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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The burden of Tuberculosis (TB) in Africa continues to rise despite numerous interventions to stop the spread. Addressing factors associated requires a robust model that addresses cross-cutting issues in the continuum of TB care and management. The objective of this systematic review is to determine factors associated with poor treatment outcomes in newly diagnosed TB patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Method: The literature search identified 234 studies that were written in English. All the articles were identified via database search and imported into Mendeley for analysis. A total of 95 duplicates were removed and the abstracts of remaining studies were reviewed. A total of 139 abstracts were screened with misleading and non-open access journal articles removed. A full reading of the remaining 104 potentially relevant studies was done, in order to ascertain compliance with the inclusion/exclusion criteria and 24 studies were found to be eligible and were included in this review. Results: HIV co-infection, type of TB infection and gender were observed as most common factors associated with poor treatment outcomes in newly diagnosed patients. Several studies emphasized the impact of male gender on poor treatment outcomes stating a higher likelihood to developing unfavorable outcomes. Other factors identified included social factors namely employment, location, nutrition, failure to gain weight, failure to present at facility, delay to be treated at the facility and the type of facilities where one was treated. Conclusion: The common factors associated with poor treatment outcomes were HIV co-infection, type of TB infection and gender and these were notably underscored by social factors. Addressing these challenges will significantly improve the health outcomes of TB patients in the region.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Cerebral palsy describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non- progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain. In the industrialized world, the incidence of cerebral palsy is about two per 1000 live births. The incidence is higher in males than in females. The purpose of this study was to examine the motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy who received functional Physiotherapy and the improvement compared to the motor abilities of children in a reference group whose therapy was based on the principle of normalization of the quality of movement. Methodology: A comparative experimental study consisting of 30 cerebral palsy children assigned into two groups. Experimental (n=15) who underwent functional therapy and control (n=15) who underwent conventional physiotherapy were assessed for their improvement in functional skills. Result: Gross Motor functional measures (GMFM) reflects that Group A (Treated with functional therapy) is more effective than Group B (Treated with conventional therapy). Conclusion: This study concluded that there is a significant difference between the efficacies of functional physical therapy and conventional therapy in the treatment of CP children.
ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to rank among the world’s most serious health problems caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There are several factors which are responsible for the exposure of tuberculosis among the communities. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the major factors for the exposure of tuberculosis disease among the persons. Worldwide, TB is one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV. Tuberculosis is a serious health threat, especially for the people living with HIV. The socio-economic determinants such as unemployment, malnutrition and crowding play a significant role in increasing the rate of infection. In this article, we will discuss the socio-economic determinants of tuberculosis infection and disease. The rapidly growing consensus indicates that in the low and middle income country, the tuberculosis control programs are required with the investment in tuberculosis diagnostics and treatment in addition to action on the social determinants of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is most common among the disadvantaged group which includes the poor, ethnic minorities as well as hungry.
ABSTRACT
Topic: This mini-review addresses the critical issue of back pain among nurses in Zambia, highlighting the occupational health challenges they face within a resource-limited healthcare system. Type of Review: This is a literature mini-review synthesizing recent research findings and theoretical frameworks relevant to back pain in nursing. Main Focus: The review focuses on the prevalence, causes, and potential interventions for back pain among Zambian nurses, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant health messaging and systemic changes within the healthcare environment. Gaps Identified: While existing literature outlines various factors contributing to back pain, there is a notable lack of longitudinal studies assessing the long-term effectiveness of proposed interventions, as well as limited exploration of broader systemic issues within the Zambian healthcare infrastructure. Conclusions: Addressing back pain among Zambian nurses requires a comprehensive approach that includes tailored educational initiatives, effective workload management, and improvements in ergonomic support within healthcare settings. Practical Implications: The findings suggest actionable strategies for healthcare institutions to enhance nurse well-being, which in turn can improve patient care quality. Policy Implications: Policymakers are encouraged to implement systemic changes that address staffing shortages and improve workplace ergonomics, thereby fostering a healthier work environment for healthcare professionals. Relevance: This mini-review contributes to the ongoing discourse on occupational health in resource-limited settings, offering insights that are valuable for researchers, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers striving to enhance the working conditions and health outcomes for nurses worldwide.
ABSTRACT
Background: This mini-review synthesizes current research on exercise knowledge and practices among pregnant women, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Key Findings: Recent studies indicate a generally positive attitude towards exercise during pregnancy across various cultural contexts. Walking and housework emerge as the most common forms of physical activity among pregnant women in these settings. Influencing Factors: The review explores factors influencing exercise knowledge and practice, including education level, parity, socio-economic status, and cultural beliefs. It also examines the sources of information pregnant women rely on for exercise guidance. Identified Needs: Despite growing awareness, there remains a need for more specific, culturally appropriate guidance on safe and beneficial exercises during pregnancy. Recommendations: The review concludes with recommendations for healthcare providers and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of incorporating exercise counseling into routine antenatal care and tailoring interventions to local contexts. Conclusion and Future Directions: This comprehensive overview highlights the potential for improving maternal and fetal health outcomes through appropriate physical activity during pregnancy, while also identifying areas for future research.
ABSTRACT
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired disorder of hematopoietic stem cells. Misdiagnosed, patients suffer from true errancy of diagnosis mainly because of the large range of bio-clinical presentations. The following case of a 40-year-old male who went from an unexplored anemia to a falsely diagnosed systemic lupus then an Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) that required some dialysis sessions and later a kidney biopsy which the results threw us off track, highlights that exact problematic and showcases the accuracy and the simplicity of the test once the hypothesis strikes mind: The flow cytometry. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria must be evoked when there is a refractory anemia, a Coombs (-) anemia, thrombosis with hemolysis or cytopenia. The flow cytometry is considered the gold standard diagnostic tool.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Hypertension is an important risk factor for the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases. The prevention of hypertension is vital in the reduction of cardiovascular disease mortality and associated morbidities. Numerous studies have focused in the prevalence of hypertension and the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria. However, this study investigated the knowledge of women in hypertension, perceived severity of hypertension and barriers towards engaging in hypertension prevention practices so as to establish key areas to focus public health promotion activities. This study was a cross sectional quantitative research carried out to investigate the pyschocognitive determinants of hypertension prevention practices among women residing in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo state in Southwest Nigeria. A total of 370 consenting women were recruited into the study using a multi-stage sampling technique and data was collected using the aid of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Majority of study participants (74.9%) demonstrated fair knowledge of risk factors for hypertension while many participants (65.4%) had good knowledge of prevention practices for hypertension, with an overall mean knowledge score of 12.39±2.37 on a 24-point scale. Many participants (59.2%) had positive perception of severity of hypertension with a mean perception score of 23.80±2.814 on a 27-point scale. The most reported barrier towards engaging in hypertension prevention practices among participants was financial constraint in maintaining healthy eating habits. Furthermore, there is a significant association between participants’ level of education and their knowledge of hypertension. There is also a significant association between barriers towards hypertension prevention such as lack of awareness from media sources, financial constraint and knowledge of hypertension. The knowledge of hypertension among women in Akinyele Local Government Area ........