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Research Article

Stroke rehabilitation: Demographic profile and rehabilitation therapy costs of outpatients with stroke in Greece

Angelo V. Vasiliadis

Abstract: Stroke is one of the most expensive medical illnesses. In Greece, information on rehabilitation costs after hospital discharge and type of treatment sessions have not been reported. This study provided the demographic profile, the rehabilitation training program and the direct rehabilitation costs of stroke outpatients. A retrospective study, based on a sample of 18 outpatients with stroke, who were all local residents of the prefecture of Thessaloniki and had their first documented rehabilitation session between June 2008 and May 2010. The mean age was 58.8 ± 14 years and 83.3% had ischemic stroke. The direct rehabilitation cost for all stroke cases was €99,960 for a total of 169 months (591.5 € per month for rehabilitation). Pool therapy (52.4%) was the most utilized during rehabilitation. The mean length of rehabilitation period was 9.4 ± 5.9, months. At the end of rehabilitation training program, over half of the outpatients had the need for a walking stick (61.1%). Stroke onset was higher in the evening hours (44.4%) and the spring season was noted with the most cases (38.9%). Stroke patients without any type of insurance continue to incur considerable costs for their rehabilitation therapy program after their discharge from a hospital setting.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Stroke, rehabilitation, outpatient, cost, incidence, Greece.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Determinants of helmet wearing behavior among motorcyclists in the Dominican Republic

Amy C. Dennis, Nichole Bosson, Jose Elias Collado Peralta, Cesar Castillo, Mark Foran and Stephen P. Wall*

Abstract: Motorcycle-related traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Dominican Republic. Although rates of helmet use by motorcycle riders are low, little is known regarding the specific factors that drive this behavior. In this study, 26 adults in an urban Dominican hospital who self-reported riding motorcycles often without wearing a helmet participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews about their motorcycle use, collision history, and beliefs regarding helmets. A theoretical construct was created based on iterative coding of the resulting interview transcripts. Most participants understood helmets protect against head injury, yet stated that helmets are not needed for short distances, in rural areas, or when riding as the passenger. Perceived barriers to helmet use include cost, lack of access for passengers, and unattractiveness. Participants revealed that the national law mandating driver helmet use did not apply to passengers and was not effectively enforced. Findings are discussed in relation to the Health Belief Model. Specific policy recommendations are proposed, including changes in national legislation to apply to motorcycle passengers, increased law enforcement in rural areas and with less predictability in urban areas, financial interventions to reduce the consumer cost of helmets, and cultural interventions to popularize motorcycle helmet use.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Behavior, helmets, motorcycles, trauma, attitudes, perceptions, Dominican Republic, qualitative.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Seroprevalence of rubella among women of childbearing age in Algeria. Is there a need for a rubella vaccination?

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: Controlling congenital rubella is one of the targets of the World Health Organization. Most countries currently include rubella vaccine in their national immunization programmes, but not yet in Algeria. The aim of this study was to determine the sero susceptibility of rubella infection among women of childbearing age and the feasibility of establishing an organized prevention program in Algeria. This prospective, cross-sectional study was examined in healthy women of childbearing age (who gave informed consent) living in both an urban and a rural region of the eastern of Algeria. 834 sera were collected between March 2005 and March 2007, and were screened for rubella immunoglobulins G (IgG) using the ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (ELISA)-based quantitative assay in the Microbiology Laboratory at the Teaching Hospital of Setif. The mean age of the women was 32 years (range: 18 to 48) and 39.2% were pregnant. None of the women ever had previous rubella vaccination. The global seroprevalence determined with a commercial enzyme immunoassay among 834 WCBA was 68.6% (95% CI: 65.3 to 71.7% ), leaving a high proportion of susceptibility (31.4%).The distribution of this prevalence appeared stable with no significant difference between the years of study, age groups, and residence . The lack of data on rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Algeria should encourage medical authorities to establish a national rubella surveillance network in order to develop a strategy to survey and control congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the country. The present study which is the first national level data on seroprevalence of rubella among women of childbearing age, suggests the need for a policy to immunize all adolescent girls and/or women of childbearing age group against rubella before conception to control CRS.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Rubella, seroprevalence, women childbearing age, vaccination, Setif, Algeria.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans from Khartoum State, Sudan

Khalil Mohamed ; AAziz A. Ahmed; Intisar E. Elrayah

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasites that cause infection to human. The aim of this study was to conduct a sero-prevalence survey of toxoplasmosis in several target groups, including: pregnant women, aborters, neonates, children, suspected cases, cancer patients, HIV patients, volunteers, and camels, drivers. A total of 1146 serum samples were collected and researched for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). Five hundred (out of 1146 cases) resulted positive with a prevalence of 43.6%. High prevalence was found among HIV patients (75%), aborters (58.3%), and suspected cases (55.5%). Higher prevalence was observed in 26-30 years old group than the others (P = 0.0001). Prevalence rate by sex was found to be higher in females than males (P[...] Read More.

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2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Perceived social support among the spouses of men living with HIV infection

Mohanarani Suhadev , Udaya Mahadevan, Beena E Thomas & Soumya Swaminathan

Abstract: Social support is an important buffer for the spouses of HIV infected men. This paper aims to find out the support systems from three different sources namely relational, friends and professional for the women who are the family caregivers. The study included 201 women who accompanied their spouses and children to 3 hospitals at Chennai and Vellore, Tamilnadu, India, during January to June 2007. Social Support was measured by a 9 item scale used in the RAND Medical Outcome Study (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991). Majority of the respondents were sero-positive (69%) and marriage was the only risk factor for them. Of 201 women, 122 (61%) reported that they disclosed their diagnosis of HIV to others and the scale measured different kinds of support namely companionship, intimacy and understanding and physical assistance. One fifth of the respondents did not get any support from others. About 59% of the respondents had someone to show love and affection and 46% had some persons to listen to them most or all of the time. But, they lacked persons to give them good advice and guide properly (41%). Most women caregivers of HIV infected men received social support mostly from their natal families and urban women enjoyed better social support.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Social Support, Spouses of HIV infected men, RAND Medical Outcome Study, Tamilnadu.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Determination of hematological parameters among homeless children exposed to chemical intoxication in Khartoum State, Sudan

Malik Hassan Ibrahim Mustafa, Elkhazin Ali Abd Elmageed Eltayeb , Tariq Elfatih Elmisbah Elmahadi , and Omaima Nasir

Abstract: Homelessness increases a person’s exposure to infectious and communicable diseases paired with long periods of malnutrition which can cause some chronic conditions e.g anemia and degenerative bone diseases. Numerous studies in Canada, United States and Great Britain document the relationship between homelessness and health, the phenomenon does exist all around the world but in Sudan it was evident during the seventies and eighties of the 20th century. Chemicals used by homeless children such as inhalants are volatile substances producing chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive, mind-altered euphoric state, in spite of health problems, homeless children generally lack access to consistent health care, and this lack of care can increase severity of illness. An analytical, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among homeless children from Tayba, Soba, and Althawra for Homeless Children Rehabilitation in Khartoum State, Sudan, during the period of August 2008 to March 2010, two hundred participants were recruited aged between 6 to18 years. Blood collected for different hematological measurements and prior to the collection general questionnaire paper have been given to get the knowledge about age, gender, place of origin, education and experiences surrounding infectious diseases from all participants. The most prominent type of anaemia was normocytic normochromic anaemia (86%) followed by microcytic hypochromic anaemia(13%) with abnormal blood cell morphology. Normal count of white blood cells with marked lymphocytosis, eosinophilia & monocytosis and hypersegmentation of neutrophils. The iron profile showed serum ferritin (140.22mg/dl), serum iron (56.75mg/dl), TIBC (264mg/dl) and saturation (24.27%). The majority of the homeless participants used silision (85%), Cigarette (77.5%), Snuff (41.5%), Benzene (34.5%), Alcohol (30%) and Shesha (16%). Most of the study participants showed abnormal hematological parameters mostly due to environmental, nutritional and medical status.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Chemicals, homeless children, blood cells, Khartoum, Sudan.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Malnutrition among rural Indian children: An assessment using web of indices

Fahmina Anwar, Manoj Kumar Gupta, C.Prabha and R.K.Srivastava

Abstract: Childhood malnutrition is an enduring problem in developing countries. Cases with mild-to-moderate malnutrition are likely to remain unrecognized because conventional measures of under nutrition may be missing out a considerable proportion of undernourished children present in the population. With this background, a community based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of under nutrition among children by using various available indicators. It is a community based on cross sectional study carried out in the rural area of Varanasi, India. A total of 483 children aged 0-36 months were examined that were selected by adopting appropriate sampling methodology. They were subjected to anthropometry (weight, height and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)) measurements following standard technique.BMI and other parameters were also assessed, the data thus obtained was analysed using SPSSv16.0. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were 43.1%, 35.2% and 31.5%, respectively. The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) shows 62.5% of children suffering from anthropometric failure. As much as 88 (42.9%) children were suffering from malnutrition according to MUAC criteria (< 13.5 cm). Nearly two thirds of the children were in the zone of anthropometric failure. There is a need and scope to construct an alternative indicator to provide a single, aggregated figure of the number of undernourished children in a population.[...] Read More.

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2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Cardiovascular risk among Undergraduates in a Nigerian University

*Johnson O.E, Adedoyin R.A, Awotidebe T.O, Mbada C.E, Otolorin O.A and Owoseni I

Abstract: This study assessed the cardiovascular (CV) risk profile of undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Seven hundred and ninety five copies of Framingham Heart study questionnaire were used to obtain information on CV risk factors; including smoking habit, sedentary lifestyle, diet, personality trait, age and gender. Participant’s blood pressure was obtained in sitting observing standard precautions. Weights and heights were obtained and body mass indices (BMI) and CV risk levels calculated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics at 0.05 α-level. The mean age, weight, height and BMI of participants were 27.65±6.49years, 62.10±11.78kg, 1.65±0.86m, 22.91±4.29kg/m2 respectively. Participants were mostly in the low and moderate risk categories with only 15 (1.9%) of the 795 participants in high level of CV risk. Participants in high CV risk level were mostly in year 4. There was significant difference in age, weight and BMI of participants in the different faculties studied (p0.05). The study concluded that the majority of participants were mostly at low CV risk level. An awareness of CV disease is therefore strongly warranted so as to maintain such low levels of CV risk. Keywords: Young adults, cardiovascular risk, CVD, Nigerian University, Framingham questionnaire, BMI.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Young adults, cardiovascular risk, CVD, Nigerian University, Framingham questionnaire, BMI.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Pattern of condom use and perceived risk of HIV infection among female sex workers in selected Brothels in Ogun State, Nigeria

Adeneye A.K., Adeneye A.A., Mafe M.A., Adeiga A.A.

Abstract: In view of the paucity of empirical data on condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) with their clients and regular/trusted sex partners in Nigeria, particularly Ogun State, this study was conducted to examine FSWs’ knowledge and perception about HIV/AIDS and find out their pattern of condom use with their clients and regular/trusted sex partners. One hundred and thirty-one FSWs were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Results showed pervasive consistent condom use (95.4%) with high (74.8%) incidence of condom breakage with clients, inconsistent condom use with regular/trusted partners (75.6%), drug/substance abuse as post-exposure prophylaxis, recent STI experiences, and low self-perceived risk of HIV infection among the FSWs studied. A few (1.5%) respondents who were not using condoms with their clients at all were also not using with their regular/trusted sex partners. Results showed the need for urgent educational interventions on proper condom use particularly targeting FSWs who use no condom or often experience condom breakage with clients and deemed it less imperative to use condom with their regular/trusted sex partners. The programmatic response should emphasise the dangers of substance abuse, their vulnerability to STIs and HIV and becoming vessels of spreading such infections. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, perceived risk, condom use, female sex workers, Nigeria.[...] Read More.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, perceived risk, condom use, female sex workers, Nigeria.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Disclosure of parental HIV status: Are parents telling their children and what are some factors influencing disclosure- A study from South India

Beena E Thomas, Chandra Suresh, Sujatha V, Vijayalakshmi R, Basilea Watson and Soumya Swaminathan

Abstract: In the era of accessible antiretroviral treatment where HIV becomes a chronic disease, disclosure of parental HIV status to children is fraught with challenges. This study seeks to understand if parents disclose their HIV status to their children, and gain insight into some factors that influence disclosure. This is a cross sectional descriptive study on 115 of 136 HIV positive patients attending the outpatient clinic of the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) situated in Chennai, South India. Disclosure was reported by twenty eight respondents (24%) of the respondents with 11(39%) who reported that it was done by them, the rest being unplanned or done by health providers. The most significant variables which influenced disclosure were age of the parents, (Adjusted OR = 14.7 C.I (3.2, 68), p-value: 0.001), divorced /widowed (Adjusted OR = 4.8, C.I (1.1, 22.1), p-value: 0.041) and having children ≥15 years (Adjusted OR = 3.1, C.I :( 1.1, 15.6), p-value: 0.043). It was also found that disclosure was more likely when both parents were positive. (c2 =7.481,p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Disclosure, Parents, HIV Status, children, Challenges.

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Epidemiology of sickle cell disorder: The urban scenario in Maharashtra, India

*A. U. Deore and S. B. Zade

2013, 2(1), 1-6;

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