African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2017
Allostatic load and heart rate variability as health risk indicators.
Uncertainty often exists about the comparability of results obtained by different health risk indicator systems. ⋯ HRV and allostatic load scores give comparable results as health risk indicators. Baseline total HRV and vagal, rather than sympathetic, measures of HRV should be introduced into allostatic load assessments. Results are in line with the concept of vagal tone as a regulator of allostatic systems. Inclusion of heart rate responses to orthostatic stress, into allostatic load assessments, warrants further investigation.
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We aimed to prospectively study distraction-related road traffic collision injuries, their contributory factors, severity, and outcome. ⋯ Distraction of alert drivers causes 13% of road traffic collisions in Al-Ain city. About 40 percent of the distracted drivers involved in road traffic collisions (RTC) were using mobile phones. Our study supports the ban of use of cell phones while driving.
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African health sciences · Jun 2017
An under-diagnosed geriatric syndrome: sleep disorders among older adults.
Sleep disorders are commonly under-diagnosed in the geriatric population. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep problems among older adults admitted to the geriatrics out-patient clinic. ⋯ We observed that sleep disorders were common among older adults. For this reason, the course and quality of sleep should be examined in all patients as a routine part of comprehensive geriatric assessment.
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African health sciences · Mar 2017
Observational StudyDistribution of symptoms of post-stroke depression in relation to some characteristics of the vulnerable patients in socio-cultural context.
To determine the distribution of symptoms of post-stroke depression (PSD) in relation to some predisposing factors in an African population. ⋯ Age could be a risk factor for PSD, which was more prevalent in the elderly than young/middle-age adults, female gender, left cerebral lesion, complications, cold case; those living with a spouse, self-employed and unemployed.
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African health sciences · Mar 2017
Comparative StudyHow weight during pregnancy influences the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and types of delivery and birth: a comparison of urban and rural areas.
Women in study areas suffered from the problems of caesarean delivery (CD), low birth weight (LBW), and macrosomia. ⋯ These findings strongly support the need to reform adequate pre-pregnancy weight and GWG against the risks of CD and macrosomia among overweight and obese women, and against the risk of LBW among lean women in both areas.