| 1. |
- Afutendem, Nkemngu Blake, et al.
(author)
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Assessing implementation modalities of mhealth intervention on pregnant women in Dschang health district, west region of Cameroon
- 2019
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In: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: every 90 seconds, a woman dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, resulting in more than 340,000 maternal deaths a year. Antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) are significant determinants of maternal health and, particularly, safe motherhood. Antenatal care is an important predictor of safe delivery and provides health information and services that can improve the health of women and infants. mHealth broadly encompasses the use of mobile telecommunication and multimedia technologies as they are integrated within increasingly mobile and wireless health care delivery systems. This study aimed at assessing the acceptable implementation modalities of mHealth intervention on pregnant Women in Dschang health district, West Region of Cameroon.ng ba. Methods: this was a cross sectional descriptive study in the Dschang health district, west region of Cameroon. Key informants were all pregnant women from 18 years and above and a total of 372 pregnant women were included. This study was carried out from March to July 2017. Results: majority of the women, that is, 252(67.74%) were married, 117(31.45%) declaredtheir status as being single, while 3(0.81%) were devorced.Out of the 335 women that declared wanting anmHealth intervention, 41.79% of this number preferred SMS texts in the afternoon, 111(33.13%) in the evening, 46(13.73%) anytime and 38(11.34%) in the morning hours. A total of 83.33% women confirmedusing telephone services. Conclusion: this study reveals that cell phones would be the acceptable medium of providing pregnancy and postpartum support to women in the Dschang health district. This is justified by the fact that a vast majority of women interviewed had access to a cell phone and referred to it as their desired and accepted means of communication.
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| 2. |
- Akateh, Derek, et al.
(author)
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Modern family planning use among people living with HIV/AIDS: a facility based study in Ethiopia
- 2019
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In: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: despite increasing efforts to address the reproductive health needs of persons living with Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV), a high unmet need for contraception exists among HIV+ women in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, Ethiopia promotes integration of family planning (FP) services in to HIV chronic care. Yet the contraceptive prevalence rate among clients remains low. The objective of the study was to assess the role of socio-cultural factors on modern family planning use among HIV+ clients attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy clinics in Addis Ababa sub-cities. Methods: the study involved a facility based cross sectional survey. The ten sub cities were initially categorized/stratified into 5 based on direction (East, West, South, North and Central) and from each category one sub city was randomly selected. The total sample size was proportionally allocated to the selected health facilities according to previous monthly average client load per health center. Participants were selected using simple random sampling technique during their routine visit at the health centers. Data were collected through a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were generated and results considered significant at 95% confidence level using STATA version 14.0. Results: six hundred and thirty-six clients participated in the study. Majority of them were age between 30-39 years. Though majority, 607 (95.4%) participants approved the use of modern FP method, current use rate stood at 39%. Condom was the most (14.5%) commonly used single method. The odds of FP use by participants who disclosed their HIV status were almost twice that of their counterparts (AOR= 1.84; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.95). Participants who held discussion with their spouse/partners concerning FP, irrespective of the frequency had an odd of more than four when using FP than their counterparts (AO= 4.35; 95% CI: 2.69, 7.04). Conclusion: this study revealed that 6 out of every 10 HIV+ clients are not currently using FP methods. Disclosure of HIV status as well as open discussion with spouse/partner were positively associated with family planning use. These study findings call for comprehensive and client focus FP education and counseling in line with disclosure of HIV status and dialogue with spouse/partner in order to increase uptake and utilization of FP among clients. Partners have a great influence on the use and choice of FP methods, so their views are paramount.
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| 3. |
- Anu, Nkengafac Boris, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of stillbirth at the Buea Regional Hospital, Fako Division south-west region, Cameroon
- 2019
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In: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: the study investigated the prevalence of stillbirth at the Buea Regional Hospital, by taking cases of pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic(s) and those who did not attend but had thier deiveries at the Buea regional hospital. The study specifically estimated the prevalence of stillbirths; identified possible risk factors associated with stillbirths, and determined whether the number of antenatal clinic visits is related to the occurrence of stillbirths-because during antenatal clinic visits, pregnant women are educated on risk factors of stillbirths such as: preterm deliveries; sex of the stillbirth; history of stillbirth; history of abortion(s); what age group of mothers are more likely to have a stillbirth. Methods: the study was a hospital based retrospective study at the maternity in which there were 3577 deliveries registered at the Buea Regional Hospital dated May 1st, 2014 to April 30th, 2017. With the aid of a checklist data was collected, analysed and presented with the use of tables, pie-charts and bar charts. Results: the prevalence of stillbirths was 26‰; possible risk factors associated with stillbirths included: preterm deliveries; women aged 20-29 years; history of abortion(s); a history of stillbirth; sex of stilbirths were more of females than males; and insufficient antenatal clinic attendance (≤1 antenatal clinic attendence) had more stillbirths. Conclusion: the study estabished that stillbirths can occur in any woman of child-bearing age. possible risk factors associated with stillbirths included: preterm deliveries; women aged 20-29 years; history of abortion(s); a history of stillbirth; gender of stilbirths were more of females than males; and insufficient antenatal clinic attendance (≤1 antenatal clinic attendence) had more stillbirths.
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| 4. |
- Atuhaire, Catherine, et al.
(author)
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Knowledge and perceptions of male immigrants from Eastern and Southern Africa residing in Leeds (UK) towards male circumcision, as an HIV preventive strategy
- 2019
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In: Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine. - : AOSIS. - 2078-6751 .- 1608-9693. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The World Health Organization has accepted and recommended medical male circumcision (MMC) as a HIV prevention strategy. Despite the advantages of MMC, the rate of uptake of this practice among immigrants and the general population in the United Kingdom (UK) is still low, yet the procedure is provided in public and private health facilities. The role of negative perception and the percentage contribution to low circumcision rates remains unknown. Because immigrants are a group vulnerable to HIV in the UK, this study sought to understand their knowledge and perceptions. Methodology: We enrolled (N = 10) 10 participants for a qualitative study, and all participants were purposively selected using snowball recruitment methods. Data were collected during individual in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guides. Responses were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Appropriate themes were generated from the data collected. Results: We found that the majority looked at male circumcision (MC) as a practice to fulfil their cultural and religious obligations rather than HIV prevention. Few participants showed belief and certainty that it was an effective strategy of HIV prevention, indicating limited knowledge. The participants also expressed perceived dangers of MC, which acted as a barrier to accept the procedure. These included fear of pain, complications from the procedure and possible infections when carried out through traditional methods. Conclusion: Male circumcision is mainly practised to fulfil cultural and religious norms but not as an HIV prevention strategy. More research is needed to study the availability, affordability and acceptability of MMC among immigrants in the UK.
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| 5. |
- Atuhaire, Catherine, et al.
(author)
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Knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School in Mbarara District, South western Uganda
- 2019
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In: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Testicular self-examination (TSE) is a screening technique that involves inspection of the appearance and palpation of the testes to detect any changes from the normal. Globally, the incidence of cancer has increased among which is testicular cancer (TC). Data on this topic among male secondary school adolescents in Uganda is limited therefore this study sought to assess the knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School, Mbarara District in south western Uganda. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School in Mbarara district, south western Uganda. Methods: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study among 165 students. Recruitment was made using simple random sampling technique. Respondents were selected among advanced level (A’ level) male students studying at Ntare School in Mbarara district, south western Uganda. Structured self-administered questionnaires was used for data collection. Results: of the male students, 41.8% reported to have knowledge about TSE and only 23.6% practiced TSE. Most students rated their knowledge of TSE to be below 5 (from 1-10). Of the 39 students who admitted performing TSE, only 16 did so as recommended (monthly). Conclusion: the knowledge and practice of TSE were low among adolescent secondary school boys in Ntare School in Mbarara District, south western Uganda. This suggests that these students are unaware of the value of this personal health promotion tool which is fundamental in early diagnosis of testicular cancer.
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| 6. |
- Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al.
(author)
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Predictors and correlates of examination anxiety and depression among high school students taking the Sudanese national board examination in Khartoum state, Sudan: a cross-sectional study
- 2019
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In: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: test anxiety and depression are of the major challenges experienced in students' life, considering the inverse associations they have on their mental wellbeing and academic performance. Evidence from Sudan have reported high figures of adolescent's mental health problems of depression and anxiety. However, studies investigating its association with academic exam stress are lacking. We investigated the prevalence of exam anxiety and depression severity among student setting for Sudan national boarding examination, aiming at identifying possible predictors related to student's socio-demographic and academic status and measuring correlation between exam anxiety and depression severity status among students. Methods: using cross-sectional design, data obtained using standardized west side anxiety scale for measuring test anxiety; and patient's health questionnaire (PHQ9) of nine items for measuring depression was presented in percentages. Association with sociodemographic and academic factors was measured using logistic regression models. Analysis was run at 0.05 level of significance. Results: depression and exam anxiety were found to be highly correlated. The highest fractions of students are those with high levels of test anxiety and moderate to severe depression. Gender, maternal level of education, previous exam experience and academic performance are significant predictor for student's exam anxiety status. Conclusion: high figures of exam anxiety and depression are there among Sudanese students setting for their third years boarding exam. Males, low academic performance and maternal low education are risk factors. school mental health services and programs addressing such group of students are highly demanded in line with more elaborative research efforts in this arena.
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| 7. |
- Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al.
(author)
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Stigma on epileptic patients attending the outpatient clinic of Soba University Hospital and the National Center for Neurological Science (NCNS) Khartoum, Sudan
- 2019
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In: The Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 32
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions for people of different age group, race, gender and socio-economic status in various nations, affecting 50 million people around the world; 80% of them living in developing countries. In Sudan, literature has well documented epilepsy stigma and it related elements of labelling, negative typecasting, isolation, devaluing and discrimination that are significantly affecting patients living standards and social life. This study focuses on understanding the prevailing, different types of stigma among people living with epilepsy (PWE) in Sudan and to determine its frequency in connection with demographic factors and patients coping ability of PWE. Methods: a health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 270 people between the ages of 16-70years who are affected by epilepsy in an outpatient clinic. Standardized questionnaires were used to interview the patients with assistance gotten from their relative where necessary. The data is analyzed using SPSS version 20. The study was conducted in the outpatient clinic of The National Center for Neurological Sciences (NCNS), Ibrahim-Malik Teaching Hospital Sudan. Results: the study realized that 16.6% of the patient had a positive self-stigma score, half of them having coaching stigma and 25% courtesy stigma. One third of people with epilepsy had poor coping score that was strongly determined by self- stigma and courtesy stigma score. Conclusion: parents and relatives related sigma is a major problem facing people of epilepsy in Sudan; thus, raising such group awareness and education about the disease can markedly improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy in Sudan.
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| 8. |
- Cumber, Samuel Nambile, et al.
(author)
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Barriers and strategies needed to improve maternal health services among pregnant adolescents in Uganda: a qualitative study.
- 2022
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In: Global health action. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1654-9880 .- 1654-9716. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Uganda, the uptake of maternal health services is very low, with only 41.1% of pregnant adolescent girls attending the eight antenatal visits that are recommended by the World Health Organisation. Uptake of maternal health services is essential in reducing the current level of adolescent pregnancies as well as its adverse effects on adolescent mothers and their babies, such as preterm deliveries, prolonged labour, death during pregnancy, and childbirth. No previous study has described pregnant adolescents' experiences with maternal health services in Uganda.This study aimed to describe the barriers and strategies needed to improve maternal health services among pregnant adolescents in Uganda.Data were collected in the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre in Uganda through individual interviews involving 31 pregnant adolescents. The transcribed interviews were inductively analysed through content analysis.The pregnant adolescents described difficulty in reaching, as well as lack of financial support to visit, the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre, which is a clinic providing youth friendly services. Feelings of being discriminated against and disrespected by health workers, and lack of privacy when receiving health services was major barriers that hindered their access to maternal health services. Pregnant adolescents' access to these services can be enhanced by improving health workers' working conditions, accelerating community and health worker awareness on ways to mitigate these barriers, and developing policies that encourage men's involvement in maternal health services.Adolescents in Uganda face considerable barriers to accessing improved and quality maternal health services. To mitigate these barriers, according to the adolescents, considerable efforts are required to tackle health workers' working conditions and sensitise the community on the importance of, as well as securing the availability of, maternal health services for pregnant adolescents. Future research should focus on pregnant adolescents who receive family support.
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| 9. |
- Cumber, Samuel Nambile, et al.
(author)
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Knowledge and practice of condom use as well as perceived barriers among street adolescents in Cameroon
- 2016
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In: Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine. - : AOSIS. - 1608-9693 .- 2078-6751. ; 17:1, s. 1-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Street children in Cameroon are adolescents, vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and/or AIDS. The level of knowledge and practice of condom use among this population is unknown. Objective of the study: To assess the knowledge, practice and barriers to condom use in Cameroon. Materials and methods: The study was an analytical cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015. Questionnaires were administered to street children in a quiet location. Recruitment was made using the snowball technique with the help of peers. Results: More than 90% of participants knew of condoms, but only about 6% reported to have used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Most of the participants did not know that condoms could prevent HIV; only a few (15.5%) knew about this. Conclusion: Street adolescents in Cameroon seem to know about condoms, but have insufficient information on the importance of their regular use. The main barriers for the low practice of condom use reported by this population were the following: condoms hinder sexual pleasure; are costly; and it is embarrassing to buy, use or propose to use a condom.
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