Ethiopian medical journal
-
Ethiopian medical journal · Jan 2003
The McGill Pain Questionnaire in Amharic: Zwai Health Center patients' reports on the experience of pain.
This paper presents for the first time an Amharic translation of the McGill Pain Questionnaire developed by Melzack and used in many countries around the world. It allows for a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the intensity, location, and nature of experienced pain, as well as conditions that relieve pain. Data collected from one hundred patients attending the Zwai Health Center indicated that 81% reported pain at the time, one-quarter of whom were in severe pain. ⋯ Approximately 40% of those in pain had previously sought relief from a clinic or pharmacy and were attending the center because the pain persisted. Analgesics were more likely to be prescribed for those in mild pain, while other medication without analgesics were prescribed for those in severe pain. The McGill Pain Questionnaire--Amharic (MPQ-Am) could be a useful tool for future studies of illness-specific pain, and of the effectiveness of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical strategies for pain management.
-
Ethiopian medical journal · Oct 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEfficacy of alebendazole and mebendazole in the treatment of Ascaris and Trichuris infections.
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 100 mg mebendazole administered twice a day for three consecutive days and a single dose of 400 mg albendazole for the treatment of single or mixed Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections. Both drugs were found to be highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides infection, with cure rate of over 96% and egg reduction of over 99.8%. However, the efficacy of the two drugs against Trichuris trichiura infection was low. ⋯ The two drugs appeared to have little effect on Schistosoma mansoni infection. More complaints were reported by individuals treated with albendazole than with mebendazole. In conclusion, mebendazole appears to be safer and more effective for the treatment of single or mixed infections with Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides as compared to albendazole.
-
Ethiopian medical journal · Jul 2002
Experience in the use of laryngeal mask airway in Tikur Anbessa Hospital.
The study was designed to make an initial observation in the use of laryngeal mask airway with the only existing drug, i.e., ketamine, for induction of anaesthesia. Its effective use should be determined to maintain patients airway following induction of anaesthesia with the only available drug for induction than the drug that is commonly used for its insertion. There were a total of 64 patients included in the study in a period of seven weeks with a male to a female ratio of 1 to 1.33 and age range of 6-70 years. ⋯ Successful insertion of laryngeal mask airway was considered when it was achieved on the first attempt. Deepening anaesthesia with halothane/O2 by mask or adding small dose of relaxant (Succinylcholine) was necessary in 33 patients. The fact that a second insertion attempt was necessary and a large number of cases needed additional anaesthesia or relaxation indicated ketamine alone was not a good drug as an induction agent for laryngeal mask airway insertion.
-
The study on the prevalence of rabies was conducted on a retrospective data gathered from EHNRI rabies diagnostic laboratory Addis Ababa, in the years 1979-1987. During this period a total of 8036 animals were brought to the rabies diagnostic laboratory. Ninety one percent (7329) of these animals were dogs. ⋯ Such an observation indicates that among dogs infection, transmission through biting is significant during the breeding season. However, despite the high incidence of rabies in Ethiopia, only 320 people were reported to have died of rabies in the years 1979-1984. This supports, the hypothesis that there is a lack of appropriate reporting system on prevalence of rabies and its impact on humans in Ethiopia.
-
Ethiopian medical journal · Apr 2002
ReviewIntegrated management of childhood illness: a review of the Ethiopian experience and prospects for child health.
Pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles and malnutrition account for over 70% of the 11.5 million deaths and 80-90% of sick child consultations in developing countries. These conditions often occur in combinations requiring a holistic approach of assessment, treatment and caretaker counseling. The Integrated management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy has been developed to address these needs. ⋯ Planning for IMCI should set clear milestones and take into consideration central and regional capacities and ways to strengthen them. Operations research is required to guide policy development and planning for IMCI implementation. It should be included as an essential activity in strategic and annual plans for IMCI implementation in Ethiopia.