Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Leishmania major , HIV , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , ComorbidityABSTRACT
To investigate the attitudes of final-year medical students at KhartoumUniversity towards euthanasia an anonymous questionnaire was answered by 141 students. Most were familiar with the concept of euthanasia. The majority, 108 [76.6%] opposed euthanasia and their reasons included religious beliefs, belief that euthanasia was unethical and fear of misuse. The supporters of euthanasia [23.4%] stated reasons such as preventing the suffering of patients and respecting their autonomy and dignity. More students who described themselves as strongly religious were opponents of euthanasia [83/87, 95.4%] than those who were moderately religious [25/54, 46.3%]
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Attitude of Health Personnel , Students, Medical , Surveys and Questionnaires , Religion and Medicine , Attitude to DeathABSTRACT
We studied 45 adult patients with untreated lepromatous leprosy and borderline leprosy, presenting at clinics in Khartoum and Omdurman, to assess clinical and biochemical effects of the disease on thyroid function. A matching control group of 30 subjects, without symptoms or signs of thyroid disease, were included for comparison. Thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyrotrophin levels were within normal range. Mean serum thyroxine was low in both groups [significant in lepromatous leprosy patients only]. Mean serum triiodothyronine was high in both groups [significant in neither group]. Mean thyrotrophin was significantly higher in both groups compared with controls
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data , Leprosy, Borderline/complications , Leprosy, Lepromatous/complications , Thyroid Function Tests , Thyrotropin/blood , Thyroxine/blood , Triiodothyronine/bloodABSTRACT
An anonymous questionnaire was used to survey the attitudes of 382 doctors towards euthanasia and assisted suicide at Khartoum's two main hospitals. Of the 382, 248 responded [65% response rate]. The mean age was 38 +/- 13.5 years; male:female ratio was 130:118; 66% were house staff, 34% specialists; 92% Muslim, 8% Christian. The vast majority [85%] strongly opposed the practices, while 15% thought they should be performed only in certain situations, subject to strict safeguards. Reasons given for opposition included religious beliefs, inconsistency with the doctor's role, presence of subtle pressures on patients, and potential for misuse among the physically and intellectually handicapped
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Death , Ethics, Medical , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Medical Staff, Hospital/psychology , Religion and Medicine , Suicide, AssistedABSTRACT
The long-term effect of single-dose praziquantel on morbidity and mortality from Schistosoma mansoni was investigated in surveys in 1987 and 1994 in central Sudan. Prevalence of infection dropped from 53% to 34%, and intensity of infection [400 eggs/g of faeces] from 31% to 18%. There was a reduction in hepatomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly, although splenomegaly alone was unchanged. Prevalence of periportal fibrosis decreased from 14% to 10%. Endoscopic investigation of patients with fibrosis showed a reduction in oesophageal varices from 47% to 30%. Mortality due to bleeding varices was high [community-wide, up to 11/100 infected patients with bleeding]. Thus praziquantel mass treatment can be spaced to a much longer period, reducing the expense of treatment, delivery and distribution