Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Over a third of the world's population is infected with the tuberculin bacteria. In 1993 WHO launched the DOTS-strategy to enhance treatment compliance. Despite Gambia's adaption in 1985 it falls below WHO target of 85% cure rate. The defaulter rate was 14% in 2001, which reached 16% in the urban areas of the Western Division in 2003. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to compare TB treatment and outcomes before and after the introduction of daily directly observed therapy (DOTS) medication and the perceptions/attitudes of defaulters in the Western Division of the Gambia. METHODS:The study employed a mixed study design; a quantitative cross sectional study that reviewed the clinic records of pulmonary TB patients before and after the introduction of daily TB-DOTS medication and an in-depth interview of defaulters on the daily medication. The study was conducted at the Brikama TB-clinic in Gambia, located at the main hospital of Brikama serving all satellite villages. It registers on average 110/100 000 new smear-positive pulmonary TB-cases per annum. The quantitative arm compared clinic-based records of TB-DOTS medication before and after the introduction of daily medication. The qualitative arm explored the perceptions of daily medication defaulters. RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment outcomes of the two medication policies. However patients were less likely to have had three sputum tests reviewed in the daily medication period (22% v 72% Odds Ratio 6.2 (p <0.001). However, they reported that daily medication with its fixed-dose combination was more convenient. CONCLUSION:Patients' full compliance with daily medication was hindered by socio-economic factors. The daily medication with its increased workload undermines the proper implementation of fundamental DOTS-elements, particularly follow up and sputum review.
journal_name
Afr Health Scijournal_title
African health sciencesauthors
Sanneh AF,Pollock JIsubject
Has Abstractpub_date
2010-06-01 00:00:00pages
165-71issue
2eissn
1680-6905issn
1729-0503journal_volume
10pub_type
杂志文章abstract:BACKGROUND:The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a developing country with poor obstetric indicators. Despite ongoing efforts to improve care, women continue to suffer multiple complications of child birth including vesico-vaginal fistulae (VVF). OBJECTIVE:To describe socio-demographic and clinical characteristics...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v15i4.8
更新日期:2015-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Day case surgery services are increasing all over the world. The prevalence of postoperative pain after day surgery is found to be high. Little is known about the prevalence of postoperative pain, in Kenya, after day case surgeries. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the prevalence of postoperative pain after day sur...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v13i3.36
更新日期:2013-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:The prevalence of chronic renal failure and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has remained high worldwide and the epidemiology has changed significantly in the last decade in industrialised countries. While there have been significant improvements in these patient's outcomes in developed countries, their state ...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2011-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:AIM:Point-of-care testing (POCT) is gaining renewed interest, especially in resource-limiting primary health care, due to rise in prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases hence POCT needscontinuous appraisal. METHODS:Random glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured in 104 diabetic patients...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v15i3.26
更新日期:2015-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Lassa fever is a rodent-borne zoonosis that clinically manifests as an acute hemorrhagic fever. It is treated using ribavarin. Surviving Lassa fever without receiving the antiviral drug ribavarin is rare. Only few cases have been documented to date. CASE PRESENTATION:We report a case of a 59-year old female...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i4.40
更新日期:2014-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Accuracy of some ultrasound equations used in our locality for fetal weight estimation is doubtful. OBJECTIVE:To assess the accuracy of common ultrasound equations used for fetal weight estimation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:A longitudinal study was conducted on selected Nigerian obstetric population at Central ...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v15i1.27
更新日期:2015-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Uptake of HIV counseling and testing (HCT) among informal sector workers is not well documented. OBJECTIVE:To assess HCT practices among clients presenting for HIV services at a market HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS:Between August 1 and September 15, 2009, clients presenting for HIV services at a m...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v17i3.15
更新日期:2017-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:The ethnic usage of exotics and indigenous problem plants is a highly debated topic, as legislative requirements over-shadow their potential medicinal value, particularly to treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Limited information exists regarding their medicinal value among the Bapedi. OBJECTIVES:...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v13i2.17
更新日期:2013-06-01 00:00:00
abstract:Introduction:Hymenolepis nana is a zoonotic tapeworm with widespread distribution. The goal of the present study was to identify the parasite in the specimens collected from NorthWestern regions of Iran using PCR-sequencing method. Methods:A total of 1521 stool samples were collected from the study individuals. Initia...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i1.6
更新日期:2019-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the use of herbal preparations along with prescribed orthodox drugs. OBJECTIVE:To investigate effect of co-administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaves; commonly used as antimalarial and haematinic agent in Nigeria and artesunate using P. b...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v13i4.16
更新日期:2013-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::A case is presented of a 43-year-old female patient who presented with severe dizziness, neck pain and headache. Clinical examination revealed diplopia with a horizontal gaze. Plain skull radiographs showed an enlarged sella turcica with no abnormal intracraial calcifications. Pre and post contrast axial and post cont...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2001-08-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:The burden of both community and hospital acquired adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are some of the important issues in pharmacotherapy. At the time of this study there was very scanty literature in this area from Africa. OBJECTIVE:This study was done to determine the frequency and characteristics of ADRs in...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2011-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common emergency medical condition that may require hospitalization and resuscitation, and results in high patient morbidity. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the preferred investigative procedure for UGIB because of its accuracy, low rate of complication, and i...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v12i4.19
更新日期:2012-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Overwhelming evidence implicates Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as an etiologic agent of gastrointestinal diseases including gastric cancer. The mode of transmission of this pathogen remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE:This investigation is to establish the presence of H. pylori in the waters of the Nai...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v16i1.24
更新日期:2016-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background:Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive clonal disease, is genetically heterozygous. The prognostic role of expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) gene, which behaves as a multidrug transporter, in adult AML is ambiguous. Objective:The objective is to assess the level of mRNA expression o...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v18i4.15
更新日期:2018-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Welders have been identified as a high risk group for eye disorders due to their exposure to ultraviolet radiation. OBJECTIVE:To determine the prevalence and types of eye diseases amongst welders in Ile-Ife, Osun state. METHODS:This is a cross sectional descriptive study of 405 consenting welders. Informat...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v12i2.21
更新日期:2012-06-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECTIVE:To analyze gender differences in QOL of patients presenting at PHC centres and to identify the socio-demographic variables associated with poor QOL. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive adult patients at outpatient departments of three PHC centres were eligible. Those selected were interview...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2010-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Substantial blood losses frequently accompany orthopedic procedures. METHODS:We prospectively noted peri-operative hemoglobin changes in 93 patients undergoing surgery for femoral fracture with an aim of establishing blood loss and related factors. RESULTS:The mean total blood loss assessed 72 hours after ...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2010-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Reduction in renal length was found to be an insufficient independent indicator of chronic renal disease. OBJECTIVE:To determine the ultrasound normative values of renal parenchymal thickness (RPT) among adults and correlate them with age and somatometric parameters. METHODS:This was a prospective clinic b...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i3.27
更新日期:2014-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:This study is the first documented prevalence of IgG antibody against HSV-1&-2 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and thus provides baseline data for future in-depth studies on HSV infection in South-South, Nigeria. OBJECTIVE:This study determined the seropositivity and determinants of serum IgG antibody against HSV...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v15i3.6
更新日期:2015-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:It is not clear whether demographic or pterygium characteristics or limbal stem cell deficiency determine pterygium recurrence after surgery. PURPOSE:To determine whether the demographic, pterygium characteristics, or limbal stem cell deficiency determine pterygium recurrence after excision. METHODS:Of 190...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章,随机对照试验
doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i1.11
更新日期:2014-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background and objectives:A lot of research has been directed towards medicinal plants which are considered as a source of multiple phytotherapic substances endowed with hypoglycemic activities that could be used to treat diabetes and its complications. Our study was carried out in Wistar rats to investigate the hypogl...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i4.6
更新日期:2019-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background:The risk of death from complications related to cancer of the cervix is a main health problem over the course of a woman's life in low income countries. It commonly affects women infected with HIV. Therefore, screening women infected with HIV should start in low income countries, including Ethiopia. Methods...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i1.46
更新日期:2019-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background:Rape remains a controversial issue with a few victims reporting experience because of the myriad of societal perception, prolonged steps in pursuing a case to logical conclusion of securing conviction, as well as psychological and physical residuals of the experience. Data in Nigeria is therefore hard to com...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v20i2.17
更新日期:2020-06-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Many developing countries increasingly recognize and acknowledge family planning as a critical part of socio-economic development. However, with few health dollars to go around, countries tend to provide essential drugs for curative care, rather than for family planning products. Donors have historically pro...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2001-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background:Human Parvovirus (B19V) is a small, single-stranded, non-enveloped DNA virus which is pathogenic to humans causing a wide array of clinical complications which include erythema infectiosum, aplastic crisis and hydrops foetalis. It is generally harmless in healthy individuals but may be life threatening in im...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v18i3.5
更新日期:2018-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Co-trimoxazole use is the standard of care for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa but implementation remains slow. Co-trimoxazole is self- administered with uncertain adherence. Knowledge of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected persons is unknown. OBJECTIVES:To assess knowled...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v15i1.7
更新日期:2015-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:Background:Current evidence shows that the surge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is of public health importance. In Nigeria, about 3 million cases of STIs are reported annually with the highest rates observed among young people. Objective:This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, sexual behaviour...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v20i1.7
更新日期:2020-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECTIVES:We aimed to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and its associated factors in a population of Congolese pre and postmenopausal women. METHODS:We had consecutively recruited 200 women (100 premenopausal and 100 postmenopausal) aged 40 - 60 years at the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4314/ahs.v16i4.14
更新日期:2016-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:The relatively little resistance to quinine globally has led to an increase in its use in P. falciparum malaria especially in multi-drug resistant strains. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the physicochemical and equivalency of three brands of quinine sulphate tablets available in South Western region of Nigeria. MET...
journal_title:African health sciences
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2011-06-01 00:00:00