Abstract: Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) have been proven to be easily mitigated among the infants/children if the target population is effectively mobilized to receive the vaccines especially at the appropriate ages. The role played by mothers/guides in ensuring their wards get vaccinated appropriately cannot be over-emphasized. Their knowledge and attitude towards immunization can either promote or retard the possibility for missed opportunity and incomplete vaccination of this vulnerable and helpless population. The main objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of the mothers/guides and to determine the predicting factors contributing to the missed opportunities and incomplete vaccination in Rumbek Centre County Lakes State of South Sudan. The study was carried out at the Rumbek State Hospital and Matangai Primary Health Care Centre, both in Rumbek Centre County of Lakes State in South Sudan. A descriptive cross sectional study of mothers/guides attending immunization clinics of both health units was carried out. Inclusion of participants was done by simple random sampling. Data was obtained through the use of structured, self-administered questionnaire. Summated scores were used to grade respondents’ knowledge and attitude towards immunization. Data analysis was done using the Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. Data were presented using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, and pie charts. Inferential statistics of Chi-square was used to test for associations between various socio-demographic variables and the knowledge and attitude of mothers/guides towards immunization. A considerably high proportion of mothers/guides (72.1%) have good knowledge on immunization with 27.9% of them having poor knowledge on immunization. Slightly above average (52.9%) of the mothers/guides have good attitude towards immunization while a fairly large proportion (47.1%) of them have poor attitude towards immunization. Marital status, level of education, occupation and number of children were all found to have statistically significantly associated (P<0.05) with the mothers’/guides’ knowledge on immunization. This study further revealed that Marital status, religion, level of education and occupation have statistical significant association (P<0.05) with the attitudes of the mothers/guides towards immunization. Vaccination compliance analysis in this study revealed a downward trend along the various vaccines/indicators based on age and vaccines received by each respondent’s child. Among the suggested recommendations include improved immunization health education for mothers/guides, training and re-training of vaccinators/health workers, effective tracking of defaulters and concerted efforts towards lasting peace in South Sudan.Abstract: Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) have been proven to be easily mitigated among the infants/children if the target population is effectively mobilized to receive the vaccines especially at the appropriate ages. The role played by mothers/guides in ensuring their wards get vaccinated appropriately cannot be over-emphasized. Their knowledge and att...Show More
Abstract: Context: Adolescence is the period during which a person experiences significant physical, biological and emotional changes. The lack of attention to mental well- being of adolescents may have adverse consequences on their mental health. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress in schooled adolescents and the factors associated with it. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2016 and involving 3,841 adolescents of 10 to 19 years from 40 secondary schools in Benin. Participants were selected using a 2-level random sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed using Epi Info and Stata softwares. Associated factors were investigated by a logistic regression. Results: Mean age was 16.54 ± 0.04 years and sex ratio was 1.16. The prevalence of psychosocial distress was 10.8% CI95%: 9.44–12.15). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between bullying, friendships, the class attended, the place of residence and the person with whom the adolescent lives. Teenagers who had been bullied were almost twice as likely to develop psychosocial distress. Having a close friend was a protective factor from psychosocial distress. Being in examination years (9th grade or final year of high school) increased by 4 times the risk of developing psychosocial distress. Conclusion: Psychosocial distress, previously mostly observed in developed countries, is now also reaching emerging countries. The implementation of urgent actions for the prevention of psychosocial distress is imposed on decision-makers.Abstract: Context: Adolescence is the period during which a person experiences significant physical, biological and emotional changes. The lack of attention to mental well- being of adolescents may have adverse consequences on their mental health. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress in schooled adolescents and...Show More
Abstract: Blood transfusion is considered a life-saver in health care settings, but could potentially pose as a risk factor for transmission of life-threatening viral infections, including HIV, HBsAg, HCV and Syphilis infections. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence and trends of HIV and Syphilis infections among blood donors in the Northern Region of Ghana. Blood screening data of blood donors recorded in blood transfusion centers in the Northern region between 2011 and 2015 were collected and analyzed anonymously. Screening results for HIV and Syphils infections were sorted and analyzed from a total of 198,229 blood donors in the region within the period under consideration. Majority of the donors were female and aged between 20–39 years. The overall seroprevalence rates of HIV and Syphilis were 30.77% (7319) and 27.78% (4893) respectively. The highest seroprevalence was found for HIV followed by Syphilis. These infections were more prevalent in female donors. Highest seroprevalence for both HIV and Syphilis was observed among donors in their youthful ages, i.e. between 20 to 49 years, while Syphilis seroprevalence increased with age. There exists a decreasing trend of transfusion-transmissible viral infections (i.e. HIV and Syphilis) in blood donations. This indicates that the Ghana National Blood Service mandate of ensuring the safety of blood supply has been successful. Even though available statistics show that the prevalence rates of viral infections detected during blood donations has reduced drastically, there is still more to be done, especially using robust and efficient techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This, the researchers think could guarantee more safety blood for transfusion.Abstract: Blood transfusion is considered a life-saver in health care settings, but could potentially pose as a risk factor for transmission of life-threatening viral infections, including HIV, HBsAg, HCV and Syphilis infections. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence and trends of HIV and Syphilis infections among blood donors in the Northern...Show More
