Factors Influencing the Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services among Women of Reproductive Age (15 – 49 Years) in Garowe, Puntland State of Somalia

Despite governments' and international development partners' efforts, maternal deaths remain prevalent in Somalia, with approximately 621 deaths per 10,000 live births. Most complications resulting in these deaths are amenable to the use of quality obstetric care services, especially antenatal care (ANC) services. While the prevalence and correlates of prenatal care use are well documented, limited studies have focused on antenatal care uptake in Garowe, Puntland state of Somalia.  This study aims to highlight factors associated with antenatal care services use among women aged 15–49 in Garowe, Nugaal Region, Somalia. We used a descriptive cross-sectional design. A cluster sampling technique was used to select 384 participants for the study. Logistic regression was computed to identify independent factors associated with four ANC visits. Respondents’ average age was 30.2 years, with a range of 16 to 48 years. More than half (56.8%, n=218) of the respondents did not complete four ANC visits. Multivariable analysis established that those who lack insurance, (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)= 6.07, 95%CI: 3.41 – 10.80, p<0.00), used public transport (aOR = 3.68, 95%CI: 1.31 – 10.32, p =0.013), walk to the health facility (aOR =4.0, 95%CI: 1.80 – 8.77, p =0.001), agreed that women discourage ANC attendance in the community (aOR = 3.72, 95%CI: 1.63 – 8.49, p =0.002) and had used TBAs (aOR =13.13, 95%CI: 6.81 – 25.29, p<0.001 were likely to not complete four ANC visits compared to their counterparts. While the WHO now recommends eight antenatal care visits, most pregnant women in the study setting did not complete the previously recommended four antenatal care visits, largely due to social and economic factors. There is a need to provide support to women in the community through financial support and ensure that ANC services are affordable and accessible to increase uptak

Internet self‑efficacy moderates the association of information technology ability with successful ageing among older employees in three African samples

The literature suggests that two distinct competencies [i.e., information technology ability (ITA), and internet self-efficacy] are necessary for the effective use of information technologies for successful ageing, but no study has examined the association of these skills on successful ageing and its domains (i.e., illness avoidance, functioning, and engagement with life). This study investigated whether Internet Self-Efficacy (ISE) moderates the potential association of ITA with successful ageing. The study adopted a cross-sectional design that is compliant with the STROBE and includes measures against confounding and common methods bias. The participants were 1186 older workers aged 50 years or higher in three African countries (Kenya = 350; Nigeria = 260; Ghana = 576). The minimum sample size necessary was calculated, and data were analysed with hierarchical linear regression analysis. After controlling for the covariates, ITA and ISE had a positive association with successful ageing as well as illness avoidance, functioning, and engagement with life in the whole sample. ITA was also positively associated with successful ageing and its domains in Kenya and Ghana. The associations of ITA with successful ageing and its domains were positively moderated by ISE in the whole sample and within each of the three samples. Higher ITA can be associated with successful ageing among working older adults, and ITA positively influences successful ageing at different levels of ISE. Older adults with high ITA are more likely to avoid illness at a higher ISE

Associations of frailty with partial and absolute sedentary behaviours among older adults: A STROBE-compliant analysis of modifiability by gender and age

Background – Research shows that frailty is associated with higher sedentary behaviour, but the evidence to date regarding this association is inconclusive. This study assessed whether the above association is moderated or modified by gender and age, with sedentary behaviour measured with a more inclusive method. Methods – This study adopted a STROBE-compliant cross-sectional design with sensitivity analyses and measures against common methods bias. The participants were community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 66 years) in two Ghanaian towns. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 1005 participants after the minimum sample size necessary was calculated. The hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to analyse the data. Results – After adjusting for the ultimate confounders, frailty was associated with higher sedentary behaviour (β = 0.14; t = 2.93; p <0.05) as well as partial and absolute sedentary behaviour. Gender modified the above associations in the sense that frailty was more strongly associated with sedentary behaviour among women, compared with men. Age also modified the association between frailty and sedentary behaviour, which suggests that frailty was more strongly associated with higher sedentary behaviour at a higher age. Conclusion – Sedentary behaviour could be higher at higher frailty among older adults. Frailty is more strongly associated with sedentary behaviour at a higher age and among women, compared with men

Association of frailty with functional difficulty in older Ghanaians: stability between women and men in two samples with different income levels.

Background Research to date suggests that frailty is higher in women and is associated with functional difficulty. This study builds on the evidence by examining the association between frailty and functional difficulty between low- and higher-income groups and between older men and women in these income groups. Methods This study adopted a cross-sectional design that complied with the STROBE checklist and included steps against confounding and common methods bias. The population was community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years or older in two urban neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. Participants were either in the low-income group in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood (n = 704) or the higher-income group in a high socioeconomic neighbourhood (n = 510). The minimum sample necessary was calculated, and the hierarchical linear regression analysis was utilised to analyse the data. Results Frailty was positively associated with functional difficulty in the low- and higher-income samples, but this association was stronger in the higher-income sample. Frailty was positively associated with frailty in men and women within the low- and higher-income samples. Conclusion The association of frailty with functional difficulty was consistent between low- and higher-income samples, although the strength of the relationship differed between these samples. In both income samples, the foregoing relationship was consistent between men and women, although the strength of the relationship differed between men and women

Effects of climate change awareness on green purchase behaviour, biking, and walking time: moderated mediation by sustainability knowingness

Walking and biking are central to the growing health-sustainability debate for favouring the planet and protecting individuals against disease. Research has shown that environmental knowledge factors such as Climate Change Awareness (CCA) and Sustainability Knowingness (SK) can positively influence pro-environmental behaviours [e.g., Green Purchase Behaviour (GPB)]. However, no study has tested the effect of CCA and SK on bicycling (biking) and walking time. This study, therefore, investigated whether there is a moderated mediation by SK in the association of CCA with GPB, walking, and biking time. A cross-sectional design characterised by common methods bias assessment and sensitivity analyses was utilised. The participants were 830 adult residents in Accra, Ghana (mean age = 30 years). Data were collected with standardised scales and analysed with Hayes’ Process Model through structural equation modelling. A positive direct effect of CCA on GPB (β = 0.26; p<0.001) and biking (β = 0.13; p<0.001), as well as walking time (β = 0.16; p<0.001), was found. GPB had a positive effect on biking time (β = 0.10; p<0.001) but a negative effect on walking time (β = -0.093; p<0.001). CCA had a positive effect on biking time but a negative indirect effect on walking time through GPB. There was evidence of a moderated mediation in the sense that the indirect effects of CCA on biking and walking were stronger with higher SK. Individuals with higher CCA are more likely to perform GPB and biking, especially with higher SK

The relationship between job components, neighbourhood walkability and African academics' physical activity: a post-COVID-19 context.

Research to date suggests that physical activity (PA) among academics is insufficient globally. Academics in many African countries were recently required to resume work while observing social distancing protocols. Physical inactivity (PI) was, therefore, expected to increase in such academics. Interestingly, walkable neighbourhoods are resources that could discourage excessive sitting and PI in this situation. This study, therefore, assessed the moderating role of neighbourhood walkability in the relationship between core job components (i.e. on-site teaching, online teaching, research and student assessment) and PA among academics. The study adopted a cross-sectional design that utilized an online survey hosted by Google Forms to gather data. Participants were volunteer full-time academics in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 1064 surveys were analysed, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select covariates for the ultimate hierarchical linear regression model. After controlling for the ultimate covariates (e.g. gender, education and income), PA was found to be positively associated with the job component 'research work' but negatively associated with student assessment. Neighbourhood walkability increased the positive relationship of research work with PA and reduced the negative relationship of student assessment with PA. The non-significant negative relationship between 'teaching online' and PA was made positively significant by neighbourhood walkability. We conclude that research as a job component is positively associated with PA, but online teaching is negatively associated with PA among African academics in a post-COVID-19 context

Disaster Management: The Kenyan Perspective

Over the past few years, disasters have increased in their frequency and intensity at an exponential speed. The damages caused by disasters cannot be over emphasised; they include loss of life, human suffering, economic instability and destruction of the environment. Individuals, families, communities and nations have had their bigger share of the impact of disasters. It is from this background that the author sought to empower the reader with knowledge about disaster management. This book will be of great value to the teachers, lectures, students, disaster management professionals/institutions/organizations, and more importantly, those people who care about reducing their disaster vulnerability and promote their resilience. The book seeks to examine the nature of disasters with the aim of promoting disaster preparedness, response, management and mitigation at individual, household, community and country level. The conception of the disaster vicious cycle model and the multifactorial nature of disaster model have been discussed. Capacity building, risk analysis & risk reduction have been highlighted primarily to empower you ‘the reader’. Your safety is your responsibility

Assessment of hygienic and food handling practices among street food vendors in Nakuru Town in Kenya

Journal ArticleWithstanding the test of time, the precarious working condition; and the ministry of public health and sanitation not acknowledging their existence, street food vendors continue to feed more than 50% of the urban population. Whether illegally into the market system or not, the reality is that the unsuspecting public continue to put itself at risk by consuming foods that are not monitored. It is from this background that the study sought to assess the hygienic and food handling practices of the street food vendors in Nakuru town. The aim of this paper is to empower the general public especially those who consume street foods. The study population was all street food vendors. The target population was all street food vendors who cook and sell cooked foods on the street, while the accessible population was all street food vendors who meet the inclusion criteria within Nakuru central business district. A cross-sectional study design was used. A sample size of 384 was arrived at by use of Fischer’s et al, 2008, formula. The study employed cluster sampling design (Mugenda et al, 2003). The central business district was then clustered into four quadrants and proportionate sampling was done. A sampling frame of street food vendors was developed from each cluster and randomly sampled to identify the required number of respondents, (Mugenda et al., 2003 and Ahuja et al., 2006). Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Pre-tested and standardized structured questionnaires and observation checklist were used. Data was analyzed using Microsoft-excel and SPSS version 17 and presented descriptively. The findings showed that 83% had a cleaned their workplace, 54% of the vendors handled money and food indiscriminate, 44% had dust bins and 73% of respondents did not have their hair covered. The study recommends the concerned stakeholders to promote sanitation among the vendors

Street Food Vendors

Street food vendors play an important role in food security. They feed the larger urban populace with nutritious, cheap, easily accessible and ready to eat foods. Much as we applaud all these benefits; they are potentially a public health risk as they may pass illnesses to it through food contamination. With the findings indicating an overwhelming disease burden, including those of faecal-oral route illnesses, followed by lack of proper health seeking behaviour, compounded by poor working environment; and the overwhelming lack of food handling knowledge which affects their attitude and practice, the danger they pose cannot be over emphasised. The public, especially the consumers of street food will find it intriguing to know what they expose themselves to. The book will form baseline information regarding disease burden in street food vendors to other researchers in the same field. To the consumers of street foods, may be it is high time you take charge of your health. To the custodian of public health, ensure a distance eye on street food vendors’ activities, who are actually not only here to stay but to swell in their numbers if the prevailing economic realities hold.https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=17196045437&searchurl=sortby%3D17%26an%3Dfaith%2Bmuhonja&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on the Use of Asthma Action Plans among Adult Asthmatic Patients Aged 18-65 in Nyamira, Kenya

Introduction: Globally the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 334 million people suffer from asthma. In Kenya it is estimated that about 10% of the Kenyan population, or 4 million people, have asthma.&#x0D; Aim: The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of patients 18-65 on the use of personized asthma action plans in Nyamira County.&#x0D; Methodology: Cross-sectional study design was employed in this research. Participants were selected using systematic sampling. Significant differences in categorical variables were found using the Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Test. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: The study sample size was 220 asthma patients. The majority of responders 72.7% were unaware of PAAPs. Concerning attitude, most of participants had a negative attitude about the use of PAAPs, believing that they should only be used by the extremely ill 63.6%. Poor practices were seen among the patients who had access to these tools, with 39.0% checking them at home and 61.0% never checking them at all. Statistically there were significant association between the various patients’ factors influencing use of asthma action plans among adult asthmatic patients with a p = 0. 021.&#x0D; Conclusion: The majority of the patients 76.4% who participated in this research did not use the personalized asthma action plan cards. Additionally, the majority of participants reported poor practices on PAAPs, low levels of awareness, and negative attitudes. To combat the low-level knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices among asthma patients, the ministry of health should raise awareness about the use of PAAPs.</jats:p