African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2021
Visual function, spectacle independence, and patients' satisfaction after cataract surgery- a study in the Central Region of Ghana.
Reduced visual function is associated with diminished quality of life as well as decreased physical and mental health. Poor visual function related to cataracts is also a risk factor for falls and traffic accidents, which may lead to hospital admissions and limit independence. ⋯ Satisfaction of patients after cataract surgery was high but was greatly influenced by visual functions with contrast sensitivity being a better predictor of satisfaction than visual acuity and stereopsis. Spectacle independence after cataract surgery was low at distance and extremely low at near. The type of cataract surgery performed influenced thespectacle independence.
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African health sciences · Mar 2021
Medical mortality in an emergency department in Nigeria: the transition is obvious!
The emergency department (ED), a major entry point into the hospital, provides an insight to the type of cases seen, the quality of care and mortality spectrum in a health institution. We aim to identify the spectrum of medical causes of mortality in our ED, the demographic pattern and duration of stay before death. ⋯ The commonest cause of death in the ED was stroke. The burden of death was highest in the younger age group, with most occurring less than 24 hours of admission.
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African health sciences · Mar 2021
Early hearing threshold changes and peculiarities of audiometric assessments among patients in a drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment center.
Hearing threshold changes occurred relative to baseline at both one and two weeks after onset of aminoglycoside therapy. ⋯ Audiometric assessments within two weeks into therapy with anti-tuberculous therapy may not represent baseline audiometry. 7.5% of the patients developed ototoxicity within two weeks of therapy.
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African health sciences · Mar 2021
A preliminary study of skin bleaching and factors associated with skin bleaching among women living in Zimbabwe.
Skin bleaching was reported to be commonly practiced among women and Africa was reported to be one of the most affected yet the subject is not given much attention in public health research in Zimbabwe despite the adverse effects of skin bleaching on health. ⋯ Evidence from the research suggests skin bleaching might be common among women living in Zimbabwe and possibly poses serious health threats to the women. Skin bleaching seems to be deep rooted in colourism. The colourism seems to be taken advantage of by the cosmetic industry which produce the potentially hazardous products which promise the revered light skin to women but which comes with a price. However, the study provides a base for future studies to explore more on skin bleaching practices among women living in Zimbabwe.
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African health sciences · Mar 2021
Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio is associated with Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve.
The importance of monocyte count-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) in cardio- vascular diseases has been shown in various studies. Ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) is a common complication in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MHR and the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. ⋯ We found a significant relationship between MHR and aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve.