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Full-Text Articles in Family Medicine

Primary Health Care And The Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project, Gijs Walraven, Harrison Chuwa, Alain Fourquet, Paschal Ruggajo Apr 2024

Primary Health Care And The Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project, Gijs Walraven, Harrison Chuwa, Alain Fourquet, Paschal Ruggajo

Internal Medicine, East Africa

No abstract provided.


Knowledge, Attitudes And Beliefs Toward Polypharmacy Among Older People Attending Family Medicine Clinic, Nairobi, Kenya, Maureen Kamau, Njeri Nyanja, Adelaide Lusambili, Jacob Shabani, Gulnaz Mohamoud Feb 2024

Knowledge, Attitudes And Beliefs Toward Polypharmacy Among Older People Attending Family Medicine Clinic, Nairobi, Kenya, Maureen Kamau, Njeri Nyanja, Adelaide Lusambili, Jacob Shabani, Gulnaz Mohamoud

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background Life expectancy has increased over the last century among older people, particularly those aged over 60 years. Aging is associated with increased disability, multiple chronic conditions, and increased use of health services managed with polypharmacy. There are few studies on polypharmacy and aging in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is unclear what older people know and their attitudes toward polypharmacy. This paper presents findings from a study that aimed to understand older people’s knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about polypharmacy.

Methods A qualitative study using in-depth interviews of 15 patients aged 60 years and older who were taking more than five …


The Anthropometric Determinants Of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Among Children In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Willbroad Kyejo, Nancy Matillya, Neelam Ismail, Gloria Gachocha, Hajaj Salum, Rosebella Iseme, Mariam Noorani Jan 2024

The Anthropometric Determinants Of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Among Children In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Willbroad Kyejo, Nancy Matillya, Neelam Ismail, Gloria Gachocha, Hajaj Salum, Rosebella Iseme, Mariam Noorani

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is an important tool for assessing lung function, which can be affected by environmental and physical factors such as altitude, nutrition, genetics, age, height, and weight. Conducting a study to assess the correlation between peak expiratory flow rate and anthropometric measurements in Tanzanian schoolchildren is crucial to derive a population-specific prediction formula and further simplify respiratory health assessment.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a single center private primary and secondary school in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using data from an asthma screening camp. Variables of interest were height, weight, Body Mass Index …


Support, Networks, And Relationships: Findings From A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of A Mentorship Programme For Early Career Women Researchers In Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights, Muhammad Asim, Peter Muriuki Gatheru, Joy J. Chebet, Mehr G. Shah, Anna Thorson, Vanessa Brizuela Dec 2023

Support, Networks, And Relationships: Findings From A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of A Mentorship Programme For Early Career Women Researchers In Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights, Muhammad Asim, Peter Muriuki Gatheru, Joy J. Chebet, Mehr G. Shah, Anna Thorson, Vanessa Brizuela

Community Health Sciences

Low research output among women researchers in health research has been linked to inadequate mentorship opportunities for early career women researchers and particularly in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) field. Mentorship has been recognized as a contributor to strengthening research capacity and as beneficial for both mentors and mentees. Women researchers oftentimes experience negative impacts of organizational and structural gender inequities related to formal and informal mentoring. In 2020, the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction at WHO launched a mentorship programme for early career SRHR women researchers from low- and …


The Pattern Of Admission, Clinical Characteristics, And Outcomes Among Patients Admitted To The Intensive Care Unit Of A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania: A 5-Year Retrospective Review, Nadeem Kassam, Philip Adebayo, Iris Martin Matei, Eric Aghan, Samina Somji, Samwel Paul Kadelya, Yasson Abha, Frank Elton Swai, Mangaro Mabusi, Kamran Hamid Nov 2023

The Pattern Of Admission, Clinical Characteristics, And Outcomes Among Patients Admitted To The Intensive Care Unit Of A Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania: A 5-Year Retrospective Review, Nadeem Kassam, Philip Adebayo, Iris Martin Matei, Eric Aghan, Samina Somji, Samwel Paul Kadelya, Yasson Abha, Frank Elton Swai, Mangaro Mabusi, Kamran Hamid

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Despite the implementation of complex interventions, ICU mortality remains high and more so in developing countries. The demand for critical care in Sub-Saharan Africa is more than ever before as the region experiences a double burden of rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the background battle of combating infectious diseases. Limited studies in Tanzania have reported varying factors associated with markedly high rates of ICU mortality. Investigating the burden of ICU care remains crucial in providing insights into the effectiveness and challenges of critical care delivery.

Material and Methods: A single-center retrospective study that reviewed records of all …


Outpatient Management Of Urinary Tract Infections By Medical Officers In Nairobi, Kenya: Lack Of Benefit From Audit And Feedback On Adherence To Treatment Guidelines, Florence Mbatia, James Orwa, Mary B. Adam, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Rodney Adam Sep 2023

Outpatient Management Of Urinary Tract Infections By Medical Officers In Nairobi, Kenya: Lack Of Benefit From Audit And Feedback On Adherence To Treatment Guidelines, Florence Mbatia, James Orwa, Mary B. Adam, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Rodney Adam

Family Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections are common in outpatient settings but are not treated optimally. Few studies of the outpatient use of antibiotics for specifc diagnoses have been done in sub-Saharan Africa, so little is known about the prescribing patterns of medical ofcers in the region.

Methods: Aga Khan University has 16 outpatient clinics throughout the Nairobi metro area with a medical ofcer specifcally assigned to that clinic. A baseline assessment of evaluation and treatment of suspected UTI was performed from medical records in these clinics. Then the medical ofcer from each of the 16 clinics was recruited from …


Role Of Hospital Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness: Experience At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lucy Mwangi, William Macharia, Benjamin Wachira, Jemimah Kimeu, Boniface Mativa, Lukoye Atwoli Aug 2023

Role Of Hospital Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness: Experience At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lucy Mwangi, William Macharia, Benjamin Wachira, Jemimah Kimeu, Boniface Mativa, Lukoye Atwoli

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: Pandemic preparedness refers to being ready for, responding to and recovering from public health crises, and is integral for health security. Hospital leadership is a critical building block of an effective healthcare system, providing policy, accountability and stewardship in a health crisis.

Objectives and methods: We aimed to describe the leadership and governance structures put in place at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, a private not-forprofit tertiary healthcare facility, following the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed over 200 hospital documents archived in the COVID-19 repository including those received from the Kenya Ministry of Health, emails, memos, bulletins, meeting minutes, …


Dorsal Pancreas Agenesis, An Incidental Finding During Acute Appendicitis Diagnosis; A Case Report, Willbroad Kyejo, Ally Zain Ismail, Sajida Panjwani, Nancy Matillya, Ahmed Jusabani, Adil Datoo, Pilly Ally Aug 2023

Dorsal Pancreas Agenesis, An Incidental Finding During Acute Appendicitis Diagnosis; A Case Report, Willbroad Kyejo, Ally Zain Ismail, Sajida Panjwani, Nancy Matillya, Ahmed Jusabani, Adil Datoo, Pilly Ally

Family Medicine, East Africa

Introduction and importance: Dorsal pancreas agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the absence or severe underdevelopment of the dorsal pancreatic bud. We report a case of a man who presented with features of appendicitis only to the incidentally discovery of dorsal pancreas agenesis during the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We describe our experience on radiological diagnostic formulation and work up.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 45-year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute appendicitis. A computed tomography scan and laboratory investigations confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis. Incidentally, …


Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Benign Prostatic Enlargement, Husni Abdalla, Jasmit Shah, Tabitha A.N. Nyanja, Jacob Shabani May 2023

Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Benign Prostatic Enlargement, Husni Abdalla, Jasmit Shah, Tabitha A.N. Nyanja, Jacob Shabani

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Depression is a common condition that may lead to suicide at its worst. It is considered one of the primary causes of morbidity globally. Among the urological causes of depression is benign prostatic enlargement (BPE).

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among BPE patients.

Setting: This study was conducted in the Urology and Family Medicine Clinic at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi and Urology clinic at the Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional design recruiting 308 males above the age of 40. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 …


Monkeypox Outbreak In The Age Of Covid-19: A New Global Health Emergency, Rahim Hirani, Dawood Rashid, Joshua Lewis, Rasheed Hosein-Woodley, Ali Issani Oct 2022

Monkeypox Outbreak In The Age Of Covid-19: A New Global Health Emergency, Rahim Hirani, Dawood Rashid, Joshua Lewis, Rasheed Hosein-Woodley, Ali Issani

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.


Diagnostic Challenge Of Perimenopause Molar Pregnancy In A 52-Year-Old Lady: Case Report, Willbroad Kyejo, Davis Rubagumya, Gregory Ntiyakuze, Nancy Matillya, Munawar Kaguta, Miriam Mgonja, Lynn Moshi Oct 2022

Diagnostic Challenge Of Perimenopause Molar Pregnancy In A 52-Year-Old Lady: Case Report, Willbroad Kyejo, Davis Rubagumya, Gregory Ntiyakuze, Nancy Matillya, Munawar Kaguta, Miriam Mgonja, Lynn Moshi

Family Medicine, East Africa

Introduction and importance: Gestational trophoblastic disease is an uncommon group of pregnancy-related dis- orders, with a course of trophoblastic proliferation, including hydatidiform mole (Agha et al., 2020), invasive and metastatic mole, choriocarcinoma, placental-site trophoblastic tumor, and epithelial trophoblastic tumor. Choriocarcinoma and trophoblastic tumor of the placenta are the most important tumors associated with pregnancy.

Case findings: A 52-year-old woman Para 2 Living 3, 3 years post-menopausal presented with prolong per vaginal bleeding for five weeks accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (choriocarcinoma type) was made by using beta HCG, radiology, and histology report. Patient underwent total …


Communication Skills Of General Practitioners In Nairobi, Kenya: A Descriptive Observational Study, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash Sep 2022

Communication Skills Of General Practitioners In Nairobi, Kenya: A Descriptive Observational Study, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background High-quality primary care needs to be person-centred, and GPs must communicate effectively to ensure continuity and coordination of care. In Kenya, there is little knowledge about the quality of communication in consultations by GPs.

Aim To evaluate the quality of communication in consultations by GPs.

Design & setting Descriptive, observational study of 23 GP consultations in 13 private sector primary care facilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

Method One consultation with a randomly selected adult patient was recorded per GP, and 16 communication skills evaluated with the Stellenbosch University Observation Tool (SUOT). A total percentage score was calculated per consultation, and …


Clinical Skills Of General Practitioners In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash Jun 2022

Clinical Skills Of General Practitioners In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Quality service delivery in primary care requires motivated and competent health professionals. In the Kenyan private sector, GPs with no postgraduate training in family medicine offer primary care. There is a paucity of evidence on the ability of primary care providers to deliver comprehensive care and no such evidence is available for GPs practising in the private sector in Kenya.

Aim: To evaluate GPs’ training and experience in the skills required for comprehensive primary care.

Design and setting: A cross-sectional descriptive survey in 13 primary care clinics in the private sector of Nairobi, Kenya.

Method: A questionnaire, …


The Quality Of Primary Care Performance In Private Sector Facilities In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash May 2022

The Quality Of Primary Care Performance In Private Sector Facilities In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Integrated health services with an emphasis on primary care are needed for effective primary health care and achievement of universal health coverage. The key elements of high quality primary care are first-contact access, continuity, comprehensiveness, coordination, and person-centredness. In Kenya, there is paucity of informa- tion on the performance of these key elements and such information is needed to improve service delivery. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the quality of primary care performance in private sector facilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using an adapted Primary Care Assessment Tool for the Kenyan context …


Chloroquine-Susceptible And -Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum Strains Survive High Chloroquine Concentrations By Becoming Dormant But Are Eliminated By Prolonged Exposure, Johan Ursing, Rasmus Johns, Berit Aydin-Schmidt, Carla Calçada, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Maria Isabel Veiga, Lars Rombo Mar 2022

Chloroquine-Susceptible And -Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum Strains Survive High Chloroquine Concentrations By Becoming Dormant But Are Eliminated By Prolonged Exposure, Johan Ursing, Rasmus Johns, Berit Aydin-Schmidt, Carla Calçada, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Maria Isabel Veiga, Lars Rombo

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Plasmodium falciparum strains that are resistant to standard-dose chloroquine can be treated by higher chloroquine concentrations maintained for a longer time in vivo.
Objectives: To determine the relative importance of chloroquine concentrations versus exposure time for elimination of chloroquine-susceptible and -resistant P. falciparum in vitro.
Methods: Chloroquine-susceptible (3D7) and -resistant (FCR3) strains were exposed in vitro to 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 times their respective 90% inhibitory chloroquine concentrations for 3, 5, 7 or 14 days and then followed until recrudescence, or not, by 42 days after the end of exposure.
Results: Exposure to chloroquine appeared to …


Variants Associated With Bedaquiline (Bdq) Resistance Identified In Rv0678 And Efflux Pump Genes In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Bdq Naïve Tb Patients In Pakistan, Dania Khalid Saeed, Sadia Shakoor, Safina Abdul Razzak, Zahra Hasan, Saba Faraz Sabzwari, Zahida Azizullah, Akber Kanji, Asghar Nasir, Samreen Shafiq, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Rumina Hasan Feb 2022

Variants Associated With Bedaquiline (Bdq) Resistance Identified In Rv0678 And Efflux Pump Genes In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Bdq Naïve Tb Patients In Pakistan, Dania Khalid Saeed, Sadia Shakoor, Safina Abdul Razzak, Zahra Hasan, Saba Faraz Sabzwari, Zahida Azizullah, Akber Kanji, Asghar Nasir, Samreen Shafiq, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Mutations in the Rv0678, pepQ and atpE genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) have been reported to be associated with reduced antimycobacterial susceptibility to bedaquiline (BDQ). Resistance conferring mutations in treatment naïve MTB strains is likely to have implications for BDQ based new drug regimen that aim to shorten treatment duration. We therefore investigated the genetic basis of resistance to BDQ in MTB clinical isolates from BDQ naïve TB patients from Pakistan. In addition, mutations in genes associated with efflux pumps were investigated as an alternate mechanism of resistance.
Methods: Based on convenience sampling, we studied 48 MTB clinical isolates …


Diagnostic Value Of Endoscopic Ultrasonography For Common Bile Duct Dilatation Without Identifiable Etiology Detected From Cross-Sectional Imaging, Nonthalee Pausawasdi, Penprapai Hongsrisuwan, Lubna Kamani, Kotchakon Maipang, Phunchai Charatcharoenwitthaya Jan 2022

Diagnostic Value Of Endoscopic Ultrasonography For Common Bile Duct Dilatation Without Identifiable Etiology Detected From Cross-Sectional Imaging, Nonthalee Pausawasdi, Penprapai Hongsrisuwan, Lubna Kamani, Kotchakon Maipang, Phunchai Charatcharoenwitthaya

Section of Gastroenterology

Background/aims: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is warranted when cross-sectional imaging demonstrates common bile duct (CBD) dilatation without identifiable causes. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of EUS in CBD dilatation of unknown etiology.
Methods: Retrospective review of patients with dilated CBD without definite causes undergoing EUS between 2012 and 2017.
Results: A total of 131 patients were recruited. The mean age was 63.2±14.1 years. The most common manifestation was abnormal liver chemistry (85.5%). The mean CBD diameter was 12.2±4.1 mm. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of EUS-identified pathologies, including malignancy, choledocholithiasis, and benign biliary stricture …


Hypertension Pharmacological Treatment In Adults: A World Health Organization Guideline Executive Summary, Akram Al-Makki, Donald Dipette, Paul K. Whelton, M Hassan Murad, Reem A. Mustaf, Shrish Acharya, Hind Mamoun Beheiry, Beatriz Champagne, Kenneth Connell, Unab I. Khan Jan 2022

Hypertension Pharmacological Treatment In Adults: A World Health Organization Guideline Executive Summary, Akram Al-Makki, Donald Dipette, Paul K. Whelton, M Hassan Murad, Reem A. Mustaf, Shrish Acharya, Hind Mamoun Beheiry, Beatriz Champagne, Kenneth Connell, Unab I. Khan

Department of Family Medicine

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and deaths worldwide especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the availability of safe, well-tolerated, and cost-effective blood pressure (BP)-lowering therapies, <14% of adults with hypertension have BP controlled to a systolic/diastolic BP <140/90 mm Hg. We report new hypertension treatment guidelines, developed in accordance with the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development. Overviews of reviews of the evidence were conducted and summary tables were developed according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. In these guidelines, the World Health Organization provides the most current and relevant evidence-based guidance for the pharmacological treatment of nonpregnant adults with hypertension. The recommendations pertain to adults with an accurate diagnosis of hypertension who have already received lifestyle modification counseling. The guidelines recommend BP threshold to initiate pharmacological therapy, BP treatment targets, intervals for follow-up visits, and best use of health care workers in the management of hypertension. The guidelines provide guidance for choice of monotherapy or dual therapy, treatment with single pill combination medications, and use of treatment algorithms for hypertension management. Strength of the recommendations was guided by the quality of the underlying evidence; the tradeoffs between desirable and undesirable effects; patient's values, resource considerations and cost-effectiveness; health equity; acceptability, and feasibility consideration of different treatment options. The goal of the guideline is to facilitate standard approaches to pharmacological treatment and management of hypertension which, if widely implemented, will increase the hypertension control rate world-wide.


Effectiveness Of Simulation-Based Clinical Skills Training For Medical Students In Respiratory Medicine: A Pilot Study, Russell S. Martins, Saniya Sabzwari, Meesha Iqbal Dec 2021

Effectiveness Of Simulation-Based Clinical Skills Training For Medical Students In Respiratory Medicine: A Pilot Study, Russell S. Martins, Saniya Sabzwari, Meesha Iqbal

Medical College Documents

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation-based medical education (HF-SBME) in teaching and learning respiratory clinical examination in medical students.
Study design: Quasi-experimental pilot study.
Place and duration of study: The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from November 2018 to January 2020. Methodology: This study was conducted amongst third year medical students at the University. Students were assigned to intervention (IG) or control groups (CG). The IG underwent training for the respiratory clinical examination on a high-fidelity simulator mannequin, while the CG received the conventional practice session on standardised patients. Students were assessed on their respiratory clinical examination skills in …


Residency Training On The Frontlines Of The Covid-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Study From Tanzania, Mariam Noorani, Hussein Manji, Elizabeth Mmari, Samina Somji, Nahida Z. Walli, Sherin Kassamali, Shabbir Adamjee, Nancy Matillya, Hanifa Mbithe, Aliasger Nagri, Neelam Ismail Sep 2021

Residency Training On The Frontlines Of The Covid-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Study From Tanzania, Mariam Noorani, Hussein Manji, Elizabeth Mmari, Samina Somji, Nahida Z. Walli, Sherin Kassamali, Shabbir Adamjee, Nancy Matillya, Hanifa Mbithe, Aliasger Nagri, Neelam Ismail

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has affected residency training globally. The aim of this study was to understand how the pandemic affected teaching and learning in residency programs in low resource settings where residents and faculty were working on the front line treating patients with the disease.

Methods: this qualitative study enrolled residents and faculty from the Aga Khan University in Tanzania who were providing front line care during the pandemic. Purposeful sampling was used and data was collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews between August and September 2020. Analysis was done using qualitative content analysis.

Results: …


Application Of The Ultra-Poverty Graduation Model In Understanding Community Health Volunteers’ Preferences For Socio-Economic Empowerment Strategies To Enhance Retention: A Qualitative Study In Kilifi, Kenya, Njeri Nyanja, Nelson Nyamu, Lucy Nyaga, Sophie Chabeda, Adelaide Lusambili, Marleen Temmerman, Michaela Mantel, Anthony Ngugi Aug 2021

Application Of The Ultra-Poverty Graduation Model In Understanding Community Health Volunteers’ Preferences For Socio-Economic Empowerment Strategies To Enhance Retention: A Qualitative Study In Kilifi, Kenya, Njeri Nyanja, Nelson Nyamu, Lucy Nyaga, Sophie Chabeda, Adelaide Lusambili, Marleen Temmerman, Michaela Mantel, Anthony Ngugi

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: A significant shortage of healthcare workforce exists globally. To achieve Universal Healthcare cover- age, governments need to enhance their community-based health programmes. Community health volunteers (CHVs) are essential personnel in achieving this objective. However, their ability to earn a livelihood is compromised by the voluntary nature of their work; hence, the high attrition rates from community-based health programmes. There is an urgent need to support CHVs become economically self-reliant. We report here on the application of the Ultra-Poverty Graduation (UPG) Model to map CHVs’ preferences for socio-economic empowerment strategies that could enhance their retention in a rural area …


Barriers To Timely Disclosure Of Hiv Serostatus: A Qualitative Study At Care And Treatment Centers In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Neelam Ismail, Nancy Matillya, Riaz Ratansi, Columba Mbekenga Aug 2021

Barriers To Timely Disclosure Of Hiv Serostatus: A Qualitative Study At Care And Treatment Centers In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Neelam Ismail, Nancy Matillya, Riaz Ratansi, Columba Mbekenga

Family Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status is important to prevent the spread of HIV and maintain the health of people living with HIV, their spouses, and the community. Despite the benefits of disclosure, many people living with HIV delay disclosing their status to those close to them thereby increasing the risk for disease transmission. This study aimed to determine the barriers to timely disclosure of HIV serostatus for people living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and identify what motivated disclosure.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using in-depth individual interviews was conducted with10 participants attending …


The Relation Of Abo Blood Group To The Severity Of Coronavirus Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Fazal Ur Rehman, Syed Furrukh Omair, Fatima Memon, Bakhtawar J. Rind, Danish Ahmed Memon, Syed Ahsan Ali, Bilal Ahmed, Naureen Ali Jul 2021

The Relation Of Abo Blood Group To The Severity Of Coronavirus Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Fazal Ur Rehman, Syed Furrukh Omair, Fatima Memon, Bakhtawar J. Rind, Danish Ahmed Memon, Syed Ahsan Ali, Bilal Ahmed, Naureen Ali

Section of Internal Medicine

Background: Blood groups are considered to have an impact on the occurrence and severity of coronavirus disease. While among Chinese and Caucasian, blood group O individuals were less and group A were more likely to have severe disease and mortality, data on South Asians aren’t available.
Objective: This study aimed to find out the association of disease severity with blood group among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Materials and methodology: Data were collected on a predesigned questionnaire containing details of patient demographics, medical comorbidities, clinical presentation, and laboratory parameters. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association of the …


Online Assessment In Undergraduate Medical Education: Challenges And Solutions From A Lmic University, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Romana Idrees, Kauser Jabeen, Saniya Sabzwari, Sadaf Khan Jul 2021

Online Assessment In Undergraduate Medical Education: Challenges And Solutions From A Lmic University, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Romana Idrees, Kauser Jabeen, Saniya Sabzwari, Sadaf Khan

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background and objectives: The Covid-19 pandemic has caused large-scale disruption in almost all educational programs across the world. Planning and rapid implementation of assessment through an online format presents the next set of novel challenges that must be addressed by academic administrations across the globe.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March to August 2020 at the Aga Khan University Medical College. Two hundred medical students of year 1 and 2 participated in the study. We describe the planning, processes, and outcomes of online assessments using video communication platforms conducted at a private university in Pakistan. Standardized protocols were …


Characteristics Of Patients Presenting With Covid-19 From Balochistan Province And Lessons Learnt, Abida Munir Badini, Aurangzeb Badini, Naeem M. Mengal, Kashmira Nanji Jul 2021

Characteristics Of Patients Presenting With Covid-19 From Balochistan Province And Lessons Learnt, Abida Munir Badini, Aurangzeb Badini, Naeem M. Mengal, Kashmira Nanji

Department of Family Medicine

Objective: With the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan, Balochistan province with its unique problems of lowest literacy rates in the country, limited resources and a flail health care system is reporting an increasing number of cases of COVID-19. This study discusses the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients from the Balochistan province.
Study design: Situation report Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Balochistan province of Pakistan. The completion date for the study was April 30, 2020.
Methodology: The data was retrieved from the daily situation report from the Health Department, Government of Balochistan. Descriptive statistics …


Applying A Mixed-Method Approach To Improve On-The-Job Learning And Job Satisfaction In A Cohort Of Interns At A University Hospital, Amna Subhan Butt, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, M Asghar Ali, Farah Naz Qamar, Irum Qamar Khan, Swaleha Tariq, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Quratulain Hafeez, Muhammed Tariq Jun 2021

Applying A Mixed-Method Approach To Improve On-The-Job Learning And Job Satisfaction In A Cohort Of Interns At A University Hospital, Amna Subhan Butt, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, M Asghar Ali, Farah Naz Qamar, Irum Qamar Khan, Swaleha Tariq, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Quratulain Hafeez, Muhammed Tariq

Section of Gastroenterology

Introduction: Job satisfaction is vital for the optimal functioning of medical practitioners. Herein, we report our experience of restructuring the internship program by identifying the gaps, developing, implementing strategies to overcome gaps and sharing the results of the pre-implementation and post-implementation audit, as an example for establishing a system for improving intern's work-based learning and satisfaction in a university hospital setting.
Methods: Using Kern's six-step instructional model, a prospective mixed-method study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital. In phase 1 (2013) gaps were identified by evaluating various aspects of the internship program. Strategies were developed and implemented to overcome …


Reflections Of An Earliest Established Screening And Testing Facility For Covid-19 In The Largest Metropolis, Pakistan, Fatima Kanwal, Karishma Kanhya Lal, Asra Qureshi Jun 2021

Reflections Of An Earliest Established Screening And Testing Facility For Covid-19 In The Largest Metropolis, Pakistan, Fatima Kanwal, Karishma Kanhya Lal, Asra Qureshi

Department of Family Medicine

As the world struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, this article talks about the experience and findings of the first COVID-19 screening facility in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Department of Family Medicine at Aga Khan University (AKU) took initiative where COVID-19 screening of stable patients first began in a dedicated area. Since testing kits were limited and community spread had not started, nurses would screen every walk-in patient based on the presence of fever, cough, travel history and exposure to COVID-19 positive patient in the last 14 days, and advise swab testing if indicated. Out of …


Child Maltreatment And Neglect In The United Arab Emirates And Relationship With Low Self-Esteem And Symptoms Of Depression, Syed M. Shah, Gul Nowshad, Fatima Al Dhaheri, Mariam H. Al-Shamsi, Alfan M. Al-Ketbi, Alaa Galadari, Priyam Joshi, Heba Bendak, Michal Grivna, Danilo Arnone May 2021

Child Maltreatment And Neglect In The United Arab Emirates And Relationship With Low Self-Esteem And Symptoms Of Depression, Syed M. Shah, Gul Nowshad, Fatima Al Dhaheri, Mariam H. Al-Shamsi, Alfan M. Al-Ketbi, Alaa Galadari, Priyam Joshi, Heba Bendak, Michal Grivna, Danilo Arnone

Department of Family Medicine

Objectives: To our knowledge, this study is the first in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to investigate the prevalence of child maltreatment in relation to depressive symptoms and self-esteem.
Study design: Exposure to physical maltreatment, emotional abuse and neglect was evaluated in 518 adolescents (86% response rate) randomly selected from schools in Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure self-esteem and depressive symptoms by using multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results: The mean age of study participants was 14.3 years. Emotional abuse was the most frequent form …


Implementation And Evaluation Of Employee Health And Wellness Program Using Re-Aim Framework, Unab I. Khan, Asra Qureshi, Karishma Lal, Shehreen Ali, Arshnoor Barkatalia, Shamim Nayani Apr 2021

Implementation And Evaluation Of Employee Health And Wellness Program Using Re-Aim Framework, Unab I. Khan, Asra Qureshi, Karishma Lal, Shehreen Ali, Arshnoor Barkatalia, Shamim Nayani

Department of Family Medicine

Purpose: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of an employer-sponsored health screening program [Employee Health and Wellness Program (EHWP)] in an academic healthcare system in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach: One-year after implementation, we use the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) to evaluate and report participant- and organizational-level indicators of success.
Findings: Of 5286 invited employees, 4523 (86%) completed blood work and 1809 (34%) completed health risk assessment (Reach). Of the 915 (51%) who required referrals, 3% were referred for new diagnoses of diabetes, hepatitis C or severe anemia; 63% for elevated 10- year risk of cardiometabolic diseases (cardiovascular …


Need For Clinical Guidelines For Management Of Osteoporosis And Way Forward For Pakistan, Aysha Habib Khan, Manju Chandran Apr 2021

Need For Clinical Guidelines For Management Of Osteoporosis And Way Forward For Pakistan, Aysha Habib Khan, Manju Chandran

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.