The East African health research journal最新文献

{"title":"Postoperative Complications and Factors Associated with Surgical Site Infection at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A cross-Sectional study.","authors":"Amos Mbowella, Mabula Mchembe, Godbless Massawe, Ally Mwanga, Irene A Msoffe","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.782","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.782","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postoperative complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality to surgical patients. Different complications are encountered in clinical practice, however surgical site infection (SSI) appears to be the most common. To date, limited published information is known pertaining to the patterns of postoperative complications and factors associated with SSI among patients operated on in other hospitals in Tanzania and referred to Muhimbili national hospital for further management. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify patterns of postoperative complications and factors associated with SSI among the study participants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted at Muhimbili national hospital from August 2022 to January 2023, which included 181 patients. Obtained data was analysed using frequency tables, Pearson Chi-squared test and binary logistic regression model, at a level of significance of <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred eighty one (181) patients were included in this study, of whom 113(62.4%) were females; median age was 39 years. Cigarette smokers and alcohol consumers were 42(23.2%) and 90(49.7%) respectively. Diabetic patients were 8(4.4%), 35(19.3%) were HIV positive and 52(28.7%) had hypertension. Patients whose diagnosis was related to general surgery accounted for 50.2%, whereas 30.9% were obstetric cases. Patients who had undergone Caesarean section were 45(24.9%), whereas 20(11%) patients had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy. Bowel resection and primary anastomosis included 16(8.8%) patients and perforated peptic ulcer repair 8(4.4%) patients. Patients with infected peritoneal collection were 34(18.8%), postpartum haemorrhage 18(9.9%) and bowel perforation 10(5.5%). Patients who had undergone relaparotomy as part of treatment were 70(38.7%), whereas 30(16.6%) patients with SSIs were treated by serial wound dressing and 26(14.4%) patients were admitted and nursed in intensive care unit. None of the factors was found to have a statistically significant association with SSI.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is a large proportion of patients suffering from postoperative complications after gastroenterology and obstetric surgeries; and of all complications encountered in this study; SSI was the most common contributing 52%, followed by gastrointestinal complications at 31%. Despite the fact that multiple factors were associated with SSI, none of them was found to be statistically significant.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"200-207"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterisation of Tobacco Use and its Associated Factors Among Older Youths in an Urban Setting: The Case of Wakiso, Uganda.","authors":"Alex Daama, Stevens Kisaka, Stephen Mugamba, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Grace Kigozi Nalwoga, Asani Kasango, Robert Bulamba, James Menya Nkale, Fred Nalugoda, Gertrude Nakigozi, Godfrey Kigozi, Rawlance Ndejjo, Joseph Kagaayi","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.788","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Tobacco smoking increases the risk of death from many diseases, including ischemic heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and other fatal and non-fatal diseases. Efforts have been invested towards cessation of tobacco smoking among youths aged 18-35 years. However, population-based data is limited on tobacco smoking in Wakiso district among youths. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with tobacco smoking among youths aged 18-35 years in Wakiso district Uganda.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from a Population-based survey in Wakiso district collected between October 2019 and September 2020 were used to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and associated factors. A cross-sectional design was employed. This study used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between tobacco smoking and various factors among youths aged (18-35) years in Wakiso district Uganda.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1,092 participants were enrolled of whom 631(57.8%) were females. The mean age was 25.8 (SD=4.8) years. A total of 35 (3.2 %) reported current tobacco smoking while 64(5.9%) ever used tobacco. The mean age at smoking initiation was 20.6 (SD= 5.3) years. In the multivariable analysis, age groups 25-29 years (aOR= 3.66, [95% CI: 1.15, 11.65]) and 30-35 years (aOR= 4.26, [95% CI; 1.32, 13.72]) were more likely to smoke compared to those under 25 years). Other positively associated factors included alcohol users (aOR= 4.86, [95% CI: 2.01, 11.74]), HIV positive status (aOR= 5.43, [95% CI: 1.86, 15.86]), living with friends or relatives who smoke (aOR=9.93, [95% CI: 1.86, 15.86]), and being male (aOR=4.50 [95% CI; 1.82, 11.13]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall tobacco smoking among youths aged 18-35 years is low compared to national prevalence of 9%. However, the focus should be on males, older youths, alcohol users, and HIV-positive youths including those living with friends or relatives who smoke.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"256-263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407119/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeding Behaviour and Nutritional Status among Children Aged 6 to 23 Months Old in Bahi District in Tanzania.","authors":"Leonida Tawa Chipanha, Leonard Katalambula","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.779","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.779","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The survival, well-being, and development of young children depend on optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. It is imperative to assess nutrition status and feeding behaviour practices in order to develop interventions. The objective of this study is to assess nutrition status, feeding behaviour, and its association with nutrition status among children aged 6 to 23 months old in Bahi district, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based, cross-sectional study was employed. A multistage sampling technique was used. Bahi district council, wards, and village were randomly selected, and then a systematic random sampling method was used to select participants. Anthropometric measurements were used to determine the nutrition status of children. Process for the Promotion of Child Feeding (ProPAN) manual guided assessment of feeding behaviours associated with nutrition status. Z-score was used to determine the level of malnutrition; the chi-square test and logistic regression were used as descriptive and inferential statistical tests, respectively, to determine the association between nutrition status and feeding behaviour.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 395 children aged between 6 and 23 months, 62.8% were stunted, 25.3% were underweight, and 6.6% were wasted. In the multivariable analysis, the results reveal that stunting was significantly associated with perception of exclusive breastfeeding (number of months) (AOR 4.24, 95%CI: 2.012-8.284) and number of feeds per day (AOR 2.02, 95%CI: 1.00-6.314). With regard to perception of exclusive breastfeeding (number of months), the children whose mothers perceived that children supposed to be breastfed for more than six months were four times more likely to be not stunted compared to those who were perceived to be breastfed less than three months, and the children whose mothers' fed them twice to three times were two times more likely to be not stunted compared to the children who were fed only two times.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bahi district council has a higher prevalence rate of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children aged 6 to 23 months. Feeding on the first colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding, and breastfeeding for more than six months are the main determinants of nutrition status.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"180-187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute Kidney Injury: Magnitude and Predictors of Maternal Outcomes among Pre-Eclamptic and Eclamptic Women in Mwanza, Tanzania.","authors":"Mathias Njau, Fridolin Mujuni, Dismas Matovelo, Edgar Ndaboine, Richard Kiritta, Ladius Rudovick","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.807","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acute kidney injury (AKI) that occurs during pregnancy or in the post-partum period is a serious obstetric complication with a significant risk of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. Although globally there has been an overall decrease in the burden of pregnancy-related (PRAKI) AKI, recent studies show the increasing occurrence of this disease in Low-middle income countries (LMICs).This study was conducted to determine the magnitude and predictors of maternal outcomes of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic-related acute kidney injury at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) and Sengerema Designated District Hospital (SDDH) Mwanza, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort study was conducted involving patients diagnosed with Preeclampsia-Eclampsia (PE-E) who were admitted at BMC and SDDH from November 2021 to June 2022. Data were collected through convenience sampling using a structured questionnaire. Statistical data analysis was performed using STATA version 15. A chi-square test was performed to test for significant associations between the predictor and outcome variables. A significant association was defined as a p-value of less than .05. Variables showing significant associations in the chi-square analysis were further analysed using multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the strength of the associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study enrolled a total of 258 women with PE-E. The magnitude of AKI was found to be 141(54.7%,) out of 258 participants, of which Kidney Disease Improving Outcomes (KDIGO) stage 1 accounted for 103 (73%) stage 2, 20 (14.2%) and stage 3, were 18 (12.8%). Of these, 141 participants with AKI, 101 (71.6%) resolved within 7 days of delivery, 12 (8.5%) persisted beyond 7 days after delivery, and 28 (19.8%) worsened. Serum creatinine stages 2 and 3 at admission, HIV positive status, and informal education status were highly associated with persistent/worsening AKI stage.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The magnitude of acute kidney injury was found to be high (54.7%) among pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients in BMC and SDDH. AKI stages 2 and 3, HIV positive status and informal education level were associated with poor maternal outcomes mainly persistent AKI and worsening AKI.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 3","pages":"372-379"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12083724/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144096204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Associated with the Uptake of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls Aged 14 Old in Hai District of Kilimanjaro Region in Northern Tanzania.","authors":"Jojet N Josephat, Russel B Halama, Harieth F Makiriye, Amina Farah, Irene Haule, Margaret Kirumbuyo, Caroline Amour, Sia E Msuya","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination is a key primary prevention method against cervical cancer which is given to young girls before onset of sexual activity. In Tanzania, cervical cancer is the most frequent occurring cancer among women and is the leading cause of cancer mortality. The HPV Vaccination programme was rolled-out in Tanzania in 2018 for adolescent girls aged 9-14 years to receive two doses at a six-months interval, with an annual vaccine uptake of 46.1%. In 2019, the uptake of the HPV vaccine was only 64%, whereas the national coverage target is 75%. This study aimed at assessing the determinants of HPV vaccination among adolescent girls in Hai district, Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to August 2020 among 14-year-old adolescent girls in four selected secondary schools, including two government-owned and two private-owned, within Hai district. Close-ended questionnaire interviews were conducted with the adolescent girls in the study and data analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Odds ratio was used to assess the association between several factors and HPV vaccination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 301 adolescent girls aged 14 years consented to the study. HPV vaccination uptake was 65%. More than three-fifths (n=119, 60.7%) reported having received the two required doses. Knowledge of HPV (OR 5.68; 95% CI, 0.72 to 44.96; <i>P=.01</i>) and HPV vaccine (OR 20.11; 95% CI, 10.88 to 37.99); <i>P =.01</i>) contributed significantly to HPV vaccine uptake among the adolescent girls in the study. More than one-third (n=105, 34.9%,) of the participants, were not vaccinated, the main reasons adduced for not being vaccinated include lack of proper information about the HPV vaccine (60.0%), fear of side effects (14%) and parental refusal (11%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HPV vaccination uptake was 65%. Lack of proper information to both the children and parents about the safety of the vaccine hinders its uptake. More effort should be made for clear and comprehensible dissemination of information especially to the community stakeholders mainly parents, community and religious leaders, about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine in order to considerably increase vaccination coverage among adolescent girls. Likewise, involvement of healthcare workers and policymakers in educating people about cervical cancer prevention measures can ensure successful implementation of HPV vaccination. There is need to conduct an indepth qualitative study to explore further people's perceptions and attitudes towards HPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"264-270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407132/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scooping Review of Diabetes Research in Kenya from 2000 to 2020.","authors":"Anthony Muchai Manyara, Protus Musotsi","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.784","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v8i2.784","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise globally, with likely disproportionate increase in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, diabetes has been acknowledged as one of the top non-communicable diseases needing prevention and control. Research can contribute to diabetes prevention and control: however, the landscape of diabetes research in Kenya remains understudied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar and ProQuest were searched for relevant articles. We included studies on humans, reporting on any type of diabetes, conducted in Kenya between 2000 to 2020.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the search, 983 records were retrieved out of which 102 met the study inclusion criteria. Most studies were facility based (71%) cross sectional (65%) and descriptive (71%) conducted in Nairobi (38%) between 2013-2020 (82%), focused on diabetes control, (71%) and funded by organisations/institutions from high income countries (73%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite the recent increase in research outputs, there is still limited diabetes research being conducted in Kenya necessitating more research in the country and particularly outside Nairobi to inform prevention and control efforts. Specifically, more focus should be given to etiological and intervention studies (which use longitudinal and randomised controlled trial designs), community-based and public health research. Finally, increased local funding for diabetes research is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 2","pages":"215-221"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142303016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypertension Management Among Hospitalised Patients at Kamenge University Hospital in Bujumbura.","authors":"Eugene Ndirahisha, Ramadhan Nyandwi, Joseph Nyandwi, Sebastien Manirakiza, Patrice Barasukana, Thierry Sibomana, Elysee Baransaka","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.744","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.744","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>According to the World Health Organization in 2015, 40 million out of the 56 million deaths recorded worldwide (70%) were due to non-communicable diseases. These were mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective descriptive study was conducted from October 2018 to March 2019. Availability of the files in the department's archives store for medical records and availability of trained physicians to perform diagnosis and treatment of HBP were the criteria used to select departments to be included in the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients data were recorded from internal medicine department (59.8%), emergency department (18.1%) gynaecology and obstetrics department (13.3%) and surgery department (8.6%). The mean age of the patients who were hospitalised in the study period was 54 years (SD±10.2) with extremes of 18 and 104 years. The modal class was the age group of 50 to 60 with 24.4% of cases. Among patients who were hospitalised, 3.6% (127) had essential hypertension, of which 57.4% (73) were women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Notable percentage of patients hospitalized at the University Hospital of Kamenge had essential hypertension. However, patients' knowledge of their hypertensive status had no positive contribution to its management.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"20-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spectrum and Trends of Cancer in Southwestern Uganda from 2012 to 2021.","authors":"Yekosani Mitala, Raymond Atwine, Brian Ssenkumba, Abraham Birungi, Barbra Tuhamize, Richard Ezinga, Keneth Male, Kabanda Taseera","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.746","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancer has become a global public health challenge and the number one cause of premature death. The incidence is increasing globally and more rapidly in low and middle-income countries despite the gross under-registration and challenges in diagnosis. Data about Uganda is mostly from the Mulago cancer registry which may not entirely represent other parts of the country. This study presents the trends of cancer incidence for Southwestern Uganda in a decade (2012 to 2021).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We did a review of records at the Mbarara University histopathology laboratory and Mbarara Regional Referral Oncology Clinics from January 2012 to December 2021 for cancer diagnoses. Records missing patients' age or sex were excluded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We registered 4197 incident cancers, 51.8% were among males, and 10.7% were among children (0-18 years). The median age was 52 years and the interquartile range was 35-67 years. The most commonly diagnosed cancers were prostate cancer (13.46%), ocular surface carcinoma (11.03%), cervical cancer (10.55%), head and neck cancers (7.31%), esophageal carcinoma (6.79%), lymphomas (5.36%), retinoblastoma (5.31%), and breast cancer (5.00%) in descending order. Retinoblastoma was the most common cancer among children.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The cancer pattern in Southwestern Uganda has changed and the numbers diagnosed each year are increasing. Prostate cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer overall, and the commonest cancer among men. Among women, cervical cancer is the most common cancer, followed by ocular surface carcinoma, and breast cancer. Retinoblastoma is the most common cancer among children. The trend of Kaposi sarcoma has plummeted together with ocular surface carcinomas. The cancer trends seem to be influenced by the presence of diagnostic and treatment expertise in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"32-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adherence to Lifestyle Recommendations among Adults Attending Hypertension Clinics in Selected Hospitals in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Joseph Nyanda Shilole, Rehema Bakari Omari, Jacktan Josephat Ruhighira, Ahmed Gharib Khamis, Julius Edward Ntwenya","doi":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.745","DOIUrl":"10.24248/eahrj.v8i1.745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>Hypertension is the first contributor to the deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. A change of lifestyle is recommended as an equal-first-line approach for controlling hypertension. However, the burden of uncontrolled hypertension remains high. This article describes the level of adherence to recommended lifestyle modifications among hypertensive patients in Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The research was carried out from June to September 2020 using a cross-sectional study that involved an interviewer-administered questionnaire with 311 participants. These were patients with hypertension (> 18 years old) who were randomly selected from patients attending clinics during the study period. The lifestyle behaviours were assessed using the WHO Steps survey standard questionnaire. SPSS, version 26, was used to enter and analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of hypertensive patients was 53.6 ± 7.5 years. Females were 58.8%. Only 17.7% had good compliance with the recommended lifestyle behaviours related to hypertension. Regular physical activities had 37.9% adherence, 99% adhered to non-smoking, 94.2% adhered to moderation of alcohol consumption, and 22.2% adhered to the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Patients with adequate knowledge were two times more likely to comply with the WHO recommended lifestyle behaviours (aOR=2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.082 to 3.471; <i>P= .05</i>].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Most patients with hypertension had poor lifestyle behaviours for the management of hypertension, with varying level of adherence to the recommended life style changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"25-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What is Stress in Epilepsy? A Content Analysis and an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO): Highly Time to Define Stress","authors":"Georgios Pilafas, Penelope Louka, Georgios Lyrakos","doi":"10.12681/healthresj.23160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.23160","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: Stress is one of the most researched issues in Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology. The background review illustrated that much peer-reviewed quantitative studies do not define accurately the concept of stress in epilepsy and/or use a different rationale in their definition. This contributes further in major medical and psychological debates and research questions in the last decade of whether stress is ‘epileptogenic’ and ‘seizure triggering’ for epileptic patients. Material and Method: The present qualitative study applied a content analysis on Chapter 5 of World Health Organization’s (WHO) first and latest global report on epilepsy -from a Health Psychology point of view-, seeking for (i) a universal definition of stress in epilepsy, (ii) what stressors are more related to ‘epileptogenesis’ and ‘seizure triggering’ –if any- and (iii) any proposed stress relief and management strategies to be delivered by psychologists. Results and Conclusions: Primary and secondary content analysis presented that WHO does not define stress as a single entity, but rather shows an unspecified link with ‘social stigma’ or ‘social stressors’. Moreover, WHO does not show taking leadership in defining stress for research purposes. Lastly, there are some thoughts that although WHO applies the biopsychosocial model in this report, it considers that the ‘psycho’ part of the model concerns entirely the field of ‘psychopathology’.","PeriodicalId":74991,"journal":{"name":"The East African health research journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135645716","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}