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Reclaiming the Promise of Sociological Imagination in Africa
Get PDFI have carefully chosen the theme of this paper as 'Reclaiming the Promise of SociologicalImagination in Africa because I believe this is one area where African sociokgists have played an unsuufficient, relevant and transformational role. tne inportant message in thisWhy is it important that we have journals of sociology? Is it only to provide us with a medium of academic expression, erudition and mobility? Or is it so that we can, as African sociologists, be interpreters of our own sitjations and conditions?paper is that it not too late to reclaim our relevance as sociologists and to map out the terrain of our enterprise in relation to the challenges we face in a country like Kenya and in Africa as a whole. As my contribution to the re-leunching of the African Journal of Sociology of the University of Nairobi I want to pose following questions: Why do we research and publish?
NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH RECENTLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN BLACK AFRICANS
No full textBackground: Albuminuria is long recognised as a sign of renal disease in diabetes. Intype 1 diabetes, renal disease occurs after a longer duration of diabetic state. In type2 diabetes, it is more variable.Objective: To determine the prevalence and any risk factors of albuminuria in shortterm(£2 yrs) type 2 diabetes.D e s i gwas10.3 (7.5) months. Fifty per cent of the study patients were hypertensive. Only 48%had HbAlc <8% while 36% had HbAlc >9%. The lipid profile of total, LDL - HDLcholesteroland triglycerides were predominantly within normal limits. Twenty six percent were established to have albuminuria of which one patient had macroalbuminuria.Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin and lipid parameters were not significantlydifferent from patients without albuminuriaConclusion: Albuminuria occurred in a significant proportion of patients with short termtype 2 diabetes. Comparable to studies done elsewhere on short-term type 2 diabetes,albuminuria is both a sign of nephropathy and a cardiovascular risk factor. It shouldbe looked for in all patients with type 2 diabetes attending this clinic, even at diagnosis
PSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE IN NIGERIA
No full textObjectives: To investigate the Psychiatric aspects of homicide in Nigeria, and, the psychosocialand forensic background of homicide offenders in Nigeria; to determine the role of themental health services in the disposal of the accused by the criminal justice system.Design: Retrospective study, involving interview of homicide convicts and, the scrutiny ofcourt and prison documents for relevant clinico-forensic data.Setting: Federal Prison, Jos, Nigeria.Results: One hundred and eighteen subjects participated in the study. Psychotic disorder(m;tinly paranoid schizophrenia) and alcohol intoxication accounted for the offences of 28(24 %) accused. Amnesia for the events occurred in psychotic offenders. Psychiatric serviceswere underutilised in the trial and disposal of the accused. Marked psychosocial maladjustmentin offenders was suggested by a high rate (45%) of substance use disorders predating thehomicide events. Thirty three (28%) offenders had dysfunctional family circumstances.Eighty six per cent of the accused were first time offenders. Adverse life events, predominantlyin relation to the victims, were reported by 33 (28%) of the accused in the month predatingthe events.Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders and substance use are significantly involved in homicideevents in Nigeria. There is a need for close liaison between the psychiatric and criminaljustice systems, in the disposal of all homicide accused. A continuing study of homicide inNigeria is recommended, to bridge the gap in our present level of knowledge
Environmental and occupational exposure to lead
No full textObjective: To determine the status of environmental and occupational lead exposure in selected areas in Nairobi, Kenya.Design: Cross sectional study.Setting: Kariobangi North, Babadogo, Waithaka and Pumwani for assessment of environmental exposure to lead (Pb) and Ziwani Jua Kali works for assessment of occupational lead exposure. Olkalou in Nyandarua District was the covariate study area.Subjects: Three hundred and eight children and adults participated.Results: Blood lead levels (BLLs) obtained for the entire sample (n = 308) ranged from 0.4 to 65μg/dl of blood. One hundred and sixty nine (55%) of the total sample had levels equal to or below 4.9μg/dl, while 62 (20%) of the sample had levels ranging from 5.0 to 9.9μg/dl. Blood lead levelsabove 10μg/dl were recorded in 77 (25%) of the total sample. Within Nairobi, 32 (15.3%) of the study subjects in areas meant for assessment of environmental lead exposure had levels above the WHO/CDC action levels of 10μg/dl of blood. The mean BLL for the occupationally exposed (ZiwaniJua kali) was 22.6 ± 13.4μg/dl. Among the workers, 89% had BLLs above 10μg/dl. In general, 15% of the entire sample (for both environmental and occupational groups) in Nairobi had BLLs above 15μg/dl. The covariate group at Olkalou had a mean BLL of 1.3 ± 0.9μg/dl.Conclusion: The prevalence of environmental lead exposure to the general public is high in Nairobi compared to Olkalou where non exposure was reported. Occupational lead exposure has been identified to be at alarming levels and urgent intervention measures are recommended
URINARY IODINE CONCENTRATION AND AVAILABILITY OF IODATED SALT IN SCHOOL CHILDREN IN A GOITRE-ENDEMIC DISTRICT OF TANZANIA
No full textObjectives: To determine the iodine status of school children and document the availability, price, use and storage of iodated salt in Ludewa District, Tanzania.Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.Subjects: One hundred parents and their fifty school children aged eight to ten years.Setting: Ludewa District of Iringa region, Tanzania in January 2003.Results: Median urinary iodine concentration of the school children was 86.76 μg/L (range: 21.69 μg/L - 273.36μg/L). The prevalence of mild iodine deficiency was 44% while that of moderate iodine deficiency was 18%. Thirty-eight percent of the school children had normal iodine status and no child was found to be severely iodine deficient. Household salt samples were found to be noniodated(12%), insufficiently iodated (58%) and 30% were adequately iodated. For 500 gm, fine salt was sold at US 0.07 (TSh. 50.00). Once bought salt was stored in covered containers (55%), uncovered containers (13%), or folded newspapers (32%). With most foods, salt was added at the beginning of a cooking process (1%), during cooking (80%), at the end of cooking (13%) or at the table (6%).Conclusion: With 62% of the school children having mild and moderate forms of iodine deficiency, results of the present study demonstrate that iodine deficiency is a public health problem in the District. Consumption of iodated salt and foods rich in iodine is low. Education and communication strategies to different stakeholders need to be strengthened to effectively communicate the messageon iodine nutrition. There is a need for renewed efforts to reinforce regular monitoring of iodine content of salt especially in the rural areas where informal re-packing of iodated salt and sale of non-iodated salt are common
GAUCHER’S DISEASE AT A NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL
No full textObjectives: To determine the prevalence and to characterise Gaucher’s disease in terms of socio-demographic data, clinical presentation, and management as seen at Kenyatta National Hospital.Design: A retrospective record based study.Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, a referral and teaching hospital.Main outcome measures: Prevalence (number of cases seen a year), of Gaucher’s disease, sociodemographic data, clinical presentation, mode of diagnosis and treatment modalities of Gauchers disease.Results: Nine patients were studied, four males and five females giving a prevalence of 0.9 cases seen a year and a M:F ratio of about 1:1. The most common presentation was splenomegaly in nine (100%) cases and hepatomegaly in seven (78%) patients, neurological and bone symptoms were rare, in one (11%) cases and in two (22%) cases respectively. Diagnosis was mainly on basis of presence of Gaucher cells in bonemarrow and splenic aspirate as enzyme assay was unavailable. Management was mainly supportive and enzyme therapy was only available for two (22%) patients. Anaemia was the most common complication with seven (78%) patients and one death occurred due to osteomyelitis. Only four (44%) patients were followed up for a period of four years.Conclusions: Gaucher’s disease is a rare condition at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The presentation of most patients is organomegaly, (hepatosplenomegaly) and best fits the type 1 or non-neuronopathic Gaucher’s disease. Neurological manifestations are rare. Management of this condition at the KNH is mainly supportive and enzyme therapy still remains out of reach for most patients
USE OF SELF HOME-MADE DIAPHRAGM FOR PROTECTION AGAINST PREGNANCY AND SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS: CASE REPORT
No full textThis is a case report of a 44-year old woman who used a home-made diaphragm for 16 years to protectherself from pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections. The woman stitched a piece of clothwith folded polythene inside. This case report provides a vivid illustration of the limitations ofavailable methods of protection for women. It consists of an introduction to the topic, a descriptionof her experiences using her home-made diaphragm and a discussion of the significance of the case.This report supports the need for additional research on female-controlled methods of protectionagainst sexually-transmitted infections, methods that can be used without male knowledge andco-operation, such as vaginal microbicides and cervical barriers against infection, including thediaphragm
CEFTRIAXONE OR HIV ASSOCIATED ANGIO-OEDEMA? CASE REPORT
No full textAngio-oedema may be hereditary or acquired and is characterised by episodes of potentially life threatening localised tissue oedema and swelling resulting from deficiency of compliment pathway C1 esterase inhibitor. Acquired angio-oedema is about ten times less frequent than the hereditary type and has been associated with immune-deficiency disorders, malignancies and exposure to specific medications and food substances. We present a case of seven year old, human immune-deficiency virus positive girl, who developed gross swelling of the tongue and neck while on treatment for pneumococcal meningitis with ceftriaxone. Difficulties in arriving at a definitive diagnosis of angiooedemain a resource poor country are discussed and alternative diagnostic optionsproposed
VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION ON CHILD MORBIDITY
No full textABSTRACTObjective: To determine the impact of vitamin A supplementation on child morbidity andnutritional status.Design: A community based follow-up (interventional) in nature.Setting: Two randomly selected Weredas (districts) of Tigray, North Ethiopia were studiedbetween 1996 and 1997.Subjects: Four thousand seven hundred and seventy children aged between six and 72months, selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure were enrolled and clinicallyassessed for xerophthalmia and nutritional status. A sub-sample of these children (n = 281)was further assessed for their serum retinol levels.Main outcome measures: The pre and post intervention data on xerophthalmia, morbidity,nutritional status and serum retinol levels were compared.Results: Vitamin A capsule coverage of 87% in all the villages of the Weredas and astatistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the prevalence of Bitot’s spot (from 1.5 to 0.5),fever (from 29.8 to 14.2), diarrhoea (from 30.2 to 18.2), oedema (from 9.2 to 3.2), measles(from 14.0 to 6.2), conjunctivitis (from 10.2 to 3.0), stunted (from 64.2 to 42.7), wasted (from12.8 to 2.5) and underweight (from 46.2 to 24.2). The proportion of children with normalserum retinol concentration (> 0.7 μmole/L) has also improved significantly (from 36.8 to56.2).Conclusion: In conclusion, the significant improvement in morbidity and nutritional statusthat followed the intervention programme although encouraging, it still indicates theimportance of coupling periodic provision of Vitamin A capsules with nutrition education
PROBLEMS IN DIAGNOSING ODONTOGENIC MYXOMA: CASE REPORT
No full textTumours and tumour-like growths arising from odontogenic tissues constitute a heterogenousgroup of lesions whose diagnosis can be particularly challenging on the part of both surgeons andpathologists. In children, these lesions are even more difficult to clinically and histopathologicallydiagnose definitively because of the concurrent diverse embryologic differentiation of dentaltissues. A case is presented of a 12-year-old boy who was subjected to inappropriate primarymanagement of a left mandibular mass, due apparently to inadequate consultation to establishan accurate diagnosis