African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
ReviewEpilepsy treatment in sub-Saharan Africa: closing the gap.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of epilepsy is highest in low- and lower middle-income countries, which include over eighty percent of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of people with epilepsy are not receiving appropriate care. In sub-Saharan Africa, shortages of trained health workers, limited diagnostic equipment, inadequate anti-epileptic drug supplies, cultural beliefs, and social stigma contribute to the large treatment gap for epilepsy. The number of people with epilepsy, particularly children, will continue to rise as a result of projected epidemiologic and demographic changes. This paper examines the state of epilepsy care and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa and discusses priorities and approaches to scale up access to medications and services for people with epilepsy.
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To determine the incidence of eclampsia and examine the maternal and fetal outcome. ⋯ The incidence of eclampsia in our hospital was very high, with corresponding high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Increased antenatal screening and use of magnesium sulphate to control convulsions will reduce the incidence and associated morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus.
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV-infected patients in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast which causes life-threatening infections in up to 40% of AIDS patients in Africa. ⋯ This study reveals that cryptococcosis is rife in AIDS patients in Yaounde. Therefore, to minimize the death toll, we recommend that its routine check should be integrated in the management of HIV/AIDS patients.
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Welders have been identified as a high risk group for eye disorders due to their exposure to ultraviolet radiation. ⋯ Pingueculum, Pterygium, corneal opacity, and pigmentary macular deposits were the common eye disorders among welders.
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African health sciences · Jun 2012
Causes of visual disability among Central Africans with diabetes mellitus.
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) remains a common and one of the major causes of blindness in the developed and western societies. The same situation is shown in emerging economic areas (5,6). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) however, the issues of visual disability due to diabetes mellitus (DM) are overshadowed by the presence of the prevalent and common nutritional deficiency diseases and eye infections ⋯ The risk of visual disability is 4 times higher in patients with diabetic retinopathy and 2 times higher in females with DM. Therefore, to prevent further increase of visual disability, the Congolese Ministry of Health should prioritize the eye care in patients with DM.