Razi International Medical Journal

Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices (KAP) Of Malaria Prevention Amongst Medical Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Temitayo Matthew — 2022-11-30

Background: Malaria remains one of the foremost causes of morbidity in the world. Practices of preventive measures have been linked to factors including educational status. Students of health-related sciences are expected to possess a high-level knowledge of the disease and translate this into the better practice of preventive measures. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge attitude and practice of malaria prevention among medical students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected from 253 consenting medical students using an online group-designed Google Form questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft excel.

Results: Although 47.83% of respondents think malaria is a deadly disease and 98.81% affirmed it is preventable, almost all (≥98.42%) reported female anopheles’ mosquito and plasmodium as vector and causative agent, respectively. Moreover, 65.22% were very willing to use one or a combination of malaria preventive methods. Insecticides usage were most common among the respondents, with 84.58% having used them in the last year. In contrast, only 12.25% and 35.97% had used Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) and insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN), respectively.

Conclusion: This study revealed good knowledge and attitude amongst the medical students. However, this did not translate to practice, especially with the most advanced vector control practices such as ITN usage and IRS. Hence, a review of the public/community health curricula and related course modules to provide more information about IRS is recommended. Also, and there is a need for the government to make ITNs more readily available and affordable.

Knowledge of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and place of delivery among urban women in South-West Nigeria

Miracle Adesina — 2022-11-30

Background: HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) pose serious risks to health security especially to women, therefore, knowledge of their complications and attitude toward sexual health is important in planning preventive and treatment strategies among women in Nigeria. This study aims to assess the knowledge of HIV and other STIs and its association with the choice of place of delivery among urban women in south west Nigeria.

Methods: Data for urban women in south-west Nigeria was collected from National Demographic Survey (DHS) 2018. It evaluated their knowledge of HIV and other STIs in relation to the location of most recent childbirth. Chi-square (χ2) test and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to establish association between variables using SPSS.

Results: 4604 women were surveyed. Some (21.9%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of HIV and other STIs. Women who had secondary school education were 1.7 times and 2.6 times more likely to have knowledge of HIV and other STIs respectively (OR=1.737; p<0.001; CI=1.402 - 2.153; OR=2.604; p<0.001; CI=1.934 - 3.507). Women who delivered their first child in public healthcare facilities were 1.7 times more likely to have good knowledge of HIV and STIs (OR=1.674; p<0.001; CI=1.233 - 2.275).

Conclusion: Women education and choice of place of delivery are important factors for knowledge of HIV and other STIs among urban women. Therefore, it is essential to implement more educational programmes specifically targeted at less educated women in urban regions of Nigeria.

Knowledge and attitude towards abortion among women in Afghanistan

Saeeda Saeed — 2022-11-30

Background: Abortion as the termination of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation or a fetus born weighing less than 500g. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of women on abortion in Herat city of Afghanistan. This cross-sectional study also serves to fill up the gap of the scarcity of data on abortion.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged over 18 years old from over the 15 districts of Herat city of Afghanistan during 25th March 2021 to 1st June 2021. A total of 419 women participated in this study.

Results: 30.3% of them were aged between 18-24 years old. 24.1% of the participants aged between 25-34 years old. 78.8% of the participants were married and 35.8% of the participants were Pashtuns. 41.5% of them heard about safe abortion methods. Only 23.4% of the participants had a good knowledge score on abortion. Good knowledge on abortion among participants were significantly associated with their ethnicity, educational level, father’s knowledge level, mother’s knowledge level, and economic status.

Conclusion: A comprehensive campaign on safe abortion covering all the ethical, religious, constitutional, and scientific domains should be considered by the ministry of Public Health. It is recommended that the ministry of education of Afghanistan consider organizing trainings on safe abortion for high school male and female students.

Prevalence and associated factors of postpartum depression among Afghan women: A phase-wise cross-sectional study in Rezaie maternal hospital in Herat province

Khadija Sharifzade — 2022-11-30

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mood disorder affecting about 10–15% of adult mothers annually. This study aimed to find the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum depression among women in Herat province in Afghanistan.

Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted between 11 July 2021 and 15 September 15, 2021, among women who delivered a baby at Rezaie Maternal Hospital of Herat province (Afghanistan). A total of 242 women participated in the first phase of this study with a mean age of 25.40 ± 5.510. To assess the depression among participants, the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used.

Results: Almost half the participants reported that it was their first labour (45.0%). In the first phase, nearly half of the participants were found to have depression (45.5%). In the second phase of this study, less than one in three participants had depression (30.7%). More than one in five participants changed from depression to normal (21.5%). Almost half of the participants remained the same in both phases of this study (47.8%).

Conclusion: It is crucial to examine women's psychological health during the postnatal period to understand how we may assist women through targeted interventions based on their particular needs. Our study shows that the post-partum depression among women in Herat province of Afghanistan, decreases and factors such as educational level, number of family members, happening of bad event during the past month, and presence of physical illness have a direct impact on postpartum depression.

Investment in Midwifery Workforce: Little Steps, Big Outcomes

Sevil Hakimi — 2022-11-30

N/A