ABSTRACT Starch is a naturally occurring polymer found in parts of the plants such as leaves, stems, tubers, and fruits. It is a commonly used excipient in pharmaceutical formulations because of its availability, affordability and inertness. Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) is widely cultivated in the country especially in the northern part of Nigeria. Until recently, the use of tiger nut had been limited to food products and few pharmaceutical applications. This research is aimed at character...
ABSTRACT Background: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy remains to be the commonest causes of sleep disordered breathing in paediatric patients and has been implicated as a cause of primary and secondary enuresis. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in resolution of enuresis in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Methods: A hospital based prospective cohort study was conducted at Ekenywa Specialised Hospital in Dar es Salaam, from May 2018 to ...
ABSTRACT Summary Despite the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) in Nigeria, access to and use of LLINs continues to be minimal. Little is also known about the perceived fair price people are willing to pay for LLINs in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and mothers of under-five children in randomly-selected malaria holo-endemic communities of Ijebu North and Yewa N...
Abstract Background—Little is known about factors that determine the QoL of elderly persons living in developing societies undergoing rapid social changes. Method—A representative sample of elderly Nigerians, aged 65 years and over (n= 2152), was assessed for QoL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQoLBref). Other than sociodemographic factors, respondents were also evaluated for major depressive disorder, physical conditions as well as for social network, s...
ABSTRACT 1 Background: Untreated maternal syphilis is strongly associated with adverse birth outcomes, especially in women with high titre syphilis. The WHO recommends routine serological screening in pregnancy. Some workers have advised a reappraisal of this practice, having demonstrated low sero-prevalence in their antenatal population. In view1 of this, the aim of this study was to determine the sero- prevalence of syphilis in the antenatal population presenting at a major hospital in sout...
Abstract While many studies have looked at the stressful effects of chronic illness of those who suffer such conditions, less is known about the effects on caregivers, especially in developing countries. Mothers in particular must bear the brunt of care and stress for children who have sickle cell disease (SCD). A sample of 200 mothers attending six SCD clinics in both public and private hospitals in the Ibadan-Ibarapa Health Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria, were interviewed. Stress levels were me...
Abstract Background: Many patients are referred to labour ward as emergencies, and therefore do not benefit from the antenatal HIV counselling and testing and treatment offered to registered patients. Objective: To assess the acceptability and suitability of offering HIV counselling and testing to women of unknown HIV status presenting in labour. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising counselling and obtaining consent for HIV testing among 104 unregistered patients who presented in labou...
ABSTRACT Unintended pregnancy is a potential risk for women which could adversely affect their health, family and society at large. In Nigeria, information on factors influencing decision-making on unintended pregnancy among married women has not been adequately explored. This study was designed to assess the factors that influence decision making on unintended pregnancy among married women in Ibadan South- West Local Government Area (IBSWLGA), Nigeria. This study was exploratory and involved...
ABSTRACT Breast cancer cases are on the increase globally. Studies have shown that breast cancer awareness is generally low in African women, thus most cases are detected late, indicating a low level of screening uptake. In 2011 there were a total of 291 breast cancer cases among Namibian women. In Zambezi region only 28% of women have ever been screened for breast cancer by a health care provider. Health care providers are key role players in awareness of breast cancer screening, as they ha...
ABSTRACT Emergency contraception (EC) has been available in Namibia for many years; however, there has been little research on knowledge, attitudes and practice of female learners about it. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of secondary school female learners towards emergency contraception. A cross sectional descriptive study of 294 secondary female learners was conducted at Mweshipandeka and Gabriel Taapopi secondary schools in Ongwediva, Namibia, d...
Abstract This thesis explores and discusses the discourses drawn on by pregnant women in their construction of their ‘selves’ in pregnancy. The study was qualitative in nature, in order to understand the women’s experience from their context and to allow for their individual constructions to come forth. The aim of the study was to explore firstly, which discourses the pregnant women draw on during their pregnancy and secondly, how the women construct themselves as pregnant beings. The ...
ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to determine whether the needs in the care and support of orphans and other vulnerable children in Windhoek are met and fulfilled. The main objectives of the study were to identify the basic needs of orphans and other vulnerable children, to determine the specific social support that is needed in the care of orphans and other vulnerable children, and to make recommendations regarding the needs in the care and support of orphans and other vulnerable children...
Abstract Since the beginning of the outbreak of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, more than 78 million people have been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 39 million people have died globally (UNAIDS, 2014, p. 123). In Namibia, AIDS is the leading cause of death accounting for 23% of deaths (CDC in Namibia, fact sheet, 2013, & WHO Namibia, 2011). Adherence to medication refers to the extent to which a patient takes a medication in the way intended by a hea...
ABSTRACT Malaria and HIV/AIDS are two most widely spread diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. The coinfection is very common in the region, especially in unstable malaria transmission areas with the prevalence of 29.9 - 40%. In Namibia these two diseases are common in northern eastern regions, which are unstable malaria transmission areas. These two diseases affect poorer segments of the population. Individually and biologically Malaria increases viral load of HIV people. The severity of malaria ...
The overall aim of this study was to develop a model to facilitate male partner involvement in the reproductive health (RH) context in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia. This study was brought about by the fact that male partners do not fully participate in the RH context, because the health system lacks provision for or fails to recognise male involvement and underestimates the active role that male partners could play in the RH of their female partners. As a result some male partners might fee...