East African medical journal
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This study investigated the profile of breast cancer patients in Tanzania during 1974-87 period. The results were compared with those of African patients in countries south of the Sahara. The maximum number of patients with breast cancer were seen in the sexually active age groups. ⋯ Mastectomy continues to be the treatment of choice for breast cancer in the sub Saharan countries despite the fact that this procedure is resented. Also that the Halstedian principle which governed the treatment of the disease for a century now has been disputed regarding its usefulness. The biological basis for adopting conservative surgery for breast cancer, the need for early detection and the oncogenesis of the disease are discussed.
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Human immunodeficiency infection and AIDS are a major recent microbial infection in east Africa with serious health and socioeconomic impacts in the region. At present HIV infection and AIDS account for more than 50% of adult medical admissions into some of the national and provincial hospitals as well as for 10-15% of paediatric admissions. AIDS is also at present the commonest cause of death among those aged 15-45 years. ⋯ While a lot of scientific advances have been made in immunopathology of AIDS, diagnostics and in social behavioural studies, we are still a long way towards getting curative therapy and or effective preventive vaccines. Recent discovery that use of zidovudine can significantly reduce perinatal HIV transmission is an additional breakthrough. While knowledge and tools for preventing HIV transmission are available in the world, prospects for AIDS control in east Africa appear gloomy unless major efforts are made in the reduction of poverty, ignorance and in the control of other common sexually transmitted diseases.
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Marburg and Ebola viruses are members of the filovirus family that can be regarded as recently emerged. These viruses have caused sporadic outbreaks of fatal haemorrhagic disease in Africa, Europe and recently in the USA. The case fatality rates rank among the highest ranging from 33-80%. ⋯ In villages disease has been amplified through contamination with blood and fluids during nursing the sick and burial rituals. The source of the viruses has eluded discovery and new theories regarding the nature of these viruses are being entertained. The threat of new outbreaks in Africa is real since serological evidence of the presence of the virus has been documented in Kenya, Sudan, Zaire, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Cote-d'Ivoire and Gabon.
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HIV-1 infection, initially described as "slim disease", was first recognized in Uganda in 1982, and is now a predominant health problem. Approximately 1.5 million Ugandans are now infected, largely through heterosexual transmission. In many areas half of adult deaths are now caused by HIV. ⋯ Mother to child transmission of HIV accounts for about 10% of total cases, with a transmission rate of 26% in two studies. Epidemiological and clinical research programs are well developed in Uganda, especially in areas of tuberculosis, maternal and paediatric HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections. Societal openness, a multisectoral approach by the government and innovative programmes, including large-scale HIV testing and counselling and the pioneering work of The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), distinguish the Ugandan response to the epidemic.
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The pattern of postoperative pyrexia in Khartoum was prospectively studied in 260 patients who underwent a variety of surgical operations. Ninety four patients (36.1%) developed postoperative pyrexia. The commonest causes of pyrexia encountered were wound sepsis (10%), malaria (9.6%) and respiratory tract infection (7.3%). ⋯ The risk factors for postoperative pyrexia were the patient's age, diabetes mellitus, obesity, preoperative chest infection, smoking, duration of surgery, operator's surgical experience and urethral catheterisation. The postoperative pyrexia was associated with 7.4% mortality rate which was due to intra-abdominal sepsis and pulmonary embolism. The incidence of postoperative pyrexia can be minimised by adequate preoperative preparation, meticulous surgical technique and good postoperative care.