scholarly journals Ownership, Coverage, Utilisation and Maintenance of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in Bamenda, Santa and Tiko Health Districts in Cameroon

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cho Frederick Nchang ◽  
Ngum Fru Paulette Cho-Azieh ◽  
Munguh Solange Fri ◽  
Cho Blessing Menyi ◽  
Jokwi Patrick Kofon ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionThe Bamenda, Santa and Tiko Health Districts are in the highest malaria transmission strata of Cameroon. The purpose of this study was to explore the indicators of ownership and utilisation as well as maintenance of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in three health districts in Cameroon.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey involving 1,251 households was conducted in the Tiko Health District (THD) in July and June 2017 and in Bamenda and Santa Health Districts in March to May 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on LLIN ownership, utilisation and maintenance as well as demographic characteristics.ResultsThe average number of LLINs per household was higher in the Bamenda Health District (BHD) compared to the Tiko Health District (THD) (2.5±1.2 vs. 2.4±1.6) as well as the household ownership at least one LLIN (93.30% vs. 89.00%). The proportion of the de-facto population with universal utilisation was higher in BHD compared to THD (13.1% vs 0.2%). In multinomial regression analysis, households in the SHD (p = 0.007, OR; 2.8, 95% C.I; 1.3 – 5.8), were more likely to own at least one LLIN compared to those in THD.ConclusionOwnership of LLINs was low in SHD and THD in comparison to the goal of one for every two household members. Overall LLINs coverage and accessibility was still low after the free MDCs, as only 14.6% of children 0 – 5 years and 16.1% of the entire population used LLIN the night before the survey.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nchang Frederick Cho ◽  
Ngum Fru Paulette Cho-Azieh ◽  
Munguh Solange Fri ◽  
Cho Blessing Menyi ◽  
Jokwi Patrick Kofon ◽  
...  

Introduction Household residents in malaria endemic areas are at high risk of multiple malaria episodes per year. This study investigated the annual household malaria episodes (AHMEs) in three health districts in Cameroon. Methods A community-based cross-sectional household survey using a multi-stage cluster design was conducted 2 – 3 years post campaign to assess long-lasting insecticide net (LLINs) ownership, utilisation and maintenance as well as demographic characteristics. Multinomial regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with household LLIN ownership, utilization and AHME. Results Household LLINs ownership, de facto population with universal utilisation and AHME were respectively, 92.5%, 16.0% and 83.4%; thus, 4 out of 25 household residents effectively used LLINs the previous night. AHME was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with age and gender (OR; 1.6, 95% C.I; 1.1 – 2.3) of household head, health district (OR; 2.8, 95% C.I; 1.1 – 7.2) and tiredness (OR; 2.6, 95% C.I; 1.0 – 6.3). LLINs ownership and insufficiency also significantly contributed AHME. The overall average cost for the treatment of malaria was 6,399.4±4,892.8Fcfa (11.1±8.5US$). Conclusions The proportion of households with at least one LLIN and those with at least one AHME were high. Findings are of concern given that average cost for the treatment of malaria represents a potentially high economic burden. The results outlined in this paper provide an important tool for the examination of the deficiencies in LLINs regular and universal utilisation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Paulette Ngum Fru ◽  
Frederick Nchang Cho ◽  
Andrew N. Tassang ◽  
Celestina Neh Fru ◽  
Peter Nde Fon ◽  
...  

Introduction. Malaria is and remains a serious health concern in Africa. In Cameroon, where malaria is endemic and a major public health problem, the major control measure put in place is the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). In the Tiko Health District (THD), the challenges have been to assess and to evaluate the ownership and utilisation of LLINs. This study sought to assess the ownership and utilisation rates of LLINs in the THD. Methodology. A cross-sectional survey involving 418 households was conducted in four health areas in the THD. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on LLIN ownership and utilisation as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Results. The ownership of at least one LLIN per household, coverage, and accessibility were, respectively, 89%, 56.2%, and 66.3%, while installing LLINs on all beds in the household, sleeping under LLINs the previous night (SULPN), and universal utilisation were 72%, 24.9%, and 14.1%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with the ownership of at least one LLIN per household were respondent’s age and gender. Heat (21.1%) and forgetfulness (6.5%) were the main reasons postulated for irregular utilisation of LLINs. Conclusion. The ownership LLINs failed to guarantee utilisation and definitely effective control of malaria in the THD, as expected. Continuous and appropriate use of LLINs is indispensable, in addition to periodic sanitation, booster campaigns of LLIN distribution, and evaluation research for effective prevention and control of malaria.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeta Thawani ◽  
Manisha A. Kulkarni ◽  
Salim Sohani

In October 2007, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) were distributed in 59 of the 111 districts in Madagascar as part of a nationwide child survival campaign. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted six months post-campaign to evaluate net ownership, use and equity. Here, we examined the effects of socioeconomic factors on LLIN ownership and usage in districts with and without net distribution during the campaign. Our data demonstrated that in districts with LLIN distribution, LLIN ownership was similar across all wealth groups in households with at least one child under the age of five years (90.5% versus 88.6%); in districts without net distribution, 57.8% of households in the poorest tertile compared to 90.1% of households in the least poor tertile owned at least one LLIN. In contrast, in LLIN-owning households, both in districts with and without net distribution, higher socio-economic status was not associated with use among children under five years. These findings suggest that socio-economic status contributes to the household net ownership but once a household owns a net, socio-economic status is not associated with net use.


Author(s):  
Fahad D. Algahtani ◽  
Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan ◽  
Bandar Alsaif ◽  
Rafat Zrieq

The COVID-19 outbreak emerged as an ongoing crisis at the beginning of the year 2020. Its horrific manifestation at the community level significantly affects various dimensions of the quality of life (QoL) of all individuals. The study aimed to examine some of the predictors of the QoL during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was used to gather data on the participants’ sociodemographic backgrounds, physical health status, psychological reactions, and QoL. We adapted 12 items from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess the QoL. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. The median and inter-quartile range were used to describe the QoL scores. A multinomial regression analysis was computed between QoL score quartiles and associated factors, and the statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results of the multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that males (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.31–2.94); participants aged 26 to 35 years (OR = 5.1; 95% CI = 1.33–19.37); non-Saudi participants (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.06–2.57); individuals with chronic diseases (OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.33–3.48); those who lost their job (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.04–4.57); and those with depression (OR = 5.70; 95% CI = 3.59–9.05), anxiety (OR = 5.47; 95% CI = 3.38–8.84), and stress (OR = 6.55; 95% CI = 4.01–10.70) were more likely to be in the first quartile of the QoL scores. While the full model predicting the total QoL score was statistically significant (R2 = 0.962, F (750, 753) = 16,705.4, p < 0.001), the three QoL dimensions explained 0.643, 0.283, and 0.036 of the variability in environmental, social, and religious/spiritual dimensions, respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced various aspects of individuals’ QoL, as well as their physical and psychological health. Community-based interventions are needed to mitigate the pandemic’s negative effects and enhance the health and QoL of the general population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. e0008794
Author(s):  
Linda Djune-Yemeli ◽  
Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga ◽  
Cédric G. Lenou-Nanga ◽  
Cyrille Donfo-Azafack ◽  
André Domche ◽  
...  

Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. School-based mass drug administration (MDA) using the anthelminthic drug Mebendazole/Albendazole have succeeded in controlling morbidity associated to these diseases but failed to interrupt their transmission. In areas were filarial diseases are co-endemic, another anthelminthic drug (Ivermectin) is distributed to almost the entire population, following the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) strategy. Since Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anthelmintic known to be effective against STH, we conducted cross-sectional surveys in two health districts with very contrasting histories of Ivermectin/Albendazole-based PC in order to investigate whether CDTI might have contributed in STH transmission interruption. Methodology Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in two health districts with similar socio-environmental patterns but with very contrasting CDTI histories (Akonolinga health district where CDTI was yet to be implemented vs. Yabassi health district where CDTI has been ongoing for two decades). Stool samples were collected from all volunteers aged >2 years old and analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. Infections by different STH species were compared between Akonolinga and Yabassi health districts to decipher the impact of Ivermectin/Albendazole-based MDA on STH transmission. Principal findings A total of 610 and 584 participants aged 2–90 years old were enrolled in Akonolinga and Yabassi health districts, respectively. Two STH species (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) were found, with prevalence significantly higher in Akonolinga health district (43.3%; 95% CI: 38.1–46.6) compared to Yabassi health district (2.5%; 95% CI: 1.1–5.1) (chi-square: 90.8; df: 1; p < 0.001). Conclusion/significance These findings (i) suggest that Mebendazole- or Albendazole-based MDA alone distributed only to at-risk populations might not be enough to eliminate STH, (ii) support the collateral impact of Ivermectin/Albendazole MDA on A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections, and (iii) suggest that Ivermectin/Albendazole-based PC could accelerate STH transmission interruption.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Adelino Iyya ◽  
Ndeezi Grace ◽  
Nabukeera Barungi Nicolette ◽  
Hassan Chollong

Abstract Background: South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation which gained independence from Sudan on the 9th of July, 2011. Rates of acute malnutrition have been consistently higher in South Sudan than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, according to South Sudan Household Survey 2010, the prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition in children under 5 years was 22%, Prevalence of stunting is 45% and underweight was 48%. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Jubek state, South Sudan.Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical community based study to assess the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Jubek state, South Sudan. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 396 children. Anthropometric measurements including weight, length/ height, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were taken and a blood sample by finger prick was removed for HIV test. The equipment which were used included: WHO recommended MUAC tape for 6months to 59 months old children, digital weighing scale (SECA) and portable Stadiometers. Data were collected using a pretested semi- structured questionnaire. Results: The analysis of this study revealed that, 32.2%, 28.2% and 32.3% of children were stunted, wasted and underweight respectively. The main associated factors of stunting were age older than one year (p= 0.004), children from households who were renting their houses and children who defecate in open spaces with no latrine at their homes (p= 0.015). Underweight was associated with child’s age (p= 0.001), loss of appetite (p=<0.001), children who ate from own plate (p=0.001) and children who didn’t consume meat (p=0.007). Male genders (p=0.022), households with two or more children aged zero to five years (0.010) not consuming vitamin A rich vegetable (p=0.002), diarrheal disease within two weeks prior to interview (p=0.006) and those from households with water sources other than piped (<0.001) were also associated with wasting. Conclusion: The general objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in Jubek state, South Sudan. This study showed that the levels of stunting, wasting and underweight were high, one in three children were likely to be stunted (32.1%), or wasted (28.2%) or underweight (32.3%).


Author(s):  
Oscar Guzmán-Martínez ◽  
Kathia Guardado ◽  
Miguel Varela-Cardoso ◽  
Alejandro Trujillo-Rivera ◽  
Iván Gómez-Ñañez ◽  
...  

The causes of the broad spectrum of severity in COVID-19 are unknown. A protective effect through humoral immunity from previous infections by viruses of the SARS-CoV-2 family could explain a mild form of this disease. This study aimed to address whether the presence of antibodies against human seasonal coronaviruses (HCoVs) could prevent severe manifestations of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 165 participants. The presence of pre-existent antibodies against the seasonal HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-NL63 were detected. From all of the seasonal HCoVs studied, it was only found that being seropositive to HCoV-229E presented an association (p = 0.012) with developing mild clinical symptoms of COVID-19 or being asymptomatic. Multinomial regression analysis showed that being seropositive to HCoV-229E is associated with mild or moderate clinical symptoms for COVID-19. Statistical analysis also showed that being female is associated with being asymptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 infection or developing mild COVID-19. A subgroup analysis taking only seropositive to HCoV-229E revealed that females are more likely to develop asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 27.242, 95% CI 2.092–354.706, p = 0.012). Our results suggest that previous infections by HCoV-229E could prevent more serious clinical manifestations of COVID-19, but these are not the only variables that influence this event.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toussaint Rouamba ◽  
Sekou Ouindpanga Samadoulougou ◽  
Cheick Saïd Compaoré ◽  
Halidou Tinto ◽  
Jean Gaudart ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: One of the major causes of malaria-related deaths in Sub-Saharan African countries is the limited accessibility to quality care. In these countries, malaria control activities are implemented at the health district level. However, malaria indicators are often regionally representative. This paper provides an approach for estimating health district-level malaria readiness indicators from survey data designed to provide regionally representative estimates. Methods: A binomial hierarchical Bayesian spatial prediction method was applied to Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) survey data to provide estimates of essential equipment availability and readiness to provide malaria care at the health district level. Predicted values of each indicator were adjusted by the type of health facility, location, and population density. Then, a health district composite readiness profile was built via hierarchical ascendant classification. Results: All surveyed health-facilities were mandated to manage malaria. The spatial distribution of essential equipment and malaria readiness was heterogeneous. Around 62.9% of health districts had a high level of readiness to provide malaria care and prevention during pregnancy. Low-performance scores for managing malaria were found in big cities located in the central and Haut-Bassins regions. The health districts with low coverage for both first-line antimalarial drugs and rapid diagnostic tests were Baskuy, Bogodogo, Boulmiougou, Nongr-Massoum, Sig-Nonghin, Dafra, and Do. Conclusion: We provide health district estimates and reveal gaps in basic equipment and malaria management resources in some districts that need to be filled. By providing local-scale estimates, this approach could be replicated for other types of indicators to inform decision-makers and health program managers and to identify priority areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1328-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna E. Coalson ◽  
Ellen M. Santos ◽  
Ashley C. Little ◽  
Elizabeth J. Anderson ◽  
Nancy Stroupe ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Yasir. B. Elshambaty

Purpose this study aims to show the patterns and outcome of pediatric injury among those living in Albaha region in Saudi Arabia Methods this is a cross-sectional descriptive household-based study, included children between 0-17 years old both male and female. The data were collected with structured questionnaire between 20 Nov – 20 Dec 2018 and  analyzed with SPSS version 25 Results the total of participants was 257 injured child. 199(77.4%) are male and 58(22.6%) are female. About 44%of them were injured at pre-school level and 56% were traumatized at school age. The least incidence of injury occurred in those less than 2 yrs and higher incidence in those between 3-10 yrs old. The most common mechanism of injury was falling from height. The most affected group age by RTA accidents was 11-17 yrs old. Approximately 83% of the injured children required hospital management. Only one third of the injuries were  associated complications. The most common injured anatomic part was the upper limb and the least affected part was the spine. Only 5% of the injuries were associated with a disability and the common was loss of organ or part of it. Paralysis occurred in less than 1% and head injury resulted in disabilities more than 1%. Conclusion the vast majority of the injuries in our participants are not serious. The severe injuries were associated with RTA-related trauma. Most of injuries due to falling from height are not serious. We recommend not to allow the children to drive cars. Keywords: pediatric injuries; injury patterns; household.


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