1. |
- Mugoya, G. J., et al.
(författare)
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Cryptosporidium and giardia species in newly and previously habituated gorillas and nearby water sources in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- 2019
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: cryptosporidium and giardia are of great one health significance and major cause of protozoan diarrhea in humans and primates; they are found in the faecal matter of animals and humans and also in contaminated water and soil as well. Therefore, we aimed at establishing the prevalence and shedding intensity of faecal Cryptosporidium and giardia in the Newly Habituated Mountain Gorillas (NHMG) and Previously Habituated Mountain Gorillas (PHMG) and in selected water sources within the gorilla home ranges in the month of January 2018. Methods: we conducted a cross sectional study in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where a total of 56 faecal samples from both NHMG (34) and PHMG (22) and 30 water samples were purposively collected. Faecal and water samples were transported in a cooler box at 4 degrees C to Makerere University Parasitology Laboratory for analysis. The samples were analyzed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and Ether concentration method for Cryptosporidium and giardia respectively. Results: the prevalence of cryptosporidium was established as 13 (59.1%), 15 (44.1%) and 7 (23.3%) in PHMG, NHMG and water respectively. The mean concentration of the oocysts per gram was 222 +/- 52.9 in PHMG, 174 +/- 41.5 in NHMG and 31 +/- 13.2 in water. The prevalence of giardia was 3 (13.6%), 4 (11.8%) and 3 (10%) in PHMG, NHMG and water respectively. The mean concentration of the oocysts per gram was 34 +/- 19.9 in PHMG, 25 +/- 12.4 in NHMG and 5 +/- 2.9 in water. There was no significant difference in both the prevalence of cryptosporidium (p>0.05) and giardia (p>0.05) in the PHMG and NHMG. This indicates that there is high risk of cross infection among the gorillas within the forest sharing similar home ranges. Conclusion: the park authorities should ensure that procedures for proper waste disposal while in the forest are properly followed, water drawn for drinking from the forest should be avoided. Further research should be carried out to identify whether the strains of the parasites found in water or other animals in the forest are the same with strains in gorilla dung in order to confirm cross infection.
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2. |
- Bisahnyui, P., et al.
(författare)
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Comparative study of clinical methods versus ultrasound methods for accurate gestational age determination in different trimesters of pregnancy, Ndop District Hospital, North West region, Cameroon
- 2020
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 37
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: gestational age is the estimated age of gestation from a fetus during its development and this is very important for the mother who wants to know when to expect the birth of her baby and for the health care provider so they can chose the time at which to perform various assessment. However, from the information outlined in this research, it can be seen that last menstrual period (LMP) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are used to assess gestational age. While GSD, CRL, BPD, HC, AC and FL are biometric parameters that can be measured on a fetus in order to estimate gestational age. Many clinicians and ultrasonologists feel that if they are unable to obtain an accurate measurement at the time, they have sometimes failed to do an adequate job. Methods: the study was a comparative study on clinical method versus ultrasound method for accurate gestational age determination and also to determine the significance of fetal biometric parameter in GA determination. The study was an observational, cross sectional and participatory study for a period of 5 weeks from the 22nd of January to the 22nd of February 2018. A total of 72(74.2%) ANC cases were sampled during ultrasonography. Gestational ages from their clinic card were recorded. Twenty five questionnaires were given out to 25(26.8%) health care personnel to assess clinical method. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 plus and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: results showed the best clinical method used was LMP with 9(36%) but when compared to ultrasound, ultrasound presented with greater accuracy of 15(60%) and clinical method 10(40%). Conclusion: based on the findings, it could be concluded that compared to the physical examination and clinical methods, ultrasound examination of the fetus provided the physician and health care professionals with greater accuracy for gestational age.
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3. |
- Ngum, A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Vaccination against Hepatitis B among health care workers in the Bamenda Health District: influence of knowledge and attitudes, Cameroon
- 2021
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious occupational hazards faced by healthcare workers (HCW). This study aimed at assessing the influence of knowledge and attitudes of HCWs in the Bamenda Health District (BHD) on their vaccination status. Methods: this was a cross-sectional analytic study carried out in Bamenda health district, Cameroon. Random sampling method was used to select 10 private, 10 public, and 4 confessional health facilities, from which 280 HCW were included in the study by convenience sampling. Data were analysed using Epi Info 7 and presented using tables, figures, and percentages. Results: the vaccination coverage among HCW in the BHD was found to be 13.9%. Healthcare workers who had no knowledge of the minimum number of doses for complete primary HBV vaccination were less likely to be vaccinated than those who had knowledge (p = 0.00). Healthcare workers who had been tested for HBsAg were more likely to be vaccinated than those who had not done the test (p = 0.00). Among HCW (90.7%) who knew they were more at risk of contracting HBV, 98.6% knew it can be prevented out of which 72.6% reported that vaccination is the most effective means of prevention; only 13.9% of HCW were vaccinated. Other factors could have influenced the vaccination status of HCW; high cost of the vaccine, lack of time for vaccination, negligence, and the non-availability of the vaccine. Conclusion: awareness should be created among HCW and they should be encouraged to go for HBsAg screening and those who are negative should receive a full dose of HBV vaccine. Also, the vaccine should be subsidized and made available to all HCW in the BHD. © 2021, African Field Epidemiology Network. All rights reserved.
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4. |
- Atuhaire, C., et al.
(författare)
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Factors associated with postpartum depression among adolescents in Uganda
- 2018
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and disabling public health complication of the postpartum period in women. It is believed to occur three times more commonly in developing countries than in the developed world and is more prevalent among women in the first six weeks after birth. Research suggests that postpartum depression is more commonly diagnosed among adolescents and may be a risk factor for poor growth and development in children born to these mothers. Therefore, adolescents are a special age group that requires specific health care maternal interventions in order to detect and treat post-partum depression.
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5. |
- Atuhaire, C., et al.
(författare)
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The magnitude of postpartum depression among mothers in Africa: a literature review
- 2020
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 37
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: postpartum depression (PPD) continues to become one of the major maternal health challenges across the globe but there is a paucity of recent data on its magnitude in Africa. This study was motivated by the need to update the current magnitude of PPD in Africa based on various assessment tools. Methods: a total of 21 articles met the study criteria. Fifteen articles used the EPDS and six used other assessment tools. Postpartum depression among studies that used EPDS tool ranged from 6.9% in Morocco to 43% in Uganda and 6.1% in Uganda to 44% in Burkina Faso among studies that used other depression assessment tools. Sensitivity and specificity results of the EPDS ranged from 75%-100% and 87%-98% respectively. Results: a total of 21 articles met the study criteria. Fifteen articles used the EPDS and six used other assessment tools. Postpartum depression among studies that used EPDS tool ranged from 6.9% in Morocco to 43% in Uganda and 6.1% in Uganda to 44% in Burkina Faso among studies that used other depression assessment tools. Sensitivity and specificity results of the EPDS ranged from 75%-100% and 87%-98% respectively. Conclusion: despite the limited dearth of literature, the magnitude of PPD in Africa remains high which suggests that PPD is still a neglected illness and calls for immediate interventions. EPDS is an effective tool with high sensitivity and specify in varying study contexts.
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6. |
- Munezero, J. B. T., et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of nurses knowledge and skills following cardiopulmonary resuscitation training at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
- 2018
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - : Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is considered a core emergency skill in which all health care professionals must be proficient. CPR remains a new procedure in developing compared to develop countries. The objective of this study was to assess Nurses Knowledge and Skills following Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: A prospective pre/post intervention design was adopted. CPR knowledge and skills of 32 nurses from MRRH were assed using two tools. Tool I consisted of 17 item of multiple choice questions that assessed CPR knowledge. Tool II involved an observation checklist of 15-point skills questions. A penalty score of 5 or 10 or 20 was set for each question, based on the guideline. Results: The average score prior to instruction was 53.8 for knowledge and posttest 82.5, and for skills was 46 pre-instruction and 81.5 post instruction. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in the CPR knowledge and (p = 0.02) for CPR skills. The percentage change in respondent's knowledge and skills ranged from 16.8% to137.2% with a mean of 59.9% for knowledge and from 19.18% to 2115.6% with a mean of 159.8% for the skills assessment. Conclusion: Respondents had inadequate CPR knowledge and skills at pretest. The study revealed statistically significant improvement in both knowledge and skills of CPR for all nurses post training. There was a significant change in nurses' skills than in knowledge post training.
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7. |
- Njoya, H. F., et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence and awareness of mode of transmission of typhoid fever in patients diagnosed with Salmonella typhi and paratyphi infections at the Saint Elisabeth General Hospital Shisong, Bui division, Cameroon
- 2021
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Ingår i: Pan African Medical Journal. - 1937-8688. ; 40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: typhoid fever is a systemic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella enterica subspecies (typhi). It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at determining the prevalence and awareness of the mode of transmission of Salmonella typhi among patients at the Saint Elisabeth General Hospital Shisong of Cameroon. Methods: the study carried out from March 1st , 2017 to May 31st, 2017 recruited patients who presented at the hospital with clinical signs and symptoms of typhoid fever and who had lab requests for stool culture requested by the resident physician. The prevalence of Salmonella typhi infections among the patients and the proportion of patients with adequate knowledge on the mode of transmission of Salmonella typhi were estimated at a 95% CI. Data were analyzed using Epi info7.1.3.3. Results: out of the 172 patients recruited for the studies, 52 (30.1%) were diagnosed with Salmonella typhi, 59.6% of which were male. Also, 3 (5.8%) were diagnosed with Salmonella paratyphoid A. A positive correlation between knowledge on the mode of transmission of Salmonella typhi and the level of education was established, showing that 92% of participants with a higher level of education indicating that typhoid fever can be contracted through consumption of contaminated water. Conclusion: high prevalence of typhoid fever was observed in our study. The unawareness of the patients on typhoid fever and its contraction through contaminated water and food was positively correlated to the level of educations of the patients. These findings, therefore, suggest a public health challenge faced by inhabitants in this region where typhoid fever remains endemic. Scarcity of potable water, improper drainage systems, and problems of unsanitary toilets in Cameroon require urgent intervention.
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8. |
- Wirsiy, F. S., et al.
(författare)
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A randomized controlled trial on mobile phone text messaging to improve sexo-reproductive health among adolescent girls in Cameroon
- 2022
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Ingår i: Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2055-7426. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: We conducted a single-centered randomized controlled single-blinded trial (i.e. trained interviewers; blinded to group allocation). The target population included adolescent girls in the Kumbo West Health District (KWHD) of Cameroon. This trial tested the efficacy of weekly educational one-way text messages to improve perception of adolescent girls on sexo-reproductive health. Methods: Allocation concealment (1:1) was determined by sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes. A total of 398 participants either received the mobile phone sexo-reproductive health text messages (199) or not (199). A blinded program secretary send out text messages and recorded delivery. Data was collected and managed at baseline and at 6 month intervals using an interviewer-administered questionnaire before and after intervention, then analysed using the independent T-test (mean differences) and ANOVA on SPSS version 21. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores respectively increased significantly from 6.03, 4.01 and 3.45 at baseline to 7.99, 5.83 and 4.99 at the end of the study. After performing ANOVA for the overall correct knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices respectively for between and within the intervention groups, we obtained: (F = 15.12, P = 0.023), (F = 60.21, P = 0.001) and (F = 57., P = 0.013) which showed statistical significance thus indicating the overall improvement in adolescents girls perception as a result of the intervention and not by chance. Majority (65.3%) of the participants were satisfied with the Short Message Service (SMS). Conclusion: This trial has contributed to the body of knowledge and evidence on the use of mobile phone technology using educative SMS to improve adolescent girl's perception on sexo-reproductive health in Cameroon.
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