AJOL - African Journals Online
Not a member yet
221688 research outputs found
Sort by
Two sides of a coin: image of Ethiopia in the US until 1935
No full textThis study explores the image of Ethiopia in the US until 1935. It is historical research based on qualitative content analysis. The sources were historical newspapers, books, journal articles, and websites. Based on these sources, the image of Ethiopia was explored in the US in two periods – before and after Adwa. In each of those periods, Ethiopia had two contradictory images which appeared at the same time. In the pre-Adwa period Ethiopia was a redeemer and dignified black nation for African-Americans, but land of black barbarians and savage for the racists. Besides, after Adwa Ethiopia continued as a symbol of freedom for the African-Americans, but it became a Caucasian civilized nation for the racists. Adwa enhanced Ethiopia’s symbol of freedom for the African-Americans. Conversely, Ethiopia was transformed from barbaric Negro to civilized Caucasian in the view of racists.
 
Professional Certification and Career Development: A Comparative Analysis between Local and Foreign Certifications
No full textProfessional certification, a proficiency to validate employees' competency and readiness for career development, has recently become a subject of inquiry among researchers. There are concerns about employers' demand for foreign in place of local professional certifications in employment decisions, especially in developing countries. Therefore, this study examines the impact of indigenous and foreign professional certifications on employee career development in developing countries like Nigeria. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data from certified and non-certified human resource professionals in Nigeria. A structural equation modelling analysis was carried out to explore the relationship between the exogenous and homogenous constructs. Findings revealed that local and foreign certifications influence the career development of the sampled employees. However, the model's explanatory power shows that foreign certification has a greater influence on career development than local certification. The study report suggests that both certifications benefit career development, thus, are relevant in career development and employment decisions
Outcome of liver resection for small bowel neuroendocrine tumour metastases
No full textBackground: Small bowel neuroendocrine tumours frequently metastasise to the liver. While liver resection improves survival and provides symptomatic relief, multifocal bilobar disease adds complexity to surgical management.Objectives: This study evaluated outcome in patients with small bowel neuroendocrine liver metastases who underwent liver resection at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT Private Academic Hospital.Methods: All patients with small bowel neuroendocrine liver metastases treated with resection from 1990–2015 were identified from a prospective departmental database. Demographic data, operative management, morbidity and mortality using the Accordion classification were analysed. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: Seventeen patients (9 women, 8 men, median age 55 years, range 31–76) underwent resection. Each patient had all identifiable liver metastases resected and/or ablated (median n = 3, range 1–20). Ten patients had major anatomical liver resections. Three patients had five segments resected, and seven had four resected. Nine patients (53%) had a concurrent bowel resection of the small bowel NET primary and a regional mesenteric lymphadenectomy. Median operating time was 255 min (range 150–720). Median blood-loss was 800 ml (range 200–10,000). Five patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. Hepatic vascular inflow control was used in ten patients (56.5 min median, range 20–150 min), which included hepatic inflow control n = 8, total hepatic exclusion n = 1, and selective hepatic exclusion n = 1. Median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (range 2–28). Thirteen complications occurred in seven patients. Accordion grades were 1 n = 3, 2 n = 4, 3 n = 3, 4 n = 2, 6 n = 1. One patient required reoperation for bleeding and a bile leak. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 36 hours postoperatively. Sixteen patients (94%) had symptomatic improvement. Five-year overall survival was 91% (median follow-up 36 months, range 14–86 months).Conclusion: Our data show that liver resection can be safely performed for small bowel NET metastases with a good 5-year survival. However, a substantial number of patients require a major liver resection and these patients are best managed at a multidisciplinary referral centre
Deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease: analysis of the variation in final stimulating lead placement based on multi-tract electrode recordings
No full textBackground: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (SNT) is a treatment modality for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Either single central trajectory tract or multiple selected trajectory tracts based on microelectrode recordings (MER) are used for the placement of the final stimulating electrodes. This study aims to explore how many times trajectory tracts, other than the central tract are used for final lead placement.Methods: Retrospective analysis of a randomly selected convenience sample of 24 subjects from patients who had DBS by a single neurosurgeon. After MRI and CT assessment, planning using a stereotactic frame for variable trajectory placement of temporary electrodes and MER that was the basis for site and tract selection for the final electrode placements used for DBS.Results: Twenty four patients had 47 DBS electrodes placed: 1 unilateral and 23 bilateral. The central tract was used in 45 (95.75%) of these cases. The central trajectory tract accounted for 30 (63.83%), the anterior trajectory tract for 7 (14.89%), the medial tract for 5 (10.64%), the posterior for 4 (8.51%) and the lateral for 1 (2.13%) of final lead placements.Conclusion: The results of this study based on the predicted best stimulating sites following MER show that alternates to the central trajectory tract are required in 37% of site placements. A comparative study exploring clinical benefit is required to assess if variable electrode trajectory placement based on accurate physiological measurements is superior to single central trajectory placement
Oesophageal cancer in Area 2 of Kwazulu-Natal: predictors of late presentation
No full textBackground: There are limited prospective data sets on clinical characteristics, stage of presentation and treatment of patients with Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) in South Africa. This study aimed to assess the frequency and severity of clinical characteristics associated with late presentation of patients with OSCC presenting to a cancer referral centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methods: A prospective consecutive series of patients presenting with confirmed OSCC treated at Greys Hospital in 2016/2017 were enrolled. Data collected included: age, gender, home language, referral centre, clinical and laboratory characteristics: dysphagia score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, tumour pathology and treatment administered.
Results: One hundred patients were analysed. Ninety four percent spoke isiZulu. The mean age was 61 with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1 Ninety percent had palliative treatment as their overall assessment precluded curative treatment. Five patients underwent curative treatment. The age standardised incidence (ASR) was 25.2 per 100 000. The factors associated with late presentation and their frequency were: advanced dysphagia grade ( >/=2 in 68%), malnutrition (BMI <18.5kg/m2 in 49%), hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin < 35 g/l in 70%), poor performance status (ECOG>/=2 in 50% ) and moderate to poor tumour differentiation in 95% of patients.
Conclusions: OSCC in Kwazulu-Natal has double the ASR of South Africa and places a significant burden on the region’s health care system. Factors associated with late presentation occur in the majority and alone or in combination preclude curative therapies. The frequency of these factors serve as a benchmark for comparison, and reduction in their frequency may indicate effectiveness of interventions designed to improve awareness and access to proper care. 
“A tale of two cities.” A snapshot survey of neurosurgical procedures performed in public and private sectors in eThekwini
No full textAccess to neurosurgical care in South Africa is influenced by prevailing inequities in healthcare. It is generally perceived that the public sector performs mainly emergencies relating to trauma, and the private sector performs mainly elective spinal surgery. In March 2015, emergencies constituted 51% of cases in the public sector compared to 8% in the private sector. Trauma, paediatric hydrocephalus and intracranial sepsis constituted nearly 75% of the operative workload in the public sector. Cranial surgery accounted for the majority (95%) of operations in the public sector, whereas the majority in the private sector was spinal (75%). There is considerable disparity in the type of neurosurgery being performed in the public and private sectors in KwaZulu- Natal and with the current financial constraints, there is a potential unmet need for elective spinal surgery in the public sector
Lymph node transplant in Kenya: a case series of 20 patients
No full textSummaryChronic limb lymphedema is a debilitating condition whose definitive management eludes medical practice to date. Lymph node transplant results in improvement of symptomatology amongst patients with lymphedema non-responsive to nonoperative management. A retrospective audit of all patients who underwent lymph node transplant in Nairobi, Kenya for the period June 2014-June 2017 (three years) was done. We report improvement of symptomatology amongst patients with stage II lymphedema non-responsive to non-operative management. We also highlight surgical considerations taken during the management of these cases
Mental health and well-being of university staff during the coronavirus disease 2019 levels 4 and 5 lockdown in an Eastern Cape university, South Africa
No full textBackground: The mental health of university staff members is often neglected and might have been exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the mental health and well-being of staff members in an Eastern Cape university just after levels 4 and 5 lockdowns (01 June 2020) in South Africa.Setting: The university was closed during lockdown and staff members had to work from home, trying to save the 2020 academic year.Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory survey of a sample of 280 staff members (response rate = 27.75%), with a mean age of 48.84 ± 10.17 years, completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF).Results: A number (27.6%) of staff members reported psychological distress, whilst the majority (60%) was flourishing during lockdown. Socio-economic collapse, contracting the virus and the completion of the academic year were their biggest worries. Whilst a strong negative correlation between psychological distress and mental well-being (MWB) was observed (r = −0.595), age had an inverse correlation with psychological distress (r = −0.130) and a positive correlation with MWB (r = 0.153). Female staff members, staff members with comorbidities and workers in the administration and service sections were significantly more likely to report psychological distress. The mental health of female staff members and members with comorbidities were almost two times more at risk for psychological distress.Conclusion: The mental health and well-being of some university staff members were at an increased risk during lockdown
HIV knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst patients with severe mental illnesses and chronic medical illnesses in Durban, South Africa
No full textBackground: Studies exploring HIV knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have suggested their poorer knowledge about HIV. In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa (SA), the epicentre of the country’s HIV epidemic, improving KAP is essential for reduce its incidence amongst individuals with SMI. Comparing the KAP related to HIV between those with SMI and chronic medical illnesses (CMI) such as hypertension and diabetes may expose gaps in KAP related to HIV in the mentally ill who are more vulnerable to HIV.Aim: This study aimed to compare the KAP related to HIV between people living with SMI and CMI.Setting: Outpatient clinics in Durban, SA.Methods: A cross-sectional structured questionnaire survey was conducted amongst 214 adult outpatients with SMI and CMI attending two general public sector hospitals in Durban, KZN. The KAP questionnaire consisted of three sections: general information, prevention and transmission of HIV.Results: Interviews were conducted with 124 patients with SMI and 90 with CMI. Most were female (69.5%), single (57.5%) and unemployed (59.4%). The diagnosis of SMI was associated with poorer general information of HIV (p = 0.02), but not with its prevention and transmission compared with those with CMI. Educational level was associated with poorer performance in all three domains: general information of HIV (p = 0.01), prevention (p = 0.01) and transmission (p = 0.02) amongst all the participants.Conclusion: Gaps in the KAP of HIV amongst individuals with SMI compared with those with CMI suggested a need to provide focused health promotion regarding sexual health and HIV to the mentally ill at psychiatric facilities
Psychiatric morbidity amongst adolescents in a Nigerian juvenile correctional facility
No full textBackground: The high occurrence of psychiatric disorders amongst adolescents within the Juvenile Justice System (JJS) has been confirmed. Most of the available data are from developed countries and some of them focus on just a single psychiatric disorder which may not be representative of the situation in low-income countries, hence the need for more studies in developing countries, including Nigeria.
Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders amongst adolescent residents of a correctional facility.
Setting: The study was carried out at a Borstal Institution in North-Central Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. One hundred and twenty adolescents were assessed using the socio-demographic pro forma questionnaire designed by the researcher and the Kiddies Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADSPL). Data were analysed using EPI-INFO 4.06 d version 6.04 software.
Results: A total of 62.5% of the male respondents were older than 15 years. The percentage of respondents with a psychiatric disorder was 82.5%. The rate of psychiatric disorders was high with disruptive behaviour disorders being the most common at 40.8%, others were substance use disorders (15.8%), anxiety disorders (14.2%), psychosis (6.7%) and mood disorders (5%).
Conclusion: This study has established a high prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders amongst incarcerated adolescents. This is in line with the findings of numerous studies worldwide. This study has identified the need to increase awareness and knowledge about the high morbidity of mental disorders in growing juvenile detainee populations. This will allow early identification of adolescents at risk of psychiatric disorders and ensure efficient resource distribution of both JJS service and mental healthcare. Effective and appropriate interventions have shown to improve overall health, quality of life and reduce the rate of recidivism amongst incarcerated juveniles