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 ...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.展开更多
Breast milk offers essential nutrients crucial for the development of the preterm immune system, thus reducing the incidence of infection and mortality often associated with prematurity. In the absence of breast milk,...Breast milk offers essential nutrients crucial for the development of the preterm immune system, thus reducing the incidence of infection and mortality often associated with prematurity. In the absence of breast milk, the preferred option is donated breast milk, the best alternative for hospitalized neonates whose mothers have insufficient breast milk or are unavailable. In Zambia, donor breast milk is unavailable. Instead, the protocol recommends the administration of formula milk. However, the use of formula milk in preterm babies is associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis. Zambia needs to establish a donor milk bank, hence the need to understand the perception of mothers towards donated breast milk. A qualitative descriptive case study utilized 10 focus group discussions with in-depth interviews, purposively selected using a variation strategy. Data was thematically analysed. Participants demonstrated potential acceptance to donor breast milk utilization, as more nutritional compared to formula despite lack of awareness. Concerns related to safety, quality, fear of disease transmission and discomfort feeding from a different bloodline were identified as hinderance to possible utilisation. These perceptions underscore the importance of educational initiatives aimed at dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding donor breast milk and establishing donor breast milk programs. Therefore, the study recommends educational initiatives tailored to raise awareness to mothers about donor breast milk.展开更多
Background: Each year around 1.5 million women living with Human immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) become pregnant, and without antiretroviral drugs there is a chance that their child will become infected. Following the i...Background: Each year around 1.5 million women living with Human immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) become pregnant, and without antiretroviral drugs there is a chance that their child will become infected. Following the introduction of Routine Human immuno deficiency Virus testing policy in Zambia, the Human immuno deficiency Virus test is offered to all pregnant women unless they decline. However, more pregnant women are declining to be tested. Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence acceptability of routine HIV testing by pregnant women in Lusaka district urban clinics. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted in Lusaka District clinics. The sample size was 366 ante natal pregnant women who were selected by simple random sampling, selected from three (3) selected research setting. The study population included pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years, coming for ante natal visit for the first time, before being tested for HIV, were eligible and agreed to participate in the study. A pretested semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data were entered and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 program. Chi-square was used to test for significant associations and Binary Logistic regression modelling was carried out to predict the outcome. A 5% level of significance (p value) 0.05 confidence interval was set. Results: Study findings revealed that majority 85.6% (317) of respondents indicated willingness to undergo routine HIV testing in pregnancy though 77.3% perceived it a compulsory test. Binary logistic regression revealed that maternal age, educational level and information education and communication (IEC) contributed significantly to the model. The odds revealed that acceptability of routine HIV testing by older pregnant women (37 - 49 years) were 8 times (OR = 7.67, p = 0.003) higher than the younger ones. The odds of acceptability by respondents with tertiary education were 141 times (OR-141.23, p-0.0001), likely to accept HIV testing than those with primary or no education. And the odds also revealed that acceptability by women who cited adequate IEC (OR-2.6, p-0.024) were 3 times higher than those who cited inadequate IEC. Conclusion: The study showed that majority of the pregnant women was willing to undergo Routine HIV testing however a percentage regarded the test as a mandatory test without any choice of denial. Therefore there is need to address some factors that are likely to affect the routine HIV testing and impede the success of implementation of the PMTCT programme in the country which goes beyond testing for HIV alone. Recommendations: Ministry of Health needs to provide health education messages in different tribes. MOH should also intensify male involvement in HIV Testing and Counselling. LDHO should consider training more community health care givers as Voluntary Counselling and Testing providers. The District should organize regular refresher courses and presentations on Routine HIV testing to health workers and Ministry of Health should consider conducting a country wide study.展开更多
Background: Cancer diagnosis has been reported in some studies to have a significant psychosocial impact on both the patients and their caregivers. The estimated prevalence of psychosocial distress is between 35% and ...Background: Cancer diagnosis has been reported in some studies to have a significant psychosocial impact on both the patients and their caregivers. The estimated prevalence of psychosocial distress is between 35% and 55%. Commonly encountered psychological issues include and are not limited to fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. Many sources of emotional distress in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported to include poorly controlled symptoms arising from a lack of access to symptom control services and treatment. Social distress is associated with social isolation, separation from family and loss of employment. Cancer patients and society have been reported to experience anxiety, despair, and stress due to the COVID-19 restrictions on community movement and hospital appointment rescheduling. The objective of this study was to explore psychosocial distress and social burdens experienced by cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to describe “lived experiences of patients with Cancer” during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A total of 20 participants with Cancer and COVID-19 positive were purposefully selected and interviewed. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis by the use of themes generated from participants’ responses. Findings: Five major themes emerged: fear, self-isolation compliance, anxiety, low income and emotional distress. The findings of the study indicated that participants experienced fear, emotional distress and anxiety when diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusion: The experiences of psychosocial distress and social burdens were a result of a lack of psychosocial support by both caregivers and health care workers. This study recommends appropriate health education concerning psychosocial support for cancer patients and the need to have appropriate clinical protocols and materials in allaying anxiety and fear in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.展开更多
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem that has caused harm to the mental health of healthcare workers. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has led healthcare workers to experience...Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem that has caused harm to the mental health of healthcare workers. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has led healthcare workers to experience mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and burnout. This study aimed to review published studies on the effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers, associated factors and coping strategies that have been employed in Africa. Methods: This was a systematic review that was conducted through searching databases including;PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar. The study included published literature from January 2020 to May 2022 that met the inclusion criteria. The selection of articles was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 39 articles were retrieved, of which only 18 met the inclusion criteria and were used in this study. Our review revealed that healthcare workers experienced mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress and burnout that were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping strategies such as religious practices, support from family members and colleagues and avoiding listening to social media about COVID-19 were used to minimize mental health problems. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mental health disorders among healthcare workers in Africa. Identification of factors associated with mental health problems is cardinal in developing coping mechanisms against the psychological impact of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for governments to develop and implement strategies for protecting the mental health of healthcare workers during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.展开更多
文摘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.
文摘Breast milk offers essential nutrients crucial for the development of the preterm immune system, thus reducing the incidence of infection and mortality often associated with prematurity. In the absence of breast milk, the preferred option is donated breast milk, the best alternative for hospitalized neonates whose mothers have insufficient breast milk or are unavailable. In Zambia, donor breast milk is unavailable. Instead, the protocol recommends the administration of formula milk. However, the use of formula milk in preterm babies is associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis. Zambia needs to establish a donor milk bank, hence the need to understand the perception of mothers towards donated breast milk. A qualitative descriptive case study utilized 10 focus group discussions with in-depth interviews, purposively selected using a variation strategy. Data was thematically analysed. Participants demonstrated potential acceptance to donor breast milk utilization, as more nutritional compared to formula despite lack of awareness. Concerns related to safety, quality, fear of disease transmission and discomfort feeding from a different bloodline were identified as hinderance to possible utilisation. These perceptions underscore the importance of educational initiatives aimed at dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding donor breast milk and establishing donor breast milk programs. Therefore, the study recommends educational initiatives tailored to raise awareness to mothers about donor breast milk.
文摘Background: Each year around 1.5 million women living with Human immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) become pregnant, and without antiretroviral drugs there is a chance that their child will become infected. Following the introduction of Routine Human immuno deficiency Virus testing policy in Zambia, the Human immuno deficiency Virus test is offered to all pregnant women unless they decline. However, more pregnant women are declining to be tested. Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence acceptability of routine HIV testing by pregnant women in Lusaka district urban clinics. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted in Lusaka District clinics. The sample size was 366 ante natal pregnant women who were selected by simple random sampling, selected from three (3) selected research setting. The study population included pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years, coming for ante natal visit for the first time, before being tested for HIV, were eligible and agreed to participate in the study. A pretested semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data were entered and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 program. Chi-square was used to test for significant associations and Binary Logistic regression modelling was carried out to predict the outcome. A 5% level of significance (p value) 0.05 confidence interval was set. Results: Study findings revealed that majority 85.6% (317) of respondents indicated willingness to undergo routine HIV testing in pregnancy though 77.3% perceived it a compulsory test. Binary logistic regression revealed that maternal age, educational level and information education and communication (IEC) contributed significantly to the model. The odds revealed that acceptability of routine HIV testing by older pregnant women (37 - 49 years) were 8 times (OR = 7.67, p = 0.003) higher than the younger ones. The odds of acceptability by respondents with tertiary education were 141 times (OR-141.23, p-0.0001), likely to accept HIV testing than those with primary or no education. And the odds also revealed that acceptability by women who cited adequate IEC (OR-2.6, p-0.024) were 3 times higher than those who cited inadequate IEC. Conclusion: The study showed that majority of the pregnant women was willing to undergo Routine HIV testing however a percentage regarded the test as a mandatory test without any choice of denial. Therefore there is need to address some factors that are likely to affect the routine HIV testing and impede the success of implementation of the PMTCT programme in the country which goes beyond testing for HIV alone. Recommendations: Ministry of Health needs to provide health education messages in different tribes. MOH should also intensify male involvement in HIV Testing and Counselling. LDHO should consider training more community health care givers as Voluntary Counselling and Testing providers. The District should organize regular refresher courses and presentations on Routine HIV testing to health workers and Ministry of Health should consider conducting a country wide study.
文摘Background: Cancer diagnosis has been reported in some studies to have a significant psychosocial impact on both the patients and their caregivers. The estimated prevalence of psychosocial distress is between 35% and 55%. Commonly encountered psychological issues include and are not limited to fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. Many sources of emotional distress in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported to include poorly controlled symptoms arising from a lack of access to symptom control services and treatment. Social distress is associated with social isolation, separation from family and loss of employment. Cancer patients and society have been reported to experience anxiety, despair, and stress due to the COVID-19 restrictions on community movement and hospital appointment rescheduling. The objective of this study was to explore psychosocial distress and social burdens experienced by cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to describe “lived experiences of patients with Cancer” during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A total of 20 participants with Cancer and COVID-19 positive were purposefully selected and interviewed. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis by the use of themes generated from participants’ responses. Findings: Five major themes emerged: fear, self-isolation compliance, anxiety, low income and emotional distress. The findings of the study indicated that participants experienced fear, emotional distress and anxiety when diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusion: The experiences of psychosocial distress and social burdens were a result of a lack of psychosocial support by both caregivers and health care workers. This study recommends appropriate health education concerning psychosocial support for cancer patients and the need to have appropriate clinical protocols and materials in allaying anxiety and fear in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
文摘Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem that has caused harm to the mental health of healthcare workers. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has led healthcare workers to experience mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and burnout. This study aimed to review published studies on the effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers, associated factors and coping strategies that have been employed in Africa. Methods: This was a systematic review that was conducted through searching databases including;PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar. The study included published literature from January 2020 to May 2022 that met the inclusion criteria. The selection of articles was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 39 articles were retrieved, of which only 18 met the inclusion criteria and were used in this study. Our review revealed that healthcare workers experienced mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress and burnout that were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping strategies such as religious practices, support from family members and colleagues and avoiding listening to social media about COVID-19 were used to minimize mental health problems. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mental health disorders among healthcare workers in Africa. Identification of factors associated with mental health problems is cardinal in developing coping mechanisms against the psychological impact of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for governments to develop and implement strategies for protecting the mental health of healthcare workers during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
