Tropical Medicine and Health最新文献

{"title":"Barriers and misconceptions hindering reduction of intestinal schistosomiasis in Mbita Sub-County, Western Kenya.","authors":"Ngetich B Cheruiyot, Sachiyo Nagi, Asena E Chadeka, Rie Takeuchi, Miho Sassa, Bahati Felix, Noriko Kobayashi, Taeko Moriyasu, Janet Masaku, Gordon Okomo, Collins Ouma, Doris Njomo, Sammy M Njenga, Shinjiro Hamano","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00602-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00602-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community and individual participation are crucial for the success of schistosomiasis control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of enhanced sanitation, health education, and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in the fight against schistosomiasis. These approaches rely on the knowledge and practices of the community to be successful; however, where the community knowledge is low and inappropriate, it hinders intervention efforts. Hence, it is essential to identify barriers and misconceptions related to awareness of schistosomiasis, sources of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, and control measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a mixed-method cross-sectional study involving 1200 pre-school children randomly selected and examined for Schistosoma mansoni infection using the Kato-Katz technique. All parents/guardians of selected children were enrolled for a pre-tested questionnaire survey, while 42 were engaged in focus group discussions (FGDs). The level of knowledge and awareness among parents/guardians about schistosomiasis was evaluated in relation to the infection status of their pre-school children.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among pre-school children, the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 45.1% (95% CI 41.7-48.5). A majority of parents/guardians (85.5%) had heard about schistosomiasis, and this awareness was associated with the participant's level of education (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.08, 0.34). In addition, a positive association was observed between higher educational attainment and knowledge of the causative agent (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.49, 0.96). Low education level was significantly associated with limited knowledge of transmission through lake water contact (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52, 0.97) and infection from the lake (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.19, 0.57). Notably, parents/guardians who have heard of schistosomiasis could not recognize symptoms of S. mansoni infection, such as abdominal pain (91.8%, 815/888) and blood in the stool (85.1%, 756/888). Surprisingly, 49.8% (442/888) incorrectly identified hematuria (blood in urine), a key sign of S. haematobium, but not S. mansoni, in an endemic area for S. mansoni infection. The majority (82.6%, 734/888) of parents/guardians were unaware that dams are potential infection sites, despite 53.9% (479/888) of their pre-school-aged children testing positive for schistosome infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the high level of awareness of intestinal schistosomiasis in the study area, we identified a low level of knowledge regarding its causes, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms and potential sites of transmission within the community. This study emphasizes the need for targeted educational interventions to address the misconceptions and knowledge gaps surrounding intestinal schistosomiasis through tailored community-based programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"38"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11092127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140920903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ghana's path towards eliminating lymphatic filariasis.","authors":"Munawar Harun Koray","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00596-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00596-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a debilitating parasitic disease that has been prevalent in various parts of the world, including China and Ghana. This paper explores the historical context of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana and China, as well as the fights towards eliminating the disease in both countries. The review also covered the strategies employed by the Chinese government to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and the key lessons that Ghana can learn from China's success. The discussion highlights the importance of political commitment, multisectoral collaboration, tailoring control strategies to local contexts, adopting a comprehensive approach, and emphasising health education and community mobilisation. By adopting these lessons and fostering a robust national strategy, engaging diverse stakeholders, and ensuring active community involvement, Ghana can work towards achieving lymphatic filariasis elimination, improving public health, and fostering sustainable development.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"37"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11088759/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140909204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among residents in selected townships, Yangon Region, Myanmar: a community-based cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ye Minn Htun, Nyan Lin Maung, Dwe Kyaw Ko, Han Myo Htut, Min Khant Phyo, Wai Lynn Aung, Hein Khant Zaw, Aung Kyaw Min, Aung Phyo Kyaw, Thet Swe, Kaung Khant Zaw, Kyaw Swar Naing Win, Khant Ko Ko, Khant Min Thaw, Saw Pyae Aung, Saw Yan Aung, Soe San Htun, Soe Htet Paing, Soe Lin Htun, Zaw Myo Naing, Zin Ko Htun, Htoo Naung, Htun Htun Oo, Naing Ye Hla, Aung Kyaw San, Hpone Myint Myat, Phone Shan Htet, Min Khant Mon, Ye Myat Paing, Wai Lin Phyo, Win Khant Paing, Thu Rein, Thit Lwin Oo, Thet Paing Zaw, Thet Lynn Oo, Thint Myat Thu, Than Toe Aung, Hein Htet Soe, Aung Kyaw Soe, Aung Myint Oo, Aung Aung, Pyae Phyo Aung, Htun Aung Kyaw, Hpone Pji Kyaw, Yan Naing Myint Soe, Myint Myat Ko, Zin Ko Aung, Kyaw Thiha Aung, Yan Paing Chit Lwin, Wai Yan, Phyo Tayza Soe, Zin Linn Htet, Nay Hein Sint, Zayar Aung, Zin Thu Winn, Kaung Si Thu, Nyan Htet Shan, Nyan Sint Htun, Tun Tun Win, Kyaw Myo Tun","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00603-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00603-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To fight the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries have implemented various mitigation measures to contain the spread of the disease. By engaging with health service providers, the community's participation in adherence to preventive measures is certainly required in the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its associated factors among the residents, Yangon Region, Myanmar.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 636 residents in Yangon Region, Myanmar, from October to December 2021. A multistage non-probability sampling method, purposively selected for three townships in Yangon Region and convenience sampling for 212 participants from each township, was applied and the data were collected by face-to-face interviews using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the significant variables of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>As a level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, the proportion of residents who had good adherence was 39.3% (95% CI 35.5-43.2%), moderate adherence was 37.6% (95% CI 33.8-41.5%), and poor adherence was 23.1% (95% CI 19.9-26.6%). The age group of 31-40 years (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI 1.62-6.05), 30 years and younger (AOR: 3.22, 95% CI 1.75-5.92), Burmese ethnicity (AOR: 2.52, 95% CI 1.44-4.39), own business (AOR: 3.19, 95% CI 1.15-8.87), high school education level and below (AOR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.02-2.69), less than 280.90 USD of monthly family income (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.01-2.29), low knowledge about COVID-19 (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI 1.26-2.88) were significantly associated with poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this study, nearly one-fourth of the residents were experiencing poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, building up the risk communication through the community using widely used mainstream media, the continuation of disease surveillance and announcement of updated information or advice for the public to increase awareness towards COVID-19, and enforcement to follow the recommended directions and regulations of health institutions are vital to consider for improving the adherence to preventive measures against COVID-19 among the residents.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"36"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11088027/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140909240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decentralization and immunization program in a single-party state: the case of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.","authors":"Phonevilay Viphonephom, Sengchanh Kounnavong, Daniel Reinharz","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00601-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00601-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), a lower-middle-income country, lags behind other Southeast Asian countries in immunization coverage for children under two years of age. The organization of health services is a key determinant of the functionality of immunization programs. However, this aspect, and in particular its decentralization component of the healthcare system, has never been studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case study in the Lao National Immunization Program was performed using a neo-institutional theory-based conceptual framework, highlighting the structure (rules, laws, resources, etc.) and interpretative schemes (dominant beliefs and ideas) that underlie the state of decentralization of the healthcare system that support the conduct of the immunization program. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with representative actors from various government levels, external donors, and civil society, in four provinces. Data were complemented with information retrieved from relevant documents.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Lao healthcare system has a deconcentrated form of decentralization. It has a largely centralized structure, albeit with certain measures promoting the decentralization of its immunization programs. The structure underlying the state of centralization of immunization services provided is coherent with a shared dominant interpretive scheme. However, the rapid economic, technical, and educational changes affecting the country suggest that the coherence between structure and interpretative schemes is bound to change.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Unprecedented opportunities to access quality higher education and the use of social networks are factors in Lao PDR that could affect the distribution of responsibilities of the different levels of government for public health programs such as the National Immunization Program.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11075326/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bio-efficacy of Olyset^® Plus, PermaNet^® 3.0 and Interceptor^® G2 on pyrethroid-resistant populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. prior to the June 2023 net distribution campaign in Benin, West Africa.","authors":"David Mahouton Zoungbédji, Germain Gil Padonou, Arthur Sovi, Alphonse Keller Konkon, Albert Sourou Salako, Roseric Azondékon, Aboubakar Sidick, Juvénal Minassou Ahouandjinou, Linda Towakinou, Razaki Ossè, Rock Aïkpon, Cyriaque Affoukou, Lamine Baba-Moussa, Martin Akogbéto","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00599-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00599-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study investigates the effectiveness of new-generation mosquito nets, like Olyset^® Plus and PermaNet^® 3.0, and dual-action nets such as Interceptor^® G2, against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes following the 2023 mass distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Benin.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We tested wild mosquito populations from six communes in Benin against various pyrethroid (permethrin 0.75%, alphacypermethrin 0.05%, and deltamethrin 0.05%) using WHO tube tests. Additionally, we exposed mosquitoes to chlorfenapyr 100 µg/ml using the CDC bottle bioassay method. A subset of mosquitoes underwent biochemical and PCR tests to check the overexpression of metabolic enzymes and the Kdr L1014F mutation. We evaluated the effectiveness of Olyset^® Plus, PermaNet^® 3.0, and Interceptor^® G2 nets using cone and tunnel tests on both laboratory and field populations of An. gambiae.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, the highest mortality rate was 60% with pyrethroid and 98 to100% with chlorfenapyr. In cone tests, all three types of nets induced mortality rates above 80% in the susceptible laboratory strain of An. gambiae. Notably, Olyset^® Plus showed the highest mortality rates for pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes in cone tests, ranging from 81.03% (95% CI: 68.59-90.13) in Djougou to 96.08% (95% CI: 86.54-99.52) in Akpro-Missérété. PermaNet^® 3.0 had variable rates, from 42.5% (95% CI: 27.04-59.11) in Djougou to 58.54% (95% CI: 42.11-73.68) in Porto-Novo. However, revealed good results for Interceptor^® G2, with 94% (95% CI: 87.40-97.77) mortality and 89.09% blood sampling inhibition in local populations of An. gambiae. In comparison, Interceptor^® had lower rates of 17% (95% CI: 10.23-25.82) and 60%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results suggest that tunnel tests are effective for evaluating dual-active ingredient nets. Additionally, Interceptor^® G2 and PBO nets like Olyset^® Plus could be considered as alternatives against pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11059851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140864019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine among children under 5 years in Africa: a meta-analysis.","authors":"Babayemi O Olakunde, Ijeoma M Ifeorah, Daniel A Adeyinka, Olubunmi A Olakunde, Temitayo Ogundipe, John O Olawepo, Echezona E Ezeanolue","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00594-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00594-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Africa is mostly acquired before the age of 5 years through vertical or horizontal routes. While all the countries in the World Health Organization African region have introduced HBV vaccination into their national immunization programs, the rate of protective immune response to HBV vaccine among children in Africa has not been systematically synthesized. In this study, we estimated the HBV vaccine seroprotection rate (defined as anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 IU/L) and the associated factors among under-five children who completed a primary series of HBV vaccination in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched PubMed, Web Science, and Scopus databases from inception to May 2022 for potentially eligible studies. The pooled seroprotection rate was estimated using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation and the associated factors were examined using odds ratio estimated by the DerSimonian and Laird method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the 1063 records identified, 29 studies with a total sample size of 9167 under-five children were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled seroprotection rate was 89.23% (95% CI   85.68-92.33%, I² = 95.96%, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, there was a significant difference in the rate by the assay method, vaccine dose, and vaccine combination. HIV-positive children had lower odds of achieving seroprotection when compared with HIV-negative children (OR = 0.22, 95%CI   0.12-0.40).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of under-five children in Africa achieved seroprotection after completing three or four doses of HBV vaccine. However, the rate was lower among children living with HIV. This calls for interventions to timely identify and address nonresponse to HBV vaccine, particularly among immunosuppressed children.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10983738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140336918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-country case study on school health policy and its implementation in relation to COVID-19 control in Micronesia Small Islands Developing States.","authors":"Fumiko Shibuya, Margaret Hattori-Uchima, Paul Dacanay, Florence Peter, Tarmau Terry Ngirmang, Rudelyn Dacanay, Rie Takeuchi, Calvin de Los Reyes, Jun Kobayashi","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00590-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00590-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and rises in mental illness and non-communicable disease among school children worldwide. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) were also affected, but school health activities, which can effectively reduce negative effects of COVID-19, were not widely implemented compared to other Asia-Pacific countries. This study examined current school health implementation and related policies at national, local, and school levels in the Micronesia SIDS according to phases of COVID-19 control.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Multi-country case study targeted the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau (ROP). These studies focused on school health implementation periods according to the PPR (Prevention, Preparedness, and Response) concept: Phase #1: prevention/preparedness, #2: early phase response, and #3: chronic phase response/recovery phase. Data were collected through policy document reviews that identified school health policies related to COVID-19 controls in the three phases and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 44 key informants (FSM, n = 14; RMI, n = 18; ROP, n = 12) whose work related to school health. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis methods according to the conceptual framework in this study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study identified three factors of school health implementation related to COVID-19 controls: promotion of decentralized education (FSM), implementation of COVID-19 controls in the school community (RMI), and disaster management for the protection of students including response to infectious disease (ROP). In Phase #1, no country had established a school health policy. In Phase #2, three enablers were identified in FSM and ROP, as reflected in COVID-19 controls by the education and health sectors. In Phase #3, RMI implemented COVID-19 controls in the school community. Documents on youth policy and disaster management in ROP were updated to reflect the chronic phase response and response to future public health crises.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A decentralized education was instrumental in immediately implementing COVID-19 control measures in schools at national and local levels for coordination between education and health sectors. Despite each county's multi-sectoral approach to engage COVID-19 controls in schools, local government organization requires strengthening and implementation of the formulated school health policy. In preparation for the next public health crisis, school health should be promoted that is integrated into both infection control and disaster management.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10979614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140327200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A descriptive study of stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar.","authors":"Thant Zin Tun, Su Myat Han, Kazuhiko Moji, Mitsuaki Matsui","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00592-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00592-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke is a leading cause of death in the world, and the burden of stroke is higher in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the risk factors, complications, and outcomes of stroke are useful for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Little information on stroke is available for many low- and middle-income Asian countries; including Myanmar, which is the focus of this study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A review was conducted of medical records for stroke admissions during 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar. The final diagnoses, risk factors, clinical features, complications, and outcomes were systematically collected from computer- and paper-based medical records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 908 cases analysed, haemorrhagic stroke was the most common type (49%), followed by ischaemic stroke (43%). Unimproved cases were 32%. Identified risk factors of unimproved cases were 'haemorrhagic stroke' [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.73], 'having fever during hospitalization' [aOR: 2.49], 'Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the admission between 9 and 14' [aOR: 4.33], and GCS less than 9 [aOR: 42.86].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is based on hospital medical records to assess stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital, in Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar. The findings indicated that early case admission, improved hospital care management, and increased awareness of the modifiable risk factors within populations are crucial for preventing stroke incidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10946113/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140159125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dengue among public school teachers in a Central Luzon Province in the Philippines: an analytic cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ernesto R Gregorio, Rie Takeuchi, Paul Michael R Hernandez, John Robert Medina, Shin-Ya Kawamura, Mikaela B Salanguit, Marian Danille C Santillan, Kimberly Mae S Ramos, Gideon John Tuliao, Lyndon Morales, Maylin Palatino, Fumiko Shibuya, Jun Kobayashi","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00591-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00591-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dengue has become a major health issue in tropical regions as the numbers of reported cases and estimated infections continuously increase. In the Philippines, many challenges remain in preventing and controlling the disease amidst all the mitigation efforts of the government. This study sought to measure the health literacy of Filipino teachers and determine the associations among teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and selected practices (KAP) against dengue.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Elementary and secondary school teachers from the consistently declared dengue hotspots in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, from the years 2017 to 2019 were selected as target participants in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered online survey tool was used in this study for both screening of participants and the KAP survey proper. STATA, descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study comprised 604 participants whose mean age was 38.4 years. Television was determined as the top media source of information, and various health staff were the most trusted and common source of information. Good knowledge on dengue treatment (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.18-2.78) and dengue prevention (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.26-2.71) were positively associated with having good practices on protection against mosquito bites. Good knowledge on dengue signs and symptoms (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.02-2.37) and dengue prevention (OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.59-3.58) were positively associated with having good practices on preventing breeding sites. Those with positive perceived susceptibility to dengue had lower odds of having good practices on protection against mosquito bites (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.41-0.99) and of having good practices on preventing breeding sites (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.81).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Even with the existing dengue policies, programs, and strategies, and the high disease literacy rate of Filipinos, dengue remains a struggle with an increasing case rate. Therefore, specific concepts should be emphasized, and interventions should be fine-tuned to better reach and influence the target population to attain a dengue-free Philippines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10941585/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140140868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmic surgical procedures in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre study.","authors":"Naseer Ally, Sarah Ismail, Natasha Naidu, Ismail Makda, Ismail Mayet, Michael E Gyasi, Peter Makafui, Arlette Nomo, Chantal Nanfack, Anesu T Madikane, Walda D Pohl, Bayanda N Mbambisa, Jonathan T Oettle, Feyi Adepoju, Toibat B Tota-Bolarinwa, Amelia Buque, Sidonia J N Khalau, Douglas Zirima, Brian Takayidza, Ugochukwu A Eze, Akinyemi Adedeji, Frank Sandi, Jacinta Feksi, Ogugua Okonkwo, Adekunle Hassan, Nagib du Toit, Shahlaa Petersen, Caroline Tsimi, Viola Dovoma, Mustapha Bature, Mohammed Adamu, Suhanyah Okeke, Ifeoma N Asimadu, Nkiru N Kizor-Akaraiwe, Chinyelu N Ezisi, Henry E Nkumbe, Tchoyou T M Olivier, Hassan D Alli","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00589-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00589-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare and ophthalmology services globally. Numerous studies amongst various medical and surgical specialties showed a reduction in patient attendance and surgical procedures performed. Prior published ophthalmic literature focused on specific types of procedures and were usually single centre. The current study attempts to quantify the impact on a larger scale, namely that of sub-Saharan Africa, and to include all ophthalmic subspecialties.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective analysis of the surgical records from 17 ophthalmology centres in seven countries located in East, Central, West and Southern Africa. The date of declaration of the first lockdown was used as the beginning of the pandemic and the pivot point to compare theatre records one year prior to the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic. We examined the total number of surgical procedures over the two year period and categorized them according to ophthalmic subspecialty and type of procedure performed. We then compared the pre-pandemic and pandemic surgical numbers over the two year period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 26,357 ophthalmic surgical procedures performed with a significant decrease in the first year of the pandemic (n = 8942) compared to the year prior to the pandemic (n = 17,415). The number of surgical procedures performed was lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic by 49% [Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 95% CI 0.41-0.64), 27% (0.73, 0.55-0.99), 46% (0.54, 0.30-0.99), 40% (0.60, 0.39-0.92) and 59% (0.41, 0.29-0.57) in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined), West, Central, East and Southern Africa, respectively]. The number of surgical procedures in the different sub-specialty categories in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined) was significantly lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic, except for glaucoma (IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-1.01), oncology (0.71, 0.48-1.05), trauma (0.90, 0.63-1.28) and vitreoretinal (0.67, 0.42-1.08) categories.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple regions and countries on the African continent. The identification of which surgical subspecialty was most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in each region allows for better planning and resource allocation to address these backlogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10941409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140132663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}