African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Jun 2020
Socio-economic status and hunger among orphans and vulnerable children households in Lagos State, Nigeria.
HIV/AIDS has contributed to increasing orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. A measure of vulnerability is household hunger. ⋯ OVC households experienced severe hunger. Household economic strengthening would be useful strategy to mitigate the nutrition challenges of OVC in Lagos state.
-
African health sciences · Jun 2020
Case ReportsGlanzmann's thrombasthenia: a rare bleeding disorder in a Nigerian girl.
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder due to defective platelet membrane glycoprotein GP IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3). The prevalence is estimated at 1:1,000,000 and it is commonly seen in areas where consanguinity is high. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented report of GT in our environment where consanguinity is rarely practised. Our health facilities require adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities for rare diseases like GT.
-
Rape remains a controversial issue with a few victims reporting experience because of the myriad of societal perception, prolonged steps in pursuing a case to logical conclusion of securing conviction, as well as psychological and physical residuals of the experience. Data in Nigeria is therefore hard to come by as it is diminished and often not available. ⋯ The yearly comparison and baseline data show that the centre's establishment caused an improvement in rape case reporting and follow-up.
-
African health sciences · Jun 2020
Prevalence and predictors of receipt of weight loss advice among a nationally representative sample of overweight and obese Kenyans.
As Kenya continues to experience rapid development and urbanization, growing evidence shows an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and overweight and obese citizens. ⋯ This study found low levels of report of physician or health care provider advice for weight loss among overweight individuals. Advice was primarily reported by obese patients. Weight loss advice differed significantly based on educational attainment, geographical location, and gender thus calling for targeted interventions to increase equitable NCD prevention services from physicians.
-
African health sciences · Jun 2020
Condom use: a less travelled route among minibus taxi drivers and their taxi queens in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Despite significant gains in the HIV epidemic in South Africa, with reduction in mortality and elimination of vertical transmission, national HIV prevalence remains high, with women rather than men continuing to bear higher burden of the disease. Population subgroups, through ignorance, disbelief or recklessness, continue to engage in risky sexual behaviour. A substantial proportion of minibus taxi drivers engage in risky sex, seldom seeing themselves at risk for STIs or HIV/AIDS. These taxi drivers have been linked with so-called taxi queens, with whom they engage in transactional and intergenerational relationships. ⋯ Our study concludes by recommending a nested public health response that takes cognizance of factors that promote sustainable condom use strategies among this population subgroup.