The Central African journal of medicine
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To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in selected population groups in Zimbabwe. ⋯ Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a problem of public health significance in Zimbabwe and is associated with areas of food insecurity. From a policy perspective the prevention and control of IDA should be a priority on national nutrition and health agenda.
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To qualitatively assess the referral system at district level from the consumers' point of view and assess implications it had on efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. ⋯ In general, the community did not fully comprehend the purposes and intentions of the new user fees policy of January 1994 which was meant to rationalise the referral system. Generally, communities are seldom consulted in time to ensure effective policy implementation and realisation of the intended impact. Impressions generated on the impact of the problem of the referral system on resource use at hospital level show that it has been considerable, although this study did not quantify it. Unnecessary overloading of referral centres negatively affected the care of referral cases, which actually required hospital care, due to competition with primary care cases.
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Although pain intensity is difficult to assess and quantify, different assessment tools have been developed for this purpose. The most widely used are verbal and numerical pain rating scales. This study aimed to establish the reliability in the Zimbabwean setting of four standardised scales. ⋯ Both the numerical and verbal scales measure the same construct of pain experience. The scales are reliable when used with the more educated of the Zimbabwean population. It is recommended that the scales should not be used on a population who have less than seven years of education. More research is needed to determine the validity of pain scales within the Zimbabwean context.
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To illustrate blunt traumatic injury of the gallbladder in childhood. ⋯ Blunt traumatic injury of the gallbladder, though rare, does occur usually as a consequence of direct abdominal injury especially in children during sporting activities and fights. Minor injuries can be repaired but cholecystectomy is necessary in more extensive injuries or injury to the cystic duct and neck. A comprehensive history taking including direct questioning regarding trauma and a high index of suspicion are important for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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To determine the pattern and long term outcome of neurological complications following cerebral malaria (CM) in a group of Nigerian children treated in Calabar. ⋯ Although short lived, neurological sequelae of CM appear common among these Nigerian children. This problem could significantly add to the burden of childhood disability in Nigeria. Early diagnosis, use of appropriate drugs and large scale malaria control programmes can prevent malady.