African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Cardiac surgery in East Africa: a profile of cases and referral to physiotherapy.
A significant increase in cardiac surgery has been observed globally, with prolonged length of stay (LOS) still prevalent due to post-operative complications. Physiotherapy pre and post cardiac surgery is known to reduce these complications and LOS, however cases referred for physiotherapy is unknown. ⋯ Cardiac surgeries were reduced annually but the post-operative complications need to be reduced. Pre-operative physiotherapy referral may reduce pneumonia and lung collapse following cardiac surgery.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practice among nursing mothers in selected healthcare facilities in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria.
Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in the first six months of life is recognized as an indispensable component of survival, physical and mental development of children. Despite the enormous benefits of EBF, only 39% of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed globally. ⋯ Findings from this study showed that most of the participants had a very good knowledge of EBF and are practicing it.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Prevalence of late antenatal care booking among pregnant women attending public health facilities of Kigamboni Municipality in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania.
Good care during pregnancy is important for the health of mothers and development of the unborn baby. The study determined the prevalence and factors associated with late ANC booking among pregnant women at health facilities in Kigamboni Municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. ⋯ Majority of the pregnant women started ANC later than the recommended time. Health education provision at all community levels on the advantages and disadvantages of early and late ANC booking respectively should be strengthened.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Knowledge of non-communicable diseases among adolescents in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
Exposure to risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) begins early especially during adolescence while morbidity and mortality occurs mainly in adulthood. ⋯ Many of the adolescents in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya had low level of knowledge regarding NCDs and their risk factors. The findings of this study highlight the need for a school-based intervention programme to raise awareness of non-communicable disease risk factors among adolescents.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Case ReportsIrrational use of antibiotics without a clinical diagnosis: a short case report.
Antibiotics are often started irrationally and continued injudiciously worldwide without a clinical diagnosis. Antibiotic prescription practises are governed by multiple factors like lack of diagnostic facilities, secondary infections, poor sanitary conditions, easy availability, pharmaceutical companies' marketing strategies and patients seeking the fastest cure from healthcare providers. We report a case of a 40-year-old male who was treated intermittently with multiple antibiotics for 3 months without being clinically diagnosed. The patient continued having episodes of fever with brief periods of remission. The occurrence of recurrent episodes of transient ischemic attacks alarmed him, and he was brought to a tertiary hospital, where a diagnosis of culture-negative Infective Endocarditis (IE) was made. He underwent successful high-risk double valve replacement and was discharged from the hospital in satisfactory condition. ⋯ Antibiotics should be started judiciously with a proper clinical indication and should be reviewed from time to time regarding selection, duration, and response. In the case of non-responders, a thorough clinical examination followed by relevant investigations should be done for a proper clinical diagnosis.