African health sciences
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Non-traumatic perforation of the small bowel is an uncommon serious complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diseases that cause small bowel perforation vary in different areas of the world. ⋯ Clinical findings of small bowel perforation are usually non specific and diagnosis is usually reached after surgery. The Histopathological examination of the small bowel ulcer were non conclusive in three patients. We have made our management plan according to the clinical findings. Non traumatic perforation in developing countries can be due to typhoid, HIV, tuberculosis and possibly hook worms.
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African health sciences · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyA comparison of the behavioral and emotional disorders of primary school-going orphans and non-orphans in Uganda.
This study investigated the emotional and behavioral problems of orphans in Rakai District, Uganda, and to suggest interventions. Studies, elsewhere, have shown orphans to have high levels of psychological problems. However, in Uganda such studies are limited and no specific interventions have been suggested. ⋯ In conclusion, more orphans compared to non-orphans exhibited common emotional and behavioral problems but no major psychiatric disorders. Orphans were more likely to be emotionally needy, insecure, poor, exploited, abused, or neglected. Most lived in poverty with elderly widowed female caretakers. They showed high resilience in coping. To comprehensively address these problems, we recommend setting up a National Policy and Support Services for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children and their families, a National Child Protection Agency for all Children, Child Guidance Counselors in those schools with many orphans and lastly social skills training for all children.
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Despite the need for oral health morbidity surveys to aid in reviewing of the oral health services, dental data of Ugandan children is scanty. ⋯ The oral hygiene of school children was poor with high plaque prevalence demonstrating a lack of established oral hygiene practices. A comprehensive community-focused oral health care intervention that includes oral health education in homes and the strengthening of school health programme is needed to improve the oral health status of children in Mbarara.
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African health sciences · Sep 2007
A community-based investigation of the avoidable factors of maternal mortality in Nigeria: the pilot experience.
Reduction of maternal mortality is one of the major goals of several recent international conferences and has been included within the Millennium Development Goals. However, because measuring maternal mortality is difficult and complex, reliable estimates of the dimensions of the problem are not generally available and assessing progress towards the goal is difficult in some countries. Reliable baseline data are crucial to effectively track progress and measure that targets or goals of reducing maternal mortality have been met. ⋯ The pilot raised a number of fundamental issues related to the process of designing the research instrument, identifying and recruiting Data Collectors, training and supervision of Data Collectors and the research project, gaining access to respondents and obtaining support and approval from "gatekeepers". This paper highlights the lessons learned and reports practical issues that occurred during pilot study.
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African health sciences · Sep 2007
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus in a population of pregnant women and commercial sex workers in South Western Nigeria.
Over 20 million persons are infected with HTLV-I/II globally. The virus is endemic in Africa and it is also transmitted sexually. Continued identification of high risk groups is important for the control of the disease. ⋯ Routine screening for HTLV infection may go a long way to understanding the epidemiology of HTLV infection in Nigeria and subsequently provide tools for its prevention and control.