Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF A PRACTICE-BASED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
Get PDFBackground.
A project is being undertaken to improve the functionality and well-being of children with disabilities, particularly in Fort Portal City and Kabarole District, through improved access to quality health care, habilitation, and rehabilitation services. The initial phase of the project targeting Kabarole Hospital started in March 2021 and ended in June 2022.
Project design.
The project seeks to increase access of CWDs to comprehensive, friendly services and information, strengthen the capacity of health facilities to provide quality health care and rehabilitative services to CWDs, and increase community and family awareness, support, and care to CWDs.
Results.
By the end of the first phase (July 2021- June 2022) of actual implementation of the project notable achievements included training 18 health facility staff as CWD FPs, formation of nine community support groups, conducting 98 monthly outreaches to community support groups and nine monthly support supervision visits to the health facilities in addition to 211 home visits to families of CWDs. Training of 22 CHWs and 9 sensitization meetings have been conducted, 25 referrals for specialty care made, and 177 CWDs have been identified and recruited into health care at the lower-level health facilities. Quality of life for CWDs has improved to 60% (from a baseline), and patient satisfaction improved to 80% (from a baseline of 30%). Access to care improved by 52%.
Conclusions.
Improving access to quality care for CWDs and engaging the family, peers, and larger community with active participation of CWDs and their parents/caretakers enhances the well-being of CWDs.
Recommendations.
While services need to be built up, a lack of interventions on multiple fronts is visible. There is therefore a need for the government and partners to give higher priority to the disability issue in the child and adolescent health agendas
REVOLUTIONIZING HIGHER EDUCATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON AI-POWERED SMART UNIVERSITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.
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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has transformed teaching, learning, and administration, leading to the rise of smart universities. AI-powered tools enhance student engagement, knowledge retention, and administrative efficiency, offering personalized learning experiences and streamlining workflows. However, institutions face challenges related to faculty adaptation, ethical concerns, and data privacy risks. This study assesses the impact of AI adoption on student engagement, academic performance, and institutional challenges in higher education.
Methods
This cross-sectional quantitative study utilized structured surveys to assess AI awareness, perceived benefits, adoption levels, and challenges among 350 participants at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), comprising 313 students and 37 lecturers. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, including mean percentages and frequency distributions, to identify key trends in AI adoption and its impact on student engagement, usage of AI tools, and academic outcomes.
Results
AI-powered learning tools significantly enhance student engagement (80%) and knowledge retention (75%), demonstrating their effectiveness in academic improvement. AI also increases administrative efficiency (70%) by automating enrolment, grading, and scheduling, reducing faculty workload. However, faculty adaptation (50%) remains a challenge due to limited training. Ethical concerns (40%), particularly regarding data privacy and algorithmic bias, necessitate greater transparency and oversight. The study found lecture capture systems (85%) and personalized content delivery (78%) to be the most widely used AI tools. Ethical dilemmas (80%), data privacy concerns (75%), and faculty resistance (60%) are key barriers to AI adoption. Additionally, a lack of resources (50%) limits access to AI-driven educational technologies.
Conclusion and Recommendations
While AI enhances student learning and institutional efficiency, faculty readiness, ethics, and infrastructure gaps remain challenges. Institutions must prioritize AI training, ethical policies, and infrastructure investment to ensure sustainable AI adoption. Encouraging faculty engagement, policy development, and continuous monitoring will maximize AI’s benefits and future-proof education
THE IMPACT OF INDUSTRIALIZATION, URBANIZATION, AND DROUGHT ON HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN RIVER SYSTEMS IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
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Freshwater resources are vital for indigenous communities in Southern Africa, supporting livelihoods, agriculture, and biodiversity. However, increasing industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural runoff have led to severe contamination of river systems. While pollutants such as heavy metals are well-documented, the role of drought in intensifying their concentrations remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between low water levels and heavy metal pollution in rivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, focusing on how drought affects water quality.
Methods
A cross-sectional quantitative approach was used to analyze water quality under different seasonal conditions. Water samples were collected during high and low water periods to measure concentrations of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hydrological and meteorological data were also examined. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression models, were applied to assess the influence of drought and pollution sources.
Results
Heavy metal concentrations increased significantly during drought conditions, with lead and cadmium exceeding WHO and South African water quality standards. Contamination was highest downstream of industrial and agricultural zones, where mercury and arsenic were alarmingly elevated. Additionally, ecological degradation was evident, including native vegetation loss and the spread of invasive species in polluted areas.
Conclusion
Drought amplifies the effects of chemical pollution in river systems, worsening ecological degradation and posing health risks to dependent communities. If left unchecked, ongoing urban and industrial growth will further compromise water quality and ecosystem health.
Recommendation
To address this issue, stricter enforcement of industrial discharge regulations is required. Regulatory frameworks must be strengthened to ensure industry compliance, supported by regular monitoring and stricter penalties for polluters. Proactive water management strategies are also needed to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems from the combined threats of drought and pollution
EVALUATION OF CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF CETRIZINE IN MICE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY.
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Pain management is challenging due to the subjective nature of pain and the limitations of existing analgesics. Histamine and serotonin pathways play a role in pain modulation, suggesting potential analgesic effects of cetirizine and amitriptyline. While amitriptyline has shown some efficacy, cetirizine’s role in pain relief remains unclear. This study evaluates their analgesic potential of cetrizine individually and with diclofenac in mice.
Methods
Albino Swiss mice (n=24) were divided into four groups to evaluate the analgesic effects of amitriptyline and cetirizine, compared to diclofenac. Pain response was assessed using the tail flick (thermal), tail clip (physical), and writhing (chemical) tests at multiple time points. Drugs were administered orally, and the percentage inhibition of writhing was calculated.
Results
Amitriptyline exhibited the highest analgesic effect in the tail flick test (13.50±0.342 sec at 90 min), followed by diclofenac (11.00±0.365 sec) and cetirizine (8.00±0.365 sec). In the tail clip test, diclofenac and amitriptyline showed peak response times of 12.66±0.323 sec and 12.16±0.342 sec, respectively. Cetirizine was less effective in both tests. In the writhing test, diclofenac had the highest inhibition (65.85%), followed by cetirizine (41.46%), while amitriptyline showed the least effect (19.50%). These findings confirm significant analgesic properties of all tested drugs, with varying efficacy.
Conclusion
Amitriptyline showed the most prolonged analgesic effect in thermal and mechanical pain models, while diclofenac was most effective in visceral pain inhibition. Cetirizine demonstrated moderate analgesic activity.
Recommendation
Cetirizine may be considered as a supportive analgesic agent, especially when conventional NSAIDs pose risks, warranting further studies on its analgesic mechanisms and clinical applications
A Qualitative Case Study on Socio-Economic Deficiency and Causes of Illegal Fishing in the Riverine Biodiversity of Eastern Cape, South Africa.
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Small-scale fishers in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, have historically faced exclusion from marine resource access and fishing rights. Despite policy reforms, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten their livelihoods and the sustainability of coastal ecosystems. This study assesses the socio-economic impacts of IUU fishing and evaluates the effectiveness of recent regulatory reforms aimed at addressing fisher marginalization.
Methods
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining semi-structured interviews with 83 small-scale fishers and 10 policymakers, and quantitative analysis of fishing rights allocation data and economic loss indicators. The study applied a poverty, vulnerability, and marginalization framework to assess both policy outcomes and lived community experiences.
Results:
Findings indicate moderate progress through initial rights allocation and stakeholder engagement. However, over 65% of fishers reported income loss due to IUU fishing, and 54% experienced declining food security. Despite new regulatory frameworks, 42% of eligible fishers remain excluded due to restrictive eligibility criteria, and 29% perceive the process as influenced by elite capture. Only 18% had access to alternative livelihoods. Enforcement remains inadequate, with 71% citing poor monitoring of IUU fishing, which continues to erode legal fishers’ efforts and ecosystem stability.
Conclusion
While current reforms are a step forward, weak enforcement, exclusionary rights allocation, and limited livelihood alternatives undermine their effectiveness. These challenges reduce the resilience of small-scale fisheries and threaten long-term sustainability.
Recommendations
To improve outcomes, enforcement of IUU fishing regulations must be strengthened, eligibility criteria broadened, and targeted support provided for alternative livelihoods. A more inclusive, community-driven approach is essential for sustainable fisheries governance in South Africa
INVESTIGATING THE INTERPLAY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND CARDIAC BIOMARKERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: A CROSS-SECTIONAL RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN KWAZULU-NATAL.
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This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between glycaemic control, as indicated by HbA1c levels, and cardiovascular risk biomarkers (high-sensitivity troponin-T, troponin-I, and NT-ProBNP) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and myocardial infarction, and poor glycaemic control exacerbates these risks.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, including data from 230 patients diagnosed with T2DM. The study analyzed the correlation between HbA1c levels and cardiac biomarkers across different age groups. Demographic data, such as age and gender, were also collected to assess their influence on the relationship between glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk.
Results
The study found a significant positive correlation between elevated HbA1c levels and high-sensitivity troponin-T (ρ = 0.250, p < 0.001), indicating an increased risk of myocardial injury. Older participants exhibited higher NT-ProBNP levels (ρ = 0.116, p = 0.040), suggesting a higher risk of heart failure in this group. Additionally, higher HbA1c levels were associated with higher troponin-I levels, reinforcing the connection between poor glycaemic control and myocardial injury.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical role of managing glycaemic control to reduce cardiovascular risk in T2DM patients, particularly in older individuals. Regular monitoring of both HbA1c and cardiac biomarkers is essential for early detection and intervention. Further research is needed to explore the combined effects of glycaemic control, comorbidities, and treatments on cardiovascular risk biomarkers
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF LABOR ANALGESIA IN ANTENATAL WOMEN IN AMALAPURAM: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.
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Labor analgesia is crucial for managing labor pain, yet its awareness and acceptance remain low in many developing regions. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding labor analgesia among antenatal women in Amalapuram, a rural area in India.
Methods
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 antenatal women aged 18-40 years attending the antenatal clinic at a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding labor analgesia. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2016.
Results
Of the 150 women surveyed, 25% were aware of labor analgesia. The majority (62%) of the 112 unaware respondents expressed interest in learning more, primarily preferring to receive information during obstetric consultations (55%). Concerns regarding labor analgesia were mainly centered around safety (85.3%) and its potential impact on the baby (56%). Regarding attitudes, 76% of participants feared labor analgesia, and 92.6% believed healthcare providers should offer it. Only 30% expressed interest in opting for labor analgesia in future pregnancies, with 70% preferring a natural birth. Knowledge dissemination was largely limited to family and social media sources.
Conclusion
The study reveals a low awareness of labor analgesia among antenatal women in Amalapuram, with significant interest in learning more about it. Healthcare providers, especially obstetricians, should be proactive in educating women during the antenatal period to increase acceptance of pain relief methods, which could improve maternal comfort and birth outcomes.
Recommendations
To improve awareness and acceptance of labor analgesia, healthcare providers, particularly obstetricians, should actively educate antenatal women during early pregnancy visits. Addressing misconceptions, enhancing communication, and providing clear, accurate information about pain relief options can help increase utilization. Further studies should explore cultural factors influencing pain relief choices in diverse populations
A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT OUTCOMES IN OSTEOARTHRITIC KNEES WITH VARUS DEFORMITY.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee with varus deformity is a common degenerative condition that severely impacts mobility and quality of life. Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is the standard surgical treatment for end-stage OA, though varus correction poses technical challenges.
Objectives
To evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological outcomes of TKA using a posterior cruciate substituting prosthesis in patients with varus knee deformity.
Methods
This prospective observational study included 30 patients (mean age: 63.2 years; 70% female) with primary OA and varus deformity (Kellgren–Lawrence grades III and IV), who underwent TKA at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Warangal. Clinical and functional status were assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS), while radiological evaluation confirmed prosthetic alignment. Follow-ups were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.
Results
The mean preoperative clinical KSS (56.4) improved significantly to 90.2 postoperatively (p < 0.01), and the functional score improved from 48.3 to 81.6 (p < 0.01). Radiographs showed that all patients achieved neutral mechanical alignment without signs of implant loosening. By 6 weeks, over 80% of patients reported substantial pain relief, restored range of motion, and improved stair-climbing ability. No intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as infection or DVT, were reported. Outcomes were favorable across all deformity severity groups (<10°, 10–20°, >20°).
Conclusion
TKA using posterior cruciate substituting prostheses provides significant functional and radiological improvements in osteoarthritic knees with varus deformity. Proper preoperative planning and surgical precision are key to optimal outcomes.
Recommendations
Preoperative assessment should emphasize deformity severity and soft tissue balance. Surgeons should adopt individualized soft tissue release techniques and confirm mechanical axis restoration intraoperatively. Long-term follow-up and larger sample studies are recommended to assess prosthesis survivorship and late complications
Perceptions of 1st year undergraduate medical students on artificial intelligence: mixed-methods survey study from a rural medical college of West Bengal: Perception of medical students on artificial intelligence
No full textBackground:Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing healthcare practices yet remains under-represented in undergraduate medical curricula. Understanding student perceptions of AI is crucial for informed curriculum development, particularly in rural medical settings.
Objectives:To assess the AI literacy, attitudes, and perceptions among first-year MBBS students using the Meta-Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale (MAILS), and to explore gender difference of AI literacy, perceived advantages and disadvantages of AI integration in medical education.
Methods:This descriptive, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted among 88 first-year MBBS students at Rampurhat Government Medical College, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected using the validated MAILS questionnaire, encompassing 34 items across 8 domains. Qualitative responses were obtained from two open-ended questions on AI's perceived pros and cons. Data analysis included independent t-tests and thematic analysis using NVivo software.
Results:Students demonstrated highest proficiency in Persuasion Literacy (57.73%) and Use & Apply AI (56.5%). Lowest scores were in Create AI (37.6%) and Learning (49.73%), indicating gaps in technical and adaptive skills. No statistically significant gender differences were observed (p = 0.39). Thematic analysis revealed students value AI for simplifying tasks and enhancing diagnostics but expressed concerns over loss of empathy, dependency, and privacy breaches. Control, emotion, and interaction were the most developed competencies.showed no statistically significant difference in AI literacy between genders.
Conclusion:Students are confident users but not creators of AI. Their moderate AI literacy and mature ethical concerns highlight the urgent need for structured, ethically grounded AI training in medical education, especially in resource-limited rural contexts
SILENT SUFFERING: POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS’ COPING MECHANISMS IN THE FACE OF SUPERVISORY CHALLENGES – A QUALITATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY DESIGN.
Get PDFBackgroundThis study investigates the coping mechanisms employed by master 's-level postgraduate students in response to supervision challenges within a South African university.
MethodsA qualitative cross-sectional single case study was conducted at a South African public university within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Fifteen master’s students (9 females, 6 males) aged 24–36, from disciplines such as Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Microbiology, were purposively selected. All participants had engaged in research-based supervision for at least six months. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s approach.
ResultsTwelve out of 15 participants reported psychological stress due to supervision-related issues. Common challenges included supervisor unavailability (13 students), delayed or infrequent feedback (11), and lack of academic guidance (9). Adaptive coping strategies included peer support (10), informal academic support networks (8), and proactive clarification with supervisors (5). Conversely, maladaptive responses included emotional withdrawal (6), avoidance of meetings (4), and procrastination on research tasks (5). Notably, 13 students were unaware of institutional grievance procedures or academic support services.
ConclusionMaster’s students frequently endure supervision challenges in silence, lacking knowledge of institutional support mechanisms. While some adopt positive coping strategies, others disengage emotionally or academically, compromising research progress and well-being. These findings highlight the need for structural interventions to support postgraduate mental health and academic resilience.
RecommendationsUniversities should implement mandatory orientation for students and supervisors, establish safe reporting channels, train supervisors in communication and mentorship, and promote peer mentoring and mental health awareness initiatives