African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2011
Perceptions of risk and barriers to cervical cancer screening at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret, Kenya.
Affordable screening cervical cancer methods using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and with Lugol's iodine (VILI) are being developed. Scaling up of screening services requires an understanding of the user perceptions about screening. ⋯ Previous screening was uncommon. Cheaper screening methods are needed. Messages about screening should clarify the meaning and consequences of possible results.
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African health sciences · Mar 2011
Prevalence of anaemia and immunological markers among ghanaian HAART-naïve HIV-patients and those on HAART.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has been generally accepted as the gold standard for the management of HIV patients but conflicting reports about the ability of HAART to improve upon the quality of life of HIV patients has cast doubts over the efficacy and the need for therapy. ⋯ HAART has the capability of reducing the incidence of anaemia and lymphopoenia which are associated with disease progression and death in HIV infected patients. Total lymphocyte count, haemoglobin and weight could also serve as useful predictive tools in the management and monitoring of HIV infected patients in resource limited settings.
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African health sciences · Mar 2011
Case ReportsCase report of a 26 year old primigravida with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in heart failure.
Congenital heart disease is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. Pregnancy alters the circulatory and respiratory physiology with attendant deleterious effect on the mother with congenital heart disease and the foetus. Additional insult to the circulatory physiology by other factors coexisting together with congenital heart disease can further reduce the cardiac reserve in pregnancy and precipitate heart failure. ⋯ In the woman with a hemodynamically important PDA, pregnancy may precipitate or worsen heart failure. We report a successful pregnancy in a 26 year old primigravida with previously undetected patent ductus arteriosus with preeclampsia who presented in heart failure. This case highlights the importance of intensive careful examination of pregnant patients to identify such conditions.
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African health sciences · Mar 2011
Knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices of nurses at a regional hospital in Tanzania.
Cervical cancer, the most common cancer among women in Tanzania is strongly linked to Human Papilloma Virus. Precancerous lesions can be detected by Papanicolau smear screening. Nurses, being the largest group of health workers, have an important role in promotion of cervical cancer screening. ⋯ These results reflect a need for continuing medical education, creation of cervical cancer prevention policies and strategies at all levels of the health sector.
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African health sciences · Mar 2011
Are there particular social determinants of health for the world's poorest countries?
The task of improving Social and Economic Determinants of Health (SEDH) imposes a significant challenge to health policy makers in both rich and poor countries. In recent years, while there has been increasing research interest and evidence on the workings of SEDHs, the vast majority of studies on this issue are from developed countries and emphasizes specific concerns of the developed nations of the world. Importantly, they may not fully explain the underlying causal factors and pathways of health inequality in the world's poorest countries. ⋯ Most of the existing studies on the social and economic determinants of health studies may not well provide adequate explanation on the historical and contemporary realties of SEDHs in the world's poorest countries. As these factors vary from one country to another, it becomes necessary to understand country-specific conditions and design appropriate policies that take due cognisance of these country-specific circumstances. Therefore, to support the global effort to close gaps in health disparities, further research is needed in the world's poorest countries, especially on African social determinants of health.