Assessment of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Service Quality in Terms of Client Satisfaction; a Comparative Study between Public and Private Health Institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fasika Dinku,
Gashaw Andargie
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
1-7
Published:
10 January 2013
Abstract: Background: Although Quality of the service is key principle for effectiveness of the program, very little work has been done to assess the quality of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services in most countries including Ethiopian. Objectives: To assess quality of VCT services in terms of client satisfaction in both private and public VCT sites. Methods: cross-sectional comparative health institution based study was employed in public and private VCT sites in Addis Ababa from January 1 to February 30, 2009. By modifying the UNAIDS VCT Quality Evaluation Tools and quality assurance and quality improvement guide developed by Family Health International (FHI), data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires for both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: A total of 160 clients, of which 80 from private and 80 from public as well as 20 counselors of which seven from private and 13 from public sites were included in the study. Clients from public sites were more satisfied than private sites with the VCT service they took; 90% versus 76%. Motivation of seeking the service, estimated time spent waiting the test result and waiting to see the counselor, service fee, the presence of comfortable and private counseling room, service given individually, issue of confidentiality, discussion with counselors on different risks and meaning of the test result had significant difference in public and private institutions. Educational status of grade 9-12 in private sites OR=.22(.05-.92), p=.038, time spent on waiting the test result within 30-60 minutes in public sites OR=8.4(1.5-41.9), p=.024, information on HIV/AIDS and Sexual transmitted Infections (STIs) given to protect themselves and others in private sites OR=62.3(17.7-123), p=.025, counselor comfortable on taking sensitive issue in private sites (OR= 54.5(2.3-90.1), p=.014 ) were found to be significantly associated with client satisfaction. All, but one, counselor took training in formal institutions, all counselors from public and only some in private were given fulltime counseling, no regular supportive supervision by governmental officials or partners, all had not taken any refreshment training. Conclusions and recommendations: generally, rate of client satisfaction was low in private VCT sites so that effort should be made to maintain the quality. In addition, regular and supportive supervision by regional health bureau and its partners were minimal so that strong and coordinated supervision in both sites need to be done.
Abstract: Background: Although Quality of the service is key principle for effectiveness of the program, very little work has been done to assess the quality of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services in most countries including Ethiopian. Objectives: To assess quality of VCT services in terms of client satisfaction in both private and public VCT sit...
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The Association between Gender and Tooth Loss in A Small Rural Population of South Africa
Charlene W. J. Africa,
Jairam Reddy
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
8-13
Published:
10 January 2013
Abstract: Periodontal disease, which attacks the gums and supporting structures of the tooth, is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. Few studies on general well-being have compared the differences in oral health between men and women with studies from Europe and USA reporting that there are more edentulous women than men.Among the many factors contributing to tooth loss are poverty, availability and accessibility to dental and other health care as well as cultural traditions. This study examined a population living in a high fluoride area near Cape Town. This isolated community has until recently been unexposed to the diets and habits of the western world and have inter-married for decades. The results of this study indicated that although women had better oral hygiene habits than men, tooth loss was associated with age rather than gender.
Abstract: Periodontal disease, which attacks the gums and supporting structures of the tooth, is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. Few studies on general well-being have compared the differences in oral health between men and women with studies from Europe and USA reporting that there are more edentulous women than men.Among the many factors c...
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Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Candida Species in Urine Samples from Renal Failure Patients
Mohammed S. Alhussaini,
Noha F. El-Tahtawi,
AhmadM. Moharram
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
14-25
Received:
25 December 2012
Abstract: The prevalence of Candida infections of the urinary tract (candiduria)has increased significantly over the past few years due to various predisposing factors especially in hospitalized patients. The predisposing factors frequently asso-ciated with candiduria are urinary tract instrumentation, prior antibiotic use, prolonged hospital stay, extremes of age, di-abetes mellitus, female sex and use of immunosuppressive therapy. The purpose of this study was to apply different diag-nostic techniques for characterization of Candida species in urine samples from renal failure patients using urinary cathe-ters. Results showed that 20 % of renal failure patients were suffering from candiduria. Females were more affected than males (64% versus 36% of culture positive cases). Diabetes mellitus and catheterization were the obvious risk factors. Dif-ferent Candida isolates showed variations in their phenotypic (macroscopic and microscopic) characteristics when cultured on CHROMagar Candida, corn meal agar and bovine serum. Candida albicans was the most common species being isolated from 54% of positive cases. C.krusei (Teleomorph: Pichia kudriavzevii), C. glabrata and C.tropicalis were respectively identified in 24%, 16% and 6% of samples. Positive germ tube test (in serum) and production of chlamydospores (on corn meal agar) were only confined to C. albicans. Sequencing of rRNA gene (18S covering ITS1 and ITS2) confirmed the identification of the four Candida species. In vitro antifungal sensitivity test (disc diffusion method) revealed that all Candida strains were inhibited by Amphotericin-B and Nystatin. Other compounds as Clotrimazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Tioconazole, Fluconazole and Sertaconazole were effective against 50% - 67% of Candida strains. All isolates of C. glabrata were resistant to Clotrimazole and Sertaconazole.It is highly recommended to follow standard hygienic precautions to avoid cross contamination by Candida during hemodialysis. Complications following candiduria can be avoided by early diagnosis and proper treatment with effective antifungal agents.
Abstract: The prevalence of Candida infections of the urinary tract (candiduria)has increased significantly over the past few years due to various predisposing factors especially in hospitalized patients. The predisposing factors frequently asso-ciated with candiduria are urinary tract instrumentation, prior antibiotic use, prolonged hospital stay, extremes ...
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