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Rausche P, Rakotoarivelo RA, Rakotozandrindrainy R, Rakotomalala RS, Ratefiarisoa S, Rasamoelina T, Kutz JM, Jaeger A, Hoeppner Y, Lorenz E, May J, Puradiredja DI, Fusco D. Awareness and knowledge of female genital schistosomiasis in a population with high endemicity: a cross-sectional study in Madagascar. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1278974. [PMID: 37886060 PMCID: PMC10598593 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278974] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected disease with long-term physical and psychosocial consequences, affecting approximately 50 million women worldwide and generally representing an unmet medical need on a global scale. FGS is the chronic manifestation of a persistent infection with Schistosoma haematobium. FGS services are not routinely offered in endemic settings with a small percentage of women at risk receiving adequate care. Madagascar has over 60% prevalence of FGS and no guidelines for the management of the disease. This study aimed to determine FGS knowledge among women and health care workers (HCWs) in a highly endemic area of Madagascar. Methods A convenience sampling strategy was used for this cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics including proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, reporting socio-demographic characteristics of the population. Knowledge sources were evaluated descriptively. Binary Poisson regression with robust standard errors was performed; crude (CPR) and adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) with 95% CIs were calculated. Results A total of 783 participants were included in the study. Among women, 11.3% (n = 78) were aware of FGS while among the HCWs 53.8% (n = 50) were aware of FGS. The highest level of knowledge was observed among women in an urban setting [24%, (n = 31)] and among those with a university education/vocational training [23% (n = 13)]. A lower APR of FGS knowledge was observed in peri-urban [APR 0.25 (95% CI: 0.15; 0.45)] and rural [APR 0.37 (95% CI 0.22; 0.63)] settings in comparison to the urban setting. Most HCWs reported other HCWs [40% (n = 20)] while women mainly reported their family [32% (n = 25)] as being their main source of information in the 6 months prior to the survey. Discussion and conclusions Our study shows limited awareness and knowledge of FGS among population groups in the highly endemic Boeny region of Madagascar. With this study we contribute to identifying an important health gap in Madagascar, which relates to a disease that can silently affect millions of women worldwide. In alignment with the targets of the NTD roadmap, addressing schistosomiasis requires a paradigm shift for its control and management including a greater focus on chronic forms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Rausche
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jean-Marc Kutz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Jaeger
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yannick Hoeppner
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva Lorenz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen May
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Tropical Medicine I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dewi Ismajani Puradiredja
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Fusco
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
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Sisti LG, Buonsenso D, Moscato U, Costanzo G, Malorni W. The Role of Religions in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031691. [PMID: 36767057 PMCID: PMC9914292 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Culture, religion and health are closely intertwined, profoundly affecting people's attitudes and behaviors as well as their conception and experience of illness and disease. In order to analyze the impact of religion in the current COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a literature review investigating both the scientific and grey literature on the topic. COVID-19 outbreaks reported in pilgrimages and religious ceremonies around the world-especially in the first wave of the pandemic wave-and the role played by religion in conveying culturally sensitive information about COVID-19 are some of the evidence we reviewed. Our research highlights how religions have represented, on the one hand, a risk for the spread of the virus and, on the other, a precious opportunity to engage people, and in particular minorities, in fighting the pandemic. To overcome this pandemic and to be prepared for similar ones in the future, scientists, politicians and health professionals should acknowledge the role that culture and religion play in people's lives and how it can assist in tackling complex health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leuconoe Grazia Sisti
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Moscato
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Costanzo
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Malorni
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Chagas C, Martins LB, Bezerra AG, Paula TCSD, Xavier ACA, Zangari W, Galduróz JCF. A Systematic Review on Alcohol Consumption among Non-Religious and Religious Adults. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:238-256. [PMID: 36510842 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2155477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Research has suggested that religiosity is a protective factor in alcohol use, but this is an area that could be further explored. Objective: To undertake a systematic review of the literature on drinking patterns and their relationship with religiosity and non-religiosity in adult populations. Methods: We searched for relevant studies using the PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, and Psych-INFO databases. This review included only studies of people aged 18 and over which had a non-religious group as a comparison measure. Results: Fifty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The present review showed that religious people tend to have lower alcohol consumption compared to those with no religion. However, this difference appears only when religions are analyzed together without differentiating between religious affiliations (Catholicism, Buddhism, Evangelicalism, etc.). Some religious affiliations, such as Buddhism, Catholicism and Lutheranism, appear to be risk factors for alcohol consumption. Definitions of risk consumption showed high heterogeneity, ranging from eight to 21 or more doses per week, a difference of 13 doses of alcohol between studies. Conclusions: The present review showed that religious people tend to have lower alcohol consumption compared to non-religious people. However, the results are contradictory when religious affiliations are analyzed separately and compared with non-religious participants. Adequately understanding which dimensions of religiosity and non-religiosity (e.g., group processes, engagement, meaning, rules of behavior) are protective in adulthood is fundamental to the construction of more effective interventions in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Chagas
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andréia Gomes Bezerra
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wellington Zangari
- Department of Social Psychology, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, Brazil
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Gir E, Baptista CJ, Reis RK, Menegueti MG, Pillon SC, de Oliveira E Silva AC. Increased use of psychoactive substances among Brazilian health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2022; 41:359-367. [PMID: 36428073 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of increased psychoactive substance use (PSU) and associated factors among health care professionals. A cross-sectional and analytical study with 12,086 Brazilian health professionals was undertaken. An online questionnaire was used to gather data concerning sociodemographic factors, increased consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hypnotics or sedatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and hypnotic or sedative consumption were 17.8 %, 69.0 % and 17.1 %, respectively. Regression analyses indicated that having no religion and social isolation were associated with increased PASU during the pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic stressors may increase PASU, and increased PASU may increase the risk of substance use disorders and substance use-related chronic diseases, such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elucir Gir
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Renata Karina Reis
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Sandra Cristina Pillon
- Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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