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Non Communicable Disease Admissions in Developing Country as Experienced from the Medical Ward of a Tertiary Centre in Nigeria
Alikor Chizindu Akubudike,
Nwafor Chibuike Eze
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
34-37
Received:
17 February 2018
Accepted:
24 March 2018
Published:
12 April 2018
Abstract: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are non-infectious. NCDs which include a cluster of illnesses (Diabetes mellitus, Cancers, Chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders) are increasing worldwide due to changing lifestyles and socio-economic status with significant contribution to the global disease burden. It is projected that by 2020, the largest increase in NCD deaths will occur in Africa which currently has a heavy infectious diseases burden. NCDs usually affect adults who are economically productive and bear enormous social responsibilities. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of non-communicable diseases in the medical wards of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). It was a retrospective and hospital based study. The admission and discharge registers of the medical wards of UPTH from January 2013 to December 2016 were reviewed and NCD admissions extracted. There were 1096 cases of various NCDs constituting 57.7% of total medical ward admissions of 1898. The male to female ratio was 1:1.2 with a mean age of 54.40±21 years. Subjects ≥50 years of age accounted for 60.5% of total admissions. Diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine and renal systems were found to be the most prevalent accounting for 46.5%, 18.8% and 12.4% respectively of the NCDs in this study. Hypertension and hypertension-related complications, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure are major and important contributor to NCD admissions in the medical wards of UPTH. Early detection, appropriate management as well as patient education will play significant role in reducing its morbidity and mortality.
Abstract: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are non-infectious. NCDs which include a cluster of illnesses (Diabetes mellitus, Cancers, Chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders) are increasing worldwide due to changing lifestyles and socio-economic status with significant contributio...
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Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition Among Schoolchildren in Primary Schools in the Communes of Dixinn, Matam and Matoto, Conakry, Guinea, 2016
Touré Abdoulaye,
Kadio Kadio Jean-Jacques Olivier,
Camara Alioune,
Sidibé Sidikiba,
Delamou Alexandre,
Kotchi Yao Emmanuel,
Barry Ibrahima Koolo,
Diallo Ibrahima Sory,
Traoré Falaye,
Magassouba Fodé Bangaly,
Khanafer Nagham,
Cissé Diao,
Abro Awo Laurent,
Chambrier Cécile,
Etard Jean Francois,
Diallo Mamadou Pathé
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
38-47
Received:
19 February 2018
Accepted:
19 March 2018
Published:
14 April 2018
Abstract: Malnutrition leads to disruption of cognitive development and poor academic performance among children. However, few studies have been conducted in primary school to measure its burden and risk factors in Guinea. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of malnutrition and determine its associated factors among primary school children in Conakry, Guinea. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1st, 2015 to March 31st, 2016 among fifth grade primary school children in three communes of Conakry, Guinea. Children aged between 8 to 19 years were randomly selected using a two-stage sampling technic. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, of both children and their parents, and food habits were collected. The Z-scores of height-for-age and body mass index (BMI) were generated using SPSS macro 2007 developed by WHO for the analysis of anthropometric data for children aged between 5-19 years. Acute malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-height z-score ≤-2.0 standard deviation (SD) and a chronic malnutrition was considered as a height-for-age z-score ≤-2.0 standard deviation (SD). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess factors associated with acute or chronic malnutrition among children. A total of 2,408 children were included in the analysis. The mean age was 12.5±1.8 years, and 53.4% were female. The prevalence of acute malnutrition was 11.8% (95% CI: 10.6-13.2) and that of chronic malnutrition was 13.7% (95% CI: 12.1-14.9). Being a male (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.45-2.45, p <.001), living in the communes of Dixinn (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 2.53-5.65, p <.001) and Matoto (AOR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.29-5.20, p <.001), as well as having a father who was a trader (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.41, p =.007) were statistically significantly associated with acute malnutrition. Children attending Matoto schools (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: 2.68-5.16, p<.001) were independently associated with chronic malnutrition. Acute and chronic malnutrition were common in primary school children in Conakry. Targeted awareness raising actions must be undertaken with the parents of those who have an important risk.
Abstract: Malnutrition leads to disruption of cognitive development and poor academic performance among children. However, few studies have been conducted in primary school to measure its burden and risk factors in Guinea. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of malnutrition and determine its associated factors among primary school child...
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Association of Education and Knowledge of HIV with HIV Stigma in Thirteen Selected African Countries
Gerhard Fortwengel,
Sam Ibeneme,
Jacqueline Behnsen,
Lars Heinrich,
Stephanie Ilenseer,
Susanna Kirchner,
Ya-Jui Liang,
Marie Lindemann,
Jana-Elena Michaelis,
Melanie Müller,
Kira Schütze,
Christina Valtin
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
48-58
Received:
21 February 2018
Accepted:
21 March 2018
Published:
2 May 2018
Abstract: Majority of African countries have high stigma index(HSI) and are mostly populated by rural dwellers with high levels of illiteracy/ignorance. Therefore, poor education and knowledge of human immune deficiency virus(HIV) infection might be key drivers of stigmatization. Eight countries with a stigma index(STI) >40%(Niger, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Togo, and Democratic Republic of Congo) of 32 African countries with listed STI by UNAIDS, and three (Rwanda, Zambia, and Namibia), with a low stigma index (LSI) of 20%, were descriptively analyzed. Four knowledge classes(≤25%-class one;>25%≤50%-class two; >50%≤75% class three; >75%-class four), and categories of stigmatisation score (< 0.5-class one; 0.5< 1.0-class two; 1.0< 1.5-class three and >1.5-class four - signifying little, medium, high and very high tendency to stigmatize, respectively), were created based on respondents 'answers to twelve questions assessing knowledge of HIV, and four questions assessing stigmatisation of HIV-positive people, respectively. Data were characterized and evaluated by frequency tables using IBM SPSS Software. Respondents in knowledge classes three and four, mainly comprised urban dwellers in both LSI (98.0%urban vs 96.5%rural), and HSI (80.3%urban vs 64.5%rural) countries. Females had higher educational attainment than males in countries with LSI (98.35%females vs 97.6%males) than his (79.8% females vs 81.6% males). However, males expressed positive views (< 0.5-class one) about having an HIV-positive teacher, continuing to teach (i.e. least tendency for social stigmatization), and would buy vegetables from an HIV-positive vendor (i.e. least tendency for physical stigmatization), than females. Meanwhile, 48% of respondents would not buy vegetables from an infected vendor, yet they knew that HIV will not be transmitted by sharing food with an infected person. Impact factors of positive attitudes towards HIV are urbanization, educational attainment, and knowledge about HIV. LSI countries are distinguished from HSI countries by higher female educational attainment and knowledge about HIV than male, which may impact HIV stigmatization, and could be of socio-cultural significance. Lesser tendency to stigmatize among males than females may suggest that socio-cultural factors which enable stigmatization may be gender-related. The greater tendency towards physical than social stigmatization may reflect respondents' perception that physical contact enables HIV transmission. The contradiction between knowledge and belief was evident hence almost half of those who knew the mode of transmission of HIV, had a negative attitude towards an infected vendor.
Abstract: Majority of African countries have high stigma index(HSI) and are mostly populated by rural dwellers with high levels of illiteracy/ignorance. Therefore, poor education and knowledge of human immune deficiency virus(HIV) infection might be key drivers of stigmatization. Eight countries with a stigma index(STI) >40%(Niger, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leon...
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Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Acute Malnourished Children During Ebola at Ratoma Medical Center of Conakry, Guinea
Sidibé Sidikiba,
Delamou Alexandre,
Camara Bienvenu Salim,
Magassouba Aboubacar Sidiki,
Ravi Nirmal,
Beavogui Abdoul Habib
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2018
Pages:
59-64
Received:
15 April 2018
Accepted:
2 May 2018
Published:
5 May 2018
Abstract: Intestinal parasitic infections are particularly severe in children in whom they can lead to malnutrition and decreased resistance to infections. In Guinea, no study has examined the burden of intestinal parasitic infections among malnourished children, especially in the context of the Ebola outbreak. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among acute malnourished children at the Ratoma Communal Medical Center in Conakry in 2015. A 6-month cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2015 at the Ratoma Communal Medical Center of Conakry, Guinea. It included all children aged 6-36 months diagnosed with acute malnutrition, whose caregivers consented for the study. A total of 220 children suffering from acute malnutrition were included in the study. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the sample was 27%. Different parasitic species were identified in the infected children and included Ascaris lumbricoides (15%, n =33), Enterobius vermicularis (6%, n=13), Entamoeba coli (5%, n=11), and Taenia saginata (1%, n=3). Only children’s age was associated with intestinal parasitic infections (AOR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.18-1.58). Household-based awareness-raising on under-five intestinal infections prevention along with deworming campaigns would constitute effective post-Ebola interventions toward the reduction of intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition burden in under-five children in Guinea.
Abstract: Intestinal parasitic infections are particularly severe in children in whom they can lead to malnutrition and decreased resistance to infections. In Guinea, no study has examined the burden of intestinal parasitic infections among malnourished children, especially in the context of the Ebola outbreak. The objective of this study was to determine th...
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