A Self-Management Training Intervention: Perceptions and Practices of Community Health Workers in South Africa

Background. While community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly being used as a strategy for increasing health care access, particularly in rural communities, interventions are needed to improve their skill sets in inspiring health behavior change, both for themselves and among their community clients. Self-management (SM) education interventions have shown to improve health behaviors and wellbeing. Purpose

Late presentation of superior mesenteric artery syndrome following scoliosis surgery: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Obstruction of the third part of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) can occur following surgical correction of scoliosis. The condition most commonly occurs in significantly underweight patients with severe deformities during the first few days to a week following spinal surgery.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the atypical case of a patient with normal body habitus and a 50° adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar scoliosis who underwent anterior spinal arthrodesis with instrumentation and developed SMA syndrome due to progressive weight loss several weeks postoperatively. The condition manifested with recurrent vomiting, abdominal distension, marked dehydration, and severe electrolyte disorder. Prolonged nasogastric decompression and nasojejunal feeding resulted in resolution of the symptoms with no recurrence at follow-up. The spinal instrumentation was retained and a solid spinal fusion was achieved with good spinal balance in both the coronal and sagittal planes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SMA syndrome can occur much later than previously reported and with potentially life-threatening symptoms following scoliosis correction. Early recognition of the condition and institution of appropriate conservative measures is critical to prevent the development of severe complications including the risk of death.</p

Wrist-Worn Wearables Based on Force Myography: On the Significance of User Anthropometry

Background Force myography (FMG) is a non-invasive technology used to track functional movements and hand gestures by sensing volumetric changes in the limbs caused by muscle contraction. Force transmission through tissue implies that differences in tissue mechanics and/or architecture might impact FMG signal acquisition and the accuracy of gesture classifier models. The aim of this study is to identify if and how user anthropometry affects the quality of FMG signal acquisition and the performance of machine learning models trained to classify different hand and wrist gestures based on that data. Methods Wrist and forearm anthropometric measures were collected from a total of 21 volunteers aged between 22 and 82 years old. Participants performed a set of tasks while wearing a custom-designed FMG band. Primary outcome measure was the Spearman’s correlation coefficient (R) between the anthropometric measures and FMG signal quality/ML model performance. Results Results demonstrated moderate (0.3&thinsp;≤|R|&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;0.67) and strong (0.67&thinsp;≤&thinsp;|R|) relationships for ratio of skinfold thickness to forearm circumference, grip strength and ratio of wrist to forearm circumference. These anthropometric features contributed to 23–30% of the variability in FMG signal acquisition and as much as 50% of the variability in classification accuracy for single gestures. Conclusions Increased grip strength, larger forearm girth, and smaller skinfold-to-forearm circumference ratio improve signal quality and gesture classification accuracy

Total hip replacement: increasing femoral offset improves functional outcome

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the independent effect of radiographic measures of implant position, relative to pre-operative anatomical assessment, on the functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty according to change in the Oxford hip score (OHS) 1 year post surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was preformed to assess whether improvement in functional outcome (change in OHS at 1 year) and the relationship with femoral offset and length, and acetabular offset and height. After a power calculation 359 patients were recruited to the study and radiographic measures were performed by blinded observers. Regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of the four radiographic measurements after adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in acetabular offset [5.3 mm, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 4.4–6.2] and increase in femoral offset (6.1 mm, 95 % CI 5.4–6.8). Hence there was no significant change in overall offset. Femoral offset was the only radiographic measure to be achieved statistical significance (r = 0.198, 95 % CI 0.063–0.333, p = 0.004) in relation to clinical outcome, with increasing offset being associated with a greater improvement in the OHS. On combining femoral and acetabular offset increasing offset was associated with a greater improvement in the OHS (r = 0.10, 95 % CI 0.01–0.19, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study supports the long-held biomechanical theory of medialisation of the acetabular component with compensatory increased femoral offset results in improved functional outcome

The effect of culture on Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeria

This study focuses on the effect of culture on the application of corporate governance practices in Nigeria. Corporate governance has been receiving serious attention in emerging markets over the past two decades. But relatively little attention has been given to the study on corporate governance in a country study. The current situations in Nigerian public and private sectors such as the corporate scandal resulting from Lever Brothers Nigeria plc, Siemens, Shell, Halliburton, and Cadbury Nigeria plc, have shown that the issue of fraud, corruption, and corporate scandals cannot be overlooked. Most top management, as this study argues, bring in beliefs acquired from their early childhood into their senior management roles and responsibilities. This study adopts a grounded theory and reports on the effect of culture on the implementation of corporate governance in Nigeria. Based on the interview with 32 staffs, this study identifies the effect of culture that shapes corporate governance and they include abuse of power by top management, weak legal framework, poor recruitment and ineffective control. Although having efficient corporate governance is worth pursuing, this depends on the power of top management, the strength of internal control procedures and the legal framework put in place by management

The Attitude of Students, Parents and Teachers towards Examination Malpractice in Secondary Schools: A Challenge for Good Educational Standards in Nigeria

The paper focuses on the role played by parents and Teachers in examination malpractice in Plateau Nigeria. 400 secondary school students were randomly sampled for the study. Three null hypotheses were raised. A 15 item questionnaire titled “students Attitude towards Examination Malpractice (SATEMQ) was developed by the researcher and administered to the selected sample. The data generated were analyzed using the Chi Square. The result showed that there was no significant effect of parenting styles on student’s attitude towards examination malpractice. Also there was no significant difference between Junior Secondary and their counter parts in the senior secondary school in their attitude and reasons for engaging in examination malpractice in the school. Based on these findings recommendations were made

Short-term Bisphosphonate use associated stress fractures

Introduction: Long-term bisphosphonate use has been linked to an increased risk of pathological neck of femur fractures. Case report: We write concerning a patient who presented with the left hip pain following a low impact fall, which was diagnosed as a pathological left neck of femur fracture. This was a subtrochanteric stress fracture most frequently seen in patients who take bisphosphonate medications. A key point of difference in our patient is the length of time of bisphosphonate use. A further interesting point was the method of imaging used to diagnose this fracture whereby plain radiographs and computerized tomography imaging both did not show any acute fracture whereas only a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hip demonstrated this fracture. Surgical insertion of a prophylactic intramedullary nail was done to stabilize the fracture and reduce the risk of progression to a complete fracture. Conclusion: This case brings up multiple key points not reviewed previously such as the fact a fracture developed only 1 month after bisphosphonate use rather than months or years. These points suggest that there should be a low threshold for investigation (including MRI scanning) into potential pathological fractures and that bisphosphonate use should be a red flag to initiate these investigations regardless of length of use

Effects of Penn Resiliency Programme on sexual activities of junior secondary school students in Jema'a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined the effects of Penn Resiliency Programme (PRP) on sexual activities of junior secondary school students in Jema'a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A true experimental, pre-test-post-test design was used. A sample of 40 JSS3 students selected using a multistage sampling from the 67 students screened, was randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The validity and reliability of the instruments were ascertained. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the Students Sexual Activities Scale and Resilience Scale for Early Adolescents were 0.77 and 0.90 respectively. The research questions were answered using means, standard deviation and simple percentages while the hypotheses were tested using t-test statistic. The PRP intervention was administered to the experimental group while the control group were given Botvin Life Skills Training. Findings of the study revealed that the PRP reduced students' sexual activities and improved on their resilience. The study recommended that all students in secondary schools of Kaduna State be trained on the PRP, this is because the programme had high effects on students' sexual activities

Scars of disengagement: perspectives on community leadership and youth engagement in rural South Africa.

Journal articleUniversities are in a highly competitive environment, needing strong academic leadership. Some heads of departments have been appointed into leadership positions in a healthcare faculty after having been mere academics for a few years. They are more likely to experience challenges. This study aimed to explore the views and understanding of heads of departments in a healthcare faculty on being appointed as academic leaders in a higher education context in South Africa. A qualitative design using 12 individual unstructured interviews was conducted with all the heads of departments in a health sciences faculty. Open coding was conducted and two themes emerged, focusing on the varied skills needed for academic leadership positions and developing leadership skills amongst senior academics. The findings indicated that development of senior academics in leadership should be undertaken by a knowledgeable professional in formal or informal settings, to encourage mentorship and more regular group meetings, while addressing the core role of a leader. Implications of these findings for a faculty of health sciences and suggestions for leadership succession in future are discussed