AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-12-08eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13311.3
Stevens Kisaka, Fredrick Makumbi, Samuel Majalija, Gloria Bahizi, S M Thumbi
{"title":"Delays in initiating rabies post-exposure prophylaxis among dog bite victims in Wakiso and Kampala districts, Uganda.","authors":"Stevens Kisaka, Fredrick Makumbi, Samuel Majalija, Gloria Bahizi, S M Thumbi","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13311.3","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13311.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Although rabies in dog bite patients is preventable through timely initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a number of barriers to achieving PEP exist. This study investigated the delays to initiation of PEP among dog bite patients in the emergency departments of two PEP centers in Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among dog-bite patients that presented to two selected rabies PEP centers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Delay to receive PEP was defined as reporting for PEP beyond 24 hours after the bite event. Generalized linear models were used to calculate prevalence ratios and the 95% confidence intervals as a measure of association between delay and patient factors. Results Out of 376 participants, just over half (53.5%) were males. The majority of participants (54.0%) were 15 years or older and 28.5% had no formal education. Just over three-quarters (77.9%) had category II dog bite wounds. Nearly 40% delayed to receive PEP, and median (inter quartile range) lag time between bite event and seeking medical care of 18 (41) hours. Compared to education level of secondary or above, patients with no formal education (adj. PR=4.06, 95% CI: 2.69 - 6.10) or primary education (adj.PR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.37 - 3.35), belonging to the lowest socio-economic tertile as compared to the highest (adj.PR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.10 - 2.28), knowing the owner of the biting dog (adj.PR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.65) and having category II wounds (adj.PR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.43 - 3.71) were all associated with delayed presentation for PEP. Conclusions and recommendations Delays to receive PEP are common and are associated with poor level of education or low socio-economic status, knowledge of who the dog owner is and less severity of bite wounds. Seeking care irrespective of wound severity or knowledge of dog owner should be promoted.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"4 ","pages":"49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9648361.3/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9152866","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}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-08-05eCollection Date: 2022-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13353.2
Raphael Magnolini, Elizabeth Senkoro, Aneth Vedastus Kalinjuma, Olivia Kitau, Bernard Kivuma, Leila Samson, Anna Eichenberger, Getrud Joseph Mollel, Eileen Krinke, James Okuma, Robert Ndege, Tracy Glass, Herry Mapesi, Fiona Vanobberghen, Manuel Battegay, Maja Weisser
{"title":"Stigma-directed services (Stig2Health) to improve 'linkage to care' for people living with HIV in rural Tanzania: study protocol for a nested pre-post implementation study within the Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort.","authors":"Raphael Magnolini, Elizabeth Senkoro, Aneth Vedastus Kalinjuma, Olivia Kitau, Bernard Kivuma, Leila Samson, Anna Eichenberger, Getrud Joseph Mollel, Eileen Krinke, James Okuma, Robert Ndege, Tracy Glass, Herry Mapesi, Fiona Vanobberghen, Manuel Battegay, Maja Weisser","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13353.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13353.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> HIV-related stigma is a major barrier to the timely linkage and retention of patients in HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa, where most people living with HIV/AIDS reside. In this implementation study we aim to evaluate the effect of stigma-directed services on linkage to care and other health outcomes in newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients. <b>Methods</b>: In a nested project of the Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort in rural Tanzania, we conduct a prospective observational pre-post study to assess the impact of a bundle of stigma-directed services for newly diagnosed HIV positive patients. Stigma-directed services, delivered by a lay person living with HIV, are i) post-test counseling, ii) post-test video-assisted teaching, iii) group support therapy and group health education, and iv) mobile health. Patients receiving stigma services (enrolled from 1 <sup>st</sup> February 2020 to 31 <sup>st</sup> August 2021) are compared to a historical control receiving the standard of care (enrolled from 1 <sup>st</sup> July 2017 to 1 <sup>st</sup> February 2019). The primary outcome is 'linkage to care'. Secondary endpoints are retention in care, viral suppression, death and clinical failure at 6-12 months (up to 31 <sup>st</sup> August 2022). Self-reported stigma and depression are assessed using the Berger Stigma scale and the PHQ-9 questionnaire, respectively. The sample size calculation was based on cohort data from 2018. Assuming a pre-intervention cohort of 511 newly diagnosed adults of whom 346 (68%) were in care and on antiretroviral treatment (ART) at 2 months, a 10% increase in linkage (from 70 to 80%), a two-sided type I error rate of 5%, and 90% power, 321 adults are required for the post-implementation group. <b>Discussion:</b> We expect that integration of stigma-directed services leads to an increase of proportions of patients in care and on ART. The findings will provide guidance on how to integrate stigma-directed services into routine care in rural sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"5 ","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9648364/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9146702","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}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-06-27eCollection Date: 2022-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13349.2
Joel L Bargul, Denna M Mkwashapi, Imelda Namagembe, Immaculate Nakityo, Annettee Nakimuli, Josaphat Byamugisha, Daniel Semakula, Janet Seeley, Nelson K Sewankambo
{"title":"Case studies from the experience of early career researchers in East Africa in building community engagement in research.","authors":"Joel L Bargul, Denna M Mkwashapi, Imelda Namagembe, Immaculate Nakityo, Annettee Nakimuli, Josaphat Byamugisha, Daniel Semakula, Janet Seeley, Nelson K Sewankambo","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13349.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13349.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> In this paper, we explain how three early career researchers actively engaged community members in their health research projects in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and what was learnt from the experience. The research project in Kenya was on camel trypanosomiasis and the role of camel biting keds (or louse flies) in disease transmission. The project in Tanzania looked at the effect of human immunodeficiency virus and antiretroviral therapy on fertility and ascertained the trends in the use of family planning services amongst women of reproductive age. The focus of the project in Uganda was the implementation of maternal death surveillance and the response policy to determine the cause of maternal deaths and how they might be prevented. <b>Methods:</b> In the three different settings, efforts to ensure local community engagement provided a focus for the researchers to hone their skills in explaining research concepts and working in partnership with community members to co-develop ideas, their research methods and outputs. <b>Results:</b> Involvement of communities in scientific research, which entailed a two-way mutual engagement process, led to (i) generation of new research ideas that shaped the work, (ii) strengthened mutual trust, and (iii) promoted uptake of research findings. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our key findings strongly support the need for considering community engagement as one of the key components in research studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"5 ","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10541536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139698474","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}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-03-25DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13345.1
T. Ferreira, W. Stone, Emile Vercuil, Marna Lourens, Nolwandle Made, T. Madonsela
{"title":"Small area estimation for South African resource distribution and policy impacts during COVID-19","authors":"T. Ferreira, W. Stone, Emile Vercuil, Marna Lourens, Nolwandle Made, T. Madonsela","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13345.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13345.1","url":null,"abstract":"The South African constitutional social justice commitment and equality duty requires that everyone is treated with equal consideration, but also tilts the scales in favour of the most disadvantaged. This paper explores the challenge of utilising publicly available data to promote social justice in resource distribution and fair access to essential services during crisis regulations, and explores Small Area Estimation (SAE) as a method to overcome some of these data challenges. The paper evaluates the strengths and limitations of the primary South African datasets that were available to inform fiscal and resource relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis. The potential to use SAE was found to be limited due to data constraints but statistics were generated at a district council level from data statistically representative at national level. This demonstrated stark disparities in hunger, access to medical products and piped water - all critical equality considerations during a pandemic. However, the level of disaggregation achieved with SAE is shown to be ineffective to represent the geographical disparities indicative of the true South African population, where extreme inequalities manifest in much closer proximities. This supports the need for improved statistical tools and more targeted and resolved data gathering efforts, to inform fair, social-impact conscious and equality-congruent regulatory impact, as well as just fiscal relief during crisis. Particularly, this work proposes the development of such tools and repositories outside of crisis times, to facilitate awareness of equality and justice issues during the tensions of national crisis.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49588069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-03-16DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13349.1
Joel L. Bargul, Denna M. Mkwashapi, I. Namagembe, Immaculate Nakityo, A. Nakimuli, J. Byamugisha, Daniel Semakula, J. Seeley, N. Sewankambo
{"title":"Building community and public engagement in research – the experience of early career researchers in East Africa","authors":"Joel L. Bargul, Denna M. Mkwashapi, I. Namagembe, Immaculate Nakityo, A. Nakimuli, J. Byamugisha, Daniel Semakula, J. Seeley, N. Sewankambo","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13349.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13349.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In this paper, we explain how three early career researchers actively engaged community members in health research in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in their research projects, and what was learnt from the experience. The research project in Kenya was on camel trypanosomiasis and the role of camel biting keds (or louse flies) in disease transmission. The project in Tanzania looked at the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy on fertility and ascertained the trends in the use of family planning services amongst women of reproductive age. The focus of the project in Uganda was the implementation of maternal death surveillance and the response policy to determine the cause of maternal deaths and how they might be prevented. Methods: In the three different settings, efforts to ensure local community engagement provided a focus for the researchers to hone their skills in explaining research concepts and working in partnership with community members to co-develop ideas, their research methods and outputs. Results: Involvement of communities in scientific research, which entailed a two-way mutual engagement process, led to (i) generation of new research ideas that shaped the work, (ii) strengthened mutual trust, and (iii) promoted uptake of research findings. Conclusions: Our key findings strongly support the need for considering community engagement as one of the key components in research studies.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44350842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-03-16eCollection Date: 2022-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13351.1
Anne Maina, Marianne Mureithi, John Kiiru, Gunturu Revathi
{"title":"Systemic and Mucosal Concentrations of Nine Cytokines Among Individuals with <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> infection in Nairobi Kenya.","authors":"Anne Maina, Marianne Mureithi, John Kiiru, Gunturu Revathi","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13351.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13351.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction</b>: The human-restricted sexually transmitted <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> (NG) has been shown to modulate the immune response against it and consequently the cytokines produced. The levels of cytokines in NG infection in the African population have not been well described. We aimed to quantify the systemic and mucosal cytokines in NG infection. <b>Methods</b>: This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Levels of nine cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, 1L-6, 1L-10, 1L-12p70, IL-17A, TNF-α and INF-γ) were measured from plasma and genital samples (urethral swabs in men and cervicovaginal lavage in women) from 61 <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> infected individuals seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at Casino Health Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. A comparative group of 61 NG-uninfected individuals, seeking treatment at the same facility but with laboratory-confirmed negative <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i>, <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> (CT), <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> (MG) and <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>(TV) was also included. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the cytokine levels between NG-infected and uninfected individuals. Data was analyzed using STATA ver. 15.1. <b>Results</b>: Overall, systemic IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 were elevated while genital IL-10 and TNF-α were lower in NG positive participants. On subgroup analysis by sex, the levels of genital IL-1β and IL-6 and systemic IL-6 were elevated in NG-infected men. None of the genital cytokines were elevated in NG-infected women, while all systemic cytokines, except INF-γ, were elevated in NG-infected women. <b>Conclusions</b>: <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> induced the production of different cytokines in men and women, with men having a pro-inflammatory genital response. These differences should be taken into consideration during development of various interventions e.g. vaccine development.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10839855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45977339","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":"Detecting wetland encroachment and urban agriculture land classification in Uganda using hyper-temporal remote sensing.","authors":"Stella Kabiri, Molly Allen, Juduth Toma Okuonzia, Beatrice Akello, Rebecca Ssabaganzi, Drake Mubiru","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13040.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13040.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Urbanization is an important indicator of economic growth and social change but is associated with environmental degradation, which threatens the sustainable growth of African cities. One of the most vulnerable ecosystems in urban areas are wetlands. In Uganda, wetlands cover an area of 11% of the country's land area. Half of the wetland areas in Ugandan cities have been converted to industrial and residential areas, and urban agriculture. There is limited information on the extent of wetland conversion or utilization for urban agriculture. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of wetlands lost in two Ugandan cities, Wakiso and Kampala, in the last 30 years. Secondly, we extracted crop agriculture in the wetlands of Kampala and Wakiso from hyper-temporal satellite image analysis in an attempt to produce a spatial detail of wetland encroachment maps of urban agriculture using a reproducible mapmaking method. <b>Methods:</b> Using a field survey and free remote sensing data from Landsat TM 1986 and Landsat ETM 2016 we classified the rate of wetland loss and encroachment between the years 1986 and 2016. We used MODIS NDVI 16-day composites at a 500-meter spatial resolution to broaden the analysis to distinguish distinctive crops and crop mixtures in the encroached wetlands for urban agriculture using the ISODATA clustering algorithm. <b>Results:</b> Over 30 years, 72,828 ha (73%) of the Wakiso-Kampala wetlands have been lost meanwhile agriculture areas have doubled. Of this 16,488 ha (23%) were converted from wetlands. All cultivated agriculture in Kampala was in the wetlands while in Wakiso, 73% of crop agriculture was in the wetlands. The major crops grown in these urban wetlands were banana (20%), sugarcane (22%), maize (17%), <i>Eucalyptus</i> trees (12%), sweet potatoes (10%), while ornamental nurseries, pine trees, vegetables, and passion fruits were each at 5%.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10521074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46479693","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}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-02-11DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13301.1
M. Foláyan, M. El Tantawi, Randa H. Yassin, O. Arowolo, N. Sam-Agudu
{"title":"Sexual health risk indicators and their associations with caries status and gingival health of adolescents resident in sub-urban South-West Nigeria","authors":"M. Foláyan, M. El Tantawi, Randa H. Yassin, O. Arowolo, N. Sam-Agudu","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13301.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13301.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Adolescents are at high risk of poor sexual and oral health. We investigated for sexual risk factors associated with caries experience and gingival health among adolescents in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 10-19-year-old adolescents in Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria through a household survey conducted between December 2018 and January 2019. Information collected included age; sex; socioeconomic status; sexual practices (vaginal, oral, anal sex); sexual (transactional sex, multiple sex partners, condom use at last sexual intercourse) and oral health (frequency of tooth brushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, dental service utilization in the last 12 months, consumption of refined carbohydrates in-between meals) risk behaviors; caries experience; and gingival health. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between explanatory variables (sexual and oral health risk behaviors) and outcome variables (caries experience and gingivitis). Results: There were no significant associations between caries experience and history of sexual intercourse (OR:1.00); condom use at last sex act (OR:0.68); and having one (OR:2.27) or more sexual partners. Also, there was no significant association between moderate/severe gingivitis and a history of anal (OR:2.96), oral (OR:2.69), or vaginal (OR:1.40) sex; and a report of having one (OR:1.71) or more (OR:2.57) sex partners. Conclusions: Some sexual health risk indicators insignificantly increase the risk for caries and moderate/severe gingivitis. Screening for sexual risk behaviors during dental care may be a suitable wellness programs approach for adolescents.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46274073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-02-09DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13313.1
Florian Finda, Marceline F. Finda, A. Olotu
{"title":"Barriers and drivers of voluntary blood donation in northern and Western Tanzania","authors":"Florian Finda, Marceline F. Finda, A. Olotu","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13313.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13313.1","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Every second, someone in the world needs blood due to surgery, trauma, severe anemia or pregnancy complications. There is a shortage of blood for transfusion worldwide, with the heaviest burden faced by sub–Saharan Africa. In countries like Tanzania, the major source of blood is voluntary blood donation, making its supply one of the most challenging in the health care system. This study assessed the magnitude of the deficit of blood in blood banks, and explored views of key stakeholders on the need, availability and opportunities for improving blood donations in northern and Western Tanzania. Methods: This was an explanatory sequential mixed method study done in the Mpanda and Moshi districts in the Katavi and Kilimanjaro regions. A quantitative component involved a questionnaire survey with 253 community members from the two districts and 24 months blood bank records. The survey explored awareness and perceptions of voluntary blood donation. A qualitative component involved four focus group discussions with registered voluntary blood donors and health care providers from the National Blood Transfusion Service in the two districts. Results: Blood bank records indicated that more blood was collected in Katavi compared to the Kilimanjaro region. Only 26% of the survey respondents had ever donated blood in their lifetime, three quarters of these were from Mpanda district. There was no significant association between socio-demographic factors and likelihood of blood donation. However, being male, older (51 years and above), having higher household income and secondary school education were significantly associated with higher awareness of voluntary blood donation. Community sensitization, education, incentives and availability of blood donation centers near communities were among the most important factors listed to improve blood donation. Conclusions: Significant efforts need to be placed on sensitization and improving knowledge and awareness of voluntary blood donations in order to improve its uptake.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47696362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-02-04DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13328.1
M. Kamita, J. Mutungi, S. Mungai, D. Mureithi, C. Kijogi, R. Kimani, D. Ndegwa, J. Maina, J. Gitaka
{"title":"A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice about antibiotic prescribing and resistance among medical practitioners in Kenya","authors":"M. Kamita, J. Mutungi, S. Mungai, D. Mureithi, C. Kijogi, R. Kimani, D. Ndegwa, J. Maina, J. Gitaka","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13328.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13328.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat worldwide and especially in developing countries. Irrational antibiotic prescription as well as lack of the requisite knowledge and awareness of proper antibiotic use are major drivers of antibiotic resistance. In Kenya, although the Ministry of Health has developed antibiotic use guidelines, these guidelines are not widely followed. Antibiotic prescription is, therefore, hugely at the discretion of the clinician. It is thus necessary to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of antibiotic prescription among medical practitioners in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among antibiotic prescribers in three counties (Kiambu, Nakuru, and Bungoma) in Kenya. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics were used to generate frequencies, percentages, and proportions. Where necessary, univariate analyses such as Pearson’s chi-square were performed to compare proportions for statistical significance. Results From the three counties, 240 respondents recorded their responses: 30% from Kiambu, 34.6% from Nakuru, and 35.4% from Bungoma. The respondents included 19 (7.9%) consultants, 66 (27.4%) medical officers, 135 (56.3%) clinical officers and 20 (8.3%) pharmacists. Of all respondents, more than 90% agreed or strongly agreed that antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a catastrophe worldwide and in Kenya. However, the proportion of the respondents who either agreed or strongly agreed (71.6%) that antibiotic resistance is a problem in their respective health facilities was significantly lower (ρ=0.013). Conclusion This study revealed that most medical practitioners were aware and knowledgeable about antibiotic resistance. However, there was a disconnect with mitigation measures such as active antibiotic stewardship and laboratory analyses to support judicious prescription. There is, therefore, a need for continuous education and stewardship interventions.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44036711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}