African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2024
Knowledge, attitude and practices towards oral health among secondary school students in Huye district, Rwanda.
Good oral health knowledge is considered to be crucial for health-related practices and better oral hygiene. ⋯ Oral hygiene has to be long life practice and oral health education have to be included as part of the school environment.
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African health sciences · Mar 2024
The cytotoxic, genotoxic and mitotoxic effects of Atractylis gummifera extract in vitro.
The Mediterranean thistle Atractylis gummifera L. (Asteraceae; AG) has diterpenoid glucosides; atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside that interact with mitochondrial protein adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) and resulted in ATP inhibition. Despite its well-known toxicity, acute poisonings still occur with this plant. Although most symptoms are attributed to ANT and diterpenoids interaction, in-depth investigation of the effects of AG extract on various cellular processes has not been performed. ⋯ this work highlights cellular and mitochondrial adverse effects of Atractylis gummifera extracts. A purified fraction that likely corresponds to ATR derivatives induces MPTP opening leading to swelling of mitochondria and its dysfunction. Allium cepa test provides the evidence for A. gummifera genotoxicity and cytotoxicity.
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African health sciences · Mar 2024
Factors influencing use of contraceptives among literate married women in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Contraceptives uses are issues of concern around the world due to the adverse effects of unsafe sexual behaviours, such as unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among women. ⋯ Majority of the respondents attested to the factors influencing contraceptive use among literate married women. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that contextual and cultural considerations are recommended for comprehensive understanding of factors influencing contraceptive use among Nigerian women, educative interventions by service providers on the necessity of continuous contraception even at older age before menopause should be recommended.
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African health sciences · Mar 2024
Curosurf surfactant application on preterm babies with respiratory complications-health-economic benefits.
The implementation of surfactant for respiratory syndrome approbates the therapy as a revolutionary method in intensive neonatal therapy and respiratory resuscitation. It is important to investigate the costs of this treatment. ⋯ The models of evaluation of cost effectiveness reveal that the medicinal product is expensive but effective from the aspect of short-term therapeutic results.
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African health sciences · Mar 2024
Exploring patient referral practices of traditional healthcare practitioners in Soshanguve, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
It may be necessary for healthcare professionals to refer patients to other professionals and institutions that are able to provide the care needed by patients, depending on the severity each case presents, healthcare requirements, and resources available to offer care. In healthcare generally, patient referral is standard procedure; however, in South Africa, referral patterns between allopathic and traditional healthcare practitioners are unknown, and this is a problem yet to be addressed. ⋯ Patient referral being an important part of healthcare practices should be promoted and regulation and traditional health practices improved to promote safe referral practices and curb unsafe self-referrals by patients.