African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Predictors of esophageal candidiasis among patients attending endoscopy unit in a tertiary hospital, Tanzania: a retrospective cross-sectional study.
Esophageal candidiasis is a common disease among patients with impaired cell mediated immunity. In the current study, we report esophageal candidiasis among patients with various co-morbidities attending the endoscopic unit at the Bugando Medical Centre. ⋯ Patients with a history of drinking alcohol, smoking, use of antibiotics and those with chronic diseases such as peptic ulcers were at high risk of developing esophageal candidiasis. Further studies are needed to identify Candida spp. and their anti-fungal susceptibility for proper management of esophageal candidiasis in HIV and non-HIV individuals.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Knowledge, awareness and practice of infection control by health care workers in the intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), one of the leading causes of, morbidity and mortality, are common in developing countries. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), commonest cause of HAIs, has been isolated from the hands of more than half of health care workers. Practice of hand hygiene may help in the control of nosocomial infections. We evaluated the practice of infection control among health care workers in the intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital. ⋯ Knowledge and awareness of infection control among the health care workers in our ICU is good but the practice is poor. Training workshop on infection control should be organized for all ICU health care workers to reduce noso-comial infections.
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Human bite is a growing public health concern. It may be seen in both victims and aggressors following assault. Effects of human bite are both social and medical. ⋯ Human bite is a common outcome of assault and so should be anticipated in cases of assault. Patterns of location of bites seem related to nature of crime.
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African health sciences · Mar 2018
Illicit drug use and violence in acute psychosis among acute adult admissions at a South African psychiatric hospital.
The prevalence of mental illness and illicit substance use has increased markedly in South Africa's Western Cape Province, over the last 2 decades; potentially increasing demand for psychiatric care. This paper describes the demographic and substance use profile of patients admitted to Lentegeur (LGH), the largest of the four psychiatric hospitals in the Province. ⋯ Substance use and violence were high, yet only a small proportion of the patients utilised available drug rehabilitation services. This may have implications on psychotic relapses, morbidity and subsequent pressure on financial resources within the health care system. Efforts are needed to maximise utilisation of existing rehabilitative resources for these patients.
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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.