Oncologic Care and Pathology Resources in Africa: Survey and Recommendations

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Nelson ◽  
Danny A. Milner ◽  
Timothy R. Rebbeck ◽  
Yawale Iliyasu
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparity ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Pathology Laboratory ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Modern Era

The connection of a clinician who identifies a patient with signs and symptoms of malignancy to an oncologist who has the tools to treat a patient's cancer requires a diagnostic pathology laboratory to receive, process, and diagnose the tumor. Without an accurate classification, nothing is known of diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment by the clinical team, and most important, the patient is left scared, confused, and without hope. The vast majority of deaths from malignancies occur in sub-Saharan Africa primarily as a result of lack of public awareness of cancer and how it is diagnosed and treated in the setting of a severe lack of resources (physical and personnel) to actually diagnose tumors. To correct this massive health disparity, a plan of action is required across the continent of Africa to bring diagnostic medicine into the modern era and connect patients with the care they desperately need. We performed a survey of resources in Africa for tissue diagnosis of cancer and asked quantitative questions about tools, personnel, and utilization. We identified a strong correlation between pathology staffing and capacity to provide pathology services. On the basis of this survey and through a congress of concerned pathologists, we propose strategies that will catapult the continent into an era of high-quality pathology services with resultant improvement in cancer outcomes.

scholarly journals Graduate Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Graduate Education ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Regional Basis ◽  
Sub Saharan

An examination of some of the challenges facing graduate education in Sub-Saharan Africa which traces the decline in higher education in much of Africa, describes problems hindering quality graduate education, the need to recreate the culture of research that existed earlier, and makes some suggestions about ways to promote and expand high quality graduate education on a regional basis.

scholarly journals Confronting the Challenges of Graduate Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
pp. 16-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred M. Hayward ◽  
Daniel J. Ncayiyana
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Education ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
National Development ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Critical Importance ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Research ◽  
Current State ◽  
Sub Saharan

This piece focuses on the current state of graduate education in Sub-Saharan Africa spelling out some of the challenges faced as well as areas of improvement over the last five years. We emphasize the critical importance of graduate education to national development. We make suggestions about creating high quality graduate programs including the critical need for more PhD faculty members and expanded quality research at Africa’s best universities.

scholarly journals PO 8448 ADVERSE DRUG REACTION TO TWO ARTEMISININ-BASED COMBINATION THERAPIES, ARTEMETHER-LUMEFANTRINE AND ARTEMISININ-PIPERAQUINE, IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A39.2-A39
Author(s):  
Oluwafunmibi Anjorin ◽  
Catherine O Falade
Keyword(s):  
Uncomplicated Malaria ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Full Blood Count ◽  
Naranjo Algorithm ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Loss Of Appetite ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

BackgroundMalaria remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, especially amongst children and pregnant women. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is now the treatment of choice. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) have been observed to ACTs. This study aims to determine the incidence, pattern of presentation and factors associated with ADRs to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and artemisinin-piperaquine (AP) among children with acute uncomplicated malaria in Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodsChildren aged 2–10 years with acute uncomplicated malaria who met the inclusion criteria, were enrolled, randomised to receive one of the study drugs (AL or AP) and followed up for 28 days. Monitoring for ADR was based on history from the parent/guardian and/or child regarding occurrences of treatment emergent signs and symptoms and on abnormalities of laboratory investigations (full blood count and blood chemistry). Causality assessment for the ADR was by the Naranjo algorithm scale while the severity was assessed using the Hartwig’s severity scale.ResultsA total of 114 children were enrolled; six defaulted and were not available for follow-up. There were 61 (56.5%) males. The mean age of enrollees was 65.1±30.0 months. Fever was the most prevalent presenting complaint occurring in 108 (100%) enrollees. Observed ADRs were cough, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, rash, fever, irritability, insomnia and headache but the differences were not statistically significant between the two groups. The incidence of ADR to both ACTs was 12/1000 patients per day. Prevalence of ADR to AL was 14% and for AP 11%; this was not statistically significant. All ADRs were mild. No notable associated factor to ADR was detected in this study.ConclusionBoth AL and AP were found to be safe in the study population.

Hybrid Information Systems for Agriculture: The Case of Cattle Trypanosomiasis in Africa

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain J. Mckendrick ◽  
George Gettinby ◽  
Yiqun Gu ◽  
Andrew Peregrine ◽  
Crawford Revie
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Scale Population ◽  
Sub Saharan

Large scale population growth in sub-Saharan Africa makes it imperative to achieve an equivalent increase in food production in this area. It is also important that any increase be sustainable in the long-term, not causing lasting damage to local ecosystems. Recent advances in information technology make the successful diffusion of relevant expertise to farmers a more practical option than ever before. How this might be achieved is described in this paper, which considers the transfer of expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of trypanosomiasis in cattle. Using current technology, the combination of different software systems in one integrated hybrid system could allow the delivery of high quality, well focused information to the potential user.

scholarly journals HIV-positive parents’ accounts on disclosure preparation activities for a parent’s and/or a child’s illness in Kenya

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Gachanja ◽  
Gary J Burkholder ◽  
Aimee Ferraro
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Disclosure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Original Research Article ◽  
Full Disclosure ◽  
Research Article ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
To Receive

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that examined how HIV-positive parents prepared themselves and their children for HIV disclosure in Kenya. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that provides comprehensive data on how HIV-positive parents prepare themselves and their HIV-positive and negative children for disclosure of a parent’s and/or a child’s illness. Prior studies in SSA have provided limited details about the activities performed by parents to prepare for disclosure of a parent’s or a child’s illness. Key aspects of preparing for disclosure to children: 1. Most parents take years to prepare for disclosure, proceeding when they judge themselves ready to impart the news and their children receptive to receive the news. 2. Parents’ preparation activities for disclosure proceed through four major phases which include secrecy, exploration, readiness, and finally full disclosure of illness. 3. In the secrecy phase parents do not disclose; in the exploration phase they plan how they will disclose; in the readiness phase they seek activities that will help them to fully disclose; finally when ready they fully disclose to their children based on birth order. 4. Parents who have many children remain simultaneously within the different preparation phases as they move their children from a state where none are disclosed to, to a state when all of them have been fully disclosed to. The original research article is located at: http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/jsbhs/vol8/iss1/1/

scholarly journals Anomalous Vascular Peritoneal Band Causing Small Bowel Obstruction in an Adult

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-87
Author(s):  
Suzanne Nyakirugumi ◽  
Mathenge Nduhiu
Keyword(s):  
Small Bowel ◽  
Small Bowel Obstruction ◽  
Bowel Obstruction ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Anomalous Artery ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sub Saharan

Peritoneal bands resulting in small bowel obstruction in adults are rare. We present a case study of a 39-year-old male who presented with a 10-day history of signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The patient had no history of abdominal trauma or surgery. Intraoperatively, the small bowel obstruction was caused by a vascularized peritoneal band that had a membrane. The band formed a closed loop and caused the small bowel to herniate and lead to mechanical obstruction. In the band was an anomalous artery that connected the ileocolic artery to the descending branch of the left colic artery. The mainstay for diagnosis is an exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy. The definitive treatment is transection of the band. This is the first reported case in Sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: Small bowel obstruction, Congenital bands, Peritoneal bands, Vascular bands, Inferior mesenteric artery, Superior mesenteric artery

scholarly journals Helminths in South Africa: management of cestode and trematode infections in humans

2020 ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
RL van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The South ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa has to contend with many challenges, including inadequate healthcare systems, lack of optimal sanitation, and clean water and food. All of these contribute to malnutrition and an increased risk of infections, including parasitism by cestodes and trematodes. Schistosomiasis is a category-2 notifiable trematode (fluke) infection, whereas cestode (tapeworm) infections need not be reported to the South African Department of Health. Epidemiological data for helminthiasis in South Africa is scant, with a paucity of publications on the South African scenario. As such, a complete picture of the impact of helminth infections on all age groups in South Africa does not exist. These parasitic diseases not only have an impact on socio economic development of a country, community and families, but also contribute to the chronic and detrimental effects on the health and nutritional status of the host, including the impaired development of children. In order to break the cycle of poverty and disease, a strong education drive is required in schools and communities to provide effective strategies and guidelines on preventative measures that result in avoidance of exposure to infective stages of Schistosoma and Taenia tapeworms. Also, it is imperative that healthcare professionals are able to recognise the signs and symptoms, so that interventions can be promptly initiated. The current anthelmintic treatments available in South Africa are effective against cestodes and trematodes, with no drug resistance having being reported. The need for compliancy when taking anthelmintic drugs must be emphasised.

scholarly journals HIV-positive parents’ accounts on disclosure preparation activities for a parent’s and/or a child’s illness in Kenya

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Gachanja ◽  
Gary J Burkholder ◽  
Aimee Ferraro
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Disclosure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Original Research Article ◽  
Full Disclosure ◽  
Research Article ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
To Receive

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that examined how HIV-positive parents prepared themselves and their children for HIV disclosure in Kenya. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that provides comprehensive data on how HIV-positive parents prepare themselves and their HIV-positive and negative children for disclosure of a parent’s and/or a child’s illness. Prior studies in SSA have provided limited details about the activities performed by parents to prepare for disclosure of a parent’s or a child’s illness. Key aspects of preparing for disclosure to children: 1. Most parents take years to prepare for disclosure, proceeding when they judge themselves ready to impart the news and their children receptive to receive the news. 2. Parents’ preparation activities for disclosure proceed through four major phases which include secrecy, exploration, readiness, and finally full disclosure of illness. 3. In the secrecy phase parents do not disclose; in the exploration phase they plan how they will disclose; in the readiness phase they seek activities that will help them to fully disclose; finally when ready they fully disclose to their children based on birth order. 4. Parents who have many children remain simultaneously within the different preparation phases as they move their children from a state where none are disclosed to, to a state when all of them have been fully disclosed to. The original research article is located at: http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/jsbhs/vol8/iss1/1/

scholarly journals Automated phone call and text reminders for childhood immunisations (PRIMM): a randomised controlled trial in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001232
Author(s):  
Osayame A Ekhaguere ◽  
Rosena O Oluwafemi ◽  
Bolaji Badejoko ◽  
Lawal O Oyeneyin ◽  
Azeez Butali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control ◽  
To Receive

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa has high under-5 mortality and low childhood immunisation rates. Vaccine-preventable diseases cause one-third of under-5 deaths. Text messaging reminders improve immunisation completion in urban but not rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Low adult literacy may account for this difference. The feasibility and impact of combined automated voice and text reminders on immunisation completion in rural sub-Saharan Africa is unknown.MethodsWe randomised parturient women at the Mother and Child Hospitals Ondo State, Nigeria, owning a mobile phone and planning for child immunisation at these study sites to receive automated call and text immunisation reminders or standard care. We assessed the completion of the third pentavalent vaccine (Penta-3) at 18 weeks of age, immunisation completion at 12 months and within 1 week of recommended dates. We assessed selected demographic characteristics associated with completing immunisations at 12 months using a generalised binomial linear model with ‘log’ link function. Feasibility was assessed as proportion of reminders received.ResultsEach group had 300 mother−baby dyads with similar demographic characteristics. At 18 weeks, 257 (86%) and 244 (81%) (risk ratio (RR) 1.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.13; p=0.15) in the intervention and control groups received Penta-3 vaccine. At 12 months, 220 (74%) and 196 (66%) (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.25; p=0.04) in the intervention and control groups received the measles vaccine. Infants in the intervention group were more likely to receive Penta-3 (84% vs 78%, RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17; p=0.04), measles (73% vs 65%, RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26; p=0.02) and all scheduled immunisations collectively (57% vs 47%, RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26; p=0.01) within 1 week of the recommended date. No demographic character predicted immunisation completion. In the intervention group, 92% and 86% reported receiving a verification reminder and at least one reminder during the study period, respectively.ConclusionPaired automated call and text reminders significantly improved immunisation completion and timeliness.Trial registration numberNCT02819895.

When a foreign adolescent orphan refuses to be treated: Considerations on a clinical case

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1791-1795
Author(s):  
Carlo Alfredo Clerici ◽  
Giovanna Casiraghi ◽  
Laura Veneroni ◽  
Emilia Pecori ◽  
Tullio Proserpio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Support Resources ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Receive Treatment ◽  
Unaccompanied Foreign Minors ◽  
To Receive

AbstractProviding medical treatment for unaccompanied foreign minors can prove particularly demanding when a patient is not fully compliant. This report describes the case of a 13-year-old boy from Sub-Saharan Africa brought to Italy to receive treatment for a neoplasm. Right from the start, he showed strong oppositional reactions, with aggressive and self-harming behavior. This made it necessary to activate various different psychological, psychiatric, and social-support resources, and to adapt the proposed treatments to the patient's willingness and ability to cooperate. Here we outline the assessments and actions (also from the economic and organizational standpoint) that need to be implemented in any scheme to bring young foreign orphans to Italy for specialist medical care.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document