Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding COVID­19 in N'Djamena, Chad.

The first African COVID-19 case was reported in Egypt in February 2020. Since then, Sub-Saharan countries have struggled to respond to the pandemic. Among them, Chad is characterized by a high rate of poverty and mortality, a high burden of infectious diseases, insufficient epidemiological surveillance and underdeveloped infrastructure. In this study, we explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding COVID-19 within the Chadian population, to determine whether there are more vulnerable groups of the population that require greater attention from authorities. This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey conducted in N'Djamena, Chad, using a convenience sampling technique that included 2269 participants. The study was conducted in May and August 2020. Questions regarding technical concepts were answered incorrectly by most participants (83.65%). The population had better knowledge about concrete aspects of the pandemics, such as prevention measures and contagion. Regarding attitudes, 34.55% participants were very concerned about the possibility of being infected, 81.27% were unsatisfied/very unsatisfied with their social relationships after the pandemic began, and 68.44% thought that the pandemic was a disturbing/very disturbing issue. As for practices, 49.41% of men followed all preventive measures compared to 32.07% of women, and 3.04% of people with vulnerable jobs did not respect any of preventive measures compared to 1.19% of people without this condition. Gender, job conditions and educational level impact KAPs within the Chadian population. It is suggested that local authorities in Chad should consider these variables when developing health strategies.

[Social determinants of the health of international migrant children in Chile: qualitative evidence.] / Determinantes sociales de la salud de niños migrantes internacionales en Chile: evidencia cualitativa.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the social determinants of health (SDH) of international migrant children, from the perceptions of caregivers, health workers and local authorities in eight municipalities in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of data was conducted from a qualitative study that took place between 2014 and 2017. The original study involved semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The secondary thematic analysis of data included all emerging issues related to international migrant children and their living conditions, including use of health services. RESULTS: Findings were grouped according to the model of social determinants of health, which allow a reflection on living conditions of international migrant children and their health situation. CONCLUSIONS: This research shows the impact of SDH on international migrant children in Chile, highlighting relevant issues around this group.

OBJETIVO: Explorar los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) de niños migrantes, a partir de las percepciones de cuidadores y trabajadores autoridades de salud en las zonas más densas de población migrante en Chile. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis de datos secundario de un estudio realizado entre los años 2014 y 2017 desde un paradigma cualitativo de investigación. El estudio original incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales. El análisis temático secundario de datos contempló todos los temas emergentes referidos a niños migrantes y condiciones de vida, incluyendo utilización de servicios de salud. RESULTADOS: Los DDS fueron agrupados de acuerdo con el Modelo de Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, el cual permite reflexionar en torno a las condiciones de vida de niños migrantes y su situación de salud. CONCLUSIONES: Esta investigación muestra el impacto de los DSS en salud de niños migrantes en Chile, resaltando temáticas relevantes en torno a este grupo.

[Sexual and reproductive health in young men in Chile: results of a qualitative studySaúde sexual e reprodutiva de jovens do sexo masculino no Chile: resultados de um estudo qualitativo]. / Salud sexual y reproductiva de hombres jóvenes en Chile: resultados de un estudio cualitativo.

OBJECTIVE: To describe, based on the perceptions of adolescents and health service staff, the ways in which adolescent boys interact with sexual and reproductive health services, the changes perceived in this area over time, and the Espacios Amigables strategy ('Friendly Spaces' for adolescent health) to reach out to boys. METHODS: An ethnographic, qualitative study was conducted in Friendly Spaces for adolescent and young adult health in five municipalities belonging to Chile's Metropolitan Region. The research methods used were semi-structured interviews (N = 38), discussion groups (N = 5), and participant observation. RESULTS: A masculinities perspective was [TN: "un enfoque de masculinidades". Or simply: "Masculine perspectives were…"] felt to be missing in adolescent sexual and reproductive health care, which is perceived to be an area geared primarily toward females. Most adolescent boys perceive health services as distant and visit them only in case of emergency. Male attendance is low at sexual and reproductive health services in Friendly Spaces within primary health care centers. However, services outside these centers attract boys in larger numbers, for example, one that is exclusively devoted to providing adolescent health care and integrated services in schools. CONCLUSIONS: Greater provision of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services does not necessarily translate into increased male access. For such an increase to occur, it is important to engage boys in addressing issues that capture their interest, bring health services closer to them, strengthen intersectoral work, and incorporate a masculinities perspectives in their care.

OBJETIVO: Descrever, a partir das percepções dos jovens e do pessoal de saúde, as formas como os adolescentes do sexo masculino se relacionam com a atenção de saúde sexual e reprodutiva, as transformações percebidas neste âmbito e as estratégias para atenção de saúde do adolescente por espaços amigáveis para o alcance deste grupo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo etnográfico em espaços amigáveis para atenção de saúde de adolescentes e jovens em cinco municípios da região metropolitana do Chile. Foram empregados os métodos de entrevistas semiestruturadas (N = 38) e grupos de discussão (N = 5) e a técnica de observação participante. RESULTADOS: Foi verificada a falta de uma perspectiva de masculinidades na atenção de saúde sexual e reprodutiva para adolescentes, que se percebe como sendo voltada principalmente ao sexo feminino. A maioria dos adolescentes e jovens percebe os serviços de saúde como distantes e recorrem a eles sobretudo em situações de emergência. Foi observada pouca assistência ao sexo masculino nos serviços de saúde sexual e reprodutiva em espaços amigáveis situados em unidades de atenção primária à saúde. No entanto, a frequência dos jovens é maior nos espaços localizados fora destas unidades, como em um centro exclusivo de atenção de saúde do adolescente e serviços integrados em escolas. CONCLUSÕES: Uma maior oferta de serviços de saúde sexual e reprodutiva para adolescentes não implica necessariamente maior acesso do sexo masculino. Para isso, é importante atrair os jovens com assuntos do interesse deles, acercar os serviços de saúde de onde eles estão, reforçar o trabalho intersetorial e incorporar um enfoque de masculinidades à atenção.

Barriers and Facilitators perceived by the health team for the implementation of pre and post ductal saturometry as a method of detection of congenital heart diseases in newborns, prior to discharge. / Barreras y Facilitadores percibidos por el equipo de salud para la implementación de saturometría pre y post ductal como método de detección de cardiopatías congénitas en recién nacidos, previo al alta.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main barriers and facilitators perceived by the health care workers for the implementation of Pre- and Post-Ductal Oxygen Saturation (SPPD) as a detection method of Con genital Heart Disease in newborns, prior to hospital discharge. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From a cons tructivist research paradigm, a case study was carried out in three public hospitals in the Metropoli tan Region, Chile, two of them are high-complexity hospitals. The first one, the NEW Hospital, has recently started its activity, and the second one, the OLD Hospital, has been operating for many years. The third one, the RURAL Hospital, is a low-complexity institution, located near Santiago. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups to Nursing Technicians (TENS), Midwives and Physicians. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic content analysis is performed using the NVivo11 qualitative software. The investigation was approved by the Ethics Committee recognized by the hospitals involved. RESULTS: In the NEW Hospital, where the SPPD was implemented more than a year ago, barriers are detected at execution level, especially in oximeter inputs and on weekends. In the OLD Hospital and the RURAL Hospital, in which the SPPD was not implemented, the main perceived barriers are concentrated in insufficient knowledge about their usefulness, economic aspects, work overload, and organizational aspects. In the NEW Hospital, the main facilitators for the application of SPPD were its simplicity, economy, and the fact that it is an important contribution to the safety of newborns discharged. CONCLUSION: The disposition regar ding the practice of PPDS as a screening, varies in the 3 hospitals explored. To achieve this goal it is recommended to overcome organizational, management and economic barriers. Although there is a need to train the personnel in charge of screening, there is good disposition given the importance for the health of the RN. The flow of referral after screening for positive SPPD is quite clear.

"In our own words": Defining medical professionalism from a Latin American perspective.

BACKGROUND: Latin America has experienced a tremendous growth in a number of medical schools, and there are concerns about their quality of training in critical areas such as professionalism. Medical professionalism is a cultural construct. The aim of the study was to compare published definitions of medical professionalism from Latin American and non-Latin American regions and to design an original and culturally sound definition. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used with three phases. First, a systematic search and thematic analysis of the literature were conducted. Second, a Delphi methodology was used to design a local definition of medical professionalism. Third, we used a qualitative approach that combined focus groups and personal interviews with students and deans from four medical schools in Chile to understand various aspects of professionalism education. The data were analyzed using NVivo software. RESULTS: A total of 115 nonrepeated articles were identified in the three databases searched. No original definitions of medical professionalism from Latin America were found. Twenty-six articles met at least one of the three decisional criteria defined and were fully reviewed. Three theoretical perspectives were identified: contractualism, personalism, and deontology. Attributes of medical professionalism were classified in five dimensions: personal, interpersonal, societal, formative, and practical. Participants of the Delphi panel, focus groups, and personal interviews included 36 medical students, 12 faculties, and four deans. They took a personalistic approach to design an original definition of medical professionalism and highlighted the relevance of respecting life, human dignity, and the virtue of prudence in medical practice. Students and scholars differed on the value given to empathy and compassion. DISCUSSION: This study provides an original and culturally sound definition of medical professionalism that could be useful in Latin American medical schools. The methodology used in the study could be applied in other regions as a basis to develop culturally appropriate definitions of medical professionalism.

Exploring the Masculine Identity in the Context of HIV Prevention in Chile.

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related knowledge and beliefs, as well as understanding attitudes towards masculinity in the context of HIV prevention, held among Chilean men. DESIGN: This study reports the qualitative findings of a sequential qualitative-quantitative mixed methodology study: Bringing men into HIV Prevention in Chile, NIH R01 TW007674-03. METHODS: Twenty in-depth interviews using a qualitative, descriptive approach to elicit information for the study were conducted among men residing in two communities of low socio-economic status in Santiago, Chile. FINDINGS: Content analysis of interviews revealed three main themes regarding machismo and how it relates to HIV: sexuality and machismo, the changing nature of machismo, and violence against women. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing HIV and intimate partner violence through developing education programs tailored to meet the needs of Chilean men are needed to include men in HIV prevention efforts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Specifically, incorporating ideas of what men consider healthy masculinity and working to destigmatize men who have sex with men are important steps in addressing the negative aspects of machismo.

Representaciones de masculinidades en las políticas públicas de salud en Chile.

OBJETIVO: comprender las representaciones de las masculinidades en las políticas públicas de salud en Chile. MÉTODO: desde un diseño metodológico cualitativo, se realizó una revisión documental de programas y políticas del área de la salud sexual y reproductiva, salud mental, violencia y ciclo vital, incluyendo adicionalmente el análisis de 10 entrevistas realizadas a trabajadores de la salud, actores claves y expertos. Se realizó un análisis de contenido temático, utilizando software NVivo. RESULTADOS: los principales resultados constatan que la presencia masculina es menor que la femenina en las políticas públicas de salud, y que las representaciones de los varones suelen tener una perspectiva socio-comportamental donde se concibe que la masculinidad es perjudicial para la salud. CONCLUSIÓN: los hallazgos instan a incluir una mirada inclusiva de hombres y masculinidades, su contexto social y capacidad de cambio a fin de poder abordar vulnerabilidades y necesidades específicas de la salud de hombres en Chile.

Mano a Mano-Mujer: an effective HIV prevention intervention for Chilean women.

The impact of a professionally facilitated peer group intervention for HIV prevention among 400 low-income Chilean women was examined using a quasiexperimental design. At 3 months postintervention, the intervention group had higher HIV-related knowledge, more positive attitudes toward people living with HIV, fewer perceived condom use barriers, greater self- efficacy, higher HIV reduction behavioral intentions, more communication with partners about safer sex, and decreased depression symptoms. They did not, however, have increased condom use or self-esteem. More attention to gender barriers is needed. This intervention offers a model for reducing HIV for women in Chile and other Latin American countries.

[Perception of smoking rates and its relationship with cigarette use among Chilean adolescents]. / ¿Cuántas personas fuman?: Percepción del nivel de consumo y su relación con el consumo de cigarrillos en adolescentes chilenos.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking among adolescents is a major health problem in Chile, which is determined by several factors. Among these, it is important the role of perceived norms regarding cigarette use among peers and the general population. AIM: To study the social norms about the perceived prevalence of smoking and its relationship with cigarette smoking among Chilean adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants were 480 adolescents of educational institutions from the South-East area of the Metropolitan Region, who completed a questionnaire that included questions regarding cigarette use and the perceived prevalence of cigarette use among peers and adults. RESULTS: Adolescents overestimated the percentage of smokers compared to national statistics regarding their peers and adult population. The perception of adolescents regarding the rates of use among peers predicted both current and future use. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking is influenced by perceived norms regarding use and, despite the current smoking restrictions in place, youth continue to perceive that smoking is a common behavior.

Perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implement programs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-Mozambique.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perspectives of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in Sofala, Mozambique, regarding barriers and facilitators to following Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) recommendations. METHOD: Qualitative study conducted in three health centers and with a peer support group of women living with HIV, between October 2020 and March 2021. We applied purposeful sampling, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis. RESULTS: Among the barriers that emerged were the social stigma associated with HIV-positive status and fear of discrimination, side effects of medications, economic barriers, and denial of diagnosis/treatment. As facilitating factors: peer support networks and inspiration, innate concern for health and family. Finally, they recommend that the community should become more educated about HIV. CONCLUSION: The results of this study give a broad understanding of the experience of women living with HIV in this province, making it possible to focus strategies in improving the care of women in PMTCT programs in Mozambique.

Educational level, gender and health practices regarding COVID-19 in N'Djamena, Chad: A cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 is affecting different countries and populations unequally. In this sense, sub-Saharan countries represent a particularly vulnerable context due to their unique demographic and health circumstances. A holistic approach to Covid-19 is urged, one that considers the social-cultural contexts of people's lives. Using Social Determinants of Health (SDH) as framework, we explore which variables could explain the differences in health practices regarding the prevention of COVID-19 in Chad, in order to propose recommendations that allow communities to better face future health crises. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey conducted in N'Djamena, Chad, using a convenience sampling technique that included 2,330 participants. A regression model was fitted to assess the relationship between educational level, gender, and health practices regarding COVID-19. 2,269 participants completed the survey successfully. Participants mean age was 31.04, 61.52% were male, and 40.55% had precarious jobs. 21.38% of participants answered right all questions regarding knowledge and 37.19% followed all preventive measures. Findings show that safe practices regarding COVID-19 depend on right knowledge. Gender influences knowledge mainly through its influence on education. Vulnerability is given by women's reduced access to education. The SDH approach provide with an exploratory explanation and some recommendations aimed at local authorities. Access to education for all men and women must be improved to increase health practices and better deal with future health crises.

Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Chad: A cross-sectional study.

Vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is currently the best option to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic worldwide. However, in addition to logistical and economic barriers, hesitancy to be vaccinated threatens to jeopardize efforts to contain the disease. An increasing number of people in Africa are delaying or rejecting recommended vaccines. Since their launch, COVID-19 vaccines have frequently faced rejection worldwide. In this study, we interviewed 5,174 participants from Chad that were representative of the general population, on their perception of COVID-19 vaccines. The survey was conducted from April to May 2021, before the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination. We found that 47.9% of respondents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 29.8% were undecided and 22.3% would not accept the vaccine. We found that urban residents were much more likely to refuse the vaccine than rural residents. We also observed that distrust of COVID-19 vaccines and mistaken beliefs played a crucial role in the reluctance to be vaccinated. Hesitancy to vaccinate against COVID-19 was strongly associated with lack of knowledge, and acceptance of vaccination was primarily associated with fear of the disease. Finally, we identified population profiles among the undecided and the refractors, which will help in developing strategies to combat COVID-19 vaccine resistance.

[Effectiveness of an educational program about the Chilean AIDS law in primary care health workers]. / Eficacia de una intervención educativa sobre conocimientos de ley chilena de SIDA en trabajadores de salud primaria.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, members of the civil society and government achieved the passing of the HIV/AIDS Law (19.779). The level of knowledge of the law held by healthcare workers in Chile is not well known. AIM: To analyze the effect of an intervention on knowledge of the existence of the law and its application in clinical practice among primary healthcare workers in southeastern Santiago. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthcare workers of primary care centers were invited to participate in the study. One group received an educational intervention lasting a total of 16 hours, about AIDS physiopathology, sexually transmitted diseases, communication with patients and current legislation. A control group did not receive the educational intervention. Both groups answered a self-administered questionnaire about the HIV/AIDS law at baseline and three months after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention was carried out in 262 workers and 293 participated as controls. The initial evaluation revealed that only 16.3% (n = 89) had heard of the law, without any significant difference between intervention and control groups. The knowledge about the law improved by 65% in the intervention group and did not change in controls. At the end of the education period, the intervention and control groups improved their global knowledge by 29 and 3%, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention was effective in improving knowledge of the HIV/AIDS Law among Chilean healthcare workers.