African health sciences
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Suicidal ideation and associated factors among school going adolescents in Swaziland.
Suicide among children has been a major issue and the statistics are considerably alarming. However, no studies have been conducted in Swaziland on suicidal ideation which is a starting point for committing suicide. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its correlates. ⋯ The rate of suicidal ideation was high among adolescents in Swaziland and intervention considering violence, social support from friends and parents, and drug abuse should be designed to prevent suicidal thoughts.
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Characteristics of astigmatism in Black South African high school children.
Astigmatism impairs vision at various distances and causes symptoms of asthenopia which negatively impacts reading efficiency. ⋯ The prevalence of astigmatism is relatively low in this population studied. Older children and those in high school grade levels were more likely to have with-the-rule or against-the-rule astigmatism. The prevalence of astigmatism were comparable within but not across regions.
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Hepatitis E (HE) caused by Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging global public health threat. It has been identified as potentially zoonotic and swine act as main reservoirs. ⋯ There is silent HE virus infection in abattoir workers at Wambizi as reflected by presence anti HEV IgM in 13% of the tested serum. However, no single case of HE has ever been reported in swine abattoir workers or general population in Kampala city. This silent maintenance of HEV infection amongst swine abattoir workers is an occupational risk that could challenge public health systems.
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African health sciences · Dec 2017
Evaluation and improvement of LAMP assays for detection of Escherichia coli serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157.
Escherichia coli serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157 are the causative agents of human diseases, and LAMP assays have been developed for detection of the seven leading STEC serogroups.