African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Subclinical immune reactions to viral infections may correlate with child and adolescent diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary study from Turkey.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuro-developmental disorders of childhood and adolescence. Studies focusing on the relationship of infectious agents and ADHD are scarce. It is also known that cerebellar injury may lead to hyperactive behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between viral agents of cerebellitis and the diagnosis of ADHD. ⋯ Although limited to a single center and may be prone to sampling biases, our results may support the notion that immune reactions may be related with ADHD among children and adolescents. Further, prospective studies from multiple centers are needed to support our findings and establish causality.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Hepatitis B infection among Nigerian children admitted to a children's emergency room.
Nigeria commenced her hepatitis B immunization programme in 2004 but there have been few evaluations of the programme in different parts of the country given the fact that prevalence in different regions of the country varies. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and the hepatitis B immunization status among children admitted to the children's emergency room (CHER) in Benin Teaching Hospital. ⋯ HBsAg seroprevalence was high despite high immunization coverage. Lack of timeliness in the receipt of the birth dose and in completion of the schedule may have contributed to the seeming lack of effectiveness of the immunization programme.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyLiver enzymes and psychological well-being response to aerobic exercise training in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a medical condition that has broad implications for a person's physical and psychological health. ⋯ Aerobic exercise training improves hepatic enzymes and psychological well-being in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Knowledge and perception of microbicides among healthcare providers in Calabar, Nigeria.
With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS, the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention methodologies, there is need for new prevention technologies. The successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend, to a large extent, on healthcare providers' knowledge, perception and attitude regarding them. ⋯ There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
Hypoxemia predicts death from severe falciparum malaria among children under 5 years of age in Nigeria: the need for pulse oximetry in case management.
Oxygen saturation is a good marker for disease severity in emergency care. However, studies have not considered its use in identifying individuals infected with Plasmodium falciparum at risk of deaths. ⋯ Hypoxaemia predicts deaths in Nigerian children with severe malaria, irrespective of other features. Efforts should always be made to measure oxygen saturation as part of the treatments for severe malaria in children.