Medical journal of Zambia最新文献

{"title":"Prevalence and Factors Associated with Prompt Diagnosis and Treatment of Fever among Under-five Children in Zambia; Evidence from a Country-wide Cross-Sectional Survey.","authors":"M. Nawa, Khumbuso Elizabeth Phiri, C. Sialubanje, B. Hamainza, Japhet Chiwaula","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.2.398","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.2.398","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of fever can prevent severe disease and mortality. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of infections contribute significantly to the high under-five mortality ratio, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors to prompt diagnosis and treatment of fever among under-five children in Zambia. Methods: The study used secondary data from the Malaria Indicator Survey of 2021. Descriptive statistics using measures of frequencies, medians and interquartile ranges were done, and cross-tabulations and logistic regression were used to assess measures of association. The significance level was set at a P-value of 0.05 and a confidence level of 95%. The data was analysed in STATA 14.  Results: A total of 3003 under-five children were included; 728 (19.5%) had a fever in the two weeks preceding the survey. The prevalence of prompt health-seeking behaviour was 57.3%, which raises concerns that 42.7% of the children with fever did not have prompt treatment within the same or the next day of fever onset. Male sex aOR = 1.52 (95%CI 1.10 – 2.12) and the use of IRS aOR 1.8(1.30 – 2.50) were associated with increased odds of prompt health-seeking behaviour. Conclusion:  This study found that the prevalence of fever among under-five children in Zambia was comparable to other sub-Saharan African countries. Health-seeking behaviour among children with fever was sub-optimal, as a considerable proportion did not seek treatment. Factors associated with health-seeking behaviour among children with fever included sex and staying in a house with indoor residual spraying.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":" 32","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139139281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Systematic Review on the Cost-Effectiveness of Intra-Articular Injections for Pain Relief in Symptomatic Patients with Osteoarthritis","authors":"Alex Lwando, B. Chiluba","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.2.421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.2.421","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This systematic review aimed to assess the quality of published economic evaluations of ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections for symptomatic management of osteoarthritis, explore their scope and diversity, and determine their cost-effectiveness. Methods: Relevant electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published from January 2009 to June 2019. Keyword searches and Boolean operators were used to retrieve relevant literature. The PICOTS framework was utilized to define key research questions and guide the literature search. Duplicate removal, title and abstract screening were conducted to exclude irrelevant articles. Data from each study were extracted using a standardized form and summarized in an Excel spreadsheet. The SIGN quality appraisal tool for economic evaluations was employed to assess the quality of each study. Results: The initial database search yielded 238 articles, with 35 duplicates removed. Following title and abstract screening, an additional 198 articles were excluded due to not meeting the inclusion criteria. Full-text manuscripts of the remaining 5 articles were reviewed. Based on the quality appraisal, 4 out of the 5 studies were excluded. One study was not a primary study, one was still ongoing, and two were not economic evaluations. Due to the limited number of included studies, no subgroups were identified. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections significantly improve clinical outcomes and enhance cost-effectiveness in the management of osteoarthritic joints. However, the scarcity of relevant studies highlights the need for further research to strengthen this finding.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":" 81","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139137666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges of Imaging Obese Patients in General Radiography: A Qualitative Systematic Review to Guide the Training and Practice in Zambia","authors":"O. Bwanga, M. Bwalya","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.350","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Obese patients are increasingly being referred for medical imaging examinations across the world. Obese patients require a modified standard of care to compensate for challenges caused by both technical and psychological issues related to their weight and body habitus. There have been research studies conducted on this issue, but no systematic review has brought the findings of these studies together to inform training and practice. \u0000 Aim: This study was aimed at synthesising primary studies on the challenges faced by radiographers and radiography students in imaging obese patients to guide the training and practice in Zambia. \u0000Methods: This qualitative systematic review was conducted using the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Two databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched to identify relevant literature. This was supplemented by other sources: radiography journals, grey literature, and cited references. Data from the included studies were assessed for quality, extracted, and synthesised using thematic analysis. \u0000Results: Five studies were identified and included in this review. Following data analysis, four themes related to challenges faced in imaging obese patients in general radiography emerged: difficulties in communicating without causing psychosocial distress, manual handling risks, limitation of the equipment, and difficulties in positioning and determining the exposure factors for diagnostic radiographic images. \u0000 Conclusion: This review provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by radiographers and radiography students in imaging obese patients. Strategies to enhance radiography training and practice have been identified to help educators and radiographers.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"32 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138606582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of introduction of TB LAM in the TB testing algorithm at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital on case detection and notifications","authors":"Ireen C. Bwalya, O. Chilyabanyama","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.374","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000  \u0000Introduction \u0000TB-LAM tests were introduced in the TB program in Zambia in 2019, to aid in diagnosis of TB. We carried out a study to determine the impact that TB lipoarabinomannan (LAM) test has had on case identification and notification at a tertiary hospital in a city with a high prevalence of HIV. We also compared sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive of TB LAM tests and X-pert MTB RIF test in HIV positive and HIV negative patients. \u0000  \u0000Method \u0000Retrospective analysis of the TB laboratory as well as the TB notification registers to determine the number of TB cases identified by TB LAM and Xpert MTB-RIF. We identified patients who had both TB LAM and X-pert MTB RIF tests to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of TB LAM and Xpert MTB RIF, using TB notification and commencement of anti-tuberculosis treatment as the gold standard for comparison.   \u0000  \u0000Results \u0000Between January 2019 and June 2022, there were a total number of 2353 notified cases of Tuberculosis. A total of 511 cases of Tuberculosis were identified on the basis of positive TB LAM. This accounted for 59% of all bacteriologically confirmed cases of TB. The sensitivity and specificity of TB LAM in diagnosis of TB in the study population was 55.8% and 91.4% respectively. Positive and Negative predictive values for TB LAM were 84.5% and 69.6% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB RIF in diagnosis of TB in the study population was 29.2% and 98.2% respectively. Positive and Negative predictive values for Xpert MTB RIF were 93.5% and 60.4% respectively. Positivity yield was higher for TB LAM as compared to Xpert MTB RIF (19% versus 9% in 2019; 36% versus 10% in 2020 and 38% versus 10% in 2021). \u0000Conclusion \u0000TB LAM identified 59% of all bacteriologically confirmed cases of tuberculosis at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital. Contrary to what has been found in other studies, the sensitivity of TB LAM was much higher than that of Xpert MTB RIF. In addition, the sensitivity of TB LAM was higher in HIV negative as compared to HIV positive, which is contrary to what has been established in similar studies. \u0000  \u0000  \u0000  \u0000  \u0000  \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"116 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138607469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systemic symptoms associated with tooth eruption in children: A narrative review","authors":"K. Sohal, Reema Mukesh Ruparellia","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.346","url":null,"abstract":"Teething has been attributed to various childhood ailments and physical disturbances since ancient times. Due to this some of the organic childhood diseases may go untreated thereby harming the child’s general health. Taking this negative impact into account, this review article aims at informing the medical community of the systemic symptoms that are associated with teething","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"55 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138606620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of stillbirth in the Five General Hospitals of Lusaka, Zambia: A Case-Control study","authors":"Musonda Makasa, W. Mutale, M. Lubeya, Tepwanji Mpetemoya, Mukambo Chinayi, Benedictus Mangala, Musole Chipoya, P. Kaonga","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.395","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.395","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: We aimed to assess determinants of stillbirths among women who delivered from the five general hospitals of Lusaka city, Zambia.\u0000Methods: We conducted an unmatched case-control study. Cases were consecutively enrolled, and controls were randomly selected within 24 hours of occurrence of a case. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and multiple regression was used to assess determinants of stillbirths. A p-value of <0.05 was considered sufficient evidence of an association between stillbirth and independent variables.\u0000Results: A total of 58 cases and 232 controls were included in the analysis. Compared with women who delivered babies with birth weight <2500 grams, the risk of stillbirth for women who had babies with birth weight ≥2500 was higher (AOR= 4.49; 95% CI: 2.84 – 8.99); antepartum haemorrhage (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: 1.21 – 8.09); previous experience of stillbirth (AOR=3.99; 95% CI: 1.73 – 6.73) compared with their counterparts without. Additionally, women with parity > 2 (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.07 – 7.54) had higher odds of stillbirth compared to those with parity ≤ 2.\u0000Conclusion: Birth weight ≥2.5 kg, antepartum haemorrhage, previous stillbirth were determinants of stillbirth. Program implementers should consider strategies that can mitigate these determinants to reduce stillbirth.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"54 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138606630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge and utilization of Traditional Birth Attendants by Women of Reproductive Age in Alanamu Community Ilorin, Northern Nigeria","authors":"Abdulwahab Lawal, Wuraola Salawu, Oluwanifemi Makanjuola, Ambali Ambali, Oreoluwa Alabi, Ahmed Kareem., Chijindu Nnaemeka, Maryam Akande, T. Akande","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.345","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.345","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION\u0000The lack of access to skilled healthcare services during childbirth remains a major factor for high maternal mortality in developing countries, as traditional birth attendants (TBAs) continue to serve as the predominant providers of maternal health care in rural communities.\u0000This study explores the knowledge and utilization of TBAs by women of reproductive age in a rural community of Ilorin, kwara state Nigeria.\u0000METHODSThis study is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted using a well-structured interviewer based questionnaire, administered to 212 women of reproductive age-group to collect data on their knowledge and utilization of the services of TBAs. Analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 20.\u0000RESULTS One hundred and fifty three respondents (72.2%) had background knowledge of TBAs, 91 (40.8%) had visited a TBA at least once to carry out their deliveries, of which 73 (80.2%) of them had successful deliveries, while 18 (19.8%) had complications during their deliveries, and 7 (7.7%) were referred to health care facilities for expect management. The study showed statistical significance between the level of education of respondents and their patronage of TBAs with a p-value of 0.041, and showed no statistical significance with their level of income.\u0000CONCLUSION This study showed adequate knowledge and utilization of the services of TBAs by members of the community. The practice of TBAs has continued to thrive in rural communities; integrating their services with the standard healthcare system as well as continuous sensitization of rural communities on their roles and limitations would go a long way in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality associated with the use of poorly trained TBAs","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"119 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138607389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges faced by patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee in using their Bathrooms in Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Billiat Chongo, Chese Ngulube, Marjorie Mwansa, Dominic Sashi, Fair Banji Mwiinga","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.383","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: People with Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee have difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living. These problems arise from disturbed biomechanics, pain and loss of range of motion. Both pain and stiffness prevent deep knee flexion, a movement that is important in the use of both the toilet and the bathing facilities. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges faced by patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in using their bathrooms in Lusaka, Zambia. \u0000Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive quantitative study was done. The study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in the Department of Physiotherapy. Fifty six participants with hip or knee osteoarthritis were recruited in the study. Portions of the ICF were used to determine the level of difficulty in using both the bathtub for bathing and the toilet. A visual analogue scale and manual goniometer were used to measure the intensity of pain and range of motion respectively. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi Square test was used to determine if there was a relationship between severity of pain and the ranges of motion in the hip and knee at the significance level of 0.05. \u0000Results: Participants in this study had a mean age of 53.39 years (SD=9.210). Majority were females (79%) and 21% males. The participants had mild problems with (52%, n=29) followed by moderate problems with bathing (32%, n=18). More than half of the participants had moderate problems (55% while a few (7%) had severe problems with toileting. During bathing and toileting, 80% and 62% of the participants experienced moderate to severe pain in the knee and hip respectively. There were significant associations between the severity of pain and the ranges of motion in hip flexion, hip extension and knee flexion (P = 0.01, 0.001 and 0.02). \u0000Conclusion: Patients with OA of the knee and the hip have moderate to severe challenges with bathing and toileting. Pain may be the main factor contributing to the challenges in bathing and toileting. Physiotherapy needs to take the bathing and toileting facilities into account when managing patients with OA of the knee and hip. \u0000  \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"109 34","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138607776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association of Primary biliary cholangitis and Graves’ disease coupled with management challenges: a case report of a 36-year-old black Zambian female patient.","authors":"Sydney Mpisa, E. Sinkala, Wamundila Kawana, Brown Kamanga","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.382","url":null,"abstract":"The occurrence of other autoimmune conditions in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients is documented in literature and thyroid disease is such an example. Such cases are however rarely seen in the African setting and particularly in Zambia. Here we report a case of a 36-year-old black Zambian female patient who was diagnosed with PBC in 2014 at the University Teaching Hospital(UTH), Lusaka, Zambia. She was lost to follow-up until November 2020 when she presented with a flare of PBC. During the flare the patient reported a 2-weeks history of pruritus, fatigue, passing dark urine and pale stools, coupled with progressive weight loss. Examination revealed moist skin, scleral jaundice, generalised scratch marks, wasting with a body mass index (BMI) of 15kg/m2, a small goitre with a bruit heard over it and fine tremors. She did not have proptosis, finger clubbing or cervical lymphadenopathy or pretibial myxoedema. File review showed no prior goitre. Ultrasound of the neck confirmed the homogenous thyroid gland with increased vascularity. Blood tests revealed a suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (<0.005Uiu/ml) elevated free triiodothyronine (FT3) (10.9pmol/l) and elevated free thyroxine (FT4) (53.4pmol/l). TSH receptor antibodies were also elevated. The clinical features and blood tests led to the confirmation of Graves’ disease in a patient with PBC. Our patient was subsequently started on carbimazole, propranolol and continued ursodeoxycholic acid with great clinical response to treatment of both the PBC and Graves’ disease. \u0000Our patient managed to gain weight within six months of commencement of Graves’ hyperthyroidism treatment, with her BMI improving to normal, at 22.6 Kg/m2. One year into her treatment she developed agranulocytosis likely from the carbimazole which was subsequently stopped resulting in her thyroid hormones going up again. The patient could not take propylthiouracil (PTU) in view of the liver disease as such radio-active iodine (which is not readily available) was the only feasible option. \u0000Our case report contributes to the body of knowledge that PBC tends to coexist with autoimmune thyroid disease and should be looked out for with a high index of suspicion especially in patients with PBC who report weight loss despite doing well on PBC therapy.  We also seek to highlight the challenges in management and follow up of such patients in low resource setting. Although PBC is not so common in Black Africans, it should be suspected in patients who present with cholestatic jaundice especially in young female patients.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"114 25","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138607270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Body Packer Syndrome: a health hazard of deglutitioned controlled drugs","authors":"Dr K Saasa, K. Saasa¹, Mss Patel²","doi":"10.55320/mjz.50.1.397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.50.1.397","url":null,"abstract":"A case of an accidental overdose in a body packer or drug courier is reported. It highlights a health hazard of deglutitioned controlled drugs. A clinico-pathological aspect of the body packer syndrome is discussed.","PeriodicalId":74149,"journal":{"name":"Medical journal of Zambia","volume":"121 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138607222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}