ISSN 2756-3820
Research Article
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 3 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Re-marriage decisions among people living with HIV in rural Southern Malawi
Belinda Chimphamba Gombachika1,2* and Heidi Fjeld3
1Section for International Community Health, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, P. O. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
2Faculty of Nursing, Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Blantyre Campus, P. O. Box 415, Blantyre, Malawi.
3 Section for Medical Anthropology and Medical History, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, P. O. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]. Tel: (+47) 22 85 05 50 or (+47) 45 7743 70 or (+265) 888 379 020. Fax: (+47) 22 85 05 90.
Accepted 18 March, 2013
Abstract
This study explores re-marriage decisions of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in matrilineal Chiradzulu and patrilineal Chikhwawa communities in Malawi. Specifically, it analyzes reasons and circumstances that come into play as they re-consider marriage relationships. Data were collected from July to December, 2010 using in-depth interviews from eighteen informants purposively sampled and was analyzed using content analysis method. Findings show four main issues; irrespective of kinship organization and despite resistance from kin, women decide to re-marry for financial support while men for physical care and emotional support. In the absence of widow inheritance, widows from patrilineal communities are not receiving the expected support from the deceased husband’s relatives leading them to seek support through re-marriage. New marriages in patrilineal communities are supported through traditional marriage formalities. Suggesting that decisions to re-marry are influenced by socio-economic factors. Therefore, we recommend cultural sensitive health programmes embedded in these local realities that accept people living with HIV to re-marry and continue to access prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and antiretroviral therapy services without reprisal.
Key words: Malawi, decisions, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), reproductive health, kinship, marriage.
Belinda Chimphamba Gombachika*, Heidi Fjeld
Page: 26 - 33
Research Article
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 3 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The impact of intermediate factors on socioeconomic differences and infant mortality in the Gaza Strip
Mazen Abuqamar1*, Danny Coomans2 and Fred Louckx1
1Department of Medical Sociology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
2Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103,
1090 Brussels, Belgium.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 0032 (0)2 477 47 38. Fax 0032 (0)2477 47 11.
Accepted 4 March, 2013
Abstract
Infant mortality is a complex problem with no single solution. Numerous social, economic and intermediate issues play a role, rather than there simply being an issue of health care access or health care quality. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of intermediate factors (consanguineous marriage, mother's age and body mass index) on socioeconomic differences in infant mortality in the Gaza Strip. Person to person interviews were carried out with 550 mothers of infants; 275 infant deaths and 275 live births in the Gaza Strip. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify the relationship of health behavioral factors and infant mortality. Our study shows a clear positive statistical association between intermediate factors (normal weight, non-consanguineous marriage and mothers aged from 20 to 35) and survival of infants. Consanguineous marriage is the strongest intermediate factor (p-value = 0.000), followed by the mother's age (p-value = 0.005) and then body mass index (p-value = 0.012). In order to reduce infant mortality, governmental policy should give priority to health promotion and education among the public about the risk of early childbearing, consanguineous marriage and unhealthy weight.
Key words: Infant mortality, consanguineous marriage, young mother, older mother, underweight mother, obese mother, Gaza Strip.
Danny Coomans and Fred Louckx, Mazen Abuqamar*
Page: 1 - 8
Research Article
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Syzygium cumini (pomposia) active principles exhibit potent anticancer and antioxidant activities
Abd El-Moneim M. R. Afify1, Sayed A. Fayed1, Emad A. Shalaby1 and Hany A. El-Shemy1,2*
1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.
2Biochemistry Department and Faculty of Agriculture Research Park (FARP), Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University 12613 Giza, Egypt.
Accepted 14 January, 2012
Abstract
The antioxidant and anticancer activities of Syzygium cumini fruit extracts were investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging assay and viability of leukemia cancer cells (AML cell line) respectively. The successive extracts, hexane, chloroform, ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water were prepared and subjected to antioxidant and anticancer evaluation. The results showed that the ethanol extract had stronger antioxidant and anti- leukemia activities than the other ones. Spectroscopic methods data of active ingredients separated from ethanol extract indicated that S. cumini fruit extracts contained phenolic compounds, such as Kaempferol 7-O-methylether and sterols such as -Sitosterol responsible for their antioxidant and anticancer activities. A significant linear relationship between anticancer potency, free radical-scavenging ability and the content of active compounds of fruit extracts supported this observation.
Key words: Anticancer, antioxidant, successive extraction, Syzygium cumini.
Emad A. Shalaby and Hany A. El-Shemy*, Abd El-Moneim M. R. Afify, Sayed A. Fayed
Page: 1 - 9
Research Article
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of Berberis aristata on lipid profile and coagulation parameters
Faiza Abdul Razzaq1, Rafeeq Alam Khan1*, Zeeshan Feroz1,2 and Syeda Afroz1
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.
2Ziauddin College of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Accepted 08 January, 2012
Abstract
Herbs have been a great source of natural substances used to treat and prevent several cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, arrhythmia etc. Blood lipid levels and coagulation parameters are probably the major determinant of the development of cardiovascular diseases, hence the present study has been specifically designed to investigate the effect of Berberis aristata on lipid profile and coagulation parameters after high cholesterol diet for 45 days. The study was conducted on healthy rabbits of either sex. Biochemical tests were performed at the completion of dosing, that is, on 30th day and again after 45 days. Berberis Aristata (25 mg/kg) revealed a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein levels; more over, there was an increase in thrombin and fibrinogen time; however studies on large number of animals and humans are required before reaching any conclusion.
Key words: Berberis aristata, lipid profile, coagulation parameters.
Faiza Abdul Razzaq, Rafeeq Alam Khan1*, Zeeshan Feroz and Syeda Afroz
Page: 1 - 5
Research Article
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of crude methanolic extract of Euphorbia prostrata collected from District Bannu (Pakistan)
Mushtaq Ahmad1, Abdus Saboor shah1, Rahmat Ali Khan1*, Farid Ullaha Khan1, Noor Aslam Khan1, Mir Sadiq Shah1 and Muhammad Rashid Khan2
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.
Accepted 25 November, 2011
Abstract
Medicinal plants help in improving the human health that is primarily due to bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and tannins. These compounds play important role in minimizing oxidative stress, cancer, impotency, cardiac dysfunction and microbial inhibition. Euphorbia prostrata (L) is a small prostrate, annual herb found all over the world including Pakistan. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of E. prostrata against oxidative stress and antibacterial potential. Methanolic extract of E. prostrata were used in three different concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 mg/ml. The maximum inhibition was shown at highest concentration of 5 and at 3 mg/ml the moderate inhibition while at 1 mg/ml the minimum inhibition was shown. Similarly concentration of methnolic extract of E. prostrata exhibited excellent scavenging activity. The % scavenging of E. prostrata is directly proportional to the concentration. The order of % scavenging activity is 50 < 100 < 150 < 200 < 250 g/ml. Ascorbic acid is used as negative control
Key words: Antioxidant, antibacterial, Euphorbia prostrata, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ascorbic acid.
Noor Aslam Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Abdus Saboor shah, Farid Ullaha Khan, Mir Sadiq Shah and Muhammad Rashid Khan, Rahmat Ali Khan*
Page: 1 - 4
Short Communication
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 2 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Development of new spectrophotometric determination of titanium in homeopathic pharmacy using Ponceau S as a reagent
G. M. Mastoi*, M. Y. Khuhawar, Kulsoom Abbasi, Moina Akhtar, Saba Naz, Humaira Khan, Arfana Mallah and Zuhra Memon
1DR. M. A. Kazi Institute of Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Sindh, Pakistan.
Accepted 21 November, 2011
Abstract
Spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of titanium(III). The linear calibration curve was obtained with 2-10 g/ml titanium. The titanium was determined in pharmaceutical preparation with coefficient of variation 3.0%. The concentration of titanium was calculated from the standard calibration curve and was found 111.25 µg/ml with coefficient of variation 3.0%. The obtained results agreed with the results obtained from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) method.
Key words: Determination, medicine, Ponceau S, spectrophotometer, titanium.
Arfana Mallah and Zuhra Memon, Saba Naz, M. Y. Khuhawar, Humaira Khan, G. M. Mastoi*, Kulsoom Abbasi, Moina Akhtar
Page: 1 - 5