The awareness of neglected tropical diseases in a sample of medical and nursing students in Cairo University, Egypt: A cross-sectional study

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Tropical Diseases among Nursing Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to compare bachelor nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding tropical diseases. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 128 participants who were recruited using stratified random sampling and completed a sociodemographics questionnaire and KAP questionnaire concerning tropical diseases. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data, and inferential statistics, including one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests, were calculated to identify potential differences between variables. The study found nursing students who took the tropical nursing courses had better knowledge and attitudes regarding preventing tropical diseases than those who did not. Participants who took the tropical nursing courses had a significantly higher median knowledge score of 22 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 2 (P <0.001) and a median attitude score of 31 (IQR: 6, P = 0.02) compared with those who did not take it. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in practice regarding tropical diseases (P = 0.20). In conclusion, students who take tropical nursing courses may improve their knowledge and attitudes toward tropical diseases, but the two groups in this study did not significantly differ in practice, possibly because of self-reported practices rather than direct observation. This study highlights the potential of accurate digital information to provide credible resources in enhancing nursing students' KAP concerning tropical diseases.

Mass drug administration campaigns: comparing two approaches for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths prevention and control in selected Southern Malawi districts

BACKGROUND

Mass drug administration is one of the key interventions recommended by WHO to control certain NTDs. With most support from donors, health workers distribute antihelminthic drugs annually in Malawi. Mean community coverage of MDA from 2018 to 2020 was high at 87% for praziquantel and 82% for albendazole. However, once donor support diminishes sustaining these levels will be challenging. This study intended to compare the use of the community-directed intervention approach with the standard practice of using health workers in delivery of MDA campaigns.

METHODS

This was a controlled implementation study carried out in three districts, where four health centres and 16 villages in each district were selected and randomly assigned to intervention and control arms which implemented MDA campaigns using the CDI approach and the standard practice, respectively. Cross-sectional and mixed methods approach to data collection was used focusing on quantitative data for coverage and knowledge levels and qualitative data to assess perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries at baseline and follow-up assessments. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 26 and NVivo 12 for Windows, respectively.

RESULTS

At follow-up, knowledge levels increased, majority of the respondents were more knowledgeable about what schistosomiasis was (41%-44%), its causes (41%-44%) and what STH were (48%-64%), while knowledge on intermediate host for schistosomiasis (19%-22%), its types (9%-13%) and what causes STH (15%-16%) were less known both in intervention and control arm communities. High coverage rates for praziquantel were registered in intervention (83%-89%) and control (86%-89%) communities, intervention (59%-79) and control (53%-86%) schools. Costs for implementation of the study indicated that the intervention arm used more resources than the control arm. Health workers and community members perceived the use of the CDI approach as a good initiative and more favorable over the standard practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the CDI in delivery of MDA campaigns against schistosomiasis and STH appears feasible, retains high coverages and is acceptable in intervention communities. Despite the initial high costs incurred, embedding into community delivery platforms could be considered as a possible way forward addressing the sustainability concern when current donor support wanes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR202102477794401, date: 25/02/2021.

Scorpion Sting Envenomation, a Neglected Tropical Disease: A Nationwide Survey Exploring Perspectives and Attitudes of Resident Doctors from India

Scorpion sting envenomation (SSE) is a commonly encountered and a significant problem in the tropics, affecting rural and marginalized communities. However, it is not formally listed as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) by the WHO. We designed this cross-sectional study to explore medical graduates' and resident doctors' perspectives on SSE as an NTD and to assess their experiences, knowledge, and confidence in managing these patients. An online questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered to interns and resident doctors across India. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated for factors predicting high self-reported confidence scores for managing scorpion stings using multivariable logistic regression. The final questionnaire contained 26 items including participant background, perspectives about SSE being an NTD, experiences, knowledge, and skills needed to manage, and prevent stings effectively. Of 454 participants, 69% opined that SSE was an NTD, and > 60% felt that SSE was inadequately addressed within undergraduate training. Predictors of high self-reported confidence scores in management competencies were residency in a clinical branch that commonly encountered SSE (internal/emergency medicine or pediatrics, P < 0.0001), having ever managed an SSE patient alone or as a part of a team (P < 0.0001), and attending a class or teaching session on SSE during undergraduate training (P = 0.048). Our results suggest that residents across India believe that there is an urgent need to declare SSE an NTD to increase its visibility, further paving the way for innovative multilevel cross-cutting solutions for mitigation. Designing authentic learning experiences can help produce competent and empathetic physicians in managing and preventing SSE.

An assessment of implementation and effectiveness of mass drug administration for prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in selected southern Malawi districts

Background

Mass drug administration (MDA) is one of the key interventions recommended by WHO for prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). In Malawi, MDA is widely carried out annually since 2009 for prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH). No study has been carried out to assess effectiveness of the MDA approach and to document perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries regarding use of MDA. This study was done to understand how well MDA is being implemented and to identify opportunities for improvement in MDA delivery in Malawi.

Methods

Designed as a cross-sectional and multi-methods research, the study was carried out in three southern Malawi districts of Chiradzulu, Mangochi and Zomba. In each district, four health centres and 16 villages were randomly selected to participate. A mixed-methods approach to data collection focusing on quantitative data for coverage and knowledge, attitudes and practices assessments; and qualitative data for assessing perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries regarding MDA was used. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 26 while qualitative data were analysed using NVivo 12 for Windows.

Results

Knowledge levels about schistosomiasis and STH in the districts varied according to disease aspects asked about. Majority are more knowledgeable about what schistosomiasis is (78%) and whether STH are treatable with drugs (97%); with least knowledgeable about the organism that transmits schistosomiasis (18%), types of schistosomiasis (11%) and what causes STH (20%). In 2018 and 2019 the districts registered high coverage rates for praziquantel and albendazole using community-based MDA (73–100%) and using school-based MDA (75–91%). Both the health authorities and community members perceived the MDA approach as good because it brings treatment closer to people.

Conclusion

With the high MDA coverage obtained in communities and schools, the effectiveness of MDA in the target districts is satisfactory. There are, however, several challenges including disproportionate knowledge levels, which are hampering progress towards attainment of the 2030 global NTD goals. There is a need for promotion of community participation and partnerships as well as implementation of other recommended interventions for sustainable prevention and control of schistosomiasis and STH.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07925-3.

Sleep apnea, "the Ugly Duckling of the Cinderellas" in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and account for the largest share of health expenditure worldwide, mainly invested in hospital and secondary care. Prevention and rehabilitation strategies are nearly neglected, therefore "the Cinderellas," in the health-care budget. The World Health Organization has proposed cost-effective interventions to reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases that include polydrug treatment for hypertension and diabetes, counselling, diet, exercise, and others. Obstructive sleep apnea is not even mentioned among these interventions; consequently, it could be "the Ugly Duckling of the Cinderellas." Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by the presence of obstructive apneas or hypopneas during sleep, accompanied by hypoxia; and it is a highly prevalent but under-diagnosed condition. Although awareness of sleep apnea has recently increased most facts about it remains ignored by many. Robust evidence suggests that OSA is associated with, or is an independent risk factor for, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, heart failure and arrhythmias and that its prevalence among some of these cardiovascular diseases is higher than 80%. The efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnea has been established. If obstructive sleep apnea plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, then screening and timely appropriate treatment could reduce morbidity and mortality. Thus, the public health and economic impact of these conditions could be included in the "best buy" list of interventions. This narrative review discusses the relationship between OSA and cardiovascular diseases and how neglected the link is.