Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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Assessment of functional recovery in patients with ACL injuries managed conservatively versus surgically: A comparative observational study.
Get PDFBackground: Anterior cruciate ligament injury is a leading cause of knee instability that compromises physical activity and quality of life. Although surgical reconstruction remains the gold standard for restoring knee stability in young and active individuals, conservative treatment continues to be employed in patients with lower activity levels or surgical contraindications. This study evaluated functional outcomes, return to activity, instability, and complications among ACL-injured patients managed conservatively or surgically.
Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted on 100 patients with ACL injuries, divided equally into conservative (n = 50) and surgical (n = 50) groups. Baseline demographics, injury characteristics, and management details were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores at baseline, six months, and 11 months. Return to pre-injury activity, instability episodes, and complications were analyzed. Statistical tests included Student’s t-test and Chi-square, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Baseline characteristics, including mean age (27.6 ± 5.4 vs. 26.9 ± 6.1 years) and gender distribution, were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). At 11 months, surgically managed patients demonstrated significantly higher IKDC (85.1 ± 7.6 vs. 70.4 ± 8.2) and Lysholm scores (88.6 ± 6.9 vs. 74.3 ± 8.4) (p < 0.001 for both). Return to pre-injury sports was achieved in 62% of surgical versus 34% of conservative cases (p = 0.01). Instability episodes were more frequent with conservative care (28% vs. 10%, p = 0.02). Minor complications included donor-site pain (10%) and superficial infection (4%) in the surgical group.
Conclusion: Surgical reconstruction of ACL injuries yielded superior functional outcomes, greater return-to-sport rates, and fewer instability episodes compared with conservative management. Conservative treatment remains reasonable for patients with limited functional demands.
Recommendations: Multicentric studies with larger cohorts and extended follow-up are warranted to strengthen evidence and refine individualized treatment strategies
Comparative analysis of partogram utility in monitoring labor progress among primigravida and multigravida women. A prospective observational study.
Get PDFBackground:
The partogram is a simple yet effective tool for monitoring labor, designed to detect deviations from normal progression and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite its proven benefits, routine utilization remains inconsistent in many low- and middle-income settings.
Objective:
To compare the effectiveness of partogram monitoring in primigravida and multigravida women by assessing labor progress, maternal interventions, and neonatal outcomes.
Methods:
Prospective observational study included 200 women (primigravida and multigravida) admitted in labor at a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal. Eligible participants were term singleton cephalic pregnancies in spontaneous or induced labor with cervical dilatation ≤7 cm. Exclusion criteria were multiple gestations, malpresentations, previous uterine surgery, and significant obstetric or medical complications. Labor progress was monitored using a standard partogram, and maternal, intrapartum, and neonatal outcomes were recorded and analyzed.
Results:
Primigravida women were significantly younger (23.8 ± 3.4 vs. 26.5 ± 3.9 years, p = 0.002), with a higher proportion of booked cases (72% vs. 65%, p = 0.18). The mean duration of the first stage of labor was longer in primigravida (7.07 ± 3.1 hrs) compared to multigravida (5.08 ± 3.1 hrs), and the second stage was also prolonged (30.3 ± 15.3 vs. 16.0 ± 15.1 min; both p < 0.05). Spontaneous vaginal delivery rates were higher in multigravida, while operative interventions were more common in primigravida. Neonatal outcomes were comparable, with no significant difference in Apgar scores (1-min: 7.5 ± 0.6 vs. 7.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.42; 5-min: 8.9 ± 0.4 vs. 9.0 ± 0.3, p = 0.35).
Conclusion:
Partogram use enabled early recognition of abnormal labor, improving intrapartum decision-making. Multigravida experienced shorter labor and fewer interventions.
Recommendations:
Routine partogram use should be emphasized, with closer monitoring of primigravida, regular staff training, integration into standard protocols, and further multicentric research to strengthen evidence
Prevalence of asymptomatic carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers and its infection control implications: A retrospective observational study.
Get PDFBackground
In 1961, a year after semisynthetic penicillin was introduced, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were first identified. They are resistant to all penicillin and β-lactam medicines, and this has led to their spread in both hospital and community settings.
Objectives
Determining the frequency of MRSA colonization among healthcare professionals and evaluating related risk factors were the study's objectives.
Materials and methods
It was a retrospective, observational study. The study was carried out at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, Bihar, India. The study data that was retrieved was for one year, i.e., from February 2023 to January 2024. Data from 220 participants were retrieved for the study. Healthcare professionals working in different intensive care units (ICUs) and high-risk hospital departments, including physicians, nurses, attendants, housekeeping personnel, and technicians, met the study's inclusion criteria.
Results
The participants' average age was 31.4 ± 7.2 years, and 71.3% of them were female. The largest group was made up of nurses (46.4%) and doctors (26.8%). 13.6% of healthcare workers were found to have MRSA carriage. Workers with less education (p = 0.03) and staff nurses (p = 0.002) had considerably higher carriage. The neurosurgical intensive care unit had the greatest percentage of MRSA carriers (13.3%). Gender did not significantly correlate (p = 0.18).
Conclusion
The study found that MRSA colonization was significantly more common among healthcare workers, with staff nurses and individuals with less education having higher rates. MRSA carrier rates were also greater in certain ICU sites, such as the surgical and neurosurgery ICUs.
Recommendations
For early detection and prevention, healthcare staff must undergo routine MRSA screening, particularly in high-risk settings like intensive care units
Assessing the prevalence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis among Human Immunodeficiency infected patients at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textIntroduction: The co-epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB), Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) pose a major health issue in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) South Africa (SA). Despite improvements in HIV care, EPTB continues to affect immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by determining the prevalence, and risk factors associated with EPTB prevalence among HIV-infected patients in KZN.
Methodology: Patient results for those tested for EPTB from January to December 2022, were examined. Key variables included demographic information including age, gender, geographic location. HIV viral load, CD4 count, and GeneXpert tuberculosis were the test results analysed. To ensure accuracy, the dataset underwent rigorous cleaning to exclude incomplete records and duplicates. Microsoft Excel 2019 facilitated descriptive and graphical analysis to illustrate trends. Spearman's correlation was used to examine associations among continuous variables, with statistical significance assessed using p-values and confidence intervals
Results: Among 609 analyzed HIV-positive patient results, 86 (14.1%) had EPTB. Most cases 382 (62.7%) originated from the uGu district, with the highest prevalence observed among males aged 40-64 years. Lymphadenitis was the most common EPTB manifestation. Additionally, detectable viral loads and moderately suppressed CD4 counts indicated advanced HIV progression, increasing susceptibility to EPTB co-infections.
Conclusion: This study shows a significant burden of EPTB among HIV-infected individuals in KZN, especially in older patients with high viral loads. Targeted interventions for early detection, screening programs, and gender-specific approaches are crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality
Negative correlation of serum total bile acid with albuminuria in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A cross-sectional study.
Get PDFBackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of diabetic nephropathy, in which albuminuria serves as a key marker of renal damage. Bile acids are increasingly recognized as metabolic signaling molecules with potential roles in glucose and lipid regulation. This study examined the association between serum total bile acid (TBA) levels and albuminuria in patients with T2DM.
MethodsA single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2023 at Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital (DDMCH), Keonjhar. One hundred adults with confirmed T2DM were enrolled. Clinical and biochemical data, including fasting serum total bile acid levels and first-morning urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), were collected. Pearson’s correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between TBA and log-transformed UACR, and multivariable linear regression was performed to control for confounders such as age, HbA1c, and duration of diabetes.
ResultsThe cohort comprised 55 men and 45 women (mean age 58.5 years). A significant negative correlation was observed between serum TBA and log-transformed UACR (r = −0.55, p < 0.001). Mean serum TBA levels progressively decreased with increasing albuminuria: 5.7±1.5 µmol/L in normoalbuminuria, 3.9±1.2 µmol/L in microalbuminuria, and 2.4±0.8 µmol/L in macroalbuminuria. This association remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables (p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Serum total bile acid may represent a novel and easily accessible biomarker for assessing renal health and risk stratification in patients with T2DM. The results point to bile acids' possible protective function in the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Recommendations
This study provides a strong rationale for further large-scale, prospective research to confirm this relationship and explore the therapeutic potential of bile acid modulation
Evaluation of urinary tract infections in patients admitted in an intensive care unit (ICU) at Inkosi Albert Luthuli central (IALCH) hospital in Kwazulu-Natal, Durban: A retrospective cross-sectional study designed to determine the most prevalent pathogens of urinary tract infections.
Get PDFBackground
Urinary tract infections are among the most prevalent diseases in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ICU patients are at higher risk for UTIs due to factors such as indwelling urinary catheters, prolonged hospital stay, antibiotic use, immunocompromised, and underlying comorbidities like diabetes.
Aim
To identify the most prevalent isolated microorganisms causing UTIs in ICU patients with UTIs. To Assess Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of isolated microorganisms. To analyse demographic information of patients with UTIs.
Methodology
This project was a retrospective quantitative study that looked at ICU patients admitted to IALCH. The study was a convenience non-probability study, which was done in an NHLS microbiology laboratory using standard urine culture and a VITEk-2 automated system.
Results
270 positive urine specimens, the most common isolate was Escherichia coli (n=143; 53%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp (n=40; 14.8%). Enterococcus faecalis (n=16; 6.0%) was the most common Gram-positive pathogen. E. coli showed significant resistance to Cefotaxime, ceftriaxone (31.4%), Gentamycin (10.4%), cefepime (6.3%) ,and piperacillin-tazobactam (3.5%). Among Gram-positive, E. faecalis showed 75% susceptibility.
Conclusion
E. coli was the most common isolate, accounting for 53% followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae subspp and E. faecalis in ICU patients admitted to IALCH. Notably, E. coli exhibited significant resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cefotaxim, ceftriaxone, gentamycin, cefepime, and piperacillin. In contrast, E. faecalis demonstrated 75% susceptibility to the tested antibiotics. E. faecalis was also most prevalent among the gram-positive, accounting for 6.0%. Vancomycin was found to be the most effective for E. faecalis. Ciprofloxacin was found to be the least effective, with a high rate of resistance for E. faecalis. This study also discovered that UTIs were more common in patients between the ages of 40-65 years, and the study showed that the most affected were females.
Recommendations
Future research should prioritize comprehensive data collection methods
USE OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS IN CANCER PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL INVESTIGATION.
Get PDFBackground
The use of herbal supplements among cancer patients has become increasingly prevalent, raising concerns about potential drug interactions that may compromise treatment outcomes and patient safety. Although herbal supplements are often perceived as natural and harmless, they can interact with cancer therapies, potentially altering drug metabolism and efficacy.
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, types, and patterns of herbal supplement use among cancer patients, assess potential drug interactions with prescribed cancer treatments, and determine the level of awareness and communication regarding supplement use.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, from January to June 2023. A structured questionnaire was used to survey 200 adult cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate associations.
Results
Of the 200 patients, 60% reported using herbal supplements during cancer treatment. The most commonly used supplements were St. John’s Wort (20%), Ginger (17.5%), and Turmeric (12.5%). 25% of patients experienced potential herb-drug interactions, including increased toxicity (15%) and reduced treatment efficacy (10%). Only 35% of patients disclosed herbal supplement use to their healthcare providers, while 65% did not, primarily due to perceived irrelevance or fear of disapproval.
Conclusion
A substantial proportion of cancer patients use herbal supplements alongside prescribed treatments, often without informing their healthcare providers. This practice poses risks of adverse drug interactions and reduced therapeutic efficacy.
Recommendations
Cancer care providers should integrate routine inquiry about herbal supplement use into patient assessments. Increased patient education is essential to help patients understand the potential risks and make informed decisions. Improved communication and awareness can enhance treatment safety and outcomes
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS FAMILY PLANNING AMONG WOMEN AGED (18 – 45) YEARS ATTENDING MEDICAL CARE AT KASANGATI HEALTH CENTRE IV, WAKISO DISTRICT
Get PDFKNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS FAMILY PLANNING AMONG WOMEN AGED (18 – 45) YEARS ATTENDING MEDICAL CARE AT KASANGATI HEALTH CENTRE IV,
WAKISO DISTRIC
A Health inequalities in non-communicable disease mortality among Adult's in Uganda : Health inequalities
No full textABSTRACT
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic
respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are leading causes of death worldwide, particularly
affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
This study systematically reviews the extent of health inequalities in NCDs mortality among
adults across various demographic groups in Uganda.
Methodology
Assessment of key risk factors for NCDs using population data drawn from 3987 participants
in a nationally representative baseline survey in Uganda was made. Five key risk factors
considered for the indicator variable included: high frequency of tobacco use, low physical
activity levels, high body mass index and raised blood pressure.
A statistical modeling framework was developed and a multi nominal logistic regression model
was fitted. The endogenous and exogenous predictors of NCDs were assessed
Results
A total of 1,210 deaths among persons ≥ 30 years old were reported from 2010 to 2016 (50.7%
among women). Approximately 53% of all deaths were due to non-communicable diseases,
31.8% due to communicable diseases, 8.2% due to injuries, and 7% due to maternal-related
deaths or undetermined causes. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest proportion of
NCD deaths in each year, and women had substantially higher cardiovascular disease mortality
rates compared to men.
Also, the review highlights significant disparities in NCD prevalence across different
demographic groups in Uganda. Notably, the elderly population in rural areas shows a high
prevalence of NCDs. Individuals living with HIV (PL-HIV) exhibit compounded health
burdens, with hypertension being a common comorbidity. Urban-rural disparities in NCD
prevalence is evident, with lifestyle factors associated with urbanization contributing to
increased risks. Alarmingly, mortality rates attributable to NCDs, particularly cardiovascular
diseases and diabetes, have risen over the past decade. Barriers to healthcare access, including
geographic, financial, and policy-related challenges, exacerbate these disparities.
 
USING E-PORTFOLIOS TO ENHANCE REFLECTIVE LEARNING AND GRADUATE READINESS AT MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY: A MIXED-METHODS.
Get PDFBackground
In the evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of digital tools such as e-portfolios has gained momentum for enhancing reflective learning and preparing students for the workplace. At Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), there is a growing interest in how e-portfolios can support student engagement, personal development, and graduate readiness. This study investigates the effectiveness of e-portfolios in fostering reflective practice and improving employability outcomes among final-year students.
Methods
A mixed-methods case study design was employed, targeting final-year students, academic staff, and selected employers across three academic departments at MUT. Quantitative data were collected via structured surveys from 92 students (57% female, 43% male; aged 21–26), assessing perceptions of skill development, self-awareness, and career readiness. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions with students (n = 18), and semi-structured interviews with lecturers (n = 10) and employers (n = 6). Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for interpretation.
Results
Quantitative findings showed that 76% of students agreed that e-portfolios improved their ability to reflect critically on learning experiences. Furthermore, 68% reported increased confidence in articulating competencies during job applications, while 81% felt more aware of their personal and professional growth. Qualitative insights revealed that lecturers viewed e-portfolios as a valuable tool for assessing graduate attributes such as communication and self-regulation. Employers reported that well-curated e-portfolios offered better insights into candidates’ practical skills and motivation than traditional CVs.
Conclusion
The study confirms that e-portfolios enhance reflective learning and support graduate readiness at MUT. Students, lecturers, and employers acknowledged their value in bridging academic and workplace expectations.
Recommendation
MUT should institutionalize e-portfolio use across all programs, supported by clear guidelines, digital literacy training, and ongoing feedback. Longitudinal studies are recommended to assess long-term employability outcomes