MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

Research Article

Knowledge and attitude of male dental students toward HIV/AIDS in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: In Saudi Arabia, according to recent epidemiological data from Ministry of Health 2009, number of HIV/AIDS cases are 15213. One of the most serious threats that dental students face during their clinical training, is the possibility of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, with the attendant risk of infection with HIV. The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward. This was a cross sectional analytic study among all male students of the Dental College of King Khalid University, who agreed to participate in the study. A validated self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire includes four major categories: demographic variables, eighteen closed questions about knowledge of HIV infection, fifteen questions about oral manifestations of Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and seventeen questions addressed attitudes regarding treating HIV-positive patients, legal aspects, the right of HIV-positive health personnel to practice, and willingness to treat. Out of 400 male dental students invited to participate in the study, 363 returned filled questionnaire giving a response rate of 90.8%. Their age ranged between 20 and 29 years with a mean of 23.6 ± 1.6 years. The total mean knowledge score was 62.7% (good). Insufficient total knowledge score was reported among almost one-third of the dental students (34.7%). The overall mean attitude score was 66.4 ± 6.8%. The attitude in 9.1% was positive, 90.1% negative, and 0.8% passive. Pearson correlation coefficient showed students with higher knowledge scores had significantly more positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients (r=0.223, p[...] Read More.

Keywords: AIDS, HIV, knowledge, dental.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Correlation of maternal albumin and birth weight of babies in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Baba Usman Ahmadu*, Adebayo Ayub-Eniola Ayodele, Haruna Ngadda, Usman Jungudu and Kyari Sandabe Mustapha

Abstract: Poor nutrition is high in population residing mostly in developing countries. Maternal albumin deficiency could have influence on birth weight of babies. This study looked at the correlation of maternal albumin and birth weight of babies at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Ninety eight mother-baby pairs were selected using systematic random sampling method. Maternal albumin was determined using the Bromocresol Green method and birth weight of baby’s was assessed using the bassinet weighing scale. The relationship between maternal albumin and birth weight was investigated by correlation analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significance of data. There were 52 (53.1 %) male and 46 (46.9 %) female babies. Most mothers 86 (87.8%) had acceptable albumin levels. Mean (SD) of birth weight of babies and maternal albumin were 3.01(0.60) and 38.92 (6.07) respectively. A positive correlation coefficient was found between maternal albumin and mean birth weight of babies, however, this was not significant (r = 0.483, p = 0.227). Maternal albumin varies directly with mean birth weight of babies; however, this relationship was not significant in this study. Further work in this regard is hereby recommended.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Maternal albumin, babies weights, mother-baby pairs, teaching hospital, Nigeria.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Detection and management of a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak, Special Olympics World Summer Games, Greece, June 2011

Kassiani Mellou*, Maria Potamiti-Komi, Theologia Sideroglou, Athina Kallimani, Agoritsa Baka, Dimitris Iliopoulos, Evaggelos Liapis, Georgios Rigakos, Aikaterini Karageorgou, Maria Tseroni, Anastasia Chatziefstratiou, Sophia Iliopoulou, Elisavet Kamolinou, Kostantinos Tsitlakidis, Dimitris Zarifis and Stefanos Bonovas

Abstract: The 2011 Special Olympics Summer Games were hosted in Greece, from 25 June to 4 July. A syndromic surveillance system was implemented for the needs of the Games. On 26 June a cluster of viral gastroenteritis cases among the members of the British delegation was detected. The delegation had arrived in Athens on 24 June from the island where they had been on holidays since 20 June. Control measures were implemented. Descriptive epidemiological data were gathered and a 1:1 case-control study was conducted. Controls were selected via simple random sampling, using a list of the British delegation members and a random number table. Data showed that this was a common point source outbreak. Cases were exposed on 24 June during their return to Athens. The only recognised statistically significant risk factor was a prior contact with a symptomatic case (OR=14.6, 95% CI 1.81-118.1). One specific case that reported vomiting during the trip was identified as the probable source of the outbreak. Two stool samples were positive for norovirus. Control measures resulted to the restriction of the outbreak and no cases were notified among the members of the other delegations. The syndromic surveillance system detected the outbreak on the first day of the Games. The investigation revealed the lack of laboratory capacity for virological testing of stool samples and the effectiveness of syndromic surveillance to identify the outbreak.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Norovirus, outbreak, olympic games, syndromic, control, mass-gathering.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Characteristics of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) patients and predictors of common bile duct (CBD) stones in a Tertiary Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Wael. A. Shahin,* and Hassan. A. Bokhary

Abstract: Biliary disorders vary in different parts of the world. Study of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cases gives an idea about the biliary disorders in the community. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics of ERCP patients and predictors of common bile duct (CBD) stone in a tertiary hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This[x1] study was conducted on 135 patients admitted at Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, during the years 2009 and 2010. Patient demographics, presentation, liver function tests, comorbid conditions, ultrasound and ERCP findings were studied. The mean age of patients was 46.59 ± 17.6 yrs and female / male[x2] ratio was 1.56/1. [x3] Female[x4] patients were significantly younger, having more biliary colic (42.7 vs. 11.3%), biliary pancreatitis (11 vs. 3.8%), gall bladder stones (64.6 vs. 56.6%), history of cholecystectomy (12.2 vs. 5.7%) and less serum bilirubin (4.27± 3.95 vs. 9.73 ± 7.95), while male patients presented with obstructive jaundice more than female patients (84.9 vs. 46.3%). Pancreatico-biliary malignancy was found in jaundiced, diabetic patients older than 65 years. There was CBD stone in 56.3% of patients,[x5] CBD stones was significantly less in biliary pancreatitis patients (4 vs. 13.6%). Predictors of CBD stones were history of cholecystectomy, high alanine transaminase (ALT) and high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum levels. The sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasound in detecting CBD stones were 69.5 and 88.1%. ERCP patients in Makkah are similar to patients in other areas of Saudi Arabia. No significant difference between Saudi and Non Saudi [x6] patients. Malignancy should be suspected in old age, diabetic, jaundiced patients. Biliary pancreatitis is more common in female patients with low incidence of CBD stones. Predictors of CBD stones are previous cholecystectomy, high ALT and high ALP serum levels. Abdominal ultrasound is still a good screening tool for CBD stones detection. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), common bile duct (CBD) stone predictors, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Validity of self-reported height and weight and factors associated with errors in self-report

Anil Chankaramangalam Mathew*, Thazhuthekudiyil Sathyan Anithadevi, Rowther Shamna Safar, Singanallur Lakshmanan Ravi Shankar, Moosa Saira Banu and Yunsheng Ma

Abstract: The aim of this investigation is to assess the validity of self-reported height and weight and to examine factors associated with errors in self-report. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India, from June 20 to August 20, 2011. The study involved 389 men and 355 women aged 20 years and above. We found that self-reported height and weight were significantly correlated with measured height and weight for men and women [Pearson’s correlation coefficient(r) for men and women: 0.61 and 0.44 in height, 0.91 and 0.85 in weight, 0.76 and 0.64 in body mass index (BMI), respectively]. The prevalence of obesity based on self-reported height and weight were 7.9 and 15.8% for men and women, respectively, which was slightly smaller than that based on measured data 7.7 and 19.7%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of obesity based on self-report for both men and women were 97, 62% in men and 89, 64% in women, respectively. Participants with higher measured BMI significantly underestimated their weight compared to those with smaller BMI. It is also observed that among both men and women with measured BMI above 18.5 kg/m2 were likely to underestimate their weight and BMI below 18.5 kg/m2 were likely to overestimate their weight. However, the presence of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease was not associated with the difference between measured and self-reported height and weight for both men and women. Our findings indicate that self-reported weight has an acceptable agreement with measured data, but self-reported height has only a moderate agreement with measured data. There were no significant differences by presence of chronic disease and educational level between the self-reported and measured height and weight in both men and women.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Validity, body weight, body height, self-report, obesity.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Barriers to timely health seeking behaviour for children among care givers in an urban slum in Uganda

Nabukeera-Barungi Nicolette* and Stefan Peterson

Abstract: Current population trends show increasing rural-urban migration, with majority living in urban slums. Studies show higher disease burden and childhood mortality in the slums than rural areas. Late reporting to hospital is the main contributor to the reported 50 to 70% of hospital deaths in the first 24 h of admission in resource limited settings. Providing a free health unit within 5 km radius of every community is assumed to bridge the access gap. We set out to describe barriers to timely health seeking behaviour among caregivers of children under- 5 years in an urban slum community with geographical access free healthcare. This qualitative research used focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Subjects were caretakers of children under- 5 years living in Makerere Kivvulu slum. Their perceived risks of death during illness, options when children get sick, preferences, determinants of their choices and barriers to health care were assessed. Our study found that the caretakers could identify the signs of serious illness which needed hospitalization. The availability of money was the main determinant of their healthcare choices. They had several options for health care but they preferred Mulago Hospital, a free national referral hospital which also serves as their first level health unit. They appreciated the quality of services and the close proximity but are overwhelmed by barriers to its utilization. These barriers included long waiting hours, bribery in the waiting lines, rudeness of the health workers, lack of drugs in these free facilities among others. Although the community in this urban slum seem to have geographical access to free medical services, financial access still remains the main barrier to its utilization. For communities which depend on a daily income, a day spent in hospital translates into financial loss. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Urban slums, health seeking behaviour, free health services.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Standard serological tests for diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in Mathura district of Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Indu Sharma* and B. Bist

Abstract: A total of 56 serum samples from suspected cattles and 5 from brucellosis-free non- vaccinated cattle herd were collected from various livestock farms in Mathura district of Western Uttar Pradesh, of which 16 serum samples found to be positive were subjected to all the three serological tests that is Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and Dot- enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) respectively. The isolation of Brucella abortus from cervical swab samples was vital in the confirmation of Brucella infection and epidemiological evaluation of the herd. High titer of 1:320 and 1:640 was observed in the present investigation. Two (12.5%) isolates out of 16 samples were positive by STAT and all the 6 RBPT positive samples (100%) exhibited negative results by STAT. However, it was observed that all the 16 samples (100%) which earlier revealed to be negative for RBPT and STAT exhibited positive results with Dot- ELISA. In the present study though Dot-ELISA proved to be the most sensitive of the 3 tests used, it can, however be suggested that a combination of RBPT and Dot ELISA should be used, especially in case of those samples that are found to be negative by either RBPT or STAT used alone or in combination.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Brucellosis, Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), Dot enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Infectiousness of brain and salivary gland suspension from rabies suspected dogs

Faris Esayas, Adem Hiko*, Abraham Ali, Adem Kedir and Linda Kokorevica

Abstract: Experimental study was conducted on rabies at Ethiopia Health and Nutrition Research Institute to assess the infectiousness of brain and salivary gland tissue suspensions from 13 rabies suspected cases of dog. Fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and mice inoculation test (MIT) were applied. Suspensions from each tissue of individual dog head was prepared and inoculated into intracranial in paired 10 mice pre head of dog. Rabies symptoms from these mice were considered over 30 days of observation and used as evaluation of infectiousness of the suspension. Among both suspensions prepared from 13 rabies suspected cases, 61.5% of each brain and salivary gland tissue were determined rabies positive using FAT. A 53.8% of the brains and 69.2% of salivary glands were found positive by MIT, having a significant difference in sensitivity (P[...] Read More.

Keywords: Rabies virus, brain, salivary gland, infectiousness.

2012, 1(1), 1-6;

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