African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Under nutrition and associated factors among school adolescents in Dangila Town, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.
Under nutrition in adolescents is an important determinant of health outcomes. Yet, adolescents are not usually part of health and nutrition surveys. Therefore, this research was conducted to assess factors associated with under nutrition among school adolescents. ⋯ The prevalence of under nutrition was high in this study. Infrequent food intake, unavailability of a latrine, poor hand washing practice, and large family members were the factors associated with under nutrition. There is need to implement nutrition education to school adolescents by giving emphasis on environmental and personal hygiene.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Sexual behaviours of HIV positive adults receiving HAART in Botswana: a cross sectional study.
This paper aims to assess the sexual behaviour of HIV positive adult men and women on HAART in Botswana. ⋯ Contrary to anecdotal reports that availability of HAART is associated with sexual risky sexual behaviours, our results indicate non-significant statistical association between being on HAART and risky sexual behaviours. Current HAART education programs in Botswana have to be maintained to avoid risky sexual behaviours associated with HAART availability as in other contexts.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Effect of anti-retroviral therapy on oxidative stress in hospitalized HIV-infected adults with and without TB.
HIV infection and opportunistic infections cause oxidative stress (OS), which is associated with tissue damage. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is used to treat HIV and decrease the risk of opportunistic infections, but it is unclear whether ART reduces OS. Association of ART with OS was investigated. ⋯ We identified severe OS among HIV-patients. ART was associated with both increased and reduced markers of OS hence suggesting that ART may not attenuate OS.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Prevalence and associated factors of Plasmodium falciparum and soil transmitted helminth infections among pregnant women in Osun state, Nigeria.
Plasmodium falciparum and soil transmitted helminth (STHs) infection are widespread in sub-Sahara Africa, where co-infection is also common. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections and their risk factors among pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria. ⋯ High prevalence of P. falciparum and helminth infections was observed among the pregnant women with primigravidae being the most susceptible to co-infection. There is an urgent need to implement an effective malaria and STHs preventive method for this high risk population.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Effects of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seed on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.
Moringa oleifera seeds have been reported to increase sexual activity of male rats but its mechanism of action remains unknown. ⋯ Moringa seeds may exhibit male reproductive toxicity, as observed from its deleterious effect on androgen and sperm variables. It failed to prevent cadmium-induced alteration in reproductive variables and serum antioxidants.