International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (10), pp. 295-298, November, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Midwifery students’ readiness to afford manual vacuum aspiration in Ghana

*Ameyaw Casely,  Yeboah Kingston, W. J. B. Kwasi and Kofi Nkrumah

Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 August, 2015

Abstract

Abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the developing world. Midwives are more likely to provide services to more than half of the world’s population residing in rural areas than other healthcare providers. When properly trained, midwives are able to safely provide manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). As part of a larger study, final-year midwifery students took part in a computer-based survey and were asked about the training and education they received related to MVA. 93 students completed the survey questions related to MVA. 60.2% reported that they are either “very likely” or “likely” to provide this service once they graduate. Only 5 students indicated they had an opportunity to practice the skill during their training. The most common reason for answering “definitely will not” provide MVA was religious beliefs. In Ghana, midwifery students are being taught manual vacuum aspiration, although they are not being given adequate opportunity for supervised experiences. This raises the issue of how well prepared they are to provide this service following graduation. To address the continuing problem of unsafe abortion, midwifery training colleges in Ghana should establish a mechanism to expose students to additional simulation and clinical experiences.

Key words: Midwifery, Ghana, Africa, abortion, maternal health.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (9), pp. 288-294, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Parameters for improving health-care in Nigeria: The case of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

James Efiong, Edem Akpan, and Ufot Edet

Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 October, 2015

Abstract

Constant poor health care quality is attributable to non-responsive foreign models necessitated this study to develop quality assurance package (QAP) for health care in Nigeria with focus on Akwa Ibom State. Quality assurance index (QAI) was the instrument for data collection. A multi-stage random sample of 340 respondents was drawn from 840 health managers in primary health care settings in the state. The research and development (R&D) survey designed was used to develop the package through progressive steps such as: (a) Exploration and establishment of need for the package through library search; (b) determination of the elements (contents) for quality assurance; (c) preliminary validation of the elements; (d) empirical validation of the contents to determine the suitability; and (e) integral feedback mechanism. From the findings of the study, suitable elements for quality assurance identified were: the philosophy {(care should be at minimal risk to client (84.9%), care of benefit to client (79.5%), health worker should aim at best result as they demonstrate moral sense of duty (73.6%); workers should strive for best results (62.4%)}; objectives (giving consumers adequate information in tandem with local needs and exigencies (80.4%), continuous care innovations (67.6%), and safeguarding consumers’ satisfaction (76.6%); and measures for quality assurance (continuous education for health workers (87.2%), licensing all health care givers (83.5%), close supervision (79.8%), minimizing unjustified geo-variation of care (85.3%), reducing access barrier (79.4%), among others). The package was recommended for adoption for health care administration in the country.

Key words: Ikorok, healthcare quality assurance parameters.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (8), pp. 284-287, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy and tolerance of combination of Cytidine 5 ' monophosphate (CMP) and Uridine-5 ' Triphosphate Trisodium (UTP) in patients with diabetic neuropathy: results of a study conducted in Dakar-Senegal

Lala Bouna Seck¹, Anna Basse¹, El Hachim Cissé², Demba Diedhiou³, Kamadore Touré^1,4, Moustapha Ndiaye¹, Said Nourou Diop⁴, Mouhamadou Mansour Ndiaye¹

¹Department of Neurology, Fann University Teaching Hospital, Dakar-Senegal.

²Department of Neurosurgery, Fann University teaching hospital, Dakar-Senegal.

³Department of Internal Medicine and Antidiabetes Center, Abass Ndao National Hospital, Dakar-Senegal.

⁴Department of Health Sciences, University of Thies, Senegal.

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted April 20, 2015

Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy is the earliest and most common chronic complication of diabetes. There are numerous therapeutic methods, but most of them present a problem of efficacy and tolerance. NUCLEO CMP FORTE ® is a combination of nucleotides (Cytidine 5'- Monophosphate Disodium and Uridine -5' Triphosphate Trisodium). Several preclinical studies have demonstrated the effect the combination of CMP and UTP in the regeneration of the myelin sheath and nerve cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of CMP and UTP in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In a prospective study, we conducted a 3-month clinical trial of the combination of CMP and UTP in 75 patients with diabetic neuropathy. The methods of investigation were clinical (Visual Analogous Scale, Neuropathy Disability Scale and Neuropathy Symptom Scale), electrophysiological (electromyography) and biochemical (liver and kidney function tests). The patients (68) had a mean age of 56 years. They were mostly female (72%), had diabetes 2 (95.6%) and all types of neuropathic pain. The medication had improved the sensory disorders as well as the intensity of pain in diabetic neuropathy patients. There was also a significant increase in sensory conduction velocity in the right median nerve and left sciatic nerves during the electromyographic tests. No clinical or biological side effects have been noted. The combination of CMP and UTP is useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. We recommended its use for diabetic patients with neuropathy.

Key words: Neuropathy, diabetes, CMP, UTP, Senegal.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (8), pp. 278-283, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of malaria on the indices of anaemia of Plasmodium parasitized pregnant subjects

*Kawu Raheem, Nasiru Sumaila and Farouk Garo

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 August, 2015

Abstract 

Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study evaluated the effect of malaria on the indices of anaemia of 50 Plasmodium parasitized pregnant subjects. Fifty non- malaria parasitized pregnant and fifty non- pregnant and non-parasitized subjects served as control. The mean haematological values was significantly lower among parasitized pregnant women compared to non–parasitized pregnant and non pregnant subjects (p = 0.001) . The incidence of anaemia among parasitized and non parasitized pregnant subjects was (66 and 48%). A positive correlation was observed between the level of parasitaemia and anaemia (r = 0.67, p = 0.04). Microcytic and hypochromic anaemia was significantly higher in pregnant and parasitized subjects (p = 0.001). Burden of malaria infection and anaemia was higher in primgravidae compared with multigravidae subjects. Preventative strategies including regular chemoprophylaxis, intermittent preventative treatment with antimalarials, provision of iron supplementation and insecticide-treated bed nets should be implemented.

Key words: Plasmodium parasitaemia, anaemia, pregnancy, Niger Delta, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 August, 2015

Abstract 

Rampant and unnecessary use of iron supplementation to correct possible anemia in malaria and other infections is dangerous, since excess iron may predispose to salmonellosis. Intracellular bacteria, such as Salmonella typhimurium has an obligate requirement for iron to support intracellular growth and survival. Complements have unique role in salmonella co-infection with malaria because complements like C1q and C4 deficiency are associated with Salmonella infection. On the other hand, misleading Widal results may keep one away from the true diagnosis because of cross reaction of antigen from other infections with Salmonella antibody. Therefore an erroneous interpretation of rapid diagnostic tests delays the treatment of actual infection and increases morbidity. So, further research is necessary to diagnose a true coinfection and to eliminate false interpretation of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Thereby true co-infections and their prevalence should be measured correctly. Effective control measures can be determined if a data of true co-infection were present. A review was carried out on the literature relating to malaria and typhoid, using various journals and published articles from internet search engines. Here we described the importance of malaria and typhoid co-infection due to misleading Widal results, associated conditions, and iron induced true co-infection and their public health importance by reviewing various scientific data.

Key word: Coinfection, malaria, typhoid, iron overload, salmonella, false positive widal, widal result, true coinfection.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 5 (8), pp. 274-277, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A cross-sectional study on Plasmodium infection: A haematological analyses of the blood samples

*Ola Oyinlola, Toyin Mimiko and Abike Bensouda

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 August, 2015

Abstract 

A cross-sectional study on Plasmodium infection was conducted among 158 febrile patients (65 males and 93 females) reporting to Oyo State Hospital, Oyo, South-western Nigeria. Parasitological and haematological examinations of the blood samples were conducted. An overall infection rate of 29.7% was observed with parasite densities ranging from 96 - 64680 asexual parasites/µL blood. The percentages of infected male and female individuals were 27.7 and 31.2%, respectively. The least (12.5%) and the highest prevalence (44.4%) were recorded in age groups <1 and 6 - 15 years respectively. Malaria prevalence and parasitaemia were independent of age and sex (P>0.05). The total leucocytes and lymphocytes decreased with parasites densities, while neutrophils increased with parasitaemia but with insignificant relationships (P>0.05). The neutrophils and lymphocytes in infected and non-infected individuals were (54.0, 55.6%) and (45.9, 43.73%) respectively. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood in all positive cases in all age groups was lower than in negative individuals. The malaria prevalence in this study was low. Therefore, considerable efforts should further be made to reduce its occurrence below the risk level mostly among the most susceptible groups. Advocacies on the practices of Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) and use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) should further be promoted.

Key words: Plasmodium infection, parasitaemia, prevalence, haematology, Oyo town.