Background:Mass media exposure plays a pivotal role in health communication and adoption of a healthy lifestyle.In this study,we aimed to measure the prevalence of malaria prevention behaviour among adult women in eig...Background:Mass media exposure plays a pivotal role in health communication and adoption of a healthy lifestyle.In this study,we aimed to measure the prevalence of malaria prevention behaviour among adult women in eight malariaendemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA),and assess the influence of mass media exposure in the adoption of those behaviours.Methods:For this study,we collected cross-sectional data on 46,822 women aged between 15 and 49 years from the Malaria Indicator Surveys(MIS)conducted in Burkina Faso,Ghana,Mali,Malawi,Kenya,Nigeria,Sierra Leone and Uganda.As the outcome variable,malaria prevention behaviour was proxied by the use of insecticide treated nets(ITNs)and uptake of antimalarial drugs in last pregnancy.Results:The overall prevalence of sleeping under ITN and that of taking antimalarial drug during the last pregnancy was respectively 67.9%(95%CI=66.6-69.2)and 72.8%(95%CI=71.3-74.2).However,there were disparities in the prevalence of using ITN and antimalarial drug use across the study countries.In the multivariable regression analysis,not receiving malaria related information from radio,poster/billboards,community events,and health workers were found to be significantly associated with reduction in the odds of using ITN the previous night.For the use of antimalarial drugs during last pregnancy,the odds were 23%[OR=0.773,95%CI=0.625-0.956]lower for those who did not receive malaria information on radio compared with those who received.Conclusions:These findings indicate a potentially important role of malaria information received through mass media on utilisation of ITN among women in SSA.More research is needed to explore the factors that limit the accessibility to malaria information through mass media.展开更多
Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with m...Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.展开更多
Malaria infection is a major problem in many countries. The use of the Insecticide-Treated Bed-Nets (ITNs) has been shown to significantly reduce the number of malaria infections;however, the effectiveness is often je...Malaria infection is a major problem in many countries. The use of the Insecticide-Treated Bed-Nets (ITNs) has been shown to significantly reduce the number of malaria infections;however, the effectiveness is often jeopardized by improper handling or human behavior such as inconsistent usage. In this paper, we present a game-theoretical model for ITN usage in communities with malaria infections. We show that it is in the individual’s self interest to use the ITNs as long as the malaria is present in the community. Such an optimal ITN usage will significantly decrease the malaria prevalence and under some conditions may even lead to complete eradication of the disease.展开更多
文摘Background:Mass media exposure plays a pivotal role in health communication and adoption of a healthy lifestyle.In this study,we aimed to measure the prevalence of malaria prevention behaviour among adult women in eight malariaendemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA),and assess the influence of mass media exposure in the adoption of those behaviours.Methods:For this study,we collected cross-sectional data on 46,822 women aged between 15 and 49 years from the Malaria Indicator Surveys(MIS)conducted in Burkina Faso,Ghana,Mali,Malawi,Kenya,Nigeria,Sierra Leone and Uganda.As the outcome variable,malaria prevention behaviour was proxied by the use of insecticide treated nets(ITNs)and uptake of antimalarial drugs in last pregnancy.Results:The overall prevalence of sleeping under ITN and that of taking antimalarial drug during the last pregnancy was respectively 67.9%(95%CI=66.6-69.2)and 72.8%(95%CI=71.3-74.2).However,there were disparities in the prevalence of using ITN and antimalarial drug use across the study countries.In the multivariable regression analysis,not receiving malaria related information from radio,poster/billboards,community events,and health workers were found to be significantly associated with reduction in the odds of using ITN the previous night.For the use of antimalarial drugs during last pregnancy,the odds were 23%[OR=0.773,95%CI=0.625-0.956]lower for those who did not receive malaria information on radio compared with those who received.Conclusions:These findings indicate a potentially important role of malaria information received through mass media on utilisation of ITN among women in SSA.More research is needed to explore the factors that limit the accessibility to malaria information through mass media.
文摘Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.
文摘Malaria infection is a major problem in many countries. The use of the Insecticide-Treated Bed-Nets (ITNs) has been shown to significantly reduce the number of malaria infections;however, the effectiveness is often jeopardized by improper handling or human behavior such as inconsistent usage. In this paper, we present a game-theoretical model for ITN usage in communities with malaria infections. We show that it is in the individual’s self interest to use the ITNs as long as the malaria is present in the community. Such an optimal ITN usage will significantly decrease the malaria prevalence and under some conditions may even lead to complete eradication of the disease.
