African health sciences
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Presbycusis is the most common sensory impairment associated with ageing and it presents with variability of symptoms. Physicians need to recognize early clinical and audiometric signs of presbycusis in order to render adequate and quality care to patients and reduce associated morbidities. ⋯ We found hearing impairment affected both speech and higher frequencies and the strial type of audiometric pattern was most common. The need for screening for hearing impairment from early middle age in symptomatic individuals is emphasized.
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African health sciences · Dec 2013
Care of terminally-ill patients: an opinion survey among critical care healthcare providers in the Middle East.
Modern medicine has allowed physicians to support the dying terminally-ill patient with artificial means. However, a common dilemma faced by physicians in general, and intensivist in particular is when to limit or withdraw aggressive intervention. ⋯ Training background and level of seniority in critical care provider does not impact opinion on most of end of life issues related to care of terminally-ill patients. However, DNR is considered equivalent to comfort care among majority of Middle Eastern trained physicians.
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African health sciences · Dec 2013
Stereotypes on Nodding syndrome: responses of health workers in the affected region of northern Uganda.
Nodding Syndrome is a debilitating disorder of yet unknown etiology that has affected children and adolescents aged 3 - 18 years in parts of sub Saharan African countries including Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Liberia. ⋯ Primary health care workers who lead the care of patients with nodding syndrome have several negative stereotypes that may potentially impact negatively on the quality of care they provide.
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African health sciences · Dec 2013
Assessment of psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in Kumasi, Ghana using a mixed methods approach.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana, West Africa. The cervical cancer mortality rate in Ghana is more than three times the global cervical cancer mortality rate. Pap tests and visual inspection with acetic acid wash are widely available throughout Ghana, yet less that 3% of Ghanaian women get a cervical cancer screening at regular intervals. ⋯ The results of this study can be used to inform the development of culturally relevant cervical cancer education interventions aimed at addressing the psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening perceived by Ghanaian women.
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African health sciences · Dec 2013
Knowledge about the research and ethics committee at Makerere University, Kampala.
All research involving human participants should be reviewed by a competent and independent institutional research and ethics committee. Research conducted at Makerere University College of Health Sciences should be subjected to a rigorous review process by the ethics committee in order to protect human participants' interests, rights and welfare. ⋯ Respondents knew the major functions of the committee including protection of the rights and welfare of research participants, protocol review and monitoring of on going research, and the elements of protocol review that are given more attention include ;scientific design and ethical issues. Overall performance of the REC was ranked as average by respondents. The committee should limit delays in approval and effectively handle all functions of the committee.