Traditional healers' knowledge and infection control practices related to HIV in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

BACKGROUND: Patients with HIV consult traditional healers (THs). These THs can both delay care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and transmit HIV through poor infection control practices. The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practices of THs regarding HIV in Bukavu. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using quantitative approach was carried out among 71 THs in Bukavu City. The collected data included the following topics: personal and socio-demographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, and infection control practices. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples T-test or F-test, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data with a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The THs' mean age was 49.2 ± 11.2 years, and the majority were aged 40 to < 60 years. Males constituted 88.7% of THs with a male-to-female ratio of 7.9. In general, 47.9% of study participants had poor knowledge about HIV/AIDS infection, 45.1% of them had fair knowledge, and only 7.0% had good knowledge. Overall, 43.7% of THs had poor infection control practices, 52.1% of THs had fair practices, and only 4.2% of participants had good practices. Results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that none of the personal and demographic variables studied were significant predictors of their knowledge about HIV/AIDS (p > 0.05). In terms of practices, two variables were significant predictors of infection control practices: living in Ibanda and receiving training in taking care of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The study revealed that THs' knowledge about HIV infection was insufficient and that they had poor infection control practices. Formal standardized training on HIV infection should be organized for all THs so that they can always refer their patients to modern, reliable antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics and reduce the risk of occupational exposure in their practices. Although PPE's assistance for THs is required in terms of protective measures, the province health authority must also oversee infection control procedures at THs' offices.

Violence against Women in a Slum Area in Helwan, Cairo, Egypt: A Community Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Violence against women (VAW) is a major global public health problem with serious consequences. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of VAW aged 18-45 yr in a slum area in Helwan, Cairo, to assess their knowledge and perspective regarding VAW, and to assess their help-seeking practice in response to violence. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHODS: This community based survey was carried out among 657 women in a slum area in Helwan, Cairo, Egypt in 2018. Data about the women's knowledge about VAW, exposure to different forms of violence and their frequency, women's perspective towards violence, and their healthcare-seeking behavior on exposure to violence were collected using an interviewing questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of exposure to at least one type of intimate partner violence (IPV) was 59.1% with psychological violence ranking 1st followed by physical violence. Most women exposed to IPV reported that they have never asked for healthcare upon exposure to violence. One third had good knowledge. Most had favorable perspective against VAW. CONCLUSION: Most women suffered some kind of violence. They, however, did not seek help most of the time.

Pattern and risk factors of congenital anomalies in a pediatric university hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies (CAs) are structural, functional, or metabolic anomalies that originate during intrauterine life and can interfere with the body functions. In Egypt, the prevalence of CAs is increasing. The study aimed to estimate the frequency, describe the types, and identify the possible risk factors of CAs among infants attending the Pediatric University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. METHODS: A retrospective case series and a case-control study were conducted. Patients' records for the years 2010-2015 were reviewed, and a sample of 200 infants (100 cases and 100 controls) was taken from infants presented to Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, and Genetics Clinics of the hospital. Data were collected using a record review checklist and a predesigned interviewing questionnaire. RESULTS: The study revealed that congenital anomalies of the digestive system (38.0%), musculoskeletal system (32.9%), and circulatory system (11.0%) were the most common types of CAs. Males were more affected with CAs than females (63% versus 37%). The major risk factors for CAs were old-aged parents, complications during pregnancy, unprescribed medications and excessive vitamin A intake during pregnancy, exposure to chemicals and pesticides during pregnancy, and living near mobile strengthening stations. CONCLUSION: Congenital malformations of the digestive, musculoskeletal, and circulatory systems were the most common types of CAs in the Pediatric Hospital. To prevent CAs, there is a need to restrict the prescription of medications that may have a teratogenic effect.

Unsafe injection practices in Hodeidah governorate, Yemen.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe injection practices are a major public health problem and can lead to the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: The present study was conducted to determine the nature and magnitude of unsafe injection practices in healthcare facilities in Hodeidah governorate, Yemen. The study was conducted in two hospitals and a representative sample of the governorate's health centers. A total of 1600 injections were observed in these facilities. RESULTS: This study revealed several unsafe practices, particularly the recapping of needles after use, which occurred in 61.1% and 36.8% of the observations in the hospitals and the health centers, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that most healthcare workers (HCWs) followed the proper injection protocols but performed some procedures that exposed themselves and the community to the risk of needlestick injuries (NSIs) and bloodborne infections.