May 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4837.ijip-26-6169
Ershova JuliaCorresponding author
Introduction The risk of exposure to M. tuberculosis among healthcare workers (HCW) remains a public health concern worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biomedical Research and Training Institute supported the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care in strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in healthcare facilities (HCF), integrating tuberculosis (TB) infection control (TBIC) into the intervention strategy. We describe the impact of this intervention on TBIC practices and HCW screening outcomes. Methods The strategy, implemented from June 2021–September 2022, included IPC mentorship training, competency assessments, and use of a standardized risk assessment tool for progress monitoring. For the training purposes, the project developed eight practical problem-solving IPC modules including an occupational health component. Trained mentors conducted bi-monthly site support visits (SSV), used a checklist to track compliance, and assessed competencies of HCW at the targeted facilities. Facility-based risk assessments were conducted three times during the project implementation. Results During the intervention, 1,865 HCW from 105 facilities were trained. Availability and use of personal protective equipment improved by 49% and 42%, respectively. The proportion of HCF with designated areas for sputum collection increased by 43%. The proportion of HCF that screened HCW for TB increased by 42% with 3,761 HCW screened during the project period. Fourteen were diagnosed with TB and referred for care, resulting in 372 new cases per 100,000. Conclusion The implemented strategy of training, mentorship, and regular SSV strengthened TBIC measures, improved TB screening practices and case finding among HCW. Improving and maintaining practices is critical for effective TBIC.
Nov 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2108.jcc-21-3975
Alemneh Sinishaw MulusewCorresponding author
Clinical Chemistry department, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Background Eighty five percent of cervical cancer occurrence in resource-poor countries. Contributing factors for these are inadequate knowledge about the disease, early initiation of sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners. Early screening is an intervention in reduction of maternal deaths due to cervical cancer. Consequently this study was conducted aiming to find out about the practice of cervical cancer screening and its associated factors. Methods A facility based cross sectional study was conducted using a pretested structured questionnaire among women attended Maternal and Child Health (MCH) department of Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital (FHRH) from March15 to April 15, 2019. The study participants were selected systematically. The collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine factors association with cervical cancer screening that was confirmed using AOR with its 95% CI. Results A total of 400 study participants were included with a response rate of 99.5%. Of the total study participants only 78 (19.5%; 95% CI: 15.6, 23.4) practiced screening for cervical cancer. The cervical cancer screening practice was affected by age (AOR=2.025; 95% CI: 1.118, 3.668). Of those women who had ever heard of about cervical cancer were seven fold more likely to practice cervical screening (AOR=6.924; 95% CI: 1.602, 29.928) compared to those who did not have any information before. Moreover, knowing genital tract discharge as a problem of female organ implement fourfold more likely compared to that of knowing nothing about problem of genital tract (AOR=3.766; 95% CI: 1.761,8.055). Conclusion and Recommendation The study depicted there was low utilization of cervical cancer screening. Awareness creation about cervical cancer and knowledge of genital tract problems had positive influence for screening practice.