African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2016
Factors influencing Nigerian men's decision to undergo prostate specific antigen testing.
Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer death in Nigerian men. Attempts to reduce mortality from prostate cancer have focused mainly on early detection of the disease by the use of PSA testing. As a result of the increased incidence of prostate cancer in Nigeria despite the widespread availability of testing facilities, it became pertinent to understand the salient factors that prompt Nigerian men to go for prostate cancer testing. ⋯ The study revealed that there continues to be a considerable lack of awareness and knowledge about prostate cancer and screening.
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African health sciences · Jun 2016
Non-communicable diseases among children in Ghana: health and social concerns of parent/caregivers.
Globally, there is a progressive rise in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This paper examined the health and social concerns of parents/caregivers on in-patient care for children with NCDs in Ghana. ⋯ Absence of national NCD policy for children is a major challenge. The burden of care rests mainly on the parents/caregivers. A national strategic intervention on the importance of awareness generation on the causes, risk factors, prevention and treatment of NCDs for families and communities is essential. Government support through national health and social policy initiatives are essential.
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African health sciences · Jun 2016
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), Platelet Count and Plateletcrit (PCT) as predictors of in-hospital paediatric mortality: a case-control Study.
Thrombocytopenia has been shown to predict mortality. We hypothesize that platelet indices may be more useful prognostic indicators. Our study subjects were children one month to 14 years old admitted to our hospital. ⋯ The MPV/PCT, PDW/Platelet count and MPV/Platelet count, in the first sample after admission in this case control study were predictors of mortality and could predict 65% to 67% of deaths accurately.
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African health sciences · Jun 2016
Communication of reproductive health information to the rural girl child in Filabusi, Zimbabwe.
Despite a number of programs aimed at the transfer of reproductive health information, adolescents in Zimbabwe still face unprecedented reproductive challenges. ⋯ Adolescents lack adequate access to reproductive health information and there is need for effective communication programs that contribute towards the understanding of communicated messages by audiences and the understanding of audiences by communicators.
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African health sciences · Jun 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyWeight loss improves biomarkers endothelial function and systemic inflammation in obese postmenopausal Saudi women.
Although postmenopausal associated disorders are important public health problems worldwide, to date limited studies evaluated the endothelial function and systemic inflammation response to weight loss in obese postmenopausal women. ⋯ Weight loss ameliorates inflammatory cytokines and markers of endothelial function in obese postmenopausal Saudi women.