scholarly journals Perceptions, attitudes and practices towards scabies in communities on the Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria João Lopes ◽  
Eunice Teixeira da Silva ◽  
Janete Ca ◽  
Adriana Gonçalves ◽  
Amabelia Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Guinea Bissau

AbstractIntroductionScabies is highly endemic among impoverished populations and has been recently included in the WHO’s list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Community support and behavioural changes are essential for the success of control interventions. This study aimed to explore beliefs, prevention attitudes and health care-seeking behaviours towards scabies in the Bijagós Archipelago of Guinea-Bissau.MethodsData were collected through two methods. Community key informants (community members, community health workers, healthcare workers and traditional healers) were interviewed using snowball sampling. A questionnaire covering perceptions, attitudes and practices was administered to community members using random cluster sampling. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was applied to identify themes. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data analysis.ResultsThere was a satisfactory awareness about scabies, but perceptions about disease causation and transmission were imprecise. Misconceptions about personal hygiene as the primary measure for scabies prevention were recurrent. Some participants recognised the importance of early treatment to interrupt transmission. Treatment of close contacts was not considered important. Costs were the main determining factor for treatment choice between traditional healer and the local health centre. Late presentation and delayed treatment were common and associated with poverty and stigmatisation. Scabies impaired quality of life by affecting social interactions, health, fitness to work and school attendance.ConclusionsThere is a need to improve education, recognition, management and affordable access to treatment. Community education, healthcare workers’ training and skin NTDs integrated control programmes should address the challenges highlighted in this study.Authors SummaryScabies is a common skin infection in low income settings. We conducted a study in Guinea-Bissau to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices about scabies. We conducted interviews with healthcare workers, traditional healers and community members and additionally used an oral-administered questionnaire with a larger sample of community residents. Most individuals had knowledge of scabies and were aware that person to person transmission occurred. However personal and environmental hygiene were both incorrectly identified as particularly important in the transmission of scabies. Cost played a major role in determining where individuals sought care and both poverty and disease associated stigma resulted in delays seeking care. There is a need to improve community and health care worker education about scabies and improve affordable access to treatment.

scholarly journals Perceptions, attitudes and practices towards scabies in communities on the Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria João Lopes ◽  
Eunice Teixeira da Silva ◽  
Janete Ca ◽  
Adriana Gonçalves ◽  
Amabelia Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Guinea Bissau

Abstract Background Scabies is highly endemic among impoverished populations and has been recently included in the WHO’s list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Community support and behavioural changes are essential for the success of control interventions. This study aimed to explore beliefs, prevention attitudes and healthcare-seeking behaviours towards scabies in the Bijagós Archipelago of Guinea-Bissau. Methods Data were collected through two methods. Community key informants (community members, community health workers, healthcare workers and traditional healers) were interviewed using snowball sampling. A questionnaire covering perceptions, attitudes and practices was administered to community members using random cluster sampling. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was applied to identify themes. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data analysis. Results There was a satisfactory awareness about scabies, but perceptions about disease causation and transmission were imprecise. Misconceptions about personal hygiene as the primary measure for scabies prevention were recurrent. Some participants recognised the importance of early treatment to interrupt transmission. Treatment of close contacts was not considered important. Costs were the main determining factor for treatment choice between traditional healer and the local health centre. Late presentation and delayed treatment were common and associated with poverty and stigmatisation. Scabies impaired quality of life by affecting social interactions, health, fitness to work and school attendance. Conclusions There is a need to improve education, recognition, management and affordable access to treatment. Community education, healthcare workers’ training and skin NTD integrated control programmes should address the challenges highlighted in this study.

scholarly journals Citywide preparedness for a pandemic: A crosssectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices about respiratory infection prevention in Bogotá, Colombia

Biomédica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supl. 2) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Jorge Alberto Cortés ◽  
Pilar Espitia ◽  
Yuliet Liliana Rosero-Lasso
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Introduction: Healthcare personnel plays an important role in the prevention of acute respiratory infections in hospital settings.Objective: Our aim was to establish the level of knowledge about respiratory virus infections and the attitudes and practices among healthcare workers, leaders of infection control committees in hospitals of Bogotá, Colombia.Materials and methods: We used a self-administered questionnaire of 28 items during the monthly meeting sponsored by the local health authority. “Yes or no” and “true or false” questions were applied to measure knowledge. Attitudes and practices were measured with a Likert-type scale according to the agreement degree.Results: We surveyed 70 healthcare workers. Respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge as 80% of them answered correctly more than five questions. A total of 54.4% showed a low degree of agreement when asked if their institutions have the policy to stay home when they are sick with respiratory symptoms and 67.1% never or rarely remain at home under such conditions.Conclusion: Healthcare worker leaders of infection control committees in Bogotá’s ospitals have adequate knowledge about the prevention of seasonal respiratory viruses. There is a need for implementing urgent sick leave policies as a measure to prevent the spread of potential coronavirus infections in hospitals.

Education of the medical profession to facilitate delivery of transgender health care in an Australian health district

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Maansi Arora ◽  
Kaete Walker ◽  
Judy Luu ◽  
Robbert J. Duvivier ◽  
Tinashe Dune ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
New England ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health District ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Transgender Health

Transgender individuals who desire medical transition need to access care through their local healthcare system. This is the first study to explore the perceptions of the community and attitudes of healthcare providers towards the delivery of transgender health care in an Australian context. An anonymous survey was conducted of trans and gender-diverse community members; and physicians and trainees in the Hunter New England Local Health District of New South Wales, Australia. Community members were surveyed about their healthcare experiences. Medical students, GPs and hospital physicians were surveyed on their attitudes towards the delivery of transgender health care before and after a 1-h education session that included the lived experience of a community member. Community members expressed a need for increased education for healthcare providers in transgender medicine. Following the intervention, significantly more healthcare providers felt confident to facilitate transgender health care for adults, adolescents and children; and more healthcare providers agreed that medical and surgical treatment should be offered to transgender patients if desired. The positive safety profile of treatment was felt to be the most persuasive factor for the provision of care. Healthcare providers identified a need for health education in transgender medicine; easy access to evidence-based resources; and local referral pathways as key strategies to improving transgender health care.

Attitude of Health Care Workers to the Involvement of Alternative Healthcare Providers in the Home Management of Childhood Malaria

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine O. Falade ◽  
Oyedunni S. Osowole ◽  
Joshua D. Adeniyi ◽  
Oladimeji Oladepo ◽  
Ayoade M. J. Oduola
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Home Management ◽  
Childhood Malaria ◽  
Patent Medicine

The attitudes of 193 healthcare workers (Nurses (35.7%), auxiliary nurses (35.7%), followed by community health officers (26.4%)) in 55 primary and secondary healthcare facilities to home management of malaria were evaluated in four local government areas in Southwestern Nigeria. Results showed that mothers and patent medicine sellers were perceived as offering useful services in home management of malaria by giving first aid and selling antimalarial drugs, respectively. Although 79% of respondents expressed the opinion that mothers are the most appropriate to give first line management to children suffering from malaria, 56% were also of the view that such children should receive definitive treatment in a formal health care facility. Furthermore, 45% of the respondents felt that only formal healthcare workers should treat children who have malaria irrespective of the location of the treatment because mothers, patent medicine sellers, and traditional healers have not been formally trained. Healthcare workers were willing to train mothers and patent medicine sellers on effective management of childhood malaria, but were not favorably disposed toward collaboration with traditional healers in the home management of malaria. There is an urgent need for formal healthcare workers to seek better understanding of traditional healers' practices as well as their cooperation for improved home management of childhood malaria among indigenous groups.

scholarly journals Impact of Community Collaboration in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Cielito Caneja
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Phone Calls

Background: SARS-COV-2 the cause of COVID-19 has sparked a global pandemic with devastating consequences on health, wellbeing, and the economy. Healthcare workers from the frontline of defence, yet, the pandemic affects not only healthcare workers but also their families. There is growing awareness of the benefits of COVID-19 support groups, for professionals and for the wider community. Migrant professionals make up a significant proportion of the human resources in delivering health care globally, as in the UK. Therefore any such initiative, should be culturally tailored to address their needs. Aim: To outline the development of a community support initiative, in the form of a non-profit organisation, for migrant minority Filipino healthcare professionals and their communities. Method: A mixed-method study with retrospective data collection.  A dedicated helpline was set up during the pandemic. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method was adopted. The cohort was divided into two groups, health care professionals and non-healthcare group, with interventions delivered by four divisions, which were health care, non-healthcare, information governance and public relations - social media divisions. Interactive focus group and webinars were facilitated and data collected via Emotions Behind the Mask questionnaire. Results: PDSA outcomes, the dedicated helpline responded to 40 phone calls in 6 weeks, calls were linked to basic needs of daily living or work-related issues. In 5 months, the organisations collaborated with 25 local, national, and international organisations delivering community and professional support. The online platform audience reached an audience of 27,795. Conclusion: The combined professional healthcare and community support initiative demonstrated an impact on healthcare staff with possible benefits in workforce retention. Further studies are required in a larger population exploring mental health and well-being specific to minority ethnic groups.

US Health Care Systems, HIV Programs, and Coverage Policy Issues

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Kilness Packett
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
State And Local

HIV-related health care services have historically been covered or provided by a patchwork of federal, state, and local programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Ryan White Program, and state and local health programs. AIDS service organizations and private and charitable health organizations also provided services for HIV patients without coverage. These programs represent the long-standing pathways to insurance coverage, access to care, and access to treatment for people with HIV. Some of these programs also supply coverage for or access to medications that treat co-occurring conditions for people with HIV. Following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, availability of health coverage for HIV patients was greatly expanded in the United States. However, challenges such as affordability and access to treatments still remain.

scholarly journals Health Professionals’ Perceptions on the Integration of Medical Students’ Training in Family Health Care Units

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Fabiana Arenas Stringari de Parma ◽  
Raquel Aparecida Oliveira ◽  
Fernando Antônio Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Education Student ◽  
Healthcare Model

ABSTRACT Introduction The Centro Universitário de Votuporanga (UNIFEV) medicine course was implemented in 2012 according to the 2001 National Curricular Guidelines for Undergraduate Medical Courses. The practical module of Community Service Education Integration is the curricular unit that places students into Primary Health Care (PHC) scenarios from the first period of the course until the internship period, breaking with the traditional model of hospital-centered training, which is segmented into specialties. The module of medical skills and attitudes training also leads the student, in some cases, to PHC services, but with focus on the basic clinical procedures in controlled scenarios, which may be those from typical clinical practice, simulations or even those performed in laboratories. During internship, the student continues in PHC as an intern in general, family and community medicine. In this context, the integration of community-education-service plays a major role in the transformations undergone in undergraduate training in health, which are also aimed at modifying the current healthcare model. Objectives To understand the perception of professionals from the Family Health Care Units regarding medical student work placement and to interpret the results of this integration as far as the service, the community and the medical training are concerned. Methodology Qualitative research carried out with health professionals who work in three Family Health Care Units of Votuporanga, São Paulo, Brazil. They were invited to participate in focus groups to express their opinions about thought-provoking questions. The recorded material was transcribed, organized and analyzed according to Bardin’s content analysis, which allowed categories of analysis to emerge based on what the participants said. Results and discussion: The opinions that have emerged allow to identify the following aspects: teaching-service-community integration contributes to medical education; student presence promotes team integration and self-learning and promotes the work process; student integration has impact on the community. Among the student’s contributions, participants highlighted the academic and health care reflective practices, health education actions and complementary activities that support the health team in solving local problems. Participants also identified some situations of difficulty, such as: students in the early periods of the course need to acquire affective domains for an adequate professional posture at PHC units; the embarrassment of patients in the medical consultation with the presence of students; and the short length of stay of the students for the necessary bond building. Conclusion For PHC professionals, the inclusion of students in these scenarios contributes to the development of the service, medical training and community support. Due to the solidary relations existing between the educational institution and the PHC management, this research may contribute to promote the necessary adaptations and prepare the community and professionals for the presence of students in PHC.

scholarly journals Percepção dos Profissionais de Saúde em relação à Integração do Ensino de Estudantes de Medicina nas Unidades de Saúde da Família

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Fabiana Arenas Stringari de Parma ◽  
Raquel Aparecida Oliveira ◽  
Fernando Antônio Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Education Student ◽  
Clinical Procedures ◽  
Healthcare Model

ABSTRACT Introduction The Centro Universitário de Votuporanga (UNIFEV) medicine course was implemented in 2012 according to the 2001 National Curricular Guidelines for Undergraduate Medical Courses. The practical module of Community Service Education Integration is the curricular unit that places students into Primary Health Care (PHC) scenarios from the first period of the course until the internship period, breaking with the traditional model of hospital-centered training, which is segmented into specialties. The module of medical skills and attitudes training also leads the student, in some cases, to PHC services, but with focus on the basic clinical procedures in controlled scenarios, which may be those from typical clinical practice, simulations or even those performed in laboratories. During internship, the student continues in PHC as an intern in general, family and community medicine. In this context, the integration of community-education-service plays a major role in the transformations undergone in undergraduate training in health, which are also aimed at modifying the current healthcare model. Objectives To understand the perception of professionals from the Family Health Care Units regarding medical student work placement and to interpret the results of this integration as far as the service, the community and the medical training are concerned. Methodology Qualitative research carried out with health professionals who work in three Family Health Care Units of Votuporanga, São Paulo, Brazil. They were invited to participate in focus groups to express their opinions about thought-provoking questions. The recorded material was transcribed, organized and analyzed according to Bardin’s content analysis, which allowed categories of analysis to emerge based on what the participants said. Results and discussion: The opinions that have emerged allow to identify the following aspects: teaching-service-community integration contributes to medical education; student presence promotes team integration and self-learning and promotes the work process; student integration has impact on the community. Among the student’s contributions, participants highlighted the academic and health care reflective practices, health education actions and complementary activities that support the health team in solving local problems. Participants also identified some situations of difficulty, such as: students in the early periods of the course need to acquire affective domains for an adequate professional posture at PHC units; the embarrassment of patients in the medical consultation with the presence of students; and the short length of stay of the students for the necessary bond building. Conclusion For PHC professionals, the inclusion of students in these scenarios contributes to the development of the service, medical training and community support. Due to the solidary relations existing between the educational institution and the PHC management, this research may contribute to promote the necessary adaptations and prepare the community and professionals for the presence of students in PHC.

scholarly journals Measuring Stigma and Discrimination towards People Living with HIV among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary, Government Teaching Hospital in the Philippines

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl Mae J. Lopez ◽  
Valerie R. Ramiro ◽  
Evalyn A. Roxas
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Labor And Delivery ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background. The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the Philippines is increasing. HIV-related stigma in the health care setting is a known barrier to healthcare access for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Objective. The study aimed to identify stigmatizing attitudes and practices towards PLHIV among healthcare workers in Philippine General Hospital. Methods. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 375 healthcare workers were recruited via convenience sampling. A standardized questionnaire developed by the Health Policy Project was used. Results. The study demonstrated concerns regarding transmission, particularly during drawing blood (87.1%), assisting in labor and delivery (82%), and dressing wounds (80.4%). Use of special infection-control measures (76.1%), wearing double gloves (72.8%), additional infection-control procedures during labor and delivery (72.2%), and wearing gloves during all aspects of patient care (70.2%) were reported as well. Perceptions such as the belief that pregnant women who are HIV positive must inform their families of their HIV status (82.1%), and that PLHIV engage in irresponsible behaviors (69.1%) and are promiscuous (66.4%) were also detected. Conclusion. The study confirmed the presence of HIV-related stigma among healthcare workers in Philippine General Hospital. This finding could potentially catalyze the development of stigma-reducing measures which could hopefully translate to improved healthcare for PLHIV.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document