African health sciences
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African health sciences · Dec 2020
Management of spinal-induced hypotension for elective caesarean section: A survey of practices among anesthesiologists from a developing country.
In developing countries, more than half of the anesthesia-related maternal deaths are related to spinal hypotension. ⋯ Phenylephrine as the vasopressor of choice indicates growing awareness of management strategies among anesthesiologists from developing countries but there is a need to increase its use for prophylaxis. Some variation in practice according to the level of anesthesiologist, practice type and responsibilities to obstetric anesthesia are evident.
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African health sciences · Dec 2020
Knowledge, attitude and practices about dengue fever among adults living in Pwani Region, Tanzania in 2019.
Dengue fever (DF) is currently widespread in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Among the triggers of epidemic include urbanization and internal migrations. Within the past few years, there have been DF outbreaks in Tanzania. Although Pwani region is among the predicted risk areas for the DF, there is insufficient data about people's knowledge, attitude and practices towards prevention of DF in their settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices about DF among adults in Pwani region in Tanzania. ⋯ Lack of enough knowledge and positive attitude about disease transmission, symptoms and preventive measures put the population at high risk of contracting the disease. There is need to create and improve friendly, correct and simple information, education and education messages for the rural populations.
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African health sciences · Dec 2020
The relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Vitamin D deficiency is frequently seen in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and has been shown to exhibit multiple effects on the disease process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of vitamin D deficiency in complex PCOS pathophysiological pathways. ⋯ The study findings show that low 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with high androgen levels in women with PCOS. Vitamin D deficiency should be considered as an additional risk factor in the development of PCOS. We think that providing vitamin D supplementation for women from identified deficiency areas can reduce the risk of PCOS development.
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African health sciences · Dec 2020
A multilevel analysis of the determinants of handwashing behavior among households in Eswatini: a secondary analysis of the 2014 multiple indicator cluster survey.
Handwashing with soap has received considerable attention due to its importance in the prevention and interruption of the transmission of diseases. Regardless of the positive effects of handwashing with soap, developing countries still have a low rate of handwashing. ⋯ Households headed by young adults, with pit latrine or no toilet facility at all and lived in the Hhohho and Manzini regions and with low access to mass media, should be targeted for interventions aimed at improving handwashing practices.
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African health sciences · Dec 2020
Molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples in a hospital-based study.
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a deadly infectious disease. India contributes to one-third of the global TB burden. However, no studies have been carried out in the Telangana (Hyderabad) population using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Therefore, the current study evaluated the role of RT-PCR as a rapid and non-invasive test to diagnose TB by testing for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). ⋯ The results showed that RT-PCR should be implemented and given top priority in TB diagnosis to save time and facilitate a definitive diagnosis. Tissue samples are highly recommended to screen the Mtb through the technique RTPCR. Future studies should extend the technique to the global population and exome sequencing analysis should be performed to identify TB risk markers.