Spigelian hernia is an uncommon form of abdominal wall hernia. The symptoms can be insidious but the commonest are abdominal pain or a lump on the anterior abdominal wall. Diagnosis can be challenging, but the use of ultrasonography and contrast enhanced CT (CECT) scan is essential to avoid diagnostic delays. In view of a high risk of incarceration and strangulation anticipated, urgent operative intervention is necessary. In this case report, a 42-year old multiparous woman presented with bil...
Most morbidities and mortalities related to clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures are related to infection and the solution to this is good infection prevention and control (IPC) compliance which is influenced by the right knowledge and positive attitude. Aim. 'is study aimed to assess infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge and attitude among healthcare workers at the surgical department of Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Methods. 'is study was conducted using a descripti...
Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of surgery around the world. WHO does not make recommendations for changing gloves and instruments before wound closure owing to a lack of evidence. This study aimed to test whether a routine change of gloves and instruments before wound closure reduced abdominal SSI. Methods ChEETAh was a multicentre, cluster randomised trial in seven low-income and middle-income countries (Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwa...
Abstract/Overview Resistance to schistosomiasis is associated with increased levels of serum parasite-specific IgE. IgE exerts its functions through its cellular receptors, FcεRI and FcεRII/CD23; however, its functional significance requires further characterization in humans. We previously reported that increased levels of CD23+ B cells correlate with resistance to schistosomiasis in hyper-exposed populations and sought to define their potential function and relationship with IgE. We f...
Abstract Neonates who require treatment and venous drawing of blood samples in the newborn units are subjected to acute and painfully invasive procedures. Several tools to assess pain among newborns have been developed and are widely used in developed countries, but in Africa, there is limited experience in the assessment pain among newborns. This study assessed physiological and behavioral responses to pain among neonates during invasive procedures performed in a newborn unit in Rwanda. A t...
In this review, we focus on the hardware and software technologies used for the purpose of gastrointestinal tract monitoring in a safe and comfortable manner. We review the FDA guidelines for ingestible wireless telemetric medical devices, and the features incorporated in capsule systems such as microrobotics, closed-loop feedback, physiological sensing, nerve stimulation, sampling and delivery, panoramic imaging and rapid reading software. Both experimental and commercialized capsule systems...
Abstract Introduction: There is variation in the size, shape and position of tympanic membrane perforations; the degree of conductive hearing loss depends on the size and position of perforation. Objective: To determine the pattern and causes of tympanic membrane perforation at a private health facility in Tanzania Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study in the ENT clinic at Ekenywa Specialised Hospital was conducted from January to May 2019. Ears were examined thoroughly by an Otorhin...
Abstract : In this paper, we discuss the application of the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart for the monitoring blood glucose in type-II diabetes patients. We present tables for the practical use in healthcare. From the simulation results and a real example, the efficiency of the proposed chart in detecting a shift in diabetic level is compared with the existing chart. It is found that the proposed chart provides a strict method to monitor the diabetic levels in diab...
Abstract Background: iron deficiency is the commonest cause of nutritional anaemia in children worldwide particularly in developing countries. Infants and toddlers are prone to developing iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of IDA and some factors associated with it in this group of children. Study Design: In a study, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) estimations done in 282 apparently well children aged 6-24 months...
Abstract Hansen´s disease (leprosy) is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). It is an age-old disease that has been around since biblical times yet cases still occur especially in Asia and Africa, despite concerted global efforts to eradicate the disease. Chemotherapeutic agents are available and effective once administered appropriately and adequately. We report an elusive case of Hansen´s disease wherein the only symptom was a nodule on the na...
Abstract Background: Tanzania is among the sub-Saharan African countries facing a tremendous increase in the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In order to provide diabetes health care services, the government has established diabetes care clinics in secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. However, previous studies have demonstrated a disparity in availability of supplies and equipment for provision of diabetes health care services at these healthcare facilities. This study aims to as...
ABSTRACT Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when little remedy could be offered. There is a need for relatively affordable, available and noninvasive tests for diagnosis, staging and detection of metastasis among individuals at risk. A clinical, chest radiographic (CXR) and abdominal ultrasonographic examination was carried out to detect and evaluate the pattern of metastasis among 53 untreated patients. One patient had clinical paraparesis with no outwa...
Vitamin C and Coronavirus: Not a Vaccine; Just a Humble Cure Commentary by William F. Simmons and Robert G. Smith, PhD During the pneumonia epidemic in North Carolina in the 1940s, after American soldiers returned from the war in Europe, a small-town physician used an anti-infective protocol of intravenous vitamin C to cure 42 cases of viral pneumonia. [1] During the same period, the physician used a similar treatment to cure 60 cases of viral poliomyelitis. All patients were clinically well ...
ABSTRACT Background: There have been reports of high rate of abnormal bone mineral densities (BMD) among people living with HIV. Following the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) into Nigeria, the country is now home to increasing population of HIV positive patients. There is paucity of data about osteoporosis/osteopaenia and bone mineral density in this population. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of osteopaenia/...
ABSTRACT The natriuretic peptide systems also affect blood pressure through its vasodilatory and natriuretic activities generating interest in its role in the development of hypertension. The polymorph isms of the ANP have been investigated in different populations but similar studies i are not documented for Nigerian populations. The study investigate the association of -C664G allele of the ANP gene and hypertension in residents of Calabar and Uyo, Nigeria. The study involved 1308 participan...