Browsing by Author "Nyangulu, Wongani"

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    Prevalence, forms and impact of violence towards healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic in Malawi: a cross sectional study
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-11-09) Nyangulu, Wongani
    Type of study: Multi – centre, descriptive, cross sectional study Problem to be studied: Since the outbreak of Covid – 19, there are increasing reports of violence against healthcare workers including physical assault, verbal abuse, housing discrimination, and devaluation of social standing. In Malawi, violence is fueled by rumours and panic over the pandemic amidst rising number of cases and deaths in second and third waves of disease. Despite this, no studies have accurately determined the prevalence of violence, its forms and impact on the personal and professional lives of healthcare workers. Unless the burden and extent of violence against healthcare workers as a result of the COVID – 19 pandemic is characterized, no effective policy or legal interventions can be mounted to stem the problem which threatens to undermine the Malawi public health sector response to COVID – 19. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of violence against healthcare workers during the first, second and third waves of COVID – 19 pandemic in Malawi, classify the forms of this violence and determine the impact on the personal and professional lives of those affected. The specific objectives are: i. To estimate the prevalence of violence against healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic. To classify the forms of violence experienced by healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic.To determine the perpetrators of violence against healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic including patients, guardians/relatives of patients, co – workers or community members.To evaluate predictors for violence against healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic.To determine the impact of violence on the personal and professional lives of healthcare workers during the COVID – 19 pandemic. :Methodology: This is a multi – centre, descriptive, cross sectional study. The study population will be doctors, clinical officers, nurses, ambulance drivers, health surveillance assistants and hospitalpatient attendants who work at the selected health facilities. Stratified sampling technique based on healthcare worker occupation will be used to select participants. Data will be collected using interviewer administeredself-administered standardized questionnaires. These questionnaires will be uploaded into an open data kit (ODK) system. Data will be entered into an electronic database and analysed using STATA version 13. Expected findings and dissemination: We will estimate the prevalence of violence towards healthcare workers at the workplace and in the community. We will describe the forms, perpetrators and risk factors of violence. We will also describe the impact of violence on the personal and professional lives of healthcare workers. The results of this study will be shared with Ministry of Health, participating institutions,and organizations representing healthcare workers including the Nurses Council of Malawi, the Society of Medical Doctors, the Medical Council of Malawi, with COMREC and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. We will also present findings at local, regional and international conferences, and publish in peer – reviewed journals.
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    The role of Schistosoma mansoni infection in chronic non– communicable disease burden among adults in Mangochi district
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2020-11-11) Nyangulu, Wongani
    Type of study: Cross sectional study. Problem to be studied: Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic flatworms of the Schistosoma genus. The two species prevalent in Malawi are Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni which cause genitourinary and intestinal disease respectively. S. haematobium is recognized as an etiological agent in the causal pathway for cervical and bladder cancer. However, the contribution of S. mansoni infection to the chronic non – communicable disease burden in Malawi is not known. Objectives: The objectives of the study are: i. To estimate prevalence of urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis among adult patients aged 18 years and above with newly diagnosed or existing NCD at Mangochi District Hospital. ii. To evaluate risk factors for urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis infection in in- and outpatient adults aged 18 years and above presenting with newly diagnosed or existing NCDs at mangochi district hospital. iii. To evaluate the association between schistosomiasis infection and NCDs in in- and outpatients presenting with existing or newly diagnosed NCDs at Mangochi District Hospital. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study. The study population are adults over 18 years old who have existing or newly diagnosed NCD. They will be identified in OPD clinics, NCD clinics and among in – patients admitted at Mangochi Hospital. Data will be obtained from a questionnaire and abstracted from in – and outpatient notes using a form on ODK. Patients will also provide urine and stool samples on the same day which will be tested for S. mansoni. Point of care (POC) Circulating Cathodic Antigen (CCA) tests will be used to detect S. mansoni in urine. Microscopy using Kato – Katz method will detect S. mansoni eggs in stool. Expected findings and dissemination: We will describe the prevalence of S. mansoni infection among patients with non – communicable diseases, its risk factors in this population and association of schistosomiasis with NCDs. We will therefore share our findings with the University of Malawi College of Medicine, COMREC, Mangochi District Health Office, District Health Management Team, Communities in Mangochi, the District Commissioner and District Executive Committee. We will also present findings at local and international conferences and in peer reviewed publications.