Background: Congenital abnormality (CA) is one among eminent problems in the society that affects the livelihood of the individual, communities and the health sector. It creates uncertainty among family members as they strive to identify ways and means to assist one another in the upbringing of these children born with an anomaly. The ultimate purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experiences of parents of children with congenital abnormalities and to identify the source of support such as parents employs when dealing with the child born with congenital abnormalities. This study was conducted at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in Namibia's Oshana region. Methods: A qualitative, explorative and a contextual study design using a phenomenological approach was utilized throughout this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve "purposefully" selected participants from the population of parents of children born with congenital abnormalities whose children were either admitted in hospital or brought for follow-up. Data analysis was done using a content analytical method. Results: Data were derived from 12 participants interviewed, comprised of parents of children with reversible and irreversible conditions, long hospitalization, more frequent follow ups and those waiting for surgery. The results were categorized in seven categories, including: 1) A child with congenital abnormalities: the impact of disability; 2) Family relationships; 3) Parenting expectations and practices; 4) Altering one's family daily life-treading a new path; 5) Social support; 6) Formal services; 7) Societal and community acceptance. Conclusion: The expectations parents had for a normal child becomes a nightmare when the child they were expecting is born with the disability. Living with such a child can be stressful for parents and other family members. Therefore, exploring and describing the lived experiences of parents of children born with congenital abnormalities is an important in the process of finding ways to assist or support parents to provide proper care for their children.

Tuberculosis of the uterine cervix is grouped under genital tuberculosis. Other sites for genital tuberculosis include the Fallopian tubes and the endometrium. Genital tuberculosis and other types of tuberculosis outside the lungs are referred to as extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Genital tuberculosis presents with unspecific symptoms and signs; and because of this, most often, the diagnosis is made incidentally during investigations for other conditions that present with similar clinical pictures. Therefore, misdiagnosis and wrong treatment are not uncommon. We present a case of tuberculosis of the uterine cervix which was incidentally diagnosed when the patient was being investigated for cervical cancer, and successfully treated with a 6-months rifampicin regimen, 2RHZE/4HRE. Health providers have a duty to highly suspect tuberculosis of the cervix among women who present with abnormal vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding and post-coital bleeding especially in countries where HIV and TB are endemic. If properly diagnosed and correctly treated, tuberculosis of the uterine cervix is curable.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic efficacy and safety of artesunate plus amodiaquine and artemether/lumefantrine were assessed in Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda, an area with high levels of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 369 pregnant mothers beyond the first trimester (>12 weeks) and less than 37 weeks of gestation with signs and symptoms of malaria were screened for malaria parasites. Of these, 109 had uncomplicated malaria infection with parasite density 200 to 200,000 parasites/?L and were enrolled following informed consent. Eligible pregnant mothers were randomly assigned to receive either a 3-day course of Coartem (Artemether 20mgs/ Lumefantrine 200mgs) 4 tablets twice a day 12 hourly on days 0, 1 and 2; or Artesunate/Amodiaquine on days 0, 1 and 2 (4tablets of Artesunate plus 4 tablets of Amodiaquine once a day). The Coartem arm had 55 participants while the Artesunat/Amodiaquine (DUACT) arm had 54 participants. Patients were followed up with clinical and laboratory assessments until day 14. RESULTS: The clinical and parasitological response between Coarten (artemether-lumefantrine) and artesunate+amodiaquine (DUACT) in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in pregnant mothers were statistically similar. The side effects for the two treatment arms were also statistically similar. CONCLUSION: Artemether-lumenfantrine (coartem) and artesunate plus amodiaquine (DUACT) had high and similar cure rates and tolerability among pregnant mothers in Mulago Hospital, Uganda.

Low birth weight is the leading cause of perinatal and child mortality and contributes to several disabilities among survivors. It commonly results from preterm birth either with intact membranes or following preterm premature rupture of membranes. Proper knowledge of risk factors of low birth weight is important for identifying mothers at risk in order to properly plan and take appropriate actions before or immediately after delivery to prevent these poor outcomes. In this review paper, we looked at the subdivision of low birth weight, risk factors for preterm birth, consequences of low birth weight, threshold for viability as well as the interventions to reduce infant morbidity and mortality.

Rupture of membranes during pregnancy before labour begins, referred to as premature rupture of membranes (PROM), is a known risk factor for subsequent maternal and foetal/neonatal infection although pre-existing infection may at times be the cause of membrane rupture. This infection may lead to poor pregnancy outcome if appropriate management is not instituted in time. Recognition of the period of rupture, by proper history taking, is of paramount importance as further management of the mother will depend on this. This paper reviews a case report of a mismanaged pre-labour rupture of membranes which resulted in loss of a foetus/baby in one of the public hospitals.