International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health

Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: Lessons and Strategies

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a global imperative to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for all individuals. A pivotal factor in this endeavor is the strength and capacity of the healthcare workforce. This paper examines the intersection of a robust healthcare workforce and the goals of UHC, with a specific focus on the Nigerian context.

Methods: The paper delves into the strengths and weaknesses of the Nigerian healthcare workforce, analyzing factors such as diversity, distribution, skill utilization, and the prevailing challenges. Insights from global approaches in the paper highlight innovative strategies, including workforce training, collaborative delivery models, and workforce motivation to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.

Results: The paper addresses contextual nuances such as cultural diversity, geographic challenges, and socioeconomic disparities that shape the Nigerian healthcare landscape. The relevance of tailored solutions that accommodate these nuances is emphasized. The paper underscores the potential impact of a strengthened healthcare workforce on achieving UHC, reducing health disparities, and improving overall health outcomes.

Conclusion: The paper offers policy recommendations tailored to Nigeria's unique circumstances. The conclusion highlights the significance of continual monitoring, research, and evaluation of workforce-centric interventions for sustained progress towards UHC. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on health equity, offering insights into how a capable healthcare workforce can drive transformative change and pave the way for comprehensive healthcare coverage in Nigeria.

Exploring the Rotavirus Risk in Latin American Food and Water

Lurys Bourdett-Stanziola — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Rotavirus is considered a major public health problem worldwide because many children, adults, and animals die from gastroenteritis due to rotavirus; rotavirus contamination follows the fecal/oral route, and it is well supported that infection can also be achieved by consuming food and water that is contaminated with rotavirus. Research has shown that, in Latin American countries, unusual emerging strains of rotavirus are occurring in children and adults with gastroenteritis; which contain in their sequence genes from rotavirus genotypes detected in animals; Therefore, researchers consider it a virus with zoonotic potential.

In this review, I propose that rotavirus transmission occurs from wild animals, who use an intermediate host before contaminating humans, by means of the fecal/oral route, food, and water. Rotavirus produces genetic rearrangements generating new emerging strains, which are excreted into the environment. Generally, during the dry season in our Latin American countries, contaminated water is used to irrigate crops, and from there, much of this water ends up in the sea, where rotavirus is absorbed by filter-feeding molluscs, and from there, consumed by man and animals continuing its cycle.

Studies on the molecular characterization of rotavirus strains detected in food and water provide new insights into possible rotavirus genetic rearrangements and zoonoses. The emergence of strains derived from interspecies transmission has implicated and inspired the study of different vaccine strategies.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Utilization of Reproductive Health Services for Adolescents and Youth in Samburu County, Kenya

Halima Dahir Ali , Dominic Mogere , Joseph Juma , Peterson Kariuki — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Globally, around 16 million teenagers give birth each year, with 95% of them coming from upcoming nations in developing nations like Kenya, youths deal with a variety of sexual and reproductive health issues. Youth in Kenya frequently experience serious health issues like unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections.

Objective: The study aimed to assess factors influencing the use of youth-friendly reproductive health services among youths and adolescents in Samburu County, Kenya.

Methods: The study employed an analytical cross-sectional study design. The Chi-square test for independence and binary logistic regression were employed to establish a relationship between independent and dependent variables.

Results: From this study, the presence of a reproductive health facility (OR=2.4,95%CI=0.220-0.801) and community mobilization campaigns (OR=4.7,95%CI=0.093-0.485) increased the odds of utilizing youth-friendly reproductive health services. The presence of peer pressure (OR=2,95%CI=0.266-0.971), healthcare providers' poor attitude (OR=2.1,95%CI=0.276-0.881), and lack of privacy (OR=2,95%CI=0.290-0.974) reduced the odds of utilizing youth-friendly reproductive health services.

Conclusion: In this study, the utilization of youth-friendly reproductive health services was 40.6%. The presence of a reproductive health facility, having visited a reproductive health facility, the presence of religious influence, and community mobilization campaigns increased the odds of utilizing youth-friendly reproductive health services. The presence of peer pressure, being male and single in the marital status category, healthcare providers' poor attitude, and lack of privacy reduced the odds of utilizing youth-friendly reproductive health services.

Home Management Practices among Caregivers on Malaria Treatment in Primary Healthcare Centre Amansea, Anambra State, Nigeria

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Malaria is a major cause of fever in children. When a child has fever, parents or caregivers commonly treat them as if they were affected by malaria, with available medicines at home, with or without proper information or guideline. This study was carried out to explore the effectiveness of the various home management practices on malaria treatment among caregivers in Primary Health Care Center Amansea, Awka North L.G.A, Anambra State between May and August 2021. Mothers and caregivers (N=200) visiting the facility and their children (N=200) were involved. Blood specimens were collected through venipuncture and analyzed by microscopy while data on management practices were collected using pretested, structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.0. Mothers and caregivers had good knowledge of the correct cause (70.0%), symptoms (63.0%) and preventive measures (53.5%) of malaria. Sources of medical treatment ranged from doctors (43.0%) to herbalist (13.5%) and 80% of them seek medical treatment within 24 hours of onset of fever. Caregivers preference of home treatment of malaria to hospital is greatly influenced by a lot of reasons with high cost of hospital bills (53.5%) being the highest reason among many. Prevalence of malaria among the mothers and caregivers was 36(18.0%) which was dependent on their age (X²=44.629, df=3, P=0.000) and educational status but not with occupation. However, malaria prevalence among the children was 50(25%) even though it was not significant in relation to age and sex of the children (P>0.05). The effectiveness of home management of malaria depends on the early diagnosis, prompt and appropriate use of health facilities for treatment of malaria symptom especially fever. Therefore, health programmes and special campaigns to enlighten mothers and caregivers on more of the dangers of delayed treatment for their children could help to improve their treatment seeking pattern.

Contribution to the Occurrence of the Blackfly (Diptera:Similiidae) in the Palestinian Territories, West Bank

Shadi Adawi , Elias Handal , Mohamed Salah Romdhane , Leila Hmida — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Aims: The primary objective of the study was to gather evidence regarding the presence of black fly fauna in the Palestinian environment. The research extensively examined breeding sites and habitats, as well as studied the physiochemical parameters of the water in these breeding sites. Furthermore, the study assessed the potential impacts of these insects on both humans and animals

Study Design: A cross- sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: From January 2023 to August 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the West Bank-Salfit district to collect larvae and adult blackflies within the Wadi Qana protected area.

Methodology: In January 2023, a field survey was conducted in the Wadi Qana protected area (32.12582, 34.8952) in the Salfit district to study the freshwater fauna. A total of 220 larvae individual of the Blackfly were collected from the running water in the valley. Forceps used to collect specimens and preserved in 70% ethanol, while adults of this group were examined under a dissecting microscope. The specimens were identified using various identification keys [4,9,12].

Results: During the study period, a total of 220 larvae were collected from breeding sites in the freshwater habitats of Wadi Qana. Two subgenera of blackflies were identified in the study area: Simulium (Wilhelmia) Enderlein and Simulium (Odgamia) Enderlein. The results indicate that blackflies breed in fast-flowing freshwater habitats covered by annual aquatic plants, with dissolved oxygen levels at 10.1 mg/L, pH average 8.2 and average temperature 21.6°C.

No significant health effects were recorded or documented in the study area, except for the nuisance caused to humans and animals by the biting of blackflies.

In conclusion, this study marks the first record and presence of the blackfly in the Palestinian environment. Further much more research is needed to explore their fauna, biology, ecology, habitats, distribution, and medical significance.

Conclusion: blackfly was recorded for the first time in the Palestinian environment, more study research are needed to discussed the fauna, biology, ecology, habitats, distribution and the medically important.