Background: The benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are undeniable: decreased morbidity and mortality, improved clinical outcomes, and decreased HIV transmission. In recent years, there have been remarkable efforts to roll out HIV support and treatment programs, resulting in ART access to nearly 4 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. However, a decisive step in improving outcomes of these programs relies on ART adherence. This study was conducted by aiming at exploring and describing the perceptions of patients on ART and treatment supporters about their roles in ART adherence. It was carried out at Oshakati ART clinic in the Intermediate Hospital Oshakati in Oshana region, Northern Namibia. Methods: The qualitative investigation was carried out on patients on ART and treatment supporters by means of unstructured interviews through convenient sampling technique. The data were analysed by content analytical method. Results:The study results from all respondents were consolidated, which gave a clear understanding regarding adherence at the ART clinic in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati. The perceptions of patients on ART and treatment supporters with regard to their role towards ART adherence were classified based on participants' experiences into two main themes and sub-themes, including: 1) ART patients' perceptions around their current roles in ART adherence comprise of four sub-themes of ART patients' perceptions about taking medication daily, perceptions about collection of medicine supply and follow-up visits, perceptions about food and medication and perceptions about support in ART treatment; 2) Treatment supporters' perceptions about their role in ART adherence consist of four sub-themes of perceptions about follow-up visits and collection of medicine, perceptions about psychosocial and emotional support, perceptions about giving food and medication and perceptions about encouraging personal hygiene. Conclusion: Patients and treatment supporters perceived adherence as an important aspect in the success of antiretroviral treatment. Giving patients correct information, personal motivation, patients understanding of treatment, traditional and religious beliefs were among other factors perceived by treatment supporters to be impacting on ART adherence.

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.

No abstract

BACKGROUND: Naturally the ear produces soft wax from the sebaceous and ceruminous gland. This is what is referred to as earwax. This wax is important for protection of the ear by trapping dust and other foreign particles that could damage the eardrum. It also has some antibacterial properties. Jaw movements, like during chewing, moves the old earwax from inside the ear canal to the outside and finally flakes off. Build-up of this wax in the ear causes hearing loss, pain in the ear, irritation, dizziness and ringing in the ears. Self-ear cleaning refers to self-insertion of objects into the ear canal, with an attempt to remove the wax to get rid of these symptoms. It is a common practice amongst many individuals. Potentially, this rids the ear of its protective defences in addition to posing a risk of ear related injuries. This review paper aims to determine the prevalence of self-ear cleaning, the common methods used and the complications associated with this practice. METHODS: Electronic retrieval of articles for review was done from PubMed, Google and Google scholar with key-ward – self-ear cleaning, ear-wax, cerumen. Many articles were retrieved but only a few were about self-ear cleaning and only seven could be included in this review. The inclusion criteria included: article published in English language; study carried between 2005 and 2020 inclusive; article discussing materials used and complications associated with self-ear cleaning. Articles older than 15 years or published in languages other than English were excluded. RESULTS: On average the prevalence of self-ear cleaning amongst all studies was 76.6%. The commonest method used for ear cleaning was cotton buds with an average of 69.6%. Wax/dirt removal was the commonest reason for engaging in this practice. Several complications arising from this practice included perforation of eardrum, retained foreign body and otitis externa. CONCLUSION: In addition to ridding the ear of its natural protection, self-ear cleaning is associated with a risk of injury to the ear drum and retention of foreign bodies. Community education to avoid this practice is therefore of paramount importance. Trained health care providers should be consulted whenever someone has a problem related to hearing or any other symptoms.

No abstract