Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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NOVEL TREATMENT FOR FEMORAL HEAD OSTEONECROSIS USING MICRO-CORE DECOMPRESSION AND INTRALESIONAL ZOLENDRONIC ACID: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Get PDFBackground
Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip often leads to joint collapse and necessitates total hip arthroplasty, especially in younger patients. Hip preservation strategies, such as core decompression, aim to delay disease progression. Combining micro-core decompression with local zoledronic infiltration is a novel approach with potential advantages.
Methods
This prospective study included 15 patients (19 hips) with AVN stages I to III, treated with micro-core decompression and local zoledronic acid infiltration. Patients were followed for two years, with outcomes assessed using Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and radiological evaluations. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.
Results
At two years, mean HHS improved significantly across all stages: 97.3 (stage I), 91.1 (stage IIa), 88.4 (stage IIb), and 82.5 (stage III). Radiological improvements included restoration of femoral head morphology and prevention of collapse progression. Postoperative complications were minimal, with two cases of superficial infection and two of trochanteric bursitis, all managed successfully.
Conclusion
Micro-core decompression combined with local zoledronic infiltration effectively improves outcomes in early to intermediate AVN, with minimal complications. This novel technique holds promise for hip preservation, particularly in younger patients.
Recommendation
Baseline screening of hip joints at diagnosis and then at regular intervals to screen the patients for any asymptomatic avascular necrosis and early treatment is recommended
A Preliminary Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Epidemiology in Desk Job Workers: The HDD Study (Hypertensive, Diabetes & Dyslipidaemia)
No full textBackground: The urban Indian population has a higher death rate from cardiovascular disease (CVD), a drawback of industrialization and urbanization. A preliminary investigation into the epidemiology of the three main CVD risk factors— Hypertension, Diabetes & Dyslipidaemia (HDD) among desk job workers was the aim of this study.
Materials and Methods: Utilizing medical records from a week-long on-site medical health screening camp, a retrospective analysis was conducted. A statistical analysis was subsequently performed to compare the BMI and specific behavioural-demographic characteristics (age, gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption status) between the groups with and without HDD.
Results: HDD prevalence was 12.9%, 7.4%, and 14.4%, in that order. The presence of hypertension appears to be associated with age, gender, BMI, and alcohol use, whereas the presence of diabetes is associated with age and BMI alone, and the presence of dyslipidaemia is associated with age, gender, and smoking status.
Conclusion: It emphasizes the necessity of a robust public health education program that promotes and instil healthy lifestyle choices, such as consistent exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet, in the populace to help them control their weight and, ultimately, lessen the burden of chronic diseases both domestically and internationally
A STUDY OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS OF ACUTE LIMB ISCHEMIA
Get PDFBackground:
Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a sudden reduction in limb perfusion that threatens limb viability and requires urgent intervention.
Objectives: To evaluate prognostic factors influencing outcomes in patients with ALI undergoing surgical revascularization.
Materials and Methods:
This prospective study was conducted over two years at JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, involving 28 patients diagnosed with ALI. Clinical data, risk factors, etiology, Rutherford classification, surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.
Results:
The majority of patients were male (85.7%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. Thromboembolism (67.9%) was the most common cause, and Rutherford class IIa was the most frequent presentation (64.3%). Risk factors included diabetes (46.4%), smoking (42.9%), and hypertension (39.3%). Limb salvage was achieved in 85.7% of cases, while 14.3% required amputation. Early intervention was associated with better functional outcomes.
Conclusion:
Prompt diagnosis and timely surgical management significantly improve limb salvage in ALI. Identification and control of modifiable risk factors are essential to prevent disease progression and reduce amputation rates
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STANDARD IPOM AND IPOM PLUS IN LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF INCISIONAL HERNIAS
Get PDFBackground: Incisional hernias present significant challenges post-abdominal surgeries, with complications such as seroma formation and hernia recurrence being common. This study evaluates the efficacy of Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh (IPOM) and IPOM PLUS (closure of the hernia defect with mesh placement) techniques in managing these hernias.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients at IGIMS, Patna, comparing the outcomes of the IPOM and IPOM PLUS techniques. The primary outcomes measured were operation time, seroma formation, mesh bulging, mesh eventration, recurrence, and postoperative complications.
Results: The IPOM PLUS technique resulted in significantly reduced seroma formation (10% vs. 30%) and a lower recurrence rate compared to the standard IPOM method. Operation times were longer for IPOM PLUS, but without a significant increase in other complications.
Conclusion: IPOM PLUS appears to offer a substantial improvement over standard IPOM in reducing the incidence of seroma and possibly recurrence rates. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are required to validate these findings and determine the long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness of the IPOM PLUS technique
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS OF NAKASEKE TOWN COUNCIL, NAKASEKE DISTRICT, A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY.
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(WHO, 2017) defines drug abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs. It eventually leads to dependence, a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena after repeated substance use despite the harmful consequences.
Objectives
The study aimed to determine how peer group formation among youths, parental supervision, and drug control laws and policies contribute to drug abuse among youths in Nakaseke town council.
Research methods
The researcher used a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The targeted population was the youths in Nakaseke town council. The sample size was 100 determined by Kish and Leslie’s method. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews.
Results
It was revealed that the majority of respondents have peer groups, while 38% of the respondents misuse drugs. Alcohol is the most abused drug followed by Tobacco, marijuana, and others (which included codeine, morphine, tramadol, & NSAIDs). The study findings showed that most people misuse drugs due to peer pressure 34%, depression 21.1%, media influence 18.4%, curiosity 10.5%, and others (such as excitement, passing time, etc.). Many of the respondents knew individuals counseled for getting involved with drugs, 30% knew those who were imprisoned, 22% were not aware of any punishment given to the victims of drug abuse, and 10% of the respondents mentioned that some would undergo mob justice when they are caught.
Conclusion
The study concluded that in contrast to peer group formation among youths and drug control laws and policies, parental supervision does not have a significant impact on drug abuse.
Recommendations
Youth-based & non-governmental organizations, county & national governments, as well as other relevant stakeholders, should devote maximum attention and resources towards factors against drug abuse effectively. Town council-level strategies also influence the relationship of the other factors with drug abuse
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES ABOUT YOUTH-FRIENDLY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG STUDENTS AT MEDICARE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS COLLEGE, MENGO. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
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The term Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Service (YFRHS) refers to those services that are accessible, acceptable, and appropriate for youths such as contraceptive methods; quality obstetric and Antenatal care for all pregnant women and girls and prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
Methodology
The study employed a cross-sectional study design where 116 respondents were conveniently sampled and comprised young adults both male and female aged between 18-24 years admitted at Medicare Health Professionals’ College, Mengo. Data analysis was presented in tables and figures.
Results
The majority 113(97.4%) of the respondents had heard about YFRH services, 44(37.9%) of the respondents heard about HIV counseling and testing, while only 6(5.2%) knew of post-abortion care. 69(59.5%) of the respondents did not agree that discussion about contraceptives promotes immorality. 46(39.7%) felt embarrassed to buy condoms from the shop/ health facility. 61(52.6%) of the respondents did not agree that contraceptives are linked to sterility. The highest number 72(62.1%) had ever visited a health facility for YFRH services in the last 12 months. The majority 39(54.1%) of the respondents had used family planning services, only 1(1.4%) had gone for antenatal care while none had post-abortion care.
Conclusion
The majority of the respondents were knowledgeable about YFRH services, most heard services were family planning and HIV counseling and testing while the least known were antenatal and post about care services. The majority did not agree that discussion about contraceptives with young people promotes immorality. Most respondents had ever visited a health facility for YFRH services with the majority having used family planning services.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health should create more awareness regarding youth services such as STI screening and treatment, antenatal care, and post-abortion care to address the high number of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions present
THE INFLUENCE OF AFRICAN ORAL ART FORMS IN RAISING CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS IN OLIVER MTUKUDZI’S ‘PINDIRAI’.
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The need for different stakeholders, particularly in developing nations, to promote climate change awareness has been emphasized by scholars and environmental activists. Yet, musicians appear to be overlooked in these calls despite their influence in society. The article presents an analysis of “Pindirai”, a song that was composed and sung by the legendary Zimbabwean musician, Oliver Mtukudzi, to show how it presents the effects of anthropogenic climate change through traditional African oral art forms.
Methods:
Afrocentricity served as a theoretical lens through which we examined ‘Pindirai’ because it rejected the claim that Europe is the origin of knowledge which was perpetuated by Europe’s global dominance for many years. In addition, critical discourse analysis (CDA), a qualitative means of gathering data, was used to examine words’ frequency, usage, and implications in the song under study. CDA enabled the study to infer meanings and motivation behind the way messages are encoded which facilitated interpretations based on the context.
Results:
It was observed that, through thought-provoking rhetorical devices such as invocation, rhetorical figures, proverbs, and symbolism among others, Mtukudzi departs from the victimhood narrative by giving agency to Africans whom the singer calls on to revert to their traditions which serve as a manual for life.
Conclusions:
Mtukudzi is successful in urging Africans, using their language, to own up for their part in causing climate change by preserving natural resources. Much as scientists have flagged human activities in Western countries as the main cause of climate change, Mtukudzi is commended for urging Africans to act responsibly.
Recommendations:
African governments need to provide resources to communicate climate-related initiatives and facilitate the participation of indigenous people in endeavors that seek to sustain livelihoods in the face of adverse effects of climate change
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL AND RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOMES BETWEEN PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL ANTI-ROTATION 2 AND CONVENTIONAL PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL AT SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH, SHARDA UNIVERSITY GREATER NOIDA: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.
Get PDFIntroduction
The PFNA (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation) was developed to achieve improved stabilization of the femoral head and neck. The PFN (Proximal Femoral Nail) is a well-established treatment approach for proximal femoral fractures. A more recent alternative in the management of such fractures is the PFNA2 (Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation 2), which incorporates a helical blade for improved bone compaction.
Aim and objectives
To evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes associated with the use of PFN and PFNA2 for the treatment of these fractures.
Material and methods
Following ethical clearance from the Ethical Committee of Sharda University, we conducted a prospective observational study involving 50 patients who were admitted to the School of Medical Science and Research, Sharda University and Medical College Greater Noida, India. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select eligible patients between Sept 2022 and Sept 2023.
Result
in the PFN group, out of the 25 study subjects 11 cases had fair modified Harris hip scores, 9 cases had good Harris hip scores, and 5 subjects had excellent modified Harris hip scores. In the PFNA2 group, out of 25 study subjects, 14 had a good modified Harris hip score, 6 had an excellent modified Harris hip score and 5 had a fair modified Harris hip score.
Conclusions
PFNA2 emerges as the preferred implant choice for elderly patients with osteoporotic bone, as it offers several advantages. Its shorter operative time is particularly beneficial for patients who may have medical comorbidities, making it a marginally superior option over PFN.
Recommendation
A larger sample size with a longer follow-up period and a multicentric approach would have provided a more comprehensive assessment of the long-term outcomes of this clinical issue
ADVANCEMENTS IN MARBURG VIRUS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT: UNRAVELLING RECENT FINDINGS. A NARRATIVE REVIEW.
Get PDFMarburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a lethal single-stranded RNA virus transmitted by Egyptian rousette bats, causing 12 surges in Sub-Saharan Africa, including a recent outbreak in Tanzania in 2023. With a fatality rate of approximately 90%, no approved vaccines currently exist. Ongoing research explores potential candidates, such as a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine and MVA-BN-Filo, aiming to combat this deadly infection. The objective of this review is to comprehensively examine Marburg virus vaccines, exploring various candidates and their development stages, efficacy in non-human primates and human studies, and challenges faced in the development process. Various vaccines are under development, including Ad26, Ad5, viral vector, and DNA vaccines. Promising candidates like Ad26.Filo and ChAd3-MARV have emerged. Additionally, VLP-based, DNA plasmid and rVSV-based vaccines are discussed, highlighting their effectiveness and challenges in development, such as limited information, gene expression issues, and outbreak control measures. The implications for future research and clinical practice/policy development are significant. Marburg virus vaccine development shows promise in mitigating the threat posed by this deadly pathogen. Despite complex challenges, advancements in vaccine candidates offer hope. Continued research and development may lead to the successful prevention of major Marburg virus outbreaks. Ongoing clinical trials indicate potential breakthroughs in a short period, contributing to public health protection.
A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS ON ONLINE TEACHING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA.
Get PDFBackground:
The COVID-19 crisis has propelled the educational sector into uncharted territories, necessitating the abrupt transition to online learning. Utilizing electronic technology for teaching and learning offers a promising avenue for continuous education, facilitating interactions between teachers and students. Despite its benefits, this shift has unveiled numerous challenges, impacting the efficacy of digital education.
Methods:
To explore these challenges, an online survey was conducted using Google Forms, aimed at gathering the experiences and opinions of students. The survey targeted 120 first-year MBBS students at DYSPGMC, Nahan, who had participated in online teaching. Out of these, 75 students responded and were willing to provide feedback on their online learning experience.
Results:
The survey revealed critical issues affecting online learning, including poor internet connectivity exacerbated by high traffic, and concerns about audio and video quality during live-streamed classes. Despite these challenges, online classes were generally well-received, with most students finding them acceptable and beneficial for their professional growth, given the extensive curriculum and time constraints.
Conclusion:
The study highlights significant obstacles in the implementation of online learning, such as connectivity issues and the quality of live-streamed classes. Nonetheless, the acceptance of online classes among students indicates a positive shift towards e-learning, emphasizing its potential role in facilitating continuous professional development.
Recommendations:
It is recommended to integrate e-learning into the existing curriculum, considering the positive feedback and suggestions from students. Efforts should also be made to address the identified challenges, particularly improving internet infrastructure and the quality of online delivery, to enhance the effectiveness of online learning in future educational settings