African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Early diagnosis and intervention for autism spectrum disorder in Africa: insights from a case study.
Globally the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become more apparent. Prevalence on the African continent remains unknown. There is a call for further research into ASD in Africa as well as means to make early diagnosis and intervention possible. ⋯ Undiagnosed and untreated cases of ASD place undue psychosocial and economic burden on families and communities. Government support, by including ASD in health policies, is essential. Through creative adaptation of knowledge, communities may provide a valuable resource to ASD intervention strategies.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Prevalence and risk factors for brucellosis in prolonged fever patients in post-conflict Northern Uganda.
Brucellosis is a disease with significant public and economic implications but strategies for controlling this disease remain problematic. ⋯ Control of brucellosis in animals, training and sensitisation of the community on brucellosis is needed to stimulate action on human brucellosis control.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Review Case ReportsTruncus arteriosus communis: report of three cases and review of literature.
Truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) is a congenital heart defect in which the physiologic arterial common trunk was not divided into aorta and pulmonary artery trunk. ⋯ Truncus arteriosus is a rare pathology caused by numerous etiologies from which many of them have genetic origin. This malformation can be diagnosed early during prenatal period. Postmortem fetopathological examination allows a better diagnosis approach and eventually a genetic counseling in recurrent cases such as case of consanguinity.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Approaches and strategies used in the training and supervision of Health Extension Workers (HEWs) delivering integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illness in Ethiopia: a qualitative rapid appraisal.
Globally, preventable and treatable childhood conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, malnutrition and newborn conditions still account for 75% of under-five mortality. To reduce the mortality rate from these conditions, Ethiopia launched an ambitious Health Extension Programme (HEP) in 2003. Trained Community Health Workers (CHWs), named Health Extension Workers (HEWs) were deployed to deliver a package of care which includes integrated Community Case-Management (iCCM) of common childhood diseases. ⋯ These findings describe a thorough approach to training and supervision of HEWs delivering iCCM in rural Ethiopia. Ongoing investments by partners will be critical for long-term sustainability.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Clinical implication of smoking among patients with schizophrenia at a Tertiary Institution in South East Nigeria.
The chronic and debilitating nature of schizophrenia creates a disease with marked clinical and economic consequences. Smoking in schizophrenia appears to be associated with increased psychopathology and disability. ⋯ The results of this study revealed that smoking in Nigerian schizophrenia patients is associated with significant disability. Measures should be put in place to discourage cigarette smoking among Nigerian patients with schizophrenia.