Tropical and geographical medicine
-
Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in developing countries. In recent years, a (cost-)effective intervention has been developed in the national programmes of Tanzania and other developing countries. HIV transmission in populations with a high background prevalence of tuberculosis infection will increase the incidence of tuberculosis disease substantially. World Health Organization and World Bank are currently formulating new strategies to revitalise the global efforts against tuberculosis.
-
Given severe winters at high altitudes, prevention of environmental neonatal hypothermia is of particular importance in Himalayan villages. This is a retrospective study of traditional concepts and practices for the prevention of neonatal hypothermia. 202 babies were studied from a population of 16,425 in three districts of a Himalayan state of North India. ⋯ The ritual practice of bathing immediately after birth and then upto three times each day even in winter is not perceived by them to provoke hypothermia. For upto one month postpartum mothers are believed to be at risk for cold induced disease.
-
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The problem of trauma in Nigeria. Pattern as seen in a multicentre study.
Between 1982 and 1984 a multicentre study of trauma was conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and eight other hospitals receiving patients from four states adjoining Kwara State of Nigeria. Average trauma admissions ranged between 4.3 and 20.6% of total admissions while 2.4% of dam construction workers sustained injuries. ⋯ Most outpatient trauma activity occurred on Saturdays while trauma admissions were highest on Mondays and Wednesdays. Trauma mortalities in the hospitals appeared to reflect severity of trauma encountered.
-
Comparative Study
Surgical rates in Africa. Variations and their possible explanations.
Output of six major operations (herniorrhaphy, caesarean section, prostatectomy, hysterectomy, appendectomy and lens operation) have been studied in selected rural parts of Kenya and Tanzania and compared to corresponding national rates in the US, England/Wales and Sweden. African rates of major surgery appear to be at least 20 times lower, on the average, than in Western countries, with large variations between districts and between years. ⋯ It is concluded that more precise evaluations of the importance of the identification factors cannot be done on the basis of existing health information. More detailed data are required through improved health information systems particularly in developing countries.
-
In a rural hospital in Northern Nigeria in 1985 seventeen patients were admitted who met with the criteria of peripartum cardiomyopathy. Local habits played an important part in the course of the disease. Physical examination with an emphasis on bloodpressure and the condition of the heart was most reliable in establishing the diagnosis and assessing the treatment. ⋯ Treatment consisted of bedrest and diuretics. One patient died, eight patients made a full clinical recovery but eight patients did not improve. Unfortunately all patients withdrew from follow-up.