Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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In Vitro experimental assessment of Hypericum aethiopicum (Unsukumbili) ethanolic extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wound sepsis: Antimicrobial susceptibility and phytochemical profiling study.
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Nosocomial infections, particularly those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, remain a significant public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings. This Gram-negative pathogen is frequently implicated in wound sepsis and is noted for its resistance to multiple antibiotics.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hypericum aethiopicum (locally known as unsukumbili) against P. aeruginosa, with a focus on its application in wound therapy.
Methodology
This study was conducted at Mangosuthu University of Technology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. The study was carried out in vitro employing a vigorous experimental a. This in vitro experimental study employed a rigorous experimental method to investigate the antimicrobial potential of Hypericum aethiopicum against clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. Methodology was designed to provide reliable, reproducible data while adhering to international standards for antimicrobial testing and ethical research practices.
Plant sample collection and preparation: Leaf samples of H. aethiopicum were harvested early in the morning (8:00 am), where plant cells are said to be active, and processed following the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia standards. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined.
Results
Ethanolic extracts exhibited significantly greater antibacterial activity than aqueous extracts (ethanolic inhibition zone was 24mm while aqueous inhibition zone was 8mm). No substantial difference was observed between fresh and dried leaf samples within each solvent type. MIC assays revealed complete inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth at 1:8 dilution and higher.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that H. aethiopicum ethanol extract demonstrates promising antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, indicating potential for development as an alternative treatment for infected wounds.
Recommendation
Further studies are required to evaluate its toxicity, bioactive compounds, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy
Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending the selected Health Center III in Mubende district.
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Exclusive breastfeeding means that an infant receives only breast milk, no other liquids or solids are given, not even water, except for oral rehydration solutions, drops, or syrups of vitamins, minerals, or medicines when necessary. (WHO, 2023).
Objectives of the study:
To find out the level of knowledge towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending selected health center IIIs in Mubende District; to assess attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending selected health center IIIs in Mubende District, and to determine the practices towards exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending selected health center IIIs in Mubende District.
Methods:
A descriptive random cross-sectional method was used to obtain data from 246 participants who were women of reproductive age (15-49) years with infants 0-6months, the study was conducted at Mubende District, located 138.3 km from Kampala, the capital city, via the Mityana - Mubende road.
Results:
The study found neutral knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Mubende district (mean = 2.960 and SD = 0.855) and a neutral attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding (mean = 3.259 and SD = 0.650). Despite their neutral knowledge and attitude, the lactating mothers practice good exclusive breastfeeding (mean = 3.100 and SD = 1.032).
Conclusion
The study showed average knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Mubende district.
Recommendation:
Health authorities in Mubende district strengthen health education to increase knowledge of lactating mothers on exclusive breastfeeding and to increase sensitization of mothers to attend antenatal services where they can obtain knowledge and other benefits related to maternal and child health
Knowledge and attitudes of mothers towards oxygen administration to their children at Entebbe regional referral hospital, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
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Oxygen therapy has been an important aspect in clinical practice for more than 20 years. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of mothers towards oxygen administration to their children at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Wakiso
district.
Methods.
A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing quantitative approach to data collection through a semi-structured questionnaire. The information was manually tallied, and scientific measures were used to analyze the recorded information. Thereafter, Microsoft Word and Excel programs were employed, followed by presentation in the form of frequency tables, graphs, and figures like pie charts and bar graphs.
Results
The majority of the participants were aged 20-29 years, 80% had attained Primary level education and 52% were either unemployed or were housewives, and 38% had between 2-3 children. 70% had no knowledge about Oxygen therapy for children with breathing problems, and 38% felt uncomfortable when their children were receiving oxygen therapy; 70% were concerned about risks when their children were administered oxygen therapy.
Conclusion.
The survey revealed that overall, all knowledge and attitudes of mothers towards oxygen administration were inadequate; however, the domains of attitudes towards oxygen administration need to be improved.
Recommendations.
MoH and partners should strive to increase the knowledge of mothers about the importance of oxygen therapy
PERSONAL CHALLENGES FACED BY FRONTLINE NURSE MANAGERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AT KAWEMPE NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KAMPALA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
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Since early 2020, healthcare systems have been challenged worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and multiple challenges, such as rapid spread and limited treatment options for a formerly unknown disease, the number of contagious patients, and the prolonged duration of the pandemic, posed a significant burden on healthcare systems. This study examined Personal challenges faced by frontline nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Kampala District.
Methodology.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design and quantitative data collection method was used, 30 respondents were selected using convenience sampling procedure. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using excel data base and the results were presented inform of figures and tables.
Results.
18 (60%) of the respondents were in the age range of 26 – 35 years, and 21 (70%) of the respondents were female. 25 (83.3%) of the respondents reported increased levels of stress, 21 (70%) reported increased anxiety and depression, 30 (100%) reported moral distress due to being unable to provide patients with the care they needed, 20 (66.7%) reported limited communication with patients, their families, and other health care professionals due to infection control measures, 18 (60%) reported failure to provide appropriate and adequate support to patients, 18 (60%) reported failure to make patient-centered decisions during provision of care and 30 (100%) reported burnout.
Conclusion.
Respondents reported various personal challenges faced by frontline Nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as increased levels of stress, increased anxiety and depression, and moral distress due to being unable to provide patients with the care they needed.
Recommendations
There is a need to employ adequate numbers of staff to reduce workload and ensure that respondents can provide patient-centered care and effective service provision
IMPROVING STERILE COMPOUNDING OF PARENTERAL PREPARATIONS BY PHARMACY TECHNICIANS IN MBINGO BAPTIST HOSPITAL PHARMACY.
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Breaching the required standards for sterile compounding results in patient harm and death. Three deaths have been recorded in Mbingo Baptist Hospital resulting from contaminated sterile preparations compounded by the pharmacy. This is due to a lack of training, policy and procedures, a proper compounding facility and equipment, and poor aseptic techniques. To address these problems, a project was initiated and is ongoing.
The goal of the project is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of compounded sterile parenteral preparations and ensure they are free from contamination and safe for inpatients in Mbingo Baptist Hospital from May 10th, 2023, to November 12th, 2024. The objectives are to improve the facility and equipment for sterile compounding by the 12th of November 2023, enhance personnel knowledge and skills by the 30th of December 2023, and institute a policy and standard operating procedures for sterile compounding by the 15th of April 2024. The project implementation strategy is through training, construction, and equipment purchase.
The expected outcome of this project is six pharmacy technicians trained in sterile compounding, a separate facility and laminar air flow hood for sterile compounding, and a policy and standard operating procedures for sterile compounding. The acquired knowledge and skills will be sustained by assessing the aseptic technique skills of trained personnel every 6 months through media field and glove finger tests
Post-traumatic unilateral lumbar hernia in a 35-year-old male with delayed presentation: A retrospective case study.
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A bowel or abdominal organ protruding due to a disruption of muscle and fascia after a severe physical trauma is known as a traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH). Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are the most frequent cause of this uncommon occurrence, followed by handlebar injuries, motorcycle accidents, and falls.
Objectives
In this case, a post-traumatic lumbar hernia that was discovered three years after the accident was effectively treated with open mesh surgery.
Materials and Methods
A male construction worker, age 35, complained of a gradual, painless enlargement in his left side. Three years ago, he remembered falling from a height and suffering soft tissue contusions, but at the time, no imaging was done. Initially observed six months earlier, the bulge gradually grew and was reduced upon evaluation. A muscle deficiency with fat herniation was detected by the first ultrasonography.
Results
In the CT scan, an enhanced contrast was performed, and the abdomen and pelvis were examined. It revealed a 6 x 5 cm defect in the left inferior lumbar triangle, i.e., Grynfeltt Lesshaft triangle. Retroperitoneal fat and a small portion of the descending colon were seen herniating through this defect. There was no evidence of bowel obstruction or strangulation.
Conclusion
The significance of long-term monitoring for patients with abdominal trauma is shown by this instance. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for delayed herniation even if there are no early symptoms. Excellent long-term results can result from early diagnosis with CT and surgical intervention with mesh reinforcement.
Recommendation
This case report recommends early imaging and surgical intervention for suspected lumbar hernias to prevent complications
Investigating the prevalence of abnormal coagulation factors in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy: A retrospective cohort.
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The prevalence of coagulation abnormalities in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) has reduced due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, HAART for HIV may harm the liver, resulting in the disruption of coagulation factor production in the liver. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the extent of coagulation abnormalities within this population to inform healthcare management and intervention strategies. This research aimed to investigate the prevalence of abnormal coagulation factors in PLHIV.
Methodology
This study analysed retrospective laboratory data from HIV-positive individuals on HAART in eThekwini District Municipality, collected between January 2021 and January 2022 at a tertiary hospital laboratory in Durban. The investigation focused on coagulation factor profiles in this patient population. All results were obtained from the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) Academic Affairs and Research Management System (AARMS). Excel was used to conduct descriptive statistics, and GraphPad Prism was utilised for comparative analyses (Spearman correlations) to evaluate factor abnormalities.
Results
Fifty-seven percent of the results were from females, and a significant portion of the results were for individuals aged between 35 to 54 years. A total of 70% of the prothrombin time (PT) results and 16.5 of % activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) results were abnormally above the normal range. Women were disproportionately affected by this abnormality at 55,5%. There was a poor and significant inverse correlation between CD4 cell count and PT and INR.
Conclusion
The study findings highlighted notable coagulation abnormalities among HIV infected patients on HAART, with a particularly higher prevalence among females and individuals aged between 35 – 54 years.
Recommendation
Regular monitoring of coagulation factors is imperative for early identification of individuals at risk of developing related abnormalities and thus informs the development of effective healthcare interventions
Morphological and morphometric variations of the aorta and brachiocephalic trunk in human cadaveric dissection: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
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Knowledge of anatomical variations in the aortic arch and brachiocephalic trunk is crucial for cardiovascular and thoracic surgeries, radiological interpretations, and interventional procedures. These variations, though often asymptomatic, can pose significant challenges during clinical practice if unrecognized.
Objectives: To investigate the morphological patterns and morphometric measurements of the aortic arch and brachiocephalic trunk in formalin-fixed human cadavers.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 formalin-fixed adult human cadavers during routine dissection sessions in anatomy laboratories. Morphological variations were observed through careful dissection, and morphometric parameters were measured using digital calipers and measuring tapes. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize the findings.
Results
The classic aortic arch pattern (Type I) was the predominant morphology, present in 77.8% of cadavers, followed by the bovine-type arch in 16.7% and a rare four-branch variant in 5.5%. Morphometric analysis showed the aortic arch had an average length of 5.9 ± 0.8 cm and a diameter of 2.5 ± 0.3 cm. The brachiocephalic trunk demonstrated normal bifurcation in 91.7% of specimens, trifurcation in 5.6%, and was absent in 2.7%. Its mean length and diameter measured 3.8 ± 0.5 cm and 1.2 ± 0.2 cm, respectively. Incidental pathological findings included atherosclerotic changes in 11.1% and tortuous aortic arches in 5.6% of cases.
Conclusion
A wide range of anatomical variations in the aorta and brachiocephalic trunk exist and should be considered during surgical and radiological planning to prevent iatrogenic complications. The data also contributes to anatomical education and clinical reference.
Recommendations
Routine preoperative imaging and careful anatomical assessment are recommended to identify aortic arch and brachiocephalic trunk variations, minimizing surgical risks and improving outcomes in cardiovascular and thoracic interventions
Association between obsessive-compulsive disorder severity, recurrent infections, and inflammatory markers in adults: A cross-sectional study.
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Recent research suggests that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be associated with recurrent infections and increased immune system activation. This study aims to investigate the relationship between OCD severity and the frequency of recurrent infections, along with biochemical markers of inflammation.
Methods
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 100 OCD patients, divided into two groups: those with recurrent infections and those without. Clinical data, microbiological samples, and biochemical markers (e.g., CRP, IL-6, cortisol) were collected and analyzed using statistical methods, including t-tests and correlation analyses.
Results
OCD patients with recurrent infections exhibited higher Y-BOCS scores (23.1 ± 4.5) compared to those without infections (20.1 ± 4.4), suggesting greater symptom severity. Staphylococcus aureus (40%), Escherichia coli (26.7%), and Streptococcus pyogenes (20%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens. Notably, patients with Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus infections had higher Y-BOCS scores (28.5 ± 5.1 and 27.8 ± 4.3, respectively). Elevated IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with both OCD severity and infection frequency (β = 0.325, p = 0.009).
Conclusion
There is a significant association between OCD severity and recurrent infections, with inflammatory markers such as IL-6 playing a potential mediating role. These findings highlight the need for integrated psychiatric and infection control strategies in the management of OCD.
Recommendation
It is recommended that routine screening for infections and inflammatory markers be incorporated into the clinical assessment of OCD patients to improve treatment outcomes
Factors contributing to sepsis among adult patients in the surgical unit at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, Naguru, Kampala district. A cross-sectional study.
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In Uganda, sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, particularly in surgical wards. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors contributing to sepsis among adult patients in the surgical unit at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, Naguru, Kampala District.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative research method was used to obtain data. In four days, 44 adult patients were sampled by a simple random sampling technique using a structured questionnaire, and data were analyzed using Microsoft Office (2013) version, and the results were presented in the form of tables, graphs, and pie charts.
Results
out of 44 study respondents sampled, more than half (52.3%) were aged between 26 and 32 years, and 36.4% had attained secondary school education. Regarding the individual-related factors, more than half (59.1%) reported that post-surgical care was expensive, more than half (54.5%) had long-term illness, (40.9%) frequently used traditional medicine, and most (70.5%) rated their post-surgical nutrition as poor. Pertaining to health facility-related factors, a significant (86.4%) reported that necessary medicines and supplies for wound care were rarely available, and more than half (54.5%) found healthcare workers to be rude during follow-up visits.
Conclusion
Sepsis in adult patients was influenced by both personal factors and healthcare facility-related issues. Many adults faced challenges such as unaffordable post-surgical care and pre-existing chronic conditions, which hindered wound healing and heightened their risk of infections.
Recommendation
There is a need to establish subsidized post-operative care packages, especially for patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, to reduce the financial burden and improve recovery outcomes