African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2019
The disuse of hearing aids in elderly people diagnosed with a presbycusis at an old age home, in Johannesburg, South Africa: a pilot study.
Hearing loss is the most common form of human sensory deficit with its prevalence highest within the geriatric population. Approximately a third of adults aged from 61 years exhibit the characteristics of presbycusis, a number one contributor to communication disorders among the elderly, thereby affecting the social, functional and psychological wellbeing of the elderly. Subsiquently, this leads to loneliness, isolation, dependence and frustration. ⋯ There are different reasons for disuse of hearing aids in elderly patients. Audiologists should ensure that hearing aids selection is patient specific and inclusive. Expectations of the elderly regarding hearing aids benefits and limitations should also be addressed by audiologists before fitting hearing aids.
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African health sciences · Jun 2019
Seroprevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a Tertiary Hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria.
The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among under-five children in the South West Nigeria remains largely understudied. There is no data on the subject from the study area. ⋯ The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in under -five children is high, increasing as the age of the children increased. This may suggest that instituting preventive measures at young age, targeting identified factors may be effective in reducing the burden of H. pylori infection.
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African health sciences · Jun 2019
Patterns of paediatric emergency admissions and predictors of prolonged hospital stay at the children emergency room, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
There is a high prevalence of paediatric emergency cases in less developed countries. However, prolonged hospital stay at emergency units may further overstretch the facilities. ⋯ Prevention and proper management of Sickle cell disease and malaria reduces paediatric hospital stay in our environment. Paediatric emergency medicine should be re-organized to cater for high volume of off-hour admissions.
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African health sciences · Jun 2019
Right ventricular systolic function in Nigerians with heart failure secondary to hypertensive heart disease.
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been shown to be a major contributor to the adverse outcomes in subjects with heart failure. Few studies evaluating the right ventricle in heart failure subjectshave been carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa. This studywas therefore designed to evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in subjects with heart failure secondary to hypertensive heart disease presenting to the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria. ⋯ Right ventricular systolic function is impaired in patients with heart failure secondary to hypertensive heart disease. There is no relationship between the indices of right ventricular systolic function and systolic pulmonary artery pressure. Further studies are needed to assess right ventricular systolic function in Nigerians.
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African health sciences · Jun 2019
Women exposed to intimate partner violence: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of South African emergency nurses' perceptions.
Emergency nurses' understanding and interpretation of intimate partner violence influence the care they provide to women exposed to intimate partner violence. ⋯ Emergency nurses are in a position to intervene in intimate partner violence through portraying a non-judgmental approach that lay the foundation for disclosure, supporting women to change their intimate partner violence (IPV) situations, documentation, referral and safety planning.