Magister Public Health - MPH (Public Health)
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
collection.page.browse.recent.head
Item Prevalence of dental caries and tooth brushing habits among preschool children in Khartoum State, Sudan(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Elidrissi, Sitana Mustafa Idris; Naidoo, SudeshniIntroduction: Dental caries in preschool children remains a major dental public health problem as it affects significant number of preschool children in both developed and developing countries and it is on increase in the developing ones as in Sudan due to the change in life style with the absence of oral health preventive programs and inadequate access to oral health care. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and tooth brushing habits among 3 to 5 year-olds preschool children in Khartoum state. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study among 553 preschool children age 3 to 5 year-olds in Khartoum state. Data were obtained through clinical examination using a modified WHO examination sheet and through interviews for mothers/guardians using a structured administered questionnaire. Results: Five hundred and fifty three preschool children aged 3- 5 year-olds participated in this study with their mothers or guardians (n=553). Girls (n= 287) slightly outnumbered boys (n= 266). The prevalence of dental caries of the children was 52.4% with mean dmft of 2.27. There was an increase in the dmft scores with increasing age. The highest brushing frequency was found among the children whose mothers had a postgraduate degree and the lowest proportion was from uneducated mothers. Eating sugar-containing food was significantly associated with dmft.Item Food insecurity among university students in the Western Cape(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Tlhako, Morongoa Glenda; Swart, Elizabeth CatherinaFood insecurity is a significant public health concern on a global scale which significantly remains a contributor to many nutritional, health and developmental challenges. The aim of the study was to investigate food insecurity and the factors associated with it among registered university students at a public university in the Western Cape Province. A descriptive cross-sectional online survey design was used to assess food insecurity status, and the factors associated with it among students at the University of the Western Cape. A quantitative research approach was used. All students registered at the University of the Western Cape were invited to complete a self-administered, web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire that was used was adapted from a previous study conducted by the supervisor at UWC in 2017. The adaptations have been based on literature and also referred to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in major disruptions of universities given the declaration of a State of Emergency and associated national lockdown periods which commenced on 27 March 2020. The questionnaire was piloted among the students registered for the MPHN at UWC. Participants for the study were recruited on the university platforms used to communicate with students after permission was obtained from the Registrar. Marketing endeavours such as Facebook and twitter accounts were also used to promote the completion of the survey and improve participation rates.Item Retention in care among HIV-positive clients on anti-retroviral therapy who inject drugs in three South African districts(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Mngomezulu, Phumzile Cynthia; van Wyk, BrianBackground: South Africa is part of numerous trade routes for illicit drugs and this has led to increased drug trafficking over the years. Furthermore, South Africa also has the highest prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally. People who inject drugs (PWID) are identified as a key population in the fight against the HIV pandemic. It is well noted that PWID report poor adherence and low retention in care on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Optimal adherence to ART and remaining engaged in care are critical for people living with HIV to achieve viral suppression. The current study aimed to determine retention in care and its risk factors among PWID initiated on ART in three South African district municipalities. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 333 PWID, aged 18 years and older, who were initiated on ART between July 2022 and March 2023 in three district municipalities. Routine health data and opioid substitution therapy (OST) data were extracted from Tier.net database for each participant. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Survival analysis was conducted using Stata 15. Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine factors associated with retention in care. Results: Retention in care for PWID after six months on ART was low at 40% (n=132). In the bivariate analysis, duration on ART (p<0.001*), baseline CD4 count (p=0.0002*), and treatment support (p<0.001*) for those on OST were all significantly associated with retention in care. From the Cox proportional analysis, only housing and enrolment in OST were predictors of loss to follow-up. The probability of loss to follow-up increased with unstable housing (Adjusted Hazards Ratio (AHR) = 4.94; CI: 2.35–10.35) and was significantly lower among those enrolled in OST (AHR = 0.25; CI: 0.10–0.60).Item Antimicrobial stewardship: Exploring knowledge and perceptions of antimicrobial resistance and prescribing practices of medical doctors operating in public health centres in Harare, Zimbabwe(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Mhangwa, Timothy; Amde, WoldekidanBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern. Antimicrobial stewardship offers possibilities for mitigating antimicrobial resistance through the implementation of multifaceted strategies. Aim: To explore the knowledge and perceptions of antimicrobial resistance and prescribing practices of medical doctors working at public health centres in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methodology: The study used a descriptive qualitative method. Twelve medical doctors working at the two central hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, were selected purposively. Data was collected through semi-structured, face-to-face in-depth interviews to elicit a rich understanding of the phenomena. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was the method of choice used to analyse the data. Results: Data analysis produced four main themes which included, (i) knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship, (ii) perceptions on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship, (iii) antimicrobial prescribing practices, and (iv) factors influencing antimicrobial stewardship. Participant medical doctors, despite being knowledgeable about and appreciative of antimicrobial stewardship and AMR, had varying degrees of adherence to prescribing guidelines.Item Determinants of intimate partner violence against pregnant adolescents and women accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (prep) in Luanshya District, Zambia(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Daka, Joseph; Tabana, HananiBackground: Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to any behavior in an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm. Pregnant women who experience physical, sexual, or verbal abuse from an intimate partner are more likely to contract HIV from an infected partner. While condom use in conjunction with female-controlled treatment options such as pre-exposure prophylaxis is critical for preventing HIV infection, it is difficult for women experiencing IPV to discuss safe sex practices with their violent spouses. Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between intimate partner violence and the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among pregnant adolescents and women. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted in primary healthcare facilities that offered maternal and child health, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Luanshya district, Zambia. The sample included pregnant adolescents and women between the ages of 15 and 49 who had been on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for one month or more. A systematic random sampling strategy was used to select a sample of 126 pregnant adolescents and women. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 28, was used for data analysis.Item Factors associated with viral non-suppression among HIV positive adults on antiretroviral therapy in Luapula Province, Zambia.(Universty of the Western Cape, 2024) Mvududu, Don Tafadzwa Kudzanai; van Wyk, BrianHIV is a significant global public health concern, with approximately 38 million individuals living with HIV by the end of 2021 globally. Zambia has a high HIV burden, with an adult prevalence of 11% in 2021. Despite significant progress in the uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by individuals living with HIV, Zambia still struggles to reach the epidemic control targets of 95-95-95 set by UNAIDS, with recent reports estimating viral suppression rate at 90%. It is therefore, imperative to investigate the factors that are associated with viral non-suppression, particularly in rural settings like Luapula Province, Zambia, where few research has been done to date. The current study describes the prevalence and factors associated with viral non-suppression among HIV positive adults on ART in Luapula Province, Zambia.Item Knowledge, beliefs and practice about sexual concurrent partnering amongst education students at a tertiary institution in rural Namibia(Universty of the Western Cape, 2010) Shilongo, Lydia; Van Wyk, BrianBackground: In an attempt to avert the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more research has been conducted to determine why the epidemic is more devastating in Southern African countries than anywhere else in the world. Heterosexual transmission is believed to be driving the epidemic in many sub-Saharan African countries. Recent research has indicated that having concurrent sexual partners is one of the factors contributing to the fast spread of HIV transmission in this region. Aim: This study aimed to describe the level of knowledge about the risk of HIV transmission posed by concurrent sexual partnering as well as beliefs and practices about concurrent partnering among education students at the Rundu College of Education(RCE) in the Kavango region of Namibia. Concurrent partnering was defined as a situation where a person has more than one sexual partner at the same time, during the twelve months preceding the study.