Two decades of regional trends in vaccination completion and coverage among children aged 12-23 months: an analysis of the Uganda Demographic Health Survey data from 1995 to 2016

Background Childhood vaccination is an important public health intervention but there is limited information on coverage, trends, and determinants of vaccination completion in Uganda at the regional level. We examined trends in regional vaccination coverage and established the determinants of vaccination completion among children aged 12-23 months in Uganda. Methods We analyzed data from the women’s questionnaire for the 1995-2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS). Vaccine completion was defined as having received a dose of Bacillus-Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine; three doses of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine; three doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) (excluding OPV given at birth); and one dose of measles vaccine. We performed Chi-square tests to compare vaccination completion by socio-demographic factors stratified by 10 sub-regions: Eastern, East Central, Central 1, Central 2, Kampala, Karamoja, North, Western, West Nile, and Southwest. We performed logistic regression analysis for each of the regions to identify factors associated with vaccination completion at 5% level of statistical significance. Results Overall vaccination completion was 48.6% (95%CI, 47.2, 50.1) and ranged from 17.3% in Central 1 to 65.9% in Southwest. Vaccination completion rates declined significantly by 10.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), − 16.1, − 4.6) between 1995 and 2000, and increased significantly by 10.0% (95% CI, 4.6, 15.4) between 2000 and 2006, and by 5.4% (95% CI, 0.2, 10.6) between 2006 and 2011. Maternal education (secondary or higher level), receipt of tetanus toxoid (TT) during pregnancy, and possession of a child health card were associated with vaccination completion across all the sub-regions. Other factors like place of residence, religious affiliation, household wealth, maternal age, childbirth order, size of child at birth, and place of delivery were associated with vaccination completion but differed between the 10 sub-regions. Conclusion Besides considerable regional variations, the vaccination completion rate among children aged 12-23 months in Uganda remains suboptimal despite the availability of vaccines. Maternal education, receipt of TT, and possession of a child health card are associated with a higher likelihood of vaccination completion among children aged 12-23 months in all the regions of Uganda. Interventions to improve the utilization of vaccination services in Uganda should consider these factors.

Pengaruh Fasilitas dan Citra Terhadap Kepuasan Pasien di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah dr. Zubir Mahmud Kabupaten Aceh Timur

Patient satisfaction is a level of patient feeling that arises as a result of the performance of health services obtained after the patient compares it with what is expected. The patient of Zubir Mahmud Hospital complains of difficulties in getting a room for his family who will perform the operation even though he already has a BPJS Health card besides that the patient is disappointed with the handling and services of Zubir Mahmud Hospital, so that it can cause a bad image of the hospital in the eyes of the patient. This type of research is a survey explanatory with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were all patients who had used the services of the Regional General Hospital dr. Zubir Mahmud, East Aceh Regency in 2020, as many as 43,216 patients. The research sample consisted of 100 people. The data collection technique uses the documentation method, the interview method and the questionnaire method. The data analysis technique used the chi square test and multiple logistic regression tests at the 95% confidence level. The results showed that there was a significant effect between facilities (p = 0.000) and image (p = 0.001) on patient satisfaction. Facility factor with Exp value (B) of 14.489 is the most dominant factor affecting patient satisfaction of the Regional General Hospital dr. Zubir Mahmud, East Aceh Regency To the Regional General Hospital dr. Zubir Mahmud, East Aceh Regency is expected to increase the number of specialist medical services so that it can reduce cases of patient referrals to other districts so as to create a good image in the eyes of the community.

Antenatal care attendance and risk of low birthweight in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study

Background Low birthweight is a major contributor to infant mortality. We evaluated the association between antenatal care (ANC) attendance and low birthweight among newborns in 5 regions of Burkina Faso. Methods We utilized data from the baseline assessment of a randomized controlled trial evaluating azithromycin distribution during the neonatal period for prevention of infant mortality. Neonates were eligible for the trial if the weighed at least 2500 g at enrollment and were 8–27 days of age. Data on ANC attendance and birthweight was extracted from each child’s carnet de santé, a government-issued health card on which pregnancy and birth-related data are recorded. We used linear and logistic regression models adjusting for potentially confounding variables to evaluate the relationship between ANC attendance (as total number of visits and ≥ 4 antenatal care visits) and birthweight (continuously and categorized into < 2500 g versus ≥2500 g). Results Data from 21,223 births were included in the analysis. The median number of ANC visits was 4 (interquartile range 3 to 5) and 69% of mothers attended at least 4 visits. Mean birthweight was 2998 g (standard deviation 423) and 8.1% of infants were low birthweight (< 2500 g). Birthweight was 63 g (95% CI 46 to 81 g, P < 0.001) higher in newborns born to mothers who had attended ≥4 ANC visits versus < 4 visits. The odds of low birthweight among infants born to mothers with ≥4 ANC visits was 0.71 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.79, P < 0.001) times the odds of low birthweight among infants born to mothers who attended < 4 ANC visits. Conclusions We observed a statistically significant association between ANC attendance and birthweight, although absolute differences were small. Improving access to ANC for all women may help improve birth outcomes. Trial registration The parent trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03682653; first registered 24 September 2018.

A Study on Knowledge and Utilization of Soil Health Card by Small and Marginal Farmers in Nalanda District of Bihar

Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the farmers.Hence, there is a need for balanced use of fertilizers, keeping this government of India introduced Soil Health Card Scheme across India. On 5th December 2015 the ministry of agriculture introduced the soil health card (SHC) scheme.Some farmers complained that the soil test values are not representative of their fields and they also complained that the field staff are not collected soil samples in their presence.In this background an attempt was made to study the impact on socio-economic conditions of the small and marginal farmers.Total of 120 respondents was selected in Ekangarsarai block, Nalanda district, Bihar by purposive sampling method. The data was collected from them and analyzed using MS-excel.Given the short duration of the scheme, knowledge levels are good. At the same time participation of farmers in meetings, exposure visits are not high. Awareness campaigns need to be organized on content of SHCs, use of recommended practices, reduction in fertilizer use and costs and increase in profitability.

A DIFFERENTIATED APPROACH TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF OCCLUSIVE DISORDERS AT THE STAGES OF FUNCTIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE CHEWING APPARATUS

Occlusion is a harmonious interaction of the dental system in dynamics, ending with the contact of teeth in conditions of their normal or disturbed ratio. This is a complex action involving teeth, masticatory muscles, TMJ. Occlusive disorders are a reflection of the external manifestations of pathological processes of the dental system. There is no doubt that in the search for etiological factors of occlusion disorders, the problem will manifest itself in one of the parts of the chewing system. The aim of the study was to optimize the early diagnosis of occlusive disorders in young patients without violating the integrity of the dentition. Materials and methods. The study included 36 patients without a violation of the integrity of the dentition aged 18 to 25 years (15 men, 21 women), who did not complain of pain in the dental system. A comprehensive dental examination was carried out and an individual "questionnaire and patient's health card" was filled out. Computer analysis with the T-Scan III occlusiography system of the company Tekscan (USA) was used to register the nature of the closing of the dentition, the study of diagnostic models in the PROTAR evo 7 KAVO articulator, as well as the study of the registration of the difference in the biopotentials of the masticatory and temporal muscles proper in patients in the phase of relative physiological rest and with maximum jaw compression using a four-channel electromyograph Synapsis NMF Neurotech (Russia). The results showed that the prevalence of occlusive disorders in the study group is 83.3%. The abnormal position of the teeth in the dentition in combination with malocclusion anomalies, non-physiological relief of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth formed due to various factors which cause the appearance of premature contacts. This prevents the harmonious sliding movements of the lower jaw and is accompanied by articulatory changes in the entire chewing system.

Appraisal of Soil Health Card Scheme on Change in Cultivation Practices of Sali Rice in Darrang District, Assam

The study was conducted during 2017-18 to examine the changes observed in cultivation practices of Sali rice after receiving Soil Health Card (SHC) and for identifying the problems faced by respondents in utilising the SHC recommendations in Darrang district, Assam. A sample of 150 respondents was selected randomly by proportional allocation to size. The result showed that 74.66 per cent of the respondent did not apply the fertilizers as per SHC recommendation. For examining average change in terms of fertilizer application pattern, area and productivity of Sali rice intended for before and after getting SHC, no significant changes have been observed using student’s t-test at 5% level of significance. Increased in area under Sali rice was not significantly higher than before SHC was distributed. The distribution of SHC didn’t bring any changes in cultivation practices of sali rice during 2017-18 at Darrang district.Thus; the study has suggested providing extension support to farmers. Credit linkage through Kisan Credit Card will be helpful in increasing the production of rice and then market linkage may be established. For getting the better result it is necessary to link all the schemes with each other instead of implementing each scheme independently.

Utilization of Soil Health Card in Achieving Surplus Food Production in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh

Soil serves as a combination of minerals, organic matter, air, water and the countless micro-organisms that together support life on earth. Continued degradation of soils has adversely affected crop productivity in the country. The soil health has been impaired due to emergence of multi nutrient deficiencies and falling carbon levels. Government of India planned to issue Soil Health Cards to all the farmers under the scheme Soil Health card Scheme and launched this scheme in 2015. Soil Health Card Scheme has helped India achieve surplus capacity in food grain production. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. The study was conducted in few selected villages of Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh in which it was found that Soil Health Card scheme is being implemented and the farmers were aware of SHCS and are being motivated to utilize the information given in soil health cards. Andhra Pradesh has issued most number of soil health cards to its farmers. It is concluded that majority of respondents have medium level of knowledge and utilization of SHC. Nearly 50% of respondents were utilizing the information given by SHC and stated that there is increase in production.

Knowledge Level on Soil Health Management among Soil Health Card Holders of Namakkal District, India

Aims: Soil structural deterioration and degradation is a major concern in the present-day agriculture scenario. Poor soil health directly affects the health of the plant and its productivity; indirectly the health of human beings as well as animals. So, scientific knowledge of soil management on the part of the farmer-producers is necessary. So, the main aim of the study is to identify the knowledge level on soil health management among the soil health card holders. Study Design: Ex-post facto research. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Namakkal district of Tamilnadu during the months of July-August 2021. All the selected respondents were the holders of soil health card as it contains physical and chemical characteristics of soil, they have a working knowledge of research problem and were able to provide responses. Methodology: Data were collected by using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview method. The sample size is 120 selected from four blocks of Namakkal district. The statistical analysis applied were frequency distribution, percentage analysis, mean, and standard deviation. Results: The study shows that more than half of the soil health card holders (55.83 percent) had an overall high level of knowledge about soil health management practices. Conclusion: The soil health card scheme was brought to bring improvement of soil health in the long run by farmers all over the country. Thus, the knowledge of soil health management practices including modern technology can be disseminated to a greater extent for the benefit of the farmers including non-holders of soil health cards through formal and informal meetings and training.

Soil Health Assessment and Management: Recent Development in Science and Practices

In the past decade soil health has been intensively studied as a science and practiced as a means to help improve the global social, environmental, and economic sustainability. This paper reviews the recent advances of the scientific soil health system. The current understanding and interpretation of soil health from the perspectives of soil functions, processes, and properties is summarized. Multi-tier soil health indicators were selected from relevant soil physical, chemical, and biological parameters. A suite of soil health assessment methods have been developed, such as soil health card, Solvita soil health tests, Haney soil health test, and comprehensive assessment of soil health. An array of soil health management practices have been recommended, including proper land use, crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage, soil organic amendment, crop-range-livestock integration, and rotational grazing. Overall, the recommended soil health indicators and assessment methods need further validation and improvement in relevance, scientific validity, practicality, and local adaptation. Continuous research, education, and outreach efforts are warranted to promote localized development, adoption, and implementation of soil health assessment and management.