Comparative Assessment of Microbial Air Contamination in Labor and Postnatal Ward at Mzuzu Central Hospital

Nosocomial infections are rapidly becoming a burden especially in developing countries. Neonates are part of the individuals who are at a high risk and mostly affected. Environmental contamination is one of the key agents of these infections. This study aimed to comparatively assess the microbial air contamination before and after cleaning in the labor and postnatal ward at Mzuzu Central Hospital. A comparative study design was employed, with a sample size of 60 paired culture plates (60 MacConkey agar plates and 60 Blood agar plates). Passive technique of air sampling was used to sample air there after 24 hours of culturing and isolation on blood agar and MacConkey agar for identification and quantification of bacterial colonies. Room observations were also done. There was a significant difference between contaminations before and after cleaning, only when MacConkey agar was used. The microorganisms that were identified include; Staphylococci aureus, Klebsiella, coagulase negative staphylococci and non-hemolytic streptococcus. Factors found to contribute to air contamination were, the size of the rooms, traffic of people in a room and number of people present in a room. This study has identified the hazard that these two wards are containing and suggests interventions to avoid nosocomial infections in the neonates

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1002/rmv.227

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on COVID-19 Vaccination among General Adult Population in Malawi: A Countrywide Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccination is one of the essential measures in reducing transmission, morbidity, and mortality rates of a disease. However, the COVID-19 vaccination is facing hesitancy across the globe, Malawi included. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Malawi to document knowledge, attitudes, and practices on COVID-19 vaccination. The study targeted the general adult population and employed a multi-stage sampling technique. The Census Enumeration Areas within the 16 selected districts served as a primary sampling unit. Among the total 3068 participants, 1947 (63.6%) were female. About 1039 (34.1%) participants had primary education, while only 169 (5.5%) had college education. A total of 2936 (95.7%) participants knew about the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2063 (68.4%) felt that the COVID-19 vaccine was effective. A total of 1180 (38.7%) got vaccinated. Knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccination was significantly associated with participants’ education levels, location, occupation, marital status, household family income, and whether they were suffering from chronic illness or not. Overall, the level of knowledge and attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccination was good. This study has also established that different population groups have statistically different levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccination. This study has also indicated a significant relationship between the rate of vaccination and several factors. Therefore, this calls for stakeholders to continue awareness and group-targeted tailored campaigns so as to increase COVID-19 vaccination

Six months survival and risk factors for attrition for patients detected with cryptococcal antigenemia through screening in Malawi.

Main objectiveA cohort of adult Malawian people living with HIV (PLHIV) testing positive for cryptococcal antigenemia was observed and followed to determine the outcomes and risk factors for attrition.Methods conceptEligible PLHIV were enrolled at 5 health facilities in Malawi, representing different levels of health care. ART naïve patients, ART defaulters returning to care, and patients with suspected or confirmed ART treatment failure with CD4 ResultsA total of 2146 patients were screened and 112 (5.2%) had cryptococcal antigenemia. Prevalence ranged from 3.8% (Mzuzu Central Hospital) to 25.8% (Jenda Rural Hospital). Of the 112 patients with antigenemia, 33 (29.5%) were diagnosed with concurrent CM at the time of enrollment. Six-month crude survival of all patients with antigenemia (regardless of CM status) ranged from 52.3% (assuming lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) patients died) to 64.9% (if LTFU survived). Patients who were diagnosed with concurrent CM by CSF test had poor survival (27.3-39.4%). Patients with antigenemia who were not diagnosed with concurrent CM had 71.4% (if LTFU died)- 89.8% (if LTFU survived) survival at six months. In adjusted analyses, patients with cryptococcal antigenemia detected after admission to inpatient care (aHR: 2.56, 1.07-6.15) and patients with concurrent CM at the time of positive antigenemia result (aHR: 2.48, 1.04-5.92) had significantly higher hazard of attrition at six months.ConclusionsOverall, our findings indicate a need for routine access to CrAg screening and pre-emptive fluconazole treatment as a way to detect cryptococcal antigenemia and prevent CM in outpatient and inpatient settings. Rapid access to diagnosis and treatment for cryptococcal meningitis (CM) with gold-standard antifungals is needed to improve survival of patients with advanced HIV in Malawi