African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Sep 2019
Behavioral factors contributing to the transmission of HIV and AIDS amongst young women of Mbabane in Swaziland.
HIV and AIDS remains a pandemic that has greatly affected many regions and countries in the world. Africa is the hardest hit region by tthis disease while southern Africa appears to be the melting pot for HIV and AIDS. The HIV and AIDS pandemic remains the greatest sustainable human development and public health challenge for Swaziland. Swaziland is the world's worst affected country with the youth the most vulnerable group to HIV and AIDS due to many factors. ⋯ The findings indicated that though the majority of the respondents had knowledge of HIV and AIDS, positive behavior change remained a challenge. Most respondents (88%) had one sexual partner with 38% reporting condom use during their last sexual encounter. HIV/AIDS awareness was widespread. However, there were still characteristics of resistance to behavior change, because there was evidence of underestimation of HIV risk through engagement in behavior, which contributed to HIV infection and spread. Behavioral change measures using the BCC model is proposed.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2019
Prevalence and determinant factors of hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district, NorthWest Ethiopia.
Hookworm infection is a common parasitic infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of hookworm infection is influenced by different determinant factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hookworm infection and determinant factors among school age children in North West Ethiopia. ⋯ The prevalence of hookworm infection was high among school age children. Walking with bare foot, hand washing habit, and absence of proper latrine utilization are the major determinant factors for the high prevalence of hookworm infection. Therefore, community mobilization and health education should be done to decrease hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2019
Comparative effects of glibenclamide, metformin and insulin on fetal pancreatic histology and maternal blood glucose in pregnant streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Oral hypoglycemic agents use during pregnancy was assumed to cause fetal macrosomia and skeletal deformities, and maternal complications due to significant transfer across placenta or ineffective control of blood glucose. ⋯ At the doses used in this research, metformin and glibenclamide showed no adverse effects on maternal and fetal features in the treatment of GDM. Thus, they can be used as safe and inexpensive alternatives to insulin.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2019
Socio-demographic factors of early sexual debut and depression among adolescents.
Adolescent early sexual debut as it relates with socio-demographic factors and depression of secondary school adolescents. During the adolescent stage, attitudes, values and behaviours that shape a young person's behavior in the future develop. Age of sexual debut is generally low, yet there is dearth of knowledge on sexuality in the area of this study-Nsukka Education zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. ⋯ Age at sexual debut was found to be associated with younger age, gender, living with a one parent and parents' educational status.
-
African health sciences · Sep 2019
Indonesia basic health survey: self-medication profile for diarrhea with traditional medicine.
In Indonesia, diarrhea is an endemic disease and often leads fatal and an outbreak potential. Diarrhea can occur for several days and often can be cured without any medication. Commonly, to treat diarrhea atthe first time is by doing self-medication. Basic health survey data in 2013 showed that 15.7% of Indonesian people kept and used traditional medicines (TM). ⋯ The study concluded that mostly people preferred to keep and use traditional Indonesian medicine produced by the TM national industry rather than others. Duration of use for self-medication in most of the households is thought to be appropriate.