Safety assessment in primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis smear microscopy centres in Blantyre Malawi: A facility based cross sectional survey

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and istransmitted mainly through aerosolization of infected sputum whichputs laboratory workers at risk in spite of the laboratory workersf risk ofinfection being at 3 to 9 times higher than the general public. Laboratorysafety should therefore be prioritized and optimized to provide sufficientsafety to laboratory workers.ObjectiveTo assess the safety for the laboratory workers in TB primary microscopycentres in Blantyre urban.MethodologyTB primary microscopy centers in Blantyre urban were assessed inaspects of equipment availability, facility layout, and work practice, usinga standardized WHO/AFRO ISO 15189 checklist for the developingcountries which sets the minimum safety score at .80%. Each center wasgraded according to the score it earned upon assessment.ResultsOnly one (1) microscopy center out nine (9) reached the minimum safetyrequirement. Four (4) centers were awarded 1 star level, four (4) centerswere awarded 2 star level and only one (1) center was awarded 3 star level.ConclusionIn Blantyre urban, 89% of the Tuberculosis microscopy centers are failingto provide the minimum safety to the laboratory workers. Governmentand other stake holders should be committed in addressing the safetychallenges of TB microscopy centres in the country to ensure safety forthe laboratory workers.RecommendationsIt is recommended that the study be conducted at the regional or nationallevel for both public and private laboratories in order to have a generalpicture of safety in Tb microscopy centres possibly across the country

The Effectiveness of Community-Based Nutrition Education on the Nutrition Status of Under-five Children in Developing Countries. A Systematic Review

This systematic review aimed at examining the best available evidence onthe effectiveness of community-based nutrition education in improvingthe nutrition status of under five children in developing countries.Methods : A systematic search of the literature was conducted utilising the following data bases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Knowledge. 9 studies were identified for the critical appraisal process. The Joanna Briggs Institute(JBI) critical appraisal check-list for experimental studies was utilisedand two reviewers conducted the appraisal process independently. 7 studies were included for this review and data was extracted using the JBI data extraction form for experimental studies. The extracted data was heterogeneous as such narrative synthesis was conducted.Results: The nutritional status of children in all studies improved and this was evidenced by increases in weight, height, mid upper arm circumference and reduced morbidity. Key messages about education were age at introduction of complementary foods, nutrition value on different typesof feeds found locally and frequency of feeding the children. However,there were varied results regarding the effects of the intervention onthe nutrition status of children. This was attributed by differences in implementers’ characteristics, different intervention strategy and intensity,difference in age of the children at enrolment, pre-existing children’sgrowth and nutritional status and follow-up periods. In addition to homevisiting, conducting group meetings of care givers and community leaders,providing education twice a week and use of cooking demonstrations haveshown that they produce highly significant findings.Conclusion: The evidence from the identified studies suggests that  community- based nutrition education improves the nutrition status of under-five children in developing countries

The effectiveness of community-based nutrition education on the nutrition status of under-five children in developing countries. A systematic review

Aim This systematic review aimed at examining the best available evidence on the effectiveness of community-based nutrition education in improving the nutrition status of under five children in developing countries. Methods A systematic search of the literature was conducted utilising the following data bases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Knowledge. 9 studies were identified for the critical appraisal process. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal check-list for experimental studies was utilised and two reviewers conducted the appraisal process independently. 7 studies were included for this review and data was extracted using the JBI data extraction form for experimental studies. The extracted data was heterogeneous as such narrative synthesis was conducted. Results The nutritional status of children in all studies improved and this was evidenced by increases in weight, height, mid upper arm circumference and reduced morbidity. Key messages about education were age at introduction of complementary foods, nutrition value on different types of feeds found locally and frequency of feeding the children. However, there were varied results regarding the effects of the intervention on the nutrition status of children. This was attributed by differences in implementers’ characteristics, different intervention strategy and intensity, difference in age of the children at enrolment, pre-existing children’s growth and nutritional status and follow-up periods. In addition to home visiting, conducting group meetings of care givers and community leaders, providing education twice a week and use of cooking demonstrations have shown that they produce highly significant findings. Conclusion The evidence from the identified studies suggests that community- based nutrition education improves the nutrition status of under-five children in developing countries

Position statement of the international network for child and family centered care: Child and family centred care during the COVID19 pandemic

It is the position of the International Network for Child and Family Centered Care (INCFCC) that COVID19 restrictions pose tremendous challenges for the health care team in their efforts to provide child and family centered care (CFCC). COVID-19 restrictions impact on the family\u27s right to be presernt with their ill child and to contribute to the caring process. A limited number of articles have discussed challenges about the successful delivery of CFCC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on current literature, the INCFCC stresses the need for continuous facilitation implementation of child and family centred care as, it is essential for children\u27s physical and psychological wellbeing. Furthermore we believe that the families\u27 presence and participation holds more benefits than risks to the health of children, their families, and the health care team