by M.Akbar Alwi and Yusdalia
Original Research
Background: In Indonesia, HIV/AIDS is still a public health problem and approximately 620.000 people living with HIV/AIDS in this country. Female sexual workers (FSWs) as one of the groups in HIV cases are more ten times more likely to acquire HIV than the general population. This study aimed to find out the description of the knowledge, attitudes and practice of FSWs in Makassar about HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was observational research by using a descriptive approach. There were 255 FSWs recruited as respondents chosen by stratified random sampling. An Interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed to collect data about knowledge, attitude and practice on HIV/AIDS. Results: Overall, more 50% of respondents could provide the correct answers about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. One of the preventions that have not been known by most of them was blade and shaver sharing. Concerning attitude, most respondents had a positive attitude towards HIV / AIDS, but there were still 38.0% who agreed not to make friends with HIV patients and 28.2% respondents agreed not to offer condoms to clients who seem healthy. The condom offer was higher than condom use for clients that is 60.0% and 54.1% respectively. Conclusion: more than 50% of respondents could provide correct answers about basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and more than 50% FSWs had a positive attitude. AIDS eradication commission of Makassar needs to provide any information on HIV/AIDS not only for FSWs but also for clients.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 81-86. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-6
Pub. Date: May 25, 2019
7692 Views1968 Downloads
by Rogers Ajeh, Halle Ekane, Egbe O. Thomas, Anastase Dzudie and Assob N. Jules
Original Research
Introduction: Patients’ satisfaction has been associated with improved adherence, retention and antiretroviral treatment (ART) outcomes. Sustained engagement in ART is a prerequisite for attaining universal ART coverage. This study describes perceived patients’ satisfaction, barriers and implications on engagement in ART services within the context of the HIV Test &Treat (HIV T&T) strategy. Materials and methods: Between August and September 2018, HIV positive clients who initiated ART and key HIV care providers (HCPs) in three HIV clinics in Cameroon were interviewed. Ethical and administrative clearances for the study were obtained from the appropriate quarters. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 45 HIV positive clients and 21 HCPs were interviewed. Patients’ satisfaction varied with HIV service. Patient-reported barriers included: long waiting time, poor reception, delay between time of HIV diagnosis and ART initiation, poor coordination between HIV testing and ART services, poor flexibility in ART delivery system, large tablet size of ARVs/indefinite treatment duration, side effects. Inadequate counselling, overcrowding in the HIV clinics, patients’ non-appreciation of ART benefits were reported by patients and HCPs. Some barriers were linked to the HIV T&T strategy and many of them limited patients’ engagement in ART. Conclusion: Patient satisfaction varied with HIV service. Some of the barriers to patients’ satisfaction were linked with the implementation of the HIV T&T strategy and negatively impacted patients’ engagement in ART services. These views should be considered in evaluating and improving the quality of HIV care.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 73-80. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-5
Pub. Date: May 23, 2019
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by Ngo Huy Hoang, Joy Notter and Joy Hall
Original Research
This study aimed to improve the community health workers’ awareness and practical ability of rational use of antibiotics to reduce antibiotic misuse among the Vietnamese population in Nam Dinh Province. The ‘Modified Kolb’s Model for Vietnam (MKMVN)’ developed and piloted successfully in a rural district of Nam Dinh Province with significant improvements regarding antibiotic use and administration was repeatedly applied for another rural district within Nam Dinh Province as the training program taken place in each of 18 community health centers within the district. Assessment of the effectiveness of program was done through questionnaire and focus group discussion. The study showed positive changes in the health workers’ knowledge and practical ability regarding the use and administration of antibiotics. The health workers’ confidence for working and learning was evident in the focus groups held as part of the final evaluation. The overall mean score for correct responses to the questionnaire elevated significantly from 55.52 ± 9.32 points before the program to 97.19 ± 2.38 points after the completion of the program and remained comparatively high at 83.10 ± 8.28 points after three months. Considerable improvements were seen in solving patients’ problems, providing appropriate treatment and administration of medicines and antibiotics in particular. By using the MKMVN as the educational intervention, this study showed evidently improvements in the participants’ knowledge and practical ability regarding antibiotic use and administration. It also revealed that the model was accessible, acceptable and appropriate for the community health workers. It is recommended that the model can be applied on a larger scale and for other key health issues.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 58-72. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-4
Pub. Date: May 18, 2019
12344 Views1842 Downloads
by PI Agbalaka., OR Ejinaka., DP Yakubu., UM Obeta., RI Jwanse and A Dawet
Original Research
BACKGROUND: Vegetables are vital for good health but can serve as a means of transmission of parasitic pathogens to man. JUSTIFICATION: There is increase consumption of vegetables due to general awareness of the health benefits. This research intends to explore suggestive management strategies and control in handling vegetables to reduce or if possible eliminate food borne parasites. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The study was to determine parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables with objective to determine the prevalence of parasites of medical importance in vegetables sold in Jos market. METHODOLOGY: A total of 575 samples of fresh vegetables; Lettuce, Cabbage, Carrot, Spinach, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Beetroot, Tomatoes, Garden egg, and Green bean; were bought from sellers from May-June 2016 and examined for helminthes eggs, larva and cysts using wet mount and concentration techniques. RESULT: Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichuria, Strongyloides stercoralis, cyst of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lambia accounted for 7.3%, 8.1%, 4.8%, 58.1%, 9.7% and 12.1% respectively. Cucumber, carrot, cabbage beetroot, spinach, lettuce, green pepper, green beans, garden egg and tomatoes had 0%, 26.7%, 31.7%, 5.7%, 40%, 53.3%, 6.7%, 6.7%, 13.3% and 25% respectively with overall prevalence of 21.6% and strongyloides stercoraliswas most prevalent and Trichuris trichiura least prevalent found in cabbage and tomatoes. Lettuce has the highest contamination rate 32(53.3%), followed by spinach 24(40%) while beetroot had the least (5.7%). CONCLUSION: Vegetables in Jos Metropolis are contaminated with parasites. There should be proper washing as they could serve as source of transmission of parasites when eaten raw or undercooked.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 48-57. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-3
Pub. Date: May 10, 2019
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by Derick Akompab Akoku, Mbah Abena Tihnje, Thomas A. Vukugah, Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang and Robinson Enow Mbu
Original Research
Background: The primary objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and identify the common forms of sexual harassment perpetuated by male customers against female bar workers, and investigate their association with depressive symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2017 using venue-based cluster sampling technique from a representative sample of 410 female bar workers in Yaounde, Cameroon. Depression was measured using the 5-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) scale. Respondents were read a definition of what constitutes sexual harassment and asked if they had experienced one or more such behaviours from their male customers in the past 3 months. Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between male customer sexual harassment and depressive symptoms. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value ≤0.05. Results: The median age of the 410 female bar workers who participated in the study was 29 years (IQR=25-34). About 41.5% (n=170) were found to have developed depressive symptoms in the past 4 weeks. The majority (98.8%) of respondents had experienced one or more forms of sexual harassment from their male customers in the past 3 months. The most common form of sexual harassment experienced was sexual advances from male customers including requesting the telephone numbers of female bar workers for them to be contacted later for a date (90.9%). After adjustment for potential confounders, respondents who experienced inappropriate starring from their male customers that made them felt uncomfortable (AOR=3.08; 95% CI, 1.90-5.01) and those who received repeated demands for a date from male customers despite their rejection (AOR=1.61; 95% CI, 1.04-2.49) were significantly more likely to have developed depressive symptoms in the past 4 weeks prior to the study. Conclusions: Male customer sexual harassment was very prevalent in this study and was associated with depressive symptoms. There is a need for interventions to reduce sexual harassment perpetuated by male customers against this group of women. It is also essential for the establishment of community-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of depressive symptoms among these women and other vulnerable population.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 41-47. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-2
Pub. Date: April 30, 2019
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by Ferdinand Nsengimana
Original Research
Background: There is lack of evidence on which of the two highly recommended malaria prevention methods, mosquito bednets and indoor residual spraying, is more effective than the other. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of mosquito bednets and indoor residual spraying in the prevention of malaria. Based on the Health Belief Model, the research questions tested whether there is any relationship between the use of mosquito bednet or the use of indoor residual spraying and contracting malaria. Materials and Methods: Using a quantitative research design, secondary data from the 2011 Angola malaria indicator survey were analyzed using IBM/SPSS version 24. Chi-square for association, logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression tests were conducted with significance level set at p value of ≤ .05. Results: From 578 children who slept under mosquito bednet the night before data collection 9.2% (n = 28) had malaria compared to 5.7% (n = 31) of 331 children who did not sleep under mosquito bednet. However, there was no statistically significant association between the use of mosquito bednet and having malaria x2 (1) = 3.324, p = .068, odds = .613, 95% CI [.361, 1.042]. From 2139 children who lived in dwellings that were not sprayed against mosquito 13.2% (n = 250) had malaria compared to 5.6% (n = 7) of 133 children who lived in sprayed dwellings. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association between the use of indoor residual spraying and having malaria, x2(1) = 5.152, p = .023, odds = 2.382, 95% CI [1.100, 5.158]. Conclusion: The malaria prevention programs in Angola should focus on indoor residual spraying. It is recommended that all households in Angola malaria prone areas should be regularly sprayed.
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2019, 7(2), 33-40. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-7-2-1
Pub. Date: March 05, 2019
8080 Views1437 Downloads