American Journal of Public Health Research

Objectives:This study was designed to investigate the level of self medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials and perceptions influencing the practice among the households in Nyalenda B Sub Location. Methods: This isa cross sectional study carried out on 350 systematically sampled household heads after clustering the households into five clusters of 70 households in Novermber 2012. Quantitative primary data was obtained through the administration of pretested structured questionnaires comprising of likert scales, multiple and closed ended questions on the perceptions of consumption of self medication as a good and a service and questions establishing the demographics of the consumers. Results: The proportion of self medication with antibiotics and/or antimalalarials is 76.9% (95% CI: 3.01-3.17) and the households perceptions influencing the practice are availability of information through advertisement (OR: 2.065, 95%CI: 1.218-3.502, p-value 0.007) of antibiotics and/or antimalarials and advise given by medical practitioners (OR: 0.467, 95%CI: 0.272-0.800, p-value0.006),distance from the health facility (OR: 2.743,95% CI:1.042-5.009, p-value: 0.001),inadequately equipped local health facilities (OR:1.948,95% CI:1.042-3.642, p-value: 0.037), sexually transmitted diseases (OR: 1.869, 95% C.I: 1.039-3.362, p-value, 0.037). Conclusion: Households perceive self medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials as convenient and appropriate and this has an influence on the practice.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 116-121. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-7
Pub. Date: June 07, 2015

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Analysis of Maternal Mortality Determinants in Gowa District South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

by Muh. Ikhtiar and Yadi Yasir

Original Research

Objective We investigated the risk factors associated with maternal mortality determinants in Gowa District of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Methods A case control retrospective study was carried out to determine the pattern of maternal mortality. Primary data were collected through interviews with a structured questionnaire guidelines. Secondary data obtained through maternal death records, pregnant women cohort registers, medical records and verbal autopsy documents. Findings There were 5 variables evaluated as determinant factors of maternal mortality in this study. The predictors found in this study were: chronic energy insufficiency 37.1% in case group and 5.7% in control group, anemia were found 40.0% in case group and 7.9% in control group respectively, presence of maternal illnesses history were 37,1% and 15,0% in case and control groups, respectively, obstetric complications found in 14,3% in case group and 9,3% in control group. Statistical analysis of high-risk pregnancy was found with OR = 9.750, meaning, women with high risk have almost 10 times having maternal death compared to low risk women. Conclusion High risk of health status has a significant influence on maternal mortality in Gowa District of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 113-115. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-6
Pub. Date: May 14, 2015

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Challenges Facing the Push and Pull Hybrid System in the Supply of Essential Medicines in Gulu, Northern Uganda

by Okello Tom Richard, Mshilla Maghanga and Olido Kenneth

Original Research

Essential medicines are supplied to the public health facilities using the pull and push system. In many countries the decision to use the pull, push or combination of both is a policy decision, but Uganda has used each of the supply system individually in past and currently is using a hybrid despite the rampant out-cry of essential medicines stock out. Challenges facing the hybrid supply system need to be examined to advise policy makers on the how efficient the system supplies medicines. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the public health facilities in Gulu to examine the major challenges affecting the hybrid system of medicines supply. A sample of 131 health workers filled a pretested coded questionnaire as respondents and the data were then entered and analysed using SPSS version 15. Approximately 27.7% (n=131) of the respondents reported that the store management in the hybrid system is unsatisfactory and inadequate. Quality of essential medicines supplied in the hybrid system to the public health facilities is unsatisfactory and inadequate as reported by 46.5% of the respondents. Collaborative linkages with the National Medical Stores (NMS) the mandated supplier of essential medicines in the country, is weak (42.9%) and quantification of essential medicines by health workers under the hybrid system is poor (33.3%). Furthermore support supervision in weak and inadequate under the hybrid system (37.6%); and personnel who dispense essential medicines are inadequate (44.3%). Approximately 30.3% patients have poor access to essential medicines. The current hybrid system is riddled with a number of challenges which requires re-dressed in order improve access and availability of essential medicines to the public.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 106-112. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-5
Pub. Date: May 14, 2015

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Does Maternal Health Targets is an Obstacle to Millennium Development Goals in Rural Pakistan

by Muhammad Israr, Dawood Jan, Nafees Ahmad and Muneeb-Ur- Rehman

Case Study

Different Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators were studied in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the grass root level. In Tehsail Mardan three union councils were purposively selected, i.e. Khazana Dheri, Chamtar and Manga as a stratum having a complete rural background. A total of 60 respondents (20 from each village) was selected randomly, due to the time and money limitations. Primary data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and non parametric tests for obtaining the desired results. Findings revealed that mother’s age significantly not varies while there is a significant association in the numbers of deliveries. The majority having live birth and were not attended by any technical personnel. Children were not immunized against EPI and knowledge of malaria and DM were high and for prevention antimalarial medicines and other materils, healthy diet with less sugar and oil, walk/exercise on a regular basis were used. Prevention of early marriages, providing after marriage, birth consultancy services and immunization of children against different contagious diseases is important.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 100-105. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-4
Pub. Date: May 05, 2015

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Аllergies in Families of Moscow (Russia) Newborns: Suspected Cases within Three Generations Framework

by Мarina Treneva, Alexander Pampura and Daniel Munblit

Original Research

Background: Allergy prevalence in parents of newborns is an indicator of allergic diseases in children, which is split upon parent’s gender and allergic conditions. Objective: to find out gender patterns within a larger framework of allergies in grandparents, aunts, uncles of newborns in maternal and paternal families. Methods: In 2011 13 visits to the Postnatal Department of Moscow No.1 Maternity Hospital were carried out. All women delivered within the preceding 48 hours were interviewed. Mothers provided us with information on relatives of a newborn in regards to clinical manifestations of food allergies, atopic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, angioedema, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma and episodes of drug allergy. Information on 3534 relatives from 393 newborns was collected. Results: The rate of suspected allergic conditions in grandfathers is the same in both maternal and paternal families (4,35% 95%CI 1,99-6,70 and 4,62% 95%CI 2,12-7,12 respectively), but in grandmothers and aunts the rate of suspected allergic incidence is increased in maternal family (11,54% 95%CI 8,58-14,50) over paternal (6,80% 95%CI 4,46-9,14). The cumulative rate of suspected allergies in grandfathers+fathers+uncles (i.e. in male relatives of two preceding the newborns generations) is significantly lower (8,57% 95%CI 7,03-10,11) than in grandmothers+mothers+aunts (i.e. in female relatives of two preceding the newborns generations) (13,28% 95%CI 11,44-15,13) (p < .05). Conclusion: There are clear gender differences with increased prevalence of suspected allergic conditions in female relatives of two preceding the newborn generations compared with male relatives. There is a tendency to increased suspected allergic manifestations among women of maternal relatives in comparison to paternal relatives.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 95-99. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-3
Pub. Date: April 28, 2015

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An Examination of Thinness and Overweight in Children Using W.H.O. BMI Categories before and after Intestinal Parasite Intervention

by Claris Smith, Renee Owusu-Ansah and William Sorensen

Original Research

This study is a secondary analysis to identify the effects of as oil transmitted helminth treatment campaign on growth in Guatemalan children, and to identify other factors associated with change in BMI. One thousand children were recruited through schools, pre and post BMI was calculated from height and weight measures with a helminth treatment campaign as the timeframe. BMI was categorized into WHO standard categories, and collapsed into binary risk variables (extreme thin vs. all others, and extreme overweight vs. all others). From this, predictors of BMI change were identified. Older age predicted thinness. Younger age and rural residence predicted overweight. Helminth treatment had no effect on BMI growth. East Guatemalan children progress toward thinness naturally. Caution is urged in using BMI as the sole tool for measuring growth in children.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 91-94. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-2
Pub. Date: April 16, 2015

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University Students' Attitudes towards Genetic Testing: A Comparative Study

by Merav Siani and Orit Ben-Zvi Assaraf

Original Research

Background: Genetic counseling has become a tool for preventing genetic diseases in western society. It deals with the risk of genetic diseases in families and finds ways to prevent future problems. The public’s decision making regarding genetic counseling is influenced by cognitive, cultural and religious variables. Aim and objectives: To examine the attitudes of undergraduate Israeli students toward genetic issues and learn how these are affected by the field they study, their religious affiliation and their gender. Methods: We gave 490 students a Likert type quantitative questionnaire consisting of several genetic cases, and asked the students to express their attitudes towards each one. Results and conclusion: Of the three factors we assessed, the most influential is the students’ religious affiliation. Religious students, especially those who do not study life sciences (LS), place less trust in genetic tests than secular students (p=0.0001). Students of LS show more critical thinking towards genetic testing than others (p=0.0128). Gender was least influential, showing a mixed trend of influence. The results of this research can serve as a basis for developing culturally sensitive educational programs in genetics.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015, 3(3), 81-90. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-3-3-1
Pub. Date: April 08, 2015

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