African health sciences
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African health sciences · Dec 2015
Prevalence of intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) use during pregnancy and other associated factors in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana.
Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been adopted as policy by most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of IPTp-SP usage for prevention of malaria among pregnant women as well as evaluated factors associated with IPTp-SP use during pregnancy in Sekondi-Takoradi region of Ghana. ⋯ IPTp-SP usage among pregnant women in Sekondi-Takoradi reduces malaria and its use for malaria prevention should be strengthened with proper dosage completion and coverage.
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African health sciences · Dec 2015
Poverty and inequality - but of what - as social determinants of health in Africa?
Many African economies have achieved substantial economic growth over the past recent years, yet several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including those concerned with health, remain considerably behind target. This paper examines whether progress towards these goals is being hampered by existing levels of poverty and income inequality. It also considers whether the inequality hypothesis of Wilkinson and Pickett1 applies to population health outcomes in African states. ⋯ The study shows that tackling poverty should be the immediate concern in Africaas a means of promoting better health for all. There is a question mark over whether the findings of Wilkinson and Pickett1 on the relationship between income inequality and health apply to Africa. The reasons for this question mark are discussed. More research is needed to investigate whether the inequality results found in this study are replicated in other studies of African health.
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African health sciences · Dec 2015
Evaluation of prescription pattern and patients' opinion on healthcare practices in selected primary healthcare facilities in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.
Inappropriate prescribing negatively impacts on health and economy of individual and the society. ⋯ Primary healthcare attendees were satisfied with medication costs affordability and accessibility of PHC to abode but expressed dissatisfaction with follow-up of care and courtesy of workers. Also, inappropriate prescriptions characterized by polypharmacy and overuse of antibiotics were common underscoring the need for regular training of PHC workers on rational drug use and instituting appropriate measures for improvement.
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African health sciences · Dec 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAerobic exercises alleviate symptoms of fatigue related to inflammatory cytokines in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Non-insulin dependent diabetic patients frequently suffer from fatigue symptoms that result from chronic systemic inflammation. Aerobic exercise was proved to modulate systemic inflammation. ⋯ Treadmill walking exercise training is an effective treatment policy to improve symptoms of fatigue related to inflammatory cytokines in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
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African health sciences · Dec 2015
Prevalence and determinants of low birth weight: the situation in a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.
The traditional birth attendant delivers majority of pregnant women in Nigeria. ⋯ The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%. Intervention by appropriate agencies is advocated to reduce LBW in TBHs in Nigeria.