ABSTRACT Background: Modes of delivery (birth of a baby) are spontaneous vaginal delivery and caesarean section. Throughout the modern obstetric and midwifery practice understanding, vaginal birth is and has been considered to be the preferred mode of delivery while caesarean birth is reserved only when it’s obstetrically indicated to save the life of the mother and/or the unborn baby and therefore, improve obstetric outcomes. The effect of mode of delivery on other outcomes, such as mater...
ABSTRACT Background: Unacceptable high maternal mortality rates remain a major challenge in many low-income countries. Early detection and management of antenatal risk factors and good preparation for birth and emergencies are critical for improved maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to understand the pattern and level of knowledge on obstetric and newborn danger signs, Individual Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (IBPACR) among pregnant women in Dodoma Munici...
ABSTRACT Background: Children with the cerebral palsy present with lower urinary tract dysfunctions and poor personal hygiene which increases their risk for UTI. As a common infectious cause of morbidity in childhood, UTI may lead to renal scarring, and subsequently hypertension and end-stage kidney disease if it is not appropriately diagnosed and promptly treated. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, bacterial isolates, antibiotic sensitivity, and predictors of UTI among...
ABSTRACT Background: Tanzania is experiencing the increase burden of Sickle cell disease, with an estimate of 20.6% prevalence Sickle Cell carriers. However, there is no preventive measure has been put in this area by the government; a great focus has been directed in the diagnosis and management and national guideline emphasis on the care of people affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Objective: This study intended to determine the efficacy of premarital genotype screening and counselling on k...
ABSTRACT This study aimed at assessing the effect of educational intervention on improving knowledge, attitude, practice and glycemic control among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Tabora Region. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to 165 randomly recruited participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus from different clinics. The mean participants’ age was 54 ±13 years. Of all the participants, female constituted 55.8%. Data were collected in two phases (pre/posttest) through str...
In Tanzania, Schistosoma mansoni is of great public health importance. Understanding the prevalence and infection intensity is important for targeted, evidence-based control strategies. This study aimed at studying the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of S. mansoni among schoolchildren in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages. Sampled 513 schoolchildren provided stool specimens which were examined using kato-katz method. Pretested question...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on preoperative anxiety and post-surgical recovery. The study involved forty (40) elective surgical patients of both genders who came in for either a major or minor surgery at the surgical block of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire interview. The experimental group went through cognitive behavioural therapy, which comprised of cognitive techniques, toget...
ABSTRACT Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection known to affect the different parts of the urinary tract and the occurrence is found in both females and males. Distribution and susceptibility of UTI-aetiologic agents change according to time and place. To ensure appropriate treatment, knowledge of these aetiologic agents and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern is mandatory. However, the extensive use of antimicrobial agents have invariably resulted in t...
ABSTRACT Pre-school teachers are not well informed on managing pediatric injuries. Thekey objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of pediatric first aid training programme on improving knowledge, attitudes, and intention to practices of managing pediatric injuries among pre-school teachers in Pemba Island. The study adopted a quasi-experimental study with one group pre-test and post-test with quantitative approach to meet the study objectives. A multistage selection of partic...
ABSTRACT Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are now widely used in health facilities in Ghana. However, there is a possibility that the use of RDTs specific to Plasmodium falciparum may lead to missed diagnosis of non-falciparum species and mixed infections. Ghana is still in the control phase of malaria and poor knowledge of caregivers about malaria can negatively impact on malaria control interventions in children. Therefore, the study determined the prevalence of Plasmodium species...
ABSTRACT Background: The rhesus (Rh) blood group system is one of the most polymorphic and immunogenic blood group systems known in humans. The common potent Rh antigens reside on the RH polypeptides. The antigenic expression is controlled by the RHD and RHCE genes, linked in tandem on chromosome 1. The D antigen is clinically the most important because of its high immunogenicity and polymorphism. HDFN is perpetuated by foeto-maternal rhesus antigens incompatibility. Aim: The aim of this stu...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Ghana ranks second in the prevalence of glaucoma globally. Glaucoma poses a considerable economic burden on its patients since victims have to be on treatment for the rest of their lives. The cost of managing glaucoma increases as the disease progresses. Only few studies have been conducted to estimate the cost of managing glaucoma. This study therefore aims to determine the economic burden of glaucoma ...
ABSTRACT Background information: Nutritional status to children aged six to twenty three months had become an alarming concern in the field of health. This is because it has a direct influence on the child’s growth and survival. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing dietary diversity, feeding behaviour, water, sanitation, hygiene and its impact on children’s development. Objective of the study: The study had the following objectives: dietary diversity, feeding behavior, wat...
ABSTRACT Introduction: One major challenge to the global agenda for the elimination of malaria is the extensive genetic diversity of the parasite population, resulting in the development of drug resistance and variation in antigens targeted for vaccine development. The aim of this study was to decipher any ecological difference in the evolution of drug resistance and to determine how much the increased use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and other control interventions are ...
ABSTRACT Childbirth is a stressful and challenging experience in the life of reproductive women. Most women going through this process do that without companionship from family members despite the demands and challenges accompanying labour. Literature on companionship during labour is inadequate and the practice is rare in hospitals in Ghana. This study, therefore, explored the perceptions of postnatal mothers about companionship during labour. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory des...