Seroprevalence, risk factors and comorbidities associated with Helicobacter pylori infection amongst children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center

Background: Helicobacter pylori frequently causes gastritis and peptic ulcers, and affected children are at risk of developing gastric carcinoma later in adulthood. Methods: This was a Hospital based cross sectional study. A total of 200 children aged 6 months to 14 years were enrolled. Study subjects were tested for H. pylori using a standard serology rapid test measuring immunoglobulin G for H. pylori. For risk factors, Chi-square tests were used to test for association and then, odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values were computed using logistic regression. Results: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 11.5%. The following factors were associated with H. pylori infection: Age group above 10 years, keeping a dog and household size. The independent predictors of H. pylori were: Fathers\u2019 occupation, keeping a dog, indoor tap water, age group, household size and diabetes mellitus type 1.. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies was lower compared to most developing countries. Keeping a dog, household size, indoor tap water, fathers\u2019 occupation and diabetes mellitus type 1 were found to be independent predictors of presence of H. pylori antibodies

The genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country situated in the eastern section of South Tropical Africa. This relatively small country has a rich mosaic of habitats owing to the varied topography, altitudinal ranges and rainfall found in different areas. Malawi harbours at least 21 different aloes, three of which are endemic to the country. Aloes in Malawi are severely threatened by habitat destruction and many species are in dire need of conservation. A key to the aloes of Malawi is provided, as well as a description, illustration, distribution map and information on habitat, flowering time, and conservation status for each of the species.Malawi ist ein Land ohne Meereszugang im östlichen Teil des südlichen tropischen Afrikas. Das relativ kleine Land hat bedingt durch variable Topographie und Höhenlagen sowie unterschiedliche Regenmengen ein reiches Mosaik verschiedener Habitate. In Malawi sind mindestens 21 Aloe-Arten heimisch, von welchen drei für das Land endemisch sind. Die Aloe-Arten Malawis sind durch Habitatzerstörung stark gefährdet, und zahlreiche Arten bedürfen dringend Schutzmassnahmen. Es wird ein Schlüssel zu den malawischen Arten gegeben, sowie für jede Arte Beschreibung, Abbildung, Verbreitungskarte und Angaben zu Standort, Blütezeit, und Gefährdungsstatus.http://www.bcss.org.uk/journal.htmlam201

Anthem of Appreciation

When the child is born The mother is born It is born, she is born Child is mother to mother