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}
AAS Open ResearchPub Date : 2022-02-04eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13249.2
Robert O Gembo, Ochieng Aoyi, Stephen Majoni, Anita Etale, Sebusi Odisitse, Cecil K King'ondu
{"title":"Synthesis of bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-</sub> <sub>z)</sub>) solid solutions for photodegradation of methylene blue dye.","authors":"Robert O Gembo, Ochieng Aoyi, Stephen Majoni, Anita Etale, Sebusi Odisitse, Cecil K King'ondu","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13249.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13249.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The removal of textile wastes is a priority due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In this study, bismuth oxyhalide was used in the removal of methylene blue (MB) which is a textile waste. The main objective of this study was to develop and investigate the applicability of a bismuth oxyhalide (BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-z)</sub>) solid solutions in the photodegradation of MB under solar and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. <b>Methods:</b> Bismuth oxyhalide <b>(</b>BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-z)</sub>) (0 ≤ z ≤ 1) materials were successfully prepared through the hydrothermal method. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to determine the surface area, microstructure, crystal structure, and morphology of the resultant products. The photocatalytic performance of BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-z)</sub> materials was examined through methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light and solar irradiation. <b>Results:</b> The XRD showed that BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-z)</sub> materials crystallized into a tetragonal crystal structure with (102) peak slightly shifting to lower diffraction angle with an increase in the amount of iodide (I <sup>-</sup>). BiOBr <sub>0.6</sub>I <sub>0.4</sub> materials showed a point of zero charge of 5.29 and presented the highest photocatalytic activity in the removal of MB with 99% and 88% efficiency under solar and UV irradiation, respectively. The kinetics studies of MB removal by BiOBr <sub>z</sub>I <sub>(1-z)</sub> materials showed that the degradation process followed nonlinear pseudo-first-order model indicating that the removal of MB depends on the population of the adsorption sites. Trapping experiments confirmed that photogenerated holes (h <sup>+</sup>) and superoxide radicals ( <sup>•</sup>O <sub>2</sub> <sup>-</sup>) are the key species responsible for the degradation of MB. <b>Conclusions</b> <b>:</b> This study shows that bismuth oxyhalide materials are very active in the degradation of methylene blue dye using sunlight and thus they have great potential in safeguarding public health and the environment from the dye's degradation standpoint. Moreover, the experimental results agree with nonlinear fitting.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8442118.2/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39924385","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 : 2022-01-28eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13211.2
Dieudonne Uwizeye, Florah Karimi, Caroline Thiong'o, Jackline Syonguvi, Vollan Ochieng, Francis Kiroro, Alex Gateri, Anne M Khisa, Hesborn Wao
{"title":"Factors associated with research productivity in higher education institutions in Africa: a systematic review.","authors":"Dieudonne Uwizeye, Florah Karimi, Caroline Thiong'o, Jackline Syonguvi, Vollan Ochieng, Francis Kiroro, Alex Gateri, Anne M Khisa, Hesborn Wao","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13211.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13211.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: There are low levels of research productivity among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Africa, a situation that is likely to compromise the development agenda of the continent if not addressed. We conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize evidence of the factors associated with research productivity in HEIs in Africa and the researchers' motives for research. <b>Methods</b>: We identified 838 publications related to research productivity in HEIs in Africa from various databases, from which we included 28 papers for review. The inclusion criteria were that (i) the paper's primary focus was on factors associated with research productivity, and motivations of doing research among faculty members in Africa; (ii) the setting was the HEIs in Africa; (iii) the type of publication was peer-reviewed papers and book chapters based on primary or secondary data analysis; and (iv) the language was English or French. Essays, opinions, blogs, editorials, reviews, and commentaries were excluded. <b>Results</b>: Most of the studies operationalized research productivity as either journal publications or conference proceedings. Both institutional and individual factors are associated with the level of research productivity in HEIs in Africa. Institutional factors include the availability of research funding, level of institutional networking, and the degree of research collaborations, while individual factors include personal motivation, academic qualifications, and research self-efficacy. <b>Conclusions:</b> Deliberate efforts in HEIs in Africa that addressed both individual and institutional barriers to research productivity are promising. This study recommends that the leadership of HEIs in Africa prioritizes the funding of research to enable researchers to contribute to the development agenda of the continent. Moreover, HEIs should build institutional support to research through the provision of research enabling environment, policies and incentives; strengthening of researchers' capabilities through relevant training courses, mentorship and coaching; and embracing networking and collaboration opportunities.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8311799.2/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39760582","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 : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13272.1
Victoria Nembaware, Simon Glasser, Anne Priest, Ailsa Davies, Michelle Skelton, Paidamoyo Bodzo, Olivia Lelong, Alecia Naidu, Colleen Masimirembwa, Alice Mutambiranwa, Annette Hay, Ambroise Wonkam, Collet Dandara
{"title":"Competency-based Training Needs Assessment for Research Managers and Administrators in Africa and the United Kingdom to Strengthen Equitable Partnerships.","authors":"Victoria Nembaware, Simon Glasser, Anne Priest, Ailsa Davies, Michelle Skelton, Paidamoyo Bodzo, Olivia Lelong, Alecia Naidu, Colleen Masimirembwa, Alice Mutambiranwa, Annette Hay, Ambroise Wonkam, Collet Dandara","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13272.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13272.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The need for competent research managers and administrators (RMAs) has increased due to the complexity in managing research projects between disparate and international partners. To facilitate the creation of robust training and professional development programmes it is essential to first understand the status quo. A collaborative project, Sustainable Management and Administration for Research: Training across the project Lifecycle (SMARTLife), made up of RMAs from South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom (UK) developed a set of competencies to conduct an RMA competency-based training needs assessment scoping tool. <b>Method:</b> Nine areas were identified: Equitable partnership; Finance Management; Project Management; Monitoring and Evaluation; Reporting and Communications; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Training and Capacity Development; Impact a& Sustainability; and Ethical, Social, Legal a& Social Implications. Tasks for each competency area were identified to develop an scoping tool that had 168 data collection points. The tool was advertised through press releases, mailing lists and social media. <b>Results:</b> 108 responses were obtained: with 49% from 15 Africa countries/the remainder from the UK. The UK (71%) had more permanent RMA staff members compared to Africa (39%). There were more respondents in Africa with the title of Research Manager/Coordinator(p=0.0132) compared to the UK where most of the RMAs were employed as Finance/Contract officers. 60% of respondents from the UK had more than three years experience while only 35% from Africa had experience. While most RMAs had formal higher education qualifications, their training was not in research management and administration, which requires a diverse range of skills. Confidence in specific tasks varied between the UK and Africa whereas collaborative partnerships challenges and enablers were similar. <b>Conclusion</b> This work highlights differences in RMA training and experience RMA between Africa and UK, this work could inform much needed competency-based training for RMAs and partnership strategies that aid mutual-learning.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"5 ","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9648359/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9913376","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":"Self-management and its associated factors among people living with diabetes in Blantyre, Malawi: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Chimwemwe Kwanjo Banda, Belinda T Gombachika, Moffat J Nyirenda, Adamson Sinjani Muula","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.12992.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.12992.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Self-management is key to the control of glycaemia and prevention of complications in people with diabetes. Many people with diabetes in Malawi have poorly controlled glucose and they experience diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to assess diabetes self-management behaviours and to identify factors associated with it among people with diabetes at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study recruited 510 adults attending a diabetes clinic at a teaching referral hospital in southern Malawi. The social cognitive theory was applied to identify factors associated with following all recommended self-management behaviours. Data on participants' demographics, clinical history, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, environmental barriers and diabetes self-management were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with following all self-management behaviours. <b>Results:</b> The mean age of participants was 53.6 (SD 13.3) years. The majority (82%) were females. Self-reported medication adherence within the last seven days was 88.6%; 77% reported being physically active for at least 30 minutes on more than three days in the previous seven days; 69% reported checking their feet every day and inspecting inside their shoes; 58% reported following a healthy diet regularly. Only 33% reported following all the self-management behaviours regularly. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that self-efficacy was the only social cognitive factor associated with following all the self-management practices (p < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> Participants in our study were not consistently achieving all self-management practices with dietary practices being the least adhered to behaviour by many. To improve self-management practices of people with diabetes, current health education programs should not only aim at improving diabetes related knowledge but also self-efficacy. Adopting interventions that promote self-efficacy in diabetes patients such as exposure to role models, peer education, providing positive feedback, and counselling is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"2 ","pages":"161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11273085/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617276","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 : 2021-12-14eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13320.1
Aaron N Yarmoshuk, Pierre Abomo, Niamh Fitzgerald, Donald C Cole, Arnaud Fontanet, Henry A Adeola, Christina Zarowsky, Justin Pulford
{"title":"A mapping of health education institutions and programs in the WHO African Region.","authors":"Aaron N Yarmoshuk, Pierre Abomo, Niamh Fitzgerald, Donald C Cole, Arnaud Fontanet, Henry A Adeola, Christina Zarowsky, Justin Pulford","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13320.1","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13320.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Information on health education institutions is required for planning, implementing and monitoring human resources for health strategies. Details on the number, type and distribution of medical and health science programs offered by African higher education institutions remains scattered. <b>Methods:</b> We merged and updated datasets of health professional and post-graduate programs to develop a mapping of health education institutions covering the World Health Organization African Region as of 2021. <b>Results:</b> Nine hundred and nine (909) institutions were identified in the 47 countries. Together they offered 1,157 health professional programs (235 medicine, 718 nursing, 77 public health and 146 pharmacy) and 1,674 post-graduate programs (42 certificates, 1,152 Master's and 480 PhDs). Regionally, East Africa had the most countries with multiple academic health science centres - institutions offering medical degrees and at least one other health professional program. Among countries, South Africa had the most institutions and post-graduate programs with 182 and 596, respectfully. A further five countries had between 53-105 institutions, 12 countries had between 10 and 37 institutions, and 28 countries had between one and eight institutions. One country had no institution. Countries with the largest populations and gross domestic products had significantly more health education institutions and produced more scientific research (ANOVA testing). <b>Discussion:</b> We envision an online database being made available in a visually attractive, user-friendly, open access format that nationally, registered institutions can add to and update. This would serve the needs of trainees, administrators, planners and researchers alike and support the World Health Organization's <i>Global strategy on human resources for health: workforce 2030</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10891426/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44800936","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 : 2021-11-23DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13312.1
J. Namulondo, J. Mulindwa, O. Nyangiri, Moses Egesa, H. Noyes, E. Matovu
{"title":"Gene expression changes in mammalian hosts during schistosomiasis: a review","authors":"J. Namulondo, J. Mulindwa, O. Nyangiri, Moses Egesa, H. Noyes, E. Matovu","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13312.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13312.1","url":null,"abstract":"Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people worldwide with an estimated mortality of more than 200,000 deaths per year in sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to control schistosomiasis in the affected areas have mainly relied on mass administration of praziquantel, which kills adult but not immature worms of all Schistosoma species. Mammalian hosts respond differently to Schistosoma infection with some being more susceptible than others, which is associated with risk factors such as sociodemographic, epidemiological, immunological and/or genetic. Host genetic factors play a major role in influencing molecular processes in response to schistosomiasis as shown in gene expression studies. These studies highlight gene profiles expressed at different time points of infection using model animals. Immune function related genes; cytokines (Th1 and Th17) are upregulated earlier in infection and Th2 upregulated later indicating a mixed Th1/Th2 response. However, Th1 response has been shown to be sustained in S. japonicum infection. Immune mediators such as matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (Timps) are expressed later in the infection and these are linked to wound healing and fibrosis. Downregulation of metabolic associated genes is recorded in later stages of infection. Most mammalian host gene expression studies have been done using rodent models, with fewer in larger hosts such as bovines and humans. The majority of these studies have focused on S. japonicum infections and less on S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections (the two species that cause most global infections). The few human schistosomiasis gene expression studies so far have focused on S. japonicum and S. haematobium infections and none on S. mansoni, as far as we are aware. This highlights a paucity of gene expression data in humans, specifically with S. mansoni infection. This data is important to understand the disease pathology, identify biomarkers, diagnostics and possible drug targets.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49581066","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 : 2021-11-09DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13296.1
M. Foláyan, O. Ibigbami, Nourhan M. Aly, R. A. A. Zuñiga, G. Abeldaño, Eshrat Ara, Passent Ellakany, I. Idigbe, A. Ishabiyi, M. Jafer, Abeedah Tu-Allah Khan, Zumama Khalid, F. Lawal, J. Lusher, N. Nzimande, B. Popoola, Mir Furruq Ali Quadri, Mark Y. Roque, J. Okeibunor, B. Brown, A. Nguyen
{"title":"Associations between sexual orientation, financial security and relationships with family and peers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria","authors":"M. Foláyan, O. Ibigbami, Nourhan M. Aly, R. A. A. Zuñiga, G. Abeldaño, Eshrat Ara, Passent Ellakany, I. Idigbe, A. Ishabiyi, M. Jafer, Abeedah Tu-Allah Khan, Zumama Khalid, F. Lawal, J. Lusher, N. Nzimande, B. Popoola, Mir Furruq Ali Quadri, Mark Y. Roque, J. Okeibunor, B. Brown, A. Nguyen","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13296.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13296.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This study aimed to determine whether factors associated with financial insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with worsening relationships with family, peers and friends of sexual minorities living in Nigeria. Methods: Data were collected using an online survey conducted from 29th June to 31st December 2020. The outcome variable was the quality of relationship with family, friends and peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The explanatory variables were the sexual orientation (lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual), COVID-19 status, and financial security (job loss or reduced/lost wages because of the COVID-19 pandemic). Multilevel logistic regression analysis models with robust estimation were built and used to assess the association between the outcome and explanatory variables. The models were adjusted for sociodemographic profile (age, sex at birth, education status). Results: Being a sexual minority was associated with higher odds of worsened relationship with family (AOR: 1.49) and friends and peers (AOR: 2.38) during the pandemic. Having COVID-19 symptoms but not getting tested was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting worsening of the relationship with family (AOR: 1.69) and history of job loss (AOR: 1.68), while having formal education (p<0.05) was significantly associated with lower odds of reporting worsening of the relationship with family. The factors significantly associated with higher odds of reporting worsened relationship with friends and peers were testing positive for COVID-19 (AOR: 1.60), reduced wages (AOR: 1.24), and being older (AOR: 1.01). Attaining a college/university education was significantly associated with lower odds of worsened relationship with friends and peers (AOR: 0.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of negative disruptions in the relationships with family, friends and peers, especially for sexual minorities. National COVID-19 response programs should include plans to support those who face social disruption in managing the crisis.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47634103","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 : 2021-11-08eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13247.2
Sunday A Adedini, Ololade Grace Adewole, Funmilola F Oyinlola, Olufunke Fayehun
{"title":"Community-level influences on women's experience of intimate partner violence and modern contraceptive use in Nigeria: a multilevel analysis of nationally representative survey.","authors":"Sunday A Adedini, Ololade Grace Adewole, Funmilola F Oyinlola, Olufunke Fayehun","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13247.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13247.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background</i></b> : Modern contraceptives (MC) are important strategies for reducing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion and maternal mortality, but MC remains low at 18% in Nigeria. Similarly, while there is increasing prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nigeria, its effects on contraceptive use remain unclear. This study examined the influence of IPV on MC use, while adjusting for individual- and community-level confounders. <b><i>Methods</i></b> : The study utilized 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data. We performed multilevel binary logistic regression analysis on 24,973 married women aged 15-49 49 (nested within 1,400 communities), who were sexually active and were not pregnant at the time of the survey. <b><i>Results</i></b> : Findings show that use of MC was higher among married women who reported experience of IPV than those without IPV exposure. After adjusting for individual-level and contextual factors, the odds of using MC was significantly higher among women who experienced any form of IPV (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.17-2.21, p<0.005) compared to those who reported no IPV experience. Around one-quarter of the total variance in contraceptive use with respect to the different types of IPV could be explained at the community level. <b><i>Conclusion</i></b> : The study provides empirical evidence that there is significant community effect on IPV exposure and women's contraceptive uptake. Attention must therefore be given to the context-specific social and gender norms that affect women's sexual and reproductive health in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"4 ","pages":"37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11077618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617149","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}