ABSTRACT
The Amharic version of the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure quality of life among patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at selected governmental hospitals in central and southern Ethiopia. The study was cross-sectional and used SF-36-specific software for automatic scoring of the form's scales and dimensions. Pearson bivariate correlations showed moderate correlation between the SF-36 scales; ranging from 0.2673 between 'general health' and 'vitality;' to 0.8583 between 'role physical' and 'role emotional.' Cronbach's-a was 0.70 for six out of eight multi-item scales; with values ranging from 0.6500 to 0.8860 for all scales; thus indicating good internal reliability of the Amharic version of the SF-36. The independent variables shown to positively affect mean scores were: duration of treatment; CD4 cell count; and adherence to doses of antiretrovirals. Participants treated for 12 months had higher mean scores for all domains than those who had been treated for =12 months. Likewise; those with a CD4 cell count 200 cells/mm3 had better mean scores for all scales except 'social functioning' and 'mental health' than those with counts =200. Participants adhering to treatment (in the last 15 days; according to self-report) had better mean scores for all scales except 'role physical;' 'bodily pain' and 'vitality' in comparison to those who were not adherent. The findings suggest that the Amharic version of the SF-36 is a valid and reliable health survey instrument for use in Ethiopia to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/therapy , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the pathologic pattern of invasive bladder carcinoma in cystectomy specimens in relation to bilharziasis. Patients and Methods: Between April 2002 and October 2006; 148 consecutive patients with invasive bladder cancer were subjected to radical cystectomy and orthotopic sigmoid bladder substitution at Al-Azhar Urology Department; Cairo; Egypt. A retrospective computerized data- base analysis of the pathologic features of the cystectomy specimens was done focusing on the impact of bilharziasis on the pathology of bladder carcinoma. The tumor cell type; stage; grade and gross features in addition to lymph node involvement were particularly noted. Results: Bilharzial bladder pathology (lesions or ova) was present in 105 (70.9) of 148 cystectomy specimens. Tumor histology included transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 84 (56.7); squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 51 (34.5); adenocarcinoma in 9 (6.1) and anaplastic tumor in 4 (2.7) of these specimens. Most tumors associated with bilharziasis were bulky and appeared fungating or ulcerative. The pathologic tumor stage was pT2 in 23; pT3 in 70.9and pT4a involving the prostate or seminal vesicles in 6.1. None of these pT4a tumors were SCC. The tumor grade was described as low grade in 72 (48.6) and high grade in 76 (51.4) specimens. Regional lymph node involvement was detected in 31 (20.9) specimens irrespective of bilharzial infestation. Conclusion: Invasive bladder carcinoma associated with bilharzial pathology is mainly stage pT3; low-grade SCC and commonly appears as an ulcerative; bulky; fungating or verrucous mass. On the other hand; bladder carcinoma not associated with bilharziasis is mainly high-grade TCC and commonly appears as nodular or fungating lesions. Positive surgical margin and lymph node involvement are unrelated to bilharzial infestation
Subject(s)
Prostatic Hyperplasia , Research Design , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Ancillary to a community based mass treatment campaign of onchocerciasis with ivermectin; assessment of the drug's effect on various intestinal nematodes was made in Bebeka; Southwest Ethiopia between 23 April and 23 July; 1990. A total of 231 people were invited for the study and all consented. From each; stool specimen was collected before treatment; two weeks and three months after administration of ivermectin at a dose of 150 mcg/kg body weight. Various intestinal parasites were observed in many of the samples; ranging from single parasite up to five mixed infections per slide. Efficacy of ivermectin against Strongyloides stercoralis was 100 percent throughout the observation period. Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were found in 74.5 percent of the stool samples collected before treatment and this was reduced to 3.5 percent and 48.9 percent in the post-treatment samples of 15 days and three months; respectively. Similar observation was made for the other geohelminths at a lower cure rate. This finding shows that apart from its primary purpose in the control of onchocerciasis; ivermectin has the added benefit of eliminating ascaris and stronglyloides infection in areas where such parasites are co-endemic. Furthermore; its significant effect on the intensity of the other enteric nematodes will have a great impact on reducing transmission. The public health significance of population based mass chemotherapy with ivermectin is discussed