African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2020
Household and individual risk factors of anaemia among under-5 children in Lesotho.
Anaemia among under-5 children is a major public health issue worldwide. Some countries with a high prevalence of anaemia also have high prevalence of malaria. Even though Lesotho does not have a high prevalence of malaria, its prevalence rate of anaemia is as high. According to the 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), the prevalence of anaemia among children under-5 was 51%. Other factors could be influencing the prevalence of anaemia in Lesotho. ⋯ Using solid fuels for cooking increases the vulnerability of children under-5 developing anaemia. Therefore, knowledge of renewable energy resources should be increased. This will help reduce levels of anaemia among under-5 children in Lesotho.
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Best practices comprise recent, relevant, and helpful nursing practices, methods, interventions, procedures or techniques based on high-quality evidence. Best practices should be implemented to improve individual patients' health outcomes the overall quality of health care, and to strengthen the health system at large. Four facilitators (benefit levers) to effectively roll-out best practices in healthcare organizations were identified: alignment, permeation plans, leadership for change, as well as supporting and reinforcing structures. ⋯ The guide should be tested in different healthcare organizations and adapted accordingly to have an impact on improved patient and health outcomes. The guide can be used by managers wishing to roll-out best practices in their healthcare organizations to achieve improved health outcomes for individual patients.
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African health sciences · Sep 2020
Unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections in children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are contagious diseases of the upper airways, but they are self-limiting in nature. Therefore, antimicrobial-use for the majority of the URTIs is considered inappropriate. Unfortunately, globally, antimicrobials are still being prescribed for the treatment of URTIs, especially in children. However, there is insufficient evidence on the causes of this phenomenon in South Africa. ⋯ Physicians and other healthcare providers need education on rational prescribing of antimicrobials, and to implement evidence-based standard treatment guidelines, to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics in children with self-limiting URTIs.
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African health sciences · Sep 2020
Detection, quantification and genotype distribution of HCV patients in Lahore, Pakistan by real-time PCR.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered as "Viral Time Bomb" suggested by the World Health Organization and if it is not treated timely, it will lead towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ⋯ The major risk factor for HCV transmission is by use of unsterilized razors/blades. It is necessary to spread awareness among the general population of Pakistan about HCV transmission risk factors. Regular physical examination at least once a year is recommended, so that early detection of HCV could be done.
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African health sciences · Sep 2020
Medication use among pregnant women at a secondary health institution: utilisation patterns and predictors of quantity.
Despite the lack of adequate studies on the safety of drugs in pregnancy, surprisingly, available evidence shows that pregnant women still take large number of drugs. ⋯ Varieties of medications were used during the course of pregnancy among this population, however, most of these drugs were still within safety profile.