East African journal of public health最新文献

{"title":"Serum total anti-oxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers.","authors":"I Onyesom,&nbsp;O K Ighodayenowho,&nbsp;E Nwoke","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cigarette smoke has been reported to contain free radicals. The interaction of these free radicals with the body defense system and associated health risk among Nigerian smokers have remained scarcely investigated despite the high numbers of smokers in our society. This study thus, investigates the serum total antioxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers in apparent good health and who have been smoking between 1.4 sticks of cigarette/day for about 1-3 years. Twenty(20) consenting smokers between 19 and 45 years consisting of fifteen (15) males and 5 females were recruited after examination to certify their apparent good health. Twenty (20) non-smokers, who were matched in age and sex were included as control subjects. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed to be higher in male non-smokers (1.92 +/- 0.2 2mM) when compared with their female counterparts (1.88 +/- 0.16 mM). Among smokers, the males subjects showed a decreased TAC (Male: 1.45 +/- 0.23 mM and female; 1.65 +/- 0.16 mM) with a strong statistical difference between the TAC of smokers and non-smokers (t = 2.095, n = 20 and P < 0.05). Data suggest lower oxidant defense and hence, increased susceptibility to free radical associated diseases especially among the male smokers. Conserted efforts need to be made by governmental agents to enforce legislation that could reduce the rate of smoking. Campaigns should also be initiated to educate the lay public on the dangers of cigarette smoking.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"224-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023505","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":"Effectiveness of incinerators in the management of medical wastes in hospitals within Eldoret municipality.","authors":"S M Njoroge,&nbsp;P Koskei,&nbsp;E Chepngeno,&nbsp;L Lutukai,&nbsp;R Okwiri,&nbsp;A Maluki","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction and objectives: </strong>Medical waste incinerators release into the air a host of pollutants that have serious adverse consequences on public health and the environment. This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of incinerators in Eldoret municipality in the management of medical wastes in relation to its maintenance and operation with an aim of giving recommendations towards reducing environmental pollution caused by emission of toxic pollutants and safeguarding the health of the incinerator operators as well as the surrounding communities.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross sectional study was carried out at three health facilities in Eldoret Municipality namely Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital blood Bank Transfusion Centre, Elgon View and Eldoret hospitals. Questionnaires, researcher observation and laboratory investigations of ash samples were used in data collection. The questionnaires were administered to all the personnel operating the incinerators. The ash samples collected were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that the incinerators were operated in substandard conditions due to breakdown of the ignition starter, lack of pollution control equipment, and a low combustion temperature. Laboratory investigation of the ash showed that the levels of the heavy metals tested were high compared to the national and international standards. Forty percent (40%) of the interviewees were aware of the health risks they were exposed to and used protective clothing and equipment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study showed that the incinerators investigated are maintained and operated in substandard conditions. The ashes produced contain a wide range of toxic pollutants, including concentrated levels of a number of heavy metals. This poses serious environmental health and occupational safety hazard.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"196-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023023","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":"Quality of health care and the need for assessment.","authors":"G Bosse,&nbsp;B Ngoli,&nbsp;M T Leshabari,&nbsp;R Külker,&nbsp;T Dämmrich,&nbsp;W Abels,&nbsp;J P Breuer,&nbsp;R Kersten,&nbsp;C Spies","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>In many hospitals of developing countries quality of care is below the expected standard to maintain patient safety. In 2006, health care experts from Tanzania and Germany collaborated on a set of indicators to be used as a hospital performance assessment tool. The aim of this study was to introduce this tool and check its feasibility for use in a Tanzanian regional hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Within the hospital, independent observers assessed quantitatively structural quality and the performance of health care encounter using an itemized scale from 0 (0%) to 2 (100%) for each defined item. Outcome parameters were taken from the annual hospital report. In addition, semi-qualitative interviews with staff and patients were held to a) assess staff knowledge of the treatment guidelines published by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), b) assess attitudes and user motivation and c) authenticate the quantitative findings in a mixed-method triangulation approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Structural quality in maternity was at 75% of the expected standard, while process quality ranged from 36% (Care of the newborn with APGAR score < 4) to 47% (normal delivery procedure). Staff knowledge ranged between 64% and 87% with low motivation and commitment given as contributing factors. Outcome (maternal mortality) was 481/100,000 live births with an infant mortality rate of 10%.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The tool appeared to be feasible and effective in judging care quality. It provides a model for continuous quality improvement. Motivation of health care workers, a strong determinant of care process quality, might be improved by strengthening internal factors in health facilities. For conclusive validation, further studies using the tool must be conducted with larger numbers of institutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"199-204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023024","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":"Levels of some micronutrients in some Nigerian hypertensives.","authors":"I Onyesom,&nbsp;F Inmuere,&nbsp;P E Awhin","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A total of seventy (70) consenting subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects consist of fifty (50) hypertensive subjects yet to receive treatment and twenty (20) normotensive (control) subjects. Subjects' blood pressure values were measured and serum was obtained from the whole blood collected by vene puncture using centrifugation technique. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were determined by established procedures using commercial kit reagents. Results show that the mean serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels for hypertensive patients were 1.98 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, 1.65 +/- 0.42 mmol/L and 0.88 +/- 0.20 mmol/L as against 2.11 +/- 0.10 mmol/L, 1.50 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.96 +/- 0.05 mmol/L for normotensive subjects. Fifty-four (54) percent and twelve (12) percent of the hypertensives had reduced calcium and magnesium levels respectively, but none for the normotensive subjects. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the hypertensive patients and forty-five (45) percent of the normotensives had elevated serum phosphorus levels, but no subject was hypophophataemic. Hypertension reduced serum calcium (P < 0.05) and magnesium (P > 0.05) levels among hypertensives in the south-south area of Nigeria. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. These micronutrients are therefore implicated in the progression of hypertension. The effects of antihypertensive drugs and/or micronutrients' supplementation on blood pressure and serum calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels in our study area should be further investigated. This is important because beneficial adjunct to the available modalities in the treatment of hypertension especially in Nigeria could be identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"212-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023027","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":"Effect of health education on knowledge and oral hygiene practices of persons living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya.","authors":"L W Gathece,&nbsp;J K Wang'ombe,&nbsp;P M Ng'ang'a,&nbsp;P N Wanzala","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the effect of oral health education on knowledge and oral health seeking behaviour of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Quasi-experimental study design conducted among 195 Persons living with HIV/AIDS attending two Comprehensive Care Centres (CCC) at the Kenyatta National Hospital (intervention group) and Mbagathi district hospital (non-intervention group) in Nairobi Kenya. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling method and data collected using a questionnaire. Data was collected at baseline, at three months (review 1) and at six months (review 2).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant change in oral health knowledge for KNH participants. However, no significant change in oral knowledge was recorded for MDH participants. The proportion of participants who brushed their teeth at least twice a day increased significantly from 52% to 88% for KNH. The proportion of those who had brushed the previous evening increased from 47% to 83.2%. There was no significant change in the proportion brushing at least twice a day among the non-intervention group. There was a significant association between change in knowledge and change to brushing at least twice a day among the intervention group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Oral health education led to improved oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices among PLWHA.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"207-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023026","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 breastfeeding pattern among nursing mothers in Anambra State, Nigeria.","authors":"A U Ukegbu,&nbsp;E U Ebenebe,&nbsp;P O Ukegbu,&nbsp;U U Onyeonoro","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The practice of optimal breastfeeding including exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is still rare among nursing mothers despite numerous benefits of breastfeeding. This study was aimed at identifying the factors influencing breastfeeding pattern among nursing mothers in Anambra State, Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross sectional study was carried out in three comprehensive health centres of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) located at Neni, Ukpo and Nnewi communities of Anambra State. A semi structured questionnaire was interviewer administered on 228 nursing mothers consecutively selected by a systematic random sampling method as they visited the maternal and child welfare clinics. In addition, four sessions of focus group discussions (one in each centre) involving 8-10 nursing mothers were held.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most mothers 190 (83.3%) were aged between 20 and 34 years. About 152 (66.6%) had attended or completed secondary education and were mainly traders 86 (37.7%) and full time house wives 66 (29.0%). Majority 208 (91.2%) had at least good knowledge of breastfeeding. Their main source of breastfeeding education was government health facilities (80.85%). Only 85 (37.3%) breastfed exclusively. Exclusively breastfeeding was significantly associated with maternal older age, parity, delivery at government facility, positive family attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding education from government health facility (p < 0.05). Focus group discussion showed that mothers believed that adequate nutrition, physical, financial and emotional support to them would increase exclusive breastfeeding practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exclusive breastfeeding rate was low among the mothers and the factors identified to influence its practice have important implications to breastfeeding intervention programmes. Activities to promote exclusive breastfeeding should be focused on the group of women and location in which it was poorly practiced. In addition, support to the mothers would be necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"226-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023506","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":"Socio-economic status, urbanization, and cardiometabolic risk factors among middle-aged adults in Tanzania.","authors":"M A Njelekela,&nbsp;E Liu,&nbsp;R Mpembeni,&nbsp;A Muhihi,&nbsp;N Mligiliche,&nbsp;D Spiegelman,&nbsp;J L Finkelstein,&nbsp;W W Fawzi,&nbsp;W C Willett,&nbsp;J Mtabaji","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study was conducted to examine the associations between socioeconomic status, urbanization, and cardio-metabolic risk factors in Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were 209 adults (45-66 years) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate socioeconomic status and behavioral characteristics, including income, education, occupation, residence (urban, rural, mixed), dietary factors, and smoking. Blood samples were collected and analyzed to measure lipid profiles and fasting glucose levels. Cardiometabolic risk factors were defined using World Health Organization criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Urban residence and higher socioeconomic status were associated with decreased intake of traditional staple food (ugali), and increased consumption of meat products and beverages. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with a significant 3.5-kg/m2 higher BMI (p = 0.0001) and 8 cm higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), and a three-fold increase in the risk of obesity. Urban residence was associated with poorer lipid profile, including significantly higher total cholesterol, increased LDL cholesterol, but lower triglycerides, compared to rural residence. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (38%), and was associated with increased socioeconomic status.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Urban residence and higher socioeconomic status were important correlates of cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity and poorer lipid profile. Primary prevention and health screening strategies are needed to target cardiometabolic risk factors in urban areas, to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Tanzania.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"216-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023028","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":"Quartz exposure and increased respiratory symptoms among coal mine workers in Tanzania.","authors":"Simon H D Mamuya,&nbsp;Bente Moen,&nbsp;Magne Bråtveit","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Unlabelled: </strong>Quartz has been an inevitable composition of different type of coal mined. The quartz exposures among coalmine workers has been attributed to activities such as cutting the adjacent rock, the roof, the floor and the intrusions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study is to determine the associations between quartz exposures and respiratory health in a labour intensive coal mine.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>239 randomly selected men participated in the study. A respiratory questionnaire was used, collected information and data were analysed by SPSS version 15. The criterion for significant association was 0.05 and below.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Logistic regression controlling for age, smoking status and duration of employment showed a significantly increased odds ratio for breathlessness in the high exposed group (OR = 3.9 (95%CI: 1.4, 10.7). In addition there were significantly increased odds ratio in the highest cumulative quartz group for cough day and night (OR: 3.6), cough for four days or more in a week (OR: 6.7), cough with sputum in day and night (OR: 6.5) and dyspnoea (OR: 10.9) (Table 4).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results from this study provide important information for targeting prevention program for reducing exposure at mine workplace. Improvements in the work environment where exposures are higher than the TLV for respirable silica, ought to be performed.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"190-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023022","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":"Entrance surface dose of the common radiological investigations in Abuth, Zaria.","authors":"Emmanuel Nwokorie,&nbsp;T C Akpa,&nbsp;O P Mallam,&nbsp;Eyo Akpan,&nbsp;P O Ibinaye,&nbsp;O R Obiako,&nbsp;C Nzotta,&nbsp;A C Ugwu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The entrance surface Dose (ESD) was determined among patients who presented for routine radiological examinations using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips placed on averagely built adult [(30 cm) chest width, 60-90kg weight and 20-40years)] by multiplying the incident dose/entrances dose by the back scattered factor [BSF] gotten from an experiment. The values obtained from ESD measurements are as follows 8.03 mGy for Abdomen, 0.13 mGy for chest AP, 0.69 mGy for chest lateral, 0.5 mGy for cervical spine; AP: 0.38 mGy for cervical spine lateral; 4.75 mGy for hip AP: 12.83 mGy for hip lateral: 5.74mGy for lumbar spine, AP lumbar spine lateral is 15.15 mGy. 1.38m Gy is for pelvis AP. 2.93mGy for skull AP/PA 1.2mGy for skull lateral, 5.46mGy for thorax AP, while the lateral is 14.90m Gy. The average dose value is 9.28mGy Range 0.13-14.90mGy (Percentage standard error; +/- 1.45). From this studies Radiation doses delivered for routine investigations are generally lower than IAEA reference doses. Using these values for optimization of radiation protection practices for patient should be ensured since it does not rule out options for stochastic radiation.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"205-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023025","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":"Dysmenorrhoea and coping strategies among secondary school adolescents in Ilala District, Tanzania.","authors":"Andrea B Pembe,&nbsp;Ntaholija T Ndolele","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dysmenorrhoea is common problem among adolescents worldwide. Its prevalence varies greatly in different populations and ethnic groups. Adolescents with severe dysmenorrhoea may miss classes and other social activities. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and coping strategies for dysmenorrhoea among secondary school adolescents in Ilala municipal, Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross sectional study was conducted in eight public and private secondary schools in Ilala municipal. A total of 880 girls in form II and form III who had attained menarche were interviewed using a self administered questionnaire between August and October 2007.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age at menarche was 13.3 years with the youngest at nine years and the oldest at sixteen years. Six hundred fifty two (74.1%) girls had dysmenorrhoea. Backache, breast tenderness and non specific joint pains were significantly more common symtoms among adolescents with dysmenorrhoea than without dysmenorrhoea. Medication was used by 362 (55.5 %) girls to relieve dysmenorrhoea. Commonest medications used were paracetamol and diclofenac. Adolescents who missed school due to dysmenorrhoea were 154 (23.6%) and 140 (21.5%) missed social activities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>High proportion of secondary school adolescents has dysmenorrhoea in Ilala municipal with a significant number missing school and social activities. Reproductive health education in primary and secondary schools should be enhanced to increase awareness and care seeking.</p>","PeriodicalId":87601,"journal":{"name":"East African journal of public health","volume":"8 3","pages":"232-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31023507","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}