African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Sep 2020
Physical activity participation is associated with higher quality of life scores in men with alcohol use disorders: a study from Uganda.
There is a growing recognition of the importance of encouraging people with alcohol use disorders (AUD) to become more active as an achievable strategy to reduce the disability-associated burden. ⋯ The current findings suggest that higher levels of walking and exercising are associated with a better QoL. Our study therefore provides a platform for future research to investigate the role of physical activity on QoL levels in people with AUD, also in low resourced settings in low-income countries such as Uganda.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2020
Unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections in children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are contagious diseases of the upper airways, but they are self-limiting in nature. Therefore, antimicrobial-use for the majority of the URTIs is considered inappropriate. Unfortunately, globally, antimicrobials are still being prescribed for the treatment of URTIs, especially in children. However, there is insufficient evidence on the causes of this phenomenon in South Africa. ⋯ Physicians and other healthcare providers need education on rational prescribing of antimicrobials, and to implement evidence-based standard treatment guidelines, to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics in children with self-limiting URTIs.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2020
Socio-demographic and modifiable risk factors of diabetes and hypertension among resource constrained patients from rural areas in Mdantsane Township in South Africa.
Recently, developing countries have shown a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The burden of NCDs in South Africa has increased over the past years resulting in an estimated 37% of all- cause mortality and 16% of disability-adjusted life years. Currently, diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) are the two most prevalent NCDs associated with the rapid increase in mortality. ⋯ The burden of DM and HTN on society can be drastically reduced with simple lifestyle changes, development of preventative strategies, large-scale screening and better disease management in South Africa.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2020
Knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV/AIDS among barbers in Ho municipality, Ghana.
Barbering poses risks of HIV transmission if it is not conducted in a hygienic manner. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices regarding HIV transmission among barbers in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. A cross-sectional design was employed in Ho Municipality, and data were collected from 121 participants and analysed using Stata version 13.0 at the significance level of 0.05. ⋯ Attitude was inadequate (58.7%) and was associated with level of education [COR=3.47 (95% CI: 1.18-10.14); p=0.023]. Poor prevention practice was high (87.6%) and was associated with work experience [COR=20.72 (95% CI: 3.86-111.05); p<0.001] and location of operation [COR=4.92 (95% CI: 1.60-15.14); p=0.006]. Programmes aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes and practices should focus on Barbers in urban communities, those without any formal education, and those with less than five years work experience.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2020
Assessment of the relationship between life events with psychosocial competence of students in selected secondary schools in Northern and Central Uganda.
As they grow, young people transit through adolescence; a particularly challenging phase. Many go through without difficulties but some experience maladaptive responses in form of conduct and adjustment problems, pubertal challenges and life stress. Published research from the developed societies demonstrates consistent associations between young people's exposure to life events, psychosocial competence (PSC) and mental health problems. However, comparable research from income-constrained societies remains scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of life events in secondary school students and describe the relationship between life events and PSC in the same population. ⋯ It is important to help students to cope with negative life events since an association exists between negative life events and PSC domains. PSC domains of empathy, emotional awareness, accurate self-assessment and self-confidence seem to be associated with lower distress levels, implying that these should be reinforced.