Continuous Health Education Research Articles

Perception of undergraduate emergency medical services students about mental health

Mental illness significantly impacts morbidity and mortality; however, research on paramedic students' perceptions and attitudes toward individuals with mental health presentations is limite. The incidence of mental disorders in Saudi Arabia is increasing, and knowledge about them would enhance the ability of the paramedics to provide more help to the population. This study evaluates the perceptions of undergraduate emergency medical students before and after completing a mental health education block. We conducted a quasi-experimental design study for forth year students who were enrolled in a mental health block and have been added to King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and were asked to partake in pre- and post-subject surveys. They were requested to share their perspectives on mental health through electronic questionnaires. With a total of 83 participants, averaging 21.33 years old, from three regions in Saudi Arabia, we found significant differences in the following questions before and after the mental health block: participants became more comfortable managing mental health issues (strongly agreeing increased from 10.8% to 36.1%). Moreover, perceptions about psychosis and violence changed (from agreeing to disagreeing). Questions on racism and trauma showed a significant increase in the strongly agreeing. The majority agreed more that neglect can cause mental illness (strongly agreeing increased from 30.1% to 63.9%). Lastly, exposure to rape was significantly strongly associated with mental disorders (69.9%, P value <0.0001). Our study showed positive shifts in attitudes and increased mental health knowledge after introducing a mental health block. The block not only improved understanding but also holds promise for future paramedics in offering empathetic care. Overall, the study underscores the need for continuous mental health education in paramedic curricula for better readiness in addressing diverse population needs.

Impacts of continuing education on Primary Health Care professionals-A scoping review protocol.

Continuing Health Education is a strategy that integrates learning into the work process to transform health practices. Primary health care has proved to be a powerful space for consolidating continuing education, as it promotes reflection and learning based on the local singularities of the territory. Continuing health education is an important strategy for transforming the reality of Primary health care, reinventing work, and consequently changing practices. This study aimed to identify and analyze the evidence regarding the impact of continuing education for health professionals in Primary Health Care in Brazil. This scoping review protocol that will be developed based on the Joanna Briggs Institute manual and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The databases included in the study will be MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Google Scholar will be used as gray literature. Studies published between 2007 and 2024 will be included, and no language restrictions will be applied. The Rayyan management software will be used as a tool to support the selection of studies. Two independent researchers will carry out a paired review to ensure the relevance of the studies. The studies will be analyzed descriptively, which will be guided by the categorization of results into three large groups: a) thematic areas covered; b) methodologies used; c) work process indicators and/or health results. Relevant aspects will be pointed out and interrelated in narrative form with the existing literature on the subject. Through the preparation of this protocol, it is aimed to identify to identify studies with evidence on the impact of continuing education in Primary Health Care in Brazil. This review could support the formulation of new professional training policies for PHC, contributing to the improvement of professional practices and the organization of work based on the needs of each territory.

Behavioral and biomedical factors associated with lifestyle modification practices among diagnosed hypertensive patients in pastoral health facilities of southern Ethiopia.

More than 23 million deaths and 36.5% of disability-adjusted life-years are the result of the direct effects of unhealthy behavior alone. Daily behaviors have strong implications for health outcomes and quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the behavioral and biomedical factors associated with lifestyle modification practices among diagnosed hypertensive patients in pastoral health facilities of southern Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 453 diagnosed hypertensive adult patients in pastoral health of southern Ethiopia from June 1/2023 to July 30/2023. The study population was randomly selected from among patients diagnosed with hypertension that was followed up during the study period using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were entered into Epi-Data-4.6.0.2 and exported to SATAT version 14 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to determine independent predictors of lifestyle modification practices among hypertensive patients. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to declare a state of significance. Out of 453 potential participants approached, 433 agreed to successfully participate in the study, for a response rate of 95.6%. Of the total participants, 56.1% (95% CI, 51.38-60.74) of the patients practiced the recommended lifestyle modifications. Alcohol consumption (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42-0.96), ever-practiced reducing salt intake (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.57-3.93), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood (>160 mg/dl) (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.72-6.34) were independently associated with lifestyle modifications in patients with hypertension. This study revealed that the prevalence of lifestyle modification practices (LMP) was low among hypertensive patients. Lifestyle modification is not one-stop practical, but continuous proper awareness creation, counseling, and health education and health promotion are needed to scale up healthy behavior in patients with hypertension to create a good lifestyle.

The Relationship Between Family Support and The Eating Culture Of Post Partum Mothers In The Work Area Of The Muncan Health Center

The postpartum period is a process that begins after the placenta separates and ends when the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state. At that time, the nutritional needs of postpartum mothers increased from before, because they were needed to prepare for breastfeeding and help speed up the recovery process so that family support to accompany postpartum mothers in consuming nutritious food was needed. This study aims to determine the relationship between family support and postpartum mother's eating culture. This study used a correlational descriptive design with a cross sectional approach. The population of this study were all postpartum mothers 0-42 days who were in the working area of ​​the Muncan Health Center in the period from July to August 2021 as many as 76 people. The sampling technique used was total sampling where all postpartum mothers who became the population sampled were 76 people. The instrument used is a questionnaire and the analysis used is the Chi square test. Most postpartum mothers did not get family support, especially instrumental support and informational support, causing most postpartum mothers to practice a culture of abstinence from eating, namely not consuming healthy food recommended by health workers. The p value = 0.018 < 0.05 (α = 0.05), it means that there is a relationship between family support and postpartum mother's eating culture. Family support in assisting postpartum mothers to consume nutritious food has been proven to have a strong influence on the postpartum mother's recovery process. Health workers must be more active in providing continuous health education to the families of postpartum mothers to improve the culture of eating that is not appropriate.

METHODS OF PERMANENT EDUCATION IN HEALTH FOR QUALIFICATION OF PRENATAL CARE IN PRIMARY CARE: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Objective: To identify the methods of continuing health education used with primary care professionals to qualify prenatal care. Method: This is an integrative review, developed systematically through six phases: elaboration of the guiding question; search or sampling in the literature; data collection; critical analysis of the included studies; discussion of the results and presentation. Results: A total of 377 studies were found through searches in the databases. After removing duplicates, 351 publications remained, and the titles and abstracts were read in full, in an optimized way, using the Rayyan online application. A total of 21 studies were selected for writing the paper, of which 6 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, in the eligibility stage, of the 15 articles read in full, 9 were excluded because they did not meet the research objective and 6 remained as included in the review. The sample comprised 6 articles, 3 in Portuguese, 2 in English and 1 in Spanish, with a predominantly quantitative approach in 4 of these articles. The following continuing education methods were identified: working groups; case discussions; workshops; courses; education packages (including training for providers; supportive supervision and provision of modules; pamphlets and employment assistance); Ammuntuli Bija intervention model. Conclusion: based on the analysis of the articles included in this study, it was found that the various continuing education methods applied to primary health care professionals are drivers of positive results for the qualification of prenatal care, by allowing them to be protagonists in their teaching-learning process and transformers of their practices.

Knowledge of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Adolescents in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

<i>Background</i>: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of poor health and early death globally. Although NCDs are most common in middle to late adulthood, many lifestyle habits that contribute to these diseases begin during adolescence. This research evaluated the knowledge of non-communicable diseases among adolescents in public and private secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. <i>Methods</i>: The study used a comparative cross-sectional design to collect research data from 640 adolescents. Participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and data was analysed using IBM Statistical Product for the Service Solution version 29. <i>Results</i>: Few respondents from private (6.3%) and public (5.3%) schools had good knowledge, majority from private (75%) and public (66.9) schools had fair knowledge, while 18.8% (private) and 27.8% (public) had poor knowledge on non-communicable diseases. Socioeconomic status and knowledge level were statistically significant (p<0.05). The prevalence of NCDs (asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure) was 3.4% and 2.5% among private and public school adolescents. <i>Conclusion</i>: There is need for continuous health education on NCDs risk factors among adolescents to ensure they adopt healthy lifestyles through informed choices to foster good and quality health into adulthood.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CHRONIC DISEASES IN VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in vulnerable populations, who often face difficulties in accessing adequate medical care. Primary care, especially family medicine, plays a central role in the prevention and control of these diseases, as it offers continuous, comprehensive and personalized care, focused on health promotion and the prevention of complications. This model of care is especially effective in communities that face economic, social and cultural barriers, allowing for early intervention and appropriate management of chronic conditions. The aim of this study is to analyze strategies for the prevention and control of chronic diseases in vulnerable populations, with a focus on family medicine. The aim is to identify effective approaches that can be used to improve the quality of life of these populations and reduce the incidence and progression of chronic diseases. The research was carried out through a qualitative literature review, focusing on articles published between 2017 and 2022. The aim was to explore the advances and challenges in the management of chronic diseases, with an emphasis on primary health practices, the impact of social determinants of health, and the role of technologies such as telemedicine in the management of these conditions. By providing continuous and comprehensive care, family medicine uses various strategies to prevent and control chronic diseases. These include regular patient follow-up, early screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and health education, which guides individuals on healthy behaviors and self-care. In addition, disease monitoring programs and interventions such as modifying eating habits and promoting physical activity have shown positive results in the management of chronic diseases. However, there are still significant challenges, such as the scarcity of resources and the lack of qualified professionals, which limit the effectiveness of these approaches in certain regions and social groups. Overcoming these barriers requires a joint effort between health professionals, managers and public policies. It is concluded that family medicine is a fundamental approach to the control and prevention of chronic diseases, especially in vulnerable populations. The strategies adopted in this model of care, such as continuous monitoring, health education and early intervention, have shown significant results in improving quality of life and reducing complications associated with chronic diseases. However, in order to optimize the results, it is necessary to overcome challenges related to access and the training of professionals, as well as ensuring adequate support for the implementation of public health programs that favour the population in situations of vulnerability. Implementing efficient public policies and expanding access to primary health care are essential to achieving effective control of chronic diseases.

Enhancing school safety through psychological support: Key findings and strategies

A crucial aspect of creating a safe and supportive learning environment is the integration of psychological support to reduce school violence. Research highlights that school violence impacts not only students' physical safety but also their mental health and emotional development. Effective psychological support can play a pivotal role in preventing and mitigating violent behaviors by addressing underlying emotional difficulties and unresolved trauma. Key strategies include implementing early interventions through school psychologists and counselors, who offer individual and group counseling to help students manage conflicts and intense emotions constructively. Additionally, psychological support programs can improve the school climate through workshops on emotional intelligence, stress management, and social skills, fostering empathy and reducing conflicts. Integrating psychological services with other school resources, such as emotional education programs and violence prevention strategies, is essential. Collaboration among school psychologists, teachers, parents, and administrators ensures a holistic approach to violence prevention, considering all aspects of students' school lives. The research demonstrates that peer social support significantly mediates the relationship between school victimization and psychological health. Social support acts as a buffer, mitigating the negative effects of violence, and is crucial for students of all genders and ethnicities. Furthermore, family support is identified as a vital moderator, enhancing adolescent mental health despite exposure to violence. Psychological intervention strategies, such as establishing psychological warning systems and prevention mechanisms, are essential in proactively addressing violence. Schools should focus on creating a protective environment and integrating psychological strategies into broader prevention efforts. Continuous mental health education and a safe space for students to express concerns can significantly reduce violent behaviors and support a positive educational atmosphere.

Improving access to utilize the healthcare services facilitated by ASHAs, ANMs and medical officers of PHC among scheduled tribe pregnant women: An interventional study.

Early marriages, early childbirth, low BMI and high incidence of anaemia are known factors for high maternal mortality among tribal pregnant women. This was a mixed method study (qualitative and quantitative) undertaken to evaluate educational intervention package among tribal pregnant women in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh State in South India. A baseline household survey with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted in both intervention group (n = 109) and control group (n = 119) of ST habitations. An educational intervention was implemented through health education approach to bring about awareness and behavioural change among pregnant women regarding healthcare practices and utilization of health services. Qualitative data collection tool included semi-structured FGD. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 26.0. Content analysis was done for qualitative data. The findings of this study show that awareness and utilization with respect to various services facilitated by ASHAs, ANMs and medical officers are improved postintervention among tribal pregnant women, and the various reasons for non-utilization of services were lack of awareness, long distance of health facility, no transportation, poor socio-economic status, inadequate facilities at PHC, etc. This study shows that intervention to improve awareness and health services utilization, and continuous health education should be imparted to all the pregnant mothers. For this healthcare providers like ASHA and ANM and medical officers should be trained and motivated to educate the community.

Effect of an educational program on teachers’ knowledge and attitude regarding emergency care of dental trauma

Background Traumatic dental injuries are a serious concern and they were most common in schools. Many school-aged suffer some type of trauma to their primary or permanent teeth. The timely and effective response of skilled teachers is crucial for the prognosis of avulsed teeth. Aim To evaluate the effect of an educational program on teachers’ knowledge and attitude regarding emergency care of dental trauma. Study design Quasi-experimental pre/post-test. Setting Nine schools were selected by stratified random sampling technique. Sample A total of 300 teachers were selected randomly. Patients and method Two tools; tool one interview questionnaire divided into: Part (I): Personal and demographic data, Part (II): Teachers’ knowledge regarding emergency care of dental trauma. Tool two: Teachers’ attitude toward their role in emergency care of dental trauma. Results It was found that 54.7% of teachers aged greater than or equal to 40 years, 64.3% of the selected teachers were male. Also, 91% of them had poor knowledge in preprogram which became 3% after program application and 38.3% of teachers had a positive attitude toward dental trauma in preprogram increased to be 84.7% postprogram intervention. Conclusion Teachers’ knowledge and attitude about emergency care of dental trauma was significantly improved after the educational program. Recommendations Continuous health education programs for schools’ teachers to increase their knowledge concerning the emergency management of traumatic dental injuries.

Status of trace metals and arsenic in sediments and catfish muscles (Clarias gariepinus) from the Eastern Tanzanian basin.

Trace metals and metalloids are groups of chemical elements that naturally occur in low concentrations and cycle in the environment driven by natural processes and human activities. They have a persistent and bio-accumulative tendency in the environment, and certain trace metals and metalloids have become a public health concern. This study assesses the concentration of eleven trace metals and a metalloid in sediments and catfish muscle from five study sites in the Eastern Tanzanian River basin. Forty catfish tissues and fifteen sediment samples were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Pb, and Zn did not exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline for pollution of sediments, while Al Cr, Al, Mn, and V with values ranging from (118.54 to 70154.55) indicating moderately polluted. The stations Java-Sadaani and Matandu showed the highest Cr, Ni, and Cu concentrations, but the potential ecological risk index (RI) was low (RI < 95). In the catfish muscle tissue, the levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn did not surpass the EU and FAO/WHO limits and results ranged from 2.22 to 35.22mg/kg. Low levels of accumulation of Cd, Pb, and As were found in this study compared to catfish muscles from other studies, whereas the concentrations of other trace metals and metalloids analyzed had comparable results. Biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAF) were all < 1. The weekly metal intake (MWI) results ranged from 6.89E-04 to 2.43E+01 μg/know-1week-1, indicating a low risk as the value did not exceed the FAO/WHO established Permissible Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI). The non-carcinogenic health risk result THQ was 4.43E-02 and the carcinogenic health risks result HI was 4.42E-05 which indicated tolerable levels of risks as both the values of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and the Hazard Index (HI) was < 1, and the carcinogenic target risk (TR) is < 0.0001. The highest TR values were observed for Cr and Ni. We recommend a continued monitoring of the changes in trace metal levels in the environment and biota together with continuous public health education on the dangers of high levels of trace metals.

Impact of Combined Exercise Rehabilitation and Continuous Health Education on the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Patients Post-Coronary Stent Implantation

Objective: To evaluate the impact of patient-centered exercise rehabilitation combined with continuous health education on the quality of life and mental health of patients after coronary stent implantation to provide effective rehabilitation intervention strategies and scientific evidence for clinical practice. Methods: This retrospective cohort investigation involved patients who underwent coronary stent implantation at our hospital between January 2021 to December 2022. The control group (n = 81) received routine post-operative follow-up and health education, while the observation group (n = 68) additionally received personalized exercise rehabilitation and continuous health education. The short form-36 (SF-36) scale was used to assess quality of life, while the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate mental health. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA) was used to assess self-care ability. Results: At 6 months post-operation, the observation group showed significantly higher scores than the control group across all dimensions of the SF-36 scale, SAS, SDS, and ESCA (p &lt; 0.05). The observation group exhibited significantly improved quality of life, mental health, and enhanced self-care ability. Conclusion: Patient-centered exercise rehabilitation combined with continuous health education significantly positively impacts the quality of life and mental health of patients after coronary stent implantation. This comprehensive rehabilitation intervention strategy should be adopted in clinical practice to improve patient prognosis and quality of life.

Evaluation of female university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward human papillomavirus infection and vaccination. Multicenter cross-sectional study

IntroductionHaving good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccinations is the cornerstone for increasing the use of HPV vaccinations and preventing cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV and HPV vaccinations, as well as to identify associated factors among female undergraduate health science students at both the University of Gondar (UoG) and Bahir Dar University (BDU), Amhara, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitutional-based multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2023, to July 30, 2023. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 633 female undergraduate health science students, and data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were coded, entered in Epi-data, and exported to SPSS for analysis. Variables with a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were inserted in a multivariate logistic regression model, and those with a P-value of < 0.05 in the multivariate binary logistic regression were considered statistically significant factors for knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding HPV and vaccine against it.ResultsThe study included 600 participants with a mean age of 20.8 ± 0.75 years. Using Bloom’s cutoff points for the KAP study, among the participants, 436 (72.7%) had good knowledge about HPV, whereas 315 (52.5%) had good knowledge about HPV vaccinations. More than half of the participants, 359 (59.8%) heard about HPV vaccinations in Ethiopia. More than half of the participants, 342 (57%) had favorable attitudes toward HPV vaccinations. Only 261 (43.5%) participants believed the HPV vaccine was safe and effective. All participants had never been tested for HPV, and 471 (78.5%) refused to have their samples for regular HPV testing. The factors like ages between 21 and 23 years (AOR, 2.12, 95% CI: 1.22–3.09) and favorable attitudes toward HPV vaccinations (AOR: 1.88; 95%, CI: 1.15–3.41) were associated with the participant’s knowledge about HPV vaccinations. Having good knowledge about the virus (AOR: 1.92; 95%, CI: 1.11–5.88) and its vaccine (AOR:1.60; 95%CI: 1.07–2.47) were factors associated with the attitude of the participants about HPV vaccinations. Additionally, HPV vaccination practice was significantly associated with the attitude of the participants toward HPV vaccinations (AOR: 1.85; 95%CI: 1.15–3.45), knowledge about HPV (AOR: 1.18; 95%CI: 0.55–5.50), and HPV vaccinations (AOR: 1.85; 95%CI: 1.08–2.44).ConclusionThis study revealed that half of the students had good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward HPV vaccinations, but there was poor HPV vaccination practice. There is still a need for continued health education, training, and counseling services for students to strengthen HPV vaccination practices, improve students’ attitudes and knowledge about the benefits of vaccination, and improve counseling abilities against HPV-induced cancer.

Cultural practices and beliefs followed for new born care in Santhal pargana - A cross sectional study.

Newborn care practices and beliefs vary word-wide, country to country and region to region. These care practices play a vital role in morbidity and mortality of newborn. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the newborn care practices and beliefs of newborn care. Data was collected from 429 post-natal mothers, who delivered in selected government hospitals of Santhal parganas, Deoghar, Jharkhand. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data from February 2023 to April 2023. Findings of the study are, 86.9% mothers accepted that they massage the baby with oil before bath, 89.3% participants have given breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, 93.7% have given prelacteal feeds to the newborn. Applying Heeng (Asafoetida) over the umbilicus was found a common practice to cure the abdominal pain, 70.8% accepted that they apply ashes or powder or cow dung on the umbilical cord, and 88.3% rub the dough on baby's skin to remove excess hairs, 99.3% mothers had firm belief that hot and cold foods in their diet could harm the baby. In continuation 98.8% believed that tooth eruption is associated with diarrhoea, 95.6% are applying kajal in the eyes of new born. Majority 98.8% believed that baby's skin should be exposed to sunlight in case of jaundice and 94% avoid dressing of new born with yellow clothes. Continuous Health Education programs must be organized in Community to Educate the people about beneficial and harmful newborn care practices, which will help to reduce morbidity and mortality in newborn.

Overcoming Barriers, Embracing Opportunities: Antenatal Care Use in Lushoto, Tanzania

Introduction Antenatal care (ANC) is crucial for reducing maternal mortality rates. Understanding factors affecting ANC utilization in Lushoto District, Tanzania, can improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study surveyed 396 pregnant women and mothers of newborns in Lushoto District health facilities. Purposive sampling was used. Data on ANC use was collected through structured questionnaires. Results Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with ANC utilization. ANC utilization was significantly associated with marital status (being married), education level (primary, secondary, or university), facility type, income level, access to information, and waiting time for care. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of addressing factors like long waiting times, facility type, information access, income level, and education to improve ANC utilization in Lushoto District. Continued health education, particularly in rural areas, is essential to reduce maternal mortality.

Knowledge about cholera and its prevention among household heads in a highly urbanized city in Western Philippines: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Cholera remains a significant public health threat globally, but its impact can be significantly reduced with the right knowledge and correct preventive practices. Conducting a study to provide baseline data and identify knowledge gaps on cholera will benefit at-risk and vulnerable communities. This research aimed to determine the household heads' knowledge about cholera and its prevention in a barangay in the Western Philippines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was conducted in an urban barangay in Iloilo City in Western Philippines among 252 randomly selected household heads in May 2023. Data were described, and t-Test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA were used to test for differences. Results: The majority of household heads were generally knowledgeable about cholera and its prevention, but only 51.2% knew that oral rehydrating solution (ORS) could help manage symptoms of cholera. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in knowledge about cholera and its prevention based on sex (t = 2.92; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Household heads understood well and were informed of cholera and its prevention, although there were still some misconceptions. Continuous health education and knowledge assessment are recommended to raise awareness and ensure correct and timely information dissemination regarding cholera.

Rationalizing artemisinin-based combination therapies use for treatment of uncomplicated malaria: A situation analysis in health facilities and private pharmacies of Douala 5e-Cameroon.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) represent one of the mainstays of malaria control. Despite evidence of the risk of ACTs resistant infections in resource-limited countries, studies on the rational use of ACTs to inform interventions and prevent their emergence and/or spread are limited. The aim of this study was designed to analyze practices toward ACTs use for treating the treatment of uncomplicated malaria (UM) in an urban community. Between November 2015 and April 2016, a cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in the 6 health facilities and all pharmacies in the Douala 5e subdivision, Cameroon. Anonymous interviews including both open- and closed-ended questions were conducted with selected participants among drug prescribers, patients attending the health facilities, and customers visiting the pharmacies. Data analysis was performed using StataSE11 software (version 11 SE). A total of 41 prescribers were included in the study. All were aware of national treatment guidelines, but 37.7% reported not waiting for test results before prescribing an antimalarial drug, and the main reason being stock-outs at health facilities. Likewise, artemether+lumefantrine/AL (81%) and dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine (63.5%) were the most commonly used first- and second-line drugs respectively. Biological tests were requested in 99.2% (128/129) of patients in health facilities, 60.0% (74) were performed and 6.2% were rationally managed. Overall 266 (35%) of 760 customers purchased antimalarial drugs, of these, 261 (98.1%) agreed to participate and of these, 69.4% purchased antimalarial drugs without a prescription. ACTs accounted for 90.0% of antimalarials purchased from pharmacies, of which AL was the most commonly prescribed antimalarial drug (67.1%), and only 19.5% of patients were appropriately dispensed. The current data suggest a gap between the knowledge and practices of prescribers as well as patients and customers misconceptions regarding the use of ACTs in Douala 5e subdivision. Despite government efforts to increase public awareness regarding the use of ACTs as first-line treatment for UM, our findings point out a critical need for the development, implementation and scaling-up of control strategies and continuing health education for better use of ACTs (prescription and dispensing) in Cameroon.

Adolescents' Knowledge and Attitudes about Contraception, Sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pelvic Health

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can cause serious health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cervical cancer. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to STIs due to risk-taking behaviors, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use. Our study aimed to examine the knowledge about contraceptive methods and sexually transmitted infections, and attitudes toward sexual health education among adolescents in Croatia. Methods: The participants were high school students aged 16 to 18 years. The study was conducted at Antun Gustav Matoš Gymnasium, Zabok. We obtained study data via an anonymous survey. Results: The study included 204 adolescents in their final years of high school. The total number of adolescents who had sexual intercourse was 47 (23%). The percentage of sexually active female and male adolescents was 21% and 27%, respectively. In the surveyed group of adolescents, 86% had never heard of subcutaneous progestin implants and 72% had never heard of contraceptive sponges. All adolescents had heard of oral contraceptives and condoms. In the surveyed group of adolescents, 58% had never heard of trichomoniasis and 10% had never heard of HSV. All adolescents had heard of HIV and syphilis. A total of 147 (72%) of the surveyed adolescents believed it as necessary to provide health education in schools. Conclusion: The initiation of sexual activity among adolescents in Croatia remains unchanged when compared to previous studies. Their current knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptive methods should be improved through continuous, well-designed, and comprehensive sexual health education.

Prevalence and factors associated with HIV testing among young women in Ghana

BackgroundHIV/AIDS is a global health challenge and continues to threaten lives in sub-Saharan African countries such as Ghana. One of the important interventions for controlling its transmission is through testing and receiving medication. In this study, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with HIV testing among young women in Ghana.MethodsWe used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey comprising young women aged 15–24 years. We calculated the proportion of these young women who have ever been tested for HIV. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the determinants of HIV testing at a 95% confidence interval (CI), and adjusted odds ratio (aORs) and p-values were reported. All analyses were adjusted using survey weights to account for unequal sampling probabilities.ResultsThe results showed that 31.4% (95% CI [29.63, 32.81]) of young women in Ghana had tested for HIV. The odds of HIV testing were likely to be higher among young women aged 20–24 (aOR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.75, 2.87]), those who were pregnant (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI [2.03, 4.95]) and those with one (aOR = 7.99, 95% CI [5.72, 11.17]), two (aOR = 10.43, 95% CI [6.47, 16.81]) or three or more children (aOR = 14.60, 95% CI [8.37, 25.48]) compared to their counterparts in the reference category. Women who had attained secondary education or higher (aOR = 2.66, 95% CI [1.67, 4.23]), were sexually active (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI [2.00, 3.97]), and in richer (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.17, 3.34]) and richest wealth index (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.10, 3.61]) were more likely to test for HIV than those with no formal education, who had not had sex before or in the poorest wealth index. Women from the Eastern (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.04,2.72]) and Upper East regions (aOR = 2.62, 95% CI [1.44, 4.75]) were more likely than those in the Western region to get tested for HIV. However, the odds of testing for HIV were lower among women belonging to other religions (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI [0.23,0.82]) than Christians.ConclusionThe findings show that HIV testing is low among young women in Ghana. To address this issue, it is recommended that both government and non-governmental organizations collaborate to create effective programmes and strategies. These may include continuous health education, regular sensitization programs and making HIV testing services much more accessible and affordable, taking into consideration the sociodemographic characteristics of young women.

Factors associated with the risk of malaria among children: analysis of 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey

BackgroundMalaria remains a burden globally, with the African region accounting for 94% of the overall disease burden and deaths in 2019. It is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in Nigeria. Though different environmental factors have been assessed to influence the distribution and transmission of malaria vectors, there is a shortage of information on how they may influence malaria transmission among under-fives in Nigeria.MethodsThis study was based on the secondary data analysis of the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey 2021. The study sample comprised 10,645 women (aged 15–49) who delivered a child in the 2 years preceding the survey. The study was restricted to under-fives. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the risk of malaria.ResultsThere was a positive association between the risk of malaria and heard/seen malaria messages in the last 6 months (AOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.19–1.62), houses with walls built using rudimentary materials (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.04–1.83), at least 6 children living in the house (AOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.00–1.49), children being 1 or 2 years old was associated with increased odds (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.50–2.34 and AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.52–2.36), children from households with only treated nets (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.46) and those from the North West or South East regions (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.10–2.05 and AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01–2.16), respectively. All other predictors were not associated with the risk of malaria.ConclusionThe factors associated with the risk of malaria in this study included sleeping under treated mosquito nets, the age of the children, residing in the northwest and southeast regions, wall construction material, 6 children and above in the household and hearing/seen malaria messages in the last 6 months. Continuous health education and public health interventions, such as the provision of LLITNs, will reduce the risk of malaria and improve the health and well-being of children under 5 years of age.