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Comparison of COVID-19 Severity Between Tropical and Non-Tropical Countries
No full textAbstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the whole world. However, it is not clear whether the disease affects all countries
equally. This paper analyzes the severity of COVID-19 in tropical and temperate countries by comparing the data of infections and
deaths registered four months after the onset of the disease. Data were segregated, summarized, visualized, and interpreted. The
severity of the disease was quantified in each country and recommendations were made for both categories of countries. The re search found that the severity of the disease in terms of infection or death was six times more in countries located in the temperate
region.
Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Tropics, Tropical Countries, Temperate, Temperate CountriesN/A
Viability And Infectivity Of Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
No full textAbstract:
2019-nCoV is one of the seven human coronaviruses responsible for causing COVID-19. The disease started in Wuhan China and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization because of high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths across the world. COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading novel disease and yet has no defined treatment plan. It is imperative for us to understand viability and infectivity of 2019-nCoV with the hope of finding interventional and treatment solutions. Based on behavioral similarity and biological relatedness between 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV, a number of viability and infectivity factors that influence the spread of COVID-19 have been elucidated. The viability factors are viral genes, protein factors and metrological features (fomites, low temperatures low humidity). Factors responsible for 2019-nCoV infectivity are virion N and S proteins and the human biology aspects of gender, sex hormones, sex-linked genes and immune cells. The biological factors can be used as biomarkers to develop therapies and diagnostics for COVID-19. Public health interventional strategies such as social distancing, isolation, contact tracing and use of facemasks should be encouraged to break COVID-19 transmission chain.Non
Comparative Assessment of Red Blood Cell Morphology in Anaemic Children
No full textAbstract
Anaemia (haemoglobin level < 11 g/dl) is a health burden among preschool children and women of child bearing age and affects over 27% of the World population. Anaemia results from reduction in the functional haemoglobin or red blood cell numbers or mass leading to decreased oxygen carrying capacity characterized by clinical features such as; skin pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, jaundice and tachycardia. Evaluating and interpreting red blood cell morphology provides key information in the differential diagnosis of Anaemia. However, the current standard Peripheral thin blood method of assessing red blood cell morphology is highly technical and time consuming. There was need to carry out assessment into the alternative Automated Complete Blood Count method to aid in the selection of the reliable assay. The objective of the study was to compare between Peripheral blood thin film and Automated Complete Blood Count morphologically classified Anaemia in children. The study was cross-sectional and employed simple random sampling technique. Blood samples were obtained from the participants, assessed for red blood cell morphology by Automated Complete Blood Count and Peripheral thin blood film. Data was analyzed using SPSS and a paired t-test used to test for the statistical significance.
Results show no significant difference in the scores for Peripheral thin blood film (M=25.5, SD=11.82) and Automated Complete Blood Count (M=25.5, SD=12.66) t (3) =0.00, p =1.000. Automated Complete Blood Count is a method of choice in assessing red blood cell morphology and evaluating Anaemia. The study recommends assessment into various Automated Complete Blood Count models available in the market to aid in the selection of most reliable one.Abstract
Anaemia (haemoglobin level < 11 g/dl) is a health burden among preschool children and women of child bearing age and affects over 27% of the World population. Anaemia results from reduction in the functional haemoglobin or red blood cell numbers or mass leading to decreased oxygen carrying capacity characterized by clinical features such as; skin pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, jaundice and tachycardia. Evaluating and interpreting red blood cell morphology provides key information in the differential diagnosis of Anaemia. However, the current standard Peripheral thin blood method of assessing red blood cell morphology is highly technical and time consuming. There was need to carry out assessment into the alternative Automated Complete Blood Count method to aid in the selection of the reliable assay. The objective of the study was to compare between Peripheral blood thin film and Automated Complete Blood Count morphologically classified Anaemia in children. The study was cross-sectional and employed simple random sampling technique. Blood samples were obtained from the participants, assessed for red blood cell morphology by Automated Complete Blood Count and Peripheral thin blood film. Data was analyzed using SPSS and a paired t-test used to test for the statistical significance.
Results show no significant difference in the scores for Peripheral thin blood film (M=25.5, SD=11.82) and Automated Complete Blood Count (M=25.5, SD=12.66) t (3) =0.00, p =1.000. Automated Complete Blood Count is a method of choice in assessing red blood cell morphology and evaluating Anaemia. The study recommends assessment into various Automated Complete Blood Count models available in the market to aid in the selection of most reliable one.NoneNon
Subacute toxicity study of aqueous root extract of Terminalia schimperiana in male Wistar rats
No full textAbstract:
The effect of administration of aqueous extract of Terminalia schimperiana root, “a medicinal plant”, on some
‘biomarker’ enzymes, hematology parameters, liver function and kidney function parameters of rat cellular
system was investigated. The aqueous extract was administered orally to male wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) at
various doses (1000, 2000, 3000 mg/kg body weight) daily for 21 days and the rats were sacrificed under
chloroform anesthesia after 1, 7 and 21 days of oral administration. The administration of the aqueous extract of
Terminalia schimperiana root for 21 days resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increase in packed cell volume and
red blood cells level when compared with the control but were all within the normal test range. The differentials
remained normal and the white blood cells level remained constant throughout the test period but increased
after day 21 of the administration. Aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase serum
activities significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while the serum activities of alanine transaminase and gamma
glutamyl transferase significantly (P < 0.05) reduced after 21 days of administration when compared with the
control but they all fell within the normal test range. The extract produced (out of normal test range) significant
(P < 0.05) increase in the serum albumin and total bilirubin. The kidney function parameters level was normal
for sodium and potassium while the levels of creatinine and urea increased when compared with the control but
were within the normal test ranges. The extracts did not have deleterious effect on the male wistar rat organs at
the dosages investigated, therefore, studies for extended period is suggested to determine if the prolonged
continuous use of the extract might cause challenge on the functional capacity of the organs
Paediatric musculoskeletal disease in Kumi District, Uganda: a cross-sectional survey
No full textOriginal ArticleAbstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to estimate the burden of musculoskeletal disease among children treated in Kumi District,
Uganda, to inform training, capacity-building efforts, and resource allocation.
Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing the musculoskeletal (MSK) clinic and community outreach
logs for children (age < 18 years) seen at Kumi Hospital in Kumi, Uganda, between January 2013 and December 2015. For each
patient, we recorded the age, sex, diagnosis, and treatment recommendation.
Results Of the 4852 children, the most common diagnoses were gluteal and quadriceps contractures (29.4% (95% CI 28.1–
30.7%), 96% of which were gluteal fibrosis), post-injection paralysis (12.7% (95% CI 11.8–13.6%)), infection (10.5% (95% CI
9.7–11.4%)), trauma (6.9% (95% CI 6.2–7.6%)), cerebral palsy (6.9% (95% CI 6.2–7.7%)), and clubfoot (4.3% (95% CI 3.8–
4.9%)). Gluteal fibrosis, musculoskeletal infections, and angular knee deformities create a large surgical burden with 88.1%,
59.1%, and 54.1% of patients seen with these diagnoses referred for surgery, respectively. Post-injection paralysis, clubfoot, and
cerebral palsy were treated non-operatively in over 75% of cases.
Conclusion While population-based estimates of disease burden and resource utilization are needed, this data offers insight into
burden of musculoskeletal disease for this region of Sub-Saharan Africa.We estimate that 50%of the surgical conditions could be
prevented with policy changes and education regarding injection practices and early care for traumatic injuries, clubfeet, and
infection. This study highlights a need to increase capacity to care for specific musculoskeletal conditions, including gluteal
fibrosis, post-injection paralysis, infection, and trauma in the paediatric population of Uganda
Burden of gluteal fibrosis and postinjection paralysis in the children of Kumi District in Uganda
No full textAbstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of postinjection paralysis (PIP) and gluteal
fibrosis (GF) among children treated in a rural Ugandan Hospital.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing the musculoskeletal clinic and community
outreach logs for children (age < 18 yrs) diagnosed with either PIP or GF from Kumi Hospital in Kumi, Uganda
between 2013 and 2015. We estimated the prevalence as a ratio of the number of children seen with each
disorder over the total population of children seen for any musculoskeletal complaint in musculoskeletal clinic
and total population of children seen for any medical complaint in the outreach clinic.
Results: Of 1513 children seen in the musculoskeletal clinic, 331 (21.9% (95% CI 19.8–24.1%)) had PIP and
another 258 (17.1% (95% CI 15.2–19.0%)) had GF as their diagnosis. Of 3339 children seen during outreach for
any medical complaint, 283 (8.5% (95% CI 7.6–9.5%)) had PIP and another 1114 (33.4% (95% CI 31.8–35.0%))
had GF. Of patients with GF, 53.9% were male with a median age of 10 years (50% between 7 and 12 years
old). Of patients with PIP, 56.7% were male with a median age of 5 years (50% between 2 and 8 years old).
Conclusion: PIP and GF comprise over 30% of clinical visits for musculoskeletal conditions and 40% of outreach visits
for any medical complaint in this area of Uganda. The high estimated prevalence in these populations suggest a critical
need for research, treatment, and prevention.
Keywords: Gluteal fibrosis, Post-injection paralysi
Health Facility Based Cross Sectional Study
No full textAbstract:
Although the practice of preparing for childbirth among pregnant women is
associated with 24.0% and 53.0% reduction in neonatal and maternal mortality
respectively in low income countries, it remains inadequately practiced in low income
countries. This study sought to assess the level of birth preparedness among pregnant
women at one of the rural hospitals in Uganda. This was a descriptive cross sectional
study conducted among 332 pregnant women in first stage of normal labour between
April and May 2017 at Kagadi hospital, a rural hospital in Uganda. A pregnant woman
was considered prepared for childbirth if she fulfilled at least three of the following five
birth preparedness elements; saving money, booking birth companion, identifying home
caretaker, having at least six birth items and booking means of transport to the health
facility. Data were collected using a researcher administered questionnaire. Nearly all
respondents had identified birth companion (93.7%) and prepared at least one birth
material (97.3%). However, only about half of respondents had procured at least six
birth items (48.2%). A small proportion of respondents had reasonable money savings
of at least 27.7 US dollars (20.7%). Slightly less than half of respondents had booked
someone to take care of their homes (41.3%) and had booked means of transport
(40.0%) Overall, only 28.3 percent of the participants had fulfilled at least three of the
five elements and were considered as prepared for birth. We observed that most of the
pregnant women were not prepared for childbirth. To scale up birth preparedness in
rural settings, we recommend that providers of antenatal care services should intensify
on assisting pregnant women to draw and continuously review birth plans. We further
recommend that birth plan should focus on the five elements commended by the
Ministry of Health
Breakdown of simple female genital fi stula repair after 7 day versus 14 day postoperative bladder catheterisation: a randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial
No full textSummary
Background Duration of bladder catheterisation after female genital fi stula repair varies widely. We aimed to establish
whether 7 day bladder catheterisation was non-inferior to 14 days in terms of incidence of fi stula repair breakdown in
women with simple fi stula.
Methods In this randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial, we enrolled patients at eight hospitals in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Consenting
patients were eligible if they had a simple fi stula that was closed after surgery and remained closed 7 days after surgery,
understood study procedures and requirements, and agreed to return for follow-up 3 months after surgery. We excluded
women if their fi stula was not simple or was radiation-induced, associated with cancer, or due to lymphogranuloma
venereum; if they were pregnant; or if they had multiple fi stula. A research assistant at each site randomly allocated
participants 1:1 (randomly varying block sizes of 4–6; stratifi ed by country) to 7 day or 14 day bladder catheterisation (via
a random allocation sequence computer generated centrally by WHO). Outcome assessors were not masked to
treatment assignment. The primary outcome was fi stula repair breakdown, on the basis of dye test results, any time
between 8 days after catheter removal and 3 months after surgery. The non-inferiority margin was 10%, assessed in the
per-protocol population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01428830.
Findings We randomly allocated 524 participants between March 7, 2012, and May 6, 2013; 261 in the 7 day group and
263 in the 14 day group. In the per-protocol analysis, ten (4%) of 250 patients had repair breakdown in the 7 day group
(95% CI 2–8) compared with eight (3%) of 251 (2–6) in the 14 day group (risk diff erence 0·8% [95% CI –2·8 to 4·5]),
meeting the criteria for non-inferiority.
Interpretation 7 day bladder catheterisation after repair of simple fi stula is non-inferior to 14 day catheterisation and
could be used for management of women after repair of simple fi stula with no evidence of a signifi cantly increased
risk of repair breakdown, urinary retention, or residual incontinence up to 3 months after surgery.Funding US Agency for International Development