Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS THE USE OF POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AMONGST BAR ATTENDANTS AGED 18 TO 35 YEARS IN KAJJANSI TOWN COUNCIL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Get PDFBackground.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended for HIV-negative persons at high risk of acquiring HIV after occupational or non-occupational HIV exposure. Bar attendants are a risk group for HIV/AIDS due to risky lifestyles such as alcoholism, smoking, rape, and commercial sex. This study aimed at assessing knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards the use of post-exposure prophylaxis amongst bar attendants aged 18 to 35 years in Kajjansi Town Council.
Methodology.
A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving the quantitative method of data collection using a snowball nonprobability sampling technique to select the study sample. All persons, aged 18+ years who attended bars in the town at the time of the study were included. Data was collected on a daily basis for 7 days and this was from bar attendants in Kajjansi Town Council.
Results.
Majority of respondents were males 92(92%), 35[35%] of the participants were aged between 25-31, (40%) of the respondents were single. 78 (78%) of participants reported having heard about PEP, and 13 (16.7%) of participants correctly identified occupational exposure as a reason for using PEP. Regarding the attitude, 60 (76.9%) reported that they believe PEP is safe for use, 54 (69.3%) of the participants believed that PEP can prevent HIV/AIDS. Concerning the practices, 42(53.8%) of the participants reported a history of PEP usage and 21(50.0%) of the participants said they obtained PEP from hospitals.
Conclusion.
Most of the participants had good knowledge about PEP as they very well knew the indications for PEP but had less information about the duration and the exact timing of utilization of PEP.
Recommendation.
Policymakers should consider public sensitization and awareness Campaigns as a cause to implement the HIV/AIDS reduction and prevention strategies
A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF PERCEPTIONS, PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG EMPLOYED MOTHERS ATTENDING BUEA REGIONAL HOSPITAL, BUEA, CAMEROON.
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Even though the WHO emphasizes exclusive breastfeeding for six months, many mothers struggle to apply it. This has been blamed on different perceptions of its importance, which has long gone far from affecting the practice. While many women accept the concept, they may face several challenges in its implementation. This study aimed to assess the perceptions, practices and challenges employed mothers face in exclusive breastfeeding at the Buea Regional Hospital in Cameroon.
Methodology
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 106 employed mothers with children aged zero to two years at Buea Regional Referral Hospital in Cameroon. The quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires from November 2023 to June 2024. Data analysis and cleaning were carried out via Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 20.
Results
The findings showed that most (79.26%) employed mothers had the right perception of exclusive breastfeeding; nevertheless, only 47% of them carried out the practice. This is due to various challenges they face in exclusive breastfeeding practices. The main challenges faced were difficulties combining work and breastfeeding (88.7%), a busy work schedule (87.7%) and social pressure to introduce water and artificial food (87.7%).
Conclusion
A significant number of mothers had good perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding, while social pressure, working while breastfeeding and busy work schedules were significant barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. Targeted interventions such as increasing leave time, ensuring a reduction in workload and working hours and developing antennal and postnatal policies about exclusive breastfeeding by the government and other employers to promote exclusive breastfeeding among employed mothers are needed.
Recommendation
Authorities at various job sites reduce the workload and working hours of breastfeeding women with babies younger than 6 months
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS AND OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AT KAJJANSI HEALTH CENTRE IV. A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.
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Overweight and obesity are major public health concerns globally, contributing to a significant burden of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. These conditions are multifactorial, with a growing body of evidence highlighting the role of behavioral factors in their development and progression. This study aimed to determine the association between behavioral factors and overweight/obesity among PLWH at Kajjansi Health Centre IV.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods approach was conducted on 50 PLWH. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and medical record reviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between various factors and overweight/obesity status.
Results
At baseline, 80.0% (n = 40) of participants were classified as overweight or obese. Among those with low dietary diversity, 100.0% (n = 4) were overweight or obese, compared to 71.0% (n = 22) of those with moderate dietary diversity and 93.3% (n = 14) of those with high dietary diversity. However, this association was not statistically significant (χ² = 4.247, df = 2, p = 0.120).
Conclusion
The findings conclude no significant association between dietary diversity and obesity status, a significant association between physical activity and obesity status only at the end line, and no significant relationship between sedentary behavior and obesity.
Recommendation
There should be practical interventions that include tailored nutritional counseling and physical activity programs that consider unique sociocultural contexts.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND NUTRITION STATUS OF PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS IN ADJUMANI TOWN COUNCIL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
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Adolescent pregnancy is the incidence of pregnancy in females aged 10-19. The study aims to assess the relationship between knowledge, Attitude, and nutrition status of pregnant adolescents in Adjumani Town Council.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study consisting of 288 pregnant adolescents was conducted. Data was collected on socio-demographic variables, nutritional knowledge, attitudes, practices, and nutrition status indicators such as BMI. Pearson correlation was used to establish relationships between variables.
Results
41.7% (120/288) had a primary level of education and the majority 33.3% (98/288) were farmers. The Pearson correlation between dietary attitude and nutritional status was 0.007, indicating a negligible relationship. The p-value is 0.906, indicating no significant association between dietary attitude and nutritional status. The regression coefficient for nutrition knowledge is (B=-0.039, SE=0.058, β=-0.038, t=-0.686 and p=0.493). This indicates that nutrition knowledge is not a significant predictor of nutritional status. The regression coefficient for dietary attitude is (B=0.009, SE=0.056, β=0.009, t=0.154, and p=0.878), indicating that dietary attitude is not a significant predictor of nutritional status.
Conclusions
The majority of the pregnant adolescents had low nutrition knowledge, and were underweight high educational status was associated with good nutritional understanding.
Recommendations
The findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional education and counseling support to educate adolescents on the importance of a balanced diet and how to make healthier food choices within their means
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES ABOUT EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG MOTHERS AGED 18-49 YEARS ATTENDING SEKANYONYI HEALTH CENTRE IV IN MITYANA DISTRICT. ACROSS-SECTIOAL STUDY.
Get PDFBackground: Exclusive breastfeeding is the situation in which an infant receives only breast milk from his/her mother or a wet nurse for the first six months and no other solids or liquids with the exception of drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, supplements or medicines.
Method: A descriptive crossectional study with quantitative approaches was used, 96 respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique, data was collected using a questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages.
Results: Study findings indicated that the respondents had good knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding since majority 90 (94%) had ever had about exclusive breastfeeding, majority 80 (83%) were aware of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and 50 (52%) knew that breast milk reduces the risk of some non-communicable diseases. A generally fair attitude towards EBF among mothers was achieved as 94 (97.9%) agreed that giving breast milk to a new borne within an hour of birth is important 95 (98.9%) agreed that breastfed babies are healthier than non-breastfed babies and only 16 (16.7%) agreed that EBF reduces the weight gained during pregnancy. Regarding the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, it was fairly good with majority 90 (93.8%) giving their babies the colostrum, 84 (87.5%) initiated breastfeeding within an hour of birth and 48 (50%) were still breastfeeding at the time of the study.
Conclusion: it was therefore concluded that there was a high level of knowledge, fair attitude and a fairly good practice of EBF.
Recommendation: The health workers of Sekanyonyi Health Centre IV as well as the Ministry of Health in Uganda should ensure continuous sensitization of the community about the relevance of EBF and the dangers of not doing so.
 
SPECIFIC CORRELATED FACTORS TO UNDERNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN 0-59 MONTHS IN MUBENDE DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY OF MUBENDE REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, CENTRAL UGANDA.
Get PDFBackground:
Malnutrition is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among children 0-59 months of age not only in Uganda but worldwide. To understand the causes of malnutrition among children who are 0-59 months of age, a study was conducted in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende district in the south-central region of Uganda to find out the specific correlated factors responsible for undernutrition children of this age category.
Methodology:
The data was collected from MMRH by use of a structured questionnaire that involved Child anthropometry, Child-related factors, maternal-related factors, and male involvement. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis of data was done in MS Excel, Epi Info program-nutrition module, and Stata statistical software.
Results:
It was found out that caretaker (P=0.03, 0.01, 0.00), age at which the mother got first born (P=0.00, 0.00, 0.02), maternal occupation (P=0.02, 0.00, 0.01), and maternal education level (P=0.03, 0.02, 0.01) were the major factors influencing on undernutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight) respectively. The study also noted that male involvement in activities to address childhood undernutrition was mainly in purchasing food while other activities were not paid much attention to.
Conclusion:
The study identifies that caretaker, age at which the mother got first born, maternal occupation, and maternal education level were the major factors influencing undernutrition in children 0-59 months of age in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende district.
Recommendation:
The study recommends the government strengthen its poverty alleviation programs to improve household incomes, as a basis for food security. Further studies have also been recommended to be carried out with male partners themselves to understand their perspective.
INFLUENCE OF 20-YEAR REDUCTION IN DOOR-TO-BALLOON TIMES ON OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH ANTERIOR ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION UNDERGOING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.
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The study aims to investigate the relationship between shortened DTB times and long-term clinical outcomes in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infraction (STEMI) patients receiving Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI).
Methods
This 20-year study at the tertiary care center examined how reduced door-to-balloon timings (DBT) affected outcomes for anterior STEMI patients from 2003 to 2022. The study examined 829 anterior STEMI patients who received PPCI within 12 hours of presentation. Patient data were divided into four five-year quartiles (2003-2007, 2008-2012, 2013-2017, and 2018-2022). Analyses included demographic, clinical, and mortality data. Age, hypertension, smoking status, obesity, hospital stay, diabetes, and DBT were important. The multivariate analysis accounted for gender, age, comorbidities, clinical shock, ejection fraction, and mitral regurgitation.
Results
The study found a substantial drop in patient age (63.4 to 60 yrs, p<0.01), with hypertension, smoking, and obesity prevalence increasing across all quartiles. Diabetes prevalence remained unchanged. Median hospital stays decreased (7 to 4.6 days, p<0.01), and median DBT fell significantly (216 to 37 minutes, p<0.01). Both 30-day and 1-year mortality improved (p=0.01), from 13.4% to 6.8% and 19.5% to 12.9%, respectively. Three-year mortality fell from 24.3% to 15.5% (p=0.02). Compared to DBT < 60 minutes, shorter DBT was related to reduced mortality over time after controlling for numerous variables.
Conclusion
The long-term prognosis for anterior STEMI patients at our center has improved over the previous two decades. DBT decreased with these changes. This study emphasizes the need to optimize door-to-balloon timeframes for anterior STEMI care and prompt intervention.
Recommendation
Healthcare providers should target anterior STEMI door-to-balloon time reduction based on this study. To improve results in this patient population, smoking, hypertension, and obesity should be addressed. Additional research is needed to improve anterior STEMI patient treatment and care
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON EXPLORING MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN NON-ISCHEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY AMONG THE YOUNG: POTENTIAL FOR CORRECTION
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Micronutrient deficiencies are increasingly recognized as significant yet often overlooked factors in the pathogenesis and progression of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), especially among young populations. This study aims to explore the prevalence and effects of micronutrient deficiencies in young patients with NICM, assessing the relationship between micronutrient levels and disease severity, and evaluating the efficacy of nutritional interventions.
Methods
A prospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling 64 participants aged 18-35 diagnosed with NICM. Exclusion criteria included ischemic heart disease, primary valvular heart disease, and chronic diseases affecting micronutrient levels. Baseline assessments included medical history, physical examination, dietary assessment, blood tests for key micronutrients, and cardiac imaging. Participants with identified deficiencies received tailored supplementation plans. Follow-ups were conducted monthly, with repeat assessments at 6 and 12 months.
Results
At baseline, 56% of participants had at least one micronutrient deficiency, with vitamin D being the most common. After 6 months of supplementation, significant improvements in micronutrient levels and mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were observed (from 45% to 52%, p < 0.001). Quality of life improved significantly, and a reduction in cardiovascular event rates was noted, although not statistically significant.
Conclusion
This study highlights the high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among young individuals with NICM and demonstrates that tailored nutritional interventions can significantly improve cardiac function and quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of screening for and addressing micronutrient deficiencies in this population, suggesting a potential avenue for improving cardiovascular outcomes in NICM.
Recommendations
Healthcare providers should screen young NICM patients for micronutrient deficiencies and incorporate tailored nutritional interventions into their management. This can potentially improve cardiac function and quality of life, though further research is needed to establish comprehensive guidelines
A COMPARATIVE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY: BIOABSORBABLE MAGNESIUM SCREW VERSUS TRADITIONAL TITANIUM SCREW FIXATION IN TREATING MEDIAL MALLEOLAR FRACTURES.
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The management of medial malleolar fractures has evolved with the emergence of bioabsorbable magnesium screws as an alternative to traditional titanium screws, driven by concerns about hardware removal surgeries due to magnesium's potential for gradual degradation within the body. The study aimed to compare bioabsorbable magnesium screw fixation with traditional titanium screw fixation for treating medial malleolar fractures, assessing outcomes to determine magnesium screws' potential advantages in promoting healing and functional recovery.
Methods
This retrospective study compared bioabsorbable magnesium screw fixation with traditional titanium screw fixation for treating medial malleolar fractures. Eighty patients meeting inclusion criteria underwent operative treatment. Data on demographics, fracture characteristics, radiological assessments, clinical outcomes, and complications were collected and analyzed using statistical methods.
Results
Most of the patients presented with isolated medial malleolar fractures (75%). Fracture union rates were comparable between the two groups, but the magnesium screw fixation group exhibited a substantially lower incidence of malunion (6% vs. 20%, p=0.041) and superior functional outcomes as assessed by the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale (p=0.019). Although complication rates were lower in the magnesium group, the variation was not statistically relevant. Serial imaging showed progressive degradation of bioabsorbable magnesium screws over time.
Conclusion
Bioabsorbable magnesium screw fixation demonstrated comparable fracture union rates with titanium screws while offering advantages such as lower malunion rates and better functional outcomes. The gradual degradation of magnesium screws suggests potential benefits in reducing the need for hardware removal surgeries and minimizing long-term complications. These findings support the utility of magnesium-based fixation in medial malleolar fractures.
Recommendations
More prospective studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are recommended to validate findings and investigate screw breakdown rate and bone healing. Comparative biomechanical and long-term investigations of magnesium-based fixation are needed for clinical assessment
Comparative Evaluation of Oral Aprepitant vs. Injection Palonosetron for Preventing Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients under General Anaesthesia: A Randomized Trial
Get PDFBackground: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common and distressing complications in individuals undergoing surgical procedures, particularly laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Effective management of PONV is crucial for patient comfort, quicker recovery, and reduced healthcare costs. This study focused to compare the efficacy of oral aprepitant and injection palonosetron in preventing PONV in such surgical settings.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 120 participants undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Individuals were divided into three groups: Group A (oral aprepitant), Group P (injection palonosetron), and Group C (placebo). The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was monitored at various intervals post-surgery, and statistical analysis was performed to estimate the efficacy of the treatments.
Results: While all groups demonstrated some effectiveness in preventing nausea, with no significant statistical differences, Group A (Aprepitant) showed a significantly higher efficacy in preventing vomiting compared to Groups P and C. Aprepitant was notably more effective, suggesting its superiority as an antiemetic in this surgical context.
Conclusion: Aprepitant emerges as a potentially more effective antiemetic agent for preventing vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, compared to palonosetron and placebo.
Recommendations: Future research should focus on optimizing antiemetic regimens tailored to individual patient needs and specific surgical procedures. Further studies are also recommended to explore the long-term effects and cost-effectiveness of using aprepitant in perioperative care