African Health Sciences Makerere University Medical School ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1729-0503 Vol. 11, Num. 1, 2011, pp. 1-1

African Health Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 1, January-March, 2011, pp. 1

Editor's Choice

James K Tumwine, Editor in Chief

Code Number: hs11001

Welcome to this issue no. 1 of African Health Sciences for 2011 in which we have selected for you very interesting papers.

It is a while since we had many papers on HIV in one issue. So in this issue we have 4 original papers on HIV from Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria.

Ghanaian scientists report on the prevalence of anemia, immunological markers among HAART naïve HIV patients and those on HAART. Ugandan clinicians on the other hand report their experience with hepato-toxicity from first line HAART while their colleagues identified rheumatic manifestations of HIV in the same hospital. To complete the HIV story, Ibadan researchers report acceptability of HIV counseling and testing of women in labour.

Now tetanus! It seems the tetanus menace is not about to go away. Ethiopian clinicians report high case fatality of tetanus in adults in Jima and ponder what could be done to improve the situation. Maybe our health systems could a have a radical rethink of vaccination and other measures for preventing what is clearly a disease of under development.

Thinking of children: Uchendu and others report on pre hospital management of diarrhea in a bid to reducing morbidity and mortality

Cervical cancer

Not to be out done by infectious diseases cancer of the cervix features prominently in this issue. Tanzanian and Swedish researchers report on knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices in a regional hospital. As if by conspiracy, Kenyan researchers report perception of risk and barriers to cervical cancer screening in western Kenya.

Ethno-pharmacology and therapeutics:

Ugandan and Swedish researchers muse over adverse drug reactions in one district and a regional hospital while Nigerian workers debate diabetes mellitus in rats: the effect of ^Mg2+ on hyperglycaemia as well as that of an African plant on diabetes. Excellent stuff!

There is a health catastrophe looming over a nickel-copper mine in Botswana so reports Dr. Ekosse. Calls for action seem to be falling on deaf ears.

Commercial vehicle drivers are once again in the news: not because of HIV risk, but because of a concern about their eyesight. Ovenssi's paper reports on refractive errors in this group. What about mental health? Researchers from Ethiopia report that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted since is truly linked to depression highlighting the importance of mental illness in that country.

Practice points

Eshetu muses over social determinants of poor health while Cherian has written on CNS tuberculosis. Another Indian author has written for us on the cold chain using results obtained in an intervention study now popularly known as "implementation science". You will be hearing a lot about this in many forms in the next two year, so watch this space. We conclude this first issue of African Health Sciences with two seminal case reports: one an unusual GIT tumor in Ibadan; a 26 year old with patent ductus arteriosus in pregnancy.

Have a nice day!

References

1. Owiredu WKBA, Quaye L, Amidu A, Addai-Mensah O. Prevalence of anaemia and immunological markers among Ghanaian HAART-naïve HIV-Patients and those on HAART. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 2 - 15
2. Kalyesubula R, Kagimu M, Opio KC, Kiguba R, Semitala CF, Schlech WF, et al. Hepatotoxicity from first line antiretroviral therapy: an experience from a resource limited setting. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 16 - 23
3. Kaddu-Mukasa M, Ssekasanvu E, Ddumba E, Thomas D, Katabira ET. Rheumatic manifestations among HIV positive adults attending the Infectious disease clinic at Mulago hospital. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 24 - 29
4. Bello FA, Ogunbode OO, Adesina OA, Olayemi O, Awonuga OM, Adewole IF. Acceptability of counselling and testing for HIV infection in women in Labour at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 30 - 35
5. Amare A, Yami A. Case-fatality of adult Tetanus at Jimma University teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 36 - 40
6. Uchendu UO, Emodi IJ, Ikefuna AN. Pre-hospital management of diarrhoea among caregivers presenting at a tertiary health institution: implications for practice and Health Education. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 41 - 47
7. Urasa M, Darj E. Knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices of nurses at a regional hospital in Tanzania. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 48 - 57
8. Were E, Nyaberi Z, Buziba N. Perceptions of risk and barriers to Cervical Cancer screening at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret, Kenya. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 58 - 64
9. Muula AS, Siziya S, Rudatsikira E. Parity and maternal education are associated with low birth weight in Malawi. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 65 - 71
10. Tumwikirize WA, Ogwal-Okeng JW, Vernby A, Anokbonggo WW, Gustafsson LL, Lundborg SC. Adverse drug reactions in patients admitted on Internal Medicine wards in District and Regional Hospitals in Uganda. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 72 - 78
11. Ige AO, Adewoye EO, Olaleye SB, Salami AT. Effect of Magnesium pre-treatment on Alloxan induced Hyperglycemia in rats. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 79 - 84
12. Ojezele MO, Abatan OM. Hypoglycaemic and coronary risk index (cri) lowering effects of Bauhinia thoningii in alloxan induced diabetic rats. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 85 - 89
13. Ekosse G-IE. Health status within the precincts of a Nickel-Copper mining and smelting environment. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 90 - 96
14. Ovenseri-Ogomo G, Adofo M. Poor vision, refractive errors and barriers to treatment among commercial vehicle drivers in the Cape Coast municipality. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 97 - 102
15. Mekonnen D, Kebede Y. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among individuals attending an adult psychiatry out-patient clinic in Gondar, Ethiopia. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 103 - 107
16. Eshetu WB, Woldesenbet SA. Are there particular social determinants of health for the world's poorest countries?. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 108 - 116
17. Cherian A, Thomas SV. Central nervous system tuberculosis. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 116 - 127
18. Mallik S, Kumar Mandal P, Chattaerjee C, Ghosh P, Manna N, Chakraborty D, et al. Assessing cold chain status in a metro city of India: an intervention study. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 128 - 133
19. Afuwape OO, Irador DO, Ladipo JK. Gastrointestinal stromal tumour in Ibadan, Nigeria: a case report and review of current treatment. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 134 137
20. Akintunde AA, Opadijo OG. Case report of a 26 year old primigravida with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in heart failure. African Health Sciences 2011; 11: 138 - 140

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