Knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School in Mbarara district, south western Uganda

INTRODUCTION: testicular self-examination (TSE) is a screening technique that involves inspection of the appearance and palpation of the testes to detect any changes from the normal. Globally, the incidence of cancer has increased among which is testicular cancer (TC). Data on this topic among male secondary school adolescents in Uganda is limited therefore this study sought to assess the knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School, Mbarara District in south western Uganda. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice of testicular self-examination among secondary students at Ntare School in Mbarara district, south western Uganda. METHODS: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study among 165 students. Recruitment was made using simple random sampling technique. Respondents were selected among advanced level (A’ level) male students studying at Ntare School in Mbarara district, south western Uganda. Structured selfadministered questionnaires were used for data collection. RESULTS: of the male students, 41.8% reported to have knowledge about TSE and only 23.6% practiced TSE. Most students rated their knowledge of TSE to be below 5 (from 1-10). Of the 39 students who admitted performing TSE, only 16 did so as recommended (monthly). CONCLUSION: the knowledge and practice of TSE were low among adolescent secondary school boys in Ntare School in Mbarara District, south western Uganda. This suggests that these students are unaware of the value of this personal health promotion tool which is fundamental in early diagnosis of testicular cancer.http://www.panafrican-med-journal.compm2020School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding malaria : a cross-sectional study in pregnant women attending antenatal care in the New-Bell district hospital, Douala, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION : malaria remains a major public health problem in Cameroon. For a successful malaria control, there is a need to evaluate the level of awareness, attitude and perception of people living in malaria endemic areas such as the swampy littoral region of Cameroon. METHODS : this was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting pregnant women attending ANC in the New-Bell District Hospital. Data was collected with a semistructured questionnaire on demographic characteristics as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria. RESULTS : two hundred and six pregnant women were enrolled in the study, all of them had heard on malaria in the past, with hospitals and television been the most known information dissemination channels. Only 60.2% of them own and used a LLINs with only 51.6% of owners treating the net. CONCLUSION : respondents with no education had poor knowledge on malaria. There is a need to improve education on malaria with active participation of women and improve malaria surveillance that will lead to malaria eradication.http://www.panafrican-med-journal.comam2021School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Knowledge and practices of health practitioners on treatment of Buruli ulcer in the Mbonge, Ekondo Titi and Muyuka Health Districts, South West Region, Cameroon

Introduction: after tuberculosis and leprosy, Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial infection. Buruli ulcer begins as a localized skin lesion that progresses to extensive ulceration thus leading to functional disability, loss of economic productivity and social stigma. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and practices among health practitioners on the treatment of BU in the Mbonge, Ekondo Titi and Muyuka Health Districts of the South West Region of Cameroon. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study that investigates participants' knowledge and practices on the treatment of BU. The study uses a qualitative method of structured questionnaires in the process of data collection. Results: seventy percent (70%) of the participants acknowledged they encounter cases of BU in their respective Hospitals or Health centers. Among these, 48% agreed they managed BU in their facilities and up to 91.7% noted that their community members are aware that BU is managed in their facility while seventy percent of the medical practitioners indicated they cannot identify the various stages of BU. Eighty-one percent of the practitioners from Muyuka HD indicated they could not identify the various stages of BU. More than 63% of the practitioners regarded BU patients as normal people in their communities however, practitioners that practiced for less than 5 years were likely not to admit BU patients in the same room with other patients. Beliefs such as being cursed (47.06%) and being possessed (29.41%) were reported by practitioners that acknowledged the existence of traditional beliefs in the community. Conclusion: despite the fact that a majority of the health practitioners knew what BU is, most of them demonstrated lack of knowledge on the identification of the various stages and management of the illness. Practitioners demonstrated positive attitude towards patients although they would not admit them in the same room with other patients. Considering the poor knowledge on identification and management demonstrated by most of the practitioners, management of the disease would be inadequate and may even aggravate the patient's situation. Training and onsite mentorship on screening, identification and management of BU is therefore highly recommended amongst health personnel practicing in endemic areas

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding malaria: a cross-sectional study in pregnant women attending antenatal care in the New-Bell district hospital, Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: malaria remains a major public health problem in Cameroon. For a successful malaria control, there is a need to evaluate the level of awareness, attitude and perception of people living in malaria endemic areas such as the swampy littoral region of Cameroon. Methods: this was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting pregnant women attending ANC in the New-Bell District Hospital. Data was collected with a semi-structured questionnaire on demographic characteristics as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria. Results: two hundred and six pregnant women were enrolled in the study, all of them had heard on malaria in the past, with hospitals and television been the most known information dissemination channels. Only 60.2% of them own and used a LLINs with only 51.6% of owners treating the net. Conclusion: respondents with no education had poor knowledge on malaria. There is a need to improve education on malaria with active participation of women and improve malaria surveillance that will lead to malaria eradication

Stigma on epileptic patients attending the outpatient clinic of Soba University Hospital and the National Center for Neurological Science (NCNS) Khartoum, Sudan

Introduction: epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions for people of different age group, race, gender and socio-economic status in various nations, affecting 50 million people around the world; 80% of them living in developing countries. In Sudan, literature has well documented epilepsy stigma and it related elements of labelling, negative typecasting, isolation, devaluing and discrimination that are significantly affecting patients living standards and social life. This study focuses on understanding the prevailing, different types of stigma among people living with epilepsy (PWE) in Sudan and to determine its frequency in connection with demographic factors and patients coping ability of PWE. Methods: a health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 270 people between the ages of 16-70years who are affected by epilepsy in an outpatient clinic. Standardized questionnaires were used to interview the patients with assistance gotten from their relative where necessary. The data is analyzed using SPSS version 20. The study was conducted in the outpatient clinic of The National Center for Neurological Sciences (NCNS), Ibrahim-Malik Teaching Hospital Sudan. Results: the study realized that 16.6% of the patient had a positive self-stigma score, half of them having coaching stigma and 25% courtesy stigma. One third of people with epilepsy had poor coping score that was strongly determined by self- stigma and courtesy stigma score. Conclusion: parents and relatives related sigma is a major problem facing people of epilepsy in Sudan; thus, raising such group awareness and education about the disease can markedly improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy in Sudan