19 research outputs found
Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus in Mozambican adolescent girls
Sub-Saharan Africa concentrates the largest burden of cervical
cancer worldwide. The introduction of the HPV vaccination in
this region is urgent and strategic to meet global health
targets. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in
Mozambique prior to the first round of the HPV vaccine
demonstration programme. It targeted girls aged 10-19 years old
identified from schools and households. Face-to-face structured
interviews were conducted. A total of 1,147 adolescents were
enrolled in three selected districts of the country. Most girls
[84% (967/1147)] had heard of cervical cancer, while 76%
believed that cervical cancer could be prevented. However only
33% (373/1144) of girls recognized having ever heard of HPV.
When girls were asked whether they would accept to be vaccinated
if a vaccine was available in Mozambique, 91% (1025/1130)
answered positively. Girls from the HPV demonstration districts
showed higher awareness on HPV and cervical cancer, and
willingness to be vaccinated. This study anticipates high
acceptability of the HPV vaccine in Mozambique and high
awareness about cervical cancer, despite low HPV knowledge.
These results highlight that targeted health education programs
are critical for acceptance of new tools, and are encouraging
for the reduction of cervical cancer related mortality and
morbidity in Mozambique
Caretakers' perspectives of paediatric TB and implications for care-seeking behaviours in Southern Mozambique
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, especially in poorly resourced settings. TB diagnosis is challenging, particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable to its′ impacts. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease compromises prompt diagnosis and treatment compliance. Objective: To gain insights regarding caretakers′ knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of paediatric TB in southern Mozambique, to describe their care-seeking behaviours and to assess the acceptability of diagnostic procedures. Methods: A total of 35 caretakers were interviewed, all of which had children with TB compatible symptoms. Eleven were caretakers of children diagnosed with TB at the health facility, 11 of children for whom TB was excluded as a diagnosis at the health facility and 13 of children with TB compatible symptoms identified in the community. The first two groups took part in a TB incidence study, while the third group did not. All underwent the same semi-structured interviews, the results of which were analysed and compared using content analysis. Results: Even when confronted with signs suggestive of TB, most caretakers never suspected it or misinterpreted the signs, even among caretakers with TB and TB contacts. There was limited knowledge of TB, except among those undergoing treatment. The transgression of social norms was often presented as an explanation for TB in parallel to medically sound causes. The use of traditional care for prevention is widespread, but it varied for treatment purposes. TB diagnostic procedures were considered painful but were unanimously tolerated. Conclusions and significance: Misconceptions of paediatric TB, associated complex care-seeking itineraries and negative feelings of the diagnostic procedures may result in delays, low adherence and lost to follow-up, which needs to be addressed by adequately framed health promotion approaches
Post-ART Symptoms Were Not the Problem: A Qualitative Study on Adherence to ART in HIV-Infected Patients in a Mozambican Rural Hospital
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this qualitative study was to
explore how clinical symptoms may affect adherence to
antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV patients, and to explore
factors, perceptions and attitudes related to adherence to
therapy. DESIGN: A qualitative study was carried out in the
context of the prospective cohort study "Evaluation of Immune
Reconstitution Following Initiation of Highly Active
Antiretroviral Treatment in Manhica, Mozambique". In-depth
Interviews were conducted twice in a sub-sample of the study
cohort (51 participants), at six-month intervals. RESULTS: Most
participants (73%) knew that AIDS is a chronic disease and that
ART does not cure it. Nine participants (18%) were non-adherent
at some point and two (4%) abandoned ART. All participants but
five reported having symptoms after starting ART, mainly
attributed to pills needing time to act and body's reaction to
the treatment. In spite of the perceived severity of the
symptoms, only two people reported they discontinued the
treatment due to symptoms. Almost all participants reported
feeling comfortable with the HIV clinic organization and
procedures, but afraid of staff being hostile if they did not
follow the rules or if the health worker visited their home.
Family was one of the most important source of support according
participants. Almost all participants with children said that a
decisive factor to follow the treatment was the desire to be
able to look after them. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing symptoms
after starting treatment was not a barrier to adherence to ART.
Factors related to adherence included control measures set up by
the health facility (exhaustive follow up, support, information)
and family and community support. Indirect ART-related expenses
did jeopardise adherence
Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus in Mozambican adolescent girls
Sub-Saharan Africa concentrates the largest burden of cervical
cancer worldwide. The introduction of the HPV vaccination in
this region is urgent and strategic to meet global health
targets. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in
Mozambique prior to the first round of the HPV vaccine
demonstration programme. It targeted girls aged 10-19 years old
identified from schools and households. Face-to-face structured
interviews were conducted. A total of 1,147 adolescents were
enrolled in three selected districts of the country. Most girls
[84% (967/1147)] had heard of cervical cancer, while 76%
believed that cervical cancer could be prevented. However only
33% (373/1144) of girls recognized having ever heard of HPV.
When girls were asked whether they would accept to be vaccinated
if a vaccine was available in Mozambique, 91% (1025/1130)
answered positively. Girls from the HPV demonstration districts
showed higher awareness on HPV and cervical cancer, and
willingness to be vaccinated. This study anticipates high
acceptability of the HPV vaccine in Mozambique and high
awareness about cervical cancer, despite low HPV knowledge.
These results highlight that targeted health education programs
are critical for acceptance of new tools, and are encouraging
for the reduction of cervical cancer related mortality and
morbidity in Mozambique
Caretakers' perspectives of paediatric TB and implications for care-seeking behaviours in Southern Mozambique.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, especially in poorly resourced settings. TB diagnosis is challenging, particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable to its' impacts. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease compromises prompt diagnosis and treatment compliance.To gain insights regarding caretakers' knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of paediatric TB in southern Mozambique, to describe their care-seeking behaviours and to assess the acceptability of diagnostic procedures.A total of 35 caretakers were interviewed, all of which had children with TB compatible symptoms. Eleven were caretakers of children diagnosed with TB at the health facility, 11 of children for whom TB was excluded as a diagnosis at the health facility and 13 of children with TB compatible symptoms identified in the community. The first two groups took part in a TB incidence study, while the third group did not. All underwent the same semi-structured interviews, the results of which were analysed and compared using content analysis.Even when confronted with signs suggestive of TB, most caretakers never suspected it or misinterpreted the signs, even among caretakers with TB and TB contacts. There was limited knowledge of TB, except among those undergoing treatment. The transgression of social norms was often presented as an explanation for TB in parallel to medically sound causes. The use of traditional care for prevention is widespread, but it varied for treatment purposes. TB diagnostic procedures were considered painful but were unanimously tolerated.Misconceptions of paediatric TB, associated complex care-seeking itineraries and negative feelings of the diagnostic procedures may result in delays, low adherence and lost to follow-up, which needs to be addressed by adequately framed health promotion approaches
Caretakers' perspectives of paediatric TB and implications for care-seeking behaviours in Southern Mozambique
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, especially in poorly resourced settings. TB diagnosis is challenging, particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable to its′ impacts. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease compromises prompt diagnosis and treatment compliance. Objective: To gain insights regarding caretakers′ knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of paediatric TB in southern Mozambique, to describe their care-seeking behaviours and to assess the acceptability of diagnostic procedures. Methods: A total of 35 caretakers were interviewed, all of which had children with TB compatible symptoms. Eleven were caretakers of children diagnosed with TB at the health facility, 11 of children for whom TB was excluded as a diagnosis at the health facility and 13 of children with TB compatible symptoms identified in the community. The first two groups took part in a TB incidence study, while the third group did not. All underwent the same semi-structured interviews, the results of which were analysed and compared using content analysis. Results: Even when confronted with signs suggestive of TB, most caretakers never suspected it or misinterpreted the signs, even among caretakers with TB and TB contacts. There was limited knowledge of TB, except among those undergoing treatment. The transgression of social norms was often presented as an explanation for TB in parallel to medically sound causes. The use of traditional care for prevention is widespread, but it varied for treatment purposes. TB diagnostic procedures were considered painful but were unanimously tolerated. Conclusions and significance: Misconceptions of paediatric TB, associated complex care-seeking itineraries and negative feelings of the diagnostic procedures may result in delays, low adherence and lost to follow-up, which needs to be addressed by adequately framed health promotion approaches
Caretakers' perspectives of paediatric TB and implications for care-seeking behaviours in Southern Mozambique
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, especially in poorly resourced settings. TB diagnosis is challenging, particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable to its′ impacts. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease compromises prompt diagnosis and treatment compliance.
Objective
To gain insights regarding caretakers′ knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of paediatric TB in southern Mozambique, to describe their care-seeking behaviours and to assess the acceptability of diagnostic procedures.
Methods
A total of 35 caretakers were interviewed, all of which had children with TB compatible symptoms. Eleven were caretakers of children diagnosed with TB at the health facility, 11 of children for whom TB was excluded as a diagnosis at the health facility and 13 of children with TB compatible symptoms identified in the community. The first two groups took part in a TB incidence study, while the third group did not. All underwent the same semi-structured interviews, the results of which were analysed and compared using content analysis.
Results
Even when confronted with signs suggestive of TB, most caretakers never suspected it or misinterpreted the signs, even among caretakers with TB and TB contacts. There was limited knowledge of TB, except among those undergoing treatment. The transgression of social norms was often presented as an explanation for TB in parallel to medically sound causes. The use of traditional care for prevention is widespread, but it varied for treatment purposes. TB diagnostic procedures were considered painful but were unanimously tolerated.
Conclusions and significance
Misconceptions of paediatric TB, associated complex care-seeking itineraries and negative feelings of the diagnostic procedures may result in delays, low adherence and lost to follow-up, which needs to be addressed by adequately framed health promotion approaches
Caretakers' perspectives of paediatric TB and implications for care-seeking behaviours in Southern Mozambique
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health concern, especially in poorly resourced settings. TB diagnosis is challenging, particularly for children, who are the most vulnerable to its′ impacts. Lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease compromises prompt diagnosis and treatment compliance. Objective: To gain insights regarding caretakers′ knowledge of the aetiology and prevention of paediatric TB in southern Mozambique, to describe their care-seeking behaviours and to assess the acceptability of diagnostic procedures. Methods: A total of 35 caretakers were interviewed, all of which had children with TB compatible symptoms. Eleven were caretakers of children diagnosed with TB at the health facility, 11 of children for whom TB was excluded as a diagnosis at the health facility and 13 of children with TB compatible symptoms identified in the community. The first two groups took part in a TB incidence study, while the third group did not. All underwent the same semi-structured interviews, the results of which were analysed and compared using content analysis. Results: Even when confronted with signs suggestive of TB, most caretakers never suspected it or misinterpreted the signs, even among caretakers with TB and TB contacts. There was limited knowledge of TB, except among those undergoing treatment. The transgression of social norms was often presented as an explanation for TB in parallel to medically sound causes. The use of traditional care for prevention is widespread, but it varied for treatment purposes. TB diagnostic procedures were considered painful but were unanimously tolerated. Conclusions and significance: Misconceptions of paediatric TB, associated complex care-seeking itineraries and negative feelings of the diagnostic procedures may result in delays, low adherence and lost to follow-up, which needs to be addressed by adequately framed health promotion approaches
Participant characteristics.
<p><sup>1</sup>According to participants. Adherence meaning not missing a single dose.</p><p>Participant characteristics.</p