The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted and changed lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and ...thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed as a cross-sectional community-based questionnaire survey in both countries. Participants' demography, knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards the COVID-19 outbreak were obtained using a convenience sampling technique. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary report. The mean knowledge score was 14.7±2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors), and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards instituted preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 ± 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 ± 2.7. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their country's handling of the pandemic. An apprehensive understanding of the current status in Africa through studies like KAP is crucial to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. For the populace to follow standard infection prevention and control measures adequately, governments need to gain the trust of citizens by strengthening the health systems and improving surveillance activities in detecting cases, to offer the optimum health services to their communities.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination? Anjorin, AbdulAzeez A; Odetokun, Ismail A; Abioye, Ajibola I ...
PloS one,
12/2021, Volume:
16, Issue:
12
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The economic and humanistic impact of COVID-19 pandemic is enormous globally. No definitive treatment exists, hence accelerated development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines, offers a unique ...opportunity for COVID-19 prevention and control. Vaccine hesitancy may limit the success of vaccine distribution in Africa, therefore we assessed the potentials for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among Africans. An online cross-sectional African-wide survey was administered in Arabic, English, and French languages. Questions on demographics, self-reported health status, vaccine literacy, knowledge and perception on vaccines, past experience, behavior, infection risk, willingness to receive and affordability of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine were asked. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 5,416 individuals completed the survey. Approximately, 94% were residents of 34 African countries while the other Africans live in the Diaspora. Only 63% of all participants surveyed were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and 79% were worried about its side effects. Thirty-nine percent expressed concerns of vaccine-associated infection. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.30) among those who believed their risk of infection was very high, compared to those who believed otherwise. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was one-fifth (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.28) among those who believed their risk of falling sick was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very low. The OR of vaccine hesitancy was 2.72 (95% CI: 2.24, 3.31) among those who have previously refused a vaccine for themselves or their child compared to counterparts with no self-reported history of vaccine hesitancy. Participants want the vaccines to be mandatory (40%), provided free of charge (78%) and distributed in homes and offices (44%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is substantial among Africans based on perceived risk of coronavirus infection and past experiences.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•5.4% and 1.1% prevalence of MSSA and MRSA respectively.•19 different spa types were detected including a novel type (t16571).•Low risk perception and poor hygiene practices employed by abattoir ...workers in the study areas.•Formal education and occupation were associated with S. aureus knowledge levels.•Several risk factors predispose abattoir workers to bacterial colonization.
Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic pathogen of significant public health concern. Information on the prevalence and risk factors facilitating bacterial colonization and spread under abattoir settings in Nigeria are scarce. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine prevalence of S. aureus as well as risk factors on knowledge and practices facilitating pathogen carriage among workers and slaughter animals in two municipal abattoirs of Ilorin and Ibadan, Nigeria. Swab samples (n = 1671) from nostrils of cattle, goats, pigs and abattoir workers, and from meat tables and abattoir walls were collected for detection of S. aureus. A questionnaire was administered to 275 workers to elucidate risk factors of pathogen carriage applying a logistic regression model. S. aureus prevalence was 6.5%. In total, MSSA and MRSA were detected at a frequency of 5.4% and 1.1%. Molecular analysis of the isolates revealed 19 different spa types, including a novel spa type (t16751). Gender, marital status, occupation and abattoir location were factors influencing worker’s practices in relation to pathogen carriage and spread in the abattoir setting. This present study detected not only low MSSA and MRSA prevalence, in both abattoirs but also low risk perception and hygiene practices employed by abattoir workers. Good practices among workers at Nigerian abattoirs are needed to mitigate S. aureus carriage. Further studies expounding the antibiotic resistance and relationships of MSSA and MRSA strains detected in this study are needed to complement understanding of the spread of S. aureus in the abattoir food chain.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In recent years, methicillin-resistant
(MRSA) has gained interest in veterinary medicine due to its zoonotic potential. Currently, little information is available on the genotypic and virulence ...characteristics of MRSA isolates detected in Nigerian abattoirs. To better understand the epidemiology of MRSA associated with the abattoir food chain environment in Nigeria, a total of 18 isolates (humans:
= 5, slaughter animals:
= 5, and environment:
= 8), previously
typed, were recovered and characterized by
cassette chromosome
(SCC
) typing, and phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In addition, 10 of the 18 MRSA strains with a new
type (t16571) were subjected to multilocus sequence typing. The similarity of strains was analyzed based on the results of the DNA microarray analysis. The 18 MRSA strains harbored two distinct SCC
types (IVa and V) and belonged to four clonal clusters (CC1, CC7, CC88, and CC152). All MRSA of the new
type t16571 (
= 10) harbored the SCC
type IVa. Seven of the MRSA t16571 strains belonged to ST88, while three other strains were assigned to ST3614. The 18 MRSA isolates were categorized into six virulence profiles, and the detection rate for the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin gene was high (33.3%). The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the 18 MRSA varied widely between strains, but phenotypic resistance corresponded to relevant resistance genes harbored. The detection of highly similar MRSA strains in slaughter animals, abattoir workers, and the environment underlines the need to use adequate measures at Nigerian abattoirs to prevent further spread and transmission of MRSA to humans or food.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) under the guise of female circumcision is still practiced across wider communities in Nigeria despite various dangers associated with it and several efforts to curtail ...the practice. This study investigated the prevalence of and personal disposition towards female genital mutilation in 345 university undergraduate students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), South east Nigeria using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The major inclusion criteria for the face-to-face interview were being a female student of MOUAU and consented approval. Associations between various variable were tested with Chi square and statistical significance was established at P<0.05. There was no association (P = 0.165) between place of birth and circumcision status, whereas state of circumcision had a significant association (P = 0.00001) with willingness to carry out circumcision in daughter in the future. Also, the belief that non-circumcised girls are prone to prone to promiscuity in adulthood had a significant (P = 0.00001) association with prospective circumcision of daughters. The prevalence of circumcision is high in this population (30.1%) with a reasonable number (16.8%) seeing no ills in the practice and expressed willingness to sustain it. Therefore, a strategy to curtail this practice has to focus on creating awareness at correcting this misconception as a learning theme at the tertiary level of education system rather than an assumption of passive knowledge. Further studies involving many universities in the study area and South-eastern Nigeria in particular are suggested to validate the results of this study.
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BFBNIB, INZLJ, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ, ZRSKP
The COVID-19 disease has infected many countries, causing generalized impacts on different income categories. We carried out a survey among households (n = 412) representing different income groups ...in Nigeria. We used validated food insecurity experience and socio-psychologic tools. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The earning capacities of the respondents ranged from 145 USD/month for low-income earners to 1945 USD/month for high-income earners. A total of 173 households (42%) ran out of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. All categories of households experienced increasing dependency on the general public and a perception of increasing insecurity, with the high-income earners experiencing the greatest shift. In addition, increasing levels of anger and irritation were experienced among all categories. Of the socio-demographic variables, only gender, educational level of the household head, work hours per day, and family income based on society class were associated (
< 0.05) with food security and hunger due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although psychological stress was observed to be greater in the low-income earning group, household heads with medium and high family income were more likely to have satisfactory experiences regarding food security and hunger. It is recommended that socio-economic groups should be mapped and support systems should target each group to provide the needed support in terms of health, social, economic, and mental wellness.
As an imperative source of protein to man, meat could also serve as a source of infections when processed poorly. This research studied consumers' knowledge and self-reported food safety practices ...among 869 meat consumers of different socioeconomic statuses. We summarized the data obtained using descriptive and inferential statistics. Two outcome variables were developed to determine satisfactory knowledge and practices. The knowledge and practice scores were determined through a numeric scoring system based on the respondents' correct responses to knowledge and practices questions. These outcome variables were further categorized into binary variables based on a cut-off point (mean + 1 SD of the scores) with scores greater and lower than the cut-off points considered satisfactory (acceptable/appropriate) and unsatisfactory, respectively. The respondents are predominantly female (54.9%) within the age range of 19–25 years (54.2%) and were unmarried (71.1%). Less than half (46.4% and 40.0%) of the respondents have adequate knowledge and practice levels of food safety. Most meat consumers have identified various challenges to food safety and hazards related to unsafe food safety practices. Important socioeconomic variables of the meat consumers such as occupation, age, and marital status, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with food safety knowledge. Meat consumers with higher age categories and educational levels were more likely to have good food safety knowledge than those of the 15–18 years age category and primary educational level, respectively. Respondents with higher levels of education were more likely to demonstrate satisfactory food safety practices than those of primary education status, while males (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.76; p = 0.043) were significantly more likely to report satisfactory food safety practices. In conclusion, this study emphasized the need for an improvement in consumers' food safety practices.
•Less than half of respondents have adequate knowledge/practices of food safety.•Socioeconomic variables were significantly associated with food safety knowledge.•Participants with higher age/educational levels were likely to have good knowledge.•Higher educational levels were likely to result in acceptable food safety practices.•Most meat consumers have identified various challenges to food safety in Nigeria.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception of Nigerian broiler grow-out farmers (n = 152) to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with a five sectional purposive-structured-questionnaire: ...demographics; knowledge; attitudes; risk-perception; and response to regulation of antimicrobial practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Respondents’ knowledge score, in total, was lower than average, with all (100%) respondents having the understanding that antibiotics kill/reduce bacteria, most participants (>73%) believing that feeding antibiotics to broiler chickens is a necessity for weight gain, and many (>69%) thinking that no negative side-effects exist with the use of antibiotics. Poor attitude towards antimicrobial usage was prevalent (>63%) with unsatisfactory performance in most instruments: >60% of farmers reported using antimicrobials every week and still use antimicrobials when birds appear sick, and most (>84%) arbitrarily increase the drug dosages when used. However, a satisfactory performance score was reported (68%) in risk perception of AMR with >63% perceiving that inappropriate use of antibiotics is the main factor causing the emergence of resistant bacteria; >65.8% expressed that AMR in broiler chickens is not essential for public health, that AMR cannot develop from broiler bacteria diseases, that increasing the frequency of antimicrobial use cannot increase AMR in future, and that usage cannot lead to antibiotic residue in broiler-meat products leading to AMR development in human. None of the respondents were aware of any regulation for monitoring antimicrobial use. Significant factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception of antimicrobial use and resistance among broiler grow-out farmers include marital status, farm category, education, educational specialization, sales target, growth duration/cycle, broiler stocking batch, and feed source. Identified gaps exist in AMR awareness among Nigerian broiler farmers and should be targeted through stakeholders’ participation in combatting AMR threats.
Currently, pollution caused by petroleum products remains a critical concern. Among the various methods employed, bioremediation is the most widely utilized technique to address this issue. To ...implement this technique, we must continue to research and identify strains of microorganisms capable of degrading these pollutants. Thus, this study aimed to identify and test the biodegradation capacity of two bacterial strains. For this, morphological and biochemical characterization was done using standard methods. Then, a genetic characterization was performed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The biodegradation capacity of the strains was determined according to the gravimetric method. All the morphological, biochemical and genetic characteristics obtained showed that the S2 and S7 strains belong to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa species, respectively. The biodegradation study showed that the two strains could degrade the substrates tested (diesel, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) 40 and SAE 50 used oils). It also revealed that the combination of strains degrades the tested products better than those used alone. Finally, this study indicated that the biodegradation of diesel by these strains is significantly greater than that of used oils (p<0.0001).
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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