Patient Care and Treatment Strategies for Skin Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: Role of Traditional and Western Medicines.

The perspective of the people of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) toward both traditional and western healthcare systems varies. The goal of the current study is to examine the SSA's unique skin disease health care system. This study comprises numerous research that sought to examine how the general public feels about the SSA's current healthcare system. In this review, common skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, buruli ulcers, dermatophytosis, and scabies, are addressed. According to this report, government agencies must pay particular attention to skin illnesses in SSA and raise public awareness. Availability of medical care, socioeconomic factors, degree of education, and other factors influence patients' attitudes toward traditional and western health care differently in different geographic areas. Facts suggest that self-medication is the preference of the majority of patients before seeking dermatological care. The present study concludes that the magnitude of skin diseases is neglected or underestimated in many regions of SSA. Also, western healthcare facilities of many regions of SSA are not up to the mark. The present study recommends that proper access to the health care system and awareness about skin diseases through various government programs can be helpful in the regulation of skin disorders among people of SSA.

Characterization of Microwave-Controlled Polyacrylamide Graft Copolymer of Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide.

The main objective of the study was to prepare tamarind seed polysaccharide grafted copolymers of polyacrylamide (TSP-g-Am) using a 32 factorial design. Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) was extracted, and grafted copolymer of TSP was prepared using polyacrylamide as copolymer and ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator. Various batches (F1-F9) of TSP-g-Am were prepared, among which F1 showed highest grafting efficiency; hence, the prepared TSP-g-Am (F1) was evaluated for grafting efficiency, conversion, effect of initiator and further characterized using SEM analysis, contact angle determination, DSC analysis, swelling index, swelling and deswelling, and chemical resistance. The contact angle of TSP was found to be 81 ± 2, and that of TSP-g-Am (F1) was found to be 74 ± 2, which indicates that the wetting ability of the grafted copolymer was less than that of the native polymer. The results of thermal analysis indicated that TSP-g-Am had a more stable molecular structure than TSP. The morphology of the grafted polymer was observed from SEM images, and it was observed that the particles was asymmetrical. Antimicrobial activity was also found in the grafted copolymer. The present study concludes that the TSP-g-Am showed an excellent performance in thermal stability and swelling capacity compared with TSP. The detailed structural characteristics, as well as the excellent thermal stability and swelling capacities, will make it beneficial to use the synthesised copolymer as a precursor for the production of large-scale eco-friendly advanced materials with a wide range of applications, acting as a stabiliser, thickener, binder, release retardant, modifier, suspending agent, viscosity enhancer, emulsifying agent, or carrier for novel drug delivery systems in oral, buccal, colon, and ocular systems, and in nanofabrication and wound dressing, and it is also becoming an important part of food, cosmetics, confectionery, and bakery.