Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about malaria among people visiting referral hospitals of Eritrea in 2008

Background: Knowledge, attitudes, awareness, practices and beliefs of communities contribute immensely to sustainable control of endemic diseases such as malaria. Strategic malaria control involves primary prevention which focuses on vector elimination and personal behavior change specifically through the consistent use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and prompt and effective case management. This health facility based study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward malaria among people visiting referral Hospitals of Eritrea, so as to develop a cost effective behavioral change communication strategy for community based malaria control. Methods: The study was conducted in the Referral Hospitals of the four Zobas as well as Teseney Hospital where there was the highest malaria morbidity and mortality. A total of 250 people with 50 people from each hospital were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire covering information on respondent demographics, knowledge, attitudes and practices was administered upon receipt of an informed consent for participation. Results: All the study subjects knew at least one of the symptoms of malaria with nearly three quarters mentioning three or more of the classical symptoms including fever. More than 80% knew that mosquitoes were the vector for the disease with a similar proportion having participated in environmental preventive control measures. Nearly half (44.6%) of the respondents gave priority for usage of ITNs to children under 5 years, to both children and pregnant mother and 11.2% to pregnant mothers. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents in this study knew enough information about malaria, and had participated in environmental preventive measures. The primary prevention of malaria through uninterrupted use of ITNs and transformation of knowledge into practices requires emphasis on the development of a community based behavioral change communication strategy. Key words: KAP, malaria, Behavioral change communication strategy, Eritrea, ITN

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and parental factors in school children aged nine to ten years in urban regions of Oman

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD. Methods: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Specific parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education and occupation were documented. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Parental factors were significantly associated with increased risk of ADHD; including poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation. Conclusions: This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services

Ultra-Fast Oleophobic-Hydrophilic Switching Surfaces for Anti-Fogging, Self-Cleaning, and Oil-Water Separation

Smooth copolymer–fluorosurfactant complex film surfaces are found to exhibit fast oleophobic–hydrophilic switching behavior. Equilibration of the high oil contact angle (hexadecane = 80°) and low water contact angle (110°), which, when combined with the inherent ultrafast switching speed, yields oil–water mixture separation efficiencies exceeding 98%

Robust open cellular porous polymer monoliths made from cured colloidal gels of latex particles

The coagulation of oppositely charged latexes, prepared from the soap-free emulsion polymerisation of styrene using water as the reaction medium, resulted in the obtainment of colloidal gels that were porous in nature and held together by electrostatic interactions. Chemical crosslinking, involving the introduction of a water-soluble crosslinker, resulted in the obtainment of stronger chemical bonds between particles affording a rigid porous material known as a monolith. It was found that, in a simpler approach, these materials could be prepared using a single latex where the addition of ammonium persulfate both resulted in the formation of the colloidal gel and initiated the crosslinking process. The pore size of the resulting monoliths was predictable as this was observed to directly correlate to the particle diameter, with larger pores achieved using particles of increased size. All gels obtained in this work were highly mouldable and retained their shape, which allowed for a range of formats to be easily prepared without the requirement of a mould

Therapeutic efficacy of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine plus chloroquine and artesunate plus amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated flaciparum malaria

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Costs and cost-effectiveness of vector control in Eritrea using insecticide-treated bed nets

BACKGROUND: While insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a recognized effective method for preventing malaria, there has been an extensive debate in recent years about the best large-scale implementation strategy. Implementation costs and cost-effectiveness are important elements to consider when planning ITN programmes, but so far little information on these aspects is available from national programmes. METHODS: This study uses a standardized methodology, as part of a larger comparative study, to collect cost data and cost-effectiveness estimates from a large programme providing ITNs at the community level and ante-natal care facilities in Eritrea. This is a unique model of ITN implementation fully integrated into the public health system. RESULTS: Base case analysis results indicated that the average annual cost of ITN delivery (2005 USD 3.98) was very attractive when compared with past ITN delivery studies at different scales. Financing was largely from donor sources though the Eritrean government and net users also contributed funding. The intervention's cost-effectiveness was in a highly attractive range for sub-Saharan Africa. The cost per DALY averted was USD 13 - 44. The cost per death averted was USD 438-1449. Distribution of nets coincided with significant increases in coverage and usage of nets nationwide, approaching or exceeding international targets in some areas. CONCLUSION: ITNs can be cost-effectively delivered at a large scale in sub-Saharan Africa through a distribution system that is highly integrated into the health system. Operating and sustaining such a system still requires strong donor funding and support as well as a functional and extensive system of health facilities and community health workers already in plac