Antibiotic use in pregnancy: knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre N H Bulabula ◽  
Angela Dramowski ◽  
Shaheen Mehtar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Monthly Household Income ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Objectives To establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use and self-medication among pregnant women. Methods We conducted a KAP survey of 301 pregnant women hospitalized at a tertiary hospital obstetric service in Cape Town, South Africa in November and December 2017, using an interviewer-administered 12 item questionnaire. We stratified analysis of attitudes and practices by participants’ mean knowledge score (K-score) group (<6 versus ≥6 out of 7 questions). Multivariate models were built to identify independent predictors of antibiotic self-medication and K-score. Results The mean age of pregnant women was 29 (SD 6.1) years, 44/247 (17.8%) were nulliparous, 69/247 (27.9%) were HIV-infected, 228/247 (92.3%) had completed secondary school and 78/247 (31.6%) reported a monthly household income in the lowest category of ≤50–100 US dollars (USD). The mean K-score was 6.1 (SD 1.02) out of 7 questions. Sixteen percent of the cohort reported antibiotic self-medication, with higher rates among pregnant women with K-score <6 [18/48 (37.5%) versus 32/253 (12.6%); P < 0.001]. The monthly household income category of >500 USD (the highest category) was the only predictor of antibiotic self-medication behaviour [adjusted OR = 6.4 (95% CI 1.2–35.2), P = 0.03]. Conclusions Higher antibiotic knowledge scores are associated with lower rates of antibiotic self-medication, whereas higher household income is correlated with increasing self-medication behaviours. Education of pregnant women regarding the potential dangers of antibiotic self-medication and stricter enforcement of existing South African antibiotic prescribing and dispensing regulations are needed.

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain and pain management practices. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers regarding acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The specific objectives were to, identify gaps in pain knowledge; assess attitudes regarding pain assessment and management; describe pain assessment and management behaviours and practices; and identify barriers to and enablers of pain care. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: Responses of 100 participants was included in the analysis. The survey response rate could not be calculated. The mean age of respondents was 34.74 (SD8.13) years and the mean years’ experience 10.02 (SD6.47). Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational practitioners (85%) with 54% of respondents having attended medical education on pain care in the last two years. The mean percentage for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain care. Practitioners with higher qualifications, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher scores. Alcohol and drug use by patients were the most selected barrier to pain care while the availability of higher qualified practitioners was the most selected enabler. When asked to record pain scores, practitioners were less inclined to assign scores which were self-reported by the patients in the case scenarios. The participant dropout rate was 35%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Further, gaps in pain knowledge, attitudes and practices were identified. Some barriers and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting were identified but further research is indicated.

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain and pain management practices. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers regarding acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The specific objectives were to, identify gaps in pain knowledge; assess attitudes regarding pain assessment and management; describe pain assessment and management behaviours and practices; and identify barriers to and enablers of pain care. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: Responses of 100 participants was included in the analysis. The survey response rate could not be calculated. The mean age of respondents was 34.74 (SD8.13) years and the mean years’ experience 10.02 (SD6.47). Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational practitioners (85%) with 54% of respondents having attended medical education on pain care in the last two years. The mean percentage for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain care. Practitioners with higher qualifications, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher scores. Alcohol and drug use by patients were the most selected barrier to pain care while the availability of higher qualified practitioners was the most selected enabler. When asked to record pain scores, practitioners were less inclined to assign scores which were self-reported by the patients in the case scenarios. The participant dropout rate was 35%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Further, gaps in pain knowledge, attitudes and practices were identified. Some barriers and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting were identified but further research is indicated.

scholarly journals SARS-Cov-2 and drug shortages- Trends and lessons from a Caribbean perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Jankie ◽  
Shalini Pooransingh ◽  
Arlene Stuart ◽  
Lexley Pinto-Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
General Level ◽  
Normal Flora ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Aim and Objectives To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotic use among patients attending a tertiary referral urology unit in south Trinidad. We aimed to investigate the general level of awareness of antibiotics as well as identify patterns of antibiotic misuse which could potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. Results 150 patients were evaluated. Most patients (75.5%) were aware that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. 57.9% also believed that antibiotics may be used to treat viral infections. 48.4% were aware of the potential deleterious effects of antibiotics on the body’s normal flora while 78% were aware of the concept of antibiotic resistance. 28.9% reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Overall, 23.3% reported having done so for a fever or cold while 12.6% did so for urinary symptoms. 68 persons (42.8%) stopped their antibiotics prior to completion of the course duration with most (76.5%) indicating that they did so because they felt better. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while most patients were aware of issues surrounding the use of antibiotics, a significant percentage still harboured several misconceptions. Also, high rates of self-medication with antibiotics were noted, among several worrying patterns of usage.

scholarly journals Unprepared and unprotected: Graduating medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding drug-resistant tuberculosis in Cape Town, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Harrison ◽  
Jonathan Watts ◽  
Michael-Jon Rosslee ◽  
Arne von Delft ◽  
Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Drug Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

South Africa has a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), which has a particularly high mortality among healthcare workers. Junior clinicians deliver key DR-TB services and require training in DR-TB management and prevention. This study aimed to investigate graduating medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to DR-TB, including management, infection control measures, and occupational health services. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, recruited final year medical students and included 87 participants. The mean DR-TB knowledge score was 4.7 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.42–5.06, maximum score 8 points). Students reported challenges in accessing respiratory protection, with half (47.7%) struggling to find an N95 respirator when needed. DR-TB exposure was reportedly common. Three students reported prior TB disease, approximately half (n = 49, 55.9%) reported personal concern of active DR-TB disease during undergraduate studies, and the majority (n = 80, 91.9%) correctly perceived themselves to be at increased risk compared to the general population. Medical students are currently unprepared for their role in managing DR-TB in South Africa and unprotected against occupational illness during their studies. This should be addressed in undergraduate curricula and in establishing comprehensive occupational health policies. Resilient personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chains, infection control training, and comprehensive occupational health support have relevance to both DR-TB and novel pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards COVID-19 of Pregnant Women at a Primary Health Care Facility in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
A. M. Hoque ◽  
A. M. Alam ◽  
M. Hoque ◽  
M. E. Hoque ◽  
G. Van Hal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Primary Health Care Facility ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people globally. Several preventive measures have been recommended to reduce the spread of the disease. However, the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of these preventive measures among pregnant women, are yet to be evaluated in South Africa. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the KAP towards COVID-19 among pregnant women. The purpose was to identify KAP gaps of pregnant women and develop educational materials and implement programmes. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was undertaken. Student’s t-test, ANOVA test, Pearson’s correlation test and Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. Majority of the respondents were single (71%), unemployed (52%), and had low education (78% had either no or less than 12 years education). More than half (51.2%) had vulnerable comorbidities for COVID-19 infection and complication. Both knowledge and attitude mean of pregnant women were found to be low at 43.5% and 30% respectively. However, their practice on prevention of COVID-19 was good at 76%. Knowledge was found to be significantly positively correlated with practice towards COVID-19 (r= 0.111). Women having good knowledge were seven times more likely to practice positively regarding COVID-19 (P=0.019). Women having 1-5 years of education were 94% less likely to practice good towards COVID-19 prevention (P=0.018) compared to those having post matric education. The pregnant women in this research had inadequate knowledge and attitude of COVID-19 infection. However, preventive practices were good among them. Mass education and communication strategies are thus required to improve the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women towards COVID-19.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Antibiotic Use Among Patients at a Tertiary Urology Centre in Trinidad and Tobago

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satyendra Persaud ◽  
◽  
Rajendra Sukhraj ◽  
Lester Goetz ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
General Level ◽  
Normal Flora ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Aim and Objectives To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotic use among patients attending a tertiary referral urology unit in south Trinidad. We aimed to investigate the general level of awareness of antibiotics as well as identify patterns of antibiotic misuse which could potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. Results 150 patients were evaluated. Most patients (75.5%) were aware that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. 57.9% also believed that antibiotics may be used to treat viral infections. 48.4% were aware of the potential deleterious effects of antibiotics on the body’s normal flora while 78% were aware of the concept of antibiotic resistance. 28.9% reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Overall, 23.3% reported having done so for a fever or cold while 12.6% did so for urinary symptoms. 68 persons (42.8%) stopped their antibiotics prior to completion of the course duration with most (76.5%) indicating that they did so because they felt better. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while most patients were aware of issues surrounding the use of antibiotics, a significant percentage still harboured several misconceptions. Also, high rates of self-medication with antibiotics were noted, among several worrying patterns of usage.

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