African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2007
Drug sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates from septic post-operative wounds in a regional referral hospital in Uganda.
Wound infections have been a problem in the field of surgery for a long time. Advances in control of infections have not completely eradicated this problem because of development of drug resistance. Antimicrobial resistance can increase complications and costs associated with procedures and treatment. ⋯ Since a high proportion of samples had positive cultures, infection control is recommended as a strategy to minimise spread of resistant organisms. It is recommended that gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime be used in preference to ampicillin and amoxycillin for treatment of septic wounds. There is need to develop national surveillance of antibiotic- resistant organisms.
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African health sciences · Jun 2007
Functional adrenal insufficiency among critically ill patients with human immunodeficiency virus in a resource-limited setting.
Functional adrenal insufficiency (FAI) is associated with increased mortality and is defined as subnormal cortisol production during acute severe illness. ⋯ The diagnosis of FAI should be considered in severely ill patients with stage IV HIV disease using rifampicin or those found to have unexplained eosinophilia. Further studies to determine benefits of corticosteroids in critically ill HIV patients are needed in this setting.
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African health sciences · Jun 2007
Effect of HIV-1 infection on malaria treatment outcome in Ugandan patients.
Malaria and HIV-1 infection cause significant morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV-1 increases risk for malaria with the risk increasing as immunity declines. The effect of HIV-1 infection on antimalarial treatment outcome is still inconclusive. ⋯ Adherence to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be reinforced in HIV positive patients and it should be reassessed if these patients present with acute episodes of malaria.
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African health sciences · Jun 2007
Epidemiological factors that promote the development of severe malaria anaemia in children in Ibadan.
Effective control and management of severe malaria cases depends on a clear understanding of the local epidemiological factors and specific clinical manifestations of the disease in the different endemic regions. ⋯ The study underscores the need for community involved partnership for malaria control especially through health education for the home management of malaria, especially among those experiencing some form of inequity in access to healthcare.
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African health sciences · Mar 2007
Uterine sarcomas in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: a 12-year clinico-pathologic study.
Uterine sarcomas are rare gynecological malignancies with a high mortality. There is the need to determine its frequency, clinical presentation and histologic variants. This may form the basis for further research and management in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with it. ⋯ Uterine Sarcomas are rare world wide; most common above the age of 50 years, with variable clinical presentations and associated with high morbidity and mortality rate.