ABSTRACT
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rising in low middle income countries (LMICs) mainly driven by cardiometabolic disease (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension). Aim(s): To develop a model of care, based on the chronic care model and collaborative care model, to improve care, outcomes and risk factor control for adults with cardio metabolic disease in LMICs in the Covid-19 era. This will contribute to the sustainable development goals of promoting good health, well-being and reducing inequalities. Method(s): Using an iterative consultative approach with healthcare workers, clients, and community leaders in Kenya, Ghana and Mozambique, we developed a model of care, which includes core features from chronic care models: self-management support;decision support;clinical information systems;delivery system design;and community linkages. Result(s): We produced a culturally adapted self-management education programme, a training package for educators delivering the programme, as well as a training package for community and healthcare professional leaders to increase awareness and self-care for cardiometabolic disease. Given the lack of a robust health information system, we are offering a global registry to provide real world data on patient management and quality of care for people with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Conclusion(s): This intervention will be tested in a mixed-methods single-arm feasibility study in five sites across three African countries: Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique.
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to describe responses to changes in behaviour associated with the Coronavirus containment measures, to assess the impact on behaviour related to physical activity and family incomes and to determine the association between compliance with the containment measures and social demographic variables. A cross-sectional study design was applied. Adults (n=1054) from two main cities of Mozambique were interviewed. Virtually everyone goes out frequently (99.4%), mostly to work, selling and shopping. Masks were always used (75.9%) and 91.7% declared to have increased washing hands frequently. Among those who exercise, 54.7% exercised outdoors in groups. More than half (54.9%) declared that their income was affected and physical activity was reduced for 30.1% of the subjects. From the logistic regression analysis, Males (OR=1.42), vendors (OR=2.09) and students (OR=1.97) tend to stay at home less. Predictors for not staying at home were informal business (OR=11.54), working (OR=8.83), hanging out (OR=4.76), shopping (OR=2.75) and physical activities (OR=2.73). Informal vending is the occupation more likely to lose income (OR=9.05). The strategy for preventing the spread of the coronavirus proposed worldwide found severe constraints in its application in the urban context of Mozambique.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess asthenopic symptoms and sociodemographic factors, behavioral and clinical aspects in college lecturers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating asthenopia in 104 lecturers. Some validated visual symptom questionnaires were adapted for data collection. Lecturers were compared regarding the occurrence or not of asthenopic symptoms, and binary logistic regression was applied to measure the association with independent variables (p<0.05). Results: Asthenopic symptoms occurred more often during the pandemic, when exposure to screens was a determinant factor. The individuals with screen time longer than five hours a day, who used screens for leisure, and who used eye drops/lubricants were significantly more likely to be in the group with asthenopic symptoms. Conclusion: A significant association was identified in occurrence of asthenopic symptoms and screen use during the pandemic period, especially in groups with longer screen time. The study draws attention to the eye health of college lecturers in distance learning, and the need for further research on this situation in different school environments. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.