Browsing by Author "Ismail, Shabbir"

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    The Magnitude and Socio-Economic Health and Nutritional Status of Street Elderly People in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Abeba University, 1998-12) G / medhin, Goitom; Ismail, Shabbir
    The number of street people is reported to be increasing with time. To assess the magnitude of and the associated factors with streetism, and the socio-economic, health and nutritional status of street elderly people, a cross sectional survey was conducted in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in May 1998. A total of 2,064 street elderly people were counted during a one-day census. Of these 413 study subjects were enrolled in to the study by means of convenient sampling; 228 {55.2%} males and 185 {44.8%} females were included. The mean ± SD age of the study population was 70.9 ± 9.2 years {range 60-100 years} . Three hundred thirty four {80.9%} of the elderly people were single, females being more likely {OR=2.88; 95% CI=1.61-5.19}. Three hundred and seventy nine {91.8%} were migrants because of war, starvation, for medical reasons, looking for better job and to see relatives. The Majority did not belong to any social organization, 213 {51.6%} had some role to play and 280 (67.8%) reported to be respected as an elderly. Two hundred and sixty four {63.9%} felt lonely, and 280 {67.8%} felt hopeless. Two hundred and eighty {67 .8%} reported to eat food only when available, 230 {55.7%} to have no extra clothes, 76 {18.4%} and 67 (16.2%) to never wash their clothes and their body, respectively. Two hundred and ninety (70.2%) of the respondents reported to be sick during the study period; the most frequently reported health problems were of vision 212 {51.3%}, mastication 176 {42.6%}, rh eumatism 153 {37.0%}, abdominal 145 {35.1 %} and joint 143 {34.6%} problems. Age was an important predictor for many of the reported health problems. Out of 379 for whom data were available, 302 {79.8%} were found to be malnourished. Two hundred and twenty nine {55.4%} were willing to join any institution providing care for elderly people. One hundred twenty six {30 .5%} were "of" the street type while the rest, 287 {69.5%}, were "on" the street type. The "of" the street ones were more likely to suffer from different conditions, such as lack of food and clothing, harassment, loneliness, hopelessness. The Focus Group Discussions (FGD) also revealed similar findings, moreover, there were elderly people who reported to be capable and willing to work if they got suitable job. In conclusion, the street elderly people are numerous and have complex social, economic, health and nutritional problems which need urgent and mUlti-sectoral intervention.
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    Routes of Spread of Hiv Infection Into Rural Communities of Ethiopia: Limu District, South Shoa Region
    (Addis Ababa University, 1992-03) Ismail, Shabbir; Larson, Charles P. (PhD)
    A multistage, qualitative and descriptive study was carried out in Limu District, central Ethiopia. Routes of spread of HIV infection from urban to rural populations were first identified and then verified. Sexual and non-sexua l risk practices of rural farmers were also studied. Qualitatively, through a focus group discussion with urban prostitutes and interviews with community elders, religious leaders, and health professionals potential routes were identif i ed. These were verified by interviewing 20 of soldiers, merchants, and students. Four drivers and 2 former peasant association chairmen were also interviewed. High risk sexual practices were verified in these subgroups. In 45 to 50% of the subgroup subjects extramarital sexual intercourse in the past 3 months was reported. In 25 to 37% sex with urban sex workers was reported. Condom use was found to be very low, varying from 10 to 30%. Knowledge about AIDS and condoms was not satisfactory. Risk perceptions for AIDS were low and changes in risk behaviour were not impressive. Urban sex workers also verified these routes by confirming sexual contact with these rural subgroups of population. A total of 502 rural farmers were interviewed for high risk behaviours for HIV infection. Extramarital (multipartner) sexual relations in the past 3 months was reported in 13.5% of the farmers. Sex with urban sex workers as the last e xtramarital sex in the past 3 months was reported in 6.7% of the males. Condom use was very low. Past history for STD's was assessed. Gonorrhoea was the most commonly reported illness at 10 .2%. Non-sexua l risk practices were also studied. In the study population, 23.9% of the males had received an injection in the past 3 months. Of these, 27% were received in the villages. A history of tattooing, blood letting, ear piercing, and scarification were reported in 2 to 6%. A total of 58.6% of the rural farmers have heard about AIDS. Out of these 94.5% knew at least one correct mode of transmission of AIDS. Twenty eight percent of the population believe that they can get AIDS and 30% have changed behaviour. In this study there was no association beteween knowledge and high risk sexual or nonsexual practices. This study revealed that certain sub-groups of rural population particularly the former military, merchants and students have the potential to spread HIV infection into rural communities and a high proportion of rural farmers exhibit high risk practices, hence immediate intervention is recommended.