1
|
Azhar S, Rashid L, Islam T, Akhtar S, Hopkins KL, Sommers T, Ikram A, Anwer N, Maqbool NA, Khan Z, Ahmed N, Akhtar H. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of vaccinators about expanded programs on immunization: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1366378. [PMID: 38510352 PMCID: PMC10953913 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The periodic evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers, including vaccinators, concerning expanded programs on immunization (EPI) is very crucial for a better healthcare system. This study was carried out to assess the KAP of vaccinators about the EPI, including cold storage of vaccines and their practices related to vaccine cold chain management. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 among registered vaccinators in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. A structured self-administered questionnaire (English and Urdu) was developed as per the Pakistan national EPI policy and strategic guidelines 2022 and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, as well as from earlier studies (Cronbach's alpha value of 0.734). The final questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions in four sections, including sociodemographic information, knowledge (with dichotomous variables of yes/no), attitudes (with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree), and handling of vaccines and cold chain management. Completed questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel and then imported into SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. Results A total of 186 vaccinators completely filled out their questionnaires, with a 97.9% response rate. More than half of the participants (57.5%) had no training related to EPI. Most of the respondents had a moderate to poor level of knowledge regarding EPI. The overall attitude was positive, and 57% of the participants strongly agreed that the national immunization programs can significantly contribute to the decrease in morbidity and mortality rates among children. In the current study, participants showed good practices toward EPI, vaccine storage, and cold chain management. The majority (93.5%) of the participants checked the expiry of vaccines at regular intervals to maintain the first expiry first out (FEFO) in their healthcare setting. Discussion In conclusion, most of the vaccinators had moderate to poor knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward EPI, vaccine cold storage, and cold chain management. Lack of training among vaccinators on EPI was also observed. These findings have suggested that continuous training, education, and regular supervision of vaccinators in EPI are important for maximum immunization effectiveness and coverage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunia Azhar
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Laiba Rashid
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Taskeen Islam
- Communication and Media Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Samar Akhtar
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yusra Medical and Dental College, Zaraj Housing Society, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Aamer Ikram
- Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Anwer
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid.i.Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nabeel Ahmed Maqbool
- Vaccines Preventable Infectious Diseases, Chemonics International Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply, Management (GHSC-PSM) Project, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zakir Khan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (RIPS), Riphah International University Gulberg Green Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid.i.Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hashaam Akhtar
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Global Health, Health Services Academy, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Munajat MB, Rahim MAFA, Wahid W, Seri Rakna MIM, Divis PCS, Chuangchaiya S, Lubis IND, Osman E, Mohd Kasri MR, Idris ZM. Perceptions and prevention practices on malaria among the indigenous Orang Asli community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Malar J 2021; 20:202. [PMID: 33906645 PMCID: PMC8077949 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03741-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaysia is on track towards malaria elimination. However, several cases of malaria still occur in the country. Contributing factors and communal aspects have noteworthy effects on any malaria elimination activities. Thus, assessing the community's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards malaria is essential. This study was performed to evaluate KAP regarding malaria among the indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five remote villages (clusters) of Orang Asli located in the State of Kelantan, a central region of the country. Community members aged six years and above were interviewed. Demographic, socio-economic and KAP data on malaria were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Overall, 536 individuals from 208 households were interviewed. Household indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bed net ownership were 100% and 89.2%, respectively. A majority of respondents used mosquito bed nets every night (95.1%), but only 50.2% were aware that bed nets were used to prevent malaria. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents (97.9%) were aware that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. Regarding practice for managing malaria, the most common practice adopted by the respondents was seeking treatment at the health facilities (70.9%), followed by self-purchase of medication from a local shop (12.7%), seeking treatment from a traditional healer (10.5%) and self-healing (5.9%). Concerning potential zoonotic malaria, about half of the respondents (47.2%) reported seeing monkeys from their houses and 20.1% reported entering nearby forests within the last 6 months. CONCLUSION This study found that most populations living in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria. However, positive attitudes and practices concerning managing malaria require marked improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Amirul Fitri A Rahim
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wathiqah Wahid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Paul C S Divis
- Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Sriwipa Chuangchaiya
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand
| | - Inke Nadia D Lubis
- Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20154, Indonesia
| | - Emelia Osman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Islam FMA, Chakrabarti R, Islam MT, Wahab M, Lamoureux E, Finger RP, Shaw JE. Prediabetes, diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, their risk factors and association with knowledge of diabetes in rural Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Population-based Diabetes and Eye Study. J Diabetes 2016; 8:260-8. [PMID: 25851830 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of prediabetes and diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) in rural Bangladesh. METHODS Using a population-based cluster random sampling strategy, 3104 adults aged ≥30 years were recruited. Fasting capillary blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, and knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to diabetes were recorded. Diabetes was defined as fasting glucose (FG) ≥7.0 mmol/L or a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes; impaired FG (IFG) was defined as FG ≥ 6.1 and <7.0 mmol/L. RESULTS The overall crude prevalence of DM was 7.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3%-8.1%; n = 222), of which 55% (n = 123) was previously undiagnosed (UDM). The prevalence of IFG was 5.3% (95% CI 4.5%-6.1%; n = 163). The age-standardized prevalence of DM and IFG was 6.6% and 5.0%, respectively. The prevalence of UDM was higher in people of lower socioeconomic status (59% vs. 31%; P < 0.001). Of those with known DM, 56% had poor glycemic control (FG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L) and 37% were not on medication. Overall knowledge of DM was poor; only 16.3%, 17.8%, and 13.4% of those with UDM, IFG, and normal FG knew that diabetes causes eye disease, compared with 55.6% of those with known DM (Ptrend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this rural Bangladeshi community, UDM was high. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with a higher risk of UDM. Overall knowledge of DM was poor. Public health programmes should target those of low socioeconomic status and aim to increase knowledge of DM in rural Bangladesh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fakir M Amirul Islam
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Organisation for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Bangladesh
| | - Rahul Chakrabarti
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Organisation for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Bangladesh
| | - M Tauhidul Islam
- Organisation for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Wahab
- Organisation for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Bangladesh
| | - Ecosse Lamoureux
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Duke-National University of Singapore, Graduate Medical School
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Robert P Finger
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan E Shaw
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thirarattanasunthon P, Siriwong W, Robson M, Borjan M. Health risk reduction behaviors model for scavengers exposed to solid waste in municipal dump sites in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2012; 5:97-104. [PMID: 22969307 PMCID: PMC3437810 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s30707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of comprehensive health risk protection behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and practices among scavengers in open dump sites. A control group of 44 scavengers and an intervention group of 44 scavengers participated in this study. Interventions included the use of personal protective equipment, health protection training, and other measures. The analysis showed significant differences before and after the intervention program and also between the control and intervention groups. These observations suggest that further action should be taken to reduce adverse exposure during waste collection. To reduce health hazards to workers, dump site scavenging should be incorporated into the formal sector program. Solid waste and the management of municipal solid waste has become a human and environmental health issue and future research should look at constructing a sustainable model to help protect the health of scavengers and drive authorities to adopt safer management techniques.
Collapse
|