Effects of a herbal remedy (CATAR) on human cataract lenses: observations from a preliminary experimental study.

A CAJM preliminary investigation on CATAR.The primary purpose of this study was to carry out a preliminary investigation into the in vitro effects of a herbal remedy code-named CATAR on human cataract lenses

Umbilical hernia in Bulawayo: some observations from a hospital based study

A CAJM study on umbilical hernia carried out in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.We present a retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients admitted with umbilical hemiae to Mpilo Central Hospital between January 1990 and December 1993. The majority of the patients 95 pc (38/40) were children and only 5 pc (2/40) were adults. The study included 18 males and 22 females giving a M:F ratio of 1:1,2. In children the age range was from 1 month to 13 years with 63 pc (24/38) occurring in the zero to five year age group. The commonest indication for admission was obstruction of the umbilical hernia in 37,5 pc (15/40) of cases. Other indications included: large umbilical hernia 30 pc (12/40), recurrent discomfort and peri-umbilical pain 20 pc (8/40), incidental finding in patients admitted for some other problem 7,5 pc (3/ 40), one case of recurrent hemia and one case of accidental injury

Umbilical hernia in Bulawayo: some observations from a hospital based study

We present a retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients admitted with umbilical hemiae to Mpilo Central Hospital between January 1990 and December 1993. The majority of the patients 95 pc (38/40) were children and only 5 pc (2/40) were adults. The study included 18 males and 22 females giving a M:F ratio of 1:1,2. In children the age range was from 1 month to 13 years with 63 pc (24/38) occurring in the zero to five year age group. The commonest indication for admission was obstruction of the umbilical hernia in 37,5 pc (15/40) of cases. Other indications included: large umbilical hernia 30 pc (12/40), recurrent discomfort and peri-umbilical pain 20 pc (8/40), incidental finding in patients admitted for some other problem 7,5 pc (3/ 40), one case of recurrent hemia and one case of accidental injury

Medical students’ perspectives on the anatomy course at the University of Zimbabwe

Background. Traditional academic-led anatomy teaching methods, such as didactic lectures and cadaver dissections, are on the decline, as more student-led teaching methods are being adopted.Objectives. To assess medical students’ perspectives on the teaching objectives achieved by traditional teaching methods (lectures, cadaver dissections and tutorials) used in the anatomy course.Methods. A cross-sectional survey comprising a matrix questionnaire was performed among selected 1st-year - 5th-year medical students, using stratified random sampling. The students were requested to select a score between 0 and 5 to represent the fit between the learning outcome and the teaching method, with 0 being no fit and 5 representing a perfect fit.Results. Lectures had the highest mean score of 3.871 for the ability to provide medical vocabulary. Cadaver dissection had the highest mean score of 3.488 for its ability to develop team skills. The highest mean score of 3.415 for all three teaching methods combined was recorded for the learning outcome relating to imparting an anatomical foundation, while the lowest mean score of 2.731 was recorded for the development of skills in order to follow complicated instructions. However, no teaching method had an excellent fit (mean ≥4.5) with any of the teaching objectives.Conclusion. The study showed that the three teaching methods being used in the anatomy course were, to a great extent, useful to impart the skills and content base. However, other teaching methods, such as problem-based and team-based learning, have to be considered to achieve the other important learning outcomes

Topographical relations of the vertebral arteries in the human neck: an anatomical study.

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Medical students’ perspectives on the anatomy course at the University of Zimbabwe

Background. Traditional academic-led anatomy teaching methods, such as didactic  lectures and cadaver dissections, are on the decline, as more student-led teaching methods are being adopted.Objectives. To assess medical students’ perspectives on the teaching objectives  achieved by traditional teaching methods (lectures, cadaver dissections and  tutorials) used in the anatomy course.Methods. A cross-sectional survey comprising a matrix questionnaire was  performed among selected 1st-year - 5th-year medical students, using stratified  random sampling. The students were requested to select a score between 0 and 5 to represent the fit between the learning outcome and the teaching method, with 0 being no fit and 5 representing a perfect fit.Results. Lectures had the highest mean score of 3.871 for the ability to provide  medical vocabulary. Cadaver dissection had the highest mean score of 3.488 for its ability to develop team skills. The highest mean score of 3.415 for all three teaching methods combined was recorded for the learning outcome relating to imparting an anatomical foundation, while the lowest mean score of 2.731 was recorded for the development of skills in order to follow complicated instructions. However, no  teaching method had an excellent fit (mean ≥4.5) with any of the teaching  objectives.Conclusion. The study showed that the three teaching methods being used in the anatomy course were, to a great extent, useful to impart the skills and content base. However, other teaching methods, such as problem-based and team-based learning, have to be considered to achieve the other important learning outcomes

Clinical and radiological characteristics of adult black Zimbabweans with low back pain attending a specialist neurosurgery clinic

Objectives: To describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of adult black Zimbabweans with Low Back Pain (LBP).Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Harare, Zimbabwe.Subjects: A random sample of 105 medical records of adult black Zimbabweans that presented to a Neurosurgeon in Harare, Zimbabwe with LBPwas obtained using the stratified sampling technique from a total of 525 medical records.Results: There were 55 women (52%) and 50 men (48%).The mean age was 47 ± 14 years. Most patients were between20 and 60 years of age (80%) and the mean duration of LBP at presentation was 2 years. A past medical history of trauma, no significant illness in the past, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol was observed in 25%, 38%, 23%, and 44% of the records respectively. The common occupations were: office workers (38%), unemployed (19%), and manual workers (15%). The common radiological diagnoses were: Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease (DLSD) in 38% and Disc Prolapse (DP) in 33%of the records. Lumbar Vertebral Fractures (LVF) and Facet Joint Arthritis (FJA) accounted for 14% and 10%of the records respectively.Conclusions: There was a significant delay by adult black Zimbabweans with LBP in presenting to medical practitioners. Having a past medical history of trauma, no history of a major illness, smoking, alcohol, and occupation were common predisposing factors. Radiology revealed that DLSD, DP, LVF, and FJA were common diagnoses

On the anatomy of the appendix among adult black Zimbabweans

Objectives: To determine the position, length and diameter of the appendix and the extent of attachment of its mesoappendix among adult black Zimbabweans.Design: Descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe.Subjects: Consecutive cases of adult black Zimbabweans who underwent a post mortem examination between May and September 2016.Results: A total of 100 subjects were used, 68 males and 32 females giving a male to female ratio of 2:1. The mean age was 41.8+17.10 years. The most common position of the appendix was retrocolic/retrocecal (51%), followed by the pelvic position (34%). The average length of the appendix was 12.3+3.21 cm. The average external diameter of the appendix was 0.74cm+0.10 cm. The diameter of the appendix decreased from its base to its tip. The mesoappendix reached the tip of the appendix in 75% of the subjects while it failed to reach the tip in the remaining 25%. The length and diameter of the appendix showed negative correlations with age (r=- 0.254 and r=-0.057 respectively) and these were not statistically significant (p=0.28 and p= 0.811 respectively).Conclusion: In contrast to previous Sub-Saharan African studies, the retrocolic position was the most common and the average length of the appendix (12.3±3.21cm) was larger than the average lengths reported in the literature (5-10cm).The mesoappendix extended the whole length of the appendix in 75% of the subjects. These observations suggested that the clinical presentation of acute appendicitis among adult Zimbabweans may be different from the classical presentation in the literature. In retrocolic presentation, right loin pain is often present, and is associated with tenderness on examination