African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice among nursing mothers attending a health care facility in a peri-urban setting in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The Nigerian government initiated various national infant and young child feeding programmes (1992-2005) to improve juveniles well-being. Despite these efforts, under-five children feeding related diseases and mortality still escalate. Investigating the drivers of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is exigent in tackling this menace. ⋯ Age of index child, marriage type, maternal education, marital status and nature of delivery independently predicted EBF practice.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
The diagnostic upper GI endoscopy camp: a pilot for enhancing service provision and training in eastern Uganda.
Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms are common in East Africa but there is limited diagnostic endoscopy availability. Surgical camps are a recognised method of providing intensive service provision and training. We describe a novel application of the camp model for diagnostic UGI endoscopy in eastern Uganda. ⋯ Our pilot has illustrated that camps are a safe and efficient way of providing intense endoscopy service and training in an established department. Camps can be utilised for scaling up much needed endoscopy services and training in low- and middle-income countries.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Burden of caregiving among caregivers of patients with severe mental illnesses in Benin City, Nigeria.
Severe mental illness exerts a tremendous burden on both the sufferer and caregiver. Such burden has been severally identified as enormous involving psychological, physical and economic challenges. ⋯ There is a need to provide social support for caregivers of persons suffering from mental illness. Subsidization of cost of medication and hospitalization can reduce the burden experienced.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Treatment outcomes of tuberculosis patients in a Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) Referral Centre in Delta State, Nigeria: a five-year review (2012 - 2016).
The objective of this study is to observe the trend in treatment outcomes and identify determinants of treatment success among patients recruited into care through the DOTS strategy. ⋯ The treatment success rate was high and in line with the national recommendation of 80% and above. The trend showed a reduction in number of new cases enrolled into the DOTS programme, reduction in success rate with a concomitant increase in loss to follow up. There was no association between patient characteristics and TB treatment success. System strengthening on patient follow up, community health education and treatment adherence is recommended.
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African health sciences · Jun 2022
Prevalence and associated risk factors of low back pain among users of a primary health care clinic serving semi-urban and rural settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal conditions and a common work-related health problem. In South Africa, people from lower socio-economic strata are involved in physical labour and also have unequal access to health services. There is minimal data on the prevalence of LBP in these communities. This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of LBP among public sector health care users in a semi-urban/rural area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ⋯ In this setting, where the prevalence of LBP was high, specialized treatments for LBP were not available at the primary health care facility. Incorporation of such treatments will be useful, for people in lower socio-economic strata, to overcome the burden of LBP.