ABSTRACT
Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if identified early. Although health workers have a critical role in influencing beliefs and practices of the entire population, some studies have shown paradoxical efforts among female health workers themselves-a threat towards attainment of the triple-intervention strategy as propagated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of cervical cancer screening among female health workers. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Data entry and analysis were carried out using IBM Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20.0 (SPSS, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA). The response rate was 65.4 % and mean age of 32 years with standard deviation=±8.397. The majority of participants were nurses n = 31 (43.3). There was poor knowledge on signs/symptoms and risk factors as only 15.7 % were aware of multiple sexual partners, 7.1 % for each early sexual encounter and uncircumcised men as risk factors. Regarding willingness, 77.1 % were willing to have the screening test. Their practices were rated poor as only 35.7 % (n = 25) had ever undergone screening within the past 6 years. There was poor knowledge, fair attitudes and poor practices of cervical cancer screening among female health workers. As part of the efforts to achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.4 and the attainment of WHO 90-70-90 target by 2030; this study recommends scaling up health education, social mobilization and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to support awareness, detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Acceptability of the current screening methods must be further explored.
ABSTRACT
We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in residents of African countries and explored its associated factors. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, DOAJ and Google Scholar databases for peer reviewed articles and pre-prints that reported anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence of general or specific human populations resident in Africa. The eligible studies were evaluated using Joana Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool. Twenty-three studies involving 27,735 individuals were included in our paper. The pooled seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa was 22% (95%CI: 14-31) with very high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%, p < 0.001). Seroprevalence was highest in studies conducted in Central Africa compared to Southern Africa, West Africa, North Africa and East Africa respectively. The number of days between the first reported coronavirus disease 2019 case in each country and when a seroprevalence study was conducted was a significant moderator of seroprevalence. Seropositivity was numerically influenced by gender and age of the participants with males and those aged below 50 years being most affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest pooled seroprevalence in Africa reported in this review should be interpreted cautiously due to high heterogeneity between studies. Continued seroprevalence surveillance is warranted to establish Africa's transition towards herd immunity.
