The Effect of Mefenamic Acid and Naproxen on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: A Placebo-Controlled Study

Background. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common complaint. Various therapeutic approaches have been suggested.Aim. To compare the efficacy of mefenamic acid and naproxen in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding.Methods. Women referred to an outpatient centre for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding were recruited. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated for 6 menstrual cycles. During 3 control cycles they recorded the amount of their bleeding on the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart to confirm that their menstrual bleeding was heavy. One hundred and twenty participants were then randomly assigned to receive mefenamic acid; naproxen or placebo; and asked to fill in the same questionnaires during 3 intervention cycles. The data were analysed using SPSS version 15 for Windows.Results. Participants receiving mefenamic acid experienced a marked decrease in bleeding during the 3 months of intervention; an initial sharp decrease being followed by a further lesser decrease (p0.05 within group). Bleeding lessened dramatically in the first month of the intervention in participants receiving naproxen; and dropped still further in the second and third months (p0.05 within group). In the placebo group there were slight changes in bleeding during the intervention (p0.05 within group). However; the total decrease in bleeding was greatest in the naproxen arm; and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (p0.05 between groups).Conclusion. All three interventions had positive effects on the mean amount of bleeding; although naproxen was more effective than mefenamic acid and much more effective than placebo

Skinfold Parameter as Predictor of Body Density for Undergraduate Female Students in a Nigeria University Community

The purpose of this study was to determine if some selected skinfold parameters are visible in predicting body density (BD) of undergraduate female students of Obafemi Awolowo University; lie Ife.Methods: Seventy five non- athletic female students; age ranged from 18 to 30 years old from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) lie Ife; Nigeria participated in the study. Underwater weight was measured using Hydrostatic Weighing (HSW) equipment and skinfold was measured with Lange skinfold calipers using standard protocol at chest; biceps; triceps; forearm; mid axillar; subscapular; abdomen; supra illiac; thigh and lateral calf. Body density (BD) was calculated with underwater weight and skinfold measurement using some established equations. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Moment Correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data collected.Results: The result showed that BD by HSW had significant negative correlation with skinfold at chest (r = - .505; p .001); biceps (r

The impact of an emergency hiring plan on the shortage and distribution of nurses in Kenya: the importance of information systems

Objective:To analyse the effect of Kenya's Emergency Hiring Plan for nurses on their inequitable distribution in rural and underserved areas.Methods We used data from the Kenya Health Workforce Informatics System on the nursing workforce to determine the effect of the Emergency Hiring Plan on nurse shortages and maldistribution. The total number of nurses; the number of nurses per 100 000 population and the opening of previously closed or new heath facilities were recorded. Findings Of the 18 181 nurses employed in Kenya's public sector in 2009; 1836 (10) had been recruited since 2005 through the Emergency Hiring Plan. Nursing staff increased by 7in hospitals; 13in health centres and 15in dispensaries. North Eastern province; which includes some of the most remote areas; benefited most: the number of nurses per 100 000 population increased by 37. The next greatest increase was in Nyanza province; which has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in Kenya. Emergency Hiring Plan nurses enabled the number of functioning public health facilities to increase by 29. By February 2010; 94 of the nurses hired under pre-recruitment absorption agreements had entered the civil service.Conclusion The Emergency Hiring Plan for nurses significantly increased health services in Kenya's rural and underserved areas over the short term. Preliminary indicators of sustainability are promising; as most nurses hired are now civil servants. However; continued monitoring will be necessary over the long term to evaluate future nurse retention. The accurate workforce data provided by the Kenya Health Workforce Informatics System were essential for evaluating the effect of the Emergency Hiring Plan

Decompressive Craniectomy Following Brain Injury: Factors Important to Patient Outcome

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is often performed as an empirical lifesaving measure to protect the injured brain from the damaging effects of propagating oedema and intracranial hypertension. However; there are no clearly defined indications or specified guidelines for patient selection for the procedure. Aims: To evaluate outcome determinants and factors important in patient selection for the procedure. Methods: We reviewed the literature on DC; including single case reports and reported case series; to identify factors affecting outcome following the procedure; as well as its pitfalls and associated complications. Results: Glasgow coma score of 8 and above; age less than 50 years and early intervention were found to be among the most significant determinants of prognosis. Conclusion: Improving patient selection for DC may be expected to further improve the outcome following the procedure in severely brain-injured patients

Range of Motion in Selected Joints of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects

The purpose of the study was to compare the mobility of selected joints of the limbs in diabetic and non-diabetics subjects. One hundred subjects comprising of 50 volunteer diabetics and 50 volunteer non-diabetics subjects participated in this study. The range of motion of the shoulder; elbow; wrist; fingers; hip and knee joins were measured using a double armed simple goniometer and recorded in degrees. The outcome of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between joint mobility in the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects for all the joints range measured except the knee and elbow joints. There was also a low and positive correlation between duration of diabetes and frequency of finger deformities. No significant difference was found between joint mobility of male and female diabetics subjects. It was concluded that reduced range of motion of some joints especially of the wrist and hand could set in as a complication diabetics conditions