African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialPreliminary efficacy, feasibility and safety of intra-umbilical oxytocin to reduce the time to placental delivery at caesarean section: an exploratory randomized trial.
Delayed placental separation either after vaginal birth or caesarean birth is an important cause of postpartum haemorrhage, among other causes such as uterine atony. Intra-umbilical oxytocin has been shown to reduce the time to placental delivery after vaginal birth. However, the efficacy of intra-umbilical oxytocin to reduce the time to placental delivery following caesarean section birth is not known. ⋯ Administration of intra-umbilical oxytocin is feasible, safe and has potential to reduce the time of placental delivery at caesarean section. Further studies involving larger sample sizes are justified.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease. This study evaluated the frequency and pattern of drug use for COVID-19 prevention. ⋯ Several HCW in Nigeria take drugs to possibly prevent COVID-19. These medications may not offer significant protection against COVID-19. There is an urgent need to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in HCW in Nigeria.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 66 Tunisian Sickle cell syndrome patients.
Sickle cell syndrome (SCS) represent a real health problem. In this work, we propose to study the epidemiological and clinical features of 66 patients with SCS. ⋯ S/C patients present the best tolerated form and were the least affected by chronic complications and therefore can lead an almost normal life.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
Health-related quality of life associated with different cervical cancer therapies received by patients in two Nigerian tertiary hospitals.
There are important consequences from cervical cancer (CC) disease and its treatment among survivors, especially the impact on quality of life (QoL). ⋯ Chemoradiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with highest increase in mean overall health-related QoL. Chemotherapy was associated with the least increase in mean overall health-related QoL.
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African health sciences · Sep 2023
A retrospective study on side effects of first-line antiretroviral drugs on HIV patients based on 1A, 2A, and 5A regimen records at Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi.
AIDS is an incurable disease that is common in Africa. Patients with HIV/AIDS having a CD4 count of less than 240 are put on life prolonging ARV drugs. The ARVs have serious side effects on some patients which may be handled by treating them or switching patient's drug to one with no or less serious side effects. ⋯ The probability of having peripheral neuropathy (0.0042, p< 0.01), however, increases with age. Knowledge of HIV patient's socio-demographics and the patient's regimen side effects can be utilised to appropriately manage severe ARV side effects. A therapy consideration that takes into account chemicals in ARV regimen responsible for specific side effects can be directed to patients with compatible socio-demographic characteristics.