African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Knowledge and perception of microbicides among healthcare providers in Calabar, Nigeria.
With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS, the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention methodologies, there is need for new prevention technologies. The successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend, to a large extent, on healthcare providers' knowledge, perception and attitude regarding them. ⋯ There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Is consanguinity prevalence decreasing in Saudis?: A study in two generations.
Saudi population is unique in that there is a strong preference for cousin marriages in the general population. We studied the prevalence of consanguinity in educated Saudi females and compared the results with the results obtained in their parents, to access if a generation difference in which extensive educational activities have prevailed to inform the people of the influence of cousin marriages on health, has made any difference in prevalence of consanguineous marriages. ⋯ The results did not reveal any decrease in the prevalence of consanguinity over a generation. This shows that the tradition of marrying within the family is a preferred practice, despite the awareness that certain genetic disorders occur at a higher frequency in cousin marriages. There is a need at the primary health care level to inform the public of the consequences of this common practice.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Decreased levels of circulating sex hormones as a biomarker of lung cancer in male patients with solitary pulmonary nodules.
An early differentiation of malignant from benign solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) is essential for management and prognosis of lung cancer. ⋯ The reduced sex hormones levels seemed to be uniquely associated with lung cancer. Therefore, measurement of sex hormones may have clinical potential in the diagnosis of malignancy in patients with SPNs.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Utilization of health care services in rural and urban areas: a determinant factor in planning and managing health care delivery systems.
Disparities in use of healthcare services between rural and urban areas have been empirically attributed to several factors. This study explores the existence of this disparity and its implication for planning and managing healthcare delivery systems. ⋯ Planning of different categories of health care facilities in different locations should be based on utilization rates while proper management of established facilities should aim to improve health seeking behavior of people.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Community based study on married couples' family planning knowledge, attitude and practice in rural and urban Gambia.
Family planning services have been free of charge and available in all the health facilities in the Gambia since 1975 yet contraceptive prevalence is only 17.5% and even 6% in some areas. Since the last census in 2003, there existed no available data on married couples' contraception status. ⋯ These findings offer a descriptive answer to "what are married couples' family planning knowledge, attitude and practice in Gambia", as well as suggesting broader health intervention programs in health education and promotion.