African Health Sciences Makerere University Medical School ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1729-0503 Vol. 10, Num. 3, 2010, pp. 305

African Health Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 4, December, 2010, pp. 305

Editor's Choice

James K Tumwine, Editor in chief

Code Number: js10058

Merry Christmas! We are at African Health Sciences bring you this December 2010 issue with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Gratitude to our staff, authors, reviewers and readers for the support you have given us in the last 9 years!

In this issue we have a rich menu: from tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, to obesity and others.

For example in their paper, Bazira et al establish that the TB epidemic in western Uganda is mainly due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Uganda genotype) and postulate that most of the strains could be due to reactivation rather than re-infection. Nansera et al on the other hand contends that in order to offer integrated TB/HIV services at lower health units there will be need to address knowledge and skills gaps; laboratories, infrastructure, staffing and supplies. To complete the TB story in this issue, Castelnuovo found that there is a very high rate of loss to follow up of TB patients across sub Saharan Africa with interesting determinants of default. Moroccan researchers report a significant delay in diagnosis of HIV, hence compromising timely management. In randomised trial, Swedish and Tanzanian researchers tested the effectiveness of a community intervention on malaria in rural Tanzania. It resulted in significant reduction of the prevalence of anaemia.

We have a touch of neglected diseases as well: in their paper on trypanosomiasis, authors from Gabon found that infected tsetse flies were common in mangrove swamps. They argue that targeting such areas might be effective for trypanosomiasis control.

Andabati reports d that 13% of pregnant women had significant baetriuriua, and E.coli resistant to commonly used antibiotics was the commonest organism. Ethiopian researchers on the other hand report that a root extract of Rumex steudii caused significant changes in the uterus and ovary: hence its anti-fertility potential.

Nigerian authors report that infectious diseases constitute a high percentage of skin disorders in children and that almost half are due non specific dermatitis. There are significant gender differences in the prevalence of obesity among youn adults in Uganda, according to a study by Baalwa et.al who have also looked at factors associated with obesity.

Still in Uganda, Muhwezi et al found that, generally, women reported poorer health status than men a cause for concern to all of us interested in determinants of ill health and equity issues. Talking of ill health one is reminded of the role of music in health care by Makama's paper from Nigeria in which the authors report on study that explored the role of music in the operating theatre. The results are somewhat surprising!

In the `Practice Points' column, Tara Das discusses the operation of the World Health Organisation with particular emphasis on the process of selection, writing and approval of material for publication. Interesting staff! Finally we bring you two case reports of some rare conditions: Potter's syndrome; and epitheliod sarcoma. We wish you a merry Christmas and vey happy reading of African Health Sciences!

References

1. Bazira J, Matte M^, Asiimwe BB, Joloba LM. Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mbarara, South Western Uganda. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 305 -311
2. Nansera D, Bajunirwe F, Kabakyenga J, Asiimwe PK J, Mayanja-Kizza H. Opportunities and barriers for implementation of integrated TB and HIV care in lower level health units: Experiences from a rural western Ugandan district. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 312 - 319
3. Castelnuovo B. A review of compliance to Anti-TB treatment and risk factors for defaulting. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 320 324
4. Admou B, Elharti E, Oumzil H, Addebbous A, Amine M, Zahlane K, Soraa N, Zougaghi L, et al. Clinical and immunological status of a newly diagnosed HIV positive population in Marrakech,
5. Morocco African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 325 - 331
6. Eriksen J, Mujinja P, Warsame M, Nsimba S, Kouyaté B, Gustafsson LL, Jahn A, Müller O, et al. Effectiveness of a community intervention on malaria in rural Tanzania - a randomised controlled trial. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 332 - 340
7. Kohagne TL, M'eyi MP, Mimpfoundi R, Louis JF. Entomological patterns in the Human African trypanosomiasis focus of Komo Mondah, Gabon African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 341 - 348
8. Gozanga A, Byamugisha J. Microbial aetiology and sensitivity of asymptomatic bacteriuria among ante-natal mothers in Mulago Hospital, Uganda. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 349 - 352
9. Tibebu S^, Zerihun L, Afework M, Makonnen E, Debella A. Effect of Rumex steudelii methanolic root extract on ovarian folliculogenesis and uterine histology in female albino rats. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 353 - 361
10. Emodi IJ, Ikefuna AN, U Duru A. Skin diseases among children attending the children out patient clinic at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital Enugu, Nigeria. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 362 - 366
11. Baalwa J, Byarugaba BB, Kabagambe KE, Otim AM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Uganda. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 367 - 373
12. Muhwezi WW, Okello ES, Turiho KA. Gender based profiling of Quality of Life of Primary Health Care attendees in central Uganda. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 374 - 385
13. Makama JG, Ameh EA, Eguma SA. Music in the operating theatre: opinions of staff and patients of a Nigerian teaching hospital. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 386 - 389
14. Tara Das. Basically a house of experts: The production of World Health Organization information. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 390 - 394
15. Al-Haggar M, Yahia S, Abdel-Hadi D, Grill F, Al Kaissi A. Sirenomelia (symelia apus) with Potter's syndrome in connection with gestational diabetes mellitus: a case report and literature review. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 395 - 399
16. Al-Salam S, Al Ashari M. Epithelioid sarcoma in a child presenting as a submandibular mass. African Health Sciences 2010; 10 (4): 400 - 404

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