Articles: disease.
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Comparative Study
Attitudes to malaria, traditional practices and bednets (mosquito nets) as vector control measures: a comparative study in five west African countries.
Five West African communities were visited to assess the knowledge of the cause of malaria and to document traditional ways of treating and preventing the infection. Knowledge of the cause of malaria was low in the five communities visited. ⋯ Malaria was treated by a number of traditional practices, including herbal remedies. Bednets were used to a varying extent, from 44% Ghana to 86% Gambia, in each community to protect against mosquito bites but also for other purposes such as privacy, decoration and protection from roof debris dropping on the bed.
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A retrospective study of 21,442 Singaporean women who gave birth at the National University Hospital, Singapore, between January 1986 and November 1991 is used to assess the effects of increasing age on obstetric performance. The results show that reproduction after the age of 35 years in Singapore is associated with a higher incidence of antenatal complications such as hypertension and diabetes and a higher rate of obstetric intervention. However, given the current level of obstetric and neonatal care in Singapore, these adverse features do not prejudice the obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
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Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Mar 1994
Anaemia, blood transfusion practices, HIV and mortality among women of reproductive age in western Kenya.
Severe anaemia among women in sub-Saharan Africa is frequently treated with blood transfusions. The risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through blood products has led to a re-evaluation of the indications for transfusions. Prospective surveillance of women admitted to a district hospital in western Kenya was conducted from 1 December 1990 to 31 July 1991, for haemoglobin (Hb) transfusion status, and outcome. ⋯ Decreased mortality rates in hospital were observed with increasing Hb values (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.19, 0.98), but blood transfusions did not improve survival in hospital (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 0.22, 11.03). The attributable mortality due to HIV infection and severe anaemia was 75% and 31%, respectively. Maternal/child health care services must include prevention strategies for HIV transmission and the prevention, recognition, and treatment of severe anaemia.