Development and Validation of the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Competency Assessment Tool (ASRH-CAT) for Healthcare Providers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate a competency assessment tool for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services for healthcare providers (HCP) at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities that require a specific set of competency skills to address ASRH problems. METHODS: The tool development process used the nine steps of scale development and validation. Fifty-four items were yielded through the expert panel discussion. Two hundred and forty respondents were recruited for an online questionnaire using non-probability sampling. The item content validity index (I-CVI) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used for construct validity. RESULTS: Fourteen items were removed based on the I-CVI (scores < 0.8) and two items were removed in the EFA (factor loadings < 0.4). The reliability analysis, according to the latent factor, yielded a good item-total correlation (ITC) and a good internal consistency value, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.905-0.949. CONCLUSIONS: The final ASRH competency assessment tool (ASRH_CAT) contains 40 items and is reliable and suitable for use in studies related to the ASRH competency assessment of HCPs at the PHC level.

Youth perceptions toward managing elderly care among low-income household families using the My-Elderly-Care-Skills Module.

Background: Caregivers of elderly people need the right education and empowering skills to manage their own health needs and the elderly people they care for. Objective: The study aimed to explore youth perceptions of the My-Elderly-Care-Skills Module intervention and its perceived feasibility. Methods: This study involved youth respondents (18-30 years old) from low-income households who are accountable to providing care for independent older people (60 years or above) living in the same house. A qualitative study using a case study design was used to assess youth perceptions based on the content of the My-Elderly-Care-Skills module, by focusing on its implementation usage and usefulness for the care of the elderly. A total of 30 youths voluntarily participated in the online training workshop during the COVID-19 pandemic movement restriction order period. There were multiple sources of data, such as video recorded on reflection of care given at home, text messages in a WhatsApp group, and in-depth interviews during small group online meetings. Data were recorded and transcribed verbatim for common themes before a theme analysis was conducted. Inductive content analysis was performed after the saturation point was met. Results: Thematic analysis derived two domains of feasibility: operational and technical feasibility. There were three themes under operational practicality (improving awareness, addressing the caregiving skills needs, and seeking resources for knowledge) and three themes for technical practicality (easily used and informative, skill in effective communication, and program fulfillment). Conclusion: It was verified that it is feasible for young caregivers of the elderly to participate in the My-Elderly-Care-Skills training intervention as it helps in improving knowledge and skills performance in managing and caring for the elderly.

Universal Testing Policy for COVID-19 in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread at an accelerated rate. WHO reported that in the general population, the majority are either asymptomatic or mildly infected. In view of the high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from a pregnant woman to her newborn, healthcare workers and other patients, it is a raised concern whether universal testing should be implemented in this targeted population. The current guidelines have not recommended a universal testing policy. In certain European countries, however, the policy was implemented by some hospitals in regions with high prevalence of COVID-19 infection. Aim(s) To assess the justification for universal screening of pregnant women for COVID-19 prior to admission in labor through systematic review of antenatal prevalence of asymptomatic infection, hence risk of inadvertent spread of infection. Materials and Methods Three databases confined to PubMed, Ovid and Science Direct were used to search for articles from November 2019 onwards published in the English language. The search was conducted using the keywords “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” or “SARS-CoV-2” and “pregnancy” or “pregnant” or “obstetric” or “labor” and “universal” or “testing” or “prevalence”. The review was registered with PROSPERO. Results The search result retrieved 34 studies, with the majority consisting of retrospective cohort studies, while other studies such as prospective cohort study, research letters and a case series were also identified. A total of 19,958 pregnant women were universally tested until the date of report. Overall, the prevalence of universal testing among pregnant women presenting to labor and delivery units are higher in Western regions. From the total number of pregnant women 5.3% tested positive and among these, the majority (75.5%) did not manifest any symptoms at the time of testing. Conclusion In areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 infection, the implementation of a universal testing policy among pregnant women presenting to labor and admission units may be cost effective in helping to curb disease transmission. Systematic Trial Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020184248, PROSPERO: CRD42020184248.

Vaccine hesitancy from parents and healthcare providers perspectives in Hadhramout Governorate, Yemen: a mixed-method study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Although immunisation prevents the death of millions of infants and children each year, the vaccination coverage of routine childhood vaccination does not reach its target. The reasons for low vaccination uptake can be related to both demand and supply side determinants. The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy is increasing globally. However, data on vaccine hesitancy in low-income Arabic countries are scarce. To investigate this issue in Yemen, an Arabic low-income country, we aim to examine the link between vaccine hesitancy and the immunisation status of children living in Costal Hadhramout, Yemen, from the perspective of their parents and healthcare providers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use a mixed-method research design. The study will be conducted in Costal Hadhramout in three phases. Phase 1 will involve a situational analysis using secondary data from records of the national expanded immunisation programme in Costal Hadhramout to examine the trend for previous years. Phase 2 will be a quantitative study aimed at assessing the prevalence of vaccination status of children aged <2 years and the determinants of parental vaccine hesitancy perception through a validated questionnaire. Lastly, phase 3 will be a qualitative study that explores vaccine hesitancy in Yemen using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with parents and healthcare providers, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Research Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia. The findings will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed academic journals, academic conferences and public presentations.