Health education intervention to reduce risk of infectious disease transmission among community health workers and their clients

Indigent and congregate-living populations have high susceptibilities for disease and pose a higher risk for disease transmission to family, friends and to persons providing services to these populations. The adoption of basic infection control, personal hygiene, safe food handling and simple engineering practices will reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission to, from and among indigent and congregate-living populations. ^ The provision of social services, health promotion activities and other support services to indigent and congregate-living populations is an important aspect of many public health-related governmental, community-based and other medical care provider agencies. ^ In the interest of protecting the health of indigent and congregate-living populations, of personnel from organizations providing services to these populations and of the general community, an educational intervention is warranted to prevent the spread of blood-borne, air-borne, food-borne and close contact-borne infectious diseases. ^ An educational presentation was provided to staff from a community-based organization specializing in providing housing, health education, foodstuffs and meals and support services to disabled, low-income, homeless and HIV-infected individuals. The educational presentation delivered general best practices and standard guidelines. A pre and post test were administered to determine and measure knowledge pertinent to controlling the spread of infectious diseases between and among homeless shelter-living clients and between clients and the organization's staff. ^ Comparing pre-test and post-test results revealed areas of knowledge currently held by staff and other areas that staff would benefit from additional educational seminars and training. ^

Evidence of hepatitis C transmission in healthcare settings in Karachi, Pakistan

Transmission of Hepatitis C (HCV) in Pakistan is a continuing public health problem. Several cultural and behavioral practices promote HCV transmission through the use of unsafe needles and blood products. This study aimed to determine the prominent risk factors associated with HCV transmission in the Indus Hospital catchment population. A case-control study design was implemented to enroll 300 laboratory confirmed HCV+ participants from consulting clinics at Indus Hospital and 300 laboratory confirmed HCV− participants from both the consulting clinics and the surrounding community. Odds ratios and their 95% were calculated for each risk factor to create a two gender specific multivariable models and a combined multivariable model. Participants who received 12 or more injections in the past year, ever received a blood transfusion, or ever had dental work performed were all independently significant more likely to be HCV+ when compared to those who received 1–4 injections in the past year, never received a blood transfusion, or never had dental work performed. Female participants who received 12 or more injections in the past year, had a blood transfusion while pregnant, or ever had dental work performed were all significantly more likely to be HCV+ while males who received 12 or more injections in the past year were also significantly more likely to be HCV+. Participants who brought their own needles to their injections or infusions along with those who were born in the Sindh province were significantly less likely to be HCV+ when compared to those who did not bring their own needles or born in the Punjab province. ^ Clearly transmission in healthcare settings are implicated for HCV transmission. A population level preventative approach must be taken to educate both the population and healthcare practitioners to prevent further transmission in the Pakistani healthcare system. Participants should also be followed and re-interviewed to ask where they received their various treatments as well as assess their knowledge and attitudes towards injections, infusions, and other unsafe medical procedures.^