Search

Background: During its first wave of COVID-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa, there was insufficient understanding of the pandemic among front-line health care professionals that has led to a misidentification, and mistreatment of affected patients, with a potential risk of contracting and spreading the disease. This study was carried out to determine the Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of front-line health workers (HWs) towards COVID-19 in Africa and their related factors.Methods: This was a multi-centers online cross-sectional study conducted over a 3-months study-period using a google survey link among front lines HWs involved in the COVID-19 response in 26 African countries. Chi-square test & logistic regression were used in the bivariate and multivariate analysis respectively to assess determinants of KAP. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 16; all tests were two-sided with 95% confidence interval. Results: Five hundred and seventeen (517, 96.3%) consented to participate in this study from 26 African countries; 289 (55.9%) were male and 228 (44.1%) female. Overall, most of HWs, 379 (73.3%) showed poor knowledge about COVID-19 infection and preventive measures. In contrast, majority of them showed good attitude (89%) and practice (90.3%) towards prevention of COVID-19 infections. Knowledge varied among countries; Uganda had the greatest number of HWs with good knowledge. (OR = 28.09, p Conclusions: Majority of the front-line HWs in the African region had an overall good attitude and practice towards COVID-19 infection and practice measures despite relatively poor Knowledge. The KAP is influenced by HWs country of workplace, their cadre and level of education.

Objective: This study aimed at highlighting the extent to which Uganda and the Eastern DR Congo are ready for safe surgical care provision during the double burden of Ebola and COVID-19. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in selected National, Regional Referral and General Hospital facilities of Uganda and in the Eastern part of D.R. Congo from 1st August 2020 to 30 October 2020. Data was analysed using Stata version 14.2. Results: A participation rate of 37.5% for both countries (72/192). The mean bed capacity of participating health facilities (HF) was 184 in Eastern DR. Congo and 274 in Uganda with an average surgical ward bed capacity of 22.3% (41/184) of the beds in the DR. Congo and 20.4% (56/274) in Uganda. The mean number of operating rooms was 2 and 3 in Eastern DR. Congo and Uganda respectively. Nine hospitals (12.5%) reported being able to test for Ebola and 25 (34.7%) being able to test for COVID-19. Only 7 (9.7%) hospitals reported having a specific operating room for suspect or confirmed cases of Ebola or COVID-19. Provision of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment to personnel were reported to be available in 60 (83.3%) hospitals. The mean of readiness score for provision of surgical care was 7.8/16 (SD: 2.3) or 60% in both countries with no statistical significance in multiple linear regression analysis (p>0.05). Conclusion: The majority of participating hospitals in both countries had a low level of readiness to provide safe surgical care due to lack of supplies to limit the exposure of Healthcare workers (HCW) to Ebola and Covid-19 viral infections, and poor funding. Governments and non-governmental organizations should work together to enhance health facility supplies and readiness for safe surgical provision in resource-limited settings.

Background: During its first wave in sub-Saharan Africa, there was insufficient understanding of the new pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among frontline health care professionals that has led to a misidentification, and mistreatment of affected patients, with a potential risks of contacting and spreading the disease. This study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of frontline health care givers (HCGs) towards COVID-19 in Africa and their related factors.Methods: This was a multi-centers online cross-sectional study conducted over a 3-months study-period using a google survey link among front lines African HCGs in the COVID-19 response units within 28 African countries. Bivariate and Multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the associations between co-variates. Statistical significance was set at p≤ 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: There a total of 518 out of 588 approached HCGs participated in the study from 28 African countries. Overall, 496 (96%) had bad practice score, and 405 (78%) had positive attitude regarding COVID-19. The related factors of KAP towards COVID-19 identified were the lack of self- esteem and self-confidence in the management of COVID-19 (aOR: - 0.17, 95% CI=-0.766 to -4.33, p >0.05), Ignorance (aOR: 1.55, 95% CI=1.003 to 2.402, p Conclusions: Majority of the frontline HCG has an overall good knowledge and attitude towards the disease across the African continents regardless of their level of study. However, the KAP is influenced negatively by the lack of self-esteem, self- confidence, ignorance, and insufficiency of frequent update of COVID-19 information. Promoting psychological support in addition to regular trainings could help to enhance the KAP of frontline HCG in African region.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health services. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and access to sexual and reproductive health services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the problems related to sexual and reproductive health among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsThis was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facility (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problem related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). The multivariate regression analysis shows that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), pConclusionsThe findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have accessing SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were the most affected. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The findings call for concerted efforts from the Uganda government and international non-governmental organisations to ensure access and availability of SRH services for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and sexual and reproductive health rights services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the challenges to sexual and reproductive health and rights among Ugandan youth during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18 to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.5%) reported not having testing and treatment services of Sexual transmitted Infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to health facility where to get the services (55.2%), cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted diseases were the commonest (40.4%) challenge relating to SRH during this lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuses (32.4%). The Multivariate Regression Analysis shows that challenges were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), pConclusions The findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have challenges to access to SRHR information and services during lockdown due to COVID-19. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were mostly affected among Ugandan youths. Lack of transport means and cost of services were the limiting factors to access SRHR services among youths. Therefore, effective measures should be put in place to ensure access and availability of SRHR for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.