Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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Staining Cells with Extracts Prepared from Flowers of Bougainvillea X Buttiana.
Full text linkBackground:
Staining is the application of dyes to specimens to impart colour to cells through a chemical reaction. The study aimed at finding plant extracts to stain human blood cells, stem sections of Amaranthus species, Gram-negative organisms such as Escherichia coli, and Gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Methodology:
Healthy mature flowers of Bougainvillea X buttiana and Amaranthus species plants were picked from gardens around the University of Kisubi. Bracts of Bougainvillea X buttiana were separated from other flower parts and air-dried. Both negative and positive controls for cells were prepared.
Results:
White blood cells, platelets, and cells of Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus aureus did not stain under all treatments with the extracts while human red blood cells and stem sections of Amaranthus species stained under certain treatments with the extracts. The extracts were more successful in staining stem sections of Amaranthus species as compared to human red blood cells where staining occurred in very few circumstances. Stem sections of Amaranthus species required shorter to stain effectively while human red blood cells required longer to stain effectively.
Conclusion:
Extracts of the bracts of Bougainvillea X can be experimented with various cells when their pH is neutral and alkaline
The PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF POST AMPUTATION: A CASE STUDY OF MULAGO SPECIALIZED NATIONAL HOSPITAL, KAMPALA-UGANDA
No full textBackground: The study assessed the effect of psychological correlates of traumatic experiences on coping strategies of post-amputation basing on evidence from Mulago specialized national hospital, Kampala-Uganda. It specifically analyzed the personality styles that enhance coping among amputees, assessed the psychological consequences among amputees, and examined the psychological interventions among amputees.
Methodology: The study adopted a hospital-based prospective post-treatment design employing a quantitative research approach. The quantitative data were collected using questionnaires from 72 patients who were admitted for amputations and attending weekly amputee clinics and those using prostheses and orthosises. The data was processed at both the descriptive and inferential levels using SPSS version 20.0.
Results: The study found extraversion as a statistically positive correlate with the confrontational form of coping style (r = 0.279, p = 0.031 < 0.05). It found a significantly positive correlate that enhanced planful problem solving (r =0.278, p =0.032< 0.05) and positive reappraisal (r = 0.301, p = 0.019 < 0.05) compared to conscientiousness as a negative correlate of coping styles particularly self-control (r =-0.326, p = 0.011< 0.05) and escape avoidance (r =-0.263, p =0.043 < 0.05). Results showed abnormal depression (46.7%), suffering abnormal anxiety (45.0%) alongside demonstrating symptoms of at least 2 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (46.7%) as the psychological consequences. The psychological interventions study found included specialized physician services (60.0%), primary care provision (45.0%) and financial assistance (46.7 among others
Conclusion and discussion: Personality styles of extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness are crucial in the coping styles among amputees and therefore need to be well established and aligned with supporting initiatives. The administrative staff of specialized units needs to put in place workable measures like avoiding unfair self-blame and inculcating a belief that they are still worth as to help amputees to improve their self-esteem thereby minimizing adverse psychological consequences
Occurrence of Proteinuria and its Predisposing Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya.
Full text linkBackground:
Proteinuria refers to a condition where more than trace amounts of proteins are found in normal urine. Proteinuria is a defining dysfunction of pre-eclampsia Proteinuria is one of the cardinal indications of pre-eclampsia, a common and severe complication in pregnancy. Also, there are several factors responsible for its occurrence among pregnant women. The study aimed to establish the occurrence of proteinuria among pregnant women and to establish the predisposing factors of proteinuria among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in St. Francis Hospital Nsambya.
Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional study where qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Participants’ urine samples were taken off and analysed macroscopically, protein detection using uristics, and 25% SSA and then microscopic examination done once they had consented.
Results:
Out of 96 participants, the occurrence of proteinuria was 9.4% (p = 0.094) and it was increasing with the increase in the age of the pregnant women. The predisposing factors to proteinuria in pregnancy were urinary tract infections (88.9%) (p = 0.889), hypertension (11.1%) (p = 0.111) and gestation age.
Conclusion and recommendation:
Clients who receive antenatal care services in St. Francis Hospital Nsambya antenatal clinic should routinely be screened for proteinuria. Wider research about proteinuria among pregnant women should be done to establish a more nationalistic occurrence. Health education should emphasize the importance of pregnant women reporting urinary tract infections after being empowered with its signs and symptoms even without pain. This is because urinary tract infections can lead to complications in pregnancy and could become fatal
Antimicrobial activity of Guava tree (Psidium Guajava) leaf extract and selected Commercial Antibiotics on Bacterial isolates from Kisubi Hospital
Full text linkoai:ojs2.sjhresearchafrica.org:article/1Background:
Plant species such as the guava have been used in Uganda and elsewhere in the world to treat some of the medical conditions associated with bacteria, this is due to the increased number of drug resistant bacteria in the world. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of guava leaf extracts against some of the disease causing bacteria isolated from Kisubi hospital in Uganda is discussed.
Methods:
The guava leafs were collected from a plantation near Zika forest in Uganda (0°7′27″N 32°31′32″E / 0.12417°N 32.52556°E / 0.12417; 32.52556) and samples were put in a bag and transferred to the university laboratory where they were identified. The extracts were obtained by maceration using distilled water, 30%, 50% and 70 % methanol as the extraction solvents. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method.
Results:
Gram-negative Escherichia coli was sensitive to the plant extract and synthetic commercial drugs such as trimethoprim-sulfamethozole, ciprofloxacin, and Gentamicin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to all drugs. Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus were all sensitive to the plant extracts with measurable inhibition zones.
Conclusion:
The Guava tree leaf crude extracts have antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant bacteria. More studies should be carried out to know the potency and the concentration of different plant origin extracts
Factors Influencing Utilization of Ultrasound Scan Services among Pregnant Mothers at Ndejje Health Center IV, Wakiso District
Full text linkBackground:
A study was carried out to identify the factors influencing the utilization of ultrasound scan services among pregnant mothers at Ndejje Health Centre IV, Wakiso District.
Methodology:
The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional and it employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A sample size of 30 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling procedure. An interview guide was used to collect data.
Results:
The study revealed various factors influencing the utilization of ultrasound scan services among pregnant mothers. For example, although all 30 (100%) had ever heard about ultrasound scan services, most 20 (66.7%) had ever used ultrasound scan services once 10 (50%) and 12 (60%) used the services in the 3rd trimester due to factors including 20 (66.7%) of ultrasound scan services, 21 (70%) having fears about using ultrasound scan services including 14 (66.7%) fear that the scan would identify bad conditions on the baby, 18 (60%) lacked partner support.
The study results also revealed that respondents faced various health facility factors which influenced the utilization of ultrasound scan services. For example, most 20 (66.7%) respondents reported that Ndejje Health Centre IV was not equipped to provide ultrasound scan services due to 12 (60%) frequent breakdown and poor maintenance of equipment which led to 18 (60%) ultrasound scan services not being readily available, 12 (60%) long waiting time to receive services as most waited more than 2 hours to receive services.
Conclusion and recommendations:
Respondents faced various and health facility-related factors which influenced their utilization of ultrasound scan services. The key recommendations included ready availability of services through regular and timely maintenance of equipment, improving efficiency, and reducing waiting time as well as improved health education of mothers about the importance of using the services.
Active phytochemicals present in the Guava Tree (Psidium Guajava) leaf Extracts that grow in Uganda.
Full text linkBackground:
The Guava tree is small in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It contains a high content of organic and inorganic compounds like secondary metabolites such as antioxidants, polyphenols, antiviral compounds, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Such chemicals are produced by plants through primary or secondary metabolism whereas Guava products have been used as a source of medicine and while they have proved to work effectively, little is known about the composition of such plant origin products from Uganda.
Methodology:
The maceration method of extraction was used to obtain the guava extract. The leaves were crushed into a powder using a blender and 20g of the powder was added into differently labeled beakers containing 100mls of distilled water and 100mls of increasing concentration of methanol from 30%, 50%, and 70%. The analysis involved Saponins, Phenols and Tannins, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, and Glycosides, and Laboratory tests are done included the Ferric Chloride test, Shinoda test, Salkowski test, Concentrate H2SO4 test, and Foam test.
Results and discussion:
Phytochemicals (Saponins, Phenols and Tannins, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, and Glycosides) are present in the leaves of the guava tree (Psidium guajava) that grows in Uganda. Psidium guajava extract obtained using distilled water contained all the phytochemicals tested apart from terpenoids which showed a negative test result. Methanol of increasing concentrations can also be used to extract phytochemicals from the leaves.
Conclusions and recommendations:
It’s now evident that the Guava tree that grows in Uganda contains phytochemicals (secondary metabolites). Water and methanol of 30%, 50%, and 70% can be used for extraction. Future detailed studies in Africa should focus on the purification of these active secondary metabolites and also determine their concentration. Other parts of the plant such as its bark, roots, and fruits need to be studied
The Knowledge and Effects of Teenage Pregnancies Among the Adolescent Girls Between 13 To 19 Years at Mukono Parish Kanungu District – Uganda.
No full textBackground:
Teenage pregnancy prevalence is at 25%, 16% of Ugandan women are married by the age of 15 years, and 53% by the age of 18 years. Available information reveals that teenage pregnancies carry a higher health risk and girls under 15 years are five times more likely to die in childbirth than females in their twenties. An estimate of 6,000 teenagers dies annually from maternal related complications.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2016 where a total of 100 respondents were selected from Mukono Parish residents’ register using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire.
Results:
76% had prior knowledge about sex education whereas 24% had not. 42% got the information from the school a gesture that respondents took part in the classroom discussion about sexuality, 28% from newspapers –straight talk, 16% health worker, and 14% from their parents. 45% believed that school dropout is due to social effect of teenage pregnancy, 34% said that teen mother is more likely to have no or low qualifications and 9% said that child of a teen mother is more likely to abuse drugs, 12% don’t know any of the social effects.
Conclusion and recommendations:
Teenagers in Uganda are informed about sex education. The government in conjunction with the development partners needs to include sex education in the school curriculum. The girl child needs to be educated on how to protect herself and avoid becoming a victim of teenage pregnancy. Parents should not shy away from educating their children about sex education while they are still young, by so doing the teens grow knowing the consequences of early pregnancy. Pregnant teenagers need to be encouraged to attend antenatal care as well as welcomed into society without stigmatization
The PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF MULTI DRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSISAMONG REFUGEES IN THE RESETTLEMENTCAMPS OF ADJUMANI, MOYO AND YUMBE DISTRICTSWEST NILE REGION: pMDRTB
No full textBackground:
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a name given to tuberculosis agents when the bacteria are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, two of the most effective TB drugs. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of MDR-TB among the refugees in the resettlement camps of Adjumani, Yumbe, and Moyo districts, West Nile region.
Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional study where questionnaires were used to capture risk factors associated with MDR-TB and sputum samples (n=223) collected were examined using the gene expert machine. P values and corresponding 95% CI were calculated. All statistical tests were two-tailed and P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results:
143(64.1%) were males while 80 (35.9%) were females, with the age range of 3- 64 years and mean age of 32 years, out of 223 sputum samples analyzed on GeneXpert machine; 178 (79.8%) tested negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) while 45 (20.2%) tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of the 45 samples that tested positive for MTB; 39 (17.5%) were rifampicin sensitive and 6 (2.7%) were rifampicin-resistant. Of the 39 case MTB cases detected in the refugee resettlement camps of Bidibidi, Itula, and Mungula, 17 (43.6%), 14 (35.9%), and 8 (20.5%) were from each mentioned camp respectively; whereas of the 6 MDR-TB cases detected; Mungula camp had the majority cases 3 (50%), Bidibidi camp had 2 (33.3%) cases and Itula had 1 (16.7%) cases. The Risk factors associated with MDR-TB among refugees was overcrowding 5 (83.3%) and not enrolled on DOTs, 5 (66.7%). There was no significant association between MDR-TB and age (P=0.43; 95%CI=0.163-0.233)
Conclusions and recommendations:
The general prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is 20.2% and MDR-TB is 2.7%