Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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Re-admission of preterm babies below one year at the Paediatric ward at Wyne Stone Medical Centre, Wakiso district. A cross-sectional study.
Get PDFBackground.
In Uganda, the readmission rate for preterm infants is 69.4% indicating that 7 out of 10 preterm infants are readmitted. The purpose of the study was to determine factors associated with re-admission of preterm babies below one year at the Pediatric Ward, Wyne Stone Medical Center, Wakiso District.
Methods.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative research method was used to collect data within four days involving 40 mothers who were selected using a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and involved closed-ended questions. Data collected was analyzed manually after findings were entered into a Microsoft Excel (2013) version, which was then presented in the form of tables, pie-charts, and graphs.
Results.
(42.5%) were between 18 and 25 years, and (65%) had attained secondary education. On mother-related factors, more than half (52.5%) were not knowledgeable about neonatal care, the majority (67.5%) did not exclusively breastfeed their babies after discharge, and 62.5%) leave was not enough. In line with health facility-related factors, the majority (60%) waited for long, and the vast majority (85%) rated health costs as high. Regarding social-economic factors, an overwhelming (95%) had received advice from family members, most (90%) purchased prescribed drugs, and most (72.5%) relied on traditional methods due to healthcare costs.
Conclusion.
The majority of the participants were not knowledgeable about neonatal care; experienced stress, and a significant number did not exclusively breastfeed babies after discharge.
Recommendation.
The Ministry of Health should strengthen maternal health education programs, especially on neonatal care practices, by integrating structured neonatal care modules into antenatal and postnatal services
An audit of phototherapy services at the department of dermatology in Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital: A 12-year cross-sectional study (2013-2024).
Get PDFBackground
Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light to treat a range of dermatological diseases. An audit is necessary to provide a deeper understanding of the factors that may influence patient compliance with treatment.
Methods
A quantitative retrospectivetudy that included all dermatology patients who were treated with phototherapy at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital during the study period. The data was obtained from the hospitalpaper records.
The data was analysed for age, gender, race, diagnosis, and patient address. Patient records were also reviewed to determine reasons for stopping treatment.
Results
167 patients were treated during the study period. 98 were females, and 69 were males. Most patients were African (51%), followed by those of Indian or Asian ethnicity (43%); White and Coloured patients comprised 2% each. The mean age was 48 years (SD 16.2, range 12-87). Overall, most patients treated had either vitiligo (38%) or psoriasis (34%). At the end of the study period, the proportion of patients still undergoing phototherapy was 24.55%, while those who had discontinued for various reasons were 75.45%. The reasons for stopping phototherapy included being lost to follow-up in 37%, financial constraints such as transport costs in 20%, treatment cessation due to improvement in 13%, side effects in 10%, work commitments in 10%, and lack of improvement or poor response to therapy in 10%. Forty-seven per cent of the patients lived within 20 kilometres of the hospital, 38% lived within 20-50 kilometres, and 16% resided at least 50 kilometres away.
Conclusion
Vitiligo and psoriasis are the most treated conditions with phototherapy at our centre. The distance of residence has no direct link to treatment cessation.
Recommendations
Further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment durations required for disease clearance and how this may impact adherence to phototherapy
Politics in the department: A qualitative case study on the influence of academic rivalry on curriculum delivery and student outcomes.
Get PDFBackground
Academic departments are designed to foster collaboration, shared governance, and scholarly growth. However, internal politics and rivalry among staff can undermine these goals, creating power struggles, resistance to innovation, and competition for recognition. Such dynamics disrupt curriculum coherence, hinder teaching continuity, and negatively affect student learning. This study examines how departmental politics influence curriculum delivery and undergraduate student experiences at a South African university.
Methods
A qualitative case study was conducted between February and April 2023 in the Faculty of Humanities. A purposive sample of 16 participants was selected, including 10 academic staff and 6 final-year students from two departments previously affected by political tensions. Data were gathered through 10 in-depth semi-structured interviews and one student focus group. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, with triangulation and member-checking ensuring trustworthiness.
Results
Participants included 7 males and 9 females, aged 22–54 years. Academic staff (n=10) had an average of 12 years of teaching experience, while students (n=6) were predominantly aged 22–26. Findings revealed that rivalry stemmed from competition for promotion, research visibility, and curriculum control. Staff reported exclusion from decision-making, resistance to peer-led innovation, and withholding of teaching materials. These practices contributed to fragmented curricula, overlapping content, inconsistent assessments, and duplication of teaching. Students described confusion, disengagement, and frustration over perceived academic disunity. Both groups highlighted how politics eroded trust, weakened curriculum integrity, and compromised teaching quality.
Conclusion
Internal departmental politics present significant barriers to cohesive curriculum delivery and student development, extending beyond interpersonal conflict to structural dysfunctions.
Recommendations
Universities should establish transparent curriculum review structures, institutionalize conflict resolution, and prioritize professional development focused on collegiality, accountability, and collaborative design. Addressing internal politics is essential to protecting teaching quality and student learning.
Barriers to entrepreneurial development in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study of student perspectives.
Get PDFBackgroundEntrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a pathway to youth empowerment and economic development in South Africa. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges play a pivotal role in equipping students with practical skills for self-employment. However, despite national policy support, entrepreneurial development within TVET colleges remains constrained. This study investigates the barriers hindering entrepreneurial growth from the perspective of enrolled students, with a focus on identifying institutional, structural, and contextual challenges.
MethodsA cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted across four public TVET colleges in KwaZulu-Natal. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 120 final-year students enrolled in business and engineering programs. Qualitative insights were gathered through focus group discussions (n = 4) and semi-structured interviews with 12 student representatives and academic staff. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses.
ResultsKey barriers identified include inadequate entrepreneurial training (reported by 72% of students), limited access to start-up funding (68%), lack of mentorship and incubation programs (61%), and insufficient exposure to real-world business environments. Institutional constraints such as outdated curricula and poorly resourced entrepreneurship units further compound the challenge. Qualitative findings highlighted students’ strong preference for experiential learning approaches, including internships, community-based enterprise projects, and simulation exercises, which they perceived as essential for bridging the gap between theory and practice.
ConclusionThe study highlights significant structural and pedagogical gaps within TVET institutions that hinder students' entrepreneurial readiness. While students demonstrate interest and potential for entrepreneurship, systemic limitations restrict the translation of skills into practice.
RecommendationsTo strengthen entrepreneurial development in TVET colleges, curriculum reforms should prioritize experiential learning, partnerships with local businesses, and on-campus incubation centres. Additionally, policy frameworks must support funding access and mentorship networks tailored to student-led enterprises
Incidence and pattern of adverse drug reactions among pediatric inpatients: A prospective observational study.
Get PDFBackground: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of morbidity in the pediatric population due to age-specific pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic variations. Active surveillance is crucial to understanding the pattern and burden of ADRs in this vulnerable group.
Objectives:
To determine the incidence, spectrum, causality, and severity of adverse drug reactions in pediatric patients at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted over 12 months (March 2024–February 2025) in the Department of Pediatrics, Santhiram Medical College, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 100 inpatients aged <12 years were enrolled and monitored daily for suspected ADRs, which were documented and analyzed. Severity was graded using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale, and causality was assessed by WHO-UMC criteria.
Results:
Out of 100 children, 26 (26%) experienced at least one ADR, accounting for 35 reactions. Infants aged <1 year showed the highest incidence (30%), with a slight male predominance. Antibiotics (48.6%) were the most frequently implicated drug class, followed by antiepileptics (20%) and NSAIDs (14.3%). Gastrointestinal (31.4%) and dermatological (25.7%) systems were most affected. Most ADRs were mild (65.7%), while 28.6% were moderate and 5.7% severe. According to WHO-UMC criteria, 40% were classified as possible, 37.1% as probable, and 22.9% as certain.
Conclusion:
A significant proportion of pediatric inpatients experienced ADRs, predominantly associated with antibiotics and antiepileptics. Most were mild to moderate and resolved without sequelae. The study underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and reporting systems to improve pediatric medication safety.
Recommendations:
Routine pharmacovigilance training and electronic monitoring should be integrated into pediatric care to reduce preventable adverse drug events
Health-seeking behaviour and determinants among tribal communities in a rural district of West Bengal.
Get PDFBackgroundAim: To assess the health-seeking behaviour of rural tribal populations in the district of Bankura, and to identify the key factors influencing their healthcare utilization patterns.
MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 adult tribal participants. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested interview schedule focusing on demographic details, healthcare preferences, access to services, and perceived barriers. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests applied. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of modern healthcare utilization.
Results
Most participants were aged 31–45 years, with a near-equal gender distribution. Belief in traditional healers was moderate in 44%, strong in 26%, and supernatural beliefs in 25%. Treatment preference was split: modern medicine (50%), traditional (40%), and mixed (10%). Fifty percent sought care for mild symptoms, 30% delayed until severe, and 20% depended on illness type. Government facilities were the first contact for 55%, traditional healers 20%, and others 25%. Forty percent delayed >3 days to seek care.
Preventive care uptake varied: vaccination (90%) was high, deworming (20%) and BP/sugar screening (20%) were low. Maternal-child health coverage was better: antenatal care (75%), institutional deliveries (90%), and immunization (90%). Major barriers were lack of transport (75%), long waiting times (70%), distance (65%), and cost (60%). Past experiences with modern healthcare were positive in 60%, negative in 40%. Complete recovery was associated with a preference for modern medicine (OR 4.41, RR 2.06). Men, higher education, higher income, business occupation, and proximity to facilities favoured modern healthcare; women, low education/income, and distance favoured mixed modalities.
Conclusion
Healthcare utilization among the tribal population is influenced by low education, limited disease awareness, cultural beliefs, gender norms, and structural barriers.
Recommendations
To strengthen health education and literacy programs focused on common diseases, danger signs, and preventive care
Assessment of knowledge and perspectives of medical students and teachers on physiology electives: a mixed-method survey study in a rural medical college of West Bengal.
Get PDFIntroduction
Elective modules have become a pivotal component of the medical curriculum, enhancing problem-solving skills, self-directed learning, and clinical competence. In India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced electives in 2019 as part of the Competency-Based Undergraduate Curriculum. This study aimed to assess the understanding of medical students and faculty regarding Physiology electives (Electrocardiogram or ECG and Pulmonary function test or PFT) and to evaluate their impact on students’ knowledge acquisition.
Methods
A mixed-methods study was executed at Rampurhat Government Medical College, West Bengal, involving 30 MBBS students from the 2022 batch who chose either ECG or PFT AS electives. Data collection encompassed pre- and post-tests, Likert-scale-based perception review, and two focused group discussions. Quantitative data were assessed using paired t-tests, and qualitative data were thematically analysed.
Results
There was a statistically significant advance in post-test scores correlated to pre-test scores in both ECG and PFT groups (p < 0.05), insinuating substantial knowledge gain. Students reported positive discernment, mentioning hands-on clinical exposure, improved diagnostic skills, and optimised communication aptitudes. Faculty reverberated this perspective, acclaiming students ' commitment and the academic utility of the modules. Pivotal limitations included the short duration of the module. Recommended amelioration included extended module duration and more case discussions.
Conclusion
Physiology electives, when organized, significantly intensify students’ knowledge and clinical readiness. Both students and faculty admitted their educational value. The study supports continued inclusion and expansion of such electives in the undergraduate medical curriculum
A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of different types of anemias in pregnant women in a rural tertiary care center.
Get PDFBackground:
Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern, especially in rural areas of developing countries, and is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type, though folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies also contribute. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of different anemia types among pregnant women in a rural tertiary care setting.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months (June 2024–May 2025) at the Department of Pathology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Visakhapatnam. A total of 150 pregnant women aged 18–40 years with anemia were included. Data were collected from complete blood picture profiles, hemoglobin levels, and nutritional markers, including serum iron, ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.
Results:
Most participants were aged 21–25 years (46%), followed by 26–30 years (24%), 18–20 years (20%), and 31–35 years (9.3%). Iron deficiency anemia was the predominant type (85.23%), followed by vitamin B12 deficiency (10.72%) and folate deficiency (4.69%). Severe anemia (Hb <7 g/dL) was exclusively due to IDA, while B12 and folate deficiencies were more frequent in mild anemia cases. Hematological and biochemical findings were consistent with these nutritional deficiencies. Higher prevalence was observed in women with greater parity and lower socioeconomic status.
Conclusion:
Iron deficiency overwhelmingly dominates anemia among pregnant women in rural India, with vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies contributing mainly to mild cases, particularly in multiparous women and those of lower socioeconomic status.
Recommendations:
Strengthened antenatal screening, nutritional counseling, and timely supplementation with iron, vitamin B12, and folate are essential to reduce maternal anemia and improve pregnancy outcomes
A prospective observational study on urethral catheter-associated complications among general surgical inpatients.
Get PDFBackground:Urethral catheterization is frequently employed in general surgical inpatients for perioperative and critical care management. However, its use is associated with a spectrum of complications, which may impact patient outcomes and prolong hospitalization.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence, spectrum, and risk factors of urethral catheter-associated complications among general surgical inpatients.
Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted on 100 consecutive general surgical inpatients who required urethral catheterization during hospitalization. Detailed demographic, clinical, and peri-catheterization parameters were recorded. All patients were followed for 30 days to identify catheter-related complications, including catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), urethral trauma, blockage, and accidental dislodgement. Potential risk factors were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression to determine statistical significance.
Results:
The mean age was 54.2 ± 15.6 years, with 62% males. Perioperative urinary monitoring was the commonest indication for catheterization (58%). The mean catheterization duration was 6.4 ± 2.8 days. Overall, 33% of patients developed at least one complication. CAUTI occurred in 14%, urethral trauma in 8%, blockage in 6%, and dislodgement in 5%. Complication rates were significantly higher in patients catheterized for >7 days (28.1% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.010), with diabetes mellitus (25.0% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.040), and with breach in aseptic technique (50.0% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.030). All complications resolved with appropriate management.
Conclusions:
One-third of general surgical inpatients with urethral catheters experience complications, most frequently CAUTI. Prolonged catheterization, diabetes, and aseptic breaches significantly increase risk.
Recommendations:
Limiting catheter duration, ensuring strict asepsis, and close monitoring of high-risk patients are essential to reduce morbidity associated with urethral catheterization
Clinico-pathological spectrum of vesiculobullous diseases: A prospective cross-sectional study.
Get PDFBackground:Vesiculobullous lesions are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by fluid-filled cutaneous lesions of varied etiology, including autoimmune, genetic, drug-induced, and infectious causes. Due to overlapping clinical presentations, diagnosis based on clinical features alone is challenging. Histopathology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) are crucial adjuncts, enhancing accuracy, guiding therapy, and informing prognosis.
Objectives:
To evaluate the histopathological features of vesiculobullous skin disorders, correlate them with clinical findings, and assess the utility of DIF in achieving a definitive diagnosis. Additional objectives were to classify lesions by age, sex, and distribution.
Methods:
This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, D.Y. Patil School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai. A minimum of 50 clinically suspected cases were enrolled; 56 were analyzed. Clinical history, dermatological examination, and punch biopsies were performed. Routine histopathology was supplemented with DIF in selected cases. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
The most commonly affected age group was 21–30 years (23.2%). A slight male predominance was noted (53.6%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.87. The trunk was the most frequent site (41%). Clinically, pemphigus vulgaris was most common (23.2%), followed by bullous pemphigoid (12.5%) and Stevens–Johnson syndrome (12.5%). Histopathology revealed intraepidermal blisters as the most frequent pattern (35.7%). DIF showed granular IgG and C3 positivity in pemphigus vulgaris and linear IgG/C3 deposition along the dermoepidermal junction in bullous pemphigoid.
Conclusion:
Clinical features alone are insufficient for accurate categorization of vesiculobullous lesions. Histopathology remains the gold standard, while DIF provides valuable confirmation when findings are inconclusive. Integrating these approaches ensures precise diagnosis, timely treatment, and better prognostic guidance, particularly in autoimmune bullous diseases.
Recommendations:
Routine biopsies with clinicopathological correlation should be emphasized. DIF should be integrated whenever feasible, with improved accessibility and clinician–pathologist collaboration to optimize patient outcomes