African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Occupational therapy assessment and interventions for young autistic children in South Africa.
Occupational Therapy is among the top interventions for autistic children, hence the need for equitable and effective services in the public and private health and education sectors. Ongoing research into the therapies for autism spectrum disorders in different contexts is also required. ⋯ Occupational therapy assessments had diagnostic value. Informal tools such as developmental checklists were found to have clinical utility, whilst standardised tools were most commonly used to assess sensory processing and visual perception. Recommendations included incorporating ASI® into undergraduate curricula and postgraduate training opportunities with multidisciplinary input to develop ASD professionals in South Africa. It is imperative to advocate for services in under-resourced rural areas and marginalised communities that lack financial and social resources. Occupational therapists need to find new ways of working collaboratively across sectors to ensure effective and comprehensive services in public health and special schools.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
What factors are associated with anaemia in pregnancy among Nigerian women? Evidence from a national survey.
Anaemia in pregnancy remains a severe public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria. ⋯ These findings are important for the control of anemia among pregnant Nigerian women. Women in the Northcentral and Southsouth zones are particularly at risk for anaemia in pregnancy and should receive special attention during antenatal care.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Factors associated with intention to smoke cigarettes among never smoker school going adolescents in Zambia.
Cigarette smoking intention is a strong predictor of cigarette smoking initiation. There is limited data on predictors of cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents in developing countries. ⋯ Having smoking parents, smoking friends or around people who smoke in public places were associated with cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
A 10-year clinicopathological analysis of ovarian lesions in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.
Ovarian tumours are the most lethal of all gynaecological cancers and they are usually diagnosed in advanced stages when the prognosis is very poor. ⋯ There has been an increase in the number of malignant ovarian specimens in our centre. Though surface epithelial tumours were the most common category of ovarian tumours, overall, the mature cystic teratoma was the most common tumour. Serous cyst adenocarcinoma was the most common surface epithelial tumour and the most common malignant tumour.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth.
Ghanaian female youth aged 15-24 years are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to their male counterparts. ⋯ Culturally appropriate and targeted interventions are warranted to increase condom use among these subgroups and curb the rising rates of STIs among Ghanaian female youth.