A comparative study of sclerotherapy with phenol versus surgical treatment for hydrocoele

Background: A comparision for the effectiveness, side effects and outcome of sclerotherapy using phenol and surgical treatment for hydrocoele was done at UTH in Lusaka, Zambia..Materials: A total of 80 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 40 hydrocoeles each. Group A underwent phenol sclerotherapy and Group B underwent hydrocelectomy.Results: In sclerotherapy group 47.5%, 32.5%, and 15% of the hydrocoele were cured with 1 to 3 injections, respectively, but 4% were not cured. There were no complaints of localized pain or infection in these cases. All patients returned to normal activities on the same day. In hydrocelectomy group, all the patients were cured. There was pain postoperatively in 73.5% of the patients and localized infection in 9%, while 65% required an average of 4 days of rest and were absent from work for 10 days.Conclusion: Sclerotherapy for hydrocoele using phenol is as efficient as hydrocelectomy for cure, has a low risk of complications and allows the patients to return to normal activity on the same day. Sclerotherapy is recommended as an option for treatment of hydrocoele

Investigation of Key Factors Affecting Quality of Patient Data from National Antiretroviral Therapy Electronic Medical Record System in Malawi

The Ministry of Health in Malawi implemented a National Antiretroviral Therapy Electronic Medical Record system currently deployed in over 150 health facilities. It thus expected quality and timely quarterly cohort reports. However, the raw electronic reports are rarely complete, accurate and consistent requiring cleaning hence being delayed. Such reports are now very critical under the COVID-19  pandemic. Adopting a mixed-method approach, this study assessed the key factors that affect quality of data entered in the electronic medical records system and the reports produced by the system. The study interviewed 134 health-care workers in 17 sites and 10 Baobab Health Trust officers. Observations were conducted and secondary data analysed. The analysis shows that the EMRs lacks proper documentation and validation rules, making it hard to maintain and increasing chances of duplicate entry, respectively. Coupled with lack of trained personnel, it was revealed that one set of login credentials is used by multiple users and vital data elements being null compromising security and completeness, respectively. The electronic medical records system was not used at 40% of the sites as a point of care system hence being used as a back-data entry tool. Thus, there is need to revise the system to include necessary validations, security features, back data-entry form and data quality dashboards. Keywords: Electronic Medical Records system, Data Quality, System Quality, Information Qualit

The impact of HIV on morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: a study of rural Malawi and review of the literature

Since the mid-1980s tuberculosis (TB) case numbers and HIV seroprevalence have both risen sharply in sub-Saharan Africa. Estimates for the relative risk of TB in those infected with HIV have ranged from less than five to more than 20. The proportion of TB cases attributable to HIV (the population attributable fraction) has been calculated for several populations but is difficult to interpret if no account is taken of the age and sex distribution of the cases. In a rural area of Malawi we have studied the proportion of TB attributable to HIV over time. Nearly 40 per cent of smear-positive TB cases in this rural area of Malawi can now be attributed directly to HIV. The actual effect of HIV on TB is even greater than this because increased case numbers increase transmission of tuberculosis infection to both HIV-infected and non-infected sections of the population. We compare our findings with others from sub-Saharan Africa and discuss reasons for the differences, and methodological issues in interpretatio

Connecting with home, keeping in touch : physical and virtual mobility across stretched families in sub-Saharan Africa.

There is a long history of migration among low-income families in sub-Saharan Africa, in which (usually young, often male) members leave home to seek their fortune in what are perceived to be more favourable locations. While the physical and virtual mobility practices of such stretched families are often complex and contingent, maintaining contact with distantly located close kin is frequently of crucial importance for the maintenance of emotional (and possibly material) well-being, both for those who have left home and for those who remain. This article explores the ways in which these connections are being reshaped by increasing access to mobile phones in three sub-Saharan countries – Ghana, Malawi and South Africa – drawing on interdisciplinary, mixed-methods research from twenty-four sites, ranging from poor urban neighbourhoods to remote rural hamlets. Stories collected from both ends of stretched families present a world in which the connectivities now offered by the mobile phone bring a different kind of closeness and knowing, as instant sociality introduces a potential substitute for letters, cassettes and face-to-face visits, while the rapid resource mobilization opportunities identified by those still at home impose increasing pressures on migrant kin

Integrating family planning services into HIV care: use of a point-of-care electronic medical record system in Lilongwe, Malawi

Background: Integrating family planning (FP) services into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical care helps improve access to contraceptives for women living with HIV. However, high patient volumes may limit providers’ ability to counsel women about pregnancy risks and contraceptive options

The impacts of land use and land cover dynamics on natural resources and rural livelihoods in Dedza District, Malawi

The sustainable management of natural resources requires critical understanding of land use and land cover changes and how these changes impact natural resources and rural livelihoods. This study examined the impacts of LULC changes on natural resources and rural livelihoods of Central Malawi. The study used an integrated approach combining remote sensing, household surveys consisting of structured and semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Local communities perceived that LULC changes have resulted in the decline of agricultural land (57.3%), crop production (82.8%) and forest cover (87.4%) In response to observed LULC changes, respondents deployed short-term coping strategies such as seeking piecework opportunities and the use of savings and credits. The study has provided evidence that LULC changes have led to significant losses in natural resources, with serious consequences for rural livelihoods in Dedza. The study has contributed to better understanding of the complicated human-environment interaction in Malawi.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tgei202021-07-21hj2020Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorolog