African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2022
Molecular detection of pathogenic bacteria in the colonic biopsies from patients with Ulcerative Colitis.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease which is common in many areas of the world including Egypt. A lot of controversy regarding the pathogenesis of UC exist. The current study is an attempt to detect some pathogenic bacteria in UC patients. ⋯ Although this study does not support the claim that Clostridium difficile and/or H. pylori have a role in UC, it greatly suggests that pathogenic E. coli may be involved in one way or another in the course of UC.
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African health sciences · Mar 2022
Metabolic syndrome and its components among HIV/AIDS patients on Antiretroviral Therapy and ART-Naïve Patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Although an increasing access to ART in sub-Saharan Africa has made it possible for HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, clinicians managing such patients are faced with the challenge of drug-related metabolic complications. ⋯ ART increases the risk of MS and CVD. HIV/AIDS patients on ART should be advised on lifestyle modifications and undertake regular assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors.
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African health sciences · Mar 2022
Knowledge and indulgence in substsance abuse among adolescents in Anambra state, South-East Nigeria.
Substance abuse is a growing societal problem with adolescents being at increased risk. The few studies in Nigerian adolescents have not factored in their knowledge base with regard to the concept of substance abuse. ⋯ An unacceptable proportion of the adolescents were already exposed to substances/drugs in spite of having suboptimal knowledge. Adolescents need to be educated on substance abuse and its dangers in order to curb this in the society.
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African health sciences · Mar 2022
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards drug-food interactions among patients at public hospitals in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Drug-food interactions can lead to adverse drug reactions and therapy failure which can potentially impact patient safety and therapy outcome. ⋯ Overall, patients had gaps in their knowledge and practices, and positive attitudes towards drug-food interactions. Many patients could not identify food items that can potentially interact with their drugs. It is important that education and medication counselling are provided to patients to prevent drug-food interactions, ensure optimal drug therapy and patient safety.
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African health sciences · Mar 2022
The burden and types of anaemia among HIV infected, ART-naive injection substance users in Kenya.
Illicit substance use and HIV infection cause haematological derangements. Anaemia characterized by a reduction in the quality and quantity erythrocytes is the most common disorder in both HIV-positive persons and illicit substance users. ⋯ Infection with HIV is associated with increased risk of anaemia in injectable and non-injectable substance users. Majority of the anaemia was dimorphic suggestive of multiple aetiologies. Establishing the related aetiologies is essential for the effective treatment of anaemia. The accurate evaluation of thin blood films remains an essential tool in diagnosing an array of haematologic disorders and as a reference for further tests and patient management.