Patterns and clinical manifestations of tuberculous myocarditis: a systematic review of cases

Tuberculosis is a rare cause of myocarditis. It is however associated with a high mortality when it occurs and is often diagnosed at post-mortem. Tuberculous myocarditis prevalence in males is twice that in females. Most of the reported cases of tuberculous myocarditis are predominantly in immunocompetent patients. Out of the reported fatalities (sudden cardiac deaths), eighty one percent (81%) occur in the ‘young’ patients (below 45years). Antituberculosis drug therapy does not appear to offer mortality benefit against sudden cardiac deaths

Three-month pattern of road traffic injuries at a Kenyan level 4 hospital

Road traffic injuries continue to exert a huge burden on the health care system in Kenya. Few studies on the pattern of road traffic injuries have been conducted in Kenya. We therefore carried out a retrospective study to  determine the pattern of road traffic injuries seen in a public hospital in Naivasha district, Kenya. A retrospective study on surgical patients admitted at Naivasha District Hospital over a three month period was carried out. Eighty two percent of all patients injured in the crashes were men, and eighty percent were aged between 20-49 years. Most of the patients sustained lower limb injuries (41.5%) followed by head injuries (35.4%). Thirty one percent were pedestrians, 27.7% cyclists, 24.6% passengers and 16.9% motor vehicle drivers at the time of injury. Road traffic crashes are a growing pandemic, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Efforts need to be taken to prevent injuries, long term complications and loss of lives that are robbing  communities off loved ones, bread winners and productive manpower

Anti-thrombotic effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) in sprague dawley rats

Background: The prevalence of thrombotic diseases is rising globally. Presently, stroke and ischemic heart disease account for 25% of all deaths. Use of anti-thrombotic drugs have proven effective in prevention of these ailments but might not be affordable especially in developing countries. They are also associated with undesirable side effects. This study sought to determine the anti-thrombotic effect of ginger since it is affordable, accessible and is widely used as a food enhancer and a medicinal herb.Methods: The current study employed an in-vivo experimental study design. Three groups Sprague dawley rats (N=5) were given different doses of methanolic extract of ginger for 30 days. Two other groups (N=5) which served as controls received 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and aspirin for the same duration. Measurement of bleeding time, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time was done to assess the anti-thrombotic property.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in bleeding time (P=0.03) across the groups investigated. There was however no significant difference across the groups in platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time (P=˃0.05).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that methanolic extract of ginger possesses an anti-thrombotic property probably through inhibition of platelet function. Regular consumption of ginger may therefore confer protection against thrombotic diseases

Road traffic injuries in Kenya: a survey of commercial motorcycle drivers

Introduction: Motorcycle injuries contribute a substantial number of deaths and hospital admissions in Kenya. There is paucity of data to inform prevention strategies to address the issue. Therefore, the current study sought to explore the characteristics of 2 and 3-wheeler related road traffic injuries (RTIs) in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of motorcycle drivers involved in a RTI in the preceding 3 months was conducted in 11 urban and rural sites in Kenya's Thika town through face- to -face structured interviews. Drivers' demographic information, comprehensive crash characteristics and socioeconomic impact of injury data were collected. Results: Of 200 drivers injured, 98% were male, with average age of 28.4 years (SD±6.6). Of these drivers, 33% were not wearing any protective equipment. Negligence was the most reported cause of crash (33%), followed by slippery roads (21.0%) and speeding (17.5%). The risk of sustaining a bodily injury was 1.3 times higher in drivers who had not received prevention education compared to those who had received such education. People injured at night were 5 times more likely to sustaina bodily injury compared to those injured during the day. Only 8.5% of the drivers reported the injury incident to the police. Conclusion: Majority of motorcycle related injuries in Thika town occur among young, productive, working-age male drivers. A high proportion of injuries are due to negligence on riding while not wearing any protective equipment compounded by lack of injury prevention education. Initiatives to foster helmet wearing, provision of high-quality affordable helmets, responsible driving and advocacy for stronger legislation, are recommended.Keywords: Africa, boda-boda, negligence, speeding, young male

Peculiar glycemic patterns in alloxaninduced diabetes animal model

Animals are commonly used for experimentation in academic and research institutions (Kimwele et al, 2011). The reliability of a study is partly determined by the animal model used. The researcher must therefore have a fine understanding of animal models when designing animal studies. The current study focuses on animal models used in investigating diabetes mellitus (DM), and its management. These animal models differ significantly and no single one has been reported to accurately represent the essential pattern of type 2 DM in humans, in whom the disease is often preceded by obesity and various molecular changes. Animal models are developed by techniques such as pancreatectomy, chemical induction, genetic engineering, molecular biology and islet cell transplantation (Junod et al, 1969; conducted in animal models, notably dogs and rodents (Lanza et al, 1999).In the majority of studies, chemical-induced diabetes models have been utilized (Frode and Medeiros, 2008). Such chemicals include alloxan (Lenzen, 2008), and streptozotocin (Junod et al, 1969). As at 2010, streptozotocin had reportedly been used in 69% of chemical-induced diabetes animal models, whereas alloxan was the second most commonly used chemical at 31% (Etuk, 2010).Alloxan is a urea derivative which causes selective necrosis of the pancreatic islet β-cells (Etuk, 2010). It is used experimentally to induce type 2 DM in animals such as rabbits, rats, mice and dogs. The experimental dose of the drug needs careful consideration in order to avoid excessive pancreatic tissue damage. The most frequently used intravenous dose of alloxan in rats is 65 mg/kg, but its effective dose must be higher when it is administered intraperitoneally or subcutaneously (Antia et al, 2005). With the rising use of alloxaninduced DM models, different dosages and different methods of inducing diabetes have been reported. Though most methods have demonstrated success, a handful have reported failed induction or variation in blood glucose following alloxan administration (Etuk, 2010). The current study was thus carried out to assess the pattern of blood glucose following intraperitoneal administration of alloxan (125 mg/kg)

Young professionals for health development: the Kenyan experience in combating non-communicable diseases

Young individuals (below 35 years) comprise an estimated 60% of the global population. Not only are these individuals currently experiencing chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), either living with or at risk for these conditions, but will also experience the long-term repercussions of the current NCD policy implementations. It is thus imperative that they meaningfully contribute to the global discourse and responses for NCDs at the local level. Here, we profile one example of meaningful engagement: the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YPCDN). The YPCDN is a global online network that provides a platform for young professionals to deliberate new and innovative methods of approaching the NCD challenges facing our societies. We provide a case study of the 2-year experiences of a country chapter (Kenya) of the YPCDN to demonstrate the significance and impact of emerging leaders in addressing the new global health agenda of the 21st century

Ethics as a solution to Corruption : a case study of the construction industry in Kenya

The construction industry endures a poor reputation and continues to experience ethical problems manifested in collapsed buildings, corrupt deals and a general lack of honesty. In this paper, the authors present results of an investigation into the prevalent ethical problems in the construction industry in Kenya and their impact on projects. A review of literature on corruption shows that emphasis is placed upon putting in place systems and policies for fighting corruption, yet this has not achieved much results. Literature in construction ethics shows that professional codes and ethics are only effective as far as the people are personally ethical. The method of conducting this study was through in-depth interviews of stakeholders to establish prevalent unethical practices in the industry. The authors present the results from a thematic analysis of perceptions of information-rich subjects from different sectors of the industry. The results show that unethical practices such as collusion, kickbacks and supplanting are mostly due to lack of honesty, greed and the desire to get rich quickly. The study concludes that most unethical practices are due to corrupt individual practices and recommends ways of incorporating ethics both at individual and institutional level

Childhood Diarrhoea: Failing Conventional Measures, what Next?

Background: Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of infant mortality. This article analyzes its contribution towards the realization of millennium development goal number 4 (MDG-4). Methods: A PubMed search using keywords acute infant diarrhea together with prevalence, management, or prevention 23 of the 634 generated articles were reviewed for inclusion. Results: WHO first expressed concern about diarrhoeal mortality in 1979. Two decades later it reported diarrhoea as the second leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. The annual death toll of 1.5 million is greater than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Short term repercussions (dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, shock, death) plus long-term diminished fitness index, cognitive function, and school performance have major impact on society. Ever since its 1971 success, Oral Rehydration Therapy has been the cornerstone treatment of diarrhoea. Decreased compliance has been recorded worldwide with Kenya ranking first. Intravenous therapy is useful in preventing complications while anti-diarrhoeals and anti-microbials, are indicated in severe cases. Zinc supplementation has also proven effective, and is recommended along with rehydration. Furthermore, immunization and good hygiene prevent faecal-oral transmissions. Conclusion: MDG-4 aims to reduce childhood mortality by 2/3 by 2015. Studies, however, show minimal progress, and the target is likely to be missed. Efforts must therefore be made to review existing strategies and formulate newer ones. Research priorities need to move away from perceived ‘killer diseases’ since far more children die in a day than have ever died from avian influenza for example.Key words: Diarrhoea research, faecal biotherapy, Gastroenteritis, Infant mortality, MDG, Nonconventional treatmen

Robust Value Management : providing a script for satisfying current and future end user needs

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