African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
The impact of HIV/AIDS stigma on HIV counseling and testing in a high HIV prevalence population in Uganda.
Despite its importance in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing (HCT) is low in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease continues to be a serious public health problem. This has in part been attributed to HIV/AIDS related stigma. ⋯ The low level of stigma, older age, higher level of education, being ever married and monogamous sexual relationships are significant predictors of increased uptake of HCT.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Malaria and HIV co-infection and their effect on haemoglobin levels from three health-care institutions in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are two major infections with enormous public health consequence. Together, they are endemic in many developing countries with anaemia being the most frequent haematological consequence of the infections. ⋯ Our data indicated a higher prevalence of malaria in HIV infected patients and also revealed that patients co-infected with malaria and HIV were more likely to be anaemic.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Global analysis of differential expressed genes in ECV304 Endothelial-like cells infected with human cytomegalovirus.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a virus which has the potential to alter cellular gene expression through multiple mechanisms. ⋯ Several of these gene products might play key roles in virus-induced pathogenesis. These findings may help to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of HCMV caused diseases.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAntiemetic effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron combination during cesarean sections under spinal anaesthesia.
Nausea and vomiting are frequently seen in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) under regional anesthesia. We aimed to compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron and dexamethasone combination with that of the use of each agent alone to decrease the incidence of post-delivery intraoperative nausea and vomiting (IONV) during CS under spinal anesthesia. ⋯ Single dose 4mg ondansetron, 8mg dexamethasone, or combined use of 8mg dexamethasone+4mg ondansetron, given intravenously is all effective agents for the control of postdelivery IONV. Combined use of dexamethasone and ondansetron for the same indication does not seem to increase the antiemetic efficacy.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Review Case ReportsNeuropsychiatric perspectives on nodding syndrome in northern Uganda: a case series study and a review of the literature.
Nodding Syndrome (NS), previously called Nodding Disease, is a chronic and debilitating illness affecting thousands of children aged 3-18 years in post-conflict Northern Uganda and South Sudan. Characterised by malnutrition, stunted growth, mental retardation and seizures, some researchers have designated it as epilepsy. With reports appearing in Northern Uganda in1997, NS reached epidemic proportions around 2000-2003 when people were moved into Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps. Investigations for infections (onchocerciasis) and toxins have been inconclusive as to cause, treatment or outcome. No study has addressed the possible relationship of NS to childhood war-trauma experiences. ⋯ NS could present as an association of childhood complex PTSD, (called Developmental Trauma Disorder), occurring in the chronically war-traumatised children of Northern Uganda, complicated by severe prolonged depression with its characteristic symptoms of psychomotor retardation, anxiety, anhedonia and anorexia. This, coupled with food shortages, resulted in malnutrition, wasting and stunted growth with severe avitaminoses. Many children had seizures. All this calls for multi-disciplinary treatment approaches.