African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2009
Severe road traffic injuries in Kenya, quality of care and access.
Road traffic injuries (RTI) are on increase in developing countries. Health care facilities are poorly equipped to provide the needed services. ⋯ Most RTI casualties were young and from poor backgrounds. Training of motorists and general public in first aid should be considered in RTI control initiatives. Availability of basic trauma care medical supplies in public health facilities was highly deficient.
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African health sciences · Jun 2009
Cytokine profiles and antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in individuals living in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria.
The ability of the host immune system to efficiently clear Plasmodium falciparum parasites during a malaria infection depends on the type of immune response mounted by the host. ⋯ Taken together, malaria infection is on a delicate balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The higher levels of IFN-gamma seen in the symptomatic children (<6 months) may be instrumental in immune-protection against malaria by limiting parasite replication. The observed variations in immunoglobulin subclass levels were age-dependent and exposure-related.
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African health sciences · Jun 2009
Hepatitis B infection is highly endemic in Uganda: findings from a national serosurvey.
Infant immunization against hepatitis B began in Uganda in 2002. ⋯ Hepatitis B virus infection is highly endemic in Uganda, with transmission occurring in childhood and adulthood. More than 1.4 million adults are chronically infected and some communities disproportionately affected. The hepatitis B infant immunization programme should be sustained and catch-up vaccination considered for older children.