Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
Not a member yet
1618 research outputs found
Sort by
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DELAYED UPTAKE OF GLASSES AMONG PATIENTS WITH REFRACTIVE ERRORS AT JINJA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Full text linkBackground.
Despite the known benefits of wearing glasses for correcting refractive errors, there is a significant delay in the uptake of glasses among patients at Jinja Referral Hospital. This study determined factors associated with delayed uptake of glasses among patients with refractive errors at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.
Methods.
It was a cross-sectional descriptive study, using quantitative methods was conducted among patients attending Jinja regional referral hospital eye clinic. 100 Respondents were selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Data was analyzed using Excel data base to for quantitative data which was presents in tables and graphs.
Results.
46(46%) of the participants were males, 12(27.78%) were in the age range of 41-50 years, and 41.67% of those participants were diagnosed with visual impairment. 65% of the respondents reported concerns about the social stigma of wearing glasses. The stigma was more pronounced among men (70%), 50% of both men and women felt that wearing glasses affected their appearance particularly younger individuals, 70(70%) of the participants were not aware that glasses can improve vision, 57(57%) were not aware of potential consequences of not correcting refractive errors timely and 52(52%) had not received information about timely correction of refractive errors from health care providers.
Conclusion.
The study established that several key factors, including demographic characteristics, low awareness levels, and social attitudes, significantly contribute to the delay in adopting corrective eyewear. Younger individuals and males were more likely to delay, while limited awareness and social stigma surrounding glasses further exacerbated the issue.
Recommendations.
To improve awareness of the importance of vision correction, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and community leaders, should launch targeted awareness campaigns within the next six months
UPTAKE OF INTRA-UTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES AND ITS ASSOCIATED INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AMONG WOMEN AGED 15 – 45 YEARS ATTENDING SERVICES AT BWEYOGERERE HEALTH CENTRE III, WAKISO DISTRICT, CENTRAL UGANDA – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Full text linkIntroduction
An Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) is a reversible, long-acting, safe, and effective method of postponing childbirth for couples, but many women get unwanted pregnancies in fear of side effects associated with some methods. This study aimed at determining the uptake of IUCDs and its associated individual factors among women aged 15 – 45 years attending health services at Bweyogerere Health Center III, Wakiso District, Central Uganda.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 391 women aged 15 – 45 years, attending services at Bweyogerere Health Center III, who voluntarily consented to participate in the study and were selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed in SPSS v.21 using mean, frequencies, percentages, chi-square, and binary logistic regression. Participants provided written informed consent for participation. Ethical approval was sought from the College Research and Scientific Committee, and administrative clearance was obtained from the District Health Office and the Health Facility In-Charge. Results
Data was collected from 391 participants with an average age of 26.2 years (S = 6.86) and 348 (89%) were married and 378 (96.65%) were employed with almost equal distribution in the highest education level attained as; 148 (37.9%) had primary or less, 141 (36.1%) secondary and 102 (26.7%) had a tertiary or higher qualification. The uptake of IUCD was 26.6% and was associated with participants’ age (aOR=0.271; p-value=0.000) and education level (aOR=90.090; p-value=0.000) as the significant individual factors.
Conclusion
The uptake of IUCDs among participants is 26.6%, which is low and is associated with one’s age and educational level as the significant individual factors.
Recommendations
Health workers need to provide targeted contraceptive methods that are tailored to clients’ characteristics, like age and educational background, to accelerate the uptake of methods like IUCDs.
A CROSS-SECTIONAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PROFILES OF COMMON BACTERIAL PATHOGENS CAUSING URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG PATIENTS AT MENGO HOSPITAL, KAMPALA DISTRICT.
Full text linkIntroduction
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common disease affecting all age groups and is increasingly difficult to treat due to antimicrobial resistance.
Methods
This study assessed the prevalence of UTIs and antimicrobial resistance profiles in patients at Mengo Hospital, Kampala. A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted from March to May 2023. Mid-stream urine samples were analyzed using macroscopic, microscopic, Gram staining, culture, biochemical tests, and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Data was processed and analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results
The results showed that 70.4% of patients had UTI, with a higher occurrence in females (72.7%) than in males (27.3%). UTI prevalence peaked at 30-39 years (37.5%). Common pathogens were Escherichia coli (20.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.2%), and Candida albicans (12%). Antimicrobial resistance was highest against Clindamycin (92%), Erythromycin (89%), and Ciprofloxacin (80%). Imipenem (96%), Meropenem (85%), and Vancomycin (78%) showed better sensitivity.
Conclusions
UTIs and antimicrobial resistance are significant public health concerns at Mengo Hospital. Women and individuals aged 30-39 years are at higher risk. Resistance varies widely, emphasizing the need for targeted antibiotic use.
Recommendations
The current study recommends routine UTI screening for high-risk patients. Antibiotic sensitivity testing should be done before treatment. Empiric therapy should be emphasized with effective antibiotics like Imipenem, Vancomycin, and Meropenem, considering local resistance patterns. Public awareness campaigns on UTI prevention and responsible antibiotic use should be carried out. Further research should be done on UTI epidemiology and resistance patterns to inform healthcare policies
SEROPREVALENCE OF TTI AMONG BLOOD DONORS AT THE BLOOD CENTER, LALITPUR: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Full text linkBackground
Millions of lives are saved by timely, safe, and enough transfusions; yet inappropriate transfusions raise the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and cause numerous potentially fatal consequences. All infections that can spread from person to person by parenterally administering blood or blood products are known as TTIs.
Objectives
At a blood center at Autonomous State Medical College (ASMC), Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, the study sought to ascertain the TTI prevalence in both replacement and voluntary donors.
Materials and Methods
Data that were collected on donors of blood collected at a blood center between 2021 and 2024 was the subject of retrospective descriptive research. Data that were extracted from the database included age, sex, and donation type. The outcomes were total TTI, syphilis seropositivity, HIV, HBV, and HCV.
Results
The sociodemographic analysis revealed a predominantly male donor population (95.6%) with a mean age of 43.9±7.3 years, and the majority were family donors (81%). The overall seroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) was low, with Hepatitis B being the most prevalent at 0.48%, followed by HCV at 0.06%. No cases of HIV, syphilis, or malaria were detected. Year-wise distribution showed a non-significant variation in TTI seropositivity over the study period (p=0.24).
Conclusion
The study concludes that the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections is medium and has been declining over time. The most common infection is hepatitis B (HBsAg), which is followed by syphilis, HIV, and HCV.
Recommendation
Regular screening, stringent donor selection, and promotion of voluntary donations are recommended to further reduce the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections
Integrating traditional African medicine into public health systems: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study on the pathway toward universal health coverage in South Africa.
Full text linkBackground
Traditional African Medicine (TAM) remains a vital component of healthcare for many South Africans, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities. Despite its widespread use and cultural relevance, TAM remains largely informal and insufficiently integrated into the national health system. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for integrating traditional medicine into public healthcare to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially in contexts marked by health inequities. This study examines the feasibility, perceptions, and structural needs for integrating TAM into South Africa’s public health system.
Methods
A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were gathered from 120 participants comprising 60 community members, 30 biomedical professionals, and 30 traditional health practitioners (THPs) across three districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Participants were 52% female and 48% male, with an average age of 44.6 years (SD = 10.2; range: 21–72 years). Most community respondents (68%) resided in rural areas, while 32% lived in peri-urban settings. Fifteen qualitative interviews were conducted with policy experts, health administrators, and representatives from the Traditional Healers Organization (THO).
Results
Findings show that 78% of community members regularly use TAM, primarily for spiritual cleansing and chronic disease management. Sixty-seven percent of THPs expressed willingness to collaborate with biomedical professionals but cited lack of recognition and legal protection as barriers. Only 40% of biomedical professionals supported integration due to concerns about efficacy, safety, and regulation. Qualitative themes revealed mistrust between sectors, lack of herbal standardization, and insufficient documentation, but also highlighted TAM’s cultural importance and preventive health value.
Conclusion
TAM remains central to healthcare access and cultural identity in South Africa, yet systemic, legal, and attitudinal barriers impede integration.
Recommendations
Developing comprehensive policies, establishing collaborative platforms, investing in scientific validation, and promoting community-based engagement are essential for achieving inclusive, culturally responsive UHC
An observational cohort study to determine the clinical profile, angiographic profile, and outcomes of patients with left bundle branch block without previous heart disease from a tertiary care centre in north India.
Full text linkBackground:
Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) is a significant electrocardiographic finding often associated with structural heart disease and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. It alters ventricular activation and may mask or mimic myocardial infarction on ECG. Early identification and evaluation are essential for prognosis and management. This study aimed to analyze clinical, echocardiographic, and angiographic profiles of patients with LBBB.
Methods:
This was a prospective, observational cohort study conducted over two years at a tertiary care cardiology center. One hundred patients with complete LBBB and stable hemodynamics were enrolled via random sampling. Data were collected through structured proformas, clinical exams, 2D echocardiography, and coronary angiography. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Among 100 participants (mean age 58 ± 8.5 years; 67% male), chest pain (73%) and hypertension (62%) were the most common findings. Mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 203.6 mg/dL and 109.5 mg/dL, respectively, with an average BMI of 25.3 kg/m². Significant associations were found for chest pain, hypertension, and angiographic disease patterns (p < 0.001). Cholesterol showed a strong positive correlation with triglycerides (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), indicating elevated cardiovascular risk in patients with LBBB.
Conclusion:
LBBB is strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors and may indicate underlying coronary artery disease and systolic dysfunction.
Recommendation:
Regular cardiovascular screening and timely coronary evaluation are recommended for patients with LBBB to detect and manage underlying ischemic heart disease early
Development of a diagnostic and management protocol for acute scrotum in a tertiary care hospital: A prospective observational study.
Full text linkBackground:
Acute scrotum is a urological emergency requiring timely evaluation to prevent testicular loss, particularly in cases of torsion. Differentiating torsion from inflammatory causes remains clinically challenging. This study aimed to develop and implement a structured diagnostic and management protocol for acute scrotum in a tertiary care setting.
Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 2016 to October 2018. A total of 100 male patients presenting with acute scrotal pain, with or without swelling, were included. Clinical assessment, laboratory evaluation, and color Doppler ultrasonography were performed in all cases. Patients with findings suggestive of testicular torsion underwent emergency exploration, with orchidopexy performed for viable testes and orchidectomy for non-viable testes. Patients with inflammatory causes were managed conservatively. Follow-up was completed at 2 weeks and 1 month.
Results:
Of the 100 patients studied, testicular torsion (44%) and epididymo-orchitis (38%) were the most common etiologies, followed by acute hydrocele (7%), scrotal cellulitis/abscess (6%), and pyocele (3%). Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated high diagnostic reliability, particularly in differentiating torsion from inflammatory causes. Among the 44 torsion cases, 18 (41%) underwent orchidopexy and 26 (59%) underwent orchidectomy, with contralateral orchidopexy performed in all torsion patients. Conservatively managed patients showed significant clinical improvement, with 92% completing follow-up and reporting symptom resolution.
Conclusion:
The implementation of a structured clinical and diagnostic protocol enables timely diagnosis and appropriate management of acute scrotum, improving testicular salvage rates in torsion and ensuring effective conservative treatment in inflammatory conditions.
Recommendation:
Integration of standardized evaluation pathways and early referral protocols is strongly recommended to minimize diagnostic delays and prevent avoidable testicular loss
A relational turn in one health: A systematic review of environmental determinants, equity, and governance frameworks
Full text linkBackground:
The One Health framework, originally developed for zoonotic disease prevention, has faced criticism for insufficient engagement with environmental and social determinants of health. As transnational crises from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss accelerate worldwide, there is an urgent need to re-vision One Health as a more equity-oriented and systems-based approach.
Methods:
Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review examined peer-reviewed review articles published between January 2021 and May 2025 that explicitly applied a One Health lens to environmental determinants of health. The review combined elements of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) for quality appraisal. A hybrid synthesis process was employed to identify conceptual innovations and thematic domains.
Results:
Seven studies were included. The most commonly identified environmental determinants of One Health were climate change, biodiversity loss, and water insecurity. Three themes were identified: (i) Taking One Health beyond zoonoses; (ii) Building relational and context-specific approaches centered in equity and Indigenous knowledges; and (iii) Ongoing governance silos and marginalization of environmental actors in favour of biomedical and veterinary voices. Building on these insights, we propose a Relational One Health Framework, which centres justice, governance, and interdependence for health.
Conclusions:
This review conceptualises a Relational One Health Framework which reconceptualises health as an emergent property of interdependent human–animal–environment relationships, through equity and participatory governance. Buoyed by global momentum for “one health governance,” the framework provides a timely pathway for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to embed environmental determinants within holistic governance of health.
Recommendation:
Future research should expand coverage of databases, integrate empirical case studies, and create integrative metrics that assess both environmental and health equity benefits. In policy platforms, environmental knowledge should be incorporated as a core interest in One Health implementation
Clinical history, knowledge, and antibiotic use practices among adult patients with cellulitis attending clinical services at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala. A cross-sectional study.
Full text linkBackground:
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection with a high recurrence rate. Patient knowledge, clinical history, and antibiotic use practices are critical factors influencing treatment outcomes and the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, history, and knowledge of AMR among adult patients with cellulitis at Kiruddu Referral Hospital, Kampala.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2025. A structured questionnaire was administered to 279 consecutively enrolled adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of cellulitis. Data on socio-demographics, clinical history of cellulitis, self-medication practices, and knowledge of AMR were collected. Descriptive statistics were computed using Microsoft Excel and presented in frequencies, percentages, and figures.
Results:
The majority of participants were female (56.3%) and aged 36-45 years (31.5%). A significant proportion (57.7%) had a history of cellulitis, with nearly half (48.4%) experiencing a recurrence within the past year. The lower limbs were the most affected site (62.0%). While 36.9% reported self-medication with antibiotics before hospitalization, 63.1% had not. Although 55.2% had heard of AMR and 69.2% understood that incomplete treatment causes resistance, a concerning 51.3% admitted to not always completing their antibiotic courses. Pharmacies and drug shops were a common source of antibiotics outside formal healthcare settings.
Conclusion:
There is a high recurrence of cellulitis and a significant gap between knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use and actual practices, including self-medication and non-adherence.
Recommendation:
The urgent need for targeted patient education and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs to bridge this knowledge-practice gap and combat AMR
Role of portal venous doppler in detecting capillary leakage among dengue patients: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry.
Full text linkBackground: Dengue fever is a globally significant arboviral disease, with India bearing a substantial disease burden. Severe forms are characterized by capillary leak syndrome (CLS), which can lead to hypovolemic shock and organ dysfunction. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the role of portal venous doppler parameters in the early detection of CLS among dengue patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 65 serologically confirmed dengue patients at a tertiary hospital in Puducherry. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Grayscale ultrasound and portal venous Doppler were used to assess gall bladder wall thickness, ascites, pleural effusion, and hemodynamic indices, including congestion index (CI). CLS was defined as ≥20% hematocrit rise or ultrasonographic evidence of plasma leakage. Statistical analyses included the Chi-square test, t-test, and ROC curve analysis.
Results: The mean age was 37.7 years, with 57% of participants being male. CLS was present in 41.5%. Gall bladder wall edema (69.2%) was the most common ultrasonographic finding and was significantly associated with CLS (p<0.001). Pleural effusion (47.7%) also showed significance (p=0.010). Doppler evaluation revealed significantly lower portal vein velocity in CLS patients (16.6 vs 19.5 cm/s, p=0.013) and higher CI (0.11 vs 0.04, p<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for gall bladder wall thickness (AUC = 0.86), CSA (AUC = 0.85), and CI (AUC = 0.81).
Conclusion: Portal venous Doppler parameters, particularly CI and CSA, serve as valuable functional markers for early detection of CLS. Combined with ultrasonography, they enhance diagnostic accuracy, guide timely fluid management, and may reduce severe dengue complications.
Recommendations: Larger multicentered studies should validate these Doppler indices and establish standard cut-offs. Incorporating Doppler into triage protocols and training clinicians in bedside use could strengthen early intervention strategies in endemic areas