International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Abstract

Introduction- An outbreak of suspected influenza was detected at Sangano clinic where most of the cases were coming from Mukuwapasi and ST Lukes primary schools which are 4 km and 3km respectively from the clinic. A total of 571 cases were reported and no deaths were reported. The source of infection was not known and this study was done to investigate risk factors associated with contracting the suspected influenza.

Methods and Materials- A descriptive cross sectional study design and an unmatched 1:1 case control were conducted where a case was any person who presented with signs and symptoms of flu with or without a viral positive test, but living in the surrounding area of Sangano. A control was any person residing in the same area who did not present the signs and symptoms of suspected influenza during the same period. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data.

Results- A total of one hundred and ninety six participants (98 cases and 98 controls) were enrolled and the summaries of results are as follows. Risk factors associated with contracting suspected influenza at Sangano clinic include: Sharing a bed with someone with flu symptoms in the past 7 days (OR=2.85: CI=2.241-3.451), having a relative visiting in past 7 days with symptoms of flu (OR=2.93; CI=1.538- 5.434), greeting by shaking hands or hugging any person who was ill within the last 7 days (OR=3.26; CI=1.21 - 10.19), sharing clothes and bedding with a friend(OR=2.16; CI=1.28-7.46) and being a school resident (OR= 4.43; CI= 1.21- 10.19).

Discussion and conclusion – It was noted that lower knowledge levels among school children, coughing and sneezing at each other and greeting by shaking hands, hugging promoted the spread of suspected influenza. Health workers lacked skills in managing cases. A study by  (Rabie,2006) also found out that Hand washing has been shown to reduce non-specific respiratory infection risk by 6% to 44% in various settings and was highly effective in preventing transmission of SARS (Fung, 2006).Therefore there is need for Health promotion officer to  health education to school children and community to avoid close contact during outbreaks.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social support and fatigue on people living with HIV/AIDS stage 3 and 4, Harare Central Hospital in Harare. The study sought to answer whether social support mitigates fatigue in people living with HIV.A descriptive correlational study design was used in this study. Systematic interval sampling was used to select 80 ambulatory adults, 25 to 50 years old living with HIV/AIDS at stage 3 and 4. Data were obtained through a structured interview questionnaire.The Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient between social support and fatigue was (r=-0.66; p<0.01. This implied that as social support increased, fatigue among people living with HIV/AIDS decreased. The coefficient of determination, R² = 0.44 (F=60.4) indicated that social support was responsible for 44% of the variation in fatigue. The regression analysis was statistically significant as evidenced by a significant Fisher statistic. On the other hand (β=-0.8, SEB=0.11) implied that for every unit increase in social support, fatigue decreased by 0.8.Social support may be instrumental in enhancing functioning of the four adaptation modes crafted by Roy in the adaptation model which are physiologic components, self-concept, role function and interdependence. With enough support, adaptation is possible at every stage that is from tiredness to exhaustion.

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Objectives: The study sought to establish factors associated with delayed first visit for antenatal care by pregnant mothers in Seke district of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe.

Methods: A 1:1 case control study design was employed. A case was a pregnant mother who presented for the first ANC visit after 16 weeks of conception (late booking). A control was a pregnant mother who presented for first ANC visit at 16 weeks of conception or earlier (early booking). Systematic sampling method was used to select cases and controls from the Health centre register. A total of 86 cases and 86 controls were interviewed.

Results: Three risk factors were found to be statistically significant and associated with coming late for first ANC visit. These are unavailability of daily ANC services had an odds of 2.2 (CI=0.15; 0.90), not attending ANC awareness campaigns with an odds of 0.5 (CI=0.28; 1.18), and not being involved in decision making on time and place of ANC visits with an odds of 1.9 (CI=1.06; 3.64).

Conclusion: The ANC services need to be provided daily even on weekends, more ANC awareness campaigns should be done to educate the community on ANC importance and the advantages of coming early for first ANC visit.

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