Challenges encountered by human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant women on taking antiretrovirals in a public health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland

In Swaziland, the Ministry of Health adopted the prevention of mother-to-transmission (PMTCT) Option A as a feasible and less costly way to expand the PMTCT services nationwide. Despite major success since the programme started, some barriers, such as the challenge of follow-up care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant mothers still exist. The present study aimed to describe the challenges that HIV-positive pregnant mothers encountered on taking antiretrovirals (ARVs) in a health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used, and data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and field notes. Purposive sampling was used to select the study site and the population. Permission was requested from the participants to record the interviews. The study population were HIV-positive pregnant mothers, aged between 18 and 40 years, which were enrolled in the PMTCT B+ programme. The PMTCT B+ programme was perceived as preventing the transfer of HIV transmission from mother to child. It boosts the mother's immune system, prevents opportunistic infections and prolongs life. Challenges of taking ARVs emerged as a theme. The participants displayed knowledge and understanding of the programme, yet discrimination and no support from families and partners were mentioned. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 41-49).

Content analysis of mobile health applications on pregnancy yoga

Background: The awareness of yoga has improved its utilisation for health benefits across the globe. This work analysed the contents of the available mobile apps on Android and iPhone operating system (iOS) platforms. Understanding the existing apps will form a base to develop a better app to encourage and mentor the pregnant women while performing yoga for health benefits.Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the contents of the available mobile apps on Android and iOS platforms on 'Pregnancy Yoga'.Methods: Both the researchers independently searched online and analysed the contents present in the mobile health apps (mhealth apps) related to pregnancy yogas that were available in two platforms ­ The Apple and Google Play stores. A search for pregnancy yoga apps in both these platforms yielded a total of 100 and 200 apps, respectively. A cross-sectional study was performed on this sample of 300 available mobile apps.Results: Out of the 300 mhealth apps identified, it was found that five pregnancy yoga apps from iOS and 45 from Google Play stores were relevant to pregnancy yoga and the other apps focused either on pregnancy-related health tips or common yoga apps. Therefore, only 50 (16.6%) mhealth apps could be included as per the criteria. The mobile apps that met the inclusion criteria were 5 (1.6%) from iOS and 45 (15%) from Google play stores.Conclusion: The study shows that the content of a number of apps is not sufficient and evidences the presence of apps that include videos to track yoga poses, their benefits for each trimester, especially videos, and also the apps that enable one to set-up reminders. Pranayama techniques such as bhamari, sithagiri and yoga nithra (relaxation) require information to improve the well-being of pregnant women. These data are not included in the pregnancy mobile apps. Hence, there is a need for well-designed applications to promote yoga in every stage of pregnancy. The available apps should be able to track the yoga practice and provide immediate feedback and consultation by experts

Cost-Effectiveness analysis of family planning services offered by mobile clinics versus static clinics in Assiut, Egypt

Cost effectiveness studies of family planning (FP) services are very valuable in providing evidence-based data for decision makers in Egypt. Cost data came from record reviews for all 15 mobile clinics and a matched set of 15 static clinics and interviews with staff members of the selected clinics at Assiut Governorate. Effectiveness measures included couple years of protection (CYPs) and FP visits. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and sensitivity analyses were calculated. Mobile clinics cost more per facility, produced more CYPs but had fewer FP visits. Sensitivity analysis was done using: total costs, CYP and FP visits of mobile and static clinics and showed that variations in CYP of mobile and static clinics altered the ICER for CYP from $2 -$6. Mobile clinics with their high emphasis on IUDs offer a reasonable cost effectiveness of $4.46 per additional CYP compared to static clinics. The ability of mobile clinics to reach more vulnerable women and to offer more long acting methods might affect a policy decision between these options. Static clinics should consider whether emphasizing IUDs may make their services more cost-effective

Community perception of mental illness : the magnitude of mental health problems as perceived by the pommunity in Kabarole District

"Background: Kabarole district; situated in western Uganda; and with a population of 863;263; has 44 health units. Despite the high number of health units in the district; only 4of women aged 15-49 years utilise family services available to them; 13 of deliveries take place in the health units and only 46 of children under 5 years of age use out-patient facilities. Mental illnesses account for 0.05-0.09of children under 5 years of age use out-patient facilities. Mental illnesses account for 0.05-0.09 of total out-patient attendances. Objective : This study was carried out to determine the magnitude of mental health problems as perceived by the communities in Kabarole district. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one counducted in four out of eight counties in the district. The countries; sub-countries; parishes and households involved in the study were selected using multi-stage simple random sampling procedure. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the household heads of 96 households from each of the counties. Qualitative data was collected ofrom one focus group discussion involving both males and females from each of 42 parishes. Further information was gathered from 27 key informants purposely selected from the district health department and the community. Results: the community's perceiced problems included human diseases; poverty; crop diseases; unprotected water sources; lack of market for agricultural produce and icreased rate of crimes. Mental illnesses ranked six among the top ten human diseases; mentioned by or 8.6of total out-patient attendances of respondents. Only 47.2 of respondents recognised mental illnesses to be a community problem; and 25.8 of hosueholds reported having had a patient with the condition in the previous year. There are no services for the mentally ill in the community and affected persons are either secluded from the mainstream of societal life; or are neglected and left to the ""mercy of God"". Conclusion: Mental illness is perhaps emerging as a community problem. Recommendations: The community needs a well designed programme of education on mental health problems. The development of community mental health programme in Kabarole District will need to be integrated with other programmes targeting high priority community defined problems"

Les equipes mobiles de l'an 2000

La degradation certaine et continue de l'etat sanitaire des populations dont temoigne; par exemple; la situation explosive de trypanosomiase humaine africaine eveille la conscience des decideurs nationaux. Cela se traduit par des concepts qui se veulent novateurs telles les strategies avancees ou les strategies mobiles. Les equipes mobiles de l'an 2000 ressortent moins d'une revolution conceptuelle que d'une evolution pour tenir compte au plus pres des modifications dans les moeurs et l'apport technologique. Leur succes repose cependant sur l'abnegation et la competence des hommes appeles a intervenir dans des conditions parfois difficiles

Health care seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in Rakai District; Uganda

Abstract: Objective: To compare the health care seeking behaviour for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among in and out of school adolescents (15-19 years) with a view of improving the health status of adolescents by promoting appropriate health seeking behaviour. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study employing both qualitative (Focus Group Discussions [FGDs]; key Informants [KIs] and quantitative (structured interviews) methods of data collection was carried out. The study was conducted in secondary schools and the surrounding communities in Rakai District; Uganda. A sample of 151 (senior 2 and 4) in school and 128 out of school adolescents were selected using systematic sampling methods. Interviews with 31 KIs 9 head teachers; elders; religious and youth leaders; health unit in-charges) were done. Eight purposively selected FGDs stratified by sex were held with both in and out of school adolescents. Epi-info computer software was used for analysis of quantitative data. Content and master sheet analysis techniques were utilised for FGDs and KIs. Results: Quantitative data indicates that being in school was associated with correct knowledge of causes of STIs (HIV: OR