African health sciences
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African health sciences · Dec 2022
Discontinuation of contraceptives among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in Nigeria: a descriptive analysis.
Adolescent girls are the mostly affected with maternal and child complications. Contraceptive use is an important tool in curbing sexual and reproductive health challenges especially among adolescent girls in the developing countries. Despite, the low use of contraceptives among adolescents in Nigeria, the possibility of discontinuation of use after initiation is strong. ⋯ One in five of unmarried adolescents who ever use a method, discontinue use because of sexual frequency and type of method used.
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African health sciences · Dec 2022
Short-term forecasting of confirmed daily COVID-19 cases in the Southern African Development Community region.
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in complex challenges worldwide, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has not been spared. The region has become the epicentre for coronavirus in the African continent. Combining forecasting techniques can help capture other attributes of the series, thus providing crucial information to address the problem. ⋯ The findings present an insightful approach in monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in the SADC region. The spread of COVID-19 can best be predicted using combined forecasts models, particularly the MCQRNN approach.
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African health sciences · Dec 2022
Overnutrition and its associated factors among adult human immunodeficiency virus positive patients on antiretroviral therapy, Northwest, Ethiopia.
Anti-retroviral therapy was introduced to treat human immunodeficiency virus patients; comorbidities affecting individuals with human immunodeficiency virus-positive have changed dramatically, with increasing the prevalence of overnutrition. Overnutrition has increased from time to time in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus. However, there is scarce adequate documented evidence regarding nutrition on human immunodeficiency virus. ⋯ In this study one-fifth of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus patients had over nutrition. In this study, the magnitude of overnutrition is high associated with a viral load of fewer than 1000 copies/cell, age greater than 45, and having taken prophylaxis therapy. Therefore, education about lifestyle change, regular monitoring of weight, regular nutritional assessment, and intervention of the existed problems like doing regular exercise is highly recommended.
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African health sciences · Dec 2022
Knowledge and perceptions about non-communicable diseases by people living with HIV: a descriptive cross-sectional study from Chitungwiza Central Hospital Zimbabwe.
Sub-Saharan Africa has shown a rise in morbidity and mortality due to NCDs. PLHIV have shown to be more exposed to NCDs and identifying the knowledge gaps might help the management of NCDs in PLHIV. ⋯ Knowledge and perception were moderately high, but reduced with decreasing levels of education and increasing age. The study recommends educational campaigns to disseminate information about NCDs in PLHIV, targeting the least educated population groups and those older than 40 years of age.
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African health sciences · Dec 2022
Self-reported oral hygiene practice and utilization of dental services by dental technology students in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Dental technology students are Dental surgery technicians under training, trained to assist patients maintain good oral health. Hence, their oral hygiene is expected to be optimal. ⋯ The self-reported oral hygiene practice of the dental technology students is commendable, however, further education on the importance of scaling and polishing is advocated.