Comparative Analysis of Rural Health Demographics in 2 East African Communities During Medical Camps: Volunteers' Perspectives'.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare of basic health and social demographics observed during 4-day medical camps in 2 rural communities in Zambia and Malawi to determine any significant differences or similarities. METHOD: About 12 and 10 local and international volunteers at medical camps (at a temporary rural health post or community hall) in rural Zambia and Malawi respectively treated 488 patients in total, with basic health and social demographic data collected and results analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients seen in Malawi and Zambia were 34.5 and 38.9 years respectively, with 39% and 40% of patients in Malawi and Zambia respectively being within the 18 to 44 years age group, and mostly females (59.7% in Malawi and 65.7% in Zambia). Most were non-infectious diseases (97.3% in Zambia, 95% in Malawi), mostly musculoskeletal (17.0% in Malawi and 30.5% in Zambia), while medications prescribed were mostly analgesics (35.7% in Malawi and 29.9% in Zambia). Only a small proportion of patients were referred to local secondary facilities or district hospitals, 51 (28.7%) in Malawi and 59 (19.9%) in Zambia respectively. Chi square test shows a significant difference (P < .001) in diseases in both countries, but there was no statistically significant difference between the mean age of patients seen in both countries, using the independent t-test (P = .365). CONCLUSION: This study highlights statistically significant demographic differences between the 2 communities and possible reasons for these, and how volunteers' roles in rural healthcare in the East African communities could be further evaluated.

A huge haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocyst: an unusual presentation of a rare condition.

Haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocysts are very rare and are often incidental findings at surgery or autopsy, though they can sometimes present with predominantly gastrointestinal or endocrine symptoms, including intraperitoneal bleeding or sepsis. Our case report is of a 48-year-old man who presented at our primary healthcare centre with 2-month history of predominantly respiratory symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. CT scan revealed a suprarenal cyst measuring 14.2×13.5×13.1 cm for which he was operated and made a full recovery. A detailed literature review reveals that there has never been a case of a haemorrhagic suprarenal pseudocyst presenting with predominantly respiratory symptoms, which is why we decided to document this case report.

A Comparative study of awareness and attitude to nosocomial infections among levels of health care workers in Southwestern Nigeria

Introduction: Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) continue to be a threat to hospital admissions and workers thus contributing to mortalities and morbidities. Complexity and type of services rendered by health facilities may determine health worker's attitude towards combating these infections. The objective of this study is to compare knowledge; attitude and practice of HAIs among health workers at the three levels of health care in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: - This descriptive; comparative cross sectional study was carried out among 273 health workers in Osogbo in Southwestern Nigeria; using multistage sampling method. Pre-coded semi structured self administered and pre-tested questionnaires were administered on sampled health workers. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software 13.0 Results: - All health care workers at the three levels have good awareness that patients could be a source of HAIs. Awareness of common HAIs; awareness of hospital staffs and equipments and the environment as sources of transmission of HAIs were good for health care workers in both tertiary and secondary level care; but poor among primary health care workers. There was poor awareness of presence of hospital policy on HAI and presence of hospital committee on infection control among health care workers at the three levels of health care; but this is worst among primary health care providers. More health care workers in tertiary care has reported themselves to staff clinics when sick; more always washed their hands before and after touching clients and equipments while more has also ever notified HAIs before; when compared to secondary and primary. Attitude towards willingness to report HAIs was better in both secondary and tertiary health care workers. There is a good attitude towards readiness to wear protective devices; towards washing of hand s before and after touching patients and self reporting to staff clinic when sick among health care workers at the three levels of care Conclusion: Good knowledge and attitude; but poor practice characterizes nosocomial infections among tertiary and secondary level health care workers in Osogbo. These indices are worst and ranges from fair to poor among health workers at the primary health care level. Routine seminars on factors associated with occurrence of nosocomial infections could help to improve awareness and reduce its prevalence in our hospital settings