Articles: disease.
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Northern Nigeria has a maternal mortality ratio greater than 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Serious maternal morbidity (for example, vesico-vaginal fistula) is also common. Among the most important factors contributing to this tragic situation are: an Islamic culture that undervalues women; a perceived social need for women's reproductive capacities to be under strict male control; the practice of purdah (wife seclusion), which restricts women's access to medical care; almost universal female illiteracy; marriage at an early age and pregnancy often occurring before maternal pelvic growth is complete; a high rate of obstructed labor; directly harmful traditional medical beliefs and practices; inadequate facilities to deal with obstetric emergencies; a deteriorating economy; and a political culture marked by rampant corruption and inefficiency. The convergence of all of these factors has resulted in one of the worst records of female reproductive health existing anywhere in the world.
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Operational research was conducted in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt, to gather the information needed to design an integrated control programme for intestinal helminths in the area. To this aim, qualitative and quantitative techniques were used on a sample representative of the entire governorate. Mothers were questioned about their knowledge and perception of intestinal helminths, their hygienic habits and health-seeking behaviour. ⋯ Health education, besides encouraging mothers to refer their children to the health units for treatment, should focus on improving hygienic behaviour. While schools might be the best channel to contact children, the use of informal channels of communication, such as television, should be promoted to reach the mostly illiterate mothers. The research highlights the importance of gathering information on mothers' perceptions and behaviour in the design and implementation of a community-based intestinal helminths control programme.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Nov 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Prophylactic use of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors in connection with IUD insertion].
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted at a contraception clinic, 55 women (three nulliparous) were given either ibuprofen 600 mg or placebo 1-4 hours prior to insertion of IUD, 4-6 hours after insertion of IUD and the following morning. Pain was assessed by ten point Numerical Rating Scales during insertion, in the first 4-6 hours and in the following three days. ⋯ The patients were further randomized to type of IUD: TCu-380A and Nova T (R.). No difference in pain scores was evaluated between these.
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Comparative Study
The impact of HIV on Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteraemia in a South African population.
To determine the impact of HIV infection on Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteraemia in adults and children by analysing the prevalence and clinical features of such diseases and determining the prevalent serotypes/serogroups and susceptibility patterns of isolates. ⋯ The burden of bacteraemia due to S. pneumoniae in HIV-seropositive individuals admitted to our hospital is considerable. Differences in the S. pneumoniae serotypes/serogroups in HIV-infected patients have been demonstrated with resultant differences in antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Excellent potential for vaccine coverage was demonstrated for both HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive individuals. Further studies are necessary to test the clinical efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination of HIV-seropositive adults and children as a potential preventative measure against this prevalent disease.
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To estimate the potential direct cost of making triple combination antiretroviral therapy widely available to HIV-positive adults and children living in countries throughout the world. ⋯ Our results demonstrate that the cost of making combination antiretroviral therapy available worldwide would be exceedingly high, especially in countries with limited financial resources.