Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections and Geophagia among Pregnant Women in Jimma Town Health Institutions,Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundPregnancy is a key step for human''s reproduction and continuity of generation. Pregnant women are among at risk groups for the infection of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). STHs are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries due to the deprived environmental sanitation and personal hygiene. Eating soil (geophagia) is also commonly practiced by pregnant women, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of STHs and geophagia, and to assess associated factors among pregnant women in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among 407 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at different health facilities located in Jimma Town. Data related to sociodemographic and geophagia practice was collected using a structured questionnaire and STH infections status was determined by using McMaster technique.ResultsA total of 407 pregnant women were included in this study. The overall prevalence of any STHs was 19.7% (80/407). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent 45(56.2%), followed by Trichuris trichiura 19(23.8%) and hookworms 12(15%). There were 4(5%) of double infection with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Overall, 71 (17.4%) of the pregnant women responded to practice geophagia. STHs infection was significantly higher among geophagic pregnant women (p<0.01) and pregnant women who practiced geophagia were 3 times more likely (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–4.2) to have the STHs compared to non-geophagic. Out of those who claimed soil eating habits, 59.1% preferred reddish soil type. Geophagia practice was significantly higher during the third trimester as compared to first and second (p<0.05).ConclusionGeophagia is a risky behavior and this study showed a significant association of geophagia practice with STH infections, although the causal relation could not be established.     

Wound-induced angiogenesis and its pharmacologic inhibition in a murine model

BACKGROUND: A novel synthetic compound, SU5416, inhibits subcutaneous tumor growth of cells. Because angiogenesis in tumor growth and wound healing involves similar mechanisms, we examined whether SU5416 inhibits wound-induced angiogenesis. METHODS: Sixteen female BALB/c mice were randomized to receive either SU5416 (n = 8) or vehicle alone (n = 8) on day -2. On day 0, transparent window chambers were implanted into the dorsal skin flap. Treatment was stopped on day 7. On days 1, 7, and 14, micrographs of the windows were taken and microvessel density was estimated. RESULTS: On day 1, no statistically significant difference was noted between the microvessel density in controls and treatments. After the mice underwent treatment from day -2 to day 7 and microvessel densities were analyzed on day 7, angiogenesis was significantly inhibited in the SU5416 group (P <.001). Seven days after cessation of treatment, however, the SU5416 group showed complete recovery in angiogenesis. The increase in microvessel density in the SU5416 group on day 14 from day 7 was not significantly different from that of the control group (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that SU5416, a known inhibitor of tumor-induced angiogenesis, also inhibited wound-induced angiogenesis in our murine wound model. This inhibitory effect is significant while the mice are undergoing treatment.     

Clinical Characteristics of Cataract Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome at Jimma University Specialized Hospital,South West Ethiopia

Background

Pseudoexfoliation is the most common identifiable cause of secondary glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation patients have higher rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications of cataract surgery compared to those without the condition. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of pseudoexfoliation syndrome among cataract patients examined at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional clinic based study was conducted from January–March 2009. A total of 402 subjects with cataract were examined for the presence of pseudoexfoliation material, type of cataract, intraocular pressure, glaucoma and other factors. The presence of any exfoliation material on the iris, pupil and lens capsule was examined. Data were computed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

Out of the 402 patients examined, 144(35.82%) of them had presenile and senile cataract with pseudoexfoliation and out of these 144 cases, 48(33%) were unilateral and 96(66.7%) were bilateral. Furthermore, 41(28.5%) cases had raised intraocular pressure, of which 2(4.9%) cases had chronic angle closure glaucoma and 39(95.1%) of the cases had open angle pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. There was also lens sublaxation in 10(6.9%) of the cases and dislocation in 6(4.2%) of the cases. The prevalence of PEX was higher (41%) in the age group of 70 years and above followed by 60–69 years (27.8%).

Conclusion

A significant number of patients with PEX had poor zonular integrity and high IOP and/or glaucoma. Population based studies are recommended to assess its prevalence in the general population and its association with cataract and glaucoma.     

Patterns of Uveitis among Patients Attending Jimma University Department of Ophthalmology,Jimma, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Uveitis is an important cause of blindness and ocular morbidity in the world. The patterns of uveitis have not been well characterized in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of uveitis among patients presenting to Jimma University Department of Ophthalmology (JUDO) from July 2013 to December 2014.

Methods: This hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study included all new uveitis patients visiting JUDO outpatient department during the study period.

Results: Among 98 patients diagnosed with uveitis, anterior uveitis was found in 74.5% of patients. Majority of the patients, 83.7%, had unilateral uveitis. A uveitis syndrome was identified in 22.5% of cases; of these 15 (68.2%) were infectious. Herpes simplex uveitis was the commonest infectious cause (53.3%) while Toxoplasmosis was the most common cause of posterior uveitis (60%).

Conclusion: Anterior uveitis was the most common pattern found among uveitis patients. Herpes simplex and toxoplasmic chorioretinitis were the most common-identified infectious causes.     

Systematic Review on Effectiveness of shoulder taping in Hemiplegia

BackgroundShoulder pain and subluxation are the commonly encountered problems among subjects with hemiplegia. Rehabilitating the shoulder following stroke is a challenging task among physiotherapists in rehabilitation set up. There is a need to validate the effectiveness of externally applied taping materials in hemiplegic shoulder.ObjectiveThis systematic review analyses the efficacy of taping on hemiplegic shoulder in terms of alleviating pain and managing subluxation.MethodsSystematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effects of taping on hemiplegic shoulder. Articles were electronically searched from the year 2000 to 2017 in the 4 databases, Google scholar, CINAHL, Pubmed, and Pedro. Reviewers graded the papers according to Lloyd-Smith's hierarchy of evidence scale. Papers were quality appraised using a systematic review of RCT tool developed by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (United States), named as quality assessment of controlled intervention studies tool.ResultsEight papers were included, totaling 132 participants. All the RCT's included in this review were good quality. There was a significant effect on taping method for reduction of pain and subluxation among subjects with stroke.ConclusionsThis systematic review provides sufficient evidence to suggest taping is a beneficial method for reducing pain and shoulder subluxation among stroke subjects.     

埃塞俄比亚西南地区眼外伤类型和预后因素的回顾性研究

目的：探究埃塞俄比亚西南部的眼外伤类型、严重程度和预后因素。
　　方法：回顾性研究。选取2009-04/09就诊于季马大学专科医院的眼外伤患者纳入本研究。所有患者均进行详细诊断,并接受全面眼科检查。 SPSS 13.0进行数据分析,P<0.05表示差异有统计学意义。
　　结果：眼外伤总患病率为3.03%。近99%的眼外伤为机械性损伤。多数眼外伤(53.2%)与工作相关,这些患者受伤时均未使用眼部防护装置。在170例眼外伤中,57.6%为闭合性眼外伤,42.4%为开放性眼外伤。闭合性眼外伤较开放性眼外伤的损伤程度较低,且有明显较好的视力预后(P<0.05)。最终视力和就诊时视力与从诊断到手术的时间间隔明显相关(P<0.05)。眼外伤致单眼失明患者59例(34.3%)。就诊晚、就诊时视力差、开放性眼外伤和并发症是导致低视力的危险因素。
　　结论：大多数眼外伤发生在工作场所,且有较大比例的眼外伤患者发展为单眼失明。为预防严重的眼外伤,应在家中和工作场所普及眼部健康教育知识并做好安全防护措施。     

Rapid Trachoma Assessment in Kersa District,Southwest Ethiopia

Background

Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Though trachoma can be treated with antibiotics (active trachoma) or surgery (trachomatous trichiasis), it is still endemic in most parts of Ethiopia. Despite the prevalence of this infectious disease in different parts of the country, district level data is lacking. This study was thus conducted to assess the prevalence estimate of trachoma and its risk factors in Kersa District, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community based cross sectional Rapid Assessment of Trachoma was conducted using a WHO guideline. Six sub-districts were selected from Kersa District based on primary high risk assessment and from each sub-district; 21–27 households were randomly selected. Active trachoma for children aged 1–9 years, trachomatous trichiasis for people above 15 years old and environmental risk factors for trachoma were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results

The overall prevalence estimate of active trachoma was 25.2% (95% CI: 20.7–30.4%). Forty three percent of children had unclean faces, 11.5% of households had water source at more than half hour walking distance, 18.2% did not have functional latrine, and 95.3% of the households had solid waste disposal within a distance of 20 meters. Households with environmental risk factors were at an increased risk to active trachoma, but the association was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The prevalence estimate of trachomatous trichiasis inclusive of “trachoma suspects” was 4.5%.

Conclusion

Trachoma is endemic in Kersa District with active trachoma being a public health problem in the studied sub-districts. Hence, SAFE strategy should be implemented.