Acceptability of Caesarean Section among Pregnant Women Seeking Antenatal Care at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka Zambia

Caesarean section remains one of the most common obstetric and major operations performed on women during pregnancy and has contributed to improving maternal and foetal health. Consequently, significant mortality and morbidity from pregnancy and labour-related causes can be eliminated by a timely caesarean section. The acceptance of the life-saving procedure remains unsatisfactory in most sub-Saharan nations. The study aimed to assess the acceptability of caesarean section and associated factors among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka Zambia. The study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study design involving 420 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals Lusaka Zambia. Data was obtained using an Interview schedule and analysed using R software version 4.3.2. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and binary logistic regression for statistical analysis at a 5% level of significance. The study found that the acceptability of Caesarean section as a mode of delivery was low (29%) among respondents at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals. This was influenced by marital status (P = 0.002), socioeconomic status (P = 0.050), parity (P = 0.004), gestation age (P = 0.008), previous history of caesarean section (P = 0.003), knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P < 0.001), and sociocultural beliefs (P = 0.045). Low acceptability of Caesarean section delivery is common among women at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals, despite its potential benefits for maternal and neonatal health. Socio-demographic and maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, perception, and socio-cultural beliefs play a major role in determining acceptability. Therefore, efforts to enhance acceptability should focus on improving knowledge, enhancing positive perceptions and attitudes, and allaying negative socio-cultural beliefs towards caesarean section.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to HIV among Motorbike Taxi Drivers in Parakou, Benin, in 2021

Background and Objective: HIV infection is a major global Public Health threat worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa of which Benin. The level of knowledge determines the attitudes and behaviors of the populations towards this infection. The study objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV infection among motorbike taxi drivers (MTD) in Parakou in 2021. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting MTD in Parakou in 2021. Participants were selected by cluster sampling. Pretested Digitized questionnaire using KoboCollect@ applicationserved as a data collection tool. Knowledge, attitudes and practices variable were treated on a score scale. A knowledge score was considered to reflect a good knowledge of HIV if at least two-thirds of the knowledge statements had been correctly answered provided the subject recognized the sexual route as one of modes of HIV transmission, identified at least one preventive measure and meant the incurability of the disease. Quantitative and qualitative variables were appropriately described using the EPI Info 7.1.3.3 software. The participant was classified at positive attitude/practice for HIV prevention, when it has a score of at least 80% and suggests a good preventive measure face a risk of exposure to HIV. Results: A total of 374 subjects were recruited into the study. The mean age was 31.51 ± 7.76 years. Most participants (86.06%) had good knowledge of condom use as an HIV prevention method. The sources of information mentioned were mainly the media (77.07%), relatives or friends (63.38%), and field-workers from non-governmental organizations (37.26%). Routine HIV testing was 50.53%. Among participants, 76.10% reported at least two different sexual partners. Condom use was 59.18 % during the casual sexual intercourse. Within the client-provider relationship with female sex workers, 33.17% had had sexual intercourse with them. The sexual route was the most cited (92.99%), and 90.23% stated that HIV infection can be stabilized by medication in a health structure. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of motorbike taxi drivers in Parakou does not match their behavior with regard to HIV prevention. Appropriate strategies are needed to develop prevention skills in this population. To effectively comb at HIV, it will be necessary to strengthen the targeted HIV preventive interventions at key and bridge populations including motorbike taxi drivers in Benin.

Leading Pattern of Spring Drought Variability over East Asia and Associated Drivers

Drought events have become more frequent and intense over East Asia in recent decades,leading to huge socioeconomic impacts.Although the droughts have been studied extensively by cases or for individual regions,their leading variability and associated causes remain unclear.Based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI)and ERA5 reanalysis product from 1979 to 2020,this study evealuates the severity of spring droughts in East Asia and investigates their variations and associated drivers.The results indicate that North China and Mongolia have experienced remarkable trends toward dryness during spring in recent decades,while southwestern China has witnessed an opposite trend toward wetness.The first Empirical Orthogonal Function mode of SPEI variability reveals a similar seesawing pattern,with more severe dryness in northwestern China,Mongolia,North China,South Korea,and Japan but increased wetness in Southwestern China and southeast Asia.Further investigation reveals that the anomalously dry(wet)surface in North(Southwestern)China is significantly associated with anomalously high(low)temperature,less(more)precipitation,and reduced(increased)soil moisture during the previous winter and early spring,regulated by an anomalous anticyclone(cyclone)and thus reduced(increased)water vapor convergence.The spring dry-wet pattern in East Asia is also linked to cold sea surface temperature anomalies in the central-eastern Pacific.The findings of this study have important implications for improving the prediction of spring drought events in East Asia.

Acceptability of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) by Mothers with Low-Birth-Weight Babies at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, in Ndola, Zambia

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care is a simple safe method used to care for low-birth-weight babies. Low-birth-weight is a global public health issue that pose significant challenge to perinatal care systems. Globally, complications due to low-birth-weight are the leading cause of neonatal mortality, resulting in an estimated 1 million deaths annually. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a low-cost method of care for low-birth-weight infants in areas with inadequate incubators and power outages with positive outcomes. Objectives: To assess factors influencing acceptability of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in NICU at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital in Ndola, Zambia. Methodology: A cross sectional quantitative analytical study design was used. The study was conducted at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital (ADCH) in Ndola, Zambia. The purposive sampling method was used to select the study participants and a total of 129 mothers with Low Weight Babies A were selected to participate structured closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants using an interview. Data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software version 26. Cross tabulations were done to determine association of variables using a Chi square (x2) test at 95% confidence interval and were assumptions where not met, fishers exact test was used. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results: Most of the respondents had male babies 77%, 69% of the babies weighed 1000 g - 1400 g, majority 79% had normal delivery, 71% of the respondents were multigravida and most of the respondents 79% were married. The study reviewed that 85% of those who attained secondary education accepted KMC, 74% of the respondents without monthly income accepted KMC, 80% of the respondents had positive attitude and accepted KMC. 82% of the respondents who had positive perception accepted KMC. Conclusion: Acceptance of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) among 75% of the mothers underscores its widespread favourability as a beneficial method for infant care.

Seroprevalence Survey of HIV and Hepatitis B Virus and Behavioral Characteristics among Heavy Truck Drivers along Port Sudan-Khartoum Highways

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) and hepatitis B virus among heavy truck drivers and their assistants has been well documented globally in correlation with their behavioral characteristics. The present study aimed to screen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and behavioral characteristics among heavy truck drivers in Port Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 274 heavy truck drivers and their assistants who used the highway Port Sudan-Khartoum in Port Sudan city during 2019-2021. Data on behavioral characteristics and substance use habits were collected using a structured questionnaire, and an ELISA test was used to screen for HIV and HBV infections in the study participants. The chi-square test, odds ratio, and confidence intervals were used to find the association between behavioral characteristics and seropositive HIV/HBV. Of the 274 enrolled participants, the seroprevalence rates of HIV were 2.7% and HBV was 23.7%. Ninety-four (34.3%) of them had a history of high-risk sexual behavior outside of marriage;only two (0.7%) used condoms;14.2% of participants reported alcohol use;and 1.1% reported drug use. Univariate analysis revealed that having a sex history outside of marriage with ≥1 sex partner and never using a condom with a spouse or casual partner were significant risk factors for HIV and HBV among drivers. Fortunately, we found that most of the drivers reported low alcohol and drug use. Concerning this study, the seroprevalence of HIV and HBV is highly associated with a history of having sex outside of marriage and sexual behavior among truck drivers and assistances. Additional studies are needed to further investigate other STIs and behavioral characteristics associated with factors in truck drivers/assistance in different truck stop regions in Sudan.

Statistical Analysis of Accident Proneness of Drivers

A mathematical model describing the risks of road accidents has been built on the basis of statistical data of drivers’ accident rate. It has been revealed that drivers can be divided by the degree of their accident proneness into four categories with sharply differing probabilities of road accidents. It has been shown that there is a possibility of classification of drivers in accordance with specified categories.

Factors Contributing to the Acceptability of Second Dose of Measles Vaccine among Children in Livingstone District, Zambia

Introduction: Measles is a viral disease that is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. It is a contagious disease resulting from infection with the measles virus and is still responsible for more than 100,000 deaths per year. Although vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions to reduce mortality and morbidity, approximately 1.4 million children worldwide die from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. In Zambia, MCV2 was 66% below WHO recommended target of 95%. This study therefore assessed the acceptability of second dose measles vaccination services among caretakers/mothers with children less than two years of age in Livingstone, Zambia. Methods: The study used analytical cross-sectional study design. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with acceptability of the second dose of measles vaccine. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio demographic characteristics and factors related to acceptability of the second dose of measles vaccine. SPSS version 26.0 was used for descriptive and inferential analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in acceptability of the second dose of measles vaccine by gender, marital status, type of employment, income level, socio-cultural and traditional beliefs, and education level. However, there was a statistically significant difference in acceptability of the second dose of measles vaccine by knowledge level of second dose of measles vaccine. A Chi square test result indicated that second dose acceptability was higher with less children than that of respondents with many children (χ2(5) = 15.3, p and knowledge levels (χ2(2) = 14.8, p Changes in knowledge level from medium to high reduced the odds of second dose measles vaccine acceptability. Furthermore, this study showed that acceptance of the second measles vaccination increased from mothers/caretakers with low knowledge (3.6%) to medium knowledge (13.3%) and finally high knowledge (83.1%). Conclusion: Tailored messaging to increase knowledge among mothers and caregivers on the importance of the second dose of measles vaccine is critical in improving acceptability. Therefore, the researchers recommend that the health providers should continue to raise awareness associated with the low acceptability of the second dose of measles vaccine and improve on child preventable diseases such as measles.

Acceptability of Phone-Based Communication Intervention by Healthcare Workers as an Adjunct to Routine Referral Form: A Qualitative Study in South Western Uganda

Introduction: A functional maternal referral system should encompass a feasible communication system between health facilities. In Uganda, the current paper-based patient referral form is associated with inadequate patient-information and low feedback rates. A recent quasi-experimental study demonstrated that a phone-based communication intervention is feasible for iterative communication between health facilities, and there were improved maternal-fetal outcomes and high rates of feedback. However, the acceptability of the intervention was not assessed. Objective: The study assessed the acceptability of a phone-based communication intervention by the health care workers (HCWs) for iterative communication between the referring and receiving health facilities. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in South Western Uganda, in April 2021. The study employed a theoretical framework of acceptability of medical interventions. We conducted in-depth interviews with HCWs and used deductive-inductive analysis. Results: We enrolled a total of 23 HCWs, of whom 69.6% (n = 16) were females while 30.4% (n = 7) were males. Majority (65.2%, n = 15), were midwives and the rest were: doctors (30.4%, n = 7) and a nurse (4.3%). The HCWs were positive towards the intervention: they believed that the intervention reduced delays, promoted professional escort, encouraged sharing of supplies, enabled exchange of relatively more patient details, feedback and improved case management. They believed it was culturally acceptable and had enough skills and experience of operating phones. All participants recommended scale out of the intervention, but advised on the need for dedicated human-resource to coordinate phone calls, ensure availability of airtime and charged battery. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the phone-based communication intervention was highly accepted by the healthcare workers, and that hospitals can successfully give feedback to lower health centres through iterative phone calls. This provides a possible solution to the long-standing challenge of poor feedback rates and a vicious cycle of poor maternal-fetal outcomes in resource limited settings.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Psychoactive Substance Misuse among Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers in Cotonou, Benin

Introduction: In Benin, Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers play an essential role in the logistics chain, facilitating the transportation of goods within the country or between other countries in the sub-region. HGV drivers are professionals who experience adverse working conditions, exposing them to risky behaviours, including Psychoactive Substance (PAS) misuse, leading to particularly severe road accidents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PAS misuse among HGV drivers and identify associated factors in Cotonou, Benin. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving HGV drivers at parking areas in Cotonou from 26 March to 10 April 2023. The dependent variable was the PAS misuse by HGV drivers, and the independent variables were related to their socio-demographic characteristics, health status and lifestyle habits, and professional characteristics. Data analysis involved determining the prevalence of PAS misuse with a 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI). Subsequently, we identified factors associated with PAS misuse among the participants using multivariate logistic regression. We presented the final regression results as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% CI. Results: The study included 425 HGV drivers. Among them, 53 (12.47%, 95% CI = 9.64 - 15.98) were misusing PAS. Compared to drivers aged 35 and older, those aged under 25 (aOR = 10.67, 95% CI = 3.56 - 32.03) and those aged 25 to 34 (aOR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.37 - 8.82) had higher odds of PAS misuse. Drivers with a primary education were less likely (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19 - 0.97) to misuse PAS than those with no formal education. Drivers suffering from cardiovascular diseases were also three times more likely (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.08 - 8.81) to misuse PAS than others. The odds of PAS misuse were also higher among drivers who reported taking breaks than those claiming not to (aOR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.57 - 6.18). Conclusion: Driving under the influence of PAS is a risk factor for road accidents, associated with other factors highlighted in this study. Addressing these factors in prevention strategies through integrated approaches could lead to more effective results.

Higher Plasma Potassium Level Reduces 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Predicted by the Framingham Risk Score among Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Residing and Working in Cotonou, Benin

Hypertension, obesity, smoking, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are the major risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recent studies revealed that taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) in Cotonou had higher rates of CVD risk factors, but their impacts on cardiovascular events have rarely been studied. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is an algorithm that considers CVD risk factors and estimates the risk of developing CVD in the next 10 years. Our objectives were to assess the 10-year CVD risk predicted by the FRS, and to examine the relationships of 10-year CVD risk with plasma iron and potassium levels among TMDs. We included 134 TMDs (22 - 59 years old) who had no prior diagnosis of CVD or T2D, and not taking medications affecting iron and potassium homeostasis. Conventional cardiovascular risk factors were used to calculate the 10-year CVD risk, which was categorized as low (20%). FRS > 2%, which corresponded to the 75th percentile of FRS distribution in our study population, was used as a cut-off value to classify participants into two groups. Plasma iron and potassium levels were segregated into tertiles and their associations with 10-year CVD risk were quantified by multivariate-adjusted logistic regression to calculate the odd ratios (ORs) to being above the 75th percentile of 10-year CVD risk with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We found that 62.0% of participants had at least one of cardiovascular risk factors. Approximately 97.8% of TMDs had 10-year CVD risk 4.8 mmol/L led to an 83% risk reduction of having 10-year CVD risk > 2% (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.82, P = 0.027). In conclusion, our findings showed that high plasma potassium levels associate with reduced 10-year CVD risk among TMDs. Interventions focused on monitoring of plasma potassium, particularly in those with existing cardiovascular risk factors, may help prevent CVD.

Acceptability of Ambulatory Surgical Services and Its Predictors among Residents of Budondo Sub-County—Jinja District, Uganda

Background: 25% of all people requiring surgical care are not able to access it due to its high cost. These people stand a high risk of preventable severe morbidity and mortality due to poor prognosis of surgically correctable illnesses. Ambulatory surgical care services are significantly cheaper than orthodox surgical care and have become very relevant in this time and age where health conditions that can only be treated with surgical intervention are on the rise. The acceptability of ambulatory surgical care services will determine how this model increases universal health coverage. Objective: To assess the acceptability of ambulatory surgical services and its predictors among residents of Budondo Sub-County—Jinja district. Methods: The study was cross-sectional targeting 371 household heads in Budondo Sub-County, which was stratified by parish, with villages in each randomly sampled. Systematic random sampling was used to sample households and households therein were purposively sampled. Structured interviews and questionnaires were the data collection techniques, and data was analyzed in SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics and a binomial logit model. Results: The level of acceptability of ambulatory surgical care services among residents of Budondo Sub-County was found to be near-universal, at 96.5%. The odds of accepting ambulatory surgical care were least among household heads who agreed that surgery done in a hospital would be cheaper than surgery done at community level (aOR = 0.174 [CI = 0.055 - 0.553]), those who had health insurance (aOR = 0.105 [95% CI = 0.030 - 0.371]), and household heads who were covered with private health insurance (aOR = 0.078 [95% CI = 0.008 - 0.792]). Acceptability of ASC was higher among household heads who agreed that they would trust ambulatory surgical centers with their life were more likely to accept ambulatory surgical care (aOR = 1.124, [95% CI = 1.122 - 3.218], P = 0.000), and household heads from households that had less than five members with surgery history were twice as likely to accept ambulatory surgical care (aOR = 2.431 [95% CI = 1.122 - 5.898], P = 0.000). Conclusion: Acceptability of ambulatory surgical care services among residents of Budondo Sub-County is high, and near-universal. It is mainly predicted by intrapersonal correlates and to a small extent by socio-demographic characteristics, with the implication that the administration of Global Surgical Initiatives in Kyabirwa ought to focus on modifying or uphold the intrapersonal characteristics found to be antagonists and protagonists of acceptability, respectively.

Impact of Manipulative Treatment on Professional Drivers

The experimental research, presented in the study, focuses on track tests with the aim of highlighting changes in lap times after manipulative treatment of drainage of the glymphatic system and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Introduction: The experimental research, presented in this study, focuses on analyzing the potential effects of a manipulative treatment on the performance of a professional driver. The main objective is to evaluate the change in lap times after the application of the treatment, trying to understand whether it can actually positively influence the driver’s performance. The study stands an important opportunity to extend knowledge, regarding the use of manipulative therapies in the context of optimized driving skills. The results obtained could provide useful insights and contribute to improving the performance of professional drivers by offering new perspectives and strategies to improve their performance. Leveraging a rigorous scientific approach and a sample of highly skilled drivers, the research aims to provide concrete evidence on the effectiveness of manipulative treatment in driving skills. Monitoring lap times before and after the intervention also capture any temporary or long-term effects of the treatment, ensuring a thorough and reliable analysis of the results. Materials and methods: 15 professional drivers, aged 18 to 36 years, with at least 10 years of experience as drivers, participated in this study. The test consisted of analyzing lap times before and after treatment.

Drivers of Innovative Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Bamenda City, Cameroon

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is gaining increasing importance in developing countries, due to rapid urbanization and rising rural-to-urban migration which has led to an increase in the population of the urban poor in Cameroon. It has been estimated that at least 70% of the total population of Cameroon will be living in urban areas by 2060. Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) has become an important source of livelihood and survival, especially amongst the urban poor but is not adequately recognized and supported by the government of Cameroon and organizations. Recent innovations in UPA have created new opportunities for social, economic, and environmental sustainability of urban areas, hence possible policy formulation in UPA. Therefore, this study was conducted with the main objective of determining the drivers of innovative urban and peri-urban agriculture in Bamenda City, Cameroon. Methodologically, the study employed probit model, using primary data collected from a sample of 402 UPA farmers through the cluster, simple random, and snowball sampling techniques. The results revealed that access to extension services is a major driver of innovative UPA in Bamenda City and is statistically significant at 1%. Other factors such as employment status (full time), age group (26 to 50 years), and gender, were also seen to have a significant positive influence on innovative UPA while the level of education (secondary) had a negative influence on innovative UPA and was statistically significant at 5%. Limited capital, limited knowledge, and financial constraints were identified as the major challenges hindering the practice of innovative urban and peri-urban agriculture in Bamenda City. The study recommends that the government and non-governmental organizations should increase the quality and quantity of extension service delivery to urban and peri-urban farmers, and more recognition and support should be offered to them to help overcome the challenges faced.

Exploring the drivers of urban expansion in a medium-class urban agglomeration in India using the remote sensing techniques and geographically weighted models

Rapid urbanization urges the immediate attention of policymakers to ensure sustainable city development.Under-standing the urban growth drivers is essential to address effective strategies for urbanization-related challenges.This work aims to study Raiganj’s urban development and the factors associated with this expansion.This study employed global logistic regression(LR)and geographical weighted logistic regression(GWLR)to explore the role of different factors.The results showed that the role of the central business district(covariate>-1),commercial market(covariate>-3),and police station(covariate>-4)were significant to the development of new built-up areas.In the second period,major roads(covariate>-2)and new infrastructures(covariate>-4)became more relevant,particularly in the eastern and southern areas.GWLR was more accurate in assessing the different fac-tors’impact than LR.The results obtained are essential to understanding urban expansion in India’s medium-class cities,which is critical to effective policies for sustainable urbanization.

Acceptability and strategies for enhancing uptake of human immunodeficiency virus self-testing in Nigeria

BACKGROUND In 2019,the Nigerian Ministry of Health published the first operational guidelines for human immunodeficiency virus self-testing(HIVST)to improve access to human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)testing services among undertested populations in the country.Also,as part of the campaign to increase HIV testing services in Nigeria,the Nigerian Ministry of Health developed standard operating procedures for using HIVST kits.AIM To systematically review the acceptability and strategies for enhancing the uptake of HIVST in Nigeria.METHODS The systematic review was conducted and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.Different databases were searched to get the necessary materials needed for this review.Standardized forms developed by the authors were used for data extraction to minimize the risk of bias and ensure that the articles used for the study were properly screened.Identified articles were first screened using the titles and their abstracts.The full papers were screened,and the similarities of the documents were determined.Qualitative,quantitative,and mixed-method studies were evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and Critical Appraisal Framework criteria.RESULTS All the publications reviewed were published between 2015 and 2022,with 33.3%published in 2021.Most(77.8%)of the studies were cross-sectional,43.3%were conducted in Lagos State,and 26.3%were conducted among young people.The study revealed a high level of acceptability of HIVST.Certain factors,such as gender,sexual activity,and previous testing experience,influence the acceptability of HIV self-testing,with some individuals more likely to opt-out.The cost of the kit was reported as the strongest factor for choosing HIVST services,and this ranged from 200 to 4000 Naira(approximately United States Dollar 0.55-11.07),with the majority willing to pay 500 Naira(approximately United States Dollar 1.38).Privately-owned,registered pharmacies,youthfriendly centres,supermarkets,and online stores were the most cited access locations for HIVST.The least influential attribute was the type of specimen needed for HIVST.Strategies addressing cost and preferred access points and diverse needs for social media promotion,local translation of product use instructions,and HIVST distribution led by key opinion leaders for key populations were found to significantly enhance HIVST uptake and linkage to care.CONCLUSION HIVST acceptability is generally high from an intention-to-use perspective.Targeted strategies are required to improve the acceptability of HIV self-testing,especially among males,sexually active individuals,and first-time testers.Identified and proposed uptake-enhancing strategies need to be investigated in controlled settings and among different populations and distribution models in Nigeria.

Coverage and Factors Associated with Acceptance and Satisfaction of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Six Health Zones in Benin

Introduction: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) was adopted in 2019 in two health zones in Benin where malaria transmission is very high. Positive results led to the extension of the intervention to other zones with additional financial support. Annual SMC campaigns from 2021 to 2023 were carried out in all six health zones in the Atacora and Alibori departments. In five years of implementation, various approaches have been developed on the basis of a communication plan facilitating buy-in and acceptance by all stakeholders. The aim of this study was to assess the effective coverage and acceptance of the SMC by their beneficiary populations in 2023. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with an analytical focus. Data collection took place from November 30 to December 13, 2023. The study population consisted of children under 5 years of age residing in the departments of Atacora and Alibori in northern Benin. A total of 3573 children under 5 years of age were included in the study, and their parents or guardians were interviewed. Results: During the 2023 campaign, 87.7% of targets were reached by SMC administration and 100.00% of children had received at least one dose of SMC by the fourth visit. Effective therapeutic coverage of SMC was 70.55%, with 99.60% in BNK, 69.40% in KGS, 16.20% in MK, 56.10% in 2KP, 92.40% in NBT and 89.60% in TMC. This coverage was statistically related to child and respondent ages (p Conclusion: SMC is a strategy accepted by the population, and the main reasons for non-participation in SMC were dominated by the absence of mothers or babysitters when the agents visited.

Acceptance and Experience of HIV-Infected Adolescents in Two Hospitals in Yaoundé

Introduction: Access to antiretroviral drugs has improved the survival of children infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). As they reach adolescence, they are confronted with various constraints related to the infection and its treatment, in addition to those of the growth period they are going through. The main aim of the study was to assess the acceptance and describe the experience of HIV infection by infected adolescents but also to investigate the factors associated with good acceptance and a positive experience. Methodology: The cross-sectional analytic study concerned HIV-infected adolescents aged 15 to 19 followed up at the Chantal Biya Foundation-Mother and Child Centre (CME-FCB) and the Yaoundé University Hospital Centre (CHUY) between February 2020 and June 2020. The study saw participants complete a questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and assessing acceptance and experience with the infection. Data analysis was accomplished using Epi info software version 7.2.2.6. Results: One hundred and thirteen HIV-infected adolescents were included in the study. The sex ratio was 0.68 and the mean age was 17 years. More than half of the adolescents had a good acceptance and positive experience with the infection. Related factors were the adolescent’s perception of good health and participation in an association with other infected adolescents. Conclusion: Emphasizing the psychological and educational follow-up of infected adolescents and encouraging their participation in associations for adolescents living with HIV could reduce the consequences of poor acceptance and ensure a better transition to adulthood. .

Monitor and Acceptance among Couples in Romantic Relationships:Actor-Partner Interdependence Models Based on the Monitor and Acceptance Theory

Communication could be an essential part of couples in their daily life.Based on Monitor and Acceptance Theory(MAT),the present study explored the mediating role of communication in the relationship between mindfulness and relationship quality among college-student couples.The research examined the dynamic relationship of monitoring and acceptance to relationship satisfaction in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model(APIM),and the mediating effect of positive or negative communications in these relationships.A total of 96 pairs of couples in the universities in Nanjing,China participated in the research.Momentary measurements were used to measure the momentary levels of their monitor,acceptance,positive/negative communication,and relationship satisfaction.A Hierarchical Linear Model(HLM)was used to deal with the APIM.Results showed that the women’s monitor facet of state mindfulness negatively predicted men’s relationship satisfaction through women’s negative communication,and the women’s acceptance facet of state mindfulness positively predicted women’s relationship satisfaction through women’s positive and negative communication at the within-person level.The study highlights the importance of cooperation in monitoring and acceptance for couples to own and hold high levels of relationship satisfaction.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Pregnant Women: A Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Risks Survey in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its emergence, there have been increased rates of transmission and spread, morbidity and mortality which led to the development of COVID-19 vaccines to address the pandemic. This study assessed acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and perceived risks regarding COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women attending antenatal care at two First-Level Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted among 241 pregnant women using a questionnaire from August 2023 to October 2023 in two First-Level Hospitals in Lusaka district, Zambia. The collected data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test. The statistical significance was set at a 95% confidence level. Results: Of the 241 participants, 107 (42.7%) were aged between 24 and 34 years. Overall, 64.3% accepted the COVID-19 vaccines, of which 122 (50.6%) were already vaccinated. Further, 203 (84.6%) of the pregnant women had good knowledge, and 199 (82.6%) had positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. However, 58.5% thought COVID-19 vaccines were not safe and could cause infertility. Alongside this, 70.1% thought that COVID-19 vaccines were harmful during pregnancy. Having good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines was associated with age (p = 0.049), education status (p = 0.001), and employment status (p = 0.001). Having a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines was associated with education status (p = 0.001) and employment status (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that most pregnant women had good knowledge, and positive attitudes, and the majority accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Encouragingly, most of the pregnant women who accepted the COVID-19 vaccines were already vaccinated. Most pregnant women thought that COVID-19 vaccines had side effects, were not safe, and could be harmful during pregnancy. Consequently, this could have contributed to the hesitancy to receive a vaccine among some participants. The findings of this study demonstrate the need to provide pregnant women with continuous educational programs on the benefits of vaccinations for themselves and their children.

Market Research on College Students' Acceptance of Prepared Dishes

With the accelerated pace of life and the demand for dietary diversification,more and more people begin to pay attention to the convenience and health of diet,and the prepared dishes market is getting more and more attention and favor because of its characteristics of convenient and quick.In order to understand the acceptance of college students' to the prepared dishes market,this paper aimed to collect college students' views and suggestions on the prepared dishes market by means of a questionnaire survey.By analyzing the results of the survey,we found that college students' generally have a positive attitude towards prepared dishes markets,and they believe that prepared dishes provides convenient,fast and diversified dietary choices.However,some college students' have some concerns about the quality and food safety of the prepared dishes market,such as adding too many food additives and preservatives.Through the research on college students' acceptance of the prepared dishes market,we can reveal the demand and potential problems of college students' for the prepared dishes market from the consumer s point of view,so as to provide a reference for the future development of the prepared dishes market.