Macroscopic morphological variation of human placenta in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers, Northwest Ethiopia

The normal growth and development of the fetus depends on the proper growth and functioning of the placenta. The macroscopic morphology of the placenta is highly affected by pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to assess macroscopic morphological variation of the human placenta among normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 term placentas. One hundred fifty placentas from normotensive mothers and 50 placentas from pre-eclamptic mothers were included in the study. Placental parameters such as shape, weight, diameter, thickness and number of cotyledons were examined. Fetal weight was also detected. The data were analyzed by using independent two-sample t-test and chi-square test. According to this study, the majority (68%) of placentas in normotensive participants were discoid-shaped and 18% oval. While 54% of placenta in pre-eclamptic mothers were oval-shaped and 24% were irregular. Mean placental weight, diameter and number of cotyledon in pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia were significantly reduced as compared to normotensive mothers. The mean birth weight in pre-eclamptic pregnancies was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower than the mean birth weight in normotensive pregnancies. As a conclusion, mean fetal weight, placental weight, diameter, thickness and numbers of cotyledon in pre-eclamptic mothers were significantly lower than in normotensive mothers (p-value < 0.05). Placenta shape difference between normotensive and pre-eclamptic mothers was detected (p-value < 0.001)

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Anatomical study of prefixed versus postfixed brachial plexuses in adult human cadaver.

BACKGROUND: The brachial plexus is usually formed by the fusion of anterior primary rami of the fifth to eighth cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves. Variations in the formation of the brachial plexus may occur. Variations in brachial plexus anatomy are important to radiologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the neck, axilla and upper limb regions. These variations may lead to deviation from the expected dermatome distribution as well as differences in the motor innervation of muscles of the upper limb. This study is aimed to describe the anatomical variations of brachial plexus in its formation among 20 Ethiopian cadavers. METHODS: Observational based study was conducted by using 20 cadavers obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy at University of Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Hawasa, Hayat Medical College and St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data analysis was conducted using thematic approaches. RESULTS: A total of 20 cadavers examined bilaterally for the formation of brachial plexus. Of the 40 sides, 30 sides (75%) were found normal, seven sides (17.5%) prefixed, three sides (7.5%) postfixed and one side of the cadaver lacks cord formation. CONCLUSION: The brachial plexus formation in most subjects is found to be normal. Among the variants, the numbers of the prefixed brachial plexuses are greater than the postfixed brachial plexuses.

Potential risk of HIV transmission in barbering practice in Ethiopia: from public health and microbiological perspectives.

BACKGROUND: HIV and other blood borne infections can be transmitted through the use of improperly sterilized and disinfected sharp equipments. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted from January to June, 2010 to assess the potential risk of HIV transmission in barbering practice in Ethiopia from public health and microbiological perspectives. Barbers in barbershop were interviewed using pre-designed questionnaires and check lists were used to evaluate barbering practice. Microbiological data from tips of the sharpener before and after the barbering was collected and processed as per the standard procedure. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty three barbering sessions and barbers were observed in which 106 (86.2%) were males. Ninety six (78%) of the respondents knew that HIV could be transmitted by sharing non-sterile sharp instruments. Among the total participants 59 (48%) had the correct knowledge of what sterilization mean and 111 (94.1%) of them believed its importance in their work place. Barbers had a mean knowledge score of 6 ± 1.5 out of a score of 10 regarding sterilization and disinfection as well as in the transmission of HIV in their work place. Three (2.5%) barbers were disagreed that unsterilized blade can transmit skin diseases and 26 (21.3%) of them believed disinfection is enough to avoid microbes from sharp objects. Ninety two (76.7%) barbers were using sterilization in their establishment. According to Likert scaling almost all sterilization and disinfection procedures were riskily practiced and respondents had poor level of knowledge. No significant association was found to influence the decontamination and sterilization of barbering equipments except monthly income, pre and post colony count of microbes identified. The isolation of normal skin flora in the pre-and post-sterilization and disinfectant procedures and less average percent colony reduction showed that sterilization and disinfectant practices in barbershop were generally poor that proofed proper sterilization and/or disinfection techniques were unfavorable. CONCLUSION: This study has revealed the presence of potential risk of HIV and other blood borne disease transmission among the barbers of the study areas. Thus continuous and intensified public health strategies on health education, training, supervision and monitoring are needed to facilitate the adoption of effective methods of sterilization and/or disinfection.