Malaria Risk Perception and Preventive Behaviors Among Elementary School Students, Southwest Ethiopia. Generalized Structural Equation Model

Background

In 2020, more than three billion of the world's population were the risk of being infected with malaria and four out of five deaths were from the African population. However, information is scarce on the association between risk perceptions and malaria prevention behaviors in resource-limited countries, particularly Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess malaria risk perceptions and preventive behaviors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 401 elementary school students in Jimma zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from April 2 to June 8, 2020. Data were collected through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi-data 4.6 and analyzed using STATA version 14.2. The descriptive statistics were presented using frequency and percentages. A Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.7 or higher was used to assess the reliability of each domain. The Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) was employed to examine the relationships and prediction of explanatory variables with risk perception and preventive behaviors of malaria. The model with a lower information criterion was taken as a better-fitting model. Finally, the statistically significant model effects were declared at a P-value of less than 0.05 at a confidence interval of 95%.

Results

This study showed that having knowledge about malaria had an indirect positive effect on malaria preventive behavior (β = 1.29, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.47), and had a positive total effect on the preventive behavior (β = 2.99, 95% CI 0.08 to 2.67). Besides, an increased knowledge level had a direct positive effect on malaria risk perceptions (β = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.14), and malaria risk perception had a direct positive effect on malaria preventive behavior (β = 1.21, 95% CI 0.10 to 2.31).

Conclusion and Recommendation

This study demonstrated that having knowledge about malaria had a direct and indirect association with malaria preventive behavior. An increased level of knowledge had a direct positive effect on malaria risk perceptions. Moreover, malaria risk perception had a direct positive effect on malaria preventive behavior. Therefore, malaria prevention-targeted interventions, behavior change, and knowledge enhancing communication should be enhanced or scaled up to contribute to prompt treatment and progress toward the elimination of malaria.

Perceived performances of peer learning and education approach on malaria prevention through primary schools communities in rural Ethiopia: Peer educators' perspectives

Background

Schools are viewed as natural hubs and an effective strategy for promoting community healthy practices such as malaria prevention and control. This study examined the perceived performance of the peer learning and education approach to malaria prevention in rural primary school communities in Ethiopia, which has thus far received little attention.

Methods

Post-intervention data were collected from 404 randomly selected peer educators between 2 April and June 2020 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of perceived performance of school-based peer learning and educational approach. A statistically significant p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Four hundred and one educators (99.2%) completed the interview. The mean score of perceived performance was 44.31 (SD = 6.13) which was above the expected mean level range of 11-55. Feasibility (β = 0.253, 95% CI = [0.313, 0.682]), and appropriateness (β = 0.163, 95% CI = [0.099, 0.442]) were significantly associated with perceived performance. Self-efficacy, malaria risk perception, eagerness to share and learn from each other's experiences, and preference for more than one subject were all significantly associated with perceived performance, with (β = 0.097, CI = [0.017, 0.242]), (β = 0.143, CI = [0.071, 0.233]), (β = 0.207, CI = [0.308, 0.826]) and (β = 0.075, CI = [0.084, 2.511]) at 95% CI, respectively.

Conclusions

The peer learning and education approach to malaria prevention and control in schools has a noticeably high level of perceived performance. Thus, it is recommended that when designing and implementing such programs through schools, personal and social (team) factors such as self-efficacy, risk perceptions, and peer education team spirit be considered.

Lactating mothers’ perception toward diarrheal disease in Mizan-Aman District, South-West Ethiopia: mixed study design

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

The effect of psychometric variables in predicting physical activity behavior among diabetes mellitus type-2 patients

Background

Diabetes mellitus type-2 (DMT-2), the most common endocrine disease in the world, is a major global public health-related issue. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally, and there is substantial evidence that it is epidemic in many low- and middle-income countries. It is widely recognized that physical activity is important in preventing and treating DMT-2. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of physical activity among DMT-2 patients attending Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 at JUSH, Southwest Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 322 diabetes patients. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on interviewer-administered basis. A summary of descriptive statistics, and binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to identify potential predictors of physical activity among diabetes mellitus patients.

Results

Among the 319, 70 (21%) engaged in the recommended physical activity (such as running, jogging, going to the gym, or brisk walking). Two hundred seventy-nine (87.5) of the respondents had adequate general knowledge of diabetes and 31.7% of the respondents had adequate general knowledge of physical activity. The likelihood of engaging in the recommended physical activity was associated with perceived barrier (odds ratio [OR]=0.58, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.56, 0.67]; p<0.000), perceived self-efficacy (OR=1.33, 95% CI [1.12, 1.57] p<0.001) and perceived benefit (OR=1.16 (95% CI [1.03, 1.29] p<0.000).

Conclusion

This study illustrated that practicing the recommended physical activities among DMT-2 patients was insufficient. Perceived barrier, perceived benefit and perceived self-efficacy became potential predictors of physical activity of DMT-2 patients. None of the socio-demographic factors affect the physical activity behavior of these groups. Diabetes intervention messages should focus on building individual self-efficacy to overcome those barriers with a due emphasis to suggested concrete benefit of physical activity.

Delivery Site Preferences and Associated Factors among Married Women of Child Bearing Age in Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity must address societal and cultural factors that affect women's health and their access to services. There was no research conducted previously on delivery site preferences and associated factors among married women of child bearing age in the study area. The aim of this study was to assess the delivery site preferences and associated factors among women of child bearing age in Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community based cross sectional quantitative study design supplemented by qualitative data was conducted from April 20 to May 20, 2013. Simple random sampling to select kebeles and systematic random sampling to contact eligible woman were used. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Logistic regressions analysis was employed to identify potential predictor variables. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to assess the association of variables. P-value less than 5% was used to declare significant association.

RESULTS

Three hundred five (61.9%) of the mothers gave birth at home. Three Hundred ninety six (78.7%) of them had Ante natal care. The preference of facility delivery was 412(88.3%). Age of women, mothers' educational level, and place of delivery of the last baby, perception of mothers about pregnancy and health care workers significantly affected delivery site preference.

CONCLUSION

Most of the women attended Ante natal care. However, only some had actually delivered at health facilities to their last pregnancy. Community members should get health education to reduce misconceptions on delivering in health facility.