Medical Specialties Commons^™

Perceptions Of Surgeons On Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Use At Aga Khan Hospital, Dar Es Salaam., Elizabeth Elibariki Mmari

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Introduction: Surgical site infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among operated patients. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in prevention and reduction of incidence of surgical site infection is widespread. In spite of the accessibility of universal and national guidelines for surgical prophylaxis, recent studies surveying the present routine of prophylaxis have demonstrated overutilization of a wide range antibacterial medications for a single patient. Few studies have shown qualitatively factors influencing this, and perceptions of surgeons on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use. Unfortunately, none of these studies have been done in Tanzania. Objective: To describe the perceptions of surgeons …

Referral Patterns Affecting Age At Orchidopexy For Undescended Testis At A Tertiary Hospital In Nairobi., Muthua Ken Njoroge

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

BACKGROUND: Undescended Testis is the most common urological congenital anomaly with significant burden of disease especially in our local context. Management relies on early diagnosis, in the perinatal period, and prompt referral to an appropriate surgical unit. Spontaneous descent, while possible, doesn’t occur beyond 6 months and thus surveillance should not proceed beyond this age. Current guidelines recommend surveillance up to 6 months, referral by 9 months and, most importantly, orchidopexy by 1 year of age. Despite these clear guidelines, achieving them has proven difficult globally with low rates of orchidopexy by 1 year. The most common cited cause has …

Effect Of Unmaskes On Delivering Difficult News Among Residents, Karishma Sharma

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Effective delivery of difficult news to patients and family has been shown to improve the physician-patient relationship, quality of care, and overall patient satisfaction. However, delivery of difficult news (DDN) remains a challenging task for even the most experienced providers. Little has been studied about delivery of difficult news by resident physicians in the sub-Saharan setting. We developed a 4-minute, easily accessible, graphic video using the mnemonic UNMASKES to help improve delivery of difficult news by resident physicians at our institution and their patients. Objective: To determine the impact of a short training video called UNMASKES in helping resident …

Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection In A Cohort Of Hiv Infected Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve Adults, Adil Suleiman Salyani

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with co-infection being common. Infection with HIV is a risk factor for occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), defined as presence of HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Occult hepatitis B virus infection is further classified based on HBV DNA level as true (/mL) or false (≥200 IU/mL). Presence of OBI is associated with development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objectives: The primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of OBI in anti-retroviral therapy (ART) …

Utility Of Glasgow-Blatchford Scoring System In Identification Of Low Risk Patients With Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding In Emergency Departments In Dar Es Salaam Hospitals, Tanzania, Selestin D. Mpiri

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains a common cause of visits to the Emergency Department (ED). To stratify the risk of complications, rebleeding, need for clinical intervention, or death, several clinical scores are in use. Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS) is an excellent risk assessment tool and has shown to accurately identify patients with a low risk of death or requiring intervention. In urban Tanzania, there is a lack of standardized protocol and a well-validated risk assessment tool for analyzing patients presenting with UGIB symptoms. Good performance of GBS score and its use will help to reduce unnecessary emergency endoscopies and …

Discordance Between Breast Imaging And Histopathology Findings After Ultrasound Guided Core Needle Biopsy, Margaret Mutinda Mwania

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide with an estimated global incidence of 11.6%. According to the GLOBOCAN factsheet, in 2018 breast cancer incidence in Kenya was 40.3 per 100,000. Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer has been shown to reduce mortality and increase years of life gained. Breast lesion diagnosis is heavily based on imaging and pathology and typically findings are reported independent of one another. Correlation of imaging findings and pathology after biopsy is found to be of critical importance in detecting possible sampling error, concordance versus discordance, recommend appropriate management and thus …

Von Willebrand Disease Among Women Of African Descent Attending The Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, With Menorrhagia, Angela Nabutilu Munoko

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Introduction: Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is the most common heritable bleeding disorder with equal prevalence reported across the races. Women are more likely to present with excessive bleeding due to menstruation and child bearing. Studies have found that 5-24% of women presenting with menorrhagia have VWD. Women of African descent are under-represented in studies carried out on Von Willebrand disease and lower prevalence has been reported in this population. VWD has variable penetrance and racial differences in genetic mutations may influence presentation and disease severity. It was predicted that the standardization of the study conditions (case definition of menorrhagia, use …

Long Term Health Related Quality Of Life Following Uterine Fibroid Embolization At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Michael Muthoka Kioko

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background: Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is one of the effective options available for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids with documented improvement in the quality of life and reduction in symptoms. Most of the studies have demonstrated an improvement in the quality of life over a short to intermediate period. We carried out this study to assess the long-term quality of life following uterine fibroid embolization in a predominantly black population. There are no identified studies locally or in Africa addressing this issue whereas studies done elsewhere indicate a probable increased fibroid disease burden among black women. Objectives: Our objectives in …

Timing And Factors That Contribute To The Decision Making Process On The Mode Of Delivery After One Previous Casearean Section., Sylvia Nyanyu Mruttu

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background: The rates of caesarean sections have continued to rise despite public and professional concern. This has continually increased the proportion of the obstetric population with a history of previous caesarean delivery. These women may be offered either elective repeat caesarean section (ERCS) or planned vaginal birth after caesarean delivery (VBAC). This study aimed to identify the timing, level of knowledge and factors that influence the decision-making. Objectives: The primary objective was to elicit the factors that contribute to women to choose VBAC or ERCS. The secondary objectives were to determine the timing of this decision, measure the level of …

The Burden Of Urinary Incontinence Among African Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Women Seeking Care At The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Martin Kimemia Mbuthia

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Introduction: Female urinary incontinence is a common and chronic condition with devastating psychosocial effects. It can occur at any age and is specifically more common in older women. It has a prevalence of up to 55% depending on the age-group and the target population studied. About 9% of adults globally have diabetes and a greater number live in LMICs. Diabetes is twice as prevalent in blacks and three to four times higher in South-Asian populations compared to Caucasian populations. In women with Type 2 DM, urinary incontinence is 30% to 70% more common than among women with normal glucose levels. …

The Association Of Maternal Sociodemographic Factors With Stress In Pregnancy, Maheshwari Andhavarapu

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Introduction: Antenatal stress has been linked to maternal morbidity and preterm birth (PTB). One of the pathophysiological processes leading to PTB is thought to be via activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in cortisol production. Hair cortisol has recently been shown to be a stress marker in the pregnant and non-pregnant population. Some determinants of hair cortisol have also been studied but more research is needed in this area, especially in pregnancy. Understanding the risk factors of antenatal stress may guide institution of preventative or screening measures to reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes. As the effect of stress …

Cyto-Histological Correlation Of Thyroid Cytology And Associated Adverse Surgical Outcomes At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi., Moses Barasa

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Background: Solitary thyroid nodules are commonly encountered endocrine disorders in surgical practice. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a minimally invasive, accurate and cost-effective diagnostic tool that provides basis for surgical decisions-making in thyroid lesions management. Thus, it’s imperative that such a test should have high diagnostic accuracy in order to avoid under or over-treatment arising from false negative or positive results respectively. Studies from the African region, compared to the developed world have reported higher thyroid cyto-histologic discrepancy. Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and adverse surgical outcome of discrepant thyroid cytology. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analytical study conducted at …

Local Anaesthetic Wound Infusion Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia For Post-Operative Pain Control Following Elective Laparotomy: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Daniel Gathege Mwangi

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Background: Post-operative pain control is an important pillar in enhanced recovery after surgery. There is a paucity of data that compares efficacy of pain control between continuous local anaesthetic wound infusion and thoracic epidural analgesia in elective laparotomy patients Objective: To evaluate pain control between continuous local anaesthetic wound infusion and thoracic epidural analgesia in elective laparotomy patients. Design: A randomised, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. Setting: Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Population: Patients undergoing elective laparotomy. Methods: Thirty eight patients scheduled for elective laparotomy were randomized into two equal groups to receive either continuous local anaesthetic wound infusion or …

Challenges In Medical Journalism: Reflections From The Year Past, Saba Sohail

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Knowledge Of Inhaler Use Among Medical Officers In The Management Of Asthma In Children In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Hannah Moore

Master of Medicine in Family Medicine

Background: The inhaled route is the preferred first line method for administration of asthma medication. It is however documented that oral and intravenous routes are the commonly adopted methods of administering asthma medication in children, and the knowledge of the use of inhalers and inhaler devices has not been well documented in middle and low-income countries. Knowledge of inhaler technique among medical personnel ensures effective education of its use to patients to provide the desired results in managing asthma in children. Studies in developing countries have demonstrated a generally low level of knowledge of inhaler use among Medical Doctors and …

Prior Mammographic Screening: What Is Its Effect On The Clinical Stage In Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients At Akuhn., Jillo Bika

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Introduction: Breast cancer is now the leading cancer amongst women in Kenya according to GLOBOCAN 2018. It is also a leading cause of cancer deaths in Kenya, after esophageal and cervical cancer. Mammography is the gold standard in the screening of breast cancer. For screening to be effective, however, it has to be offered to the right patients at the appropriate time and intervals. Up until February of 2019, there were no local guidelines to guide the screening of breast cancer in Kenya. The objective of this study is to assess if prior mammographic screening had an effect on the …

Empathy In Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Study Of Early Medical Practitioners And Educators, Sonia Ijaz Haider, Qamar Riaz, Roger Christopher Gill

Department for Educational Development

Objective: To explore the reasons for decline in empathy among physicians and to identify strategiesfor fostering empathetic clinical practice.
Methods: The qualitative study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February to June 2017, and comprised focus group discussions involving separate sessions with medical students, residents and clinical teachers. Content analysis was used to analyse the verbatim transcripts for identification of codes which led to derivation of themes from the data. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research was used to assess the quality of the study.
Results: Of the 109 subjects, 57(52.3%) were medical students, 30(27.5%) residents …

Lateral Sub-Cutaneous Route For Anterior Tibial Artery Revascularisation, Zia Ur Rehman

Department of Surgery Docs

No abstract provided.

Acute Mesenteric Thrombosis: A Hematologist Perspective, Bushra Moiz, Zaid Muslim, Zahraa Farrukh Siddiqui, Hasnain Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Kidney Stone Analysis And Spiritual Guides (Pir Faqir): The Known-Unknowns, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib Khan, Humaira Asif

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Glycogen Storage Diseases-Time To Flip The Outdated Diagnostic Approach Centered On Liver Biopsy With The Molecular Testing, Sibtain Ahmed, Bushra Afroze

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of inherited metabolic disorders that result from a defect in any one of several enzymes required for either glycogen synthesis or glycogen degradation. The traditional diagnostic approach is based on the invasive hepatic or muscle biopsies, which are neither cost effective nor convenient. Molecular (gene testing) has emerged over the course of past few years as a robust alternative diagnostic tool, which not only confirms the diagnosis of GSDs but also clearly differentiates the types of GSDs allowing the initiation of the type-specific appropriate treatment for the particular type of GSDs. The …

Kidney Stone Analysis And Spiritual Guides (Pir Faqir): The Known-Unknowns, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib Khan, Humaira Asif

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Use Of Pefloxacin As A Surrogate Marker To Detect Ciprofloxacin Susceptibility In Salmonella Enterica Serotypes Typhi And Paratyphi A, Safia Moin, Mohammad Zeeshan, Sidra Laiq, Ahmed Raheem, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To determine the use of pefloxacin as a surrogate marker to detect fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin) susceptibility against Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi A.
Methods: The prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2016 to March 2018, and comprised Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A isolates of blood cultures. Disk susceptibility tests and broth microdilution to test minimum inhibitory concentration were performed as per standard guidelines. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
Results: Of the 138 isolates, 91(66%) were intermediate resistant to ciprofloxacin but were resistant to pefloxacin, 42(30%) were resistant to both …

Health Care Professionals’ Compliance To Tracheal Suctioning Policy At A Tertiary Care Hospital, Rozina Khimani, Fauziya Ali, Salma Amin Rattani, Mohammad Sohail Awan

Department of Surgery Docs

Objective: To assess the compliance of tracheal suctioning practices against the standard guidelines of a tertiary care hospital, with regard to the participants’ professional characteristics.
Methods: Using cross sectional study design, forty health care professionals (HCPs) were assessed twice, using a quantitative structured observational design, for tracheal suctioning practices, in one of the surgical care units of the tertiary care hospital. Tracheal suctioning policy which was used as a tool, its inter-rater reliability was tested and each step showed the Kappa value of 0.65 to 1.000. Data was analyzed using epidata info version 3.5.1 and SPSS version 19.
Results: From …

Pre-Treatment Hiv-Drug Resistance Associated With Virologic Outcome Of First-Line Nnrti-Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cohort Study In Kenya, Ingrid A. Beck, Molly Levine, Christine J. Mcgrath, Steve Bii, Ross S. Milne, James M. Kingoo, Isaac So, Nina Andersen, Sandra Dross, Michael Chung

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Pre-treatment HIV-drug-resistance (PDR) to WHO-recommended 1st-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI)-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) is increasing in low-resource communities. We evaluated the risk of PDR on treatment failure if detected at single or multiple codons, at minority (2–9%) or higher (≥10%) frequencies during efavirenz- vs. nevirapine-ART.

Methods: We conducted a pooled analysis across three cohorts of Kenyans initiating 1st-line NNRTI-ART between 2006 and 2014. Mutations K103N, Y181C, G190A, M184V and K65R were detected by an oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) and confirmed by Sanger and next-generation sequencing (NGS). PDR was defined as detection of any mutation by OLA when confirmed …

Revisiting Caroli Syndrome In A Tanzanian Patient, Casmir Wambura, Munish Sharma, Salim Surani

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Caroli disease and Caroli syndrome are two rare congenital diseases of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Caroli syndrome is characterized by the saccular dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis. It is rarely diagnosed in childhood. We hereby describe a case of Caroli syndrome in a young Tanzanian female who had abdominal pain and distension since childhood. Her history suggested the presence of portal hypertension possibly from congenital hepatic fibrosis. The diagnosis was reached based on ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

The Impact Of Scaling Up Cervical Cancer Screening And Treatment Services Among Women Living With Hiv In Kenya: A Modelling Study, Pablo Noel Perez-Guzman, Michael Chung, Hugo De Vuyst, Shona Dalal, Kennedy K. Mutai, Karanja Muthoni, Bartilol Kigen, Timothy B. Hallett, Mikaela Smit

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: We aimed to quantify health outcomes and programmatic implications of scaling up cervical cancer (CC) screening and treatment options for women living with HIV in care aged 18–65 in Kenya.

Methods: Mathematical model comparing from 2020 to 2040: (1) visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy (Cryo); (2) VIA and Cryo or loop excision electrical procedure (LEEP), as indicated; (3) human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA testing and Cryo or LEEP; and (4) enhanced screening technologies (either same-day HPV-DNA testing or digitally enhanced VIA) and Cryo or LEEP. Outcomes measured were annual number of CC cases, deaths, screening and treatment interventions, …

Case Report Of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease From Sub-Saharan Africa: An Important Mimic Of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, Karishma Sharma, Fredrick Otieno, Reena Shah

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare form of painful lymphadenopathy, usually cervical, which is more common in Southeast Asia and rarely reported from Africa. Symptoms are usually nonspecific (fever, night sweats, etc.), and can mimic more common diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) in endemic areas. We report a case of a 29-year-old black African woman who was admitted with headache, neck pain, fever, and lymphadenopathy. She was found to have aseptic meningitis, eventually attributed to TB based on cervical node biopsy, although further histology suggested KFD. Blood tests for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were negative; she had already been commenced …

Over-The-Counter Drug Causing Acute Pancreatitis, Swetha Parvataneni, Rajesh Essrani, Shehriyar Mehershahi, Rajesh Essrani, Ajeet Kumar Lohana, Asif Mehmood

Section of Gastroenterology

Acute pancreatitis is caused by alcohol, gall stone disease, drugs, trauma, infections, and metabolic causes such as hypercalcemia and hyperlipidemia. Hypercalcemia-induced acute pancreatitis has been well documented but only rarely occurs due to over-the-counter calcium carbonate. In this article, we present a case of over-the-counter calcium carbonate-induced acute pancreatitis.

Clinical Characteristics Of Children With Epilepsy Managed At An Urban Hospital In Africa: A Retrospective Study, Pauline Samia, Arwen Barr, Subira B. Levi, Kirsten A. Donald, Jo M. Wilmshurst, Charles R. Newton

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: Most children with epilepsy reside in resource-limited regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of studies have been conducted in rural areas with limited investigations. Medical records from children with epilepsy seen at an urban hospital in Kenya were examined to provide a comprehensive description of epilepsy in children from this hospital.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted which involved reviewing medical records of 426 epilepsy patients (260 males and 166 females) aged 0 - 18 years, seen in Nairobi, Kenya between February 2011 and December 2014. Results: The most frequent age at presentation; documented in 29% …