African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Mar 2021
First line antiretroviral treatment failure and associated factors among people living with HIV in northwest Ethiopia.
Anti-retroviral treatment enhances the immune status and reduces unwanted outcomes. However, development of treatment failure and drug resistance raises concern over lifelong treatments to chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS. ⋯ Significant proportion of treatment failure was reported in the present study. Moreover, behavioral factors such as drug discontinuation, poor adherence, multiple sexual partner were associated with treatment failure. Hence, to avoid TF, regular patient counseling and monitoring should be in place. To identify the predictors for treatment failure, further follow-up study is desirable.
-
Ectopic pregnancy is a gynaecological emergency with significant burden of maternal mortality and morbidity in the tropics. The incidence reported in the literature range from 1:60 to 1:250 pregnancies. The aim was to determine incidence and risk factors of ectopic pregnancy in the Gambia. ⋯ The incidence rate of 0.2% was in the range reported in the literature. Low parity, previous abortion and pelvic inflammatory disease were the risk factors.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2021
A preliminary study of skin bleaching and factors associated with skin bleaching among women living in Zimbabwe.
Skin bleaching was reported to be commonly practiced among women and Africa was reported to be one of the most affected yet the subject is not given much attention in public health research in Zimbabwe despite the adverse effects of skin bleaching on health. ⋯ Evidence from the research suggests skin bleaching might be common among women living in Zimbabwe and possibly poses serious health threats to the women. Skin bleaching seems to be deep rooted in colourism. The colourism seems to be taken advantage of by the cosmetic industry which produce the potentially hazardous products which promise the revered light skin to women but which comes with a price. However, the study provides a base for future studies to explore more on skin bleaching practices among women living in Zimbabwe.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2021
Medical mortality in an emergency department in Nigeria: the transition is obvious!
The emergency department (ED), a major entry point into the hospital, provides an insight to the type of cases seen, the quality of care and mortality spectrum in a health institution. We aim to identify the spectrum of medical causes of mortality in our ED, the demographic pattern and duration of stay before death. ⋯ The commonest cause of death in the ED was stroke. The burden of death was highest in the younger age group, with most occurring less than 24 hours of admission.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2021
Midwives' challenges in the management of postpartum haemorrhage at rural PHC facilities of Limpopo province, South Africa: an explorative study.
Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the causes of the rise in maternal mortality. Midwives' experiences related to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) management remain unexplored, especially in Limpopo. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by midwives in the management of women with PPH. ⋯ The study findings revealed that midwives experienced difficulty when managing women with postpartum haemorrhage. For successful implementation of maternal health care guidelines, midwives should be capacitated through training, supported and supervised in order to execute PPH management with ease.