The relationship between menstrual hygiene management, practices, and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background. Factors associated with menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and practices affect school absenteeism, with up to 7 million girls missing 25% of their given school year each month in South Africa (SA). Objective. To identify the most significant factors associated with MHM and practices affecting school absenteeism among adolescents in Johannesburg, SA. Methods. A secondary data analyses of a cross sectional study among 489 adolescent girls from 30 schools in Johannesburg, SA was conducted. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistical regression analysis was conducted for all variables affecting school absenteeism using STATA version 14. Results. Female adolescents who had pre-menarcheal training were more likely to attend school (odds ratio (OR) 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 - 3.73; p= 0.038). Those who disposed of their absorbent materials by burning, throwing them by the roadside or on farmland were almost 2× more likely to be absent from school (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.05 - 4.08; p= 0.038). Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) was associated with higher likelihood of being absent from school (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.29 - 5.29; p=0.008). Conclusion. This present study reveals that MHM and practices related to school absenteeism extend beyond the availability of sanitary materials. These findings can be used to create dialogue between various stakeholders about best practices for reducing school absenteeism related to MHM

Lack of effect of aspartame or of L-phenylalanine on photically induced myoclonus in the baboon, Papio papio.

The effects of large doses of L-phenylalanine and of aspartame on seizure susceptibility and severity have been assessed in baboons Papio papio from Senegal which show photosensitive epileptic responses similar to primary generalised epilepsy in man. L-Phenylalanine, 50, 150 or 450 mg/kg, or aspartame, 300 or 1000 mg/kg, were administered orally. Peak plasma L-phenylalanine concentrations of approximately 2000 mumoles/l occurred 1-4 h after the highest dose of L-phenylalanine or aspartame. The plasma L-phenylalanine to large neutral amino acid ratio increased approximately 30-fold at this time. Compared with water administration there were no changes in epileptic responses 1-5 h after either treatment. In this primate model of epilepsy acute increases in plasma phenylalanine concentration are neither pro- nor anticonvulsant.

Need for albumin adjustments of urgent total serum calcium.

In specimens sent for urgent total calcium measurement, failure to adjust for serum albumin concentration led to errors of diagnosis and treatment. Albumin adjustment is necessary, when measuring total serum calcium, for assessment of true calcium status.

Anticonvulsant action and biochemical effects in DBA/2 mice of CPP (3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonate), a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist.

CPP has a potent anticonvulsant effect against sound-induced seizures in audiogenic DBA/2 mice. Pretreatment with CPP (0.01-10 nmol i.c.v., 45 min) protects against successive phases of sound-induced seizures in a dose-dependent fashion (ED50, tonic phase, 0.023 nmol; clonic phase, 0.039 nmol; wild running, 0.17 nmol). Systemic administration of CPP (0.001-0.1 mmol/kg i.p., 45 min) produces a similar protection (ED50, tonic phase, 0.0012 mmol/kg; clonic phase, 0.0026 mmol/kg; wild running, 0.021 mmol/kg). Following the administration of a fully anticonvulsant dose of CPP (0.1 mmol/kg i.p., 45 min) to adult DBA/2 mice regional brain glucose (cerebellum and striatum) levels are elevated and lactate (striatum and hippocampus) levels decrease. The CPP-induced changes in alanine, serine and glycine paralleled those of lactate. Aspartate levels are significantly decreased by CPP in the striatum (-21%) and the hippocampus (-23%).