• Fitzsimmons Daniels posted an update 1 week, 3 days ago

    pregnant women are at particular risk of folate and iron deficiency due to their increased requirements, which can be difficult to meet through diet alone. Poor adherence to the supplement makes the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women high, which is associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of study was to assess magnitude of adherence to iron-folic supplements and their associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at public hospitals in the Jigjiga Town, Somali Region.

    an institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 290 pregnant during antenatal care service in two public hospitals. Mothers were randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaires. Multiple logistic regressions used to show the effect of independent variables.

    in this study, 290 women interviewed and the response rate was 91%. Nearly 54.9% were adherent to iron folic supplementation. The odds of adherence for secondary and above educated woman was almost three times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.843; 95% CI 1.177-6.865; P=0.020) that of illiterate. The odds of adherence for more than four visit women is almost twice of less than four visits (AOR 1.991; 95% CI 1.098-3.610; p=0.023). Similarly, odds of adherence for knowledgeable woman about iron folate supplement were twice of ill-informed women (AOR 2.090; 95% CI 1.134-3.852; P=0.018).

    adherence to iron folic supplementation was very poor. Number of ANC visits, education of women, knowledge about iron folic supplement, history of still birth, and age were significant determinants to adherence.

    adherence to iron folic supplementation was very poor. Number of ANC visits, education of women, knowledge about iron folic supplement, history of still birth, and age were significant determinants to adherence.

    in the absence of a vaccine and definitive treatment, non-pharmacological measures of physical distancing, regular hand hygiene and wearing of face covering remain the mainstays of mitigating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In Ghana, these measures are mandatory in public places and underpin COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC). We assessed adherence and appropriate performance of these measures among patrons of community convenience shops in selected hotspots.

    we conducted a non-intrusive observation of patrons of convenience shops in COVID-19 burden hotspots. We observed patrons as they entered and exited the shops and collected data on their gender, adherence and appropriate use of face covering and hand hygiene facilities. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially to determine factors associated with adherence to IPC guidelines.

    of 800 patrons observed from eight community shops, 481 (60.1%) were males. Of these, 653 (81.6%) wore face covering and 98 (12.3%) performed hand hygiene; with 92 (11.5%) adhering to both measures. Patrons who wore face mask appropriately were 578; comprising 299 (92.3%) of patrons who wore face mask before entering the shops. Of 89 patrons who washed their hands, appropriate handwashing was recorded among nine (10.1%). Compared to inappropriate handwashing, appropriate handwashing was negatively associated with adherence to IPC guidelines [aOR=0.1 (95% CI=0.01-0.59)].

    adherence to and appropriate performance of IPC measures of handwashing and use of face covering in the selected shops was low. There is the need to complement availability of IPC measures with intensification of risk communication messaging targeted at ensuring their appropriate use.

    adherence to and appropriate performance of IPC measures of handwashing and use of face covering in the selected shops was low. There is the need to complement availability of IPC measures with intensification of risk communication messaging targeted at ensuring their appropriate use.

    harsh working conditions among long-distance truck drivers (LDTDs) expose them to risky sexual interactions while on transit. As a result, the risky sexual interactions among the LDTDs place them at a high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study sought to assess the sexual interactions and associated factors among the LDTDs in Kenya.

    two hundred ninety-six (296) LDTDs were interviewed using interviewer-administered questionnaires. A systematic sampling technique was adopted. The number of sexual acts reported by the respondents was used to generate an ordered outcome variable (frequency of sexual interactions), in the order of; no sexual acts (zero), one to three sexual acts (1), and four to six sexual acts (2). Association between the predictor variables and the outcome variable was analysed using ordered logistic regression analysis in R statistical software.

    the mean age of the study participants was 38.4 years, with the youngest being 24 years and the oldest 57 years. Slightly above half of the participants (52.4%) reported no sexual interactions, while the rest (47.6%) had sexual interactions with either casual or regular sexual partners on the week preceding the survey. Age, the number of weeks spent on a transit journey, and drug use were independently associated with the frequency of sexual interactions among LDTDs involved in the study.

    the frequencies of sexual interactions are likely to be higher among the younger LDTDs, those who spent more than one week on transit, and those who use alcohol and khat, hence a high exposure risk to HIV/STIs among them.

    the frequencies of sexual interactions are likely to be higher among the younger LDTDs, those who spent more than one week on transit, and those who use alcohol and khat, hence a high exposure risk to HIV/STIs among them.Allergic rhinitis causes nasal as well as extranasal symptoms, and may adversely affect quality of life. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of allergic rhinitis on the health-related quality of life of adult patients attending the Ear Nose and Throat clinic at Universitas Academic Hospital, a public referral hospital, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and to determine the change in the health-related quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis after one month of treatment. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of adult patients who were newly diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. Patients completed the Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniRQLQ) at initial presentation and at follow-up after one month of appropriate treatment. Eighty-five (85) patients were included. At the initial visit, patients were most troubled by activity limitations and nasal symptoms, with a blocked nose being the most troublesome nasal symptom. There was a statistically significant improvement in scores of all domains after one month of treatment, with the mean total symptom score improving from 2.05±0.73 to 0.94±0.49. RZ2994 Allergic rhinitis had a negative impact on quality of life of patients. Appropriate treatment resulted in an improvement in quality of life.Pseudarthrosis is a dreadful condition because it is very difficult to treat even for the orthopedic surgeons. The best thing to do is always to prevent it. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for traumatic long-bone pseudarthrosis in the city of Butembo. We conducted a retrospective study of 36 patients with traumatic pseudarthrosis. Data were collected from the hospital records of 968 patients with long-bone fractures at the Matanda Hospital, in the town of Butembo, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo from 01/06/2016 to 31/05/2019. We calculated the rate of pseudarthrosis and used a single- and multiple logistic regression model to investigate factors associated with pseudarthrosis. The rate of pseudarthrosis was 3.72%. The most common type of pseudarthrosis included floating injuries (69.44%). Risk factors were working as a rickshaw driver (aOR 4.60; aCI 95% 1.04-15.21; p = 0.023) and a cultivator (aOR 2.31; aCI 95% 1.17-4.68; p = 0.008), malnutrition (aOR 5.83; aCI 95% 1.87-15.62; p = 0.004), tobacco poisoning (aOR 6.70; aCI 95% 1.84-20.11; p = 0.003) and tobacco+ alchool consumption (aOR 4.74; aCI 95% 2.17-9.89; p less then 0.001); gunshot injuries (aOR 6.70; aCI 95% 1.84-20.11; p = 0.003), open fractures (aOR 4.35; aCI 95% 2.17-9.12; p less then 0.001), fracture site infections (aOR 3.10; aCI 95% 1.03-7.95; p = 0.023); traditional healer (aOR 12.18; aCI 95% 5.74-25.37; p less then 0.001), general practitioner (aOR 8.33; aCI 95% 1.77-30.31; p = 0.006) initial absence X-ray assessment (aOR 12.21; aCI 95% 5.92-24.96; p less then 0.001). Long bone pseudarthroses are common in Butembo. The most effective way to prevent them is to know and avoid risk factors.

    clinical infertility is failure to conceive within a year of regular sexual intercourse by a non contracepting couple. Infertility care is costly and result in investigations being incomplete and inconclusive. It is therefore important to streamline investigations offered to infertile couples such that only the most cost effective tests are done. This paper explores the adequacy of investigations and treatments offered to women presenting for infertility care.

    the data used in this analysis was obtained from a cross sectional sample of 216 women who presented with infertility in public and private gynaecological clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe. Information on investigations and treatment offered to women presenting for care was extracted from hospital cards, case notes, laboratory and radiological reports. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15.

    of the 178 (82.4%) who had ultrasound scan evaluation (USS) 50 (28.1%) had fibroids and 22 (12.4%) had polycystic ovaries. Tubal patency tests were done in 118 partici a high prevalence of abnormal semen parameters. Studies should be done to understand why some male partners are not forthcoming in providing semen for analysis. It is important for protocols to be produced by professional bodies which prescribe the minimum basic investigations in couples with infertility.

    Little is known regarding medical neglect in children with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions (LT-CCCs). We examined the impact of COVID-19 on concern for medical neglect in this population.

    Qualitative interview study of multi-disciplinary health care providers (HCPs) from critical care, palliative care, and complex care services on the topic of medical neglect in children with LT-CCCs. We used inductive thematic analysis to generate themes. Findings presented herein are derived from a sub-analysis of the larger study that focused specifically on discussion of COVID-19 by HCPs.

    9 of the 20 HCPs interviewed mentioned COVID-19 as influencing situations of potential medical neglect. These 9 represent all disciplines and teams. Interviewees reported COVID-19 increased burden on parents and likelihood of medical neglect due to 1) Familial distancing from medical and social support and, 2) Changes to medical care delivery that impaired the medical community’s ability to engage and support families.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the medical and social systems that supports families of children with LT-CCCs. These findings are consistent with previous literature that suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk for child maltreatment. It additionally highlights the vulnerability of this patient population.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the medical and social systems that supports families of children with LT-CCCs. These findings are consistent with previous literature that suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk for child maltreatment. It additionally highlights the vulnerability of this patient population.