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Malaria in West Cameroon: An Assessment of the Populations’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
Eric Defo Tamgno,
Armand Tiotsia Tsapi,
Martin Fossi,
Ghyslaine Bruna Djeunang Dongho,
Dorothy Kah Fosah Achu,
Germaine Ekoyol Ekobe,
Gianluca Russo,
Olivier Ethgen,
Martin Sanou Sobze
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
47-52
Received:
15 February 2021
Accepted:
2 March 2021
Published:
12 March 2021
Abstract: Background: Malaria remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon. Children under 5 years old and pregnant women are most burdened. A few studies have been carried out on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of patients towards malaria in this country. Objective: We aimed at evaluating the level of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards malaria in Western Cameroon. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey, using a semi-opened questionnaire in two Cameroonian’s hospitals in April 2018. We analyzed our collected data with Chi square test through SAS software (version 9.4). P-values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result: Of 691 participants, 55.14% (381/691) defined malaria as a parasitic disease, 100% mentioned the mosquito as the transmission vector and 89.15% (616/691) mentioned blood stream as transmission route. The most preventive method used by the participants was mosquito nets. The use of malaria treatment was associated with the level of income and the fact of consultation of a health care practitioner the month preceding the survey. About 72.4% (501/691) of respondents took antimalarial treatment without consultation or medical prescription. Among patients who spent less than 8000XAF (12Euro) for treatment during their last episode of malaria, 70.1% (101/144) used a plant-based treatment. Conclusion: Participants had good knowledge and attitudes towards malaria. However, practices were not the best. These results highlight the problem of self-medication, which might lead to some resistance against antimalarial treatment in the future.
Abstract: Background: Malaria remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon. Children under 5 years old and pregnant women are most burdened. A few studies have been carried out on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of patients towards malaria in this country. Objective: We aimed at evaluating the level of knowledge, attitud...
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Willingness to Accept a COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study
Ekaete Alice Tobin,
Martha Okonofua,
Azuka Adeke,
Andrew Obi
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
53-60
Received:
22 February 2021
Accepted:
11 March 2021
Published:
26 March 2021
Abstract: Background: The study assessed the intention to accept a future COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria and associated factors. Materials and Methods: Between July 2020 and August 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that captured demographic data, risk perception, trust in government and public health authorities and willingness to accept a future COVID-19 vaccine. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0, Chi-square and logistic regression were carried out at a 95% confidence interval. Appropriate institutional ethical board approval and informed consent were obtained from all participants. Results: 1,228 responses were received over the study period. The mean age of respondents was 32.8 years (SD 10.4), 12.7% (156/1,228) were health workers, 70.1% (861/1,228) had tertiary level of education. Intention to accept a future COVID-19 vaccine was expressed by 50.2% (617/1,228) of respondents. Increasing age, male gender, trust in government, trust in public health authorities, confidence in vaccine developers, willingness to pay for and travel for a vaccine, and vaccination during an outbreak were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Healthcare workers and respondents with pre-existing medical conditions were not significantly different from non-healthcare workers and persons without medical conditions respectively with regards to the willingness to be vaccinated. Conclusion: One in two persons would accept a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in the country. The government should take pro-active steps to address the factors that may potentially impact on the benefits expected from the introduction of COVID-19 vaccine and scale-up vaccine sensitization to improve potential acceptance for uptake across the country.
Abstract: Background: The study assessed the intention to accept a future COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria and associated factors. Materials and Methods: Between July 2020 and August 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that captured demographic data, risk perception, trust in government and public health authorities and willi...
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Pattern of Fungal Dermatoses Investigations in Upth: A Five-Year Review
Awopeju Temitayo Oluwajenyo,
Bolaji Otike-Odibi,
Dasetima Altraide
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
61-64
Received:
4 March 2021
Accepted:
22 March 2021
Published:
30 March 2021
Abstract: Background: Infectious dermatoses are rife in resource limited settings. Fungi skin infection constitutes the majority of infective skin conditions seen by physicians in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care centers, in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective five-year review of the pattern of fungal dermatoses investigations among patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between 2015 – 2020 was carried out. Results: There were five hundred and fifty-five (555) patients referred for fungal investigations over the five-year period. The data showed that most of the patients referred for fungal investigations were between 21 – 30 years (36.4%) and 31 – 40 years (18.2%) respectively. Most of the patients were observed to be female (57.1%). The bulk of the referrals originated from the dermatology/medical outpatient clinic (90.3%). About 45% (252/555) of the referrals was observed to have fungal growth. The most common fungi isolated was Aspergillus sp (41.67%) and Candida sp (35.3%) with Blastomyces spp and Fusarium spp being the least isolated fungi (0.4% each). Conclusion: The study showed that the pattern of dermatoses was not significantly associated with age or gender. Superficial fungi infections still need to be addressed as a public health problem among the growing populace of Nigeria. Similarly, there seem to be a relative increase in the prevalence of skin infections among elderly people in the period under review.
Abstract: Background: Infectious dermatoses are rife in resource limited settings. Fungi skin infection constitutes the majority of infective skin conditions seen by physicians in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care centers, in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective five-year review of the pattern of fungal dermatoses investigations among patients attend...
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Knowledge and Perception of Child Autism Among Preschool Teachers in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana
Alberta Twi-Yeboah,
Abdul Cadri,
Bonyo Abdul Aziz Nagumsi,
Nana Ama Asi Danso,
Nadia Mohammed-Sani
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
65-75
Received:
22 March 2021
Accepted:
6 April 2021
Published:
20 April 2021
Abstract: Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods: A total of 210 preschool teachers (58% females) in 8 selected communities in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, Ghana completed questionnaires relating to their demographic characteristics, level of knowledge in typical child development, child autism, perceptions and attitudes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative technique. The association between dependent and independent variables and were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and analysis was performed with Stata Version 15. Results: The findings of the study revealed that preschool teachers had low levels of knowledge in ASD. The results also showed that preschool teachers had positive attitudes and perceptions towards education of children with autism. Finally, there was a significant association between knowledge of ASD and, attitudes and perceptions towards ASD (p<0.05). Conclusion: Preschool teachers generally possess low levels of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder. Even though preschool teachers have positive attitudes and perceptions towards the provision of education for autistic children, increasing their knowledge will result in a more positive attitude and perception towards other needs of autism spectrum disorder and also help in early detection of autism.
Abstract: Background: Autism is increasing worldwide; however, preschool teachers, who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations are not able to accurately detect the symptoms of autism to respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide early healthcare to autistic children. The study assessed the knowledge and percep...
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Medical Errors Disclosure Practices, Barriers and Motivations to Disclosures Among Physicians in Tertiary and Secondary Health Facilities in Abuja Nigeria
Ramsey Msheliza Yalma,
Michael Chukwunaemeli Asuzu
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
76-81
Received:
13 October 2020
Accepted:
22 October 2020
Published:
26 April 2021
Abstract: The disclosure of medical errors is very important in ensuring the quality of patient care and safety. However, the disclosure practices by physicians are not well documented in this setting. The objective of this study is to compare the disclosure practices as well as the motivations and barriers to disclosure of these errors among physicians in government secondary and tertiary health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. A cross sectional survey of physicians working in six out of fourteen government hospitals was conducted. A cluster sampling technique of the hospitals as the clusters was employed to obtain the total sample size of 402 physicians, 201 for each level. A semi structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data on near misses, mistakes, slips or lapses and technical errors. Data was analysed using SPSS version 15.0 and summarised as proportions. Chi-square test was used to assess associations between variables at a significance level of 5%. Also logistic regression analyses were used to determine the significant predictors of medical error occurrences and disclosures. Some 255 physicians i.e. (52.6%) from the tertiary level and 230 (47.4%) from the secondary level were interviewed. Both the tertiary and the secondary levels had very poor medical errors disclosure practices, with disclosure of errors that caused patient’s death or disability (3.9 vs. 8.3%, p=0.023); or disclosure of errors that caused discomfort or prolonged treatment to patients (33.2% vs. 21.3%, p=0.026). The major barriers to error disclosures at the tertiary and the secondary health facilities were: lack of malpractice insurance (69.4% vs. 48.2%, p=0.000); lack of policies for disclosing errors (62.4% vs. 55.4%, p=0.119); and the fear of negative patient reactions (56.7% vs. 51.3%, p=0.233). The major motivations to errors disclosure were receiving a positive feedback from the institution (65.1% vs. 56.3%, p=0.048) and the support and understanding of colleagues (50.2% vs. 48.7%, p=0.74). This study suggests poor medical errors disclosure practices. In this study setting, the development of institutional policies on disclosure will motivate physicians’ disclosure of medical errors and this should be encouraged. Such policies should include institutionally administered malpractice insurance for the physicians.
Abstract: The disclosure of medical errors is very important in ensuring the quality of patient care and safety. However, the disclosure practices by physicians are not well documented in this setting. The objective of this study is to compare the disclosure practices as well as the motivations and barriers to disclosure of these errors among physicians in g...
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Factors Associated with Severe Addictions in Cannabis Users Undergoing Treatment at the National Center for the Integrated Care of Addictions in Dakar (Senegal)
Mamadou Makhtar Mbacke Leye,
Aminata Traore,
Idrissa Ba,
Ibrahima Seck,
Mouhamadou Habib Thiam
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2021
Pages:
82-87
Received:
20 March 2021
Accepted:
12 April 2021
Published:
26 April 2021
Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the factors associated with severe addiction in cannabis users who are undergoing treatment at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was conducted at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. The study period was from 2015 to 2018. Patients were being treated for cannabis addiction. Data entry was done using Epi info7 software while analysis was done using SPSS version 22. A total of 273 patients were enrolled in our study. Factors associated with severe cannabis addiction were: being over 20 years of age with an ORaj=6.1 [2.4-15.6], being of Senegalese nationality with an ORaj=4.3 [1.1-17.9], having more than one child with an ORaj=3.8 [1.1-14.1], consuming cannabis 2 to 3 times a week or more with an ORaj=32.1 [3.9-100] and starting age of consumption less than or equal to 15 years with an ORaj=4.5 [1.8-11.8]. Factors associated with psychiatric disorders were: having an address other than Dakar center with an ORaj=2.8 [1.2-6.6], having an addiction problem in the family with an ORaj=3.9 [1.5-10.7], lack of professional activity with an ORaj=3, 6 [1.5-8.7], being treated by a specialist in addictology with an OR aj=5.1 [1.5-17.8] and finally having a history of psychiatric hospitalization with an OR aj=55.9 [19.6-158]. The factors associated with the severe addiction and psychiatric disorders found in this study should push health authorities to reflect on a new strategy to fight this pandemic that is cannabis use. The use of the media for mass and parental awareness is essential.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the factors associated with severe addiction in cannabis users who are undergoing treatment at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was conducted at the national center for the integrated care of addictions in Dakar. The study ...
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