African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
The outcome of non-carbapenem-based empirical antibacterial therapy and VRE colonisation in patients with hematological malignancies.
Febrile neutropenia (FN) is generally a complication of cancer chemotherapy. ⋯ Our results suggest that initiating of non-carbapenem based therapy does not provide high response rates in the treatment of febrile neutropenia attacks. Furthermore, non-carbapenem-based empirical therapy provides benefit in regard to cost-effectiveness and antimicrobial stewardship when local antibiotic resistance patterns of gram-negative bacteria are considered. Patients who are colonized with VRE are more likely to develop bacteremia with VRE strains as a result of invasive procedures and severe damage of mucosal barriers observed in this group of patients.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Hand hygiene practices among community Health Officers in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Health care associated infections are most commonly transmitted by the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel. ⋯ Though there was improved compliance to hand hygiene guidelines, this still fall short of acceptable standards. The provision and promotion of the proper use of alcohol-based hand rub may further improve compliance with hand hygiene by reducing the time required to perform it and the convenience of the method.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: environmental, nutritional and infectious factors.
Nodding Syndrome is a seizure disorder of children in Mundri County, Western Equatoria, South Sudan. The disorder is reported to be spreading in South Sudan and northern Uganda. ⋯ Nodding Syndrome in South Sudan has an unknown etiology. Further research is recommended on the association of Nodding Syndrome with onchocerciasis/mansonelliasis and neurotoxins in plant materials used for food.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Observational StudyExotic and indigenous problem plants species used, by the Bapedi, to treat sexually transmitted infections in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
The ethnic usage of exotics and indigenous problem plants is a highly debated topic, as legislative requirements over-shadow their potential medicinal value, particularly to treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Limited information exists regarding their medicinal value among the Bapedi. ⋯ Exotic and indigenous problem species constitute an important component of the STIs treatment protocol. Their utilization by Bapedi cautions against the narrow-minded approach of indiscriminate eradication, as these species can play a significant role in the primary health care needs of socio-economic vulnerable people.
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African health sciences · Jun 2013
Cost effectiveness of facility and home based HIV voluntary counseling and testing strategies in rural Uganda.
In Uganda, the main stay for provision of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) has been at health facilities. Home based VCT on the other hand, was initiated in the country to improve service coverage. ⋯ Home based VCT was the least costly strategy per client tested and was also cost effective in identifying HIV sero-positive clients in rural areas. This strategy should therefore be promoted to improve service coverage and thereby facilitate early and extensive detection of clients eligible for treatment.