Abstract:

This work is a critical review of the article titled “A community-based study of hypertension and cardio-metabolic syndrome in semi-urban and rural communities in Nigeria authored by Ulasi Ifeoma. I., Ijoma Chinwuba. K. & Onodugo Obinna. D and published in BMC Health Services Research journal of 2010, volume 10, page 71 with DOI number; doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-10-71 which was retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/10/71. This review appraised literature related to the subject, evaluated the article structure, authority, relevance, currency, accuracy, stability, and objectivity. Other sections appraised were the tables, recent advances on the subject, accessibility, and credibility of the article. The reviewed original article has its objective as determining the prevalence of Cardio Metabolic Syndrome in rural & semi-urban communities in South-East Nigeria, with attention to the general population and population with hypertension. The authors involved the use a cross-sectional design in this population based study which involved adult residents of the selected communities between the ages of 25 & 65 years. They were screened for metabolic syndrome using standard equipment and interviewed with structured questionnaires. The results yielded prevalence among general population of 18% and 10% for Cardio Metabolic Syndrome in the semi-urban & rural community respectively. While among the group with hypertension, the authors recorded a prevalence of 34.7% and 24.7% in the semi-urban and rural communities respectively. The study demonstrated a high prevalence of Cardio Metabolic Syndrome especially as it concerns semi-urban communities as well among the population with hypertension.

Fundamentally, this is a current and relevant work in the area of non-communicable disease epidemiology in Africa and can be generalized to Blacks in other parts of the world. The work has contributed significantly to the pool of knowledge and can be referenced in future works as it's also an avenue that can be explored for future collaborations in research regarding this topic. The work was written objectively, clearly presented, easy to understand and accessible for researchers, academicians, clinicians and other players in the health sector and can serve the members of the above-listed groups in their various capacities.

References:

[1]. Akpa, M.R. & Mato, C.N. (2008). Obesity in Nigeria: Current trends and management. Nigerian Medical Practitioner. 54 (1), 11-15. Retrieved from 

http://www.ajol.info/index.php/nmp/article/view/28941

[2]. Eckel, R.H., Grundy, S. & Zimmet, P. (2005). The metabolic syndrome. Lancet 2005, 365, 1415-1428. Retrieved from 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/pubmed/15836891.

[3]. Gibbs, C., Beever, D. & Lip, G. (1999). The management of hypertensive diseases in black patients. QJM 1999, 92:187. Retrieved from 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/pubmed/10399605

[4].     Guize, L., Pannier, B., Thomas, F., Bean, K., Jégo, B. & Benetos, A., (2008). Recent advances in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. NCBI resources 101(9), 577-583. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19041842. doi:10.1016/j.acvd.2008.06.011

[5]. Hoogwerf, B. J., Huang. J., C. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. Cleveland clinic center for continuing education. September 2012. Retrieved from www.cleveland clinicmeded.com/cardiovascular disease convention

[6]. Ibrahim M.M. & Damasceno A. (2012). Hypertension in developing Countries. The Lancet. 380 (9841), 611-619.

[7]. International Diabetes Federation, (2006). The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome. Retrieved from 

http://www.idf.org/webdata/docs/IDF_Meta_def_final.pdf

[8]. International Society of Nephrology, (2005). Program for detection and management of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in developing countries (KHDC PROGRAM). Brussels, International Society of Nephrology; 2005:17-19.

[9].     Lucas A.O & Gilles H.M. (2003). Short Textbook of Public Health Medicine for the Tropics, 4^th Ed., London, Hodder Arnold. 236-237.

[10].  Opie L.H. & Seedat. Y.K. (2005). Hypertension in Sub-Saharan African Populations. American Heart Association Journal. 112, 3562-3568. Doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA218. Retrieved from http://www.njcponline.com/article.asp

[11].  Park, K. (2013). Parks textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 21^st Ed, Jabalpur, India. Bhanot. 344-346.

[12]. Tran, A., Gelaye, B., Girma, B., Lemma, S., Berhane, Y., Bekele, T. ,… Williams, M.A. (2011). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Working Adults in Ethiopia. SAGE-Hindawi access to research international journal of hypertension. 2011, Article ID 193719, 8 pages doi:10.4061/2011/193719

[13]. World Health Organization: International Society of Hypertension Writing Group (2003). World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 2003, 21:1983-1992. Retrieved from 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/pubmed/14597836

[14]. World Health Organization, WHO. (2003). International Society of Hypertension Writing Group. World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 21, 1983–1999.

[15]. World Health Organization STEPS Manual, (2006). Retrieved from 

http://www.who.int/chp/steps/manual/en/index.html

[16]. World Health Organization, (2015). Diabetes Fact sheet. Retrieved from 

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/

Abstract:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes the disease, Acquired Immunodeficiency Diseases Syndrome, is a public health challenge that is yet to have a cure and still contributes to the global disease burden.

This descriptive study was carried out to examine the effect of positive behavioural factors on the prevalence of HIV/AIDs amongst adolescent and youths attending the antiretroviral clinics of four general hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria. These were the general hospitals in Bida, Minna, Suleja and Kontagora. A total of 268 participants took part in the study in which a multistage (2-stage) random sampling technique was used (Bamise, Bamise and Adedigba, 2011). First stage involved the random selection of the four general hospitals used for the study whilst the second stage involved the random selection of participants at the various general hospitals selected for the study.

In order to participate in the study, the participants must be within the age bracket of adolescent and youths and must be retroviral positive. The instrument for data collection was a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: A total of 268 respondents were interviewed. More male participated in the study and majority of the participants were concentrated within the age bracket (21 – 25) years. The awareness of the participants about HIV/AIDs is high with 98.2 percent participants believed that condom use prevented HIV/AIDs. About 66 percent of respondents had only one sexual partner, 56.3 percent used condom and other preventive method as a form of positive life style change in behaviour whilst 51.1 percent of respondents practiced abstinence from sexual intercourse.

Conclusion: The study showed there was high level of awareness about HIV/AIDs and positive life style behaviour was found to have effect on prevalence of HIV/AIDs among the target group for the study.

From the finding, more awareness programs about HIV/AIDs should be carried out among adolescent and youths. Government and Nongovernmental organization should partner with the community, faith based organization, schools to implement these findings.

Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Adolescent, Youths, lifestyle changes.

References:

[1]. Abasiubong F, Udoh, SB, Idung, AU, Umoiyoho, AJ (2012) Attitudes and sexual behaviour of unmarried people with HIV/AIDS living in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Mental Health Fam Med V 9 (4): 225 – 232.

[2]. Adedigba, Bamise, 2011. Knowledge of HIV/AIDs among Secondary School Adolescent in Osun State, Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 14(3): 338 – 344.

[3]. Akwena PA, Madise NJ, Hinde A, (2003) A perception of risk of HIV/AIDs and sexual behaviour in Kenya. Journal of Biosocial Science. 35 (3): 385 – 411.

[4]. Araoye M.O, (2004). Subject selection. In Research Methodology with statistics for health and social science 1^st ed. Ilorin, Nathadex: 117-8.

[5]. Bankole A. A, Briddlecom G, Guiella, S. Suigh and Zulu E 2007.Sexual behaviour, knowledge and information sources of very young adolescents in four sub-Saharan African countries. African J. Reproductive Health, 11(3): 28

[6]. Fatasi A. O (2005) Adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs in Nigeria: shaping a pragmatic and effective response. Journal of community medicine and primary Healthcare.17:1 – 6.

[7].  Georges G, Nyoran J, M (2007) HIV/AIDs and sexual – risk Behaviour among Adolescent: Factors influencing the use of condoms in Burkina Faso. Afr. Afr. J. Report Health 11(33): 182 – 196.

[8]. John C, Okolo SN, Isichei C (2014) Sexual risk behaviour and HIV infection among adolescent in secondary schools in Jos, Nigeria. Niger J Paed. 41(2): 86 – 89.

[9]. Joint United Nations Global Fact Sheet, 2015.

[10]. Logoe, W.L. Klepp, K. I and Skutle, A (1996) Sexual debut and predictors of condom use among secondary school students in Arusha, Tanzania, AIDS care, 8 (4), 443 – 452.

[11]. Lwelamira J, Sarwatt A and Masumbuko J, 2012. Knowledge and practices related to HIV/AIDS infection among youth in Minning areas of Central Tanzania: A case of London and Winza Minning Area. Asian Journal of Medical Science 4(4): 134 – 144.

[12]. Maluwa – Banda DW 2010. HIV/AIDS Related Knowledge and self-Reported sexual behaviour of secondary school students in Southern Malawi: Implication of AIDS Education and counseling. Available at http://www.apicom.org/ids - document Retrieved October 17, 2013 4:00pm.

[13]. Musa O I, Akande TM, Salaudeen AG, Soladoye OM, 2008. Family Communication on HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in a Northern State of Nigeria. Afr. J. Infect Dis 2 (1): 00 – 00.

[14]. Ndegwa, I, N, Wanderi, M, P. Nwisukha A (2012), Factors Influencing behaviour change for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS among students in Gitthunguri Division, Gitthunguri District, Kenya. International Journal of Business and Social Sciences. 3(16)

[15]. Nigerian National Agency for the control of AIDs 2010a and Nigeria National Agency for the control of AIDs, 2010b.

[16]. Nigeria National Agency for the control of AIDs, 2010a.National HIV/AIDs strategic plan 2010 – 2015. Nigerian National Agency for the control of AIDs, Abuja, Nigeria 

http://Nigeria.unfpa.org/pdf/nsp.pdf (accessed 9 February, 2013).

[17]. Omoyeni S T, Akinyemi A. I, Fatusi A, (2012). Adolescents and HIV related behaviour in Nigeria: Dee’s knowledge of HIV/AIDs promote protective sexual behaviour among sexually active Adolescents? Paper presentation at the 2012 population Assocation of American Annual Meeting Program. San Francisco California.

[18]. Okonta P. 1, 2007 Adolescent Sexual and reproductive Health in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria Issues and Challenges. Afr. J. Reprod. Health, 11(11): 113 – 124.

[19]. Santelli JS IndbergLd, Abma J, McNeely CS, Resurek M, (2002) Adolescent Sexual behaviour, Estimates and trends from four nationally representation surveys family planning perspectives. 32(n4); 156 – 194 (Pub.Med).

[20]. Srivastava B and Srivastava A, 2011, a study on open discussion of HIV/AIDs among secondary school students with their parents in national capital regions (NCR) of India. Elixir Soc. Sci. 41, 6029 – 603.

[21].  UNAIDS (2014) The ‘Gap Report’.

[22]. United Nations (2001) Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.25, New York.

[23].  Wodi B. E (2005) HIV/AIDs Knowledge Attitude, and Opinions among Adolescents in the River State of Nigeria. The International Electronic Journal of Health Education. 8; 86 – 94 

http://www.jejhe.org

Abstract:

Health care wastes (HCW) are all waste generated from health care facilities, research facilities and other associated laboratories. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice and factors affecting health care waste management practice amongst health care staff in health facilities in Bida Local Government Area. This descriptive study was carried out among health care personnel in all the health facilities in Bida Local Government. The respondents who had worked in the health facilities for a period of one year and above were studied. The tools for data collection were semi structured questionnaires and observational checklist. A total of 314 respondents were interviewed. The mean age of respondents was 33.8±6.8 years. The level of knowledge of health care staff in the health facilities was fair. Respondents’ attitudes were excellent in 22.3%, good in 46.8% and poor in 30.9%. Respondents’ practice of health care waste management (HCWM) was fair in 56.4%, excellent in 23.6% and poor in 20.1%. Also, noted was that awareness of existing policy on HCW, a standing Supervisory Committee on HCW in the various health facilities affected positively the practice of HCWM. The study showed that the level of knowledge and attitude amongst health staff in health care facilities in Bida Local Government was fair and their current practice of health care waste management was found to be good. From the findings in the study, the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care waste management amongst health care staff can be improved by organizing training and retraining programmes like workshops, seminars etc. Policies on health care waste management should be widely circulated to improve the awareness amongst health care staff.

References:

[1]. Abah SO, Ohimain EI. Health Care Waste Management in Nigeria. Africa J. of Public Health and Epidemiology. 2011; 3(3): 99-110.

[2]. Bekir O. Health Care Waste Management in India, Discussion Paper. The World Bank Publication. 2003; 1-12.

[3]. Bassey E. South African Conference on Promoting Alternatives to Mercury in the Health Care Section. 2007; 3-5.

[4]. Bassey BE, Benka-Coker MO, Aliyu HAS. Characterization and Management of Solid Medical Waste in FCT Abuja Nigeria. African Health Sciences Journal. 2005; 6(2): 58 – 63.

[5]. Coker AD, Sangodoyin AY, Ogunlowo OO. Managing Hospital Wastes in Nigeria. Proceedings of the24^th Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) Conference, Islamabad, Parkistan. 1999; 70 – 79002E.

[6]. Federal Government of Nigeria, Legal Notice on Publication of the details of the breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals 2006 Census. Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette 2007; 94 (24): B198.

[7]. Mukuolu OA. Overview of Health Care waste Management in Nigeria. Paper Presentation at Society for Quality Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN) conference. 2009.

[8]. Ngwuluka N, Ochekpe N, Odumosu P, Sunday A. Waste Management in Health Care Establishment within Jos Metropolis, Nigeria. Africa Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.2009; 112 (3): 459 – 465.

[9]. Olatoye OB. Laboratory waste management in Nigeria. Basel convention workshop materials. 2005.

[10].Phiss A, Giroult E, Rush Brook P. Safe management of waste from health care activities. World Health Organization WHO. Geneva. 1999.

[11]. Vijaya KG, Kavita D, Vidya B. A Critical Analysis of Health Care Waste Managemnet In developed and developing Counties, Case Studies From India and England. Proceedings on Sustainable Solid Waste Management. 2007; 134 – 141.

[12]. World Health Organization. Do No Harm. Injection Safety in the Context of Infection Prevention and Control. Facilitators Guide. 2007; 79 – 97.

Abstract:

Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections are very common in older children and can pose a great problem for malaria control programs. This study was a cross sectional study-design that looked at the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection among school aged children in five primary schools in 3 districts in the Volta Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered and blood samples were collected for malaria detection using RDT and microscopy. Pearson chi square test was used to evaluate the association between P. falciparum infection and other variables in the study. A total of 550 primary school children were enrolled in this study. Three hundred and five children (55.45%) were positive for malaria with RDT and 249(45.27%) were malaria positive with microscopy. Children from Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) primary school in Afegame and Davanu primary schools, both in remote, rural and farming communities had the highest prevalence of P falciparum (RDT, 92, 74.80%, p<0.001; Microscopy, 73, 59.35%, p=0.007) and (RDT, 57, 72.15%, p<0.001; Microscopy, 36, 45.57% , p=0.007), respectively. There was a significant higher prevalence of RDT positive boys than girls seen in this study (152, 61.40%, p=0.023). A significant higher prevalence of P. falciparum infection was seen with RDT, in children whose mothers were farmers (109, 69.87%, p=0.001). There was a high prevalence of asymptomatic P. falciparum infection in the three districts, especially in rural areas. As a matter of urgency, malaria control programs should intensify efforts in these areas to reduce the burden of detrimental asymptomatic infections in school going children.

References:

[1]. Abdullah, S., Adazu, K., Masanja, H., Diallo, D., Hodgson, A., Ilboudo-Sanogo, E., ... & Binka, F. N. (2007). Patterns of age-specific mortality in children in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 77(6 Suppl), 99-105

[2]. Ayeh-Kumi, P. F., Addo-Osafo, K., Attah, S. K., Tetteh-Quarcoo, P. B., Obeng-Nkrumah, N., Awuah-Mensah, G., ... & Duedu, K. O. (2016). Malaria, helminths and malnutrition: a cross-sectional survey of school children in the South-Tongu district of Ghana. BMC research notes, 9(1), 242

[3]. Afrane, Y. A., Klinkenberg, E., Drechsel, P., Owusu-Daaku, K., Garms, R., & Kruppa, T. (2004). Does irrigated urban agriculture influence the transmission of malaria in the city of Kumasi, Ghana? Acta tropica, 89(2), 125-134.

[4]. Akinbo, F. O., Omoregie, R., Mordi, R., & Okaka, C. E. (2009). Prevalence of Malaria and Anemia among Young Children in a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Fooyin Journal of Health Sciences, 1(2), 81-84.

[5]. Ani, O. C. (2004). Endemicity of malaria among primary school children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Anim Res Inter, 1, 155-9.

[6].Alexander, J., & Stimson, W. H. (1988). Sex hormones and the course of parasitic infection. Parasitology Today, 4(7), 189-193.

[7]. Alves, F. P., Gil, L. H. S., Marrelli, M. T., Ribolla, P. E., Camargo, E. P., & Pereira Da Silva, L. H. (2005). Asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium spp. as infection source for malaria vector mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon. Journal of medical entomology, 42(5), 777-779.

[8].   Batwala, V., Magnussen, P., & Nuwaha, F. (2010). Are rapid diagnostic tests more accurate in diagnosis of plasmodium falciparum malaria compared to microscopy at rural health canters? Malaria journal, 9(1), 349.

[9]. Bundy DAP. Sexual effects on parasite infection. Parasitol Today 1988; 4: 186–9

[10].  Chen, I., Clarke, S. E., Gosling, R., Hamainza, B., Killeen, G., Magill, A., ... & Riley, E. M. (2016). “Asymptomatic” malaria: a chronic and debilitating infection that should be treated. PLoS Med, 13(1), e1001942.

[11].  Carneiro, I., Roca-Feltrer, A., Griffin, J. T., Smith, L., Tanner, M., Schellenberg, J. A., ... & Schellenberg, D. (2010). Age-patterns of malaria vary with severity, transmission intensity and seasonality in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and pooled analysis. PloS one, 5(2), e8988.

[12].  Ceesay, S. J., Casals-Pascual, C., Erskine, J., Anya, S. E., Duah, N. O., Fulford, A. J., ... & Palmer, A. (2008). Changes in malaria indices between 1999 and 2007 in The Gambia: a retrospective analysis. The lancet, 372(9649), 1545-1554.

[13].  Doolan, D. L., Dobaño, C., & Baird, J. K. (2009). Acquired immunity to malaria. Clinical microbiology reviews, 22(1), 13-36.

[14].  Egbi, G., Steiner-Asiedu, M., Kwesi, F. S., Ayi, I., Ofosu, W., Setorglo, J., ... & Armar-Klemesu, M. (2014). Anaemia among school children older than five years in the Volta Region of Ghana. Pan African Medical Journal, (ARTISSUE).

[15].  Ekpenyong, E. A., & Eyo, J. E. (2008). Malaria control and treatment strategies among school children in semi-urban tropical communities. West Indian Medical Journal, 57(5), 456-461.

[16].  Filipe, J. A., Riley, E. M., Drakeley, C. J., Sutherland, C. J., & Ghani, A. C. (2007). Determination of the processes driving the acquisition of immunity to malaria using a mathematical transmission model. PLoS Comput Biol, 3(12), e255

[17].  Forney, J. R., Wongsrichanalai, C., Magill, A. J., Craig, L. G., Sirichaisinthop, J., Bautista, C. T., ... & Andersen, E. M. (2003). Devices for rapid diagnosis of malaria: evaluation of prototype assays that detect Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and a Plasmodium vivax-specific antigen. Journal of clinical microbiology, 41(6), 2358-2366.

[18].  Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS) and ICF International (2015). Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2014. GSS, GHS, and ICF International, Rockville

[19].  Golassa, L., Enweji, N., Erko, B., Aseffa, A., & Swedberg, G. (2013). Detection of a substantial number of sub-microscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections by polymerase chain reaction: a potential threat to malaria control and diagnosis in Ethiopia. Malaria journal, 12(1), 352

[20].  Holding, P. A., & Snow, R. W. (2001). Impact of Plasmodium falciparum malaria on performance and learning: review of the evidence. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 64(1 suppl), 68-75

[21].  Holding, P. A., & Kitsao-Wekulo, P. K. (2004). Describing the burden of Malaria on child development: What should we be measuring and how should we be measuring it? The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 71(2 suppl), 71-79.

[22].  Hopkins, H., Kambale, W., Kamya, M. R., Staedke, S. G., Dorsey, G., & Rosenthal, P. J. (2007). Comparison of HRP2-and pLDH-based rapid diagnostic tests for malaria with longitudinal follow-up in Kampala, Uganda. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 76(6), 1092-1097

[23].  Keating, J., Miller, J. M., Bennett, A., Moonga, H. B., & Eisele, T. P. (2009). Plasmodium falciparum parasite infection prevalence from a household survey in Zambia using microscopy and a rapid diagnostic test: implications for monitoring and evaluation. Acta tropica, 112(3), 277-282

[24].  Kreuels, B., Kobbe, R., Adjei, S., Kreuzberg, C., von Reden, C., Bäter, K., ... & May, J. (2008). Spatial variation of malaria incidence in young children from a geographically homogeneous area with high endemicity. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 197(1), 85-93.

[25].  Klinkenberg, E., McCall, P. J., Hastings, I. M., Wilson, M. D., Amerasinghe, F. P., & Donnelly, M. J. (2005). Malaria and irrigated crops, Accra, Ghana. Emerging infectious diseases, 11(8), 1290.

[26].  Laishram, D. D., Sutton, P. L., Nanda, N., Sharma, V. L., Sobti, R. C., Carlton, J. M., & Joshi, H. (2012). The complexities of malaria disease manifestations with a focus on asymptomatic malaria. Malaria journal, 11(1), 29.

[27].  Lindblade, K. A., Steinhardt, L., Samuels, A., Kachur, S. P., & Slutsker, L. (2013). The silent threat: asymptomatic parasitemia and malaria transmission. Expert review of anti-infective therapy, 11(6), 623-639.

[28].  Marsh, K., Forster, D., Waruiru, C., Mwangi, I., Winstanley, M., Marsh, V., ... & Pasvol, G. (1995). Indicators of life-threatening malaria in African children. New England journal of medicine, 332(21), 1399-1404.

[29].  Malaria, S. F., & World Health Organization. (2000). Communicable diseases cluster. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 94 (Suppl 1), S1-90.

[30].  Noor, A. M., Kinyoki, D. K., Mundia, C. W., Kabaria, C. W., Mutua, J. W., Alegana, V. A., ... & Snow, R. W. (2014). The changing risk of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in Africa: 2000–10: a spatial and temporal analysis of transmission intensity. The Lancet, 383(9930), 1739-1747

[31].  O'Meara, W. P., Bejon, P., Mwangi, T. W., Okiro, E. A., Peshu, N., Snow, R. W., ... & Marsh, K. (2008). Effect of a fall in malaria transmission on morbidity and mortality in Kilifi, Kenya. The lancet, 372(9649), 1555-1562

[32].  Snow, R. W., Omumbo, J. A., Lowe, B., Molyneux, C. S., Obiero, J. O., Palmer, A., ... & New bold, C. (1997). Relation between severe malaria morbidity in children and level of Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Africa. The Lancet, 349(9066), 1650-1654.

[33].  Sarpong, N., Owusu-Dabo, E., Kreuels, B., Fobil, J. N., Segbaya, S., Amoyaw, F., ... & May, J. (2015). Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in school children from two districts of Ghana earmarked for indoor residual spraying: a cross-sectional study. Malaria journal, 14(1), 260.

[34].  World Health Organization. (2012). World malaria report 2012. World Health Organization.

[35].  Walldorf, J. A., Cohee, L. M., Coalson, J. E., Bauleni, A., Nkanaunena, K., Kapito-Tembo, A., ... & Valim, C. (2015). School-age children are a reservoir of malaria infection in Malawi. PLoS One, 10(7), e0134061.

[36].  Wongsrichanalai, C., Barcus, M. J., Muth, S., Sutamihardja, A., & Wernsdorfer, W. H. (2007). A review of malaria diagnostic tools: microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 77(6 Suppl), 119-127.

[37].  World Health Organization. (2000). new perspectives: malaria diagnosis. Report of a Joint WHO/USAID Informal Consultation, 25-27 October 1999. New perspectives: malaria diagnosis. Report of a Joint WHO/USAID Informal Consultation, 25-27 October 1999

[38].  Zhou, G., Afrane, Y. A., Vardo-Zalik, A. M., Atieli, H., Zhong, D., Wamae, P., ... & Yan, G. (2011). Changing patterns of malaria epidemiology between 2002 and 2010 in Western Kenya: the fall and rise of malaria. PloS one, 6(5), e20318

[39].  Zuk, M., & McKean, K. A. (1996). Sex differences in parasite infections: patterns and processes. International journal for parasitology, 26(10), 1009-1024.

Abstract:

The World Health Organization has recommended that children of HIV positive mothers be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life unless replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe. The main objective of the study was to identify factors influencing attitudes of secondary health care providers and HIV positive mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding. Focus Group Discussion was used to elicit information from the respondents. Approval to conduct the study at the health facilities was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, Uyo. A purposive sampling technique was used to select three secondary health facilities (one per senatorial district) out of 34 secondary facilities that conduct focused antenatal care, deliveries and post-natal care services. There were 46 participants comprising of Nurse/Midwives, and Medical Doctors. A total of six FGD sessions were conducted. Five themes emerged from the FGD namely: Awareness of the exclusive breastfeeding concept; health care provider attitude towards EBF by HIV positive mothers; HIV positive mothers’ perception towards HIV and exclusive breastfeeding; factors that can influence HIV positive mothers to breastfeed exclusively; and opinion on who will approve or disapprove HIV positive mother to breastfeed exclusively. The result showed that effective and adequate counselling was identified as a key factor that will influence HIV positive mothers to breastfeed exclusively. Poor knowledge and fear of transmission of the virus to baby were cited by most respondents as factors that will influence health care providers and HIV positive mothers’ attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. This study recommended the need for more breastfeeding education for health care providers that will take into consideration current policy and guidelines for feeding HIV exposed infants since health care providers are uniquely positioned to educate HIV positive mothers on infant feeding options.

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, HIV-Positive mothers and Health Care Provider.

References:

[1]. Becquet, R, Ekouevi, DK, Menan, H, Amani-Bosse, C, Bequet, L, Viho, I, Dabis, F, Timeti-Konan, M & Leroy, V (2008). Early mixed feeding and breastfeeding beyond 6months increase the risk of postnatal HIV transmission: ANRS 1201/1201. Ditrame Plus, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire Preventive Medicine. 47:27-33

[2]. FMOH (2015) Integrated national guidelines for HIV prevention, treatment and care. Federal Ministry of Health (Nigeria). Journal of HIV and Human Reproduction

[3]. Infant and Young Child Feeding (2011) HIV-positive mothers in Nigeria: from consensus to action. Iycn.wpengine.netdua-cdn.com/…/iycn_Nigeria_expanding_breastfeeding updated Aug 2011.

[4]. Kafulafula, UK, Hutchinson, MK, Grennaro, S & Guttmacher, S (2014). Maternal and Healthcare workers’ perceptions of the effects of exclusive breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers on maternal and infant health in Blantyre, Malawi. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 14:247 

http://www.biomedcentral.con/1471-2393/14/247

[5]. Laar SA & Govender (2011) Factors influencing the choice of infant feeding of HIV positive mothers in Southern Ghana: The role of counsellors, mothers, families and social economic status. Journal of AIDS and HIV research 3(7) pp129-37. Available on line http://academic journals.org/JAHR ISSN 2141-2359

[6].  Leshabari SC, Blystad A, Moland KM (2007). Difficult choices: Infant feeding experiences of HIV-positive mothers in Northern Tanzania. Sahara Journal, 4:544-55

[7]. Moland, K & Blystad A (2008) Counting of Mother’s love: The global policies of prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV in Eastern Africa” In Hahn R, Inhom M. Anthropology and Public Health. Bridging the differences in culture and society. Oxford University Press. P449.

[8]. Matovu JN, Onyango-Makumbi C, Namuli PE, Tanga EO, Kagawa MN et al (2014) WHO 2010 infant feeding guidelines in resource limited settings: attitudes of human immun0-deficiency virus – infected women and other role players in Kampala, Uganda. South Africa Journal of Clinical Nutrition 27(2): 63-68

[9]. Ndubuka J, Ndubuka N, LI Y, Caitlin M & Ehiri J (2013). Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding infant feeding among HIV-infected pregnant women in Gaborone, Botswana: a cross sectional survey. BMJ open 20 December 31, 2013. Pub med / Google Scholar.

[10]. Okechukwu AA, Okpe EC, Okolo AA (2009). Exclusive breastfeeding and postnatal changes in maternal anthropometry. Nigeria Journal clinical practice 12 (4) 383-8

[11]. Piwoz, EG, Humphrey, JH, Tavengiwa, NV, Iliff, PJ, Marinda, ET, Zunguza, CD, Nathoo, KJ, Mutasa, K, Moulton, LH, & Ward, BJ (2007). The impact of safe breastfeeding practices on postnatal HIV-1 transmission in Zimbabwe. American Journal of Public Health. 97:1249-1254

[12].  Thairu LN, Pelto GH, Rollins NC, Bland RM, Ntshangase N (2005) Sociocultural influences on Infant feeding decisions among HIV-infected women in rural kwa –zulu Natal. Maternal Child Nutrition 1:2-10

[13]. Tohotoa J, Maycock B, Hauck YL, et al (2009). Dad makes a difference: an exploratory study of paternal support for breastfeeding in Perth, Western Australia. International breastfeeding Journal 4:15

Abstract:

Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains a public health issue, given the influence of parental belief, thoughts, feelings and perception on childhood vaccination. We assessed the process and impact of education intervention public health professionals conducted to eliminate the risks due to parental childhood vaccine indecisions behaviors.

Methods: We used cross-sectional research method with behavioral theories-informed tool to assess the process and impact of efforts on parental childhood vaccination hesitancy in our sample. Chi square statistic and logistic regression model were used to characterize the sample and test the study related hypotheses respectively.

Results: The overall response rate for the survey was 80% (359 of 450). Sixty-three percent of the participants were female, 62% were employed full time, and 77% were educated above secondary school level. Ninety-five percent of the 450 participants cast their votes of confidence for the safety and protectiveness of childhood vaccines. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, study participants with positive response to TV as a good source of information were 4 times as likely to perceive childhood immunization risks judged against those with negative response, adjusted prevalence odds ratio (APOR) = 4.35, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 0.10 – 0.74.

Conclusions: The source of information significantly influenced vaccine hesitancy in our sample. These data is suggestive of the need for public health education via mass media in reducing vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords: Childhood immunization, parental vaccine hesitancy; risk communications; behavior change; vaccine acceptance

References:

[1].     Bond L, and Nolan T. Making sense of perceptions of risk of diseases and vaccinations: a qualitative study combining models of health beliefs, decision-making and risk perception. BMC Public Health, 2011; 11:943.

[2]. Coggon D, Barker D, and Rose G. Epidemiology for the uninitiated (Chapter 8, "Case-control and cross-sectional studies"). (5^th Ed.), London: BMJ (British Medical Journal) Publishing; 2003.

[3]. Drehob PA, Roush SW, Stover BH, et al. Public Health Surveillance Workforce of the Future. CDC Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office and National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 2012;61(03):25 – 29

[4]. Dubé E, Vivion M, and MacDonald NE. Vaccine hesitancy, vaccine refusal and the anti-vaccine movement: influence, impact and implications. Expert Review of Vaccines, 2015; 14(1):99–117.

[5].     Dubé E, Gagnon D, Nickels E, et al. Mapping vaccine hesitancy – country-specific characteristics of a global phenomenon. Vaccine, 2014;32(49):6649–6654

[6].    Dubé E, Gagnon D, Zhou Z, et al. Parental Vaccine Hesitancy in Quebec (Canada). PLOS Currents Outbreaks, 2016 1^st Ed doi: 10.1371/currents.outbreaks.9e239605f4d320c6ad27ce2aea5aaad2

[7].     Dubé E, Laberge C, Guay M, et al. Vaccine hesitancy: An overview. Human Vaccine Immunotherapeutic, 2013; 9(8):1763 – 1773.

[8].     Frenk J, Chen L, Bhutta ZA, et al. Health professionals for a new century: transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world. Lancet, 2010; 376:1923 – 1958.

[9].     Freed GL, Clark SJ, Butchart AT, et al. Parental vaccine safety concerns in 2009. Pediatrics, 2010;125(4):654–659

[10].  Gellin BG, Maibach EW, and Marcuse EK. Do parents understand immunizations: A national telephone survey. Pediatrics, 2000;106(5):1097–1102

[11].  Gust D, Brown C, Sheedy K, et al. Immunization attitudes and beliefs among parents (beyond a dichotomous perspective). American Journal of Health Behavior, 2005; 29:81 – 92.

[12].  Holmes L, (Jr), Chan W, Jiang Z, et al. Effectiveness of androgen deprivation therapy in prolonging survival of older men treated for locoregional prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Disease, 2007; 10(4):388 – 395.

[13].  Kapp C. Nigerian states again boycott polio-vaccination drive. Muslim officials have rejected assurances that the polio vaccine is safe—leaving Africa on the brink of re-infection. Lancet, 2004;363:709

[14].  Kestenbaum LA, and Feemster KA. Identifying and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Pediatrics Annals, 2015;44(4):e71–75

[15].  Leask J, Braunack-Mayer A, and Kerridge I. Consent and public engagement in an era of expanded childhood immunisation. Journal of Paediatri and Child Health, 2011;47:603–607

[16].  Larson HJ, Jarrett C, Eckersberger E, et al. Understanding vaccine hesitancy around vaccines and vaccination from a global perspective: a systematic review of published literature, 2007–2012. Vaccine, 2014; 32(19):2150–2159.

[17].  MacDonald NE, Smith J, and Appleton M. Risk perception, risk management and safety assessment: what can governments do to increase public confidence in their vaccine system? Biologicals, 2012; 40:384 –388.

[18].  Neuwirth K, Dunwoody S, and Griffin RJ. Protection Motivation and Risk Communication. Risk Analysis, 2000; 20(5):721–734.

[19].  Poland GA, Jacobson RM, and Ovsyannikova IG. Trends affecting the future of vaccine development and delivery: the role of demographics, regulatory science, the anti-vaccine movement, and vaccinomics. Vaccine, 2009; 27:3240 – 3244.

[20].  Peretti-Watel P, Larson HJ, Ward JK, et al. Vaccine hesitancy: clarifying a theoretical framework for an ambiguous notion. PLoS Currents, 2015; 7.

[21].  Prentice-Dunn S, and Rogers RW. Protection motivation theory and preventive health: Beyond the health belief model. Health Education Research, 1986; 1(3):153–161.

[22].  Poland GA, and Jacobson RM. The age-old struggle against the antivaccinationists. New England Journal of Medicine, 2011; 364(2):97 – 99.

[23].  Reynolds B, and Seeger MW. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication as an Integrative Model. Journal of Health Communication, 2005;10:43–55

[24].  Reynolds B, and Seeger MW. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease control and Prevention. 2012. Available at https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/resources/pdf/cerc_2012edition.pdf Accessed November 16, 2016.

[25].  Siddiqui M, Salmon DA, and Omer SB. Epidemiology of vaccine hesitancy in the United States. Human Vaccine Immunotherapeutics, 2013; 9(12):2643 – 2648.

[26].  Salmon DA, Dudley MZ, Glanz JM, et al. Vaccine hesitancy: causes, consequences, and a call to action. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2015; 49(6 Suppl 4):S391–398.

[27].  Trochim WMK, and Donnelly JP. The research methods knowledge base. (3^rd Ed.), New York, NY: Atomic Dog; 2006.

[28].  Wilson RJ, Paterson P, Jarrett C, et al. Understanding factors influencing vaccination acceptance during pregnancy globally: A literature review. Vaccine, 2015;33(47):6420–6429

Abstract:

South Sudan was reported as having one of the highest malaria burdens in sub-Saharan Africa. A better understanding of the pattern and distribution of the infection is considered to have implication on prevention and control. The objective of this study was to investigate the pattern and distribution of reported Malaria infection in Wulu, South Sudan

Secondary data on malaria cases managed between January 2014 and December 2016 across all the eleven health districts of the county were obtained from the Health Management Information System and the District Health Information Software. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the extracted data.

The finding showed similar trend in the pattern and distribution of Malaria disease across the health districts between 2014 and 2016. Also the incidence rates for the overall population were 29.5%, 23.7% and 36.7% for 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. However a much higher incident rate was recorded among the under-5 year population for the same period (76.5%, 47.1%, and 64.5%). Malaria cases among under-5 years of age in the area account for 52-59% of Outpatient department consultations between 2014 and 2016. Also the finding showed sharp rise in the number of cases reported for 2016 although the same yearly trend was maintained across the year and districts.

The finding showed similar trend in pattern and distribution of Malaria infection over the period of 2014 to 2016 and across the health districts; it did not however suggest a reduction in the trend of occurrence. More attention should be given to the under-5 year population.

Keywords: Malaria, Pattern and distribution, Outpatient department, Under-5 years, Wulu.

References:

[1].     Abdalla S.I., Malik E.M., and Ali K.M. (2007): The burden of malaria in Sudan: incidence, mortality and disability – adjusted life – years. Malar J, 6:97

[2].     Amek N, Bayoh N, Hamel M, Lindblade KA, Gimnig JE, Odhiambo F, et al (2012): Spatial and temporal dynamics of malaria transmission in rural Western Kenya. Parasit Vectors. 2012; 5:86. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-86.

[3].     Chanda E., Doggale C., Pasquale H., Azairwe A., Baba S. and Mnzava A (2013): Addressing malaria vector control challenges in south Sudan: proposed recommendations. Malar J. 12:59

[4].     Kalinga-Chirwa R, Ngongondo C, Kalanda-Joshua M, Kazembe L, Pemba D, Kululanga E (2011): Linking rainfall and irrigation to clinically reported malaria cases in some villages in Chikhwawa District, Malawi. Phys Chem Earth Parts A/B/C. 2011; 36:887–894. doi: 10.1016/j.pce.2011.07.053.

[5].     Lowe R, Chirombo J, Tompkins AM (2013): Relative importance of climatic, geographic and socio-economic determinants of malaria in Malawi. Malar J. 2013; 12:416. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-416.

[6].     Oxford (2011): Malaria endemicity. http://www.map.ox.ac.uk/explore/about-malaria/malaria-endemicity/

[7].     Reid HL, Haque U, Roy S, Islam N, Clements A (2012): Characterizing the spatial and temporal variation of malaria incidence in Bangladesh, 2007. Malar J. 2012; 11:170. doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-170.

[8].     RoSS (2009): Ministry of Health Malaria indicator survey report, Republic of south Sudan.

[9].     Tanner M., Greenwood B., Whitty C., Ansah E., Price R., Marsh K., Hemingway J., Osier F (2015): Malaria eradication and elimination: views on how to translate a vision into reality. Bio Medical Central, 13: 167

[10].  Yusuf SK. (2013): Spatial temporal impacts of climate variability on malaria distribution in Gulu and Mpigi districts in Uganda using GIS. MSc thesis, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, 2013. www.rsgis.ait.ac.th/rsweb2010/research/2013

[11].  Walldorf JA, Cohee LM, Coalson JE, Bauleni A, Nkanaunena K, Kapito-Tembo A, et al. (2015): School-age children are a reservoir of malaria infection in Malawi. PLoS ONE. 2015; 10(7):e0134061. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134061.

[12].  WHO (2013): Country Cooperation strategy at a glance: belize. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.

[13].  WHO (2016): World Health Organization; Malaria. Intern. travel and health; visited 1st Oct, 2016. Available at http://www.who.int/ith/en/

[14].  WMR (2015): World Malaria Report 2015: Regional and Country profile.

Abstract:

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in newborns is one of the leading causes of infant mortality globally and accounted for about 1.8million childhood deaths in 2010. Despite international interventions aimed at reducing pediatric infections at antenatal clinic entry points, however, there is still limited access and utilization of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services resulting in low target coverage due to obstacles existing at facility, community and state levels. Anambra State still records a low patronage of PMTCT interventions by pregnant mothers.

Objective:  This study was carried out to determine the factors affecting prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs in university teaching hospitals in Anambra state, Nigeria qualitatively.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 128 randomly selected HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics and service providers of two purposively selected teaching hospitals in Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions and key in-depth informant interviews. Data analysis was carried out using NVivo version 9 qualitative data analysis Software.

Results: The findings of this work show that ninety-nine percent (99%) of the study participants knew that HIV was a deadly virus transmitted through sex and other blood contact routes. Seventy six percent (76%) of the participants knew that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child, while about 53% of them knew the major ways of MTCT of HIV. The participants that did not know how HIV could be passed from mother to child were 41%. Others factors are lack of awareness and knowledge about HCT, late presentation at ANC clinics, low numbers of PMTCT centers within locality of respondents, poor involvement of male partners/spouses and stigma were the main reasons cited for poor utilization of PMTCT programs in the state.

Conclusion: The study highlights a referral linkage of traditional birth attendants to health facilities for PMTCT interventions in the state to have profound impact on the health of the mother, child and nation at large.

Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), HIV counselling and testing, Antenatal Care.

References:

[1]. Anigilaje, E.A., Ageda, B.R. and Nweke, N.O. (2016). Barriers to uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services among mothers of vertically infected HIV-seropositive infants in Makurdi, Nigeria. Dove Medical Press, 10:57-72.

[2]. Barker, P.M., Mphatswe, W. and Rollins, N. (2011). “Antiretroviral drugs in the cupboard are not enough: the impact of health systems' performance on mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Vol. 56, No. 2, pp. e45–e48.

[3]. Chinkonde, J.R., Sundby, J. and Martinson, F. (2009). “The prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programme in Lilongwe, Malawi: why do so many women drop out,” Reproductive Health Matters, Vol. 17, No. 33, pp. 143–151.

[4]. Dabis, F., Newell, M.L., L. Fransen, L. et al. (2000). “Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developing countries: recommendations for practice,” Health Policy and Planning, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 34–42.

[5]. Deressa, W., Seme, A., Asefa, A., Teshome, G. and Enqusellassie, F. (2014). Utilization of PMTCT services and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Vol. 14 p.328-341.

[6]. Ezeanolue, E.E., Obiefune, M.C., Yang, W., Obaro, S.K., Ezeanolue, C.O., Ogedegbe, G.G. (2013). Comparative effectiveness of congregation-versus clinic-based approach to prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Implement Sci. 8(1):62.

[7]. Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (2011). In Multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS Response Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Report 202 EFY.

[8]. Federal Ministry of Health. (2003). National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS).

[9]. Link B. and Phelan, J. (2001). On stigma and its public health implications. Paper presented at: Stigma and Global Health: Developing a Research Agenda; Bethesda, MD. Washington: National Institutes of Health.

[10].  Manzi, M., Zachariah, R., Teck, R. etal. (2005). “High acceptability of voluntary counselling and HIV-testing but unacceptable loss to follow up in a prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programme in rural Malawi: scaling-up requires a different way of acting,” Tropical Medicine and International Health, Vol. 10, No. 12, pp. 1242–1250.

[11].  NACA (2012). National Agency for the Control of AIDS; Nigeria Global AIDS Response, Country Progress Report. Nigeria: Abuja.

[12].  National Agency for the Control of AIDS (2011). Factsheet 2011: Update on the HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Response in Nigeria.

[13].  Nguyen, T.A., Oosterhoff, P., Ngoc, Y.P., Wright, P. and Hardon, A. (2008). Barriers to access prevention of mother-to-child transmission for HIV-positive women in a well-resourced setting in Vietnam. AIDS Res Ther 17:5-7.

[14].  Nkwo, P. (2013). Prevention of mother to child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The Nigerian perspective. Annals of Medical and Health sciences Research. 2(1):56–65.

[15].  Painter, T.M., Diaby, K.L., Matia, D.M., etal. (2004). “Women's reasons for not participating in follow up visits before starting short course antiretroviral prophylaxis for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV: qualitative interview study,” British Medical Journal, Vol. 329, No. 7465, pp. 543–546.

[16].  Siegfried, N., van der Merwe, L., Brocklehurst, P. and Sint, T.T. (2011). “Antiretrovirals for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 7, p. CD003510.

[17].  Theilgaard, Z.P., Katzenstein, T.L., Chiduo, M.G. et al. (2011). “Addressing the fear and consequences of stigmatization—a necessary step towards making HAART accessible to women in Tanzania: a qualitative study,” AIDS Research and Therapy, Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 28.

[18].  UNAIDS, (2013). Progress report on the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.

[19].  UNAIDS (2011). UBRAF 2012-2015 Country Case Study: Nigeria. Geneva.

[20].  United Nations AIDS Program (2010). http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/Global_report.htm

[21].  United Nations AIDS Program (2008). Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS: Core Data on Epidemiology and Response. Ethiopia.

[22].  UNAIDS (2005). HIV-related stigma, discrimination and human rights violations: case studies of successful programs.

[23].  World Health Organization (2005). The World Health Report, Geneva, Switzerland.

[24].  World Health Organization (2006). Antiretroviral Drugs for treating Pregnant women and preventing infection in Infants: Towards Universal Access: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.

[25].  World Health Organization (2007). Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT). Briefing note, Department of HIV/AIDS.

[26].  World Health Organization (2010). New guidance on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and infant feeding in the context of HIV.

[27].  World Health Organization (2010). “Towards Universal Access Progress Report.

[28].  Zachariah, R., Ford, N., Philips, M., etal. (2009). Task shifting in HIV/AIDS: Opportunities, challenges and proposed actions for sub-Saharan Africa. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg.103:549–558.

Abstract:

The prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) of under-five children, in south Sudan is reportedly high and is being aggravated by various negatives factors. The situation has attracted the attention of various international organizations like World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and other International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs), for possible interventions. However, there are scarce study reports on the current prevalence pattern of SAM and MAM among under-five children, as it may assist in the implementation of nutrition therapy programme implemented by these humanitarian organizations.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted by collecting thirty six (36) month reported data of SAM and MAM of under-five children, from District Health Information Software (DHIS)-the standard source of health information in south Sudan, across three years; 2014, 2015 and 2016 for three counties, and was analyses using SPSS. Findings revealed statistical significant differences in SAM and MAM within each county and among the three counties across the three years. The results further revealed that there was rising median values of SAM and MAM among the counties across the three years. It was suggested that adequate pre-intervention survey should be conducted, reducing local government’s sentiments and infiltration during screening exercise for malnutrition among under-five children, ensuring peace in south Sudan, and conduct of post-intervention surveys for feed-backs, may serve as a clue towards implementing an effective and efficient nutrition therapy programme in the war-torn Lakes State of south Sudan.

References:

[1]. Abdalla MA, Saad A, Abdullahi HE, Abdul Gader H (2009). Socio-economic aspects influencing food consumption patterns among children under age of five in rural area of Sudan. Pak. J. Nutr. 8:653-659.

[2].  Adair, L. S., Fall, C. H., Osmond, C., Stein, A. D., Martorell, R., Ramirez-Zea, M., Sachdev, H. S., Dahly, D. L., Bas, I., Norris, S. A., Micklesfield, L., Hallal, P. & Victora, C. G. (2013): Associations of linear growth and relative weight gain during early life with adult health and human capital in countries of low and middle income: findings from five birth cohort studies. Lancet, 382, 525-34.

[3]. Agozie C Ubesie, N. S. ( 2012). Malnutrition Admitted at the University of In Nigeria Teaching HOSPITAL, Enugu: 10years retrospective review. . NutritionJournal, 1.

[4]. Ahmed, F. .. (2014). Effects of malnutrition under five years of age and its complications. Carechallenge.

[5].   Ahmed, T., Auble, D., Berkley, J.A., Black, R., Ahern, P.P., Hossain, M., Hsieh, A., Ireen, S., Arabi, M., Gordon, J.I. (2014). An evolving perspective about the origins of childhood under nutrition and nutritional interventions that includes the gut microbiome. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1749-6632. http: //dx.do i.org/10. 1111/nya s.12487

[6].  Amy L. Rice, L. S. (2000). Malnutrition as an underlying cause of childhood deaths associated with infectious diseases in developing countries. Bulletin of the World Health Organisatioon.

[7].   Ashworth, A.; Ferguson, E. (2009). “Dietary Counselling in the Management of Moderate Malnourishment in Children.” Food and Nutrition Bulletin.2009, 30(Suppl. 3):S405–S433Bachmann.

[8].   Black RE, Allen LH, Bhutta ZA, Caulfield LE, Onis M, Ezzati M, Mathers C, Rivera J (2008). Maternal and child under nutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet 371:243-260.

[Checchi, F. & Robinson, W. C. (2013). Mortality among populations of southern and central Somalia affected by severe food insecurity and famine during 2010-2012. Rome, Washington.

[10]. De-Onis M, Blössner M, Borghi E, Morris R, Frongillo E (2004a). Methodology for estimating regional and global trends of child malnutrition. International Journal of Epidemiology (in press).

[11].  Lehmann A.B. (1991). Nutrition in old age: an update and questions for future research: part I. Reviews in Clinical Gerontology 1, 135-145.

[12]. Mwanza, K.M, Okop J, Puoane T (2016): Evaluation of outpatient therapeutic programme for management of severe acute malnutrition in three districts of the eastern province, Zambia.

[13].  Neitzel J (2011). The targeted supplementary feeding programme.

[14].         Stephan LS, Lathum MC, Ohesen EA (2000).Global malnutrition. Parasitology 121:55-22.

[15]. UNICEF (2014). Chief of Strategic Communication, UNICEF South Sudan. www.unicef.org

[16]. UNICEF, WHO & World-Bank (2012).UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates. (UNICEF, New York; WHO, Geneva; the World Bank, Washington, DC).

[17]. VOA (2016). Child malnutrition crisis deepens in South Sudan http://www.voanews.com/a/childmalnutrition-crisis-deepens-in-south-sudan/3451608.html

[18].  WFP (2015). UNICEF And WFP resolve to defeat malnutrition in South Sudan

[19]. WHO (2000) World Health Organization, Dept of Nutrition for Health and Development. Nutrition for health and development: A global agenda for combating malnutrition. WHO

[20]. WHO, (2003) “The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies”

[21]. WHO 2013: Guideline update: Technical aspects of the management of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.

[22]. WHO and UNICEF. 2009. WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children: A Joint Statement by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Geneva: WHO.

[23].  WHO, (2003) “The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies”

[24]. WHO, WFP, UN/SCN, UNICEF. (2007). Community-Based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition. A Joint Statement by the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). New York: UNICEF. May 2007.

[25].WHO. (2012). Technical Note: Supplementary Foods for the Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition in Infants and Children 6–59 Months of Age. Geneva: WHO.

Abstract:

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess work stress and self-reported health problems in female ready-made garment workers. This cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of 310 female workers selected purposively from a ready-made garment factory located in Savar, Dhaka. Work stress was estimated by using an ERIs questionnaire; while self-reported health problems, work-related information and socio-demographic information were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire by face to face interview. The study was conducted for a period of one year extending from January 2014 to December 2014 in a Ready-made Garment factory of Bangladesh located in Hemayetpur bus stand, Savar, Dhaka. The mean age of the respondents was 27.26±5.93 years and they were mostly married (71.3%). Most of them (55.5%) had primary education and another 20.0% never went to school. The mean monthly and per capita family incomes of the respondents were Tk7573.55± 961.06 and Tk3831.50± 1892.94 respectively. Among the respondents, 59.7% worked in the sewing section, followed by 14.8% in the finishing section. Their mean duration of employment and total working hours per week was 36.68±17.92 months and 58.35±3.08 hours respectively. About one fifth (22.9%) of the study participants were found to have high stress. Almost 53.2% respondents were found to have been suffering from headache for last 2 months. Back pain and chronic cough was significantly associated with age and total work time per week (p<0.05). Shoulder pain, stomach problem, pain/burning of eye, fatigue and general weakness was significantly associated with age (p<0.05). Painful/burning micturation was also significantly associated with age and total work time per week (p<0.05). High stress was not uncommon among female ready-made garment workers. Self-reported health problems were found to be associated with socio-demographic and work related factors. Programs should be taken to reduce working environment stressors, to enhance wellbeing conditions. A further analysis report using delegate sample from ready-made garment sector needs to be undertaken to obtain generalizable findings.

Keywords: Work stress, self-reported health problem, Ready Made Garment Workers.

References:

[1]. Ahamed F. Could monitoring and surveillance be useful to establish social compliance in the ready-made garment Buckley, P 2013, ‘Stress and Psychological Disorders in Great Britain’, Health and Safety Executive, vol. 1, pp. 1-7.

[2]. Akhter, S, Salahuddin, AFM, Iqbal, M, Malek, ABMA & Jahan, N 2010, ‘Health and occupational safety for female workforce of garment industries in Bangladesh, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, vol. 41, no. 1, pp 1-6.

[3]. Blaug, R, Kenyon, A & Lekhi, R 2007, ‘Stress at work, Research report’, The Work Foundation, London, pp. 1-94.

[4]. (RMG) industry of Bangladesh. International Journal of Management and Business Studies. 2013; 3(3):88-100.

[5]. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions 2010, ‘Work-related stress’, Wyattville Road, Loughlinstown, Dublin, Ireland, pp. 1-51.

[6]. Kutalek, R & Prinz, A 2010, ‘Stress and Modern Work: Ethnographic Perspectives from Industries in Bangladesh’, Department of General Practice, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Austria, vol. 13, pp. 24-33.

[7]. Mridula, S, M & Khan, K, A 2009, ‘Working Conditions and Reproductive Health Status of Female Garments Workers of Bangladesh’, Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE), pp. 5-18.

[8]. Nahar, N, Ali, R & Begum, F 2010, ‘Occupational health hazards in garment sector, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, vol. 1, pp. 1-6.

[9]. Park, J 2007, ‘Work stress and job performance’. Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Divisio, Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE, pp. 1-13.

[10].  Rahman, A, Ahmed, A & Noushin, L 2013, ‘Labor Law Practices in EPZ Area: An Impact of RMG Sector in Bangladesh’, United International University (UIU), Dhaka, Vol. 3, pp.1

[11].  Siegrist, J, Starkea, D, Chandolab, T, Godinc, I, Marmotb, M, Niedhammerd, I & Petere, R 2004, ‘The measurement of effort–reward imbalance at work: European comparisons, department of medical sociology, University of Duesseldorf, pp. 1483-1499.

[12].  Susan, L & Joseph 2001, ‘Workers perceptions of how jobs affect health: a social ecological perspective’. University of California, Los Angeles. Vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 101-113.

[13].  Siegrist, J, Li, J & Montano, D 2014, ‘ERI-Questionnaires user guide’, University of Duesseldrof, Germany, pp 1-28.

[14].  Sperlich, S, Peter, R, Geyer, S 2012, ‘applying the effort-reward imbalance model to household and family work: a population-based study of German mothers’, BMC Public Health, pp. 1-12.

[15].  Steinisch, M, Yusuf, R, Jian, L, Rahman, O, Hasan, M, Strümpell, C & Fischer, J 2013, ‘Work stress: Its components and its association with self-reported health outcomes in a garment factory in Bangladesh—Findings from a cross-sectional study’, Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Heidelberg University, Health &Place. Vol.4, pp. 123–130.

[16].  Tennant, C 2001, ‘Work-related stress and depressive disorders’, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, pp. 1-8.

[17].  WHO 2010, ‘Health Impact of Psychosocial Hazards at Work: An Overview’, Institute of Work, Health & Organizations, University of Nottingham, pp. 1-126.

Abstract:

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the industry with the objectives of determination of MSDs symptoms prevalence in different anatomical location of body region; identification of major factors and socio-demographic characteristics associated with MSDs symptoms in handloom occupation. First, musculoskeletal problems were surveyed by questionnaire among 450 weavers selected conveniently. The results of this part revealed that symptoms from the musculoskeletal system occurred in high rate among weavers with the prevalence significantly higher. All body region were affected by musculoskeletal problems, among them high prevalence found in neck (69.72%) and shoulder (69.17%) region and lowest in ankle (23.89%) region in last 7 days. Most of the sick leave found for neck, knee, and shoulder and hips pain. Statistical analysis indicated that age of the handloom workers influence musculoskeletal problems was significantly higher in lower back and ankle region (p<0.05). Personal income and family income was a factor to aggravate musculoskeletal problem but it was not statistically significant (p≥0.05). Family size was a strong factor to influence musculoskeletal problems in upper back, lower back and knee region (p<0.05). Job experience was a key factor to aggravate musculoskeletal problems in all body region was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among all body region, highest musculoskeletal problems was found in lower back region (p<0.05). Working hour was significant only in elbow region (p<0.05). Working days per week was significantly severe in ankle region (p<0.05). General working condition score was 2, 3, 4 among 13. General working condition score were significantly higher in some body region, among them knee (p<0.05) region was significantly higher. Ankle pain was statistically significant with working posture of handloom workers (p<0.05). Musculoskeletal problems were positively associated with age, individual and family income, family size, job experience, working hour per day, working days per week, general working condition and working posture. Long hours of static work with awkward posture at traditionally designed looms can lead high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among handloom weavers.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Problems, Handloom Workers.

References:

[1].     Ahmed, M. U. (1999), "Development of Small scale industries in Bangladesh in the New Millennium”. Challenges and Opportunities, Asian Affairs, Vol.21, NO.1, Jan-march.

[2].     Ahmed, M. U. (2001), ″Globalization and Competitiveness of Bangladesh’s small- scale industries (SSIs)”: An Analysis of the Prospects and Challenges, in CPD/UPL published, Bangladesh facing the challenges of Globalization, IBRD. Asian development Bank (ADB). (2002), “Strategic Issues and potential Response- Small and medium Enterprise Development and export expansion”, Dhaka.

[3].     Choobineh, AR., Hosseini, M., Lahmi, MA. et al. ( 2007). Musculoskeletal Problems in Iranian Hand-woven Carpet Industry: Guidlines for Workstation Design. Appl Ergon. Vol.38, pp. 617-624.

[4].     Chowdhury, N. (1989), “Bangladesh’s Handloom Economy in Transition: A Case of market Unequal Growth, Structural Adjustment and Economic Mobility Amid Laissez-faire markets”: A Synthesis The Bangladesh Development Studies, Vol. XVII, Nos. 2.

[5].     Latif, AM. (1988), towards an estimation of cloth supply in Bangladesh 1955/56 - 1986/87. In The Bangladesh handloom sector study, Vol. I. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies. Pp.91-143.

[6].     Nag, A., Nag, Pk. (2009). Gender Differences, Work Stressors and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Weaving Industries. No.48, October, pp.339-348.

[7].     Pandit, S., Chakrabarti, D. (2011). An ergonomic study of working posture among women weavers involved in handloom industries of Assam, Humanizing Work and Work Environment. Conference proceeding, 32, Chennai.

[8].     Rahman, M M. (2013), “Prospects of Handloom Industries in Pabna, Bangladesh”. Global Journal of Management and Business Research Interdisciplinary. Report of the task force for handloom sector, (1982b), Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Volume 13l, Issue 5 Version 1.0, pp. 116.

[9].     Rothstein, JM., Miller, PJ. Roettger, RF. (1983). Goniometric reliability in a clinical setting: Elbow and knee measurements. Phys Ther 63:pp. 1611-1615.

[10].  Rahman, M M. (2013), “Prospects of Handloom Industries in Pabna, Bangladesh”. Global Journal of Management and Business Research Interdisciplinary. Report of the task force for handloom sector, (1982b), Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Volume 13l, Issue 5 Version 1.0, pp. 116.

[11].  Sobhan, R. (1989), “Employment and social issues in the Formulation of policy for the Handloom Industry”. The Bangladesh Development Studies, Volume XVII, Nos. 2 & 1.

Abstract:

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to find out the extent of relationship between women’s autonomy and birth preparedness among rural women in selected area of Manikganj Sadar Upazila of Manikganj District, during 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. The sample size was 400. Purposive sampling was done, semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection and face to face interview had held to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, women’s autonomy and birth preparedness related information. To measure the birth preparedness and complication readiness in pregnant women of rural Bangladesh, ten explanatory variables, such as, identification of a place of delivery , SBA, emergency fund, a health facility for emergency, blood donor, preparation for clean and safe delivery, designate decision maker, saving money, arrange for transportation and danger signs of pregnancy were considered. The result showed that there was significant association between birth preparedness and personal income, educational status, autonomy, knowledge of danger signs of the respondents. Age at marriage, age at first pregnancy significantly effects birth preparedness.

Keywords: Women’s autonomy, Birth preparedness, Respondent.

References:

[1]. Amir, M, S, et al (2011). Factors associated with teenage marital pregnancy among Bangladeshi women, Reproductive Health, 8:16.

[2]. Chowdhury, M (2013). Client access to RCH service provided through community clinic and their satisfaction, NIPSOM: p 71-73

[3]. Cai. S (2014). Bangladesh has high rates of birth complications, The Johns Hopkins News-Letter, Science & Technology, and November 6

[4]. Hailuf M, Gebremariam A, Alemseged F, Deribe K (2011) Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in Southern Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 6(6): e21432. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021432

[5]. Iliyasu, Z, et al. (2010). Birth Preparedness, Complication Readiness and Fathers’ Participation in Maternity Care in a Northern Nigerian Community; 14(1): 21

[6]. JHPIEGO (2004). Maternal and neonatal health. Monitoring birth preparedness and complication readiness, tools and indicators for maternal and newborn health. Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg school of Public Health, Center for communication programs, Family Care International

[7]. Kakaire.O and K Kaye et al. (2011).Male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for emergency obstetric referrals in rural Uganda. Reprod Health. 2011; 8: 12.doi: 10.1186/1742-4755-8-12.

[8]. Mitra and Associates, and ORC Macro; (2007). National Institute of Population Research and Training: Bangladesh, and Calverton, Maryland [USA]

[9]. Mitra and Associates (2011). Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011, preliminary Report. Measure DHS, ICF International Calverton, Maryland, USA. P-19-23

[10].  Mutiso, SM, Qureshi, Z, et al (2008).Birth preparedness among antenatal clients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Medical Journal, 85 (6):275-283 Nahar S, Rahman, A, et al (2013). Factors influencing stillbirth in Bangladesh: a case-control study, Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 27(2):158-64.

[11].  NIPORT (2011), National Institute for Population Research and Training.

[12].  Safe Motherhood 2000 programs. (Oct, 1998): Objective, design, and evaluation, Rev Panam Salud Publication, Washington, D.C:4(4)

[13].  Tsegay, Y and Gebrehiwot, T (2013). Determinants of antenatal and delivery care utilization in Tigray region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Int J Equity Health. 12:30. doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-12-30.

[14].  UNFPA (2013). Mother Hood in Childhood, Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy. UNFPA's State of World Population-2013: p-8-89

[15].  UNICEF, WHO. (2012). Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2010, UNFPA, World Bank (2012) WHO, UNICEF.

[16].  Villar, J and Ba’aqeel, H, et al (2001).WHO antenatal care randomized trial for the evaluation of a new model of routine antenatal care. The Lancet; 357:1551-1564.

[17].  WHO (2014). Maternal mortality: Fact sheet N°348". World Health Organization.