by Rediet Abebe Mekonnen, Tewodros Kassahun Tarekegn, Yonas Tigabu Fetle, Helen Assefa Berhe, Rediet Habtu Lebelo, Erdachew Gallo Beyene, Yeabsera Abebe Gebrehiwot, Tereza Mulatu Tafesse, Teame Kiflom Gaim, Salem Sium Mesfin, Yeabsira Yitbarek Haile, Michael Million Minase, Solomon Endale Dagnachew, Eyerusalem Teshome Darka and Haileyesus Teshome Yitafer
Original Research
Background: A group of disorders known as cancer are characterized by unchecked cell growth and division. Despite the growing prevalence of breast cancer in Ethiopia, studies on the knowledge and associated factors of the backbone of preventative measures, breast self-examination, are scarce. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that arises from breast cells. Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge and related factor of female patients towards breast self-examination at Semit health center. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study were conducted on women living in Addis Ababa the data were collected using a self-administered written questionnaire. The sampling technique was convenient sampling, Data analysis was made using descriptive statistical methods. Findings were presented with simple frequency, Percentage, graph, and table. Result: The survey included 200 respondents in total. Only 72 (36.0%) of them had good knowledge of this. It was discovered that occupational position and thorough awareness of BSE were factors influencing breast self-examination. The vast majority of study participants—156 out of 78.0—stated that there was no family history of breast cancer. Three (1.5) of the individuals claimed that their aunts had breast cancer, whereas three (1.5) claimed that their moms had the disease. Only 44 (22.0) of the individuals had previously disclosed having breast cancer. Conclusion: In our survey, more than half of participants made a significant case for women's inadequate understanding, negative attitudes, and poor practices about BSE. Along with a breast cancer awareness campaign, it was advised that emphasis be placed on improving women's attitudes and practices about breast self-examination and enhancing the implementation of comprehensive, systematic, and ongoing BSE educational programs. Recommendation: As results show the practice of BSE and knowledge among these reproductive age group women was inadequate. Efforts should be made to strengthen community-based health education to increase knowledge related to breast cancer as well as the practice of breast self-examination. So, the Federal Ministry of Health and Ethiopian cancer association were responsible bodies to promote awareness creation at the community level on breast cancer and breast self-examination. Finally, additional community-based research should be needed for the future to improve.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 124-135. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-4-1
Pub. Date: July 11, 2023
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by He Mengli, Fu Yingping and Duan Baofeng
Review Article
Objective: To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the critical care nursing scoring system in the human resource allocation of ICU nurses. METHODS: A computer search of The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CINAHL, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang and Weipu databases for literature on the critical care nursing scoring system in ICU nurse human resource allocation was conducted with a search time frame of build to November 2022.Two researchers screened the literature and extracted data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used for methodological quality assessment and RevMan 5. 3 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were ultimately included. Meta-analysis results showed that the intensive care scoring system reduced inpatient length of stay [MD: -1.36, 95% CI (-3.44, -2.88)], inpatient healthcare costs [MD: -0.87, 95% CI (-0.94, - 0.81)], reduced the incidence of inpatient complications [OR: 0.33, 95% CI( 0.23, 0.46)], improved patient and family satisfaction [OR: 4.89, 95% CI (3.27, 7.30)], and improved nurse job satisfaction [OR:5.65, 95% CI (2.73, 11.70)]. CONCLUSION: The included literature the evaluation results were of moderate quality and could be improved in terms of blinding and allocation concealment. The critical care nursing scoring system was able to reduce patient hospital costs, reduce length of stay, reduce the incidence of complications, improve patient and family satisfaction with nursing care, and improve nurse satisfaction with nursing care to some extent, and more high-quality literature should be included for further evaluation in the future.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 117-123. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-3-5
Pub. Date: May 30, 2023
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by Janeffer Muthoni Wangari, Emmah Mwangi and Washington Auma Arodi
Original Research
Background: Tuberculosis is a major occupational hazard among healthcare workers, not just in Kenya but globally due to consistent and routine exposure. This is especially true among the nurses and laboratory workers among the professional cadre who are regarded as high-risk groups for both Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) as well as active TB, with the lowest risk noted among the administrative staff. The escalated occupational cases were associated with poor implementation of the full hierarchy of IPCs as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially administrative control. This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi County. Objective: The study sought to find out the influence of the attitude of HCWs on TB IPC guidelines in Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi District Hospital. Materials and methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional community study design. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to obtain the required information from respondents. Quantitative data collection was done by use of semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through Key Informant Interviews (KII) and standardized observation checklists among Health Care Workers (HCWs), specifically nurses and laboratory staff. Confidentiality of information collected was observed and consent was sought from the respondents before collecting any form of information from them. A total of 38 nurses and 4 laboratory staff from Mbagathi District Hospital and 332 nurses and 32 laboratory staff from Kenyatta National were randomly selected (n=406). The response rate was 98% with 398 participants having completely and accurately filled and returned the questionnaires. The tools that the researcher used included questionnaires, interview schedules, pens and pencils. Descriptive data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 with the help of the Microsoft Excel program to generate frequency tables, graphs, and pie charts. Inferential statistics were calculated using Chi-Square tests (p=0.005) done at a 95% confidence level to determine the linkage between the Variables. Results: The attitude level was reported at 72.1% (good) with most respondents indicating that they had a higher risk of acquiring the infection and although they knew about the disease, they expressed concern about being infected while in the line of duty. Further, perceptional survey audits are conducted as random spot checks periodically to ensure that the staff attitude improves. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that there is a dire need to develop and implement a robust occupational health management system that takes cognizance of development and adherence to sensitization framework; accurate and prompt surveillance and reporting of TB; supportive legal framework; committed leadership; financial investment and strict/stringent measures in place to ensure compliance to set guidelines.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 107-116. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-3-4
Pub. Date: May 24, 2023
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by Mariam Riad Fahmy, Eman Mohamed Alsherbieny and Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan
Background: Coping is generally categorized into four major categories which are problem-focused, emotion-focused, meaning-focused and social coping. The patients with knee osteoarthritis can be coping with it by enjoy leisure activities, don't forget to pamper self, sometimes a change surroundings can help, even if it's just for a day trip. Aim: This study aimed to assess the coping strategies of elderly women suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain in Beni-Suef city. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized in the current study. Setting: the study was carried out at Beni-Suef university hospital in orthopedics outpatient clinic and the physiotherapy unit. Subjects: A non-probability consecutive sampling technique of a total 300 studied women was recruited in the current study. Tools: Visual Analog scale (VAS) and Pain Coping Inventory (PCI). Results: 70% of studied elderly women had severe pain, 62% almost always think of things that remain undone because of pain, 83.7% had low coping level regarding reducing demands. Conclusion: The active coping strategies that most often applied by the studied women were distraction and pain transformation. While concerning passive coping strategies applied by women were resting and retreat were the most utilized by the studied women. Recommendations: Increase public awareness about efficacy & tolerability of the coping in reducing pain and complications of osteoarthritis through directed program to persons in community.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 99-106. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-3-3
Pub. Date: April 26, 2023
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by Janeffer Muthoni Wangari, Emmah Mwangi and Washington Auma Arodi
Background: Tuberculosis is a major occupational hazard among healthcare workers, not just in Kenya but globally due to consistent and routine exposure. This is especially true among the nurses and laboratory workers among the profession cadre who are regarded as high-risk groups for both latent Tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as well as active TB, with the lowest risk noted among the administrative staff. The escalated occupational tb cases were associated to poor implementation of full hierarchy of IPCs as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) especially the administrative control. This study was cross sectional study which was conducted in Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi County. Objective: The study sought to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors on compliance to TB IPC guidelines among HCWs in Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi District Hospital. Materials and methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional community study design. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to obtain the required information from respondents. Quantitative data collection was done by use of semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through key informant interview (KII) and standardized observation checklist among Health Care Workers (HCWs), specifically nurses and laboratory staff. Confidentiality of information collected was observed and consent was sought from the respondents before collecting any form of information from them. A total of 38 nurses and 4 laboratory staff from Mbagathi District Hospital and 332 nurses and 32 laboratory staff from Kenyatta National were randomly selected (n=406). The response rate was 98% with 398 participants having completely and accurately filled and returned the questionnaires. The tools that the researcher used included questionnaire, interview schedule, pens and pencils. Descriptive data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 with the help of Microsoft Excel programme to generate frequency tables, graphs and pie-charts. Inferential statistics was calculated using Chi-Square tests (p=0.005) done at 95% confidence level to determine the linkage between the Variables. Results: There was no statistically significant association between marital status and compliance to TB-IPC guidelines (P=0.067) with the divorced more likely to comply with TB-IPC standards (OR=3.6, CI: 0.504, 25.323). The study findings further revealed that majority 171 (59.6%) of participants had a fair attitude and comply to TB-IPC guidelines (P=0.034). 245(61.6%) have a work experience of less than 2 years, followed by 142(35.7%) having worked three to five years with 11(2.8%) having worked over 5 years. There was a statistical association between the number of years worked and compliance to TB-IPC guidelines. According to the study findings, participants with good attitude levels are more likely to comply with TB-IPC guidelines (OR=1.688, CI: 1.15, 2.555). Conclusion: There is a dire need to develop and implement a robust occupational health management system that takes cognizance of: development and adherence to sensitization framework; accurate and prompt surveillance and reporting of TB; supportive legal framework; committed leadership; financial investment and strict/stringent measures in place to ensure compliance to set guidelines.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 88-98. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-3-2
Pub. Date: April 26, 2023
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by Mahendra Pal and Kirubel Paulos Gutama
Original Research
Rat bite fever is a potential emerging disease caused with one of two different types of bacteria: Streptobacillus Species and Spirillum minus. These bacteria are found in the mouth, nose and respiratory tract of rodents (especially rats). After handling rodents that harbor these bacteria, humans may acquire an infection, especially if they are bitten or scratched. Other close encounters with rodents, such as kissing or sharing food with one, might also result in infection. Another type of rat bite fever known as Haverhill fever can be contracted by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with the causing bacterium. The first case of rat bite fever is in the US that was recorded in 1839. The disease occurs in both sexes, all age groups and in immunocompetent and immunocomromised individuals. In carrier rats, there are typically no clinical symptoms; opportunistic pulmonary infections or abscesses are sporadically observed. The initial symptoms of infection in humans can include headache, fever, and nausea. On the hands and feet, a red, bumpy rash that is not irritating may appear after two to four days. In comparison to typical rat bite fever, Haverhill fever frequently results in severe nausea and vomiting, and the patient may also experience sore throat. The patient with endocarditits have poor prognosis. The most effective way to diagnose rat bite fever is to isolate the pathogen in tissue or blood samples. Unfortunately, these bacteria, especially S. minus, can be exceedingly challenging to culture. Although not widely available, a PCR test to identify bacterial DNA would be very helpful. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are used to treat the initial infection in cases of rat bite fever that have been proven or are highly suspected. If treatment is initiated before complications develop, it is frequently highly effective. Avoiding contact with rats is the best approach to prevent rat bite fever.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023, 11(3), 84-87. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-11-3-1
Pub. Date: March 27, 2023
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