African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Mar 2022
Frequencies and ethnic distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups in the Volta region of Ghana, towards effective blood bank services.
Blood is an essential body fluid for the transport of substances to all parts of the body. Knowledge of blood group distribution within any population is important in determining the direction of blood bank inventory for emergency blood services. ⋯ Healthcare facilities in the region should adopt a strategy to stock-pile sufficient O+ blood which is the prevalent blood group in the region. All types of blood groups were reported hence our findings should provide information to guide clinical practice and/or blood transfusion services in the region.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2022
Knowledge and indulgence in substsance abuse among adolescents in Anambra state, South-East Nigeria.
Substance abuse is a growing societal problem with adolescents being at increased risk. The few studies in Nigerian adolescents have not factored in their knowledge base with regard to the concept of substance abuse. ⋯ An unacceptable proportion of the adolescents were already exposed to substances/drugs in spite of having suboptimal knowledge. Adolescents need to be educated on substance abuse and its dangers in order to curb this in the society.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2022
Reporting of sexual and gender-based violence and associated factors among survivors in Mayuge, Uganda.
Reporting of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) allows survivors to access support services to minimize the impact of the violence on their lives. However, research shows that most SGBV survivors do not report. ⋯ Reporting of SGBV by survivors in Mayuge was found to below.
-
Endometriosis is the existence of endometrial tissue outside the endometrial cavity. It has high prevalence in women living in developed countries but is believed to be rare among indigenous African women. ⋯ Endometriosis has low prevalence in our population. Women presenting with chronic pelvic pain, infertility and menstrual disorders should be evaluated for endometriosis. Population-based study is required to further characterize the condition in our population.
-
African health sciences · Mar 2022
Case ReportsParvovirus b19 infection in children with sickle cell disease, watch out for splenomegaly! A case report.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy characterized by the presence of hemoglobin S in red blood cells. This polymerizes, distorting the red blood cells, which occlude the microcirculation and have a shorter halflife, giving rise to a chronic hemolytic anemia. This anemia is worsened by parvovirus B19, as it compromises the erythroid precursor, causing a decrease in erythrocyte production. These patients sometimes present with splenic sequestration, characterized by acute blood entrapment in the spleen, with clinical signs of hypovolemic shock. The simultaneous appearance of both leads to an extremely severe situation that requires urgent action. ⋯ Patients with SCD and parvovirus B19 infection must be closely observed for splenomegaly since an early identification of an enlarging spleen can lead to an early diagnosis of this complication.