African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Weight distribution asymmetry in relation to walking speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Gait speed and postural stability are indicators of community level ambulation and may be a valuable measure of disability. ⋯ Children with cerebral palsy demonstrate asymmetrical weight distribution during walking. Physical therapy training should be directed to enhance weight bearing distribution thus improving gait and postural stability.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
IL-4 gene polymorphisms and their association with nematodes infection in Pakistani population.
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a central role in the humoral immune defense against nematode parasite infections, inducing IgE switch and regulation of worm expulsion from the intestines. The present study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms in IL-4 gene and their association with socio-demographic and environmental factors among patients with gastrointestinal complaints. ⋯ IL-4 gene polymorphisms showed disease susceptibility and consuming raw/unwashed vegetables, poor handwashing practices and poor economic status were the most associated factors with the disease.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Prevalence and associated risk factors of low back pain among users of a primary health care clinic serving semi-urban and rural settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal conditions and a common work-related health problem. In South Africa, people from lower socio-economic strata are involved in physical labour and also have unequal access to health services. There is minimal data on the prevalence of LBP in these communities. This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of LBP among public sector health care users in a semi-urban/rural area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ⋯ In this setting, where the prevalence of LBP was high, specialized treatments for LBP were not available at the primary health care facility. Incorporation of such treatments will be useful, for people in lower socio-economic strata, to overcome the burden of LBP.