Neuropathic pain drives anxiety behavior in mice, results consistent with anxiety levels in diabetic neuropathy patients
Background: Epidemiological studies in patients with neuropathic pain demonstrate a strong association with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety; however, the precipitating pathology between these symptoms remains unclear. To investigate this, we studied the effects of lifelong stress on levels of neuropathic pain–like behavior and conversely, the effects of chronic neuropathic injury on anxiety-like status in […]
Monitoring malaria using health facility based surveys: Challenges and limitations
Background: Health facility data are more readily accessible for operational planning and evaluation of disease control programmes. The importance, potential challenges and limitations of using facility based survey as an alternative tool for monitoring changes in local malaria epidemiology were examined. Methods: The study involved six areas within the administrative divisions of The Gambia. The […]
Why do marital partners of people living with HIV not test for HIV? A qualitative study in Lusaka, Zambia
Background: Knowledge of HIV status is crucial for HIV prevention and management in marital relationships. Yet some marital partners of people living with HIV decline HIV testing despite knowing the HIV-positive status of their partners. To date, little research has explored the reasons for this. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken in Lusaka, Zambia, […]
“ … we were like tourists in the theatre, the interns assisted almost all procedures … ” Challenges facing the assistant medical officers training for the performance of caesarean section delivery in Tanzania
Background: Training of mid-level providers is a task-sharing strategy that has gained popularity in the recent past for addressing the critical shortage of the health workforce. In Tanzania, training of mid-level providers has existed for over five decades; however, concerns exist regarding the quality of mid-level cadres amidst the growing number of medical universities. This […]
Micronutrient intake and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti Town, Bahir Dar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020
Background Adolescent girls have a greater nutrient demand and their poor dietary intake is associated with micronutrient deficiencies and poor maternal outcomes. Having information on micronutrient intake inadequacy in adolescent girls is critical for promoting healthy behavior and breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition. Thus, this study assessed overall micronutrient intake inadequacy and associated factors […]
The Nkateko health service trial to improve hypertension management in rural South Africa: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Background: South Africa has a high and rising prevalence of hypertension. Many affected individuals are not using medication, and few have controlled blood pressure. Until recently, primary care clinics focused on maternal and child health and management of acute conditions, but new government initiatives have shifted the focus to chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hypertension. […]
Integrated Sustainable childhood Pneumonia and Infectious disease Reduction in Nigeria (INSPIRING) through whole system strengthening in Jigawa, Nigeria: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
BACKGROUND: Child mortality remains unacceptably high, with Northern Nigeria reporting some of the highest rates globally (e.g. 192/1000 live births in Jigawa State). Coverage of key protect and prevent interventions, such as vaccination and clean cooking fuel use, is low. Additionally, knowledge, care-seeking and health system factors are poor. Therefore, a whole systems approach is […]
Patient satisfaction and perceived quality of care: Evidence from a cross-sectional national exit survey of HIV and non-HIV service users in Zambia
Objective: To examine the associations between perceived quality of care and patient satisfaction among HIV and non-HIV patients in Zambia. Setting: Patient exit survey conducted at 104 primary, secondary and tertiary health clinics across 16 Zambian districts. Participants: 2789 exiting patients. Primary independent variables: Five dimensions of perceived quality of care (health personnel practice and […]
Prenatal acrylamide exposure results in time-dependent changes in liver function and basal hematological, and oxidative parameters in weaned Wistar rats
Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic compound commonly found in fried, baked and heat-processed starchy foods. The current study investigated the time-dependent effects of maternal exposure to non-toxic ACR doses on the oxidative stress, liver function, and basal blood morphology of the rat offspring. Pregnant, Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group or the […]
Contraceptive use, prevalence and predictors of pregnancy planning among female sex workers in Uganda: A cross sectional study
Background: Unintended pregnancies are associated with negative consequences to both mother and baby. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of unintended/unplanned pregnancies. However, prevalence of pregnancy planning and its predictors among FSWs has not been comprehensively investigated. This study was designed to determine contraceptive use, the prevalence, and predictors of pregnancy planning among […]
