Browsing by Author "Thindwa, Deus"

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    Determinants of postpartum disorders following early hospital discharge in Blantyre, Malawi
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2020-03-21) Thindwa, Deus
    Introduction: Social mixing patterns shape the transmission of respiratory infections such as pneumococcus. Understanding social contact structures may help inform precise prediction of pneumococcal transmission dynamics, and optimise control strategies such as vaccination. Type of research study: A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study The problem: What determines social mixing patterns that are relevant for pneumococcal transmission in populations with high HIV prevalence? The objectives were: 1. To determine factors that are associated with Social contact types; Social contact frequency 2. To estimate age-specific rates of social contacts, relevant for pneumococcal transmission in age groups: <1 years (infants), 1-5 (preschool), 6-15 (primary school), 16-19 (secondary school), 20-49 (adults), and 50+ (elderly). 3. To determine the role in social contact rates of social contact place, adult HIV-infection status, spatial distance between place of contact and participant’s household. Data analysis methodology: 1. Multivariate regression analysis for factors associated with contact types and frequency. 2. Computed ratio of measured probability of a contact between individual age-groups to a null model of the probability of that contact under an assumption of random mixing, resulting in social contact matrices representing intensity of contacts between different age groups. 1.3. Stratification of social contact matrices by place of contact and HIV-infection status. Inverse cumulative distribution for spatial distance and the number of contacts. Expected findings: 1. Ratio of the mean number of contacts in each category of the factor (covariate) relative to the reference category for each contact type and frequency. The mean number of daily contacts in age groups: <1 years (infants), 1-5 (preschool), 6-15 (primary school), 16-19 (secondary school), 20-49 (adults), and 50+ (elderly) presented as social contact matrices. 3. Age-specific mean number of daily contacts stratified by place of contact and adult HIV infection status presented as social contact matrices. 4. A cumulation distribution plot of spatial distance between contact place and participant’s household and the mean number of contacts. Dissemination of findings The results of SOMIPA study will be shared with the College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee, LSHTM Research Ethics Committee, Blantyre District Health Office (DHO), host organisation, sponsor, the Malawi Ministry of Health, College of Medicine Library, the University Research and Publication Committee and the Health Sciences Research Committee. The results will also be shared to other researchers through peer-reviewed publication, scientific conferences, dissemination seminar as well as written as a PhD chapter for my PhD thesis.