Family APGAR and treatment outcomes among HIV patients at two ART Centers in Kumasi, Ghana

objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between Family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve (Family APGAR) and HIV treatment outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional study using the Family APGAR questionnaire Setting: The study was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital Participants: Consenting HIV-positive patients who had been on treatment for at least 12 months were recruited. Main outcome measures: The Family APGAR questionnaire was administered, and relevant data were extracted from hospital records and analysed using STATA® software. The relationship between Family APGAR and treatment outcomes was determined using Chi-squared tests or Fisher's exact test. Results: Approximately 70.1% of 304 participants were females with a mean age of 41.8 years (±9.9). At treatment initiation, 47.4% of the patients presented at World Health Organisation (WHO) clinical stages I and II and had a CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/mm3 . Females were less likely (Odds Ratio= 0.52; 95% CI=0.31 ­ 0.90, p = 0.018) to report late for treatment compared with the males. After 12 months of treatment, approximately 70% recorded undetectable viral load. Patients with functional families constituted 70.4%, which had a statistically significant relationship with viral load (p = 0.041). Conclusion: HIV care providers should incorporate family functionality evaluation into clinical practice and provide early essential support to enhance treatment outcomes

Short-term effect of tamsulosin and finasteride monotherapy and their combination on nigerian men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of tamsulosin and finasteride monotherapies, and their combination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: This is a prospective single-blind randomized study of ninety men with BPH who were managed using drugs. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow rate, and prostate volume were measured as parameters for assessment at the beginning, 3 months, and 6 months of the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 61.65 with a range of 44­81 years. There was a progressive and sustained improvement in the IPSS score in all patient groups with mean decrease at 3 months of 7.24 (42.59%), 7.60 (41.85%), and 7.24 (40.61%) and at 6 months of 8.14 (47.88%), 10.33 (56.88%), and 11.1 (62.25%) in the tamsulosin, finasteride, and combination groups, respectively. There was an increase in peak urinary flow rate in all groups with mean increase at 3 months of 0.98, 0.05, and 3.55 (ml/s) and at 6 months of 4.11, 0.87, and 3.74 (ml/s) in the tamsulosin, finasteride, and combination groups, respectively. There was a reduction in the prostate volume in the finasteride and combination groups at 6 months of 6.8 and 6.32 cm3, respectively, while the tamsulosin group recorded an increase. Conclusion: At the end of 6 months, tamsulosin monotherapy and combination therapy appear to be equally effective in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms BPH while finasteride monotherapy appears to be the least effective. Bothersome, side effects were more in patients taking finasteride alone or as combination therapy

Dating violence and self-efficacy for delayed sex among adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa

In South Africa, dating violence is known to be widespread among adolescents, and is therefore a major public health issue because of its association with sexual risk behaviours. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between dating violence and self-efficacy for delayed sex among school-going adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. The study is based on analyses of data from a school-based health education programme targeting sexual and reproductive health issues.The study involved 3,655 school-going adolescents aged between 12 and 17 in Cape Town, South Africa. The data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire composed of 153 items on sexual and reproductive health, dating violence as well as socio demographic characteristics. The results indicated that males showed a higher percentage of both dating violence victimization and perpetration, as compared to females. It was also found that adolescents from lower socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to be the victims of dating violence as compared to those from a higher socio-economic background. Female learners showed higher levels of self-efficacy for delayed sex than their male counterparts. Although the result revealed that there was a significant association between self-efficacy for delayed sex and socio-economic status, this link decreased with age. It is concluded that educational programmes aimed solely at improving self-efficacy for delayed sex is insufficient. Such programmes must also aim at preventing dating violence and equipping adolescents with the skills to negotiate their way out of dating violence. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 46-57)

Assessment of the Quality of Nursing Care in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria: Patients' Perspective

This survey attempted to assess the quality of nursing care in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital based on the patients' opinion. The population of study included patients who were 18 years and above and have spent at least 3 nights in the hospital. A total of one hundred and eight (108) patients were selected for the survey. The results revealed that 81.5of the respondent had attended at least primary school; 44.5had spent 15 days and more in the hospital. Some areas specifically assessed by respondents among others include care and treatment received from Nurses; Nurses knowledge and ability. The patients overall assessment of nursing care reveals that 82.7were satisfied and feels that nursing care was good. The need to continually measure; monitor and improve nursing care as well as encouraging professional specialization and organizing orientation programs/update courses; workshop etc on a regular basis among others were made; as recommendations

Psychosocial burden of sickle cell disease on the family, Nigeria

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD); the most common genetic disorder amongst Black people; poses a significant psychosocial burden on the sufferers; the caregivers and their families. Objective and methods: From 01 January 2011 to 30 September 2011 the caregivers of children with SCD treated at the Paediatric Haematology Clinic of the University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti; Nigeria; were included in a study; using a structured questionnaire and a validated; culture-relevant disease burden interview to assess the psychosocial burden of SCD on these caregivers. Three main objective psychosocial domains and some subjective domains; including the caregivers' coping ability were assessed. Results: A total of 225 caregivers; consisting of 202 mothers (89.8); 15 grandmothers (6.7) and 8 fathers (3.6) were studied. In 53.3of the families; the care of children with SCD adversely affected the provision of their basic needs; with 73.3of the caregivers stating that time spent caring for the child made them lose income or financial benefits; 19.6of the caregivers had to take out loans to meet the expenditure of the patient's illness. Caring for children with SCD reportedly made 42.2of the caregivers neglect other family members. In addition; 14.2of the families experienced moderate to severe disruption in their day-to-day interactions within the family to the extent that 12.4frequently quarrelled due to the child's illness. Conclusion: Caregivers are faced with enormous financial; interpersonal and psychological problems. Social support should be available to alleviate caregivers' and/or family members' burdens

Oral Health Related Behaviour; Knowledge; Attitudes and Beliefs among Secondary School Students in Iringa Municipality

Objectives :To determine oral health related behavior; knowledge; attitudes and beliefs among secondary school students in Iringa municipality. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Results: All participants reported to brush their teeth at least once a day; only 24brush twice a day. The use of plastic tooth brush was reported to be 97.1. 72.7of participants who reported to know about dental checkup and 84.6; recommended the interval of dental check ups to be between one to six months. About 58.6reported to experience dental problems and the tooth ache was the most problem experienced (33.6); tooth decay was 20.1and (17.4) experienced bleeding gum. The attitude towards dental health problems was found to be positive and girls had more positive attitude than boys. In measuring beliefs on dental treatment; the majority held positive beliefs with no difference between boys and girls. CONCLUSION The findings of this study have shown that the participants had conducive oral health behavior; sufficient knowledge; positive attitude and held positive beliefs regarding dental treatments

Sickle cell knowledge, premarital screening and marital decisions among local government workers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria; as in the rest of equatorial Africa; sickle cell disease (SCD) has its highest incidence and continues to cause high morbidity and early death. The condition is a major public health problem among the black race. The aim of this survey is to determine the level of knowledge about SCD and the factors associated with its prevention among local government workers in Ile- Ife. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of the knowledge about SCD; attitude towards premarital sickle cell screening and marital decisions among local government workers in Ile-Ife; Nigeria; using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: 69of study subjects had poor knowledge of SCD; while attitude towards premarital screening was favourable in 95of the study subjects. Knowledge and attitude were significantly better among subjects with tertiary education. There was a strong positive association between attitude towards sickle cell screening and a history of undergoing screening or partner screening. Most (86.7) of the respondents and 74.0of their partners have had sickle cell screening. One-quarter of married and engaged respondents did not know their partner's sickle cell status. One-third to two-thirds of study subjects will continue the relationship with their partner when either or both have haemoglobinopathy. Conclusion and recommendation: This study showed poor knowledge of SCD among the studied subjects. There is a need for more emphasis on health education through programmes promoting sickle cell education. In addition; the development of multifaceted patient and public health education programmes; the intensification of screening for the control of SCD by heterozygote detection; particularly during routine preplacement and premarital medical examinations; and the provision of genetic counselling to all SCD patients and carriers are vital to the identification and care of the couples at risk. These will enhance the capacity of the intending couples to make informed decisions and be aware of the consequences of such decisions. Policies are needed to ensure easily accessible community-wide sickle cell screening and premarital and genetic counselling to achieve the desired decline in new births of children with SCD