Browsing by Author "Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye"
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Item Open Access Factors associated with delays in seeking tuberculosis treatment among patients at Muhima district hospital, Rwanda(International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2020) Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye; Yasmin Omar, UmubyeyiBackground: Few studies exist in Rwanda to establish the reasons behind delays in seeking treatment in the health institutions which further affected timely diagnosis and case detection. The study investigated factors associated with delays in seeking treatment among tuberculosis (TB) patients at Muhima District Hospital, Rwanda. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross- sectional study of 49 smear-positive TB patients derived using proportion estimation of case registry (November 2016 to January 2017) newly- diagnosed patients, first and second months treatment. Systematic sampling technique used to select 60 TB patients from target population. Data collected by researcher and trained research assistant, using a close- ended questionnaire through a translation in local dialect. Results: About 49% (24) of the smear- positive TB patients experienced delayed in seeking treatment for more than 180 days (6 months). Also 53% (26) were within the 36-45 age-cohort, while majority 75.5% (37) of the respondents was male. About 57% (28) of the respondents have poor knowledge of TB transmission. Similarly, about 51% (25) were the results on the perception of taking anti- TB medication, while median time interval from onset of symptoms and initiation of treatments was 45 days, average 71 days between 15 -180 days. Conclusions: Statistically significant relationship exist between initial source of treatment using home remedies (p=0.0) and private insurance cover (p=0.0) in relation to delay, which further contributed to delay among majority. Recommendations of the study are strengthening medical services utilization, improving case detection, medical infrastructures and collaboration with non- formal healthcare practices.Item Open Access Factors associated with iron deficiency aneamia among pregnant women at Chuk hospital in Kigali, Rwanda(IDOSR JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES, 2022) Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye; Hashim Abdullahi, FardosaIron is a vital element in all aerobic organisms, and it plays critical role in pregnancy owing to the increased demand for blood for the growing foetus and placenta. This research assessed deficiency anaemia in pregnancy, dietary practices and influencing factors among pregnant women in CHUK Hospital. It adopted descriptive survey approach on the pregnant antenatal care clinic services among 93 respondents from 121 attendants. It Involved the use of primary and secondary data collected through systematic reviews, records and survey. The validated tool used to seek required information. The results showed that socioeconomic influence with p-value of 0,006129 in proportion of women in the study with iron deficiency anaemia. Similar statistical significant relationship 0.029136 was found with dietary practices in proportion to women in the study with iron deficiency anaemia. In conclusion, appropriate programme regime for combatting the deficiency during pregnancy period might be too short period to manage iron deficiency anaemia. Socio-economic elements contributed to iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women attending CHUK Hospital. A balanced diet, rich in proteins, iron and vitamins from good sources like liver, meat, eggs, green peas, figs, beans, whole wheat and green bananas remains very critical in tackling iron deficiency anaemia problem among the pregnant women. Indeed, dietary practices can therefore be concluded to be associated with IDA in pregnant women attending ANC services at CHUK Hospital. Individual level factors such as physical activities was found to be beneficial to pregnant women; however, it was also noted that pregnant women with specific conditions should always seek approval from their health officers before engaging in any physical activities.Item Open Access Factors associated with knowledge on the spread of HIV/AIDS among Secondary School Students of Groupe Scolaire De Rugando in Kigali City, Rwanda(IDOSR JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES, 2022) Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye; Denyse Sibomana, UwizeyeHuman Immunodeficiency Virus has continued to spread in most countries of the world including Rwanda. Youths are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to the fact that they are not sufficiently prepared to address problems related to their sexuality and also because they do not have enough real knowledge about HIV and AIDS. The study assessed factors associated with knowledge on spread of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among students of Groupe Scolaire de Rugando in Kigali city, Rwanda. The study adopted descriptive cross sectional approach among the target population of 950 students in secondary school of Groupe Scolaire de Rugando. About 108 students were randomly selected using the systematic sampling method. Self-administered structured questionnaires were used for data collection for a period of one month with the help of a trained research assistant. The study instrument was pilot tested in mission secondary school outside study population and further validation carried out before it was administered based on consent. The most common predisposing factors in the study to adolescents to HIV/AIDS were curiosity and need to experiment. The study findings, showed that 78% accepted that HIV is transmitted by engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, 65% accepted that risk of contracting HIV is increased by presence of other sex partners, 69% accepted that regular use of condoms helps to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and 55% accepted that by reducing the number of sexual partners, chances of HIV infection are reduced. Additionally, 44 (43.14%, C. I.: 33.37-53.32) of the students indicated that they had previously engaged in sex, while 58 (56.86%, C. I: 46.68-66.63) shows that they did not engaged in sexual practice. Majority of the students who had engaged in sex had never used a condom (59.09%). Usage of condoms were perceived by respondents that it does not allow their partner enjoy sex. This study recommends the need to design interventions that aims to raise awareness on the negative consequences from risky sexual behaviors; increase availability and accessibility of condoms; fight against the entry of drugs in the country as well as their circulation and accessibility to the youth and finally, guidance and counseling services should be introduced in schools.Item Open Access Factors influencing incomplete immunization among under five years old children at CHUK hospital, Nyarugenge district, Rwanda(International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2020) Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye; Elizabeth, OruaBackground: Low-income countries still have challenges with vaccine-preventable diseases, despite improvement in immunization coverage in Rwanda, cases of drop out and incomplete immunization persists. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional approach with the use of quantitative and qualitative techniques on a population of 186 guardians/mothers with their under five children. Convenience sampling techniques was used to draw study sample size of 127 that attends the clinic and approval to participate in the study. Data was obtained from validated study instruments and immunization records over a period of one month. Results: Study results showed that religion (p=0.01), gender (p=0.03), age (p=0.009) and educational status (p=0.04) influenced incomplete immunizations. About 78 (61.4%) respondents are unaware that vaccines prevents specific diseases, while 61 (48.0%) were too busy with other duty at the time of immunizations and 89 (70.1%) Participants do not see the need to complete the immunization. Furthermore, the age of the mother Knowledge of child immunization and hospital delivery were statistically significant with (p<0.05). Immunization cards and histories verified showed about 120 (94.4%) children were fully immunized, 46(24.5 %) were partially immunized and 67 (52.8%) children immunized before age one. Conclusions: A number of children were not fully immunized in their first year of life; others were inappropriately vaccinated. Emphasis made on completion of immunization schedule.Item Open Access Factors influencing male involvement in family planning among married couples seeking maternity and pediatric services in Chuk(IAA Journal of Biological Sciences, 2022) Mercy Nwankwo, Chinenye; Immaculate, OkothGlobally women have played a major role in household and decision making on their own health care and life through family planning. There has been tremendous improvement in utilization of family planning and reduced birth rates. However male involvement in family planning is still minimal with male playing a peripheral role. The aim of the study is to determine the factors influencing male involvement in family planning among married couples seeking maternity and pediatric services from January to June 2016 in CHUK. Cross-sectional study design was used. The study population comprised of 171 married couples seeking maternity and pediatric services in CHUK. The study sample size was 119 married couples systematic and randomly selected participated in the study. Data was collected using Interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaires. Study instrument validated by pilot testing and translating into local language and data collection lasted for a period of one month. Data was analyzed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics at level of significance was set at p= 0.05. Findings were as follows: the socio-demographic characteristics that influenced male involvement in family planning with (P <0.05) includes; participant‟s age, religion and residence. In like manner about 84 (70.6%) of study respondents had good involvement in family planning. Also spouse are not influenced by taboo when they understand benefits of Family Planning. A good number of the respondents knew condom and pills as family planning method However, only 27(22.7 knew withdrawal and 45(37.8%) aware of Tubal ligation as family planning. Inadequate health education by health care workers on Family Planning products/services may lead to low uptake of services (P = 0.04). Finally, study result showed low knowledge and influence of taboo. Way forward, to increase knowledge and improve attitude of males towards method of family planning and support their spouses‟ use of family planning.