African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Comparative StudyVitamin D deficiency and its effect on respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants: results from a prospective study in a tertiary care centre.
The positive effects of steroids on lung development are well known, and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 has been shown to exert positive effects on fetal lung development. ⋯ Our study revealed that 25(OH)D deficiency is an independent risk factor for RDS in premature infants. However, further studies are necessary to explore the association between 25(OH)D deficiency and RDS.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Comparative StudyComparative study of hypercoagulability change in steady state and during vaso-occlusive crisis among Sudanese patients living with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. (SCD) is characterized by recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). ⋯ Significant increase in levels of D-dimer during VOC indicating abnormal coagulation and fibrinolysis activation. Reduced levels of natural anticoagulants proteins C and S can be consider as predictive markers indicate hepatic dysfunction in patients with SCD.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Prevalence, factors associated and treatment outcome of hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates admitted to St Francis hospital, Nsambya, Uganda: a descriptive study.
With targeted management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in high-income countries, there has been a drastic drop in both the prevalence and mortality. On the contrary, over two-thirds of the global burden of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is in Sub-saharan Africa and South East Asia with a high mortality risk of 16-35%. Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is not a leading global cause of neonatal mortality, however leads to irreversible neurological damage and death when managed poorly. Three-quarters of the babies admitted to the national referral hospital in Uganda had significant hyperbilirubinaremia; 16.6% of these babies died. We aimed at determining the prevalence, treatment outcome and describing factors associated with hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates admitted to St Francis hospital, Nsambya. ⋯ Establishment of local guidelines will prevent unnecessary admissions and ensure timely treatment is administered. Longitudinal studies are required to discover factors associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in this region.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Observational StudyIncidence and outcome of gestational trophoblastic disease in lower Egypt.
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) defines a spectrum of proliferative disorders of trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta. Incidence, risk factors, and outcome may differ from one country to another. ⋯ The incidence of molar pregnancy and GTN in our locality was estimated to be 13.1 and 3.2 per 1000 live births respectively. We found no significance between CM and PM regarding hCG level, time to hCG normalization, and progression rate to GTN.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Sexual knowledge and practice of adolescent learners in a rural South African school.
Premature sexual activity has become a norm in South African society, often resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Occurrence of premature sexual activity is related to insufficient education, gender inequalities, household poverty and place of residence. The Stepping Stones project uses a 10-session programme to educate learners about relationships, HIV-prevention and teenage pregnancy. The purpose was to measure and describe learners' sexual knowledge and activities in a rural technical secondary school in North-west Province, South Africa. ⋯ Findings point to unsafe sexual practice of learners at a school in rural South Africa, even from an early age. This concern is accompanied by the occurrence of low levels of sexually-related knowledge. The learners would benefit from continued implementation of the Stepping Stones programme. Implementation could be improved by incorporating social media and emphasising gender equality and negotiation skills in sexually vulnerable situations.