1
|
Alga A, Wasihun Y, Ayele T, Endawkie A, Feleke SF, Kebede N. Factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at selected public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6648. [PMID: 38503838 PMCID: PMC10951229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56413-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Early and prompt treatment-seeking for malaria is necessary to reduce the progression of the disease to its severe forms and the associated mortality. Various studies have indicated that treatments sought for malaria were not always within the recommended timeframe. Therefore, this study aims to assess factors influencing delay in malaria treatment seeking at public health facilities in South Gonder, Ethiopia. An unmatched case-control study was conducted among 322 individuals, comprising 161 cases and 161 controls, who were randomly selected malaria patients visiting public health facilities in South Gonder District, Ethiopia, from May 20/2022 to June 25/2022. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which were subsequently cleaned and entered into Epi data. Descriptive statistics were performed, and variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.25 from the bivariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were retained in the multivariable model. Patients who were unable to read and write [AOR = 3.47 (1.01-11.9)], fear of side effects of malaria treatment drugs [AOR = 1.89 (1.04-3.42)], lack of access to health education malaria disease and its treatment [AOR = 1.93 (1.02-3.65)], lack of transportation access [AOR = 4.70 (1.73-12.7)], not membership of community-based health insurance [AOR = 2.5 (1.3-4.82)] and lack of confidence on malaria care health facility providing [AOR = 2.14 (1.06-4.29)], were found to be determinants of treatment-seeking delay among malaria patients. In Summary, this study revealed significant associations between delays in seeking malaria treatment and factors such as educational status (those who were unable to read and write), malaria drug side effects, health education on malaria, transportation access, CBHI membership, and confidence in health malaria care. it is recommended that targeted interventions and awareness campaigns be implemented to address these determinants, promoting prompt and effective malaria treatment-seeking behavior in the studied population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adimasu Alga
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Yitbarek Wasihun
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, College of Medicine Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tiruneh Ayele
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Abel Endawkie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | | | - Natnael Kebede
- Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, College of Medicine Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jia L, Chen X, Feng Z, Tang S, Feng D. Factors affecting delays in seeking treatment among malaria patients during the pre-certification phase in China. Malar J 2024; 23:73. [PMID: 38468296 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04892-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delays in malaria treatment can not only lead to severe and even life-threatening complications, but also foster transmission, putting more people at risk of infection. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing treatment delays among malaria patients and their health-seeking behaviour. METHODS The medical records of 494 patients diagnosed with malaria from 6 different malaria-endemic provinces in China were analysed. A bivariate and multivariable regression model was used to investigate the association between delays in seeking treatment and various factors. A Sankey diagram was used to visualize the trajectories of malaria patients seeking medical care. Total treatment delays were categorized as patient delays and doctor delays. RESULTS The incidence of total delays in seeking malaria treatment was 81.6%, of which 28.4% were delayed by patients alone and 34.8% by doctors alone. The median time from the onset of symptoms to the initial healthcare consultation was 1 day. The median time from the initial healthcare consultation to the conclusive diagnosis was 2 day. After being subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis, living in central China was less likely to experience patient delays (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.24-0.78). The factors significantly associated with the lower likelihood of doctor delays included: age between 30 to 49 (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.81), being single/divorce/separated (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.24-0.95), first visiting a county-level health institution (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.45), first visiting a prefectural health institution (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.03-0.12) and first visiting a provincial health institution (OR = 0.05, 95%CI 0.02-0.12). Conversely, individuals with mixed infections (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.02-4.08) and those experiencing periodic symptoms (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.00-2.92) might face increased doctor delays. Furthermore, higher financial burden and complications were found to be associated with patient delays. Doctor delays, in addition to incurring these two consequences, were associated with longer hospital stays. CONCLUSION There was a substantial delay in access to health care for malaria patients before China was certified malaria free. Region, marital status, periodic symptoms and the level of health institutions were factors contributing to delays in treatment-seeking among malaria patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianyu Jia
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhanchun Feng
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shangfeng Tang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Da Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Omondi CJ, Odongo D, Otambo WO, Ochwedo KO, Otieno A, Lee MC, Kazura JW, Githeko AK, Yan G. Malaria diagnosis in rural healthcare facilities and treatment-seeking behavior in malaria endemic settings in western Kenya. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001532. [PMID: 37471336 PMCID: PMC10358955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Accurate malaria diagnosis and timely treatment are requirements for effective management of the disease. However, treatment efficacy may be significantly reduced in resource-constrained healthcare facilities with poorly equipped laboratories and frequent drug and rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT) stock-outs. Furthermore, patient may avoid seeking treatment from such facilities. The study's goal was to determine treatment-seeking behavior, malaria diagnosis and treatment quality, and likely treatment-seeking determinants in the local population. Passive case detection, which targeted all patients with suspected malaria cases, was conducted in ten public healthcare facilities over a three-month period. Monthly malaria cases, methods of diagnosis and antimalarial drug availability were assessed. A household-based survey was also carried out. Structured questionnaires were used to collect knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) data from household heads. Malaria knowledge, treatment seeking behavior, and predictors of malaria treatment-seeking were all determined. Three of the seven dispensaries lacked a laboratory to conduct microscopy- diagnosis. These three dispensaries also experienced frequent RDT stock-outs, which resulted in depending on clinical signs as diagnosis for malaria. The majority of local residents with fever (50.3%) purchased antimalarial drugs from a chemist. About 37% of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facility while the remaining 12.7% did not treat their fevers. In irrigated areas, 45.5% (46/64) of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facilities, compared to 25% (18/64) in non-irrigated areas (p = 0.009). Most children aged below 5 who had fever (77.7%) were taken to healthcare facility for treatment compared to 31.4% of children aged 5-14 years or 20.9% of adults (0.0001). Predictors of treatment seeking included access to healthcare facility (OR = 16.23, 95% CI: 2.74-96.12), and ability to pay hospital bills (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 1.97-57). Other factors that influenced health-seeking behavior included the severity of symptoms, the age of the patient and knowledge of malaria symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collince J. Omondi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - David Odongo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wilfred O. Otambo
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Department of Zoology, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kevin O. Ochwedo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Antony Otieno
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - James W. Kazura
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Andrew K. Githeko
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Climate and Human Health Research Unit, Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Olapeju B, Tamene H, Ayele M, Heliso S, Berhanu T, Alemayehu G, Kapadia-Kundu N. Psychosocial factors associated with malaria care-seeking in rural Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1460. [PMID: 35915425 PMCID: PMC9341112 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13862-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethiopia's National Malaria Control and Elimination Program aims to diagnose all suspected malaria cases within 24 h of fever onset and provide prompt treatment for confirmed cases. This study explored psychosocial factors associated with no-, delayed- and prompt- care-seeking among female caregivers of children under five years with fever in rural Ethiopia. METHODS Household surveys were conducted from 2016-2019 among female caregivers (N = 479) of children under five years old with fever in Oromia; Amhara; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR); and Tigray. Prompt and delayed care-seeking were defined as seeking treatment within ≤ 24 h or > 24 h of symptom onset respectively. Contextual factors explored included sociodemographic factors, household supply of bed nets, exposure to health messages, and household vulnerability (a measure of financial access to food, shelter, schooling, and medical treatment). Ideational factors included psychosocial factors related to care-seeking (knowledge, self-efficacy, response efficacy, attitudes, involvement in decision-making, and household social support). RESULTS The prevalence of fever among children under five years was 18% (ranging from 9% in Tigray to 34% in SNNPR. Overall, 45% of caregivers of children with fever sought care promptly, while 23% delayed care-seeking and 32% sought no care. Prompt care-seeking rates were higher among caregivers with positive attitudes toward prompt care-seeking (48%), involved in decision-making (48%) or perceived equitable gender norms in the community (65%). Caregivers with a high care-seeking ideation had increased odds of prompt care-seeking (aOR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.74-4.02). Significant contextual factors included residence in the Oromia region (aOR: 2.99; 95% CI:1.40-6.41), caregivers age 35-49 years (aOR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26-0.95), residence in vulnerable households (aOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.28-3.18). CONCLUSIONS Among this rural Ethiopian population, prompt care-seeking was low but positively influenced by both ideational and contextual psychosocial factors occurring at the caregiver level. Multi-sectoral interventions at the individual, community, and health facility levels are needed to improve prompt care-seeking. These include social behavior change interventions to improve ideation, complemented by health facility interventions to ensure provision of high-quality services and structural interventions to increase educational attainment in these rural settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bolanle Olapeju
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. .,Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Habtamu Tamene
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Minyahil Ayele
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Simon Heliso
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tsega Berhanu
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Guda Alemayehu
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, USAID, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Nandita Kapadia-Kundu
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lu G, Cao Y, Chen Q, Zhu G, Müller O, Cao J. Care-seeking delay of imported malaria to China: implications for improving post-travel healthcare for migrant workers. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6377256. [PMID: 34581417 PMCID: PMC9282091 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imported malaria cases continue to pose major challenges in China as well as in other countries having achieved elimination. Our study aims to identify the factors influencing the timing of care-seeking after symptom onset among migrant workers with imported malaria, in order to develop innovative interventions to improve access and provision of post-travel healthcare for returning migrants. METHODS We analysed the timing and types of healthcare service utilization after symptom onset among patients with imported malaria between 2012 and 2019 in Jiangsu Province, China. Moreover, decision tree models were used to explore the factors influencing the care-seeking timing after symptom onset among patients with imported malaria. RESULTS A total of 2255 cases of imported malaria were identified from 1 June 2012 through 31 December 2019. Patients with malaria imported into China were mainly male migrant labourers returning from sub-Saharan Africa (96.8%). A substantial number of patients with imported malaria sought healthcare >3 days after symptom onset, which clearly represented delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour. According to the decision tree analysis, initial healthcare seeking from healthcare facilities at higher administrative levels, infection with Plasmodium vivax and absence of malaria infection history were significantly associated with delayed healthcare seeking in patients with imported malaria. CONCLUSION The delay in seeking of medical care among migrant workers with imported malaria should be considered and addressed by specific interventions. In addition to increasing awareness about these issues among health care professionals, improved access to healthcare facilities at higher administrative levels as well as improved diagnostic capacity of healthcare facilities at lower administrative levels should be developed. Moreover, education programs targeting populations at risk of malaria importation and delayed healthcare seeking should be improved to facilitate early healthcare seeking and service use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Lu
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Institute of Global Health, Medical School, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guoding Zhu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Olaf Müller
- Institute of Global Health, Medical School, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jun Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang L, Jin H, Zhang H, Liu Y, Shi X, Kang X, Zeng Y, Wang L. Factors associated with prolonged hospital stay of imported malaria cases in Chengdu, China: a retrospective study. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:496. [PMID: 35619071 PMCID: PMC9134717 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although China has entered the post-malaria-elimination era, imported cases remain a public health concern in China. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from cases of imported malaria from January 2017 to December 2020 in Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center. We assessed potential clinical, epidemiological, geographical, and seasonal effects on duration of hospital stay. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the potential risk factors associated with severe cases. RESULTS The highest number of imported cases of malaria were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (23%, 34/150) and most patients (74%, 26/34) were infected by Plasmodium falciparum. The Edwards test indicated no significant seasonality in imported cases of malaria (χ2 = 2.51, p = 0.28). Bacterial infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] for discharge = 0.58, p = 0.01) and thrombocytopenia (aHR = 0.66, p = 0.02) were risk factors for prolonged hospital stay. The C-reactive protein (OR = 1.02, p = 0.01) and procalcitonin (OR = 1.03, p = 0.01) were risk factors for severe cases. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial infection and thrombocytopenia are risk factors for prolonged hospital stay among imported malaria cases. The C-reactive protein and procalcitonin level were risk factors for severe cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Huang
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hong Jin
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xinxing Shi
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xintong Kang
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yilan Zeng
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu City, 610000, Sichuan Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Guntur RD, Kingsley J, Islam FMA. Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and its associated factors: A cross-sectional study in rural East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263178. [PMID: 35120136 PMCID: PMC8815915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The World Health Organization recommends seeking medical treatment within 24 hours after transmission of malaria to reduce the risk of severe complications and its onwards spread. However, in some parts of Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), this adherence is not achieved for a range of reasons including delays in visiting health centres. This study aims to determine factors related to the poor understanding of appropriate malaria treatment-seeking behaviour (AMTSB) of rural adults in ENTP. AMTSB was defined as seeking treatment at professional health facilities within 24 hours of the onset of malaria symptoms. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the East Sumba, Belu, and East Manggarai district of ENTP between October and December 2019. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was applied to enrol 1503 participants aged between 18 and 89 years of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess significant factors associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB. RESULTS Eighty-six percent of participants were found to be familiar with the term malaria. However, poor understanding level of AMTSB in rural adults of ENTP achieved 60.4% with a 95% confidence interval (CI): 56.9-63.8. Poor understanding of AMTSB was significantly higher for adults with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.42, 95% CI: 1.81, 6.48) compared to those with a diploma or above education level; having low SES (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.96) compared to those having high SES; residing at least three kilometres (km) away from the nearest health facilities (AOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5) compared to those living within one km from the nearest health service; and working as farmer (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01-2.63) compared to those working at government or non-government sector. Whilst, other factors such as ethnicity and family size were not associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB. CONCLUSION The proportion of rural adults having a poor understanding of AMTSB was high leading to ineffective implementation of artemisinin-based combination therapies as the method to treat malaria in ENTP. Improving awareness of AMTSB for rural adults having low level education, low SES, working as a farmer, and living at least three km from the nearest health facilities is critical to support the efficacy of malaria treatment in ENTP. This method will support the Indonesian government's objective to achieve malaria elimination by 2030.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robertus Dole Guntur
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Nusa Cendana University, Kupang, NTT, Indonesia
| | - Jonathan Kingsley
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- Centre of Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fakir M. Amirul Islam
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bahk YY, Cho SH, Park S, Kwon J, Kan H, Kim M, Na BK, Hong SJ, Kwon HW, Kim TS. Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Endemic Vivax Malaria in Inhabitants and Patients in Two Cities of Northern Gyeonggi-do, Korea, 2020. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 59:595-605. [PMID: 34974666 PMCID: PMC8721300 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ2-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Yil Bahk
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478,
Korea
| | | | - Sookkyung Park
- Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong 28159,
Korea
| | - Jeongran Kwon
- Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong 28159,
Korea
| | - Hyesu Kan
- Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong 28159,
Korea
| | - Miyoung Kim
- Bureau of Infectious Disease Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong 28159,
Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, and Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727,
Korea
| | - Sung Jong Hong
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kwon
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
- Department of Biological Science and Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
- Corresponding authors (; )
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
- Corresponding authors (; )
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Smith JL, Mumbengegwi D, Haindongo E, Cueto C, Roberts KW, Gosling R, Uusiku P, Kleinschmidt I, Bennett A, Sturrock HJ. Malaria risk factors in northern Namibia: The importance of occupation, age and mobility in characterizing high-risk populations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252690. [PMID: 34170917 PMCID: PMC8232432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In areas of low and unstable transmission, malaria cases occur in populations with lower access to malaria services and interventions, and in groups with specific malaria risk exposures often away from the household. In support of the Namibian National Vector Borne Disease Program's drive to better target interventions based upon risk, we implemented a health facility-based case control study aimed to identify risk factors for symptomatic malaria in Zambezi Region, northern Namibia. A total of 770 febrile individuals reporting to 6 health facilities and testing positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) between February 2015 and April 2016 were recruited as cases; 641 febrile individuals testing negative by RDT at the same health facilities through June 2016 were recruited as controls. Data on socio-demographics, housing construction, overnight travel, use of malaria prevention and outdoor behaviors at night were collected through interview and recorded on a tablet-based questionnaire. Remotely-sensed environmental data were extracted for geo-located village residence locations. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors and latent class analyses (LCA) used to identify and characterize high-risk subgroups. The majority of participants (87% of cases and 69% of controls) were recruited during the 2016 transmission season, an outbreak year in Southern Africa. After adjustment, cases were more likely to be cattle herders (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 4.46 95%CI 1.05-18.96), members of the police or other security personnel (aOR: 4.60 95%CI: 1.16-18.16), and pensioners/unemployed persons (aOR: 2.25 95%CI 1.24-4.08), compared to agricultural workers (most common category). Children (aOR 2.28 95%CI 1.13-4.59) and self-identified students were at higher risk of malaria (aOR: 4.32 95%CI 2.31-8.10). Other actionable risk factors for malaria included housing and behavioral characteristics, including traditional home construction and sleeping in an open structure (versus modern structure: aOR: 2.01 95%CI 1.45-2.79 and aOR: 4.76 95%CI: 2.14-10.57); cross border travel in the prior 30 days (aOR: 10.55 95%CI 2.94-37.84); and outdoor agricultural work at night (aOR: 2.09 95%CI 1.12-3.87). Malaria preventive activities were all protective and included personal use of an insecticide treated net (ITN) (aOR: 0.61 95%CI 0.42-0.87), adequate household ITN coverage (aOR: 0.63 95%CI 0.42-0.94), and household indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the past year (versus never sprayed: (aOR: 0.63 95%CI 0.44-0.90). A number of environmental factors were associated with increased risk of malaria, including lower temperatures, higher rainfall and increased vegetation for the 30 days prior to diagnosis and residing more than 5 minutes from a health facility. LCA identified six classes of cases, with class membership strongly correlated with occupation, age and select behavioral risk factors. Use of ITNs and IRS coverage was similarly low across classes. For malaria elimination these high-risk groups will need targeted and tailored intervention strategies, for example, by implementing alternative delivery methods of interventions through schools and worksites, as well as the use of specific interventions that address outdoor transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Smith
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Davis Mumbengegwi
- Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Erastus Haindongo
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Carmen Cueto
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kathryn W. Roberts
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Roly Gosling
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Petrina Uusiku
- National Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Immo Kleinschmidt
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Bennett
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Hugh J. Sturrock
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Guntur RD, Kingsley J, Islam FMA. Epidemiology of Malaria in East Nusa Tenggara Province in Indonesia: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e23545. [PMID: 33835037 PMCID: PMC8075045 DOI: 10.2196/23545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is a global pandemic that results in approximately 228 million cases globally; 3.5% of these cases are in Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative, Indonesia is in the process of achieving malaria-free zone status by 2030. However, the eastern part of Indonesia, including the East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), still has a disproportionately high rate of malaria. Objective The aims of this cross-sectional study are to determine the awareness and knowledge, attitude, and practice toward various aspects of malaria among rural adults and their associated factors, including sociodemographic factors and ethnicities; assess the gap between coverage of, access to, and use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) among the households; estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with malaria in rural adults; and develop a risk prediction model for malaria. Methods A multistage cluster sampling procedure with a systematic random sampling procedure at cluster level 4 was applied to recruit 1503 adults aged 18 years or older from the ENTP. Each participant participated in a face-to-face interview to assess their awareness and knowledge, attitude, and practice toward aspects of malaria, practices of sleeping under LLINs, and history of malaria. Information on sociodemographic, environmental, and lifestyle factors was also documented. The proportion of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward aspects of malaria and their variations across different sociodemographic and ethnic groups will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Coverage and access to LLINs will be evaluated based on the WHO recommendations. Malaria risk factors will be analyzed using logistic regression. Multilevel logistic regression will be applied to estimate the risk score for malaria. Results Of the total participants, 99.46% (1495/1503) of rural adults from 49 villages in the ENTP participated in a face-to-face interview from October to December 2019. The study results are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals. Conclusions The best malaria risk prediction model will be developed in this study. In this protocol, we developed a methodology to provide new evidence to guide health policy in supporting the ENTP government’s expectation to achieve the malaria-free rating by 2030. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/23545
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robertus Dole Guntur
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Nusa Cendana University, Kupang NTT, Indonesia
| | - Jonathan Kingsley
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre of Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fakir M Amirul Islam
- Department of Health Science and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|