International Journal of Healthcare and Medical Sciences

Online ISSN: 2414-2999
Print ISSN: 2415-5233

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)





Archives

Volume 9 Number 3 September 2023

Self-Reported Chronic Disease Co-morbidities among Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A facility based cross-sectional study in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia


Authors: Tamiru Tesfaye ; Jiregna Darega ; Tefera Belachew ; Abebe Abera
Pages: 39-47
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/ijhms.9.3.39.47
Abstract
Background: People living with HIV who have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are living longer and healthier lives.  The clinical management of such patients is evolving towards a new spectrum of comorbidities. People living with HIV are increasingly experiencing a range of multiple comorbidities conditions. Measurement of comorbidity has currently received more attention from medical researchers. Therefore, this study has assessed self-reported chronic disease comorbidities among patients on antiretroviral therapy in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia..........


Antibiotics Resistance and Plasmid Curing Studies of Staphylococcus aureus associated with Wound Infection amongst Patients Accessing University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria


Authors: J. Alexander ; T. Sampson ; Ugboma C. J.
Pages: 32-38
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/ijhms.93.32.38
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common hospital and community-acquired pathogen known to be frequently associated with wound infections, and has become important for its increasing level of resistance to antibiotics. Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics could be as a result of the presence of plasmids or resistance genes. The need to carry out plasmid curing of the isolates is very essential. The aim of the study was therefore to determine the antibiotics resistance pattern of staphylococcus aureus associated with wound infection amongst patients accessing university of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 150 specimens from different types of wounds (traumatic wound, caesarean section, scrotal wound, surgical wounds, burns, diabetic foot, and plastic surgery) were collected from the Hospital for a period of six months and processed for isolation of S. aureus, following standard microbiological procedures. The specimens were cultured on sterile Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) plates and incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility tests of the isolates was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, following CLSI guidelines. Plasmid genes of the isolates were cured using acridine orange. The study showed a decrease in antibiotic resistance of 17.3% for ofloxacin (OFL), 13.8% for gentamicin (GEN) and 3.5% for both ceftazidime (CAZ) and ceftriatone (CTR) after plasmid curing, with no apparent change in resistance for the rest of the antibiotics.  The results of this study represent serious public health concerns, thus emphasizing the need for proper wound management.