Browsing by Author "Chukwuocha, U. M."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Contact tracing strategies for COVID-19 prevention and containment: A scoping review(MDPI, 2022-10) Ojokoh, B. A.; Aribisala, B.; Sarumi, O. A.; Gabriel, A. J.; Omisore, O.; Taiwo, A. E.; Igbe, T.; Chukwuocha, U. M.; Yusuf, T.; Afolayan, A.; Babalola, O.; Adebayo, T.; Afolabi, O.Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads rapidly and is easily contracted by individuals who come near infected persons. With this nature and rapid spread of the contagion, different types of research have been conducted to investigate how non-pharmaceutical interventions can be employed to contain and prevent COVID-19. In this review, we analyzed the key elements of digital contact tracing strategies developed for the prevention and containment of the dreaded epidemic since its outbreak. We carried out a scoping review through relevant studies indexed in three databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, and ACM Digital Library. Using some carefully defined search terms, a total of 768 articles were identified. The review shows that 86.32% (n = 101) of the works focusing on contact tracing were published in 2020, suggesting there was an increased awareness that year, increased research efforts, and the fact that the pandemic was given a very high priority by most journals. We observed that many (47.86%, n = 56) of the studies were focused on design and implementation issues in the development of COVID-19 contact tracing systems. In addition, has been established that most of the studies were conducted in 41 countries and that contract tracing app development are characterized by some sensitive issues, including privacy-preserving and case-based referral characteristics.Item Open Access Perceptions, preferred treatment methods, and compliance to WHO recommended control regime for buruli ulcer disease in Imo State, Nigeria(U. P., 2021-05) Onwuka, C. D.; Oparaocha, E. T.; Nwoke, E. A.; Abanobi, O. C.; Chukwuocha, U. M.The study determined the community perceptions, preferred treatment methods, and compliance with the WHO Recommended Control Regime for Buruli ulcer disease by respondents in Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria.Item Open Access Sociodemographic factors influencing the uptake of rapid diagnostic test kits for the management of malaria among mothers of under five in a typical Nigerian population(U. P., 2021) Dozie, U. W.; Ebirim, Chikere I. C; Nwobi, U. O.; Chukwuocha, U. M.; Ibe, S. N. O.; Dozie, I. N. S.Globally, malaria constitutes a crucial public health challenge since it is the third major cause of death among children under the age of 5. Prompt and effectual malaria diagnosis is the major approach to the control and management of the disease. Objectives: The study investigated sociodemographic factors that influence the uptake of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria management among mothers of under 5. Method of Study: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in the study in which 420 mothers of under 5 were randomly selected from five electoral wards in Owerri West L.G.A of Imo state. Structured questionnaire was used in data collection. Data were analyzed with SPSS statistical package (Version 21) in which Chi-square at 5% probability level was used to ascertain the association between sociodemographic and uptake of rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Results: Results showed that the mothers 161 (38%) were mostly in 30–49 years age bracket, were married (%). More than one-quarter of them was secondary school certificate holders who were civil servants who earn average monthly income of 10,000–17,000₦ 183 (44%). Less than half 180 (42.9%) of the mothers do test their child with RDT, particularly when their child has fever 103 (24.5%). Moreover, larger proportions 161 (89%) of this group know how to carry out RDT. Most of them indicated positive result of RDT to be double line on the strip 155 (86.1%). More than three-quarter of them 168 (93.3%) still use RDT even when they are aware that it involved finger prick of blood from the child. Majority of them 252 (60%) indicated that their custom/religion allows blood test when the child is ill. It was shown that the uptake of mRDT was more pronounced among mothers within the age group of 18–29 years (67.5%) (χ2 = 50.12; P < 0.001) who were single (75%) (χ2 = 74.77; P < 0.001). Uptake of mRDT was also highest (71.4%) among respondents who had tertiary education (χ2 = 91.35, P < 0.001) and are civil servants (57.1%) (χ2 = 65.80; P < 0.001) who earn average monthly income of 18,000 (68.8%) (χ2 = 34.65; P < 0.001). Within the communities, uptake of mRDT was highest among mothers from Obinze compared to other communities with significant association (χ2 = 22.17; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Uptake will, however, be enhanced if the cost of RDT-based management is reduced. Enhancing the health education through media, conferences, seminars, and workshops using local dialects will also help in raising the knowledge and understanding of less or non-educated mothers on the benefits of RDT.Item Open Access Spatiotemporal mapping of annual malaria incidence in Rivers State, Nigeria(Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, 2023) Egbom, S. E.; Nduka, F. O.; Nzeako, S. O.; Chukwuocha, U. M.Rivers State is the centre of Nigeria's oil industry and has the presence of oil prospectors including expatriates who are at risk of malaria infection. Periodic analysis of epidemiological data will enable malaria control programmers to appraise the interventions carried out over the years and assist in the development of sustainable and adaptive strategies directed from an informed local level. This study, therefore, examined spatiotemporal variations in malaria incidence in the State using Annual Parasite Incidence (API) as an indicator. Monthly reported malaria cases from 2007-2017 at the local government area (LGA) level were retrieved from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR) system of Rivers State Ministry of Health while projected population data for the same period were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. API of the LGAs from 2007 to 2017 were computed, integrated into GIS, and subjected to heighted overlay analysis to delineate the risk zones. The eleven-year retrospective study of malaria in Rivers State displayed geographical variations which were statistically significant between the LGAs. Malaria incidence fluctuated throughout the study period. API values increased from 13.746 in 2007 to 34.067 in 2013 and dropped to 8.721 in 2017. All the LGAs recorded API values below 100, indicating a very low malaria burden in a controlled setting. However, none of the LGAs has reached the WHO standard level for the elimination of transmission. Ikwerre, Eleme, Ogu-Bolo and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs were assigned to the very high malaria risk stratum (362.615 to 490.005) whereas Abua-Odual, Akuku-Toru and Degema LGAs were assigned to very low-risk malaria stratum (103.281 to 113.897). The findings of this research will aid stakeholders in evaluating the impact of control strategies employed over the years and possibly, revisit malaria extant interventions for improved malaria control outcomes.