Selected Health Facilities Research Articles

Healthcare providers' perception towards utilization of health information applications and its associated factors in healthcare delivery in health facilities in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Information and communication technology (ICT) has significantly advanced global healthcare, with electronic health (e-Health) applications improving health records and delivery. These innovations, including electronic health records, strengthen healthcare systems. The study investigates healthcare professionals' perceptions of health information applications and their associated factors in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana's health facilities. We used a descriptive cross-sectional study design to collect data from 632 healthcare professionals (HCPs), in the three purposively selected health facilities in the Cape Coast municipality of Ghana, in July 2022. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of dependent variables. Descriptive statistics were used to report means with corresponding standard deviations for continuous variables. Proportions were also reported for categorical variables. Bivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors influencing the Benefits of Information Technology (BoIT); Barriers to Information Technology Use (BITU); and Motives of Information Technology Use (MoITU) in healthcare delivery. Stata SE version 15 was used for the analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 served as the basis for considering a statistically significant accepting hypothesis. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) generally perceived moderate benefits (Mean score (M) = 5.67) from information technology (IT) in healthcare. However, they slightly agreed that barriers like insufficient computers (M = 5.11), frequent system downtime (M = 5.09), low system performance (M = 5.04), and inadequate staff training (M = 4.88) hindered IT utilization. Respondents slightly agreed that training (M = 5.56), technical support (M = 5.46), and changes in work procedures (M = 5.10) motivated their IT use. Bivariate regression analysis revealed significant influences of education, working experience, healthcare profession, and IT training on attitudes towards IT utilization in healthcare delivery (BoIT, BITU, and MoITU). Additionally, the age of healthcare providers, education, and working experience significantly influenced BITU. Ultimately, age, education, working experience, healthcare profession, and IT training significantly influenced MoITU in healthcare delivery. Healthcare professionals acknowledge moderate benefits of IT in healthcare but encounter barriers like inadequate resources and training. Motives for IT use include staff training and support. Bivariate regression analysis shows education, working experience, profession, and IT training significantly influence attitudes towards IT adoption. Targeted interventions and policies can enhance IT utilization in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among healthcare workers in selected health facilities of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021

BackgroundThe global COVID-19 pandemic poses substantial health challenges. Vaccination is key in preventing COVID-19, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs), essential in curbing the pandemic. Despite global data on HCWs’ vaccine...

Neonatal Transport Network Services: Preparedness of healthcare systems in Southern Nigeria.

Nigeria remains a major contributor to neonatal deaths worldwide, yet little consideration has been given to intra/inter health facility transfer of sick neonates. The dearth of Neonatal Transport Network Services (NNTS) is probably an underappreciated driver of the abysmally high national neonatal mortality indices. This study aimed to evaluate neonatal transport services and the healthcare workers' preparedness among health facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Twenty-eight selected health facilities (tertiary, private hospitals Primary Health Centers] were assessed on the availability, modality and practice of NNTS. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Routine transfer of high-risk pregnant mothers to higher levels of care occurred always in 14 (50%) and sometimes in 6 (21.4%) facilities; Private cars and taxis were the most common mode of transport in 24 (85.7%) facilities. Two facilities (7.2%) had ambulances equipped with transport incubators. Nurses and nurse attendants with no formal training in NNTS accompanied referred neonates in 2 (7.2%) facilities. Most referring facilities (78.6%) neither rarely or never contacted receiving centres before the arrival of neonates and most nor gave back referrals after offering neonatal care. None (100%) of the facilities had a trained emergency transport team. Health facilities in Southern Nigeria lack a standardized Neonatal Transport Network and are characterized by poor communication between health facilities and inadequately trained personnel for inter-facility transfer of sick neonates. Urgent action is required to address these gaps, including training of healthcare workers on neonatal transport and sharing findings with relevant stakeholders/policymakers to establish a functional neonatal transport network among health facilities.

Prevalence of malaria and comparative diagnostic performance of malaria rapid diagnostic test against microscopy in Nasarawa-west senatorial District, Nasarawa, Nigeria

Malaria is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species, and transmitted by the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito. It remains a major public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, a major cause of mortality and morbidity, especially in children and pregnant women. This study evaluated the prevalence of malaria and the comparative performance of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) against Microcopy, the gold standard. A total of 385 febrile consenting patients attending randomly selected health facilities in Nasarawa-West Senatorial District were recruited using simple random sampling technique. Malaria parasite tests were conducted using RDT and microscopy technique. Of the 385 samples tested, 115 (29.9%; 95% CI = 25.34 to 34.71%) were positive by microscopy and 103 (26.8%) were positive by RDT. The RDT had a sensitivity of 89.6% (95% CI = 82.48% to 94.49%), specificity of 100.00% (95% CI = 98.64% to 100.00%), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 100.00% (95% CI = 96.48% to 100.00%); and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 95.8% (95% CI = 92.94% to 97.46%). The accuracy of the RDT was 96.88% (95% CI = 94.62 to 98.38%). Thus, the high diagnostic performance of SD Bioline indicates that it can be effectively used for the diagnosis of malaria. Microscopy however, was able to detect a higher number of positive malaria cases thus implying that microscopy remains a better diagnostic tool for malaria parasite detection than the RDTs.

Effects of an HIV Positive Diagnosis During Pregnancy on Mother Baby Bonding at Selected Health Facilities in Lusaka District Zambia

Effects of an HIV Positive Diagnosis During Pregnancy on Mother Baby Bonding at Selected Health Facilities in Lusaka District Zambia

The Role of Emotional Eating as Relief Mechanism from Psychological Distress and its Impact on Overall Wellbeing

Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacterial isolates from immunocompromised patients attending selected health facilities in Benue State were investigated. Three hundred and three midstream urine samples were collected for both study and control patient and bacteria were isolated and identified following standard bacteriological methods. Prevalence of UTIs and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were done. Drug resistant bacterial isolates were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), extensive drug resistant (XDR) and pan-drug resistant organisms (PDR). Data were analysed and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. From the results, fifty-seven and twenty-one bacterial isolates were identified given prevalence of 18.8% and 6.9% for the study and control subjects respectively. The male HIV patients had higher prevalence of UTI (20.6%) than the female (17.5%). The study bacterial isolates expressed high levels of resistance to ampicillin, aztreonam, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and the quinolones. Cefotaxime, genticin, augmentin and imipenem which showed high susceptibility were the most effective antibiotics. None of the isolates showed complete susceptibility to all the tested antibiotics. Forty-one drug resistant bacterial isolates consisting of 30 MDR, 7 XDR and 4 PDR isolates were identified. High prevalence of UTI and drug resistant isolates in immunocompromised HIV infected patients was shown in this study. Therefore, regular test of urine cultures and sensitivity, antibiotic policy for rational use of antibiotics in our hospitals and close monitoring of MDR, XDR and PDR isolates in our communities will significantly reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Factors Associated with Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Women in Nepal

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality is major problem especially affecting newly industrialized and developing countries. Birth preparedness and complication readiness is a strategy used in maternal and new-born health to promote safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery by preparing women and families to avoid complications. This includes utilization of prenatal care, identifying health worker and health facilities, managing budget and transportation, identifying potential complications, and receiving health services. Objective: The study aimed assess factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women. Methodology: A quantitative, community based cross sectional analytical study was conducted between January and July 2023 among 221 pregnant women complete 14 weeks of gestational age. Birth preparedness and complication readiness was measured using standard tool of JIPIEGO. Epi-data version 3.1 for data entry and SPSS version 20 was used for further analysis. Chi-square test was used to observe the statistical association and predictors of birth preparation and readiness were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The study showed only one quarter (26.6%) of pregnant women were prepared, among the participants, 50.7% had selected health facilities, 40% had arranged transportation, 38% save money, 12.2% identified health works and 10% identified possible blood donor. Education status, occupation, income, husbands’ occupation, gestational age, counselling time, knowledge about incentive, was found statistically significant. Education of mother (AOR=15.275, 95% CI: 1.775-131.421), family income (AOR=4.977, 95% CI: 1.263-19.608) and gestational age (AOR=3.716, 95% CI: 1.200-11.504) were found to be predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness. Conclusions: The study showed only about one fourth of the pregnant women had well prepared for birth complication and readiness. Birth preparedness and complication readiness play a vital role in the prevention of maternal and neonatal mortality. Health workers should emphasize to increase awareness and provide counselling during antenatal visit.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and risks of low birth weight and preterm birth in hospitals of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Intimate partner Violence (IPV) can affect any woman, irrespective of their economic status, religion, or culture. This is a human-rights issue and due to its prevalence and adverse effects on pregnancy and birth, it must be given greater attention. Further, there is a lack of data in the Tigray region about adverse birth outcomes due to intimate partner violence during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its association with low birth weight and preterm birth in Tigray region. Across-sectional study design was used. 647 women were involved in the study. Simple random sampling techniques were employed to select health facilities and systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Data were entered using Epi info version 3.5.1 and was analyzed using SPSSversion 20. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth and low birth weight while adjusting for possible confounders. The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 7.3% and the prevalence of low birth weight and preterm birth were 18.5% and 10.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and low birth weight. After adjustment for socioeconomic status, women’s habits and obstetric factors, the pregnant women who were exposed to intimate partner violence during pregnancy were two times more likely to have a child with a low birth weight (2.39 (95% CI: 1.26–4.55)). The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, and preterm birth in this study was high. Women who experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy had an increased risk of low birth weight. These findings justify a call to the federal minster of health to take measures aimed at avoiding intimate partner violence during pregnancy to reduce adverse birth outcomes.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards occupational noise among maintenance and administration workers of selected health facilities in Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality, South Africa

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude, and practices towards Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among maintenance and administration workers in selected health facilities in the Modimolle-Mookgopong Municipality. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to select 250 participants. Maintenance workers were populated within the age range of 26–35 years, being more than administrative personnel (COR 1.59, CI 0.8–3.16). Maintenance workers showed more knowledge of noise being an unwanted sound (COR 1.04, CI 0.29–3.73), an ear infection (COR 4.65, CI 1.48–14.58) and poor hearing of speech as a sign of hearing loss (AOR 0.25, CI 0.07–0.86). Thirty-four percent (34%) of maintenance workers believed that ear screening and assessments are important while 17.9% believed not to be important. Forty-eight percent (58%) of maintenance workers suggested that they could not use hearing protectors effectively without training while 13.7% suggested training is needed.

Utilization of continuous professional development among health professionals in East Ethiopia: a multi-health facility-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundHealthcare workers must maintain their knowledge, attitude, and skills regarding the most recent technology and competencies to deliver quality health care. The Ministry of Health, Ethiopia developed guidelines and directives for the utilization of continuous professional development programs. However, there is limited evidence on utilization and barriers to utilization in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utilization and barriers to the utilization of continuous professional development among health professionals working in health facilities in eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA health facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 731 healthcare professionals from September 01, 2022, and October 30, 2022. A multistage sampling technique was utilized. A simple random sampling technique selected health facilities and study participants. A self-administered questionnaire developed from national continuous professional development guidelines was disseminated to healthcare professionals working in the selected forty health centers and four hospitals. STATA statistical package version 14 was used for data analysis. A descriptive summary was used to summarize the variables. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between independent variables and the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios along with 95% CIs were estimated to assess the strength of the association, and a p-value < 0.05 was used to declare the level of statistical significance in the analysis.ResultsContinuous professional development utilization was determined for 731 healthcare professionals, of whom 241 (32.97%) [(95% CI: (29.55, 36.38)] had utilized continuous professional development. Lack of continuous professional development knowledge AOR 0.23 [(95% CI: 0.14, 0.37)], being female AOR 0.58 [(95% CI: 0.39, 0.86)], lack of internet access AOR 0.62 [(95% CI: 0.43, 0.89)], greater than 20 km distance from main road AOR 0.58 [(95% CI: 0.37, 0.91)], not heard importance of continuous educational units AOR 0.45 [(95% CI: 0.31, 0.65)], and poor perceived need of continuous professional development AOR 0.61 [(95% CI: 0.38, 0.97)], had a negative statistically significant association with the utilization of continuous professional development.ConclusionThe utilization of continuous professional development in the study area was low. Health sectors and stakeholders working on continuous professional development programs are required to focus on developing strategies for knowledge creation, female health workers, and access to the internet, remote areas, information on the importance of continuous educational units, and the variety of needs of professionals for continuous professional development implementation.

Mid-upper arm circumference only protocol in Pakistan: missed opportunities for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition? A mixed-methods observational study.

We investigated the missed treatment opportunities affecting programmes using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as the sole anthropometric criterion for identification and monitoring of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Alongside MUAC, we assessed weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) in children screened and treated according to the national MUAC only protocol in Pakistan. Besides, we collected parents' perceptions regarding the treatment received by their children through qualitative interviews. Data were collected from October to December 2021 in Tando Allah Yar District, Sindh. All children screened in the health facilities (n 8818) and all those discharged as recovered (n 686), throughout the district, contributed to the study. All children screened in the community in the catchment areas of five selected health facilities also contributed (n 8459). Parents of forty-one children randomly selected from these same facilities participated in the interviews. Overall, 80·3 % of the SAM cases identified during community screening and 64·1 % of those identified in the health facilities presented a 'WHZ-only' diagnosis. These figures reached 93·9 % and 84·5 %, respectively, in children aged over 24 months. Among children treated for SAM and discharged as recovered, 25·3 % were still severely wasted according to WHZ. While parents positively appraised the treatment received by their children, they also recommended to extend eligibility to other malnourished children in their neighbourhood. In this context, using MUAC as the sole anthropometric criterion for treatment decisions (referral, admission and discharge) resulted in a large number of missed opportunities for children in need of timely and adequate care.

Study on Causal Effects of Occupational Stress on Healthcare Workers at a selected Healthcare Facility in Oman

Introduction: Occupational stress (OS) can be described as any physical or psychological change in an individual due to immediate or long-term reactions to workplace conditions that pose perceived threats or challenges to that employee. Typically, since work environments differ worldwide, scientists posit that the nature, sources, and causes of OS and the solutions proffered to address its impacts among healthcare workers (HCWs), differ markedly. The study aims to identify and examine the causal effects of OS on HCWs at the selected health facility in Oman. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative design that utilized questionnaires to examine the causes and effects of OS on selected health workers. Data was collected from December 2021 to January 2022 from 150 health facility employees to obtain their opinions on the causes and effects of OS on their health, work life, and productivity. Results: Findings revealed that 47% of the respondents were male and 53% were female. Further, the results also revealed that HCWs at the selected health facility have experienced a high prevalence of OS due to various factors ranging from staff shortages, as revealed by 56.2% of the participants, to work duration and loads, as revealed by 69.0% of the participants, and staff working conditions. Conclusion: As a panacea, recommend management of healthcare facilities engage more highly qualified staff and create highly conducive work environments and training. Likewise, the management can provide modern-day facilities and amenities. It is envisaged that such measures will also reduce workloads, which will help the HCWs to rest, resuscitate, re-energize, and nurture effective stress. Furthermore, the measures will help create a stress-free, healthy, and conducive environment for the HCWs and greatly improve quality healthcare delivery services.

Monitoring progress on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) response in the World Health Organization African region: Insights from the Tracking AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS) 2021 results for the human health sector.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major 21st century global health challenge. The WHO African Region Member States committed to develop and implement multisectoral national action plans (NAPs) that address AMR, in line with the Global Action Plan on AMR (GAP). The aim of this paper is to present the progress of AMR response in the WHO African Region based on the annual Tracking AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS), with a focus on human health indicators. This was a secondary data analysis of responses from forty-one countries that participated in the 2021 TrACSS. Of the 41 countries that responded to the 2021 TrACSS, 35(85%) have developed NAPs. Fifteen 15(37%) of countries have functional AMR multisector working groups. 55% (21/41) of countries are collating data nationally on AMR surveillance. Forty nine percent of countries conducted small-scale AMR awareness campaigns and 53% (21/41) covered AMR in some pre- and in-service training for human health workers. While 83% of countries reported having laws and regulations on the prescription and sale of antimicrobials, only 32% (13/41) have national systems for monitoring antimicrobial use. Twenty-three (58%, 23/41) reported having Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs at select health facilities. Countries have developed and are implementing AMR NAPs. Gaps still exist across key indicators monitored through TrACSS. Effective AMR response requires established functional multisectoral governance mechanisms in the One Health approach; political commitment, sustainable funding, and clear monitoring and reporting is critical.

Investigating the follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in North Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV can increase mortality and HIV spread within communities. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 on follow-up discontinuation among people living with HIV in Ethiopia. This longitudinal study used retrospective document review to compare follow-up status of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic with their status from 2017 to 2019. Data from selected health facilities were collected using a checklist, entered and cleaned in Excel, and analyzed in Stata. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables and line graphs. Incidence risk (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated. Between 2017 and 2021, a total of 7,447 people living with HIV were registered to begin ART at selected health facilities. Annual retention rates were consistent from 2017 to 2019, ranging from 0.941 to 0.949. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they dropped to 0.837 in 2020 and 0.840 in 2021. Retention rates were significantly correlated with loss to follow-up (r: -0.959, p ≤ 0.001), death (r: -0.968, p ≤ 0.001), and transfer-out (r: -0.979, p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the incidence of loss to follow-up (IRR: 3.00, 95%CI: 2.71-3.33, p ≤ 0.001), death (IRR: 3.61, 95%CI: 3.13-4.16, p ≤ 0.001), poor adherence (IRR: 2.27, 95%CI: 2.14-2.40, p ≤ 0.001), and severe malnutrition (IRR: 2.32, 95%CI: 2.18-2.47, p ≤ 0.001) significantly increased during the COVID-19. The study found that COVID-19 healthcare disruptions increased follow-up loss among people living with HIV and heightening the disease burden in Ethiopia.

PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVE OF PATIENT-CENTRED CARE IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN GHANA

This research assessed patients’ perspective of factors associated with patient-centred care in selected health facilities in the Volta Region of southern Ghana. A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional survey design was used where a structured questionnaire was administered to 403 patient participants. Regression analysis was conducted and the results reported in proportions, frequencies and odds ratios. The level of patient-centred care practice among patients in the selected health facilities was 56.8%. Patient-centred care was influenced by age (aOR=1.13; CI:1.02-1.25), educational status (aOR=0.02; CI:0.001-0.63), road network (aOR=0.09; CI:0.02-0.63) and cultural barriers (aOR=15.22; CI:1.65-139.99). Individual patient and community system factors including cultural beliefs have the potential of influencing patient-centred care satisfaction with the quality of care delivery in health facilities. Thus, there is a need for the government to address the problem of deplorable road networks in the communities.

Virological non-suppression and associated factors among adult patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at selected health facilities in uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: a cross-sectional study.

virological non-suppression is not only associated with increased risk of transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to others; perinatally and sexually, but it also decreases the life expectancy among the individuals who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study sought to determine the level of virological non-suppression among ART patients from selected health facilities of a sub-district in uMgungundlovu district. This sub-district has high HIV transmission rates in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) and had one of the highest HIV prevalence in the district in 2018; population weighted HIV prevalence of 36.3% among men and women aged 15-49 years old, which was twice the average national prevalence of 18.8%. this descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study was conducted among participants who were HIV-positive, 18 years old and above, and initiated on ART between January 2017 and January 2019 at selected PHC facilities of Vulindlela sub district. Health facility treatment registers, patient medical files and face-to-face interviews were used to collect the data and these were captured onto an Excel spreadsheet, cleaned, coded before importation into Epiinfo 17 for statistical analyses. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the factors associated with virological non-suppression. the study found a majority of participants were females (240/401 (60%)). The mean age of the participants was 38.1 (SD=11.2), with most participants who were between the ages of 29 and 39 years old (167 (41.7%)). Virological non-suppression was observed among 10% (40/401) of participants. The odds of virological non-suppression were higher among participants who were married (aOR 4.76, 95% CI 1.49-15.19; p=0.008). a virological non-suppression of 10% translates to viral suppression of 90%, which is below the target of UNAIDS 95-95-95 strategy. Hiding and skipping medication indicate how non-disclosure continues to hinder HIV treatment adherence. High odds of virological non-suppression among married participants indicate non-disclosure of the positive HIV status, or lack in spousal support.

Community voices from modern maternal waiting home users in Zambia.

This study aimed to understand community voices on factors influencing utilisation of MMWHs in Zambia. The study employed a mixed method study design in four selected health facilities across Zambia districts between January 2021 and December 2022. Purposeful sampling was used to select study participants using MMWH registers as the sampling frame for mothers who had utilised MMWHs and their spouses. Sampling of participants through face-to-face, in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted to saturation in all targeted health facilities Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results found that the comfortable state of the MMWHs, long distances to health facilities, fear of maternal complications, availability and positive attitudes of specialized health personnel, and the information on childcare provided were major factors. Spouses supported their partners using MMWHs due to the quality of care and the availability of modern equipment and furniture. However, some spouses indicated that utilisation of MMWHs has a bearing on a household's financial resources. MMWHs are a pivotal intervention in improving maternal outcomes. All health facilities had no maternal and newborn complications or deaths over the study period.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight among Neonates Delivered in Health Facilities in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important marker of fetal health that is predictive of mortality in childhood, stunting, and adult-onset chronic conditions globally. Approximately 20 million LBW births occur every year globally with 96.5% of them in developing countries. LBW contributes to 60%–80% of all neonatal deaths globally and the rates have remained high in developing countries such as Nigeria. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBW among neonates delivered in health facilities in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in eight selected health facilities at different levels of care within the Makurdi metropolis. A total of 206 neonates were recruited, weighed, and examined within the first hour of life while sociodemographic data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23. Results: Out of the 206 neonates studied, 24 (11.7%) were LBW. Among the 24 LBW neonates, 75% (18) were term while 25% (6) were preterm. The mean weight of the LBW neonates was 2.18 ± 0.18 kg. The mean gestation was 38.52 ± 1.61 weeks. The factors that were significantly associated with LBW were; gestational age at birth (P = 0.028), type of gestation (P = 0.004), socioeconomic class of the baby (P = 0.036), nonbooking for antenatal care (ANC) (P = 0.040), place of ANC (P = 0.028), and hypertension in pregnancy (P = 0.033). Conclusion: The prevalence of LBW was lower than the national prevalence and not booking for ANC was found to be associated with increased risk for LBW. Hence, early and adequate ANC is recommended.

Patterns of availability and accuracy of risk factor data for cardiovascular diseases among people initiated on antiretroviral therapy at selected health facilities in Khomas region, Namibia: a retrospective, cross-sectional, quantitative study.

quality data is a prerequisite for timely decision-making and measuring health outcomes in public health settings. Comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among people living with HIV (PLHIV), require a robust system that ensures credible data at all data-producing levels. The study at determining the level of availability and completeness of CVDs risk factors data of PLHIV. a quantitative study was conducted to extract CVDs risk factors data retrospectively from 529 patient care booklets (PCBs) between 2004 and 2017. The analysis was done with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Pearson Chi-Square was used to test for associations. The level of significance was at p ≤ 0.05. the study revealed that 72.8% of patients are at risk of CVDs due to incomplete demographics (73.72%) and other systemic data (41.18%). A significant association was found (Pearson Chi-Square test 19.907; p-value of 0.001) between average visits per year, accurate data recording, and active status of the patient. Lost to follow-up (15%) and true retention (27.2%) was significantly associated with the last Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) status of a patient (Pearson Chi-Square test 87.754; p-value of 0.001). the study that despite concerted efforts to improve data quality, the availability and completeness of data remain unsatisfactory. Lack of harmonised data screening and analysis efforts for CVDs risk factors is found to be a significant risk factor in ensuring integrated routine measuring of CVDs health outcomes for PLHIV.

Factors Affecting Performance of Nurses at Selected Health Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eritrea

Factors Affecting Performance of Nurses at Selected Health Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eritrea