African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
High prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among key populations receiving antiretroviral therapy at a large HIV clinic in northern Uganda.
Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among key populations pose a significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but remains understudied. ⋯ RSB is highly prevalent among KPLHIV in northern Uganda so they should be targeted with HIV prevention and behavioural interventions to prevent potential HIV transmission to the general population.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
A survey of chloroquine use for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Rampant chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine poisoning in Nigerian hospitals following suggestions of its possible efficacy in the treatment and prevention of the newly emerged COVID-19 disease informed this survey. ⋯ Young adults, North-western geopolitical zone, and female gender should be target groups for education on rational chloroquine use. The danger of chloroquine overdose should be communicated to the general population in Nigeria.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Assessment of knowledge and socioeconomic status of caregivers of children with malnutrition at a district hospital in Ghana.
Malnutrition is a significant public health problem and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. ⋯ Lower level of caregivers' education and large family size were risk factors for developing malnutrition among children.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Hypertension in people living with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy in rural Tanzania.
Exposure to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV infection has been associated with hypertension, but whether and to what extent HIV-related factors and anti-retroviral treatment contribute to hypertension is not well defined; in addition, data are particularly scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and awareness of hypertension in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy in rural Tanzania, and to identify possible predictors of hypertension. A cross-sectional study on hypertension in PLWHIV was conducted at Tosamaganga District Hospital, Iringa Region, Tanzania. ⋯ Older age, higher BMI and lower baseline T-CD4 count were predictors of hypertension at multivariate analysis. The results of the study suggest that hypertension screening should become part of ordinary care of PLWHIV in Tanzania, particularly in subjects with more severe immunosuppression. Leveraging already existing HIV services could be an option to prevent the burden of non-AIDS complication and related deaths.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Health managers and community representatives' views of a system-wide intervention to strengthen public healthcare in the Free State, South Africa.
A system-wide health system strengthening (HSS) initiative, the Health Systems Governance and Accountability (HSGA) intervention, was developed, translated to policy, and implemented in the Free State province. This study assessed health managers (HMs) and community representatives' (CRs) views of the intervention and whether it improved integration and performance. ⋯ From the perspectives of HMs and CRs, the implementation of the intervention was viewed as a step forward in strengthening public healthcare to respond to system deficiencies in the Free State province. Earlier engagement of especially operational-level HMs during reforms may be beneficial in successfully implementing HSS interventions.