ABSTRACT Adolescence is marked by progression from the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics to sexual and reproductive maturity. Curiosity about bodily changes is heightened. However, adolescents' perceived sexuality education needs have been poorly documented. A survey of 989 adolescents from 24 North-Eastern Nigerian secondary schools yielded information on socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive health knowledge, sexual activities and sexuality education needs. Of the int...
ABSTRACT The consumption of fruits and vegetables plays a significant role in human nutrition. Students are more inclined towards taking empty calorie foods with little consideration for healthy foods, especially fruits and vegetables. This has the tendency of pre-disposing them to obesity, dental caries, and other non-communicable diseases in later years. There is a dearth of information on consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of healthy eating among secondary school students. This s...
ABSTRACT: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is global disease affecting about one third of the world’s population with its attendant mortality and morbidity. Acute phase proteins have been used in monitoring the progression of infections but not in relation to PTB in this environment. The levels of total protein, albumin, α-2-macroglobulin, transferrin, and haptoglobulin were determined in 23 patients with PTB and 17- age / sex matched PTB-free controls using spectrophotometric and immunodiffus...
Abstract This study examined the prevalence of and factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder in recently diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa. One hundred and forty-nine (44 male, 105 female) recently diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients (mean duration since diagnosis/5.8 months, SD/4.1) were evaluated. Subjects were assessed using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Carver Brief COPE coping scale and the Sheehan Disability Scale. In addition, previous exp...
ABSTRACT Human exposure to arsenic toxicity poses a health problem. Allium cepa (AC) and Allium sativum (AS) have the potential to ameliorate the effects of arsenic toxicity and are widely used as condiments in Nigeria. A proper understanding of these possible ameliorating effects of AC and AS in reducing arsenic toxicity is important. This study was designed to assess the effects of AC and AS on arsenic-induced toxicity in rats. Seven weeks old male Wistar strain albino rats (Rattus novergic...
ABSTRACT The National Antimalarial Treatment Guidelines (NATG) stipulates treatment actions for the management of malaria using Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT). Available evidence indicates that adoption of treatment guidelines are not matched with corresponding levels of comprehension and compliance. An investigation of practice gaps will generate information which will guide future policy formulation and implementation. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing co...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with beta-irradiation in the prevention of pterygium recurrence. Materials and methods: A retrospective non-randomised review of cases of fleshy prcrygium treated with bare scleral excision and adjuvant 5-FU were compared with similar morphologically appearing prcrvgiu, marched for age and sex, treated with bare scleral excision and adjuvant berairradiariou. All surgeries were carried our ar the university college hospital an...
ABSTRACT High school learners are at risk of becoming disengaged and demotivated at school which could negatively affect their academic performance or even more drastically, result in them dropping out of school. The Namibian education authorities have several concerns relating to poor national results and the increasing dropout statistics of learners. In addition, Namibia’s high unemployment rate has been attributed to its generally low levels of education and lack of skilled and educate...
ABSTRACT Each year, around half a miilion children aged under 15 become infected with HIV and more than 90% are the result of mother-to-child transrnission. Services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) are therefore important entry pomts for HIV / Al[:',; P' evention, treatment and care services for women, their children and families. The study aimed at identifying level of awareness and knowledge of PMTCT services that can be utilized in improving access. The methodology cons...
ABSTRACT The present study investigated the concept of motivated identity construction, using a sample of 104 participants who were recruited through convenient sampling. The following motives were selected: self-esteem, continuity, belonging, efficacy, distinctiveness and meaning. These were the motives that previous studies found to be centrally involved in the process of identity construction. The key role of culture in identity construction was also critically investigated. The study use...
ABSTRACT .19 patients from the Neuro-Ophthalmology clinic of the Western Infirmary, were found during a one year period, to have various types of vis ual field loss and on the basis of this were sent for CT Scanning. 12 out of the 19 patients had positive CT Scans, the other 7 had no demonstrable pathology on CT Scan.
ABSTRACT Febrile illnesses occur frequently among HIV positive patients and these are often treated presumptively as malaria in endemic areas. Parasite-based diagnosis of malaria will eliminate unnecessary treatment, reduce drug–drug interactions and the chances for the emergence of drug resistant Plasmodium. We evaluated finger prick blood samples from 387 people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and suspected of having malaria by expert microscopy and Paracheck-Pf TM – a histidine-rich protein-I...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Globally, by 2015 the maternal mortality ratio is estimated to be 216 per 100,000 live births. In Tanzania was approximately 556 per 100,000 live births; the leading cause was PPH approximately 25% of maternal deaths and uterine atony contributes 70% of PPH. These show that there are some limitations of knowledge and skills level on AMTSL among health care providers for prevention of PPH as it prevented more than 60% of PPH. Objectives: Assessment of knowledge and ski...
Introduction Despite the benefits of early antenatal care visits for early prevention, detection, and treatment of potential complications in pregnancy, a high level of provider adherence to first-visit antenatal care standards is needed. However, little information is available regarding provider adherence to antenatal care in Tanzania. This study was performed to assess provider adherence to first-visit antenatal care standards and to apply stratified analysis to identify associated factor...