African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Neonatal mortality at the neonatal unit: the situation at a teaching hospital in Ghana.
The first 28 days of life- the neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival. Globally, neonatal mortality has seen a downward trend in recent years. The main objective of this study was to determine the percentage of neonatal mortality and to provide information on factors associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal unit of a tertiary health facility or teaching hospital. ⋯ The mortality at the neonatal in-patient unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana is very high. There is the need for continuous attention and interventions to help reduce the risk of mortality among neonates admitted to the facility.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Prevalence of hearing loss at primary health care clinics in South Africa.
Hearing loss prevalence data in South Africa is scarce, especially within primary health care settings. ⋯ Hearing loss prevalence was comparable at both primary health care clinics. Participants 40 years and older were at significantly higher risk for hearing loss. The current study is the first attempt to establish hearing loss prevalence for primary health care clinics in South Africa.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Compliance with epidemic-prone diseases surveillance and response guidelines among health officers at surveillance units in South-West Nigeria.
Although compliance with surveillance guidelines is crucial to epidemic diseases control, determinants of use of these guidelines in Nigeria are poorly documented. We assess health workers compliance and factors associated with the surveillance and response guidelines for epidemic-prone diseases in South-West Nigeria. ⋯ In addition to provision of adequate financial and laboratory resources, surveillance activities would benefit from continuous training on surveillance data flow.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Impact of weight reduction on selected immune system response among Hepatitis C virus Saudi patients.
Recently, about 2.35% of the world populations are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Previous cohort studies indicated that obesity increases risk of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C infection due to diminished response to anti-viral therapy and as a result obesity is considered as an important factor in the progression of chronic HCV. However, there is a strong association between BMI and the human immune system among HCV patients. ⋯ Weight loss modulates immune system parameters of patients with HCV.
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African health sciences · Jun 2018
Composition of uroliths in a tertiary hospital in South East Nigeria.
Urolithiasis affects primarily the urinary tract and complications as debilitating as renal failure may develop. Determining the chemical composition of uroliths can aid management and prevention of recurrence in patients. ⋯ This study showed that struvite and calcium phosphate-containing stones constitute majority of uroliths in our setting with low occurrence of calcium oxalate stones. This indicates that urinary tract infection most likely plays a substantial role in the formation of uroliths in Nigerians. Modern methods of stone analysis is advocated to further define management options.