Variations, effectiveness and its associated factors of a nationwide web-based hypertension management training project in China: insights from a government-led campaign for 1.2 million lay health workers

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of a large-scale,web-based,in-service hypertension management training project among lay health workers(LHWs) at primary care health(PHC) settings in China,and to examine the factors contributing to the variations of effectiveness.METHODS We used data from a web-based national hypertension management training project implemented in 2018,it was designed to facilitate LHWs to learn,understand,and apply the relevant knowledge and skills in hypertension management through providing training courses by use of the web-based platform with unified standards.All LHWs were required to participate in the exams before and after training to acquire scores for the use of evaluating their performance of hypertension management knowledge.We first used descriptive analysis to present the variations of effectiveness in hypertension management knowledge among LHWs by important subgroups.Afterwards,we used multilevel logistic regression to examine the individual and regional factors contributing to the variations and quantify the magnitude of how these factors affected training effectiveness.RESULTS There were 1,208,610 LHWs who completed training and were certificated.Nationally,the scores of LHWs increased significantly from 62.87 ± 21.14 out of 100 in the pre-test to 88.30 ± 11.31 in the post-test by 25.43(95% confidence interval[CI]:25.40-25.47).Training contents involved in antihypertensive medication showed the lowest score(54.36) in the pre-test and soared the most after training,up to 84.22 by 54.94%.Individual factors associated with disparities in the knowledge of hypertension management decreased substantially after training,which included sex,age,education,practice type,professional level,and hierarchy of working institutions.Geographical variations were shown at the provincial level,with the majority of them being explained by factors at the regional level.CONCLUSIONS Accessible web-based training modality,government efforts,accompanied with experiences derived from the training,could be generalized to other low-and middle-income countries in facilitating the hypertension management capacity of LHWs.Localization and evaluation is warranted on the way to its further application.

Unveiling health rights:A call to action for sex workers'HIV care in the Philippines

We are writing in response to the article titled“Addressing the needs and rights of sex workers for HIV healthcare services in the Philippines”[1].The article calls for attention on the significant challenges faced by sex workers in the Philippines in accessing HIV healthcare.We appreciate the article’s effort to examine these issues in depth.We would like to present a constant flow of thoughts in this letter while highlighting the positive aspects,potential obstacles,and additional points that contribute to this ongoing discussion.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital on Needle Stick Injury

Purpose: Needle-stick injury (NSI) is one of the most potential occupational hazards for healthcare workers because of the transmission of blood-borne pathogens. As per recent data, around 30 lakh healthcare workers sustain Needle stick injuries each year. This study was conducted to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding needle stick injury. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital over the period of 3 months. The study population consisted of Intern Doctors, Post Graduate resident Doctors, Staff Nurses, laboratory technicians of Government Medical College and New Civil Hospital, Surat (n = 300). The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire via the means of Google Forms. Questionnaire was made with prior review literature. The data obtained were entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results: The prevalence of NSI in our study was 46%, with a higher prevalence among the PG residents (72%). Overall scores regarding knowledge and attitude were better in PG residents (knowledge score > 7 in 71% and Attitude Score > 7 in 68% of PG Residents). Even though the PG residents scored highest in the knowledge category, the majority of them suffered needle stick injuries as a result of poor practice scores. Among those who had NSI (n = 139/300), 70% of study participants had superficial injuries, only 9% reported the incident, 18% got medical attention within 2 hours of the incident, and 7% followed up to recheck their viral markers status. Most incidents of NSI were due to hypodermic needles while recapping needles. Conclusion: Exposure to needle stick injuries and their underreporting remains a common problem. It is imperative that healthcare workers receive regular training on the proper handling of sharp objects. We can also draw the conclusion that preventing NSIs requires putting knowledge into practice.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Violence among Primary and Secondary School Workers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Violence is a major problem in today’s workplace. It affects workers in all sectors of activity. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with violence among primary and secondary school staff in Ouagadougou. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study that took place from April 22, 2020 to February 18, 2021 in primary and secondary schools in Ouagadougou. It focused on the educational staff of these establishments. Results: A total of 362 agents took part in the study. The average age of participants was 36.5 ± 6.89 years. The sex ratio was 1.62 men to one woman. The majority of workers were teachers, with 300 participants (82.87%). The average job tenure was 7 years ± 6.91 years. With regard to violence in the workplace, 87 workers were victims, representing a prevalence of 24.03%. Of these workers, 59 (67.81%) were men and 36 (41.38%) had less than six years’ experience. Acts of violence were predominantly pushing observed in 15 workers (50%), while shouting and aggressive tone dominated psychological violence and concerned 54 cases (36.24%). On univariate analysis, the factors associated with violence were age (p = 0.046) and type of establishment (p = 0.012). On multivariate analysis, only the nature of the establishment was the only factor associated with the occurrence of violence among teaching staff (OR = 2.3690, p = 0.0213). Conclusion: The prevalence of violence is high in these educational establishments. Age and type of establishment are factors associated with its occurrence. It is therefore necessary to develop an effective strategy for preventing this risk in the workplace.

Construction Activity Analysis of Workers Based on Human Posture Estimation Information

Identifying workers’construction activities or behaviors can enable managers to better monitor labor efficiency and construction progress.However,current activity analysis methods for construction workers rely solely on manual observations and recordings,which consumes considerable time and has high labor costs.Researchers have focused on monitoring on-site construction activities of workers.However,when multiple workers are working together,current research cannot accu rately and automatically identify the construction activity.This research proposes a deep learning framework for the automated analysis of the construction activities of multiple workers.In this framework,multiple deep neural network models are designed and used to complete worker key point extraction,worker tracking,and worker construction activity analysis.The designed framework was tested at an actual construction site,and activity recognition for multiple workers was performed,indicating the feasibility of the framework for the automated monitoring of work efficiency.

Pattern of Eye Diseases among Tea Workers

Background: Bangladesh’s tea industry is essential to the country’s economic expansion. Since tea workers in Bangladesh are marginalized within our community, they have limited access to comprehensive eye care services. Productivity and well-being are cornerstones of comprehensive health care strategy. Ocular disorders are influenced by life expectancy, sociodemographic status, and the epidemiological transition. In this context, the state of ocular health and the many eye illnesses remain to be significantly addressed. Purpose: To evaluate the pattern of eye diseases among tea workers in a tea estate of Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in Halda Valley Tea Estate, Nazirhat, Fatickchari, Chattogram, Bangladesh, under the supervision of the Department of Community Ophthalmology, BSMMU, following ethical clearance and approval by the IRB board of BSMMU. With informed written consent and approval from the authority of the tea estate, a total of 110 tea workers were recruited. Socio-demographic characteristics, ocular findings, and patterns of eye diseases were determined and recorded. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 39.60 ± 11.63 years. The maximum (58.1%) study participants were 31 - 50 years old, female (64.5%), illiterate (82.7%), and tribal (71.8%) indigenes. Eye diseases were found in 94.5% of workers. Presbyopia (28.2%), cataracts (27.3%), and refractive error (26.4%) were the most common. Tea workers with eye diseases were significantly older than those who did not have any eye diseases (40.20 ± 11.57 vs. 29.17 ± 7.31 years, p Conclusion: A significant number of tea workers had eye diseases, of which presbyopia, cataracts, and refractive error were the most common.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among Healthcare Workers in Two Hospitals in Yaoundé-Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a very common health problem amongst the general population and a major cause of disability that affects work performance and well-being. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are especially at risk of developing LBP because of physical and emotional factors. Little is known about the burden of LBP in Cameroon. Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain and identify its associated factors among healthcare workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among healthcare workers in the Yaound Central Hospital and the Yaound University Teaching Hospital. The questionnaire collected data regarding recent, past year and lifetime occurrences of LBP, socio-demographics and work conditions. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: A total number of 268 HCWs participated in the study, including 197 (73.5%) females and 71 (26.5%) males. The mean age of the study participants was 40.60 8.38 years (extremes of 20 and 65 years). The lifetime, annual, and point prevalences of LBP among the participants were 67.5% (CI: 61.6 - 73.1), 61.5% (CI: 55.6 - 67.1) and 35.7% (CI: 29.7 - 41.5) respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed a moderate stress level, a sedentary lifestyle, working in the medicine and specialities department, lifting heavy objects and bending to work as associated factors to LBP. Most sufferers had a minimal functional disability (65.7%) while 34.3% had a moderate to severe disability. Conclusions: Healthcare providers have a considerably high prevalence of low back pain. Factors associated with LBP found in this study were similar to those widely recognized in the literature. A substantial proportion of healthcare providers are suffering from functional disability associated with low back pain, affecting their social and work lives. There is a need for multilevel interventions to prevent and control low back pain in this highly vulnerable occupational group.

Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence among Sex Workers in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)

Background: Violence against women has become an international public health and human rights issue in recent decades. The violence suffered by sex workers is of little interest for research, yet it constitutes a major health and safety problem. We propose to assess the extent of the phenomenon of gender-based violence (GBV) among sex workers (SWs) in the city of Bangui in the CAR. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study covering the period from July to October 2021 carried out among SWs in Bangui, the capital of the CAR. Given that the SWs association had only 159 members in Bangui, an exhaustive sampling was retained. Were included in the study, any SW present during the data collection period and having given their written consent. The parameters studied were socio-demographic characteristics: age, sex, residence, level of education, marital status, and characteristics linked to violence: the notion of violence during their professional activity, the type of violence, the declaration and the declaration if necessary, the response and management of this violence. The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7 software. Results: Of the 159 SWs that counted the association, 108 had been included. The average age was 27.0 years with extremes of 14 and 46 years. The age groups of 25 to 34 years were the most represented (43.5%). Fifty-six SWs (51.9%) had reached the secondary level. Unemployed SWs were in the majority at 74.1%;Sixty-six (66) SWs in our sample (61.1%) had already been victims of violence during the exercise of their activity Sexual violence was the most represented (28.5%) followed by verbal violence (22.4%). Sixty-eight (62.9%) wanted to stop the professional activity of SWs and 93.1% would accept another income-generating activity in place of sex work. Conclusion: It is necessary to supervise SWs and protect them within the framework of respect for human rights, rather than criminalizing them and the exploiters flouting their human dignity and putting their lives in danger. .

Epidemiological Profile of Men Who Have Sex with Men: First Data about Male Sex Workers in Central African Republic (CAR)

Objectives: Sex work is not well documented among African men. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) and eventually to determine the proportion of sex workers (SW) among them, as well as the proportion of MSM who have been victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study coordinated by the Direction de la Médecine du Travail was carried out at the headquarters of the association ALTERNATIVES in Bangui Bangui from July 1 to October 31, 2021. Consenting MSM present during the study period were systematically included. Sociodemographic variables, those relating to the future vision of the activity and to GBV were collected and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7 software. Results: Forty MSM with an average age of 23 years and mainly secondary education (75.0%) were included. The vast majority of MSM were unemployed (85.0%). 45.0% had been victims of GBV and wanted to stop working as an MSM (47.5%), and almost 2/3 (65.0%) would accept another income-generating activity in exchange for the MSM. Violence was sexual (32.5%), economic (22.5%), physical (20.0%), verbal (12.5%) and psychological (12.5%). Conclusion: The MSM were mainly young, poorly educated, unemployed, and almost half were victims of GBV. The desire to change MSM activity to another income-generating activity alongside that of MSM shows that many of them are SW, workers in the informal sector. This must be taken into account in prevention activities, even if the data needs to be confirmed on a much larger sample.

Study on Influencing Factors of Mental Health of Mobile Young White-Collar Workers in China

Mobile young white-collar workers not only have the characteristics of mobile young people,but also have the characteristics of general white-collar workers.Under the influence of both,their mental health may be suffering from“double disadvantage”.So,based on an ecological model of the stress process,this paper tries to use the data of the questionnaire on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in Zhejiang Province to explore the influence of some factors in the middle workplace and residence place on the mental health of micro individuals.The results show that:(1)The working environment with high control and low freedom and the workplace discrimination against the mobile status will have a negative impact on the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers;(2)Financial anxiety in daily life will lead to a decline in the mental health level of mobile young white-collar workers;(3)Good organizational support and neighborhood social relations can significantly relieve life pressure,so as to effectively improve the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers.It can be seen that we also need to pay more attention to the mental health of mobile young white-collar workers in order to improve their situation.

Violence study of healthcare workers and systems in the Caribbean:ViSHWaS-Caribbean study

BACKGROUND Violence against healthcare workers(HCWs)in the Caribbean continues to prevail yet remains underreported.Our aim is to determine the cause,traits,and consequences of violence on HCWs in the Caribbean.AIM To determine the cause,traits,and consequences of violence on HCWs in the Caribbean.METHODS This research adopted an online cross-sectional survey approach,spanning over eight weeks(between June 6th and August 9th,2022).The survey was generated using Research Electronic Data Capture forms and followed a snowballing strategy to contact individuals using emails,social media,text messages,etc.Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the variables that influence violence,including gender,age,years of experience,institution type,and night shift frequency.RESULTS The survey was completed by 225 HCWs.Females comprised 61%.Over 51%of respondents belonged to the 21 to 35 age group.Dominica(n=61),Haiti(n=50),and Grenada(n=31)had the most responses.Most HCWs(49%)worked for government academic institutions,followed by community hospitals(23%).Medical students(32%),followed by attending physicians(22%),and others(16%)comprised the most common cadre of respondents.About 39%of the participants reported experiencing violence themselves,and 18%reported violence against colleague(s).Verbal violence(48%),emotional abuse(24%),and physical misconduct(14%)were the most common types of violence.Nearly 63%of respondents identified patients or their relatives as the most frequent aggressors.Univariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that female gender(OR=2.08;95%CI:1.16-3.76,P=0.014)and higher frequency of night shifts(OR=2.22;95%CI:1.08-4.58,P=0.030)were associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing violence.More than 50%of HCWs felt less motivated and had decreased job satisfaction post-violent conduct.CONCLUSION A large proportion of HCWS in the Caribbean are exposed to violence,yet the phenomenon remains underreported.As a result,HCWs’job satisfaction has diminished.

Analysis of Hand Hygiene Knowledge,Compliance,and Influencing Factors Among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers

Objective:To evaluate the knowledge,compliance,and influencing factors of hand hygiene among psychiatric healthcare workers.Methods:68 healthcare workers who worked in the Department of Psychiatry between September 2023 and May 2024 were selected to assess their knowledge of hand hygiene and compliance by questionnaire as well as to analyze their influencing factors.Results:Knowledge of hand hygiene among healthcare workers was less than 90%,and doctors’knowledge was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).The healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene was lower than 80%,and the adherence of doctors was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).Analysis of influencing factors reveals that skepticism about the effectiveness of rapid disinfectants/hand washing,skin irritation from disinfectants/cleaning agents,and busy work schedules with time constraints are the main factors affecting healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene,with P<0.05 compared with the same group.Conclusion:Psychiatric healthcare workers’knowledge of hand hygiene as well as compliance with it is low,and there are various factors affecting it,so targeted training is required to strengthen their hand hygiene implementation.

Labor Motivation and Its Influence on Workers’Productivity-A Secondary Publication

The productivity of an institution is achieved,in large part,by creating a harmonious environment that reflects the satisfaction,empowerment,and collaborative spirit of each employee.From this perspective,management will consider upgrades using all tactics that allow for the achievement of these goals,including direct effort and the involvement of all stakeholders.The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between work motivation and the productivity of workers in the communal board of the Barrio Sur corregimiento in the province of Colón.Using the questionnaire as an instrument,as well as the descriptive method,allowed for the report and evaluation of the characteristics of the workers,indicating interpersonal deficits and distancing in the motivations that drive administrative action.By incorporating different approaches previously analyzed and developed by different authors familiar with the subject,it was possible to achieve substantial results,such as the need to implement administrative strategies that harmoniously incorporate workers,showing that,despite motivation problems,the work environment where one works is very important in the performance of their duties.Managing to motivate the direct participation of the workers selected as part of the sample,who showed full satisfaction with the results framed within the framework of individual improvement and,above all,the commitment to the institution to improve its work.

Prevalence of Occupational Injury and Knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Accessibility among Healthcare Workers in Mogadishu, Somalia

Introduction: Healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia face significant occupational injury risks, particularly needle stick injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents. This poses a serious threat to their health, leading to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Despite the high prevalence of injuries, awareness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility is relatively high, with 84.0% of respondents aware of it. However, there are gaps in knowledge and implementation, as evidenced by variations in availability of PEP. Improving workplace safety measures, providing comprehensive training on injury prevention and PEP protocols, and ensuring consistent availability of PEP in healthcare facilities are crucial steps to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital workers in Mogadishu, Somalia, focusing on professionals from various healthcare facilities. The study targeted nurses, doctors, laboratory personnel, and pharmacists. Purposive sampling was employed, resulting in a sample size of 383 calculated using Fisher’s sample size formula. Data were collected using coded questionnaires entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed with SPSS software to generate frequencies and proportions, presented through frequency tables and pie figures. Results: The study in Mogadishu, Somalia, examined the prevalence of occupational injuries and knowledge of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) accessibility among healthcare workers. Findings indicate a high prevalence of injuries, with 61.1% reporting incidents, predominantly needle stick injuries (60.6%). Despite the majority seeking prompt medical attention (72.0%), work-related illnesses affected 53.2% of respondents, notably work-related stress (59.5%). While most received training on injury and illness prevention (68.9%), gaps exist in PEP awareness, with 16.0% unaware of it. Nonetheless, 84.0% were aware, predominantly through health facilities (52.0%). Availability of PEP was reported by 71.3% in healthcare facilities, with variations in shift availability. The majority reported guidelines for PEP use (55.7%). Efforts are needed to bolster PEP awareness and ensure consistent availability in healthcare facilities to safeguard worker health. Conclusion: High prevalence of occupational injuries among healthcare workers, with needle stick injuries being the most common (60.6%). Despite this, 84.0% of respondents were aware of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), primarily learning about it from health facilities (52.0%). While 71.3% reported the availability of PEP in their facility, 28.7% noted its unavailability. These results emphasize the need for improved education and accessibility of PEP to mitigate occupational injury risks.

Occupational health risks among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: preparing for the future pandemics

Background:This study aimed to assess the occupational risks encountered by Healthcare Workers(HCWs)in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out from May to October 2021.Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique,an online questionnaire was sent to the recruited HCWs,across Saudi Arabia.Results:Of the 768 HCWs recruited,702 participated in the survey.A significant majority(over 80%)reported working beyond 8 hours daily.COVID-19 infection,confirmed via PCR,was identified in 25%of the participants.Notably,infection was significantly correlated with direct or close contact(p=0.0007).Psychological distress was reported by 81%,with anxiety being the most prevalent(33%),followed by stress(19%),depression(17%),and insomnia(12%).Around 20%experienced headaches post-PPE use,while 14%reported adverse skin reactions,predominantly allergy and dermatitis.A concerning one-third of respondents reported exposure to violence.Conclusion:High infection rate,physical and psychological risks among HCWs especially those in direct contact with patients,reflect the need for enhancing the entirety of outbreak preparedness and response,specifically training.Active surveillance system,is crucial to adequately monitor and support HCWs during pandemic scenarios.

Economic Growth:The Fundamental Path to the Realization of Social Security Rights for Migrant Workers

The International Labour Organization seems to only see the aspect of social security promoting economic growth,while neglecting the aspect of economic growth supporting social security.From the standpoint of materialism and the practice of social security,the realization of social security rights for migrant workers fundamentally depends on economic growth.The Belt and Road Initiative has provided a Chinese solution for creating a strong material and technological foundation to meet the social security needs of all people,including migrant workers.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Diabetes among City Hall Workers, Bohicon, Benin

Introduction: Living and working conditions are increasingly conducive to a sedentary lifestyle. Many administrative workers are exposed daily to long hours of work in a prolonged sitting position, which can favour the onset of diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with diabetes among workers at a town hall in Benin in 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. Exhaustive recruitment was carried out. Data were collected during a face-to-face interview, using a standardized questionnaire including socio-professional factors, behavioral factors, anthropometric measurements, and blood glucose. Frequencies were calculated. Frequencies were compared using the chi-square and Fisher tests. The significance threshold was 5%. Results: A total of 85 workers were included. Their mean age was 41.55 ± 9.82 years, with a sex ratio of 6.1. = The prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 8.2% [95% CI: 3.38 - 16.23%] and 3 of the workers knew they had diabetes. A family history of diabetes was associated with diabetes (p = 0.032). Occupationally, 10.77% of permanent employees had diabetes, compared with 0.0% of non-permanent employees;12.50% of employees with at least 10 years’ seniority had diabetes, compared with 7.25% of those with less seniority;19.05% of employees who spent at least 6 hours a day sitting at work had diabetes, compared with 4.69% of those who spent less time sitting. Conclusion: Preventing chronic disease in the workplace is part of promoting workers’ health, and must take into account occupational factors such as prolonged sitting.

Factors Associated with Overweight among Workers of the Ministry of Labor and Public Service in Benin in 2023

Introduction: The problem of excess weight is pandemic and affects the majority of nations, regardless of their level of development. However, the prevalence of overweight among workers in Benin is very poorly documented. To fill this gap, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with overweight among workers of the Ministry of Labor and Public Service (MTFP) in 2023 in Benin. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with analytical purposes carried out from August 16 to December 17, 2023, among MINISTRY OF LABOR AND PUBLIC SERVICE staff. The variables studied were overweight, sociodemographic, occupational and dietary characteristics, lifestyle, anthropometric factors and family history of obesity. An exhaustive recruitment of workers meeting our inclusion criteria and a questionnaire survey was carried out. Data were analyzed using R 4.0.4 software. A bivariate analysis followed by a multivariable analysis made it possible to identify the factors associated with overweight at the p Results: In total, 379 workers were included in our study. The average age of the surveyed workers was 44.86 years ± 7.67 years, with 202 (53.30%) workers at least 45 years old. Men predominated with a number of 228 (60.16%). The prevalence of overweight was 63.32% (95% CI: [58.23 - 68.15]) and the associated factors after multivariate analysis were: female sex (ORa = 4.00;95% CI [2.11 - 7.76];p Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight is high among ministry of labor and public service workers. Education and awareness in the professional environment on the prevention and management of risk factors are essential for a long-term impact on a notable regression of this public health phenomenon.

Knowledge and associated factors of healthcare workers on measles vaccine and cold chain management at health institutions in Gondar,Ethiopia

Objective:To assess the knowledge of healthcare workers on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.Method:An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 30,2022 in Gondar City Administration public health institutions among 165 healthcare workers.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.In addition,an on-spot observation checklist was used to assess the availability,status and management of the cold chain.A logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between the outcome and predictor variables.Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated with 95%confidence intervals.Results:Overall,87(52.7%;95%CI 44.8%-60.5%)of the healthcare workers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred thirty-six(82.4%)healthcare workers correctly mentioned the recommended range of temperature(2-8℃)for measles vaccine storage.Healthcare workers aged 18-29 years(P=0.001)and 30-44 years(P=0.014)were observed as determinants of unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.One hundred and five(63.6%)of the healthcare workers did not correctly mention the type of measles vaccine used in routine immunization.More than one-third(36.4%)of the healthcare workers perceived that the measles vaccine is not safe and could cause measles.Conclusions:More than half of the healthcare workers in the study area had unsatisfactory knowledge on the measles vaccine and its cold chain management.It is necessary to provide technical support and in-service training for healthcare workers to ensure optimal immunization effectiveness.

Addressing the needs and rights of sex workers for HIV healthcare services in the Philippines

The right to health for all people means that healthcare services and programs are available,accessible,and acceptable for everyone in need.However,certain groups in the society may be marginalized from their needed healthcare services.In this regard,this paper discusses the challenges in providing HIV-related services to sex workers,a group that remains marginalized in Philippine society.