by Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu, Ifeoma Anne Njelita, Gabriel Ifeanyi Eyisi, Chijioke Amara Ezenyeaku, Amaechi Chinedu Nwachukwu, Obioma Okechi and Anthony Agbata
Original Research
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system and is responsible for a major public health problem. Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) is key to its management. This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the clinical and virological outcomes of three HAART regimens - TLD, TLE and TL/LPV/r. Number of participants was 330 patients (110 in each group). Data were analysed and compared between groups. A 5-parameter scoring system was used to compare the performance of the regimens. Overall mean age was 44.7 (±10.7) years. Normal BMI 138 (41.8%), overweight (33.3%), obese (20.9%) and underweight (3.9%). Normal hemoglobin level, 194 (58.8%). Mean baseline CD4 count was 389.9 ± 293.7. Adherence to TLD (90.0%), TLE (89.1%), TL/LPVr (62.7%). TLD group showed the most clinical improvement with the most patients in stage 1 after one year, 108 (99.1%). Viral suppression at 6 months for TLD (86.4%), TLE (86.4%), TL/LPVr (50.0%) and at 12 months, TLD (90.0%), TLE (91.8%), TL/LPVr (88.2%). The difference in viral suppression between the TLD/TLE and TL/LPVr groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Factors associated with WHO clinical stage 1 at 6 months were age ≥35 years with TLD and female sex for TLE; and with viral suppression at 6 months were good adherence with TLD and TL/LPVr and female sex with TLE. For all patients collectively, good adherence was significantly associated with viral suppression at 6 months and 1 year. Predictor of WHO stage 1 at 6 months was female sex, OR 0.483 (95% CI 0.238 – 0.980). For predictors of viral suppression at 6 months, good adherence had the highest odds ratio, OR 6.911 (95% CI 3.768 – 12.676), being currently married OR 1.826 (95% CI 1.036 – 3.217). TLD performed best with a score of 14, TLE 13, TL/LPVr 5, out of a maximum score of 15.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 75-83. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-6
Pub. Date: March 19, 2023
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by Rasha El-Syed Ebrahim, Momen Zakria Mohammed, Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan and Fatima Hosny Abd-ELhakam
Original Research
Background: Medicalization is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "the circumstance in which FGM/C is performed by any health care practitioner, whether in a public or private health facility, at home, or anywhere else. Aim: Assess Relationship between Personal Characteristics and the Person Performing Female Genital Mutilation at Beni-Suef. Subject & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was used. The study population consisted of 2837 females in family health centers (FHCs) in different sitting at Beni-Suef. Α Structured Interviewing Questionnaire sheet was used to collect data. Results: The most (70.4%) of studied participants were rural residents, 90.2% were highly educated, 57.5% were single. There is a significant association between residence and the person performing FGM/C. (p≤0.001). Circumcision performed by Barber or Dayah were more prevalent (100.0% & 98.8%, respectively) among rural dwellers than urban ones (0.0% & 1.2%, respectively). There is a significant association between mothers' & fathers' education and the person performing FGM/C (p≤0.001). Conclusion & Recommendations: The most of studied participants were rural residents. A significant association between residence, parent's education and the person performing FGM/C was found. Motivations and behavior change of rural residences toward practices of FGM/C by educational programs should be performed.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 69-74. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-5
Pub. Date: March 10, 2023
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by Erick Wanyama Mukoche, Maximilla Wanzala and Edwin Kadima Wamukoya
Original Research
Objectives: The goal of this research was to determine how well students understand and their attitudes towards strategies to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: Cross-sectional research was conducted using a questionnaire. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students in three institutions filled out the survey after it was made available to them physically and online. Methods: It was determined whether or not there was a statistically significant correlation between KAP (knowledge and attitude) and other socio-demographic factors by using chi-square testing. Using binary logistic regression, we were able to isolate and adjust for any confounding variables. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis (version 26). Results: According to the respondents' demographic information, the vast majority of participants were male. Participants' average age was under 24. 42% (165/392) of the sample exhibited above-average expertise (good knowledge level [GKL]). As a whole, 42% of those polled had heard of COVID-19 and understood that it is a respiratory virus. Male students had less COVID-19 knowledge than female students (OR = 0.54, p = 0.01), suggesting that gender plays a role in students' exposure to and understanding of the virus. The aggregated attitude items showed that 63.5% of people had a favorable outlook. Sixty-six percent of those polled were concerned about a member of their immediate family contracting COVID-19. It was revealed that students with GKL had a considerably lower rate of anxiety (28.2%, p = 0.015). Knowledge was shown to have a positive association with attitudes (r =.48, p .001), while attitudes were found to have a positive correlation with behaviors (r =.23, p .001). Conclusions: Overall, the survey found that more than half of respondents had enough understanding, and that those with higher levels of expertise were more inclined to go to the appropriate authorities for help. To further understand cultural similarities and variations, the study suggests that future research poll a larger sample of students and those from other nations.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 62-68. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-4
Pub. Date: March 06, 2023
by Peletu B.J., Ofoezie I.E. and Ikwuka A.O.
Original Research
Background: Schistosomiasis, Leprosy, Leishmaniasis, Malaria, Trypanosomiasis and Filariasis are the six major tropical diseases, specially targeted for control by the Special Program for Research and Training on Tropical Diseases of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank and World Health Organization. Out of the above six diseases, schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical diseases, second only to malaria. The distribution of schistosomiasis cuts across 76 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Schistosoma hematobium endemicity cuts across 54 countries. Aim: To study the prevalence, peculiarities and patterns of urogenital schistosomiasis and hematuria in Owena Reservoir Area for an effective, affordable and sustainable schistosomiasis control in the area. Materials and methods: Owena Reservoir Area consists of Owena, Kajola and Baiken communities. A school-based cross-sectional technique was used for urine collection and quantification of Schistosoma hematobium eggs which involved 624 pupils in March 2014 and 591 pupils in April 2015. Risk factors, socio-demographic variables were collected using questionnaires. Urine samples were examined for Schistosoma hematobium eggs using sedimentation by gravity cum centrifugation. The urine samples obtained from the pupils were divided into two separate 30ml universal sterling plastic bottles with conical bottom. The first of the two 30ml universal sterling plastic bottles were examined for Schistosoma hematobium eggs using sedimentation by gravity cum centrifugation. The second of the two 30ml universal sterling plastic bottles were assessed for gross hematuria through visual observation of bloody urine while non-bloody samples were examined for micro-hematuria using one strip of commercially prepared chemical reagent strips COMBUR-9 prepared and marketed by Acun Laboratory USA which was dipped into each urine sample and the color change was matched with standard by the side of the container of the reagent strips. Results: Out of the 624 pupils examined in March 2014, 256 (41.0%) were positive for Schistosoma hematobium eggs in urine, while in April 2015, 381 (64.5%) out of 591 were positive. Prevalence of hematuria in the three communities shows that in Owena community the age group 21 – 30 had the highest prevalence (49.2%); in Kajola, the age group 5-10 had the highest prevalence (46.2%); while in Baiken community, the age group 5-10 had the highest prevalence (55.5%) – with 95% Confidence Interval in all cases. Conclusion: Macrohematuria was identified as a sensitive and specific diagnostic technique for identifying people infected with Schistosoma hematobium in the three communities. This parameter may be recommended as a cost saving diagnostic approach during future control efforts, with reference to the April 2015 peculiarities and patterns of infection shown by this study.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 56-61. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-3
Pub. Date: March 02, 2023
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by Sultana A. Al-Sadoon, Lojaen S. Sendy, Mohammed Al-Dhubaiban and Saad M. Al-Manea
Original Research
Purpose: This study aimed to ascertain the fluoride concentrations in infant formula (baby milk) sold in pharmacies situated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to confirm the accuracy of the fluoride quantities declared on the package. Methods: 26 different infant formulae product samples from 13 manufacturers were obtained from pharmacies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two different products from the same manufacturer measured fluoride concentrations (one product for the 0-6 months age group and one for the 1-3 years age group) using a combination fluoride-ion-selective electrode. Results: The average concentration of fluoride for all the samples measured was 0.987 µg/g. In all but one sample, there was a wide difference between the declared Fluoride concentrations and what was measured. The difference was smallest in Humana Bebemil 1 which had 0.84 µg/g (measured) and 0.75 µg/g (declared). The average intake of fluoride is way below the recommended daily allowance. The quantities of fluoride that can potentially be consumed, depending on the brand, ranged from 0.115 mg/day to 0.206 mg/day. Conclusion: All the analyzed infant formulae did not reveal fluoride concentrations above the recommended daily allowance. One can cautiously assume that there is no risk for children to suffer from over-exposure to fluoride.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 51-55. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-2
Pub. Date: February 20, 2023
by Ifeoma Anne Njelita, Patrick Anibbe Ikani, Ifeanyi Gabriel Eyisi, Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu, Chigozie Ozoemena Ifeadike and Chukwudi Uchenna Njelita
Original Research
The Ward Health System was introduced in 2001 by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to enhance community mobilization for health thereby revitalizing the Primary Health Care system. This move was in alignment with the recommendation of the World Health Organization in 1992 that boundaries of the health district should be the same as that of the electoral ward for effective and wholesome community mobilization and ultimately ownership. This study determined the knowledge of the health workers in the Local Government Areas on Ward Health System. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 300 Primary Health Care facility workers in Anambra State. Approximately 46% of the health workers had ever heard of the term Ward Health System, while over 94% had no idea of the roles of the three tiers of government in the program. Over 76% of them could not correctly identify the functions of the village and ward development committees. Adequate and on-going education of health workers on Ward Health System is critically needed.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(2), 44-50. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-2-1
Pub. Date: February 20, 2023
1315 Views2 Downloads