scholarly journals Reducing recurrence of bacterial skin infections in Aboriginal children in rural communities: new ways of thinking, new ways of working

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Thomas ◽  
Kristy Crooks ◽  
Kylie Taylor ◽  
Peter D. Massey ◽  
Ruth Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Aboriginal Children ◽  
Bacterial Skin Infections

Reports from health workers, school staff and community members in rural NSW suggested that bacterial skin infections are a significant health issue for Aboriginal children and their families, affecting quality of life and contributing to poor school attendance. Current NSW treatment guidelines do not incorporate important sociocultural factors or ways of living in Aboriginal communities. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of parents and carers of Aboriginal children affected by skin infections and of other community members, health workers and school staff, and what actions have been considered successful or unsuccessful in reducing the recurrence of infection. This study used a Participatory Action Research methodology. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 38 health workers and managers, school staff, community members and parents and carers. Themes that emerged included: (i) skin infections have become normalised; (ii) skin infections are, in part, a consequence of transgenerational trauma; (iii) skin infections are interwoven with social determinants; (iv) families have survived but more could thrive; and (v) something can and should be done about the problem. The findings of this study will inform the development of more effective and acceptable options to reduce skin infections in Aboriginal children.

scholarly journals Towards characterization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in rural Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1968-78
Author(s):  
Amelia Ngozi Odo ◽  
Samuel Ifeanyi Christian Dibia ◽  
Evelyn Nwanebe Nwagu ◽  
MaryJoy Umoke ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Older Volunteers ◽  
Rural Nigeria ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Female Genital

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health challenge and seems to be secretly practiced in some rural communities, despite the ban in Nigeria. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the activities that are involved in FGM, type(s) of FGM practiced and the knowl- edge of health implications of FGM among rural community members in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: We employed exploratory design using qualitative technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 adult (18 years and older) volunteers in four rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. After thematic analysis using NVivo 11 Pro software, eight sub-themes emerged, among which are: types of FGM practiced, seasons for FGM, FGM by health workers and community leaders, punishment for refusing FGM and knowledge of health implications of FGM. Results: Findings show that FGM is more like a process than just an act, and type most practiced in the study area is Type 1. Circumcisers are health workers and women leaders. Knowledge of health implications of FGM was found to be low among those interviewed. Conclusion: Based on the findings, we concluded that FGM is still practiced in some rural communities in Nigeria, maybe because of poor knowledge of health implications of FGM. Keywords: Female genital mutilation; qualitative study; practice; health implications; Nigeria.

scholarly journals Knowledge and practices regarding malaria and the National Treatment Guidelines among public health workers in Equatorial Guinea

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Blanco ◽  
Pablo Suárez-Sanchez ◽  
Belén García ◽  
Jesús Nzang ◽  
Policarpo Ncogo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Regional Hospital ◽  
Malaria Treatment ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Equatorial Guinea ◽  
Public Health Facilities ◽  
Health Centres

Abstract Background In 2018, an estimated 228 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide. Countries are far from having achieved reasonable levels of national protocol compliance among health workers. Lack of awareness of treatment protocols and treatment resistance by prescribers threatens to undermine progress when it comes to reducing the prevalence of this disease. This study sought to evaluate the degree of knowledge and practices regarding malaria diagnosis and treatment amongst prescribers working at the public health facilities of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October-December 2017 amongst all public health professionals who attended patients under the age of 15 years, with suspected malaria in the Bata District of Equatorial Guinea. Practitioners were asked about their practices and knowledge of malaria and the National Malaria Treatment Guidelines. A bivariate analysis and a logistic regression model were used to determine factors associated with their knowledge. Results Among the 44 practitioners interviewed, 59.1% worked at a Health Centre and 40.9% at the District Hospital of Bata. Important differences in knowledge and practices between hospital and health centre workers were found. Clinical diagnosis was more frequently by practitioners at the health centres (p = 0.059), while microscopy confirmation was more frequent at regional hospital (100%). Intramuscular artemether was the anti-malarial most administrated at the health centres (50.0%), while artemether-lumefantrine was the treatment most used at the regional hospital (66.7%). Most practitioners working at public health facilities (63.6%) have a low level of knowledge regarding the National Malaria Treatment Guidelines. While knowledge regarding malaria, the National Malaria Treatment Guidelines and treatment resistances is low, it was higher amongst hospital workers than amongst practitioners at health centres. Conclusions It is essential to reinforce practitioners’ knowledge, treatment and diagnosis practices and use of the National Malaria Treatment Guidelines in order to improve malaria case management and disease control in the region. A specific malaria training programme ensuring ongoing updates training is necessary in order to ensure that greater experience does not entail obsolete knowledge and, consequently, inadequate diagnosis and treatment practices.

scholarly journals The Association between Sociocultural Factors and Substance Use among Haramaya University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117822182110045
Author(s):  
Zelalem Tadese Feyisa
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
University Management ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Khat Use

All the associated risk factors were not equally responsible for influencing individuals either in alcohol use, khat use, tobacco, or cannabis use. This study attempted to examine sociocultural factors influencing university students in substance use by comparing one with another. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The study used a quantitative approach to collect data from 384 students. Compared with their involvement in khat use, female students were positively influenced in cigarette and hashish use (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR = 1.102, 95% CI: 1.056, 1.149) and alcohol use (AOR = 1.066, 95% CI: 1.021, 1.113). The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 0.884, 95% CI: 0.838, 0.932) and cigarettes and hashish use (AOR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.866, 0.953) were negatively associated with stress related to their academic activities. The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 0.942, 95% CI: 0.906, 0.979) was negatively associated with parental influences; involved in alcohol use (AOR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.210, 0.941) was negatively associated with the thoughts of considering substances as an energizer. The involvement of students in alcohol use (AOR = 4.980, 95% CI: 1.614, 15.368) was positively associated with peer influences. It was, thus, suggested that the management of Haramaya University should work on creating awareness of the negative consequences of substance use. Concerned professionals, including sociologists, psychologists, and health workers, should work on raising students’ awareness as it was possible to undertake their studies without substance use. Moreover, the university management is strongly recommended to expand recreational centers within the campus. Lastly, Haramaya woreda administration should restrict the availability and accessibility of these substances around the campus.

scholarly journals Antibacterial, antioxidant, and sun protection potential of selected ethno medicinal plants used for skin infections in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Namukobe ◽  
Peter Sekandi ◽  
Robert Byamukama ◽  
Moses Murungi ◽  
Jennifer Nambooze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Sun Protection ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Double Beam ◽  
Protection Potential ◽  
Bacterial Skin Infections

Abstract Background Rural populations in Uganda rely heavily on medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial skin infections. However, the efficacy of these medicinal plants for their pharmacological action is not known. The study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial, antioxidant, and sun protection potential of Spermacoce princeae, Psorospermum febrifugum, Plectranthus caespitosus, and Erlangea tomentosa extracts. Methods The plant samples were extracted by maceration sequentially using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and distilled water. Antibacterial activity of each extract was carried out using an agar well diffusion assay against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonie, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Salmonella typhi. Acute dermal toxicity of the aqueous extract of S. princeae and P. febrifugum, and E. tomentosa was assessed in young adult healthy Wistar albino rats at a dose of 8000 and 10,000 mg/kg body weight. The antioxidant activity of each extract was carried out using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The sun protection factor was determined using Shimadzu UltraViolet-Visible double beam spectrophotometer between 290 and 320 nm. Results The plant extracts showed good antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging between 3.12 and 12.5 mg/ml. There was no significant change in the levels of creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in the rats even at a higher dose of 10,000 mg/kg, which was related to the results of biochemical analysis of the blood samples from the treated and control groups. The aqueous and methanol extracts of S. princeae showed potential antioxidant properties, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 59.82 and 61.20 μg/ml respectively. The organic and aqueous extracts of P. caespitosus showed high levels of protection against Ultraviolet light with sun protection potential values ranging between 30.67 and 37.84. Conclusions The study demonstrated that the selected medicinal plants possessed good antibacterial, antioxidant, and sun protection properties. Therefore, the plants are alternative sources of antibacterial, antioxidant, and sun protection agents in managing bacterial skin infections.

scholarly journals Working with community researchers to enhance rural community engagement around Private Water Supplies: an exploration of the benefits and challenges

2020 ◽  
pp. 146879412097888
Author(s):  
Rachel Creaney ◽  
Mags Currie ◽  
Paul Teedon ◽  
Karin Helwig
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Duty Of Care ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Employment Opportunities

This project employed community researchers as a means of improving community engagement around their Private Water Supplies (PWS) in rural Scotland. In this paper, we reflect on working with community researchers in terms of the benefits and challenges of the approach for future rural research that seeks to improve community engagement. The paper (1) critiques the involvement of community researchers for rural community engagement, drawing on the experiences in this project and (2) provides suggestions for good practice for working with community researchers in rural communities’ research. We offer some context in terms of the role of community members in research, the importance of PWS, our approach to community researchers, followed by the methodological approach and findings and our conclusions to highlight that community researchers can be beneficial for enhancing community engagement, employability, and social capital. Future community researcher approaches need to be fully funded to ensure core researchers can fulfil their duty of care, which should not stop when data collection is finished. Community researchers need to be supported in two main ways: as continuing faces of the project after the official project end date and to transfer their newly acquired skills to future employment opportunities.

scholarly journals Umbilical cord care through community-based distribution of chlorhexidine in rural Sindh, Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Shah ◽  
Q Jamali ◽  
F Aisha
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cord Care ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Sindh Province ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Unsafe practices such as cutting umbilical cord with unsterilized instruments and application of harmful substances, are in practice in many rural areas of Pakistan, and associated with high risk of neonatal sepsis and mortality. Methods We conducted an implementation research in 2015 in Tharparkar district, in Sindh province of Pakistan to understand the feasibility and acceptability of community-based distribution of chlorhexidine (CHX) in rural Pakistan. For this cohort group-only study, 225 lady health workers (LHWs) enrolled 495 pregnant women. Enrolled women received 4% CHX gel and user’s instructions for newborn cord care. The LHWs also counseled women on the benefits and correct use of CHX. Study enumerators collected data from CHX receiving women 3 times: at around 2 weeks before delivery, within 24 hours after delivery, and on the 8th day after delivery. We implemented this study jointly in collaboration with Ministry of Health in Sindh province, Pakistan. Results Among enrolled participants, 399 women (81%) received only the first visit, 295 women (60%) received first two visits and 261 women (53%) received all three visits by enumerators. Among 399 women, who received CHX gel, counseling on its use and were respondent to the first round data collection, 78% remembered that the CHX gel to be applied to cord stump and surrounding areas immediately after birth; but less than a third (29%) forgot the need to keep the cord clean and dry. Among 295 respondents in the first two rounds of data collection, who delivered at home, 97% applied CHX to cord stump on the first day. Conclusions Community-based CHX distribution by LHWs, along with counseling to recipient women, resulted in a high rate of cord care with CHX among newborn delivered at home. Results from this study may help program implementers to consider expanding this intervention for improving newborn cord care on the first day of life in Pakistan. Key messages Community-based distribution of chlorhexidine for newborn cord care appears as highly acceptable and feasible in rural communities in Pakistan. Relevant program policy supporting community-based CHX distribution along with counseling by LHW may help expanding coverage of newborn cord care in rural communities in Pakistan.

A STUDY ON THE CLINICAL AND SUB-CLINICAL FEATURES OF BACTERIAL SKIN INFECTIONS

2020 ◽  
pp. 56-61
Author(s):  
Anh Mai Ba Hoang ◽  
Phuong Nguyen Thi Thanh ◽  
My Nguyen Thi Tra ◽  
Nguyen Le Thi Cao ◽  
Nam Tran Ngoc Khanh
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Effect ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Normal Number ◽  
Dermatology Clinic ◽  
Functional Symptoms ◽  
Common Skin ◽  
Keywords Infection ◽  
Bacterial Skin Infections

Background: Bacterial skin infections are common due to the bacteral invasion into the skin and cause a variety of clinical manifestation. In order to assess the characteristics of this group, we conducted this study to evaluate the clinical and main subclinical features. Methods: A total of 95 patients were diagnosed with bacterial skin infections at Dermatology Clinic of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from June 2015 to May 2016, of which 34 patients had some tests and 19 patients had samples for culture. Results: The age group of 16 - 30 years old was the most popular: 50.5%; High rate of patients came for consultation in winter (49.5%), most patients had no fever. For functional symptoms, pain accounted for the highest proportion: 71.6%. The most common skin lesion was nodule: 38.8%, the lower extremities were the most common position: 38.9%. Furuncle had the highest incidence: 45.3%. For main laboratory tests, most patients had a normal number of leucocyte: 71.4%; ESR increased by two times accounting for a rate of 20.6%; culture results showed Staphylococcus aureus being a highest percentage: 57.9%. Conclusion: Most skin infections localized and were less systemic effect, the most common agent was S. aureus. Keywords: infection, bacteria, skin, fever, S. aureus

scholarly journals Community Health Workers Working the Digital Archive: A Case for Looking at Participatory Archiving in Studying Stigma in the Context of HIV and AIDS

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naydene De Lange ◽  
Claudia Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Digital Archive ◽  
Visual Data ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Addressing the issue of HIV-stigma is recognised as essential to reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS, enabling community members to access prevention, treatment and care. Often the very people who are able to contribute to solving the problem, are marginalised and do not see ways to insert themselves into dialogues related to combating stigma. Community health workers in rural South Africa are one such group. At the heart of the research discussed in this article is an intervention based on participatory analysis through participatory archiving ( Shilton and Srinivasan 2008 ). Drawing on participatory work with thirteen community health workers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, we use a digital archive containing HIV-stigma visual data - generated five years earlier by youth in the community - to engage the participants in the analysis. Drawing on such participatory work as Jenkins’ participatory cultures framework, we focus on the idea of re-using, re-coding, and re-mixing visual data. One participant stated that “these pictures talk about the real issues faced by our communities”, highlighting the value of resources generated by community members themselves. They also indicate that they “could use [the resources] to teach the cons of stigmatising”. A key concern in work related to visual images (particularly in projects such as ours where a large amount of visual data is produced) is to consider ways of extending its life through the use of community-based digital archives.

Bacterial Skin Infections

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Ibrahim ◽  
Tariq Khan ◽  
George G.A. Pujalte
Keyword(s):  
Skin Infections ◽  
Bacterial Skin Infections

scholarly journals Sustainable electricity for sustainable health? A case study in North-western Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Lizzie Caperon ◽  
Lina Brand-Correa
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Impact

This study explores the under-researched link between clean energy and public health outcomes, and offers new insights into the link between wider access to clean energy and progress towards health outcomes, in particular the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. This is the first study to consider the impact of a run-of-river hydropower plant (RORHP) in a remote rural community in Zambia in relation to health outcomes. Exploring this relationship establishes how the health benefits which renewable energy can bring can be capitalised upon to meet the health-related objectives of the United Nations sustainable development goals. Workshops and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders including community members, health workers, business owners, and key people involved with the plant, to establish health and social impacts of the introduction of electricity in the community of Ikelenge. Findings are used to establish both synergies and trade-offs of the RORHP on the health of the community, and recommendations are made for the continued improvement of health following the introduction of the RORHP, to achieve further progress towards meeting SDG targets.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document