Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Factors Associated With Women's Intention To Request Caesarean Delivery In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, C G. Misaeli, B A. Kamala, A H. Mgaya, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background. In the past decade, the rate of caesarean section (CS) has increased dramatically in many parts of the world. At Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) there has been a dramatic rise in the caesarean section rate over the past decade.

Objective. To determine the incidence of maternal request for CS and factors associated with intention to request caesarean section at the MNH antenatal clinic.

Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from August to October 2014. A structured questionnaire gathered participants’ background and obstetric information, perceptions and opinions regarding a request for caesarean section, and the respective reasons for …

Control Of Hypertension Among Diabetic Patients In A Referral Hospital In Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study, Semvua B. Kilonzo, Daniel W. Gunda, Fatma Bakshi, Fredrick Kalokola, Henry A. Mayala, Hollo Dadi

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background:

Hypertension is common among diabetic patients. The co-existence of two conditions carries an excessive risk of severe complications and mortalities. Limited information exists on the determinants of poor hypertension control among these patients. We aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with poor hypertension control in these patients.

Methods:

Data of diabetic patients who were also hypertensive attending an outpatient clinic from 1 August 2015 to 31 December 2015 at Bugando Medical Centre were retrospectively analyzed. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as a blood pressure of ≥130mmHg and/or ≥80mmHg systolic and diastolic respectively. A designed questionnaire was used …

Is Time Of Birth A Predictor Of Adverse Perinatal Outcome? A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study In A Low-Resource Setting, Tanzania, Andrew H. Mgaya, Januarius Hinju, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Inconsistent evidence of a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes during off-hours compared to office hours necessitated a search for clear evidence of an association between time of birth and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods A cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary referral hospital compared perinatal outcomes across three working shifts over 24 h. A checklist and a questionnaire were used to record parturients’ socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes, including 5th minute Apgar score, and early neonatal mortality. Risks of adverse outcomes included maternal age, parity, referral status and mode of delivery, and were assessed …

Effect Of Early Tranexamic Acid Administration On Mortality, Hysterectomy, And Other Morbidities In Women With Post-Partum Haemorrhage (Woman): An International, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Haleema Shakur-Still, Ian Roberts, Rizwana Chaudhri, Bukola Fawole, Mohamed El-Sheikh, Adesina L. Akintan, Zahida Qureshi, Hussein Kidanto, Bellington Vwalika, Abdulfetah Abdulkadir

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage.

Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition …

Utilization Of Health Services In A Resource-Limited Rural Area In Kenya: Prevalence And Associated Household-Level Factors, Anthony Ngugi, Felix Agoi, Megan R. Mahoney, Amyn Lakhani, David Mang’Ong’O, Esther Nderitu, Robert Armstrong, Sarah Macfarlane

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background: Knowledge of utilization of health services and asso- ciated factors is important in planning and delivery of interventions to improve health services coverage. This knowledge is however limited in many developing countries. We determined the preva- lence and factors associated with health services utilization in a rural area of Kenya. Our findings inform the local health management in development of appropriately targeted interventions.

Methods: Design: Cluster sample survey. Population: Residents of Kaloleni sub-County in Kenya.

Participants/respondents: Household key informants. Outcomes: (i) History of illness for household members and (ii) health services utilization in the preceding month, (iii) factors associated …

Reflections On An Innovative Mentoring Partnership Facilitators And Inhibitors To Success In Faculty Development, Tashmin Khamis, Marilyn Chapman

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

The need for more interactive, learner-centred pedagogies at Aga Khan University in East Africa led to the development of a partnership with Academics without Borders (AWB). AWB recruited three nursing faculty volunteers to provide mentorship to the nursing faculty at the three Aga Khan University Advanced Nursing Studies campuses in East Africa. As part of the evaluation and as a strategy to improve the quality of the mentoring and the project, the authors developed an action research study to identify facilitators and inhibitors to the success of this inter-cultural initiative. In this article, the authors share their observations and reflections …

Quality Assurance Self-Assessment: A Catalyst At Aga Khan University, Tashmin Khamis, Khairunnisa Dhamani

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

This article describes the establishment of the Aga Khan University’s Network of Quality Assurance and Improvement in promoting the principles of quality in its programmes. As an international university, the experiences and lessons learned have the potential to inform quality assurance and improvement in similar contexts. The authors reflect on past attempts to improve the quality of educational offerings, which were primarily traditional quality assurance audits. With the advent of the Inter-University Council for East Africa self-assessment process, the next generation of quality assurance and improvement was launched for the Aga Khan University programmes. They found the self-assessment process effective …