by Chidebe O Anaekwe, Adaeze N Anaekwe, Chinomnso C Nnebue, Kamtochukwu M Obi and Amobi L Ilika
Original Research
Background: Immunization remains a cost effective public health intervention strategy in improving on poor health indices linked with vaccine preventable diseases. Maternal knowledge, attitude and factors such as migration could be key in achieving this goal. Objective: To determine and compare the maternal knowledge, attitude and uptake of routine immunization in ‘Sabo’ and ‘Non-Sabo’ communities in Awka, Anambra state. Materials and Methods: A comparative study of 420 mothers and caregivers in Sabo and non-Sabo communities in Awka selected by multistage sampling, was conducted between July and October 2015. Data were obtained via semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires and analysed using IBM/SPSS version 22.0. Statistically significant differences were determined using student’s t, chi square, Fisher’s exact and Yates correction tests, with significance level set at p value of < 0.05. Results: The mean age groups were 32.54 ± 7.35 years for Sabo and 32.64 ± 6.88 years for non-Sabo communities (p = 0.125), while 209 (99.5%) in Sabo compared to 206 (98.1%) in non-Sabo communities, had good knowledge of immunization (p= 0.368). Equal numbers, 205 (97.6%) respondents in both communities had good attitude, 166 (79%) in Sabo compared to -205 (97.6%) in non-Sabo communities, had good uptake (p = 0.000). The relationships in both communities are as follows: rates of child illness (p= 0.000); relocation (p = 0.000); adverse effects of immunization (p = 0.000); distance to centre (p= 0.000); availability of vaccinators (p= 0.000) and waiting time (p= 0.000). Conclusions: From our study findings, there were good knowledge and attitude towards routine immunization in both communities. However, uptake of routine immunization was better in non-Sabo than in Sabo communities. We recommend that stakeholders improve on sustained behavior change communication targeted at reasons for poor uptake of routine immunization.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018, 6(5), 227-236. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-6-5-4
Pub. Date: October 26, 2018
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by Peter D. Hart
Original Research
Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are known factors related to the growing obesity rates in US adults. However, most population-based physical activity research primarily use a single measure of obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between television (TV) time and two different measures of obesity in US adults. Methods: This study used data from adults 20+ years of age participating in the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Using body mass index (BMI), participants were categorized as obese if their values were 30 kg/m2 or greater. Using waist circumference (WC), participants were categorized as obese if their values were greater than 88 (females) or 102 cm (males). TV time was assessed from a survey question and adults were categorized into one of four different groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the relationship between TV time and three different obese status categories. Results: In fully adjusted models, odds of being BMI obese (OR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.32-2.98) and WC obese (OR=2.76; 95% CI: 1.88-4.05) were significantly greater in adults with 5+ hours of TV time as compared to those with < 1 hour. In fully adjusted multinomial models, odds of being BMI or WC obese (OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.43-3.34) and BMI and WC obese (OR=2.80; 95% CI: 1.68-4.65) were significantly greater in adults with 5+ hours of TV time as compared to those with < 1 hour. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that TV time is clearly related to both overall and abdominal obesity in US adults. Furthermore, this relationship remains in light of MVPA and appears stronger for adults with both types of obesity.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018, 6(5), 222-226. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-6-5-3
Pub. Date: September 18, 2018
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by Melsew Getinet Tsegaw
Original Research
Objective: The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among patients with obstetric fistula in Hamlin Fistula treatment centers in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Study participants of the project were patients with obstetric fistula from the treatment centers of Hamlin fistula Ethiopia. Participants were interviewed using validated structured Amharic version patient health questionnaire for depression (PHQ-9). As many women were illiterate, the questionnaires were completed by a nurse. During a 2-month period, from July to August 2016, all women presenting with only obstetric fistula to Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Bahir-Dar Hamlin Fistula Center, Yirgalem Hamlin Fistula Center and Harara Hamlin Fistula center participated. Logistic regression analysis was used. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to identify associated factors. Results: 167 women with obstetric fistula were screened for probable depressive disorder. The prevalence of depression was 73.7%. After adjusting for possible confounders, depression (PHQ-9 score of > 5) was significantly associated with perceived lack of social support (P=0.014), history of stillbirth (P=0.017), primi-parous (P=0.008), separation/divorce (P=0.02) and stay length at home with fistula for over 3 months (P=0.002). Conclusion and Recommendation: The study revealed a high prevalence of depression in patients with obstetric. A stillbirth history, perceived lack of social support, Separation/divorce with a husband, Parity history of one, living with fistula for over 3 months before reporting to a hospital were found to be the factors associated with depression among patients with obstetric fistula . Integrating psychiatric care and treatment including family support with the routine medical care is strongly recommended.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018, 6(5), 215-221. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-6-5-2
Pub. Date: September 03, 2018
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by Begna Dugassa
Original Research
Colonialism is a violation of the collective rights of people. This violation has denied them the right to decide on their social, economic, political, cultural and environmental rights. This has hindered them from building their social, economic, political, cultural and environmental capitals and achieving the highest possible level of physical and social well-being. The essence of collective rights includes the social, economic, political, cultural and environmental rights; all of them are essential to the development of public health. First, as the violation of social rights is an attack on the social wellbeing of people, so the violation of economic rights is an attack on the economic wellbeing. Second, the violation of political rights is taking away the decision making power. The violation of cultural rights is obstructing societies from culturally reproducing themselves and developing problem-solving skills. The violation of environmental rights has caused severe degradation of the natural environment. Violations of those rights act individually and synergistically and hinder the development of public health. The efforts the Oromo people make to assert their collective rights are part-and-parcel of building their social, economic, political, cultural and environmental capacities and promoting health and preventing diseases.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2018, 6(5), 203-214. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-6-5-1
Pub. Date: August 27, 2018
8923 Views2315 Downloads