Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN DENGUE SEROLOGICAL MARKERS AND PLATELET COUNT IN THE NALGONDA REGION.
Full text linkBackground:Dengue virus infection has emerged as a significant public health concern in recent decades. Early diagnosis is vital for reducing morbidity and mortality. Laboratory evaluations, including dengue serological markers and platelet counts, play a crucial role in diagnosis and predicting disease progression. This study aims to evaluate the utility of dengue-specific serological markers and explore their correlation with platelet counts in dengue-positive cases.
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare center in Nalgonda from December 2022 to May 2023. Clinically suspected dengue cases from outpatient, emergency, and inpatient departments were included. Dengue-specific serological markers (NS1, IgM) were tested via ELISA and correlated with platelet counts using the Chi-square test. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info and MS Excel.
Results:Out of 2180 clinically suspected cases, 183 (8.39%) were dengue-positive. Among them, 112 (61.2%) were male and 71 (38.8%) were female. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100,000/mm³) was observed in 98 cases (53.5%). Thrombocytopenia was most prevalent among IgM-positive individuals (32.65%) and those positive for NS1 antigen alone (28.57%). A statistically significant association was observed between the presence of dengue serological markers and low platelet counts (p < 0.05), indicating a positive correlation between serological positivity and thrombocytopenia.
Conclusion:Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in dengue-positive cases, especially during the early and acute phases of infection indicated by NS1 and IgM positivity. The correlation between serological markers and platelet count supports their combined use for early diagnosis and prognosis, potentially improving clinical outcomes.
Recommendations:Routine use of NS1, IgM, and platelet count assessments is advised for timely diagnosis and disease monitoring in dengue-endemic regions
DYNAMIC CHANGES IN ALBUMIN AND FIBRINOGEN LEVELS DURING SEPSIS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL COHORT ANALYSIS.
Full text linkBackground
Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Albumin and fibrinogen are key plasma proteins with opposing kinetic responses during inflammation and may serve as useful biomarkers in sepsis. This study aims to evaluate the kinetics of albumin and fibrinogen in septic patients to better understand their correlation with disease severity and outcomes.
Methods
This prospective, observational, comparative study was conducted at RIMS, Ranchi, over 12 months. Fifty-five patients (37 septic, 18 non-septic) were enrolled. Hepatic protein synthesis was assessed using stable isotope-labeled L-[ring-²H₅] phenylalanine infusion, followed by GC-MS analysis to determine FSR and ASR of albumin and fibrinogen.
Results
Septic patients had significantly lower plasma albumin and higher fibrinogen levels (p < 0.001). Albumin FSR was elevated (p = 0.03) without a significant change in ASR (p = 0.42), while both FSR and ASR of fibrinogen were significantly increased (p = 0.01, <0.001). The albumin/fibrinogen ASR ratio was markedly reduced (p < 0.001), indicating a shift toward acute-phase protein production in sepsis.
Conclusion
Sepsis is associated with hypoalbuminemia despite increased synthesis, likely due to elevated clearance. Hepatic protein synthesis shifts toward fibrinogen, reflecting a prioritized acute-phase response.
Recommendation
Future research with larger, multi-center cohorts is recommended to validate these findings and further investigate the biochemical differences between septic and non-septic patients. Exploring hepatic protein synthesis parameters may also offer valuable insights for clinical applications in sepsis management
SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING ALCOHOL AND DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER, BUTABIKA HOSPITAL, KAMPALA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Full text linkBackground
Socio-economic and psycho-social effects of alcoholism among patients attending alcoholism among patients attending alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, Butabika Hospital, District. The study aims to assess the socio-economic, psycho-socio, and health-related effects of alcoholism among patients.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional design using quantitative method of data collection. Purposive sampling technique was used to obtain data from respondent. Data was tallied manually using a pen, paper and a tally sheet and information got after tallying presented it in form of frequency distribution tables, pie charts and graphs using Microsoft excel and word document.
Results
60.4% were males, 31.3% were 28-32 years old, 14.7 of the respondents were married, more than 33.3% of the respondents were secondary dropouts, 33(68.8%) had never been neglected after taking alcohol, 32 (66.7%) took alcohol daily, 29(60.4%) said they could not do without alcohol, 29(60.4%) had fought at their home or with their partner after taking alcohol. 34(70.4%) felt anxious after consuming alcohol. The majority, 25(52.1%), did not get depressed after taking alcohol. The majority, 43(89.6%), said they lacked sleep, experienced low sexual performance and frequent urination after taking alcohol, and constipation after taking alcohol. The majority, 41(85.4%), said they experienced a racing heart after taking alcohol and vomiting. 31(64.6%) said they had ever been involved in an accident after taking alcohol.
Conclusion
The majority of respondents consume alcohol daily and fight at home and with their partners. The majority feel anxious after taking alcohol, and fewer respondents feel depressed. Health-related effects of alcoholism among patients attending alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, the findings show that the majority of respondents lacked sleep, experienced vomiting, and experienced accidents after taking alcohol.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health should develop and offer a holistic range of support services that address both socio-economic and psychosocial needs
INTEGRATING RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS INTO PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Full text linkBackground
Psychiatric diagnoses are traditionally based on clinical interviews and behavioral observations, with limited use of neurobiological evidence. Radiological imaging, although underutilized in psychiatry, can reveal structural brain abnormalities that may aid diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. This study evaluates the prevalence and clinical relevance of such findings in psychiatric patients.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and types of structural brain abnormalities detected by non-contrast CT imaging in adult psychiatric patients and assess their impact on diagnosis and management.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 adult psychiatric patients (mean age 38 years; 52% male, 48% female) at a tertiary care center. Psychiatric diagnoses were established using DSM-5 criteria. All participants underwent non-contrast brain CT scans. Radiological findings were analyzed for associations with psychiatric diagnoses and their influence on clinical management.
Results
The most common diagnoses were Major Depressive Disorder (34%), Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (26%), Bipolar Disorder (18%), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (12%). Imaging was normal in 58% of cases. Abnormalities included non-specific white matter changes (17%), cortical atrophy (13%), ventricular enlargement (7%), and other incidental findings (5%). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between schizophrenia spectrum disorders and ventricular enlargement and cortical atrophy. Radiological findings influenced diagnostic clarification or management in 18% of patients.
Conclusion
Structural brain abnormalities are present in a substantial minority of psychiatric patients, especially those with psychotic disorders. The prevalence of relevant imaging findings supports the integration of radiological evaluation in psychiatric assessments to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment strategies.
Recommendations
It is recommended to integrate radiological imaging more frequently in psychiatric assessments, especially for psychotic disorders, to enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment decisions, improving patient outcomes
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS (GDM) IN PREGNANT WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Full text linkBackground:Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health concern with significant implications for both maternal and fetal health. Identifying its prevalence and associated risk factors is essential for timely diagnosis and preventive interventions.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary care hospital between January 2023 and May 2024. GDM was diagnosed using the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) following the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Data on maternal age, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, previous obstetric history, and lifestyle habits were collected through structured interviews and clinical records.
Results:The prevalence of GDM in the study population was 16.8% (n = 84). A statistically significant association was observed between GDM and maternal age ≥30 years (p < 0.01), pre-pregnancy BMI ≥25 kg/m² (p = 0.002), family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), previous history of GDM (p < 0.01), and sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.03). Among women diagnosed with GDM, 61.9% were aged ≥30 years, and 70.2% had a BMI ≥25. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified advanced maternal age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4–4.1) and family history of diabetes (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.8–5.4) as the most significant independent predictors of GDM.
Conclusion:This study highlights a considerable prevalence of GDM and identifies advanced maternal age, higher BMI, and positive family history as key risk factors. Targeted screening and early lifestyle interventions, particularly for high-risk groups, are crucial to minimizing maternal and fetal complications associated with GDM.
Recommendations:
Early GDM screening, targeted counseling, antenatal lifestyle interventions, postpartum follow-up, health education, and integration of GDM care into maternal health policies are essential to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
Comparison of the gradient diffusion technique for fluconazole and voriconazole with the VITEK 2 yeast susceptibility system for clinical breakpoints of candida tropicalis isolated from clinical samples.
Full text linkBackground
Modern health care advances in immunosuppressive therapy, particularly related to bone marrow transplantation, and increasing utilization of implantable devices have contributed to the rise of invasive Candida infections in recent decades.
Objectives: An automated method based on the broth microdilution MIC technique was used to evaluate the susceptibility of fluconazole and voriconazole with that of the Gradient diffusion technique using brain heart infusion (BHI) agar. Additionally, to identify a low-cost, quick, accurate, and simple way to test for antifungal sensitivity.
Materials and Methods
Over a year, an observational study was conducted from November 2023 to October 2024. The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. The study included 120 participants in total.
Results
Out of 120 isolates of Candida species, a total of 40 isolates were found to be of Candida tropicalis. Most of the isolates were confirmed in blood samples 24 (60%), followed by deep aspirated pus 06 (15%), pleural fluid 05 (12.5%), CSF 03 (7.5%), and peritoneal fluid 02 (5%). Candida tropicalis isolates were sensitive to fluconazole in 37 (92.5%) of the species as well as to voriconazole in 39 (97.5%) of the species through Vitek 2 tests.
Conclusion
A standardized automated test for antifungal susceptibility, the AST-YS08Vitek 2 card system (bioMérieux), was shown to be dependable and produced findings that were comparable to the E test; as a result, it may be used in place of the E test.
Recommendations
Nevertheless, additional research is required to assess the VITEK 2 method's capacity to detect resistant isolates. Retesting of any resistant isolates generating inconsistent findings will be necessary to resolve this problem
BARRIERS TO MALE INVOLVEMENT IN ANTENATAL CARE IN UGANDA. A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW.
Full text linkBackground
Globally, men are significant figures in the decision-making processes of the family, especially to their expectant partner. During this period, mothers, their unborn babies, family members, and more so their husbands are excessively worried. This study aimed to assess the barriers to male involvement in ANC services in Uganda.
Methods.
A systematic review of journal articles was carried out using the search words “Barriers”, “Male involvement,” and “Antenatal Care”. Different medical databases, such as Google Scholar, Research Gate, and PubMed, were used. A total of 134 relevant articles were published between 2010 and 2020 but were reduced to 36 most relevant full-text articles, of which 20 were Ugandan studies hinting at male involvement in Antenatal Care (ANC) services.
Findings.
The review revealed that barriers to male involvement in ANC services in Uganda were classified as gender and cultural norms, lack of services targeting male partners, poor ANC service delivery, free availability of TBAs, poverty, long distances to ANC clinics and long waiting time at health centers, fear of HIV/AIDs testing and lack of specific services targeting men.
Conclusion.
There are many barriers to male involvement in ANC services in Uganda. Husbands are vital in the lives of pregnant mothers; thus, attending to these barriers could significantly increase male involvement in ANC services.
Recommendations.
The government of Uganda should involve community extension workers in sensitizing households on the benefits of husband involvement in ANC as well as improving service delivery and health care centers
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF HOFFA FRACTURE TREATED WITH CANNULATED CANCELLOUS SCREWS, HERBERT SCREWS AND BUTTRESS PLATES – A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY.
Full text linkBackground
The three categories of partial articular fractures that make up distal femur AO type 33 B fractures are coronal split fracture, medial condyle fracture, and sagittal lateral condyle fracture. The rate of damage or the degree of osteoporosis influences the likelihood of a distal femur fracture.
Objectives
Examining the functional results of Hoffa fractures—coronal plane fractures of the femoral condyle—treated with buttress plates, cannulated cancellous screws, and Herbert screws is the goal of this study.
Materials and Methods
The orthopedic department of Srirama Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical College in Cuttack, Odisha, India, carried out this prospective study to examine the functional results of Hoffa fractures treated with buttress plates, cannulated cancellous screws, and Herbert screws. The research was conducted from June 2022 to May 2024.
Results
The study included 20 patients with an average age of 30.25 ± 7.01 years, predominantly male and manual laborers. Right-sided Hoffa fractures were more common, with Type I fractures and lateral condylar involvement being the most frequent. Male competitors made up 14 (70%), while female participants made up 06 (30%). 4.15±1.66 days passed between the injury and operation. The mean radiological union time was 2.3 ± 1.49 months, and the mean functional Knee Society Score was 80.45 ± 15.01. Complications were minimal, with infection in 10% and delayed union in 5% of cases.
Conclusion
Hoffa fractures are most frequently observed in male young adults and are mostly caused by automobile accidents. According to the results, anatomical factors also suggest that the lateral condyle sustains injuries more frequently than the medial condyle. Interestingly, every instance in this study was identified by X-ray and verified by CT scans, indicating that careful monitoring of X-rays by themselves can successfully detect Hoffa fractures.
Recommendation
Early intervention and tailored surgical approaches may improve Hoffa fracture outcomes
EFFECTIVENESS OF ORAL PROPRANOLOL VERSUS TOPICAL TIMOLOL IN THE TREATMENT OF INFANTILE HEMANGIOMA – A CASE-CONTROL STUDY.
Full text linkBackground
Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common vascular tumors in infancy, with oral propranolol established as an effective treatment in 2008. However, due to systemic side effects, topical timolol has emerged as an alternative, necessitating a comparison of its efficacy and safety. This study aims to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness of oral propranolol versus topical timolol in treating infantile haemangiomas, focusing on their respective efficacy, safety profiles, and clinical outcomes.
Methods
A prospective review was conducted at VSSIMSAR, Burla, over two years (January 2023 to January 2025), involving 104 children (3 months–4 years) with superficial infantile hemangiomas. Patients were randomized into two groups receiving either oral propranolol (1.5- 2 mg/kg daily) or topical timolol maleate (0.5% twice daily) for up to six months. Treatment response was assessed through lesion size reduction and classified using Achauer’s four-point scale.
Results
Both propranolol (95%) and timolol (93.4%) demonstrated high efficacy, with propranolol showing a faster response. At one month, 10 children in the propranolol group showed a significant reduction versus 5 in the timolol group. By six months, 45 and 42 children achieved marked improvement, respectively. Propranolol was associated with mild systemic side effects, while timolol was well-tolerated.
Conclusion
Both propranolol and timolol effectively treated infantile hemangiomas, with propranolol acting faster but with mild systemic effects. Early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes.
Recommendation
Topical timolol is recommended as a safe and effective first-line treatment for superficial infantile hemangiomas, especially in cases where systemic side effects are a concern
Exploring the therapeutic uses of African wormwood (Artemisia afra): A cross-sectional ethnobotanical study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Full text linkBackgroundA cross-sectional ethnobotanical study was conducted with 120 participants from rural and peri-urban communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing frequency, preparation methods, and perceived effectiveness. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with traditional healers, herbalists, and elderly community members.
ResultsAfrican Wormwood was widely used for treating flu (76%), chest congestion (65%), fever (48%), digestive ailments (33%), and as a steaming herb (51%) during COVID-19. Most respondents prepared it as a tea (57%) or via inhalation (steaming) (38%). 81% of participants reported moderate to significant health improvement after use. Traditional healers emphasized their role in spiritual cleansing, immune support, and malaria prevention. However, some concerns emerged around overuse and the lack of dosage guidelines, particularly for pregnant women and children.
ConclusionThe findings affirm African Wormwood’s role in community health practices, reflecting cultural trust and wide therapeutic application. Its use during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights contemporary relevance. Nevertheless, further scientific evaluation is urgently needed to establish its bioactivity, safety, and appropriate dosage.
RecommendationsPharmacological studies should validate efficacy and safety across demographic groups. National health policies could strengthen collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders to integrate traditional remedies such as A. afra into formal systems. Education campaigns are needed to promote safe preparation and use, while conservation strategies must be implemented for sustainable harvesting