Patient Satisfaction Related to Their Eye Health Examination at Lúrio University Clinic in Nampula, Mozambique during COVID-19

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is defined as the extent of agreement between what a patient expects to receive from his or her health experience and the perception of the level of care he or she actually receive. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many practices have to adapt to provide health ensuring patients’ safety in first instance. Eye care procedures may be delayed during the pandemic, so eye safety is more important than ever, and it doesn’t only focus on the examination room, all the clinic compartments must be adjusted to ensure that no patient is infected by COVID-19 within the clinic. The aim of this study was to assess the satisfaction of patients who attended the Lúrio University Clinic for eye care during COVID-19. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted from December 30th, 2020 to April 30th, 2021. A systematic random sampling method was used to enrol 173 participants. Data were collected using an identification form and the patient satisfaction survey. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Lúrio University Bioethical Committee review board, and informed consent term was also received from the participants before data collection. Results: 173 participants (84 women, 48.6% and 89 men, 51.4%) completed the survey with the mean age of 31.14 and standard deviation of ±14.6 years. We found that 98.3% of the participants were satisfied (63.6% satisfied and 34.7% extremely satisfied) with the eye care provided in Lúrio University Clinic. Conclusion: Most of the patients were satisfied with the eye health examination provided in Lúrio University clinic, thus the directions for future research of the study are now opened.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) about Refractive Error among Students Attending Faculty of Health Sciences at Lúrio University in Mozambique, 2020

Introduction: Refractive error is recognized as one of the most important causes of correctable visual impairment and affects people of all ages, socioeconomic levels, and ethnic groups. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 285 million people globally were visually impaired, with 39 million blinds. The aim of this study is to access the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health sciences students about the refractive error in Nampula, Mozambique. Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study including health sciences students of Lúrio University in Nampula, applying a questionnaire to access their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the refractive error. The collected data were entered into SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Frequency distribution and central tendency measures (mean, median) were used to summarize the descriptive part of the study. Results were described using tables and running text. Sample students were included after obtaining informed consent. Results: A total of 298 students participated in the study, 50.3% female, with average age of 24 ± 5.4 years. 69.8% had an eye exam and 54.7% believe they have good vision, 58.1% say that wearing glasses is the main method of correcting refractive errors. 92.3% refer to the Central Hospital as the best place to provide eye health services. The main reason for not purchasing the glasses was their cost (47.3%) and the alternative method for spectacle users was contact lenses (81.0%). The students’ attitudes were positive towards the use of glasses. Conclusion: Visual health education about the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding refractive errors among students must be intensified to ensure good dissemination of information in the surrounding communities enrolled in the health promotion program “One Student, One Family” implemented by Lúrio University in Nampula.

Availability, Prices and Affordability of Glaucoma Medicines among Private Pharmacies of Nampula City in Mozambique

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of chronically progressive disorders of the optic nerve and a worldwide leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Eye chronic diseases including glaucoma are major public health problems around the world, rapidly increasing with a growing and aging population. The treatment of chronic diseases lasts a lifetime. The purpose of this study is to assess the availability, prices and affordability of the medicines for glaucoma management in private pharmacies of Nampula City in Mozambique. Material and Methods: The standardized methodology designed by the World Health Organization and Health Action International was employed to conduct the study about the availability, price and affordability of glaucoma medicines in Nampula City from October to November 2021. Data were collected in 39 private pharmacies using a survey with fifteen glaucoma Medicines. Results: The Average of medicines availability was 46.6% (0.0% - 71.8%) with a mean of 8.86. The availability level demonstrated that 14 (93.3%) of all surveyed glaucoma medicines were very low and 1 (6.67%) was fairly high. Timolol was the most available medicine, found in 28 (71.8%) while apraclonidine, carteolol, levobunolol, carbachol, brinzolamide, bimatoprost, travoprost and unoprostone were not available. The medicine with the lowest price was latanoprost (2.84 USD) and the higher was acetazolamide (23.58 USD). None of the surveyed medicines were considered affordable. Conclusion: The majority of surveyed glaucoma medicines were not available and they were totally unaffordable against the defined thresholds. Policy strategy and technical options should be driven and implemented by the government to ensure the availability and affordability of glaucoma medicines at various levels of the Mozambican healthcare system.

Morphophysiological responses of forest seedling species subjected to different water regimes

Water availability is a limiting factor for the establishment and development of forest species.To understand the appropriate conditions for the initial post-transplanting phase,it is necessary to understand the specific morphophysiological characteristics of the species,such as the leaf water potential and the efficiency of photosystemⅡ.We aimed to identify the influence of different water regimes on the morphophysiological aspects of young plants of two forest species(Cedrela.fissilis Vellozo and Eucalyptus saligna Sm.).Two greenhouse experiments were conducted for 28 days;one for each species.The design was completely randomized,and the treatments consisted of six different water regimes.Leaf water potential(Ψw)and chlorophyll a fluorescence were evaluated every 7 days.At the end of the experiment,morphological attributes(height,collection diameter,root volume,and dry matter)were measured and histological blades were made.The water demand of E.saligna was higher than that of C.fissilis and required greater replacement within a shorter period.The rehydration fromΨw=-2 Mpa allowed for a fast recovery of the young C.fissilis plants(Ψw=-1.5,Fv/Fm=0.796),which indicated good physiological plasticity of this species when submitted to water stress at a level that is not severe.The total dry matter allocation was different among species.Seedlings of E.saligna presented the best responses when submitted to a continuous water supply regime,while C.fissilis seedlings presented the best response under intermittent irrigation conditions.

Effects of Kenneth Cyclone on Groundnut Crop (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Two Districts of Northern Mozambique

In Mozambique,groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)in terms of importance is the third crop after maize(Zea mays L.)and cassava(Manihot esculenta).But due to geographical location,the country suffers major impacts of climate change and natural phenomena that also influence the production of this crop.The recent Kenneth cyclone that has affected Northern Mozambique,Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces,is an example of such problems.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kenneth cyclone on groundnut cultivation in Eráti and Meconta districts in Nampula province.The research used a questionnaire with closed and open questions to collect data from 31 producers and five traders in Eráti and Meconta districts.Based on the data the sum of the overall average production losses between the two districts was approximately 60%,in which Eráti lost 52%and Meconta 67%of the total production expected for groundnut.The biggest impact was the loss of unharvested groundnut germination and the deterioration of the groundnut in the field while drying.Kenneth cyclone created appropriate conditions for the proliferation of fungus causing aflatoxin,Aspergillus flavus.Samples collected for laboratory analysis showed high levels of total aflatoxins,some 269.4 ppb in Meconta and 148.3 ppb in Eráti.The purchase price of groundnut in Eráti during this period varied naturally based on product quality,with 0.8 US$/kg of groundnut that looks good quality(without the presence of fungus or mould,insect damage,rotten and germinated nuts)and 0.6 US$/kg for the poor quality(presence of fungus or mould,insect damage,rotten and germinated nuts).Kenneth cyclone affected the expectations of farmers in groundnut yields in the 2018/2019 season.

Bottom-Up Approach towards a Human Wellbeing Assessment for the Design of a Management Plan:A Study Case with Contributions to Improve Sustainable Management of Resources in a Northern Area of Mozambique

The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services disturbance will result in serious ecological and socioeconomic consequences. How can people be prepared to be more efficient in preserving ecosystems, its services and resources? The Messalo Wilderness Area (MWA) is an area lacking a bottom-up approach for the design of a management plan. This research intended to develop a strategy to gather people’s views to begin a human wellbeing assessment for the area, for which a Digital Questionnaire (DQ) was developed and tested. The specific objectives were to 1) verify the dispersion/distribution of people and elephants;2) study the natural resources used by the inhabitants;3) locate the areas from where the most important natural resources are extracted and where conflict between humans and animals occur;4) propose a Management Plan (MP) capable of mitigating the human-animals conflict, promoting the conservation of elephants and, consequently, of other types of biodiversity, thus working towards a better socio-economical development of the area. The elements gathered in the consulted references were used to design several maps and cartographic figures shown in this article, using the Map Window software. These maps describe: fresh water distribution, habitat distribution, population dispersal and main road connections, crop fields distribution and main exploitation spots of the different resources, orography and topography. The results from the DQ analysis helped to gather indicators to the human wellbeing assessment. The information gathered in the literature and by inquiry was effective in confirming the high dependency of local people on land and sea resources, as well as the conflicts between people and wild animals, such as elephants and African wild dogs, and the reasons for those conflicts. The DQ is effective in gathering people’s opinions and it constitutes an important tool in a bottom-up approach to the design of a management plan as to the design of the MP for the MWA.

Market Dynamics in Maize Production in the North Region of Mozambique

In this article,a radiography of the agricultural sector is presented,specifically in the production of maize in the district of Malema,considering that the product is one of the most produced and consumed crops by the population in the province of Nampula.Low agriculture productivity is attributed to inadequate access to production technology and inputs and to“weak”markets for agricultural products,due to poor infrastructure and inadequate access of agricultural producers to financial services(example credit).In general,several documents analyze on how small-scale agriculture has lacks of conditions,and factors necessary for high productivity and income.In contrast,there is little information that gives an idea of the situation of agricultural maize production and existing agricultural markets and how this production and these markets are changing in Mozambique today.There is,for example,a complete absence of references to large-scale investments in agriculture currently agreed with domestic and foreign trading companies.Due to this omission,the author presents a partial analysis of the current context,and,therefore,it is not well explained how the greater investment can be directed to obtain greater use of productive technology and better access to the market,among small-scale producers.It seeks to analyze in more detail the situation“diagnosis”that is intended to be made on agriculture,specifically in the maize crop,and as a way to identify the specific aspects that can be considered starting points to work in the government intervention,in order to achieve the goals and increase agricultural productivity.

Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge and practice in Mozambican families with media campaign and volunteer family health champions

Objective To increase knowledge,attitudes and practice of sexual and reproductive health and family planning and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Mozambique.Design An implementation research project’s intermediate evaluation,applying two cross-sectional surveys.The surveys were planned for 316 subjects before and after interventions.setting Research performed in Natikiri district of Nampula province in northern Mozambique,targeting a suburban and rural populations in their homes.Participants 452 people were surveyed(91 before,361 after),all belonging to the Macua ethnic group.Interventions A media campaign(2 weekly radio spots,bimonthly theatre performances)was performed for 8 months(2017 to 2018)and family health champions’teachings(monthly home visits)performed for 3 months,on sexual and reproductive health and family planning.Outcome measures planned and measured were adolescent’s and adult’s knowledge,attitudes and practice about those.Data were analysed by gender,age group and frequencies,using a CI of 95%(p<0.5 statistically significant).results Radio spots,community theatre and volunteer champions increased population’s knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and led to a more positive attitude toward family planning.Concerning attitude,results show differences between adults’proportions before and after:(1)did you hear about sexual and reproductive health(p=0.0425);(2)knows project key messages(p<0.001);(3)knows prenatal visits importance(p=0.0301);(4)access to contraceptives was easy(p<0.001).Adolescents showed statistically significant differences before and after:(1)knows project key messages(p<0.001);(2)access to contraceptives was easy(p=0.0361).Family planning practice did not increase in both groups.Conclusion A health education intervention,using a media campaign and local volunteers,is useful to promote mother and child health.There is an unmet need for family planning and the use of modern contraception is below desired practice,needing further research about cultural barriers.Communication for behaviour change activities will pursue and impact will be assessed to document family planning practice improvement.