African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2017
Uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptive devices in Western region of The Gambia.
The contraceptive method has become an essential factor in the life of most women of reproductive age group; although it varies in different stages of their life course. The use of long acting reversible methods (LARC) is proposed as a strategy to reverse undesirable maternal health consequences in developing countries. ⋯ The uptake of long acting reversible contraceptive was high; with Depo Provera as the most commonly used contraceptive method in The Gambia. There seemed to be an increase in the uptake of implants; with intrauterine contraceptive device being the least commonly used method.
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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 · 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.
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African health sciences · Mar 2017
Renal histoarchitectural changes in nevirapine therapy: possible role of kolaviron and vitamin C in an experimental animal model.
There is paucity of literature regarding the nephrotoxicity of antiretroviral drugs and its interaction with plant-based adjuvants. This study investigates the attenuating effect of kolaviron in nevirapine-therapy on the histological structure of the kidneys of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. ⋯ Adjuvant treatment with kolaviron (an anti-oxidant) for 56 days appears to attenuate the nephrotoxicity of nevirapine in this model.