African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Dec 2020
Comparative StudyCharacteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV infected elderly patients enrolled in Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya.
A better understanding of the baseline characteristics of elderly people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is relevant because the world's HIV population is ageing. ⋯ Age, WHO AIDS staging, gender and residence are relevant parameters associated with viral load decline and CD4 count in elderly PLWHA. A noticeable VL suppression was attained confirming possible attainment of VL suppression among PLWHA under clinical care.
-
African health sciences · Dec 2020
Infertility and associated factors in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.
We determined the prevalence and factors associated with couple infertility in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. ⋯ One in every five couples in this study was infertile. Several factors affect the risks associated with couple infertility. The identification of these factors could help detect subgroups of couples at high risk of infertility. Reproductive health education, screening programmes for STI's that may lead to infertility should be offered to couples.
-
African health sciences · Dec 2020
Modelling CD4 counts before and after HAART for HIV infected patients in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa.
This study aims to make use of a longitudinal data modelling approach to analyze data on the number of CD4+cell counts measured repeatedly in HIV-1 Subtype C infected women enrolled in the Acute Infection Study of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa. ⋯ Effective HAART initiation immediately after HIV exposure is necessary to suppress the increase of viral loads to induce potential ART benefits that accrue over time. The data showed evidence of strong individual-specific effects on the evolution of CD4+ counts. Effective monitoring and modelling of disease biomarkers are essential to help inform methods that can be put in place to suppress viral loads for maximum ART benefits that can be accrued over time at an individual level.
-
African health sciences · Dec 2020
The prevalence of hypertension and influencing factors among the employees of a university hospital.
Hypertension is a serious disease with increasing worldwide prevalence, leading to life-threatening complications. ⋯ The prevalence of hypertension was highest among staff members. Special programs would facilitate the diagnosis, control, and prevention of high blood pressure among the high-risk groups, especially men, the elderly and the obese hospital employees.
-
African health sciences · Dec 2020
Does shared decision making increase prostate screening uptake in countries with a low prevalence of prostate cancer?
Men over 50 should discuss the benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing with their doctors. ⋯ Our findings suggest that less than one fourth discussed the advantages and disadvantages of PSA testing with their physicians; of these, less than one third underwent PSA blood tests. Improvements are needed in SDM for and against PSA screening. SDM does not affect the intensity of PSA testing. Primary health care physicians should be actively involved in the SDM process.