African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Meta AnalysisMagnitude of Cryptococcosis among HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cryptococcus is encapsulated opportunistic yeast that causes life threatening meningoencephalitis of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The magnitude of Cryptococcosis among HIV patients varies from 1-10% in Western countries as opposed to almost a one third of HIV-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa where it is associated with high mortality. ⋯ The overall pooled magnitude of Cryptococcosisis high among HIV patients in sub-Saharan African countries. The studies showed substantial heterogeneity, and little publication bias. Most of the studies relied on LFA & LA that showed the scarcity of facilities for fungal culture. Therefore, paying attention to screening HIV patients; those with signs and symptoms of meningitis may help to reduce the loss of HIV patients.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Acceptance and utilization of HIV testing among the youth: a cross-sectional study in Techiman, Ghana.
In Ghana, efforts including 'Know Your Status' campaign have been made to increase awareness and improve the uptake of HIV screening. ⋯ The youth should therefore be targeted in the awareness and the 'Know Your Status campaigns', and in an effortsto promote screening for HIV.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Seroepidemiology of human fascioliasis and its relationship with anti-Fasciola IgG and liver enzymes as biomarkers of pathogenicity.
Fascioliasis has never been considered a public health concern in Pakistan, although the increasing numbers of human cases reported in south Asia need a re-consideration in the country. The current study aimed to find the seroprevalence of human fascioliasis, associated risk factors and its relationship with liver enzymes as biomarkers of pathogenicity. ⋯ The higher prevalence recorded may explain with Fasciola IgG antibodies for both active and past infections and cross reactivity of the assay with other helminthes.
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African health sciences · Mar 2020
Sexual knowledge and practice of adolescent learners in a rural South African school.
Premature sexual activity has become a norm in South African society, often resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Occurrence of premature sexual activity is related to insufficient education, gender inequalities, household poverty and place of residence. The Stepping Stones project uses a 10-session programme to educate learners about relationships, HIV-prevention and teenage pregnancy. The purpose was to measure and describe learners' sexual knowledge and activities in a rural technical secondary school in North-west Province, South Africa. ⋯ Findings point to unsafe sexual practice of learners at a school in rural South Africa, even from an early age. This concern is accompanied by the occurrence of low levels of sexually-related knowledge. The learners would benefit from continued implementation of the Stepping Stones programme. Implementation could be improved by incorporating social media and emphasising gender equality and negotiation skills in sexually vulnerable situations.