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Clinical Risk Factors Associated with HIV-Tuberculosis Co-Infection Among Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy, Bungoma and Webuye County Hospitals (2015), Kenya
Robert Shihuzire Magomere,
Ronald Omenge Obwoge
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, July 2018
Pages:
38-44
Received:
25 August 2017
Accepted:
7 September 2017
Published:
19 September 2018
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading causes of death among people living with Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and first presenting sign in majority of people living with HIV. Factors influencing TB among HIV patients on anti retroviral treatment (ART) are not well described in our settings. The study aimed to assess clinical factors influencing occurrence of TB among people living with HIV after ART initiation in Bungoma and Webuye hospitals in Bungoma County. The study population consists of 156 cases and 156 controls. Case control study conducted from January 2017- April 2017 in two public hospitals in Bungoma County. Cases were adult people living with HIV who developed TB after ART initiation and controls were adult people living with HIV who did not develop TB after ART initiation. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information. at 95% CI and variables with p-value of < 0.05 at multivariable logistic regression were considered as significant predictors of the outcome variable. The findings of the study were presented in text and tables. The result of this study shows that after adjusting for potential confounders not being on Isonazid (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 35.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 13.81, 90.20), ), having World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III/IV (AOR = 15.53; 95% CI: 7.67, 31.47), having interrupted ART (AOR=2.72; 95%CI: 0.35,21.31), were predictors for increase risk of TB in PLWH after ART initiation. Not smoking (AOR=0.31;95%CI:0.13,0.71) had decreases chances of acquiring TB in PLWH after ART initiation. In this study, increasing coverage of isoniazid preventive therapy reduced risk of TB among HIV patients. Study recommends that all PLWH should be screened for TB, but for patients who have advanced disease condition (WHO clinical stage III/IV) intensified screening is highly recommended during treatment follow up.
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading causes of death among people living with Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and first presenting sign in majority of people living with HIV. Factors influencing TB among HIV patients on anti retroviral treatment (ART) are not well described in our settings. The study aimed to assess clinical factors influencing occ...
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Miraa Use Among Somali Youth Living in Eastleigh, Nairobi Kenya
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, July 2018
Pages:
45-52
Received:
22 June 2018
Accepted:
29 August 2018
Published:
25 September 2018
Abstract: Eastleigh is a suburb in Nairobi inhabited predominantly by Somalis and known for a number of activates that includes businesses, stop over of youth people from the western world on their way to Somalia or to learn the culture and get spouses. Miraa use has been associated with the Somali community. The area of study was chosen as Section 1 from the four Sections that approximately hold 9408 households. 270 households were selected with at least one youth aged between 18-25 years of age. We gave our own developed questionnaire that asked about demographic characteristics and patterns of miraa use to consenting participants. Descriptive analysis was done based on the demographic characteristics. We found that miraa use was high (47.9%) and was more prevalent among the males, those with lower educational level, the single (including the divorced and separated) and those born out of Eastleigh. We also found that miraa use was more prevalent among those whose parents were not married, living alone, with friends, relatives, parents and relatives, the unemployed, those running businesses, the self-employed and those whose families had lower income. Miraa onset was more likely at 18 years or below and was used with other psychoactive substances that include amphetamines, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, shisha, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. A larger study should be done in this area that includes all the other sections as well. This study advises on targeting prevention of miraa use to youth younger than 18 years.
Abstract: Eastleigh is a suburb in Nairobi inhabited predominantly by Somalis and known for a number of activates that includes businesses, stop over of youth people from the western world on their way to Somalia or to learn the culture and get spouses. Miraa use has been associated with the Somali community. The area of study was chosen as Section 1 from th...
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Fruit and Vegetable, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Kindergartners in Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study
Perdita Hilary Lopes,
Donne Kofi Ameme,
George Kuma Khumaloo,
Nana Afia Ntim,
Rexford Adade,
Phoebe Balagumeyetime,
Evans Nsor Ayamdooh,
Patrick Akandi,
Maame Amo-Addae
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, July 2018
Pages:
53-57
Received:
29 April 2018
Accepted:
5 September 2018
Published:
6 October 2018
Abstract: Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption (F&VC) provide important nutrients and greatly reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, especially when started from childhood. F&VC among adults in Ghana is one of the lowest worldwide, and this may also pertain to children. Since school children spend considerable time in school, what they eat during school hours is important for their development. The objective of this study was to assess F&VC and the proportion of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (SSBC) among two socio-economic classes. Methods: A cross-sectional study of kindergartners in the Accra Metropolitan Area was carried out. Fruits, vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and two socio-economic classes were defined prior to the study. Six schools were randomly selected; two each from three sub-metros from the Accra-Metropolitan Area. Data on meals eaten by 422 kindergartners were collected through observation and interview, guided by a checklist. Means and percentages were calculated. F&VC and SSBC was assessed along the two socio-economic classes. Results: Feeding options at school were home-packed, school-provided, and meals sold by vendors. The mean age of the respondents was 4.1 years, with 49.1% (207/422) being male. The proportion of kindergartners who consumed school-provided and home-packed meals was 70.1% (296/422) and 64.5% (272/422) respectively. Only 2.2% (9/422) of kindergartners consumed fruits, whereas total vegetable consumption was 34.1% (144/422). SSBC was associated with socio-economic class (95% CI 0.28-0.62). Conclusions: F&VC was generally low in the study population. SSBC was high, especially, in kindergartners from the higher socio-economic class schools. The Ghana Education Service should promote their consumption, by making fruits and vegetables available in schools.
Abstract: Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption (F&VC) provide important nutrients and greatly reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, especially when started from childhood. F&VC among adults in Ghana is one of the lowest worldwide, and this may also pertain to children. Since school children spend considerable time in school, what they eat dur...
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The Relationship Between the Ratio of Interleukin-10(IL-10) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) with Plasmodium falciparum Density in Nigerian Children
Okoro Chinyere Ihuarulam,
Agomo Chimere Obiora,
Ihenetu Francis Chukwuebuka,
Iroegbu Uchechi Francis,
Odinaka Kelechi Kenneth,
Nnadozie Raymond Ikechukwu,
Dunga Kingsly Excell,
Okoro Oluchi Ijeoma
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, July 2018
Pages:
58-63
Received:
18 July 2018
Accepted:
20 August 2018
Published:
8 October 2018
Abstract: Circulating levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α have been shown to correlate with disease severity in African children. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) production appears to be important in the induction and maintenance of immunity to P. falciparum in naturally exposed populations.TNF-α induces fever, and elevated body temperatures can suppress parasitemia. Although TNF-α-induced mechanisms can serve the host to control infection, prolonged exposure to TNF-α may adversely affect the individual by inducing or promoting severe disease. The present study was conducted among children in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria between July 2014 and March 2015, with a view to assessing the relationship between Plasmodium falciparum density and the ratio of inter-leukin 10(IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). Blood samples were taken from children aged 1-72 months with fever or history of fever in the last 24 hours whose caregivers consented to the study.Malaria parasite density was determined by microscopy while the serum and/or plasma levels of cytokine by ELISA method.The geometric mean of IL-10/TNF-α ratios of 1.9pg/ml,2.0pg/ml and 1.3pg/ml were recorded for parasite density groups of 1-1000, 1001 – 10000 and >10,000 parasites/µlrespectively. IL-10/TNF-α ratio significantly decreased at high parasite density group (>10,000 parasites/µl) compared to lower parasite density groups (p=0.008). The IL-10/TNFα ratio in parasitized and healthy control groups were 3.4pg/ml and 1.8 pg/ml, respectively (P<0.05). Although significant increases in concentrations of IL-10 and TNF-α were observed among parasitized children compared to healthy controls, the reduction in IL-10/TNF-α among parasitized individuals suggests a much larger increase in the concentration of TNF-α compared to IL-10 in response to the presence of malaria parasites. Among parasitized children, IL-10/TNF-α ratio decreased as parasite density increased. Thus, IL-10/TNF-α ration may be a marker of severity of malaria infection among Nigerian children.
Abstract: Circulating levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α have been shown to correlate with disease severity in African children. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) production appears to be important in the induction and maintenance of immunity to P. falciparum in naturally exposed populations.TNF-α induces fever, and elevated body temperatures can suppress parasit...
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