Journal of Public Health in Developing Countries
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc
<p><strong>Mission of the Journal</strong><strong> </strong></p><p>The Journal of Public Health in Developing Countries (JPHDC) is a non-profit, peer-reviewed, open access, international, scientific journal that publishes articles in all areas of public health. </p><p>JPHDC's mission is to: </p><ul><li>Facilitate the global dissemination of high-quality public health research;</li><li>Promote international dialogue and collaboration on health issues; and</li><li>Expand the understanding of public health especially in the developing countries.</li></ul><p>To achieve our mission, we particularly encourage and welcome authors from the developing world to contribute to this journal. </p><p>The journal has a special focus on the social determinants of health, the environmental, behavioural, and occupational correlates of health and disease, and the impact of health policies, practices and interventions on the community.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Why JPHDC is Different - Principles that embody the philosophy of JPHDC</strong> </p><p><strong>Immediate and free access</strong><strong> </strong></p><p>JPHDC makes all published original research immediately accessible through its website without subscription charges or registration barriers. Recent literature shows that articles published in open access journals are more highly cited than those in non-open access journals. </p><p><strong>Fast peer-review upholding high standards for published manuscripts</strong><strong> </strong></p><p>JPHDC follows a rigorous editorial process to ensure highest quality of published research articles. All research in JPHDC is fully peer-reviewed and has a fast turn-around process for referees to view manuscripts and return their reviews. The review process is designed to be a constructive and prompt way to improve and approve submitted manuscripts. All manuscripts, however, must maintain the high standards of JPHDC.</p><p><strong>International Editorial Board</strong></p><p>Experts in the field of public health from around the globe serve on JPHDC's editorial board. They help with policy and decision-making, and in some cases with choosing referees and reviewing manuscripts. </p><p><strong>Author-friendly services</strong><strong> </strong></p><p>Publishing in JPHDC is simple and efficient. Authors are guided through the submission process step by step, and can interrupt the submission at any time and continue later on where they left off via their login details. </p><p><strong>JPHDC encourages active participation</strong> </p><p>Readers are encouraged to post their comments on published manuscripts online.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Authors keep ownership and copyright</strong> </p><p>Authors of published research keep ownership and copyright to their work. There is no need to purchase reprints.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>No hidden charges</strong> </p><p>JPHDC does not have page charges, colour figure charges or submission fees.</p>en-USJournal of Public Health in Developing Countries2059-5409Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:<ol type="a"><li>Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/" target="_new">Creative Commons Attribution License</a> that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.</li><li>Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.</li><li>Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See <a href="http://opcit.eprints.org/oacitation-biblio.html" target="_new">The Effect of Open Access</a>).</li></ol><p> </p>Persistent Disease Outbreaks and Malnutrition in Tharparkar, Pakistan: Natural Disaster or Man-made Public Health Crisis?
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/219
<p>Over the last decade, a humanitarian crisis has developed in Tharparkar, a largely rural district in the south of Pakistan that is increasingly inhospitable to human habitation. </p><p>A combination of food shortages, poor diet, a shortage of clean drinking water and inadequate hygiene has caused malnutrition and outbreaks of disease. This has led to the death of thousands of people – primarily newborn infants, pregnant mothers and young children – as well as livestock. While this is a land of restricted rainfall and limited natural resources, an emerging disaster been exacerbated by a dearth of basic infrastructure and deficient public health facilities. </p><p>By imposing bold strategic administration and economic investment to supplement short-term aid it may be possible to bring sustained relief to the people of this impoverished region, thereby averting the prospect of famine and diseases of poverty.</p>Abdul W. KhanAndrew W. Taylor-Robinson2018-12-312018-12-3141Physical Activity amongst Adolescent Boys and Girls attending High School in Riyadh: A Cross-sectional Study
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/252
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physical inactivity is linked with increased risk of physical health problems, risks of preventable non-communicable diseases and poorer mental wellbeing. The aim of the study was to examine the level of physical activity amongst adolescents in a large urban city in Saudi Arabia. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional design was used to recruit students from a high school in Riyadh. The participants completed a questionnaire on their physical activity frequency and preferences, and other medical and personal information. Participants were also measured for height and weight using the Seca Digital Column Scale.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 346 high school students participated in the study. A high proportion of adolescents reported engaging in some form of physical activity over the past seven days (78.7%). However, only a third engaged in activity levels of one-hour duration or more per week. Boys were more active than girls, but paradoxically showed greater overweight and obesity problems. Football was the most popular sport amongst boys and walking for girls. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>School-aged children engaged in physical activities, but higher proportions were classified in the ‘less active’ group. Despite insufficient resources for physical activities for girls attending high school in Riyadh, they show lesser issues with overweight and obesity compared to their male counterparts.Irfan AnjumAbdulrahman AlhumaidAmjaad AlmohawisLaura AlolayanAhmed AlshudukhiSami Aleissa2018-12-252018-12-2541Directly Observed Therapy Providers’ Practices When Promoting Tuberculosis Treatment in a Local Thai Community
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/143
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Directly observed therapy (DOT) recommends improving adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment by observing patients while they take their medication. Although the practice of DOT providers has been widely studied and promoted, the practice on a community level has to be considered. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of village health volunteers (VHVs) and the family members (FMs) as DOT providers in a local Thai community. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study involved five focus groups with 25 VHVs, and six FMs who discussed their experiences as DOT providers in a local Thai community. An inductive content analysis was performed.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It was found that the participants’ descriptions of their experiences as DOT providers could be divided into two themes - their role and skills and the barriers to the practice of DOT. Their role and skills included the monitoring, promoting and cooperating activities. The barriers to the practice of DOT involved practical problems of advising and documenting. </p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We found that the DOT providers themselves need to be empowered in their role to empower the TB patients to address their problems and get control of their own situation as well. The DOT providers need to be empowered through improved training, which, in turn, will increase patient autonomy to adhere to the TB treatment. If such training is also given to the FMs they can better act as DOT providers as well. The results may guide the health practices and indicate effective policies for improving the practice of DOT in a local community, especially in high TB burden countries.</p>Jiraporn ChoowongPer TillgrenMaja Söderbäck2018-11-242018-11-2441Solid Waste Management in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/104
<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rapid increase in urban population due to the invasion of the citizenry in search of better livelihood has resulted in poor environmental conditions in most urban and sub-urban settlements in Ghana. Urban waste has become an inevitable canker to behold, which is evident from the garbage that is spilling uncontrollably into the streets causing inconvenience, environmental pollution, and posing a public health risk. The Population and Housing Census (2010) of Ghana Statistical Service reported that out of the 28% of solid waste generated in urban areas of the Hohoe Municipality only 5.7% is collected. The main objective of the study was to assess the household solid waste management in Hohoe Township. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study design was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. The WHO EPI 30 cluster sampling technique was modified into 20 cluster sampling technique. Data was collected from all the 20 clusters in Hohoe municipality with each cluster being comprised 10 households.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed a high dependence on communal waste containers as the method for waste disposal. Waste sorting was poorly practised and landfills were poorly managed in the study area. </p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There are inadequate waste containers and skips for the collection of waste and interestingly travelling distance to dumping site is a major reason for the indiscriminate dumping of the waste. </p>Joseph O. Kiddy-KoduaIshmael D. NormanForgive A. Norvivor2018-03-132018-03-1341Assessing Pain and Identifying Characteristics that Predict Pain Locations in Saudi Arabian Sickle Cell Disease Patients
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/164
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pain is a common and a serious problem in the sickle cell disease (SCD) population. However, research on pain locations and their predictors is lacking in Saudi Arabian SCD patients. We sought to assess pain and identify characteristics that predict pain locations in a sample of Saudi patients with SCD. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 290 patients with SCD who attended King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia for routine checkups between October 2016 and March 2017. SCD symptoms and pain locations were collected through structured interviews and blood tests results were retrieved from patient charts during the previous six months.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample’s mean age was 29.1 (±SD 10.2) years. Pain was commonly reported in 96.9% of patients (95% CI: 94.2% – 98.6%). Pain location distribution was as follows: leg pain 75.2%, back pain 64.1%, chest pain 39.3%, and arm pain 37.9%. Shortness of breath was the only independent predictor of chest pain (aOR=3.42). The independent predictors of back pain were: high (>11 ×10<sup>9</sup> cells/liter) white blood cell counts (aOR=1.92) and skin redness (aOR=4.87). Hemoglobin A2 (aOR=1.39), tiredness (aOR=2.07), and frequent ED visits (aOR=2.22) were the primary predictors of arm pain. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We noted a substantially high frequency of pain in a sample of Saudi patients with SCD. The study also recognizes that pain was relatively stronger among patients with high white blood cell (WBC) counts. Hence, interventions to alter the WBC count could be implemented to reduce pain in SCD patients.Anwar E. AhmedYosra Z. AliAhmad M. Al-SulimanJafar M. AlbagshiOmer A. HassanMohieldin ElsayidWala R. AlanaziRayan A. AhmedDonna K. McClishHamdan Al-Jahdali2018-02-232018-02-2341Strengthening Nutrition Surveillance in Uganda: What have we learned?
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/128
<p><strong>Background: </strong>The World Health Assembly resolution of 2012 recommended a comprehensive implementation plan for maternal and child nutrition outlining six global targets on stunting, wasting, underweight, low birth weight, anaemia and exclusive breastfeeding to be achieved by 2025. Currently, many national nutrition surveillance systems are weak and need to be strengthened to be able to track these targets. This study aimed to understand whether the Accelerating Nutrition Improvements (ANI) project supported by the WHO in Uganda ANI improved the reporting of nutrition indicators in the District Health Information System-2 (DHIS2). </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The project focused on six pilot districts in Eastern and Western Uganda. A series of processes including an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the DHIS2 and the Health Management Information System (HMIS) was undertaken. A nutrition report format with recommended indicators was developed and customized into DHIS2. Capacity building was supported for health workers on the HMIS/DHIS2 and data quality.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over a one year implementation period a >100% increase in reporting through the DHIS2 was noted for a number of indicators including the number of children assessed for nutrition status; folic acid uptake by pregnant women and infants breastfed within the first hour of birth. Other indicators that showed improvements included children assessed for length/height (82%); mothers who received maternal (51%) and infant feeding counselling (48%). A number of challenges including human resources, poor data quality and a lack of the required materials and tools existed. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The strengthening of nutrition surveillance has shown that reporting on nutrition indicators is possible and can be improved. However, data quality, human resource capacity and timely availability of the required tools need to be addressed.Florence M. TuryashemererwaHana Bekele2018-01-192018-01-1941Impact of Mass Media Exposure on Family Planning: Analysis of the Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/103
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mass media is a basic element of transferring valuable information on health services. As family planning is influenced by mass media, there is a need to study the impact of mass media exposure on family planning. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three rounds of Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) (2000, 2005, and 2011) datasets were analysed by bivariate and multivariate techniques.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A weighted sample of 28,161 individuals was analysed. The mean age of the study participants was 31 years. A higher number of participants were from Oromiya regional state (33%) and 87% were from rural. Married women who watched television (TV) at least once a week were two times more likely to use family planning methods than those who did not watch TV at all (AOR: 2.5, p <0.001). The odds of listening to a radio at least once a week was 1.35 (95% CI 1.179, 1.547; p <0.001). The multivariate analysis also showed that married women who had a radio in the household were 1.6 times more likely to use family planning methods than women who did not possess one (p <0.001). </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mass media had a positive impact on family planning in Ethiopia. Exposures to TV, radio, and newspaper were positively associated with the use of family planning; and negatively associated with the number of desired children.Asmamaw K. TsehayDesalegn T. ZegeyeTesfahun M. Yilma2017-08-212017-08-2141Knowledge and Practice on Diabetic Foot Prevention and Self-care by Patients at the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/102
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic foot is one of the most feared complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of hospitalization among diabetic patients. Diabetes affects people worldwide and poses major public health and socio-economic challenges. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of patients on diabetic foot prevention and self-care. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out with a focus on diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic at the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon. A total of 60 diabetic patients were randomly sampled, and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most of the patients were females (65%), were educated to the primary level (60%), were aged 50-69 years (67%), and did not have any regular monthly income (45%). A majority of diabetic patients had the disease for at least 9 years (56.7%), had no knowledge on diabetic foot (65%), and up to 68.3% had no idea on diabetic foot self-care. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results highlight gaps in patients’ knowledge of foot care, which is still sub-standard. Also, their practice of foot care was inadequate. This was associated with illiteracy, low socio-economic conditions, and inadequate education of patients by the healthcare providers. Therefore, patient’s education on self-care management of foot should be incorporated into the routine care of patients with diabetes both in clinics and in the community settings.Richard N. Fomboh2017-08-162017-08-1641Achieving Access to Eye Care Services through Primary Health Care Facilities: Current Situation in Nigeria
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/98
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Provision of eye care services at primary health care facilities is essential for the elimination of avoidable blindness by 2020. This study examines the current resources and services available for eye patients at the primary health care facilities in Cross River State, Nigeria. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 12 primary health care facilities and 146 participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and an observation check list.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 146 primary health care workers, 136 (93.2%) were females, about 58.2% were community health extension workers and 13% were nurses. Only eight (5.5%) workers had primary eye care training, 14 (9.6%) provided visual acuity assessment and pen torch examination. Referral of eye cases was done by ‘word of mouth’ without records and follow up. Health education was routinely done but lacked appropriate vision promotion content. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The primary health care facilities were not adequately staffed and equipped to provide eye care services. Policy on primary eye care integration, adequate training of existing human resources and provision of equipment for primary eye care services are sorely needed.Bernadine N. EkpenyongAntor O. NdepNelson OsuchukwuAugustus EzenwankwoNwakuso Aruotu2017-08-152017-08-1541Knowledge, Beliefs and Self-reported Practices of Hand Hygiene among Egyptian Medical Students: Does Gender Difference Play a Role?
https://jphdc.org/index.php/jphdc/article/view/105
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hand hygiene (HH) is the most cost-effective and practical measure to reduce the healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This study aimed to assess medical students' knowledge, beliefs and practices of HH and to shed light on the effect of gender. </p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive comparative study was conducted during August 2016 on a convenient sample of 285 senior medical students. Knowledge, beliefs and practices of HH were compared between males and females medical students using the English version of the Hand Hygiene Questionnaire (HHQ).<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of participating students was 24.8±0.97. Males represented 55.8% of the sample. Females had significantly better knowledge on HH than males (p <0.001). Females also had significantly better practice and positive belief towards HH than males. </p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Gender differences can be observed in knowledge, belief, and practice of HH among medical students. Female had better knowledge and self-reported practice than male students. Emphasizing the importance of HH in education and assessment, particularly in the clinical settings will help to facilitate a more encouraging culture towards HH. The gender differences highlighted in this study call for educational interventions to improve HH. The interventions have to be targeted and gender-specific to meet the demands of the students. A nationwide study of a bigger sample covering all medical faculties in Egypt should be undertaken to confirm these results.Ghada ElkhawagaRagaa El-Masry2017-08-152017-08-1541