Background: African contribution to global research output is said to be low. Poor funding and poor skills in grant writing havebeen suggested as important factors for this situation.
Objectives: Applications for research ethics clearance in a hospital were reviewed to have an overview of the planned studiesand the proportion of them that attracted national and international funding.
Methods: A review of all applications for ethical clearance received by the institutional review board of a university teachinghospital at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, from 2016 to 2020. They were analysed according to study nature, scope, purpose, and sponsorshipusing descriptive statistics presented as frequency tables and charts.
Results: A total of 878 applications were reviewed. There were 803 (91.5%) applications for local, 45 (5.1%) for national multicentre,and 30 (3.4%) for international multicentre studies. Applications for medical fellowship were 352 (40.0%) while 208(23.8%) were from academic staff for non-degree research. There were 610 (69.5%) applications for self-sponsored studies.Only 18 (2.0%) and 26 (3.0%) received sponsorship from national and international donor agencies, respectively.
Conclusions: Local studies formed the bulk of the submissions for ethics clearance. National and international donor fundingof research is abysmally low in this Nigerian tertiary institution studied.
Keywords: Research ethics applications; study sponsorship.
{"title":"A 5-year review of research ethics applications in a tertiary health and educational institution in Nigeria","authors":"Dennis Amajuoyi Ndububa, Akinjide Olurotimi Ogundokun, Oluwagbemiga Oluwole Ayoola, Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi, Rahman Ayodele Bolarinwa, Taiwo Olumuyiwa Ogundipe, Abdulkadir Ayo Salako, Aaron Oladiipo Aboderin, Olusegun Temitope Afolabi, Anthony Taiwo Adenekan, Ige Oluwatosin Taiwo, Oluwabanke Gold Akanbi","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.85","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.85","url":null,"abstract":"Background: African contribution to global research output is said to be low. Poor funding and poor skills in grant writing havebeen suggested as important factors for this situation.
 Objectives: Applications for research ethics clearance in a hospital were reviewed to have an overview of the planned studiesand the proportion of them that attracted national and international funding.
 Methods: A review of all applications for ethical clearance received by the institutional review board of a university teachinghospital at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, from 2016 to 2020. They were analysed according to study nature, scope, purpose, and sponsorshipusing descriptive statistics presented as frequency tables and charts.
 Results: A total of 878 applications were reviewed. There were 803 (91.5%) applications for local, 45 (5.1%) for national multicentre,and 30 (3.4%) for international multicentre studies. Applications for medical fellowship were 352 (40.0%) while 208(23.8%) were from academic staff for non-degree research. There were 610 (69.5%) applications for self-sponsored studies.Only 18 (2.0%) and 26 (3.0%) received sponsorship from national and international donor agencies, respectively.
 Conclusions: Local studies formed the bulk of the submissions for ethics clearance. National and international donor fundingof research is abysmally low in this Nigerian tertiary institution studied.
 Keywords: Research ethics applications; study sponsorship.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qu Xianguo, Cao Hui, Shen Xin, Feng Jing, Wang Zijian, Niu Zhenyu, Gan Yong
Background: High rates of sexual violence ratios in low-income countries are recognized as a global public health problem. The incidence of violence against African women has been increasing. However, no study has systematically summarized the global prevalence of sexual violence against African woman.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, databases from their inception through January 2021 for pertinent studies on reporting the prevalence of sexual violence against African women. We included observational studies. The prevalence rate was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. Differences by study level characteristics were estimated through subgroup analysis and meta-regression.
Results: A total of 9 cross-sectional studies were included (a total of 9,030 participants). The pooled sexual violence rate was 0.33 (95% CI = 0.23–0.42). Subgroup analyses found that there was a higher rates of sexual violence against pregnant woman in east Africa (0.41, 95% CI = 0.24–0.58), pregnant (0.42, 95% CI = 0.05–0.80), and interview (0.40, 95% CI = 0.01–0.78). The analysis found that the major sexual violence types were the physical violence (0.19, 95% CI = 0.07–0.31), psychological violence (0.36, 95% CI = 0.11–0.61), sexual assault (0.25, 95% CI = 0.02–0.47).
Conclusions: Nearly one out of every three (33%) African woman around the world has been a victim of sexual violence in their life. This current study investigated the status and characteristics of sexual violence against women, which could provide an important reference for the African health care provider. Assessing this problem against African women helps government officials, policy makers, program designers and non-governmental organizations to design prevention and controlling strategies.
Keywords: Sexual violence; African women; Meta-analysis.
背景:低收入国家的高性暴力比率被认为是一个全球性的公共卫生问题。针对非洲妇女的暴力事件不断增加。然而，没有一项研究系统地总结了针对非洲妇女的性暴力在全球的普遍程度。方法:我们对PubMed、Embase和Web of Science数据库进行了全面的检索，从它们成立到2021年1月，检索有关报告针对非洲妇女的性暴力流行的相关研究。我们纳入了观察性研究。使用随机效应荟萃分析估计患病率。采用I2统计量评价异质性。通过亚组分析和meta回归估计各研究水平特征的差异。
结果:共纳入9项横断面研究(共9030名受试者)。合并性暴力率为0.33 (95% CI = 0.23-0.42)。亚组分析发现，东非对孕妇(0.41,95% CI = 0.24-0.58)、孕妇(0.42,95% CI = 0.05-0.80)和受访妇女(0.40,95% CI = 0.01-0.78)的性暴力发生率较高。分析发现，主要的性暴力类型为身体暴力(0.19,95% CI = 0.07-0.31)、心理暴力(0.36,95% CI = 0.11-0.61)、性侵犯(0.25,95% CI = 0.02-0.47)。
结论:全世界近三分之一(33%)的非洲妇女在其生活中曾是性暴力的受害者。本研究调查了针对妇女的性暴力的现状和特点，可为非洲保健提供者提供重要参考。对非洲妇女的这一问题进行评估，有助于政府官员、决策者、方案设计者和非政府组织制定预防和控制战略。关键词:性暴力;非洲妇女;荟萃分析。
{"title":"The prevalence of sexual violence against African women: a systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Qu Xianguo, Cao Hui, Shen Xin, Feng Jing, Wang Zijian, Niu Zhenyu, Gan Yong","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.15","url":null,"abstract":"Background: High rates of sexual violence ratios in low-income countries are recognized as a global public health problem. The incidence of violence against African women has been increasing. However, no study has systematically summarized the global prevalence of sexual violence against African woman.
 Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, databases from their inception through January 2021 for pertinent studies on reporting the prevalence of sexual violence against African women. We included observational studies. The prevalence rate was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. Differences by study level characteristics were estimated through subgroup analysis and meta-regression.
 Results: A total of 9 cross-sectional studies were included (a total of 9,030 participants). The pooled sexual violence rate was 0.33 (95% CI = 0.23–0.42). Subgroup analyses found that there was a higher rates of sexual violence against pregnant woman in east Africa (0.41, 95% CI = 0.24–0.58), pregnant (0.42, 95% CI = 0.05–0.80), and interview (0.40, 95% CI = 0.01–0.78). The analysis found that the major sexual violence types were the physical violence (0.19, 95% CI = 0.07–0.31), psychological violence (0.36, 95% CI = 0.11–0.61), sexual assault (0.25, 95% CI = 0.02–0.47).
 Conclusions: Nearly one out of every three (33%) African woman around the world has been a victim of sexual violence in their life. This current study investigated the status and characteristics of sexual violence against women, which could provide an important reference for the African health care provider. Assessing this problem against African women helps government officials, policy makers, program designers and non-governmental organizations to design prevention and controlling strategies.
 Keywords: Sexual violence; African women; Meta-analysis.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medard Turyamureba, Bruno L Yawe, John Bosco Oryema
Background: In Uganda, health care utilisation remains very low despite a number of government reforms that have beenimplemented in the health sector since the 1990’s such as decentralization and removal of user fees in public health facilitiesamong others.
Objective: To examine the factors influencing public and private health care utilisation in Uganda.
Methods: The study used cross sectional data from the Uganda National Household Survey collected between July 2016 andJune 2017. Anderson’s conceptual framework was used to identify explanatory variables associated with choice of health careproviders and a multinomial logistic regression model was estimated.
Results: Out of the 17,912 individuals who sought care, 36% used a government facility, 60% used private facility while 4% hadself- care/treatment. The results show that out of pocket health expenditure, age, level of education, marital status, residence,and type of illness significantly influenced choice of public healthcare providers. Similarly, utilisation of private healthcare providerswas associated with household welfare, level of education, residence, marital status, illness days, and type of illness.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for a national health insurance scheme to reduce out of pocket payments for healthcare and enable the poor and vulnerable patients visit the modern health facilities.
Keywords: Utilisation; multinomial logit; health care provider, policy; Uganda.
{"title":"Factors influencing public and private healthcare utilisation in Uganda","authors":"Medard Turyamureba, Bruno L Yawe, John Bosco Oryema","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.83","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In Uganda, health care utilisation remains very low despite a number of government reforms that have beenimplemented in the health sector since the 1990’s such as decentralization and removal of user fees in public health facilitiesamong others.
 Objective: To examine the factors influencing public and private health care utilisation in Uganda.
 Methods: The study used cross sectional data from the Uganda National Household Survey collected between July 2016 andJune 2017. Anderson’s conceptual framework was used to identify explanatory variables associated with choice of health careproviders and a multinomial logistic regression model was estimated.
 Results: Out of the 17,912 individuals who sought care, 36% used a government facility, 60% used private facility while 4% hadself- care/treatment. The results show that out of pocket health expenditure, age, level of education, marital status, residence,and type of illness significantly influenced choice of public healthcare providers. Similarly, utilisation of private healthcare providerswas associated with household welfare, level of education, residence, marital status, illness days, and type of illness.
 Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for a national health insurance scheme to reduce out of pocket payments for healthcare and enable the poor and vulnerable patients visit the modern health facilities.
 Keywords: Utilisation; multinomial logit; health care provider, policy; Uganda.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: To probe into the influences of different blood conservation techniques on the postoperative coagulation function and prognosis of elderly patients receiving Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).
Methodology: A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into Autologous Blood Transfusion (ABT) group (n=30) and ANH group (n=30). For patients in the ABT group, an autologous blood recovery machine was used to recover, wash and filter the surgical field blood. For those in the Acute Isovolumic Hemodilution (ANH) group, blood was collected preoperatively from the central vein and stored in a citrate anticoagulant blood storage bag, while the same amount of hydroxyethyl starch was injected into the peripheral vein to dilute the blood. After Mai bleeding steps of the operation were completed, the autologous blood of patients was transfused back in both groups. The clinical indicators of patients in each group were observed.
Results: 48 h after operation, the ANH group obtained a higher level of hemoglobin (Hb), shorter Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), and a lower expression rate of platelet activating factor CD62P than the ABT group.
Conclusion: The ANH group exhibits higher content of hemoglobin and fewer platelet (Plt)activating factors produced than the ABT group, while no significant difference in the shortened length of hospital stays is found.
Keywords: Hip arthroplasty; blood transfusion; autologous; hemodilution; transfusion of red blood cells; platelet activating factors.
{"title":"Comparison of the effects of different blood conservation techniques in elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty","authors":"Yuanxing Cai, Xin He, Qinghao Cheng","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.59","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.59","url":null,"abstract":"Background: To probe into the influences of different blood conservation techniques on the postoperative coagulation function and prognosis of elderly patients receiving Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).
 Methodology: A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into Autologous Blood Transfusion (ABT) group (n=30) and ANH group (n=30). For patients in the ABT group, an autologous blood recovery machine was used to recover, wash and filter the surgical field blood. For those in the Acute Isovolumic Hemodilution (ANH) group, blood was collected preoperatively from the central vein and stored in a citrate anticoagulant blood storage bag, while the same amount of hydroxyethyl starch was injected into the peripheral vein to dilute the blood. After Mai bleeding steps of the operation were completed, the autologous blood of patients was transfused back in both groups. The clinical indicators of patients in each group were observed.
 Results: 48 h after operation, the ANH group obtained a higher level of hemoglobin (Hb), shorter Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), and a lower expression rate of platelet activating factor CD62P than the ABT group.
 Conclusion: The ANH group exhibits higher content of hemoglobin and fewer platelet (Plt)activating factors produced than the ABT group, while no significant difference in the shortened length of hospital stays is found.
 Keywords: Hip arthroplasty; blood transfusion; autologous; hemodilution; transfusion of red blood cells; platelet activating factors.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136211819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Margarete L T Arrais, Tiago J P Maricoto, Ofélia M Lulua, Francisca G S Quifica, Jorge M R Gama, Miguel D Brito, Luis Taborda-Barata
Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalcare.
Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of asthma and factors associated with its control.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Military Hospital in Luanda, from April 2018 to March 2019. Data collectionwas performed using questionnaires on asthma symptoms and treatment, socio-demographic and environmental questions,and a Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) questionnaire to assess the level of asthma control. Ordinal logistic regressionanalyses were performed. We estimated odds ratios, for higher categories of asthma control. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The sample consisted of 305 asthmatics ≥18-years-old, 56% women, with a mean age of 41.3 years. About 28% ofpatients had controlled asthma, 36% partially controlled and 35% uncontrolled. Poor asthma control was associated with frequentuse of short-acting beta-2 agonists [OR 5.70 (95%CI 2.37;13.7)], oral corticosteroids [OR 3.68 (95%CI 2.24;6.04)], andincorrect inhaler technique [OR 4.08 (95%CI 1.25;13.3)].
Conclusions: A significant number of adults living in Luanda have uncontrolled asthma due to the under-use of inhaled corticosteroidtherapy. It is necessary to develop strategic management and prevention plans to improve Angolan asthmatics' medicalcare.
Keywords: Asthma; Angola; symptom control; inhalers.
{"title":"Factors associated with poor asthma symptom control in adult Angolan regularly seen at an outpatient respiratory clinic","authors":"Margarete L T Arrais, Tiago J P Maricoto, Ofélia M Lulua, Francisca G S Quifica, Jorge M R Gama, Miguel D Brito, Luis Taborda-Barata","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.78","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.78","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalcare.
 Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of asthma and factors associated with its control.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Military Hospital in Luanda, from April 2018 to March 2019. Data collectionwas performed using questionnaires on asthma symptoms and treatment, socio-demographic and environmental questions,and a Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) questionnaire to assess the level of asthma control. Ordinal logistic regressionanalyses were performed. We estimated odds ratios, for higher categories of asthma control. P<0.05 was considered significant.
 Results: The sample consisted of 305 asthmatics ≥18-years-old, 56% women, with a mean age of 41.3 years. About 28% ofpatients had controlled asthma, 36% partially controlled and 35% uncontrolled. Poor asthma control was associated with frequentuse of short-acting beta-2 agonists [OR 5.70 (95%CI 2.37;13.7)], oral corticosteroids [OR 3.68 (95%CI 2.24;6.04)], andincorrect inhaler technique [OR 4.08 (95%CI 1.25;13.3)].
 Conclusions: A significant number of adults living in Luanda have uncontrolled asthma due to the under-use of inhaled corticosteroidtherapy. It is necessary to develop strategic management and prevention plans to improve Angolan asthmatics' medicalcare.
 Keywords: Asthma; Angola; symptom control; inhalers.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"48 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carin Behrens van Tonder, Gina Joubert, Anand Moodley
Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and morbidity of RLS in CRF patients on dialysis.
Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 100 dialysis patients (50 on haemodialysis [HD]; 50 on peritonealdialysis [PD]). A focused lower limb examination was done. Patients were classified with RLS when reporting uncomfortablefeelings in their legs that improved with movement and worsened when resting and at night.
Results: Gender distribution was equal. The median age was 43 (19–67) years. Six patients (HD and PD n=3 each) had internationalcriteria-confirmed RLS. Twenty-four patients reported symptoms suggestive of RLS. Fourteen and 16 patients with RLSsymptoms were on HD and PD, respectively. Sleep disturbances occurred in 43.3% (n=13) of patients with RLS symptoms,compared to 20.0% (n=20) of the large cohort. Sleep disturbances, peripheral sensory loss, chronic disease-related anaemia,increased urea and decreased albumin levels were more common among patients with RLS symptoms.
Conclusion: RLS symptoms occurred in 30.0% of the entire cohort, although only 6.0% met the international criteria. The typeof dialysis had no impact on the incidence of symptoms. Identifying RLS in patients with CRF on dialysis will allow for earlyintervention.
Keywords: Restless legs syndrome; chronic renal failure; haemodialysis; peritoneal dialysis; symptoms.
{"title":"Restless legs syndrome in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis","authors":"Carin Behrens van Tonder, Gina Joubert, Anand Moodley","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.88","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.88","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).
 Objectives: To determine the prevalence and morbidity of RLS in CRF patients on dialysis.
 Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 100 dialysis patients (50 on haemodialysis [HD]; 50 on peritonealdialysis [PD]). A focused lower limb examination was done. Patients were classified with RLS when reporting uncomfortablefeelings in their legs that improved with movement and worsened when resting and at night.
 Results: Gender distribution was equal. The median age was 43 (19–67) years. Six patients (HD and PD n=3 each) had internationalcriteria-confirmed RLS. Twenty-four patients reported symptoms suggestive of RLS. Fourteen and 16 patients with RLSsymptoms were on HD and PD, respectively. Sleep disturbances occurred in 43.3% (n=13) of patients with RLS symptoms,compared to 20.0% (n=20) of the large cohort. Sleep disturbances, peripheral sensory loss, chronic disease-related anaemia,increased urea and decreased albumin levels were more common among patients with RLS symptoms.
 Conclusion: RLS symptoms occurred in 30.0% of the entire cohort, although only 6.0% met the international criteria. The typeof dialysis had no impact on the incidence of symptoms. Identifying RLS in patients with CRF on dialysis will allow for earlyintervention.
 Keywords: Restless legs syndrome; chronic renal failure; haemodialysis; peritoneal dialysis; symptoms.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Breast cancer is a serious public health threat. Mammography is the most reliable screening method that detectsbreast cancer early, enabling early onset of treatment which improves the prognosis of the disease.
Objectives: To determine women’s knowledge of breast cancer, as well as barriers and willingness of women to participate inmammography screening.
Methods: Using the cross-sectional survey design, we sampled and studied two rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria.Two researcher-made questionnaires were used for the study. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square and regression analysis wereemployed in data analysis.
Results: Only 11.4 percent of study participants had good knowledge of breast cancer. There were significant differences inknowledge of breast cancer based on level of education (χ2 = 15.670; p =.001), monthly income (χ2 =6.954; p = .021) and everscreened (χ2 =5.242; p =.015). Lack of money (48.0%) and lack of knowledge (30.4%) were the most reported barriers to breastcancer screening. Women that had ever screened were 92.3% less likely willing to be screened than those never screened (aOR:.077, 95%CI .011-.522, p=.009).
Conclusion: Health Education should be combined with improving women’s economic status and subsidizing the cost ofscreening to increase breast cancer screening practice.
Keywords: Mammography; breast cancer; screening practice; knowledge.
{"title":"Knowledge of breast cancer, willingness and barriers to mammography screening among rural women in Enugu State, Nigeria","authors":"Lawreta Ijeoma Abugu, Evelyn Nwanebe Nwagu, Adaustin Ifeoma Okeke, Amelia Ngozi Odo","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.34","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.34","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Breast cancer is a serious public health threat. Mammography is the most reliable screening method that detectsbreast cancer early, enabling early onset of treatment which improves the prognosis of the disease.
 Objectives: To determine women’s knowledge of breast cancer, as well as barriers and willingness of women to participate inmammography screening.
 Methods: Using the cross-sectional survey design, we sampled and studied two rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria.Two researcher-made questionnaires were used for the study. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square and regression analysis wereemployed in data analysis.
 Results: Only 11.4 percent of study participants had good knowledge of breast cancer. There were significant differences inknowledge of breast cancer based on level of education (χ2 = 15.670; p =.001), monthly income (χ2 =6.954; p = .021) and everscreened (χ2 =5.242; p =.015). Lack of money (48.0%) and lack of knowledge (30.4%) were the most reported barriers to breastcancer screening. Women that had ever screened were 92.3% less likely willing to be screened than those never screened (aOR:.077, 95%CI .011-.522, p=.009).
 Conclusion: Health Education should be combined with improving women’s economic status and subsidizing the cost ofscreening to increase breast cancer screening practice.
 Keywords: Mammography; breast cancer; screening practice; knowledge.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Hypoxia is the hallmark of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and in hypoxic environment, significant changes are observed in malignancy-related microRNAs (miRNA). Our aim is to examine whether there is any difference in the levels of miR-210, miR-373 and let-7, which are directly related to malignancies in patients with IDA.
Methods: Thirty-five female patients with IDA between the ages of 18-65 and 10 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients who received oral iron therapy, who had inflammatory disease, and who were pregnant were excluded from the study. Student t Test was used for comparing variables with normal distribution in two independent groups, and Mann-Whitney U Test was used for variables without normal distribution. Comparison of categorical data was made using the chi-square test.
Results: The mean hemoglobin and ferritin level were 10,78±0,93 and 6.28±5,76 respectively. Plasma miR-210 expression were found as -7.27±2.23 and -6.15±0,88 in IDA and control group respectively (p = 0.022). Plasma miRNA-373 were -7.36±2,58 and -6,96±1,93 and let-7 expression were 2.14±2,15 and 3,57±2,21 in IDA and control group. (p = 0.65 and p = 0.20, respectively).
Conclusions: Plasma miR-210 expression was significantly up-regulated and miR-373 and let-7 expression was down-regulated, though insignificantly, in IDA group.
Keywords: miRNA; iron deficiency anemia; malignancy.
{"title":"Malignancy-related mir-210, mir-373 and let-7 levels are affected in iron deficiency anemia","authors":"Ruveyda Sak, Demircan Ozbalci, Emine Guchan Alanoglu, Kuyas Hekimler Ozturk","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.30","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.30","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hypoxia is the hallmark of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and in hypoxic environment, significant changes are observed in malignancy-related microRNAs (miRNA). Our aim is to examine whether there is any difference in the levels of miR-210, miR-373 and let-7, which are directly related to malignancies in patients with IDA.
 Methods: Thirty-five female patients with IDA between the ages of 18-65 and 10 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients who received oral iron therapy, who had inflammatory disease, and who were pregnant were excluded from the study. Student t Test was used for comparing variables with normal distribution in two independent groups, and Mann-Whitney U Test was used for variables without normal distribution. Comparison of categorical data was made using the chi-square test.
 Results: The mean hemoglobin and ferritin level were 10,78±0,93 and 6.28±5,76 respectively. Plasma miR-210 expression were found as -7.27±2.23 and -6.15±0,88 in IDA and control group respectively (p = 0.022). Plasma miRNA-373 were -7.36±2,58 and -6,96±1,93 and let-7 expression were 2.14±2,15 and 3,57±2,21 in IDA and control group. (p = 0.65 and p = 0.20, respectively).
 Conclusions: Plasma miR-210 expression was significantly up-regulated and miR-373 and let-7 expression was down-regulated, though insignificantly, in IDA group.
 Keywords: miRNA; iron deficiency anemia; malignancy.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Several schoolgirls attain reproductive age with undiagnosed gynaecological problems which pose challenges in their livelihood. These conditions include precocious puberty, congenital reproductive tract abnormalities, and delayed sexual development. Many children with these conditions face additional challenges including physical pain, psychological trauma and delayed diagnosis.
Methods: A 14-year-old girl presented with acute on chronic pelvic pain and haematocolpometra due to imperforate hymen during COVID-19 pandemic. She has not undergone cultural virginity test in her community. The hymenal membrane was unusually non-bulging despite the haematocolpometra. A partial hymenotomy with a narrow margin of excision was performed.
Results: The hymenal orifice later obliterated and resulted in a repeat partial hymenectomy where a wide surgical margin of the hymen was excised.
Conclusions: A wide rather than narrow partial hymenectomy prevents obliteration of the hymenal orifice after surgery for imperforate hymen. There is a need for timely interventions such as counselling and community awareness that prevent undue consequences of an imperforate hymen and its treatment including pain and possible inability to pass cultural virginity test in some African communities.
Keywords: African schoolgirl; cryptomenorrhea; haematocolpometra; hydrometrocolpos; impact of COVID-19; non-bulging imperforate hymen.
{"title":"Reproductive health challenges of an African school girl: a case report on non-bulging imperforate hymen with haematocolpometra during Covid-19 pandemic","authors":"Raymond Bvumbi, Nnabuike Chibuoke Ngene","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.16","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Several schoolgirls attain reproductive age with undiagnosed gynaecological problems which pose challenges in their livelihood. These conditions include precocious puberty, congenital reproductive tract abnormalities, and delayed sexual development. Many children with these conditions face additional challenges including physical pain, psychological trauma and delayed diagnosis.
 Methods: A 14-year-old girl presented with acute on chronic pelvic pain and haematocolpometra due to imperforate hymen during COVID-19 pandemic. She has not undergone cultural virginity test in her community. The hymenal membrane was unusually non-bulging despite the haematocolpometra. A partial hymenotomy with a narrow margin of excision was performed.
 Results: The hymenal orifice later obliterated and resulted in a repeat partial hymenectomy where a wide surgical margin of the hymen was excised.
 Conclusions: A wide rather than narrow partial hymenectomy prevents obliteration of the hymenal orifice after surgery for imperforate hymen. There is a need for timely interventions such as counselling and community awareness that prevent undue consequences of an imperforate hymen and its treatment including pain and possible inability to pass cultural virginity test in some African communities.
 Keywords: African schoolgirl; cryptomenorrhea; haematocolpometra; hydrometrocolpos; impact of COVID-19; non-bulging imperforate hymen.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136213930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mary B Nanteza, Phionah Tushabe, Henry Bukenya, Prossy Namuwulya, Theopista Kabaliisa, Molly Birungi, Mayi Tibanagwa, Immaculate Ampeire, Proscovia Kakooza, Edson Katushabe, Josephine Bwogi, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Miriam Nanyunja, Charles R Byabamazima
Background: The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute.
Objectives: The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda.
Methods: Poliovirus detection and identification were achieved fundamentally through tissue culture and intra-typic differentiation of the poliovirus based on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR). The data obtained was entered into the national AFP database and analysed using EpiInfoTM statistical software.
Results: Quantitative and qualitative detection of wild and Sabin polioviruses corresponded with the polio campaigns. The WHO target indicators for AFP surveillance were achieved essentially throughout the study period.
Conclusion: Virological tracking coupled with attaining standard AFP surveillance indicators has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the national wild polio-free status. Laboratory surveillance remains key in informing the certification process of polio eradication.
Keywords: Poliovirus; eradication; acute flaccid paralysis; laboratory surveillance; Uganda.
{"title":"The road to a polio-free Uganda; contribution of the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) at Uganda Virus Research Institute","authors":"Mary B Nanteza, Phionah Tushabe, Henry Bukenya, Prossy Namuwulya, Theopista Kabaliisa, Molly Birungi, Mayi Tibanagwa, Immaculate Ampeire, Proscovia Kakooza, Edson Katushabe, Josephine Bwogi, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Miriam Nanyunja, Charles R Byabamazima","doi":"10.4314/ahs.v23i3.23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i3.23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute.
 Objectives: The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda.
 Methods: Poliovirus detection and identification were achieved fundamentally through tissue culture and intra-typic differentiation of the poliovirus based on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR). The data obtained was entered into the national AFP database and analysed using EpiInfoTM statistical software.
 Results: Quantitative and qualitative detection of wild and Sabin polioviruses corresponded with the polio campaigns. The WHO target indicators for AFP surveillance were achieved essentially throughout the study period.
 Conclusion: Virological tracking coupled with attaining standard AFP surveillance indicators has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the national wild polio-free status. Laboratory surveillance remains key in informing the certification process of polio eradication.
 Keywords: Poliovirus; eradication; acute flaccid paralysis; laboratory surveillance; Uganda.","PeriodicalId":7853,"journal":{"name":"African Health Sciences","volume":"54 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134945813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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