Vol 4 No 1 (2022)

Published: 2022-04-28

Abstract views: 996   PDF downloads: 445  
2022-07-13

Page 48-53

Availability and quality of family planning services in Idjwi Island, DRC

blankpage Maurice Nyamalyongo Masoda, Olivier Mukuku, Jean-Claude Atite Bondekwe, Jacques Matongo Mutono, Charles Wembonyama Mpoy, Zacharie Kibendelwa Tsongo, Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the availability and quality of FP services in health facilities (HFs) on Idjwi Island in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Methods: From March 1 to 31, 2022, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in several HFs on Idjwi Island. Identified 31 HFs have been comprehensively included. Data were collected through interviews, literature reviews, and observations, guided by a questionnaire.
Results: Of the 31 HFs included, 29 (93.6%) of them provided FP services on an availability basis, of which 27.6% (8/29) met the criteria for high-quality services. The most widely available methods were male condoms, combined oral contraceptive pills, and progestin-only injectable contraceptives.
Conclusion: The availability of FP services in HFs on Idjwi Island remains high but their quality is low. To improve access to and use of FP, efforts should focus on improving quality in this rural part of the country.

Abstract views: 1029   PDF downloads: 516  
2022-05-18

Page 42-47

Gender-specific anterior cruciate ligament – gait forces

blankpage Bharadwaj Cheruvu, Amy Neidhard-Doll, Tarun Goswami

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender-based differences in gait biomechanics and to evaluate those effects on forces generated on the ACL during walking. Estimation of gender-specific ACL forces in the frontal plane can provide a better understanding of the biomechanical patterns underlying higher female injury risk. The present study used a sample from the Fels Longitudinal Study to test the hypothesis that there are significant gender-differences in frontal plane ACL loading during walking. A cross-sectional sample of 178 participants, including 79 males and 99 females was used to evaluate differences in gait kinetics. Females walked at higher cadence with narrower steps (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the peak flexion force and knee rotation moment between males and females (P = 0.51 and 0.07), respectively. Peak abduction moment was significantly lower among females than in males (P = 0.05). A regression equation was developed which considers a person’s weight and height in addition to forces which could give better estimate of the forces acting on the ligament. The peak force acting on the ACL during walking reaches as high as 0.44 of BW, regardless of gender.

Abstract views: 1247   PDF downloads: 544  
2022-04-28

Page 28-41

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica Typhi in the Western and Southern Regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Phenotypic profile and molecular characterization of isolates associated with epidemics of Typhoid Fever

blankpage Kumel Kasongo Kumelundu, Berthe Nkema Miwanda, Ronald Ng'etich, Samuel Njoroge, Denis Kakongo Kandolo, Michel Balaka Ekwalanga, Emmanuel Mposhi Malangu, Victor Ndibualonji, Claude Lubobo Kazadi, Philomène Anzwal Lungu, Clément Numbi Kashindi, Prosper Muenze Kalenga, Léon Kafita Cibuabua, John Kiiru, Samuel Kariuki, Jean-Jacques Tamfum Muyembe, Christophe Mukena Nyembo

Background: This study has its foundation following the emergence of the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica enterica Typhi associated with severe complications, such as intestinal perforations with a significant lethality.
Objectives: Of this antimicrobial resistance, to determine the phenotypic profile, to detect the chromosomal molecular markers (CMMs) such as the class 1 integrons (intl-1) and ESBLs (blaTEM-1, blaOXA-1 and blaCTX-M-1) and to measure the association between the phenotypic profile and CMMs of typhoid isolates in concerned areas.
Methods:  Salmonella Typhi strains of typhoid epidemic areas were confirmed by serotyping tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by disc diffusion method using the following commercial antimicrobials: Chloramphenicol-C, Ampicillin-AMP, Sulfamethoxazole-RL and Trimethoprim-W (former first-line antimicrobials), Ciprofloxacin-CIP or Cefotaxime-CTX, Ceftriaxone-CRO, Ceftazidime-CAZ (first-line antimicrobials), Tetracycline-TE, Amoxicillin-Potassium clavulanate-AMC, Nalidixic acid-NA, Cefoxitine-FOX, Gentamicin-CN (varied antimicrobials) and FEP-Cefepime (4GC). The phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile was determined by Kirby-Bauer diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. To perform the molecular characterization, the Salmonella Typhi isolates DNA has been extracted by Sigma Aldrich kit and the CMMs detection was performed by DNA Engine for PCR test. The association between phenotypic profile and CMMs has been measured by Pearson’s chi-square test.
Results: Out of 320 Salmonella Typhi isolates, 50 were identified conform. The phenotypic profile of antimicrobial resistance was 59.5% in all the Western and Southern regions and 61% in the provinces of Kinshasa City and Bas-Congo to the former antimicrobials of first intention and the mean of CMMs rates were 22.5% and 27.4%, respectively. Those isolates showed a significant resistance profile to AMP, C and RL in those last two provinces.
Conclusion: The rate of phenotypic multidrug-resistance of Salmonella Typhi isolates was more than 50% with the predominance of CMMs in Kinshasa and Bas-Congo. This study suggests to give up the use of AMP, C and RL in those two provinces. This may also indicate that the antimicrobial resistance surveillance system would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.

Abstract views: 1502   PDF downloads: 480  
2022-07-14

Page 54-66

Etiology of breast development and asymmetry

blankpage Elisabeth N. Adkins, Shaina Anderson, Trevor McKoy, Nakachi Maduka, Tarun Goswami

Etiology of breast development and asymmetry is a fascinating research topic physiologically as well as pathophysiology from a certain condition. The shape, contour, and size of the breast are unique to each female. These factors are influenced by genetics, weight, exercise, menstruation cycles, pregnancy, menopause status, and age. An attempt was made to research the breast development at fetal development and transitioning into adulthood and menopause. Additionally, we compare breast development in males to the developments in females. Although breast asymmetry is experienced by all women, it ranges from grossly undetectable to the need for surgical intervention. It is thought that breast asymmetry has intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine the type and the extent of asymmetry observed. Hormones at play and their effect on breast asymmetry throughout breast development has been charted. Breast asymmetry is most often secondary to benign breast disorders and unassociated with a risk for malignancy. As the perception of one’s body image is an integral part of self-confidence, breast asymmetry has the potential to affect every woman’s quality of life, regardless of the degree of asymmetry. Throughout this effort, our aim was to analyze and understand breast development in males and females, breast changes from the prepubertal to post-menopausal period, benign pathological changes, summarizing the etiologies of breast asymmetry, and their effects on quality of life. 

Abstract views: 267   PDF downloads: 143  
2022-03-12

Page 24-28

The research status and development trend of children health education

blankpage Dafang Wang

In pediatric clinical practice, it is found that common and frequently-occurring diseases in children have the characteristics of acute onset, rapid change, aggregation and being preventable and controllable. School health education is particularly important for the prevention and control of common and frequently-occurring diseases in preschool and school-age children. School health education refers to the combination of kindergarten, school and other places of staff advocated by the various learning experience, the development of students from now on to learn to deal with various expected health challenges with necessary cognitive skills and behavioral skills. The former State Education Commission and the Ministry of Health jointly promulgated the "Regulations on School Health Work" in 1980, making our country's school health work followed by regulations. In 1992, the "Basic Requirements for Health Education for Primary and Secondary School Students" was jointly promulgated, which clearly stipulated the objectives and basic contents of health education in primary and secondary schools in China. In 2007, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in the `Opinions on Strengthening Youth Sports to Enhance the Physical Fitness of Adolescents (Central Document No.7)' required that 'local education administrative departments should include the implementation of health education in schools as one of the important indicators of school supervision and assessment', and 'schools at all levels should actively carry out adolescent health education activities such as disease prevention, scientific nutrition, health and safety, drug control and tobacco control, and ensure the necessary health education time'. Although the health problems of primary and middle school students have received continuous attention and investment from the state and society, the health literacy of primary and middle school students in China has not been significantly improved in recent years, and the overall downward trend of students' health level has not been fundamentally curbed, partly due to China's lagging school health education system. Through literature mining, this paper refines the research focus of foreign health education and the challenges faced by foreign health education. By combing the research progress of health behavior and academic performance, adolescent media cognitive ability and health education workers' health cognitive ability, it reflects the future research direction of health education in China.

Abstract views: 624   PDF downloads: 449  
2022-12-28
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Pages 71-73

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in Central Africa: A case report

blankpage Marcellin Bugeme, Kegnide Christelle Cadnelle Affognon, Jacques Mbaz Musung, Franck Shongo Omanjelo, Dirk E. Teuwen, Sarah Kilumba Numbi, Jenny Tshijik Ndua, Olivier Mukuku, Emmanuel Kiyana Muyumba

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), also known as Tourette disorder or Tourette syndrome, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by the presence of multiple motor and one or more vocal/phonic tics. These tics are generally more common during childhood and reach a maximum severity between 10 and 12 years. Ticks tend to decrease during late adolescence and adulthood in a majority of patients. We report an observation of GTS diagnosed in a 12-year-old child who was taken care of by clonazepam with a good improvement in its symptomatology. This condition has been reported only very rarely in black sub-Saharan Africans and this is probably the first case of GTS reported in Central Africa.

Abstract views: 648   PDF downloads: 378  
2022-12-23
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Pages 67-70

Three first cases of Meige syndrome in Central Africa

blankpage Marcellin Bugeme, Yacouba Kaba, Franck Shongo Omanjelo, Jacques Mbaz Musung, Sarah Kilumba Numbi, Olivier Mukuku, Emmanuel Kiyana Muyumba, Dirk E. Teuwen

Meige syndrome (MS) is a rare type of focal dystonia characterized by unintentional bilateral activity in facial and mandibular muscles in combination with blepharospasm (spasm in the orbicular muscle). Often unknown cause, MS can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (to medications or brain degenerative pathologies). Its treatment is based in most cases on botulinum toxin injections, not available in our environment. Nevertheless, clonazepam treatment has allowed us to improve the symptoms of our patients. We report MS in three patients, all with no particular history of consulting for involuntary facial movements. The diagnosis of MS was essentially based on the clinical picture. After treatment with clonazepam, the clinical course in all three patients was marked by the almost complete disappearance of these abnormal movements. In all cases, clinical progress was favorable with an average decline of 12 months; no recidivism was noted.