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Rukyaa J, Mushi MF, Silago V, Damiano P, Keenan K, Sabiiti W, Holden MTG, Seni J, Mshana SE. Etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing pneumonia among adult patients with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mwanza, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. Pneumonia (Nathan) 2024; 16:16. [PMID: 39232828 PMCID: PMC11375869 DOI: 10.1186/s41479-024-00137-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial pneumonia is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The extensive misuse and overuse of antibiotics observed during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have changed the patterns of pathogens causing bacterial pneumonia and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. This study was designed to establish the prevalence of culture-confirmed bacterial pneumonia and describe their antimicrobial susceptibility profile in adult patients who presented with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to July 2022 at a zonal referral hospital and two district hospitals in Mwanza, Tanzania. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Sputum samples were processed by conventional culture followed by the identification of isolates and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Descriptive data analysis was performed using STATA version 15.0. RESULTS A total of 286 patients with a median age of 40 (IQR 29-60) years were enrolled in the study. More than half of the patients enrolled were females (52.4%, n = 150). The overall prevalence of bacterial pneumonia was 34.3% (n = 98). The majority of the bacterial pathogens isolated were Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (61.2%, 60/98), with a predominance of Klebsiella spp., 38.8% (38/98), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (21.4%, 21/98). Multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria were detected in 72/98 (73.5%) of the isolates. The proportions of GNB-resistant strains were 60.0% (36/60) for ciprofloxacin, 60% (36/60) for amoxicillin, 60% (36/60) for amoxicillin, 68.3% (41/60) for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 58.3% (35/60) for ceftriaxone. CONCLUSION One-third of the patients with signs and symptoms of LRTIs had laboratory-confirmed bacterial pneumonia with a predominance of Gram negative MDR bacteria. This calls for continuous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship programs in the study setting and other settings in developing countries as important strategies for tackling AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Rukyaa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
| | - Martha F Mushi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Vitus Silago
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Prisca Damiano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Katherine Keenan
- Division of Infection and Global Health, School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK
| | - Wilber Sabiiti
- Division of Infection and Global Health, School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK
| | - Matthew T G Holden
- Division of Infection and Global Health, School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 9AL, UK
| | - Jeremiah Seni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Stephen E Mshana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
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Cubelo F, Parviainen A, Vehviläinen-Julkunen K, Palaganas E. Foreign-born nurses as COVID-19 survivors in the Nordic region: A descriptive phenomenological study. Scand J Caring Sci 2024; 38:438-450. [PMID: 38404224 DOI: 10.1111/scs.13249] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2020, amid limited COVID-19 vaccination access, many nurses from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the United States of America and United Kingdom succumbed to the virus. No fatalities among Filipino foreign-born nurses (FBNs) in the BAME groups were recorded in the Nordic region. This study explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs in the Nordic region who, during the initial 2020 pandemic wave, cared for COVID-19 patients, contracted the virus and subsequently recovered. METHODS The research employed a descriptive phenomenological methodology to explore the experiences of six Filipino FBNs who had recovered from COVID-19 in various regions of the Nordic countries, including Finland (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), Denmark (n = 2), Norway (n = 1) and Iceland (n = 1). Data collection occurred through online videoconferencing between September 2020 and February 2021, utilising a semi-structured approach. The data analysis was conducted following Sundler and colleagues' qualitative thematic analysis, which is grounded in descriptive phenomenology. RESULTS The data analysis yielded three primary themes and twelve sub-themes, which explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs with COVID-19 infection. The study demonstrated that unclear national guidelines impacted nurses' preparedness in caring for COVID-19 patients, contributing to their susceptibility to contracting the virus. The lack of occupational healthcare services for nurses during and after the pandemic affected their work morale in an unfamiliar setting. CONCLUSION The study provided valuable insights into the experiences of Filipino FBNs during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for clearer guidelines, enhanced training and improved support for healthcare workers. It highlighted the psychological impact of COVID-19, emphasising the importance of mental health support and stigma reduction efforts. The study also emphasised the significance of improving occupational health services to support the well-being and recovery of healthcare workers during and after the pandemic, with implications for developing comprehensive strategies to protect frontline healthcare workers in health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floro Cubelo
- School of Wellbeing and Culture, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Oulu, Finland
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- International and Management Affairs, the Filipino Nurses Association in the Nordic Region, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anndra Parviainen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Erlinda Palaganas
- University of the Philippines, College of Nursing, Manila, Philippines
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Muhanga M, Jesse A, Ngowi E. Community responses to corona virus disease (COVID-19) in Africa in the face of "Infodemic": A scoping review. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2024; 25:e00345. [PMID: 38463547 PMCID: PMC10924126 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has significantly affected communities in various aspects. The World Health Organization proposed different measures to prevent the pandemic. However, these measures in some instances have not effectively minimized the impacts of COVID-19, due to innumerable factors, inter alia, considerable "infodemic" related to myths, misinformation, and misconceptions. Knowledge of the "infodemic" on COVID -19 can lead to effective interventions to rid societies of COVID-19, hence reduction of COVID-19-related risks and outcomes. This article explores the "COVID-19 infodemic" that affected community responses to COVID-19 in Africa. The study employed a scoping review approach involving peer-reviewed articles from numerous search engines and databases. The keywords involved in the search query were: "COVID-19 infodemic, COVID-19 false news, COVID-19 in Africa, 'knowledge of COVID-19, 'myths, misinformation, and misconceptions on COVID-19, 'history of COVID-19', 'community responses to COVID-19 in Africa". Findings show that 5G technology transferred coronavirus, high temperature and alcohol can kill coronavirus, blacks are immune to COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine development has been rushed hence not very effective and safe and also causes infertility. Diverse community responses have been registered which in some ways frustrated efforts in combating the pandemic. Therefore, the "infodemic" consisting of myths, misconceptions, and misinformation have been resulting from the history of COVID-19 which first affected white people more than blacks. Also, low knowledge of how the virus is transmitted and affect human being; and the notion that COVID-19 affects richer than poor people, hence since white people are richer than black people then they were the first to be affected by the pandemic. Obviously in presence of such myths, misconceptions, and misinformation; community responses in combating COVID-19 have not been very effective in Africa. For these interventions to be effective, collective efforts involving various stakeholders to raise awareness of COVID-19 are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikidadi Muhanga
- Department of Development and Strategic Studies, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
| | - Angela Jesse
- Department of Development and Strategic Studies, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
| | - Edwin Ngowi
- Department of Development and Strategic Studies, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
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Mutombo PN, Kasilo OMJ, James PB, Wardle J, Kunle O, Katerere D, Wambebe C, Matsabisa MG, Rahmatullah M, Nikiema JB, Mukankubito I, Sheridan R, Sanogo R, Nissapatorn V, Sivakorn C, Tripathy S, Goyal R, Dhobi M. Experiences and challenges of African traditional medicine: lessons from COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e010813. [PMID: 37558269 PMCID: PMC10414097 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010813] [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: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Management of COVID-19 in Africa is challenging due to limited resources, including the high cost of vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices and routine pharmaceuticals. These challenges, in addition to wide acceptability, have resulted in increased use of herbal medicines based on African traditional medicines (ATMs) by patients in Africa. This is in spite of the often-significant gaps in evidence regarding these traditional medicines as to their efficacy and safety for COVID-19. African scientists, with some support from their governments, and guidance from WHO and other bodies, are addressing this evidence gap, developing and testing herbal medicines based on ATMs to manage mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19. Such efforts need further support to meet public health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polydor Ngoy Mutombo
- Faculty of Health, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ossy Muganga Julius Kasilo
- Universal Health Coverage Life Course Cluster, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Peter Bai James
- Faculty of Health, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jon Wardle
- Faculty of Health, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Olobayo Kunle
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - David Katerere
- Pharmaceutical Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Charles Wambebe
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, International Biomedical Research Institute (IBRI), Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jean-Baptiste Nikiema
- Medicines Supply, Health Infrastructure and Equipment Maintenance (MIM) Unit, Universal Health Coverage/Life Course Cluster, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Immaculee Mukankubito
- Medicines Supply, Health Infrastructure and Equipment Maintenance (MIM) Unit, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | | | - Rokia Sanogo
- Médecine Traditionnelle, Institut National de Recherche en Sante Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- School of Allied Health Sciences and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Thai Buri, Thailand
| | - Chaisith Sivakorn
- Intensive Care Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Satyajit Tripathy
- Pharmacology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Ramesh Goyal
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Delhi, India
| | - Mahaveer Dhobi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Delhi, India
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Van Espen M, Dewachter S, Holvoet N. COVID-19 vaccination willingness in peri-urban Tanzanian communities: Towards contextualising and moving beyond the individual perspective. SSM Popul Health 2023; 22:101381. [PMID: 36936725 PMCID: PMC10014502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
With only 5.1% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Tanzania has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world and after two years of changing policies regarding the disease, the country struggles to get its vaccination campaign on the rails. In this study, we identify the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination willingness in two villages of the Mvomero district in Eastern Tanzania. Based on survey data, we performed univariate analyses to assess differences in vaccination intention for various social groups, and built a four-dimensional multivariate ordered logistic regression model that comprises respondents' personal and socioeconomic characteristics, the channels through which they get their information, their attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19, and their social network embeddedness. Only 37.0% of the respondents indicated that they would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination willingness differed significantly according to gender, age, educational attainment and religion; with men, the elderly, people with post-secondary education and Catholics and Muslims more likely to accept a vaccine. Predictors of vaccination willingness were gender, age, social media and informal contacts as information sources, perceived effectiveness of the vaccine and of alternative medicine, fear of side effects, a general dislike of vaccines, and the proportion of vaccinated people and the highest value of trust in international organisations in one's network. Although people's attitudes and perceptions have the largest share of the explanatory value, our model shows that all four of our model's building blocks were imperative in explaining vaccination willingness. Therefore, our paper presents a compelling case for the inclusion of respondents' social embeddedness as a common dimension for exploratory models of vaccination willingness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Van Espen
- Institute of Development Policy, University of Antwerp, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Sara Dewachter
- Institute of Development Policy, University of Antwerp, Belgium
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Ripanda A, Luanda A, Mtabazi GS, Makangara JJ. Senna singueana (Delile) lock: Ethnomedicinal uses and medicinal properties. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14098. [PMID: 36923862 PMCID: PMC10008984 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Senna singueana (Delile) Lock is a potential medicinal plant commonly used to mitigate various infectious and non-infectious diseases including malaria, typhoid, gonorrhoea, bilharzia, cancer, epilepsy and ulcer. The phytochemical profile of S. singueana indicates the presence of different phytoconstituents corresponding to the pharmacological properties. The pharmacological potentials such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antimalarial and antidiabetics are possessed by S. singueana. This review comprehensively discusses the potential of S. singueana for the mitigation of medical conditions. The information is collected from various online databases such as Google scholar, ScienceDirect, Springer, Web of Science and PubMed. Among other information, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and mechanisms of action are extensively presented. A review concluded by highlighting the challenges and potential future outlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha Ripanda
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 338 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Amos Luanda
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 338 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Geofrey S Mtabazi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 338 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - John J Makangara
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 338 Dodoma, Tanzania
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Attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of herbs and supplementary medications with COVID-19: A systematic review. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:343-355. [PMID: 36402712 PMCID: PMC9659320 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is growing interest in using herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19, evidenced by multiple reports exploring their effectiveness and safety. From a health psychology perspective, the desire to use herbs and supplementary medications to prevent and/or treat COVID-19 is a health behavior which is attributed to attitudes and beliefs. This systematic review critically appraised and synthesized the data from studies investigating these attitudes and beliefs. METHODS EMBASE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane (library), and WebOfScience were searched from inception to December 13, 2021 for studies investigating attitudes and beliefs on the use of herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19. RESULTS A total of 17 articles were identified for inclusion. All except one were of cross-sectional design. Participants across most studies had a positive attitude towards using herbs and supplementary medications. They believed that herbs and supplementary medications were effective and were confident in their value in preventing and/or treating COVID-19 symptoms. The majority of included studies had significant flaws in study design and reporting, including inconsistent definitions of herbs and supplementary medications, a lack of theoretical models and conceptual frameworks underpinning the study of beliefs and attitudes, in addition to methodological issues of robustness affecting the validity and reliability of data. CONCLUSION The use of herbs and supplementary medicines to prevent and/or treat COVID-19 could well be driven by a positive attitude stemming from beliefs of effectiveness and safety. There is a need for well-designed studies on attitudes and beliefs that are driven by health behavior theories to permit generalizability of findings and establish more conclusive relationships between beliefs, attitudes and the decision to use herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19.
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Ünal Toprak F, Coşkun Palaz S, Çağlar S. The impact of health literacy levels on women’s fear of contracting Covid-19 and their attitudes toward holistic complementary and alternative medicine: Mediation analysis results. Health Care Women Int 2022:1-16. [PMID: 35616392 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2022.2070623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Researchers aim to examine mediating variable role of health literacy in the relationship between fear of contracting Covid-19 in women and use of holistic complementary alternative medicine. The study was conducted as descriptive cross-sectional. The researchers collected study data by conducting an online questionnaire from 285 women between April 01 and June 30, 2021. In our study, a significant relationship was found between education level and health literacy, having a chronic illness, not being able to find a permanent job and fear of Covid-19 (p < 0.05). Positive correlation exists between fear of contracting Covid-19 and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice (correlation between HCAM Practice β=.21). When health literacy variable is included, the level of relationship decreases (β=.18). The researchers determined that as the level of health literacy increased, the women resorted to HCAM practices less despite their fear of contracting Covid-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Ünal Toprak
- Department of Midwifery, Gulhane Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Simge Coşkun Palaz
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Songül Çağlar
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
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Lange S, Mfaume D. The folk illness kimeo and "traditional" uvulectomy: an ethnomedical study of care seeking for children with cough and weakness in Dar es Salaam. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:35. [PMID: 35488269 PMCID: PMC9052184 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00533-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amputation of the uvula by lay providers, so-called "traditional uvulectomy", is common in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, the procedure is a treatment of persistent cough, and in some areas of the country, one in three children have been cut. Previous research from Sub-Saharan Africa suggest that uvulectomy by lay providers can increase morbidity and mortality in children, but few studies have examined the cultural ideas and practices that are linked to this form of lay surgery. METHODS This ethnomedical study took place in Dar es Salaam. Ten focus group discussions with a total of 43 caregivers in three different administrative districts were carried out, focusing on their perceptions of uvulectomy, the folk illness kimeo, and their experiences with taking a child for cutting. Four folk practitioners who carry out uvulectomies were interviewed individually, with a special focus on their background, and their perceptions of kimeo and uvulectomy. RESULTS Caregivers in Dar es Salaam typically take children who suffer from cough, vomiting and weakness to a professional health provider as a first recourse. If the child does not get well relatively quickly, some start fearing that their child may suffer from the folk illness kimeo. Kimeo is perceived by some to be an acute, life-threatening illness that professional health providers are incapable of treating. Folk practitioners treat kimeo by amputating the uvula using forceps. The four interviewed practitioners had learned their skill in apprenticeship, and two of them were third generation uvula cutters. Caregivers regard the folk practitioners as experts who offer a service that is perceived as both efficient and safe. CONCLUSIONS Efforts should be made to improve the quality of professional health services for children presenting with cough, including more open communication with caregivers about the folk illness kimeo. More research is needed to establish the clinical conditions that children who are taken for uvulectomy suffer from, to what degree the practice delays professional health care for underlying illnesses like pneumonia, and the negative effects of the cutting itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siri Lange
- Department of Health Promotion and Development (HEMIL), University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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Lekhak N, Bhatta TR, Goler TD, Kahana E, Rathi S. Coping With Uncertainty: Use of Contemplative Practices Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. Holist Nurs Pract 2022; Publish Ahead of Print:00004650-990000000-00003. [PMID: 35435860 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Scant research has attempted to understand the use and frequency of contemplative practices across social groups of older adults in the context of uniquely uncertain and stressful circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from a nationwide web-based survey (n = 1861), we examined the change in the frequency of contemplative practices and variation across sociodemographic, health, and psychological status and we documented a significant increase in the use of prayer and meditation since the beginning of the pandemic. Minority groups and those with lower income reported praying longer than their counterparts. Respondents who were unmarried, women, and more educated were more likely to meditate, whereas lower-educated respondents were more likely to pray during the pandemic. Greater use of these practices was found among participants with higher anxiety. Our study offers much-needed guidance for future intervention studies to improve psychological well-being among diverse groups of older adults facing stressful circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala Lekhak
- School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Dr Lekhak); Department of Sociology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Dr Bhatta); Department of Sociology, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia (Dr Goler); Department of Sociology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (Dr Kahana); and School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Ms Rathi)
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Mchome Z, Mshana G, Peter E, Aloyce D, Kapiga S, Stöckl H. Women's Narratives about COVID-19, Preventive Practices and Sources of Information in Northwestern Tanzania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105261. [PMID: 34063334 PMCID: PMC8156351 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has affected millions of people across the world. We conducted a phone based qualitative study to explore women’s perceptions of COVID-19, knowledge of its symptoms, transmission, and prevention practices in Northwestern Tanzania. We also examined their sources of information about the disease. Findings show that much of women’s framing of etiology, symptoms, and transmission routes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) greatly reflects the World Health Organization (WHO)/Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) frame. Their preventive practices against COVID-19 included the biomedical, cultural, and religious frames, as participants engaged traditional practices and spiritual interventions alongside public health recommendations. Mass media was the main source of information about COVID-19, and one of the trusted sources, in addition to religious and local leaders. To be effective, health promotion programs on pandemics should make more use of the mass media, and communal networks to reach populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaina Mchome
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza P.O. Box 11936, Tanzania; (Z.M.); (E.P.); (D.A.); (S.K.)
- Mwanza Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mwanza P.O. Box 1462, Tanzania
| | - Gerry Mshana
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza P.O. Box 11936, Tanzania; (Z.M.); (E.P.); (D.A.); (S.K.)
- Mwanza Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mwanza P.O. Box 1462, Tanzania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +255-754889922
| | - Esther Peter
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza P.O. Box 11936, Tanzania; (Z.M.); (E.P.); (D.A.); (S.K.)
| | - Diana Aloyce
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza P.O. Box 11936, Tanzania; (Z.M.); (E.P.); (D.A.); (S.K.)
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza P.O. Box 11936, Tanzania; (Z.M.); (E.P.); (D.A.); (S.K.)
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Heidi Stöckl
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15–17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK;
- Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80331 Munich, Germany
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