children immunization unit in a tertiary hospital, in Nigeria. Study was conducted in 2016/2017 with 256 randomly selected respondents. Semi-structured questionnaire was used in the cross-sectional study. Findings including 77.8% of respondents with postgraduate educational qualification were aware that there is a disease known as Zika Virus Disease (ZVD), 62.0% for tertiary education qualification, 53.8% for secondary education level, 20.0% for primary education level, while none of the three respondents that had no formal education were aware of ZVD. The level of awareness increased with increasing educational qualification. These findings were analyzed using the Likelihood Ratio which was calculated to be 28.329, with P-value of <0.001. Television was the commonest source of first ZVD information. Overall mean percentage knowledge level of the different educational groups revealed as followed;no formal education 22.2%, primary level 12.0%, secondary level 46.1%, tertiary level 54.4%, and postgraduate level was 51.5%. The mean for the stated scores was 37.2%. Students’ T-Test at 95.0% confidence interval was 0.012, showing that the difference in the mean percentage scores between the groups was significant. Respondents with tertiary and postgraduate education qualifications recorded overall mean score above 50.0% each, while secondary, primary, and no formal education groups recorded overall mean percentage scores below 50.0%. Stepping up ZVD health education and awareness activities, especially among women with educational qualification below tertiary level will greatly improve the awareness and knowledge on ZVD among this study population.
文摘Malaria commonly causes fever in tropical Africa. In 2010, World Health Organization recommended parasitological diagnosis of malaria before treatment. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) aims at making malaria diagnosis more accessible. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, and perception of malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), among doctors in a tertiary health facility. A descriptive, cross sectional study, conducted in October 2016, in a state University Teaching hospital, Enugu state, Nigeria. 86 doctors in the General Outpatient, Internal Medicine, and Paediatrics departments participated. 90.7% of respondents knew parasitological examination of blood is the certain method of making malaria diagnosis, 89.5% knew microscopy and RDT are methods for parasitological diagnosis, 91.9% knew mRDT is quick blood test for malaria, 54.7% knew mRDT is usually specific for one or more species of malaria, 46.5% knew mRDT detects circulating malaria parasite antigen, 29.1% knew mRDT is read 15 to 20 minutes after the test, 70.9% knew mRDT is not superior to microscopy, 79.1% knew mRDT is not 100% specific, 80.2% knew mRDT ought not be done always by Laboratory Scientists, and 66.3% knew more than one type of mRDT kit is available. On perception, 64.0% thought it was important to confirm diagnosis before commencing treatment, 90.7% perceived mRDT as being very useful, 96.5% did not perceive mRDT as endangering patients, 70.9% opinioned that presumptive diagnosis of malaria is not a better way of making diagnosis, 76.7% did not believe malaria diagnosis is always clear on listening to the patient, 90.7% did not perceive mRDT as being hazardous, 83.7% believe using mRDT can reduce the quantity of anti-malaria drugs consumed, and 94.2% opinioned that mRDT should be encouraged and promoted. Training and re-training of health workers shall greatly enhance mRDT use in implementing the WHO T3 Initiative, and ultimately eliminating malaria.
文摘In 2015, about 35 million people died of HIV infection globally, with about 36.7 million infected. Most of the infection occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist mostly in developing countries. The research was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Enugu state, Nigeria. Objective was to assess key HIV misconceptions among rural community dwellers. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used, and information was collected from 296 respondents, most of whom were above 50 years of age, married, had no formal education, and were farmers. Correct responses to the misconceptions investigated were: HIV infection found only among sinners (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by eating from the same plate with an infected person (24.7%);HIV can be transmitted through handshake (29.7%);HIV can be transmitted by touching the urine or faeces of an infected person (24.0%);HIV can be transmitted by hugging or touching an infected person (28.0%);HIV can be cured (19.9%);Praying daily can prevent HIV infection (20.3%);and Worshipping our ancestors can prevent HIV infection (27.0%). Inhabitants of rural communities are more likely to hold misconceptions about HIV. It is recommended that relevant governments in developing countries design interventions aimed at addressing misconceptions about HIV/AIDS.
文摘Zika virus disease is a disease of public health importance and was declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”, by the World Health Organization on February 1, 2016. It is mostly transmitted through the bite of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em> mosquitos. Transmission can also occur through blood transfusion and sexual intercourse. It could cause microcephaly and other neurological problems in newborns and adults, such as <em>Guillain-Barre syndrome</em>. It could also lead to abortion and stillbirth in pregnant women. Prevention methods are essentially targeted at transmission routes, which are mosquito bite, sexual intercourse, and blood transfusion. The study was of observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design, and conducted in a tertiary health institution in the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Two hundred and fifty-six female caregivers participated in the study, with most of them being within the childbearing age group, and educated up to tertiary level. The objective was to assess the knowledge of Zika virus infection prevention methods, among female caregivers that bring babies for immunization in a Teaching Hospital, Southeast Nigeria. Out of the eight questions that sought to assess the knowledge level of the respondents, they scored 50% and above only in three, which were on prevention through protection against mosquito bite (60.5%), avoiding unnecessary blood transfusion in endemic areas (53.9%), and avoidance of oily meals not being a preventive measure (51.2%). Respondents in the childbearing age group, and those with higher educational qualifications, generally exhibited higher knowledge level than the other respondents. Scores on questions that sought to assess their knowledge on prevention aspects related to sexual behavior, and vaccination were poor. Sensitization, or awareness creation activities for persons in this study area, ought to be designed to address the observed gaps.
文摘Malaria is a major health problem in Nigeria that has as high as 25% of all global cases, and 30% of deaths attributable to malaria. In 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended universal confirmation of diagnosis of malaria through blood parasitological test, prior to initiation of treatment. In addition to Microscopy, Malaria Rapid diagnostic Tests (mRDTs) are blood tests for malaria. Early diagnosis of malaria ensures that the correct treatment is commenced in good time, and this subsequently improves the prognosis. The objective of this study is to assess the use of mRDTs among medical doctors working in a tertiary hospital, Southeast Nigeria. This study was conducted in Enugu State Teaching hospital, Southeast Nigeria. The study was of cross-sectional design, and conducted in October 2016 among medical doctors working in the General Outpatient, Internal Medicine, and Paediatrics departments of the Teaching hospital. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for data analysis. A total of 86 medical doctors, out of the eligible 91 in the three departments participated in the study, and were distributed as follows;24 (27.9%) in the General Outpatient, 30 (34.9%) in the Internal Medicine, and 32 (37.2%) in the Paediatrics departments. More medical doctors in the Paediatrics department (31.3%) used mRDTs in making diagnosis of malaria, followed by Internal medicine (13.3%), then General Outpatient Department (8.3%). Malaria rapid diagnostic tests are cost-effective, and useful tools in malaria control and elimination programmes. If tangible progress on the implementation of the WHO guidelines on confirming diagnosis of malaria before treatment;and the T3: Test, Treat, Track initiative is to be made;then the government and the Management of hospitals ought to take more determined efforts aimed at educating and informing health workers, especially medical doctors on the benefits of mRDTs.
文摘Background: This study assessed treatment interruption of tuberculosis (TB) patients managed by treatment supporters and health care workers and other predictors of treatment interruption. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and seventy new smear positive TB patients above 14 years of age were consecutively recruited between October 1 and December 31 2012 from 34 (23 public and 11 private) directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) facilities that offered TB treatment and microscopy services. They were followed up till treatment was completed. Logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of treatment interruption. Results: A significantly higher proportion of smokers (58.6% vs 38.3%, p = 0.030), patients supervised by treatment supporters (44.4% vs 34.7%, p = 0.032), patients not counselled before initiation of treatment (55.6% vs 38.2%, p = 0.041), patients managed at private DOTS facilities (50% vs 36.3%, p = 0.010) and TB/HIV co-infected patients (54.2% vs 38.6%, p = 0.038) had treatment interruption. Predictors of treatment interruption were supervision by treatment supporters, smoking, lack of pre-treatment counselling and TB/HIV co-infection. Conclusion: A higher proportion of patients supervised by treatment supporters had treatment interruption than those supervised by health care workers. There may be a need to review the concept of treatment supervision by treatment supporters in Lagos state Nigeria.
文摘Setting: Private and public tuberculosis (TB) treatment centers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Objective: To compare adherence of private and public providers of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in the Lagos State TB control program, Nigeria (LSTBLCP) with the national TB guidelines. Design: A retrospective review of treatment cards of TB patients managed within the first and second quarter of 2012 in 34 DOTS facilities {23 public, 7 private for profit (PFP), and 4 private not for profit (PNFP)} involved in the private public mix of the LSTBLCP. Results: Of the 1896 treatment cards reviewed, 1524 (80.4%), 132 (7.0%) and 240 (12.6%) were from public, PFP and PNFP DOTS facilities, respectively. About 19%, 25% and none of the patients managed at the public, PNFP, and PFP DOTS facilities were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines respectively. A significantly higher proportion of adults and sputum smear positive TB patients were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines (p < 0.05). Treatment success was associated with full adherence with the national guidelines. Conclusion: There is a need to reorient health care providers in public and private health facilities in Lagos State Nigeria to ensure full adherence with the national TB guidelines.
