Computed tomography features of head injury in Ghanaian children

Background: Injuries to the head are common in children. There are several reports in literature of head injury and evaluation with computed tomography scan (CT scan) but only a few focus on children. Method: A retrospective review of films and reports of the CT scans of 41 children with head injury. Results: Positive CT findings were noted in 19 (46.3%). Road traffic accident was found to be the commonest cause of injury with the highest incidence in the 5 – 9 year age group. Cranial fractures were the commonest (73.68%) CT findings especially in the frontal and parietal bones. Intracranial haemorrgage was outlined in 47.37%. In classifying the extent of head injury type 3 with intracranial injury alone occurred most (58.8%). Extraparenchymal haemorrages occurred more in 69.2% than the intracerebral variety (30.8%) Hydrocaphalus and cerebral oedema were also reported. Conclusion: CT scan provides accurate non-invasive diagnosis of fractures, intracranial haemorrhages and other sequale of head injury. However, it should be done only when clinically indicated to reduce cost and avoid unnecessary irradiation Key words: Head injury, computed tomography children Nig. J. of Surgical Research Vol.4(3-4) 2002: 84-8

Domestic water carrying and its implications for health: a review and mixed methods pilot study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Lack of access to safe water remains a significant risk factor for poor health in developing countries. There has been little research into the health effects of frequently carrying containers of water. The aims of this study were to better understand how domestic water carrying is performed, identify potential health risk factors and gain insight into the possible health effects of the task. Methods: Mixed methods of data collection from six were used to explore water carrying performed by people in six rural villages of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and through observation and measurement. Linear regression modelling were used to identify significant correlations between potential risk factors and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) or self reported pain. Independent t-tests were used to compare the mean values of potential risk factors and RPE between sub-groups reporting pain and those not reporting pain. Results: Water carrying was mainly performed by women or children carrying containers on their head (mean container weight 19.5 kg) over a mean distance of 337 m. The prevalence of spinal (neck or back) pain was 69% and back pain was 38%. Of participants who carried water by head loading, the distance walked by those who reported spinal pain was significantly less than those who did not (173 m 95%CI 2-343; p = 0.048). For head loaders reporting head or neck pain compared to those who did not, the differences in weight of water carried (4.6 kg 95%CI -9.7-0.5; p = 0.069) and RPE (2.5 95%CI -5.1-0.1; p = 0.051) were borderline statistically significant. For head loaders, RPE was significantly correlated with container weight (r = 0.52; p = 0.011) and incline (r = 0.459; p = 0.018). Conclusions: Typical water carrying methods impose physical loading with potential to produce musculoskeletal disorders and related disability. This exploratory study is limited by a small sample size and future research should aim to better understand the type and strength of association between water carrying and health, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. However, these preliminary findings suggest that efforts should be directed toward eliminating the need for water carrying, or where it must continue, identifying and reducing risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and physical injury