Suchergebnisse

Background: Studies in several countries have estimated the prevalence of diarrhoea in the community. However, the use of different study designs and varying case definitions has made international comparisons difficult. Methods: Similar cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted in Australia, Canada, Ireland (including Northern Ireland), and the United States over 12 month periods between 2000 and 2002. Each survey asked about diarrhoea in the four weeks before the interview. For this comparative analysis, uniform definitions were used. Results: Questionnaires were completed for 6087 respondents in Australia, 3496 in Canada, 9903 in Ireland, and 14 647 in the United States. In the four weeks prior to interview, at least one episode of diarrhoea was reported by 7.6% of respondents in Canada, 7.6% in the United States, 6.4% in Australia, and 3.4% in Ireland. The prevalence of diarrhoea was consistently higher in females. In all countries, the prevalence of diarrhoea was highest in children <5 years and lowest in persons ≥65 years of age. When diarrhoea and vomiting was considered, the prevalence was almost identical in the four studies (range: 2.0-2.6%). Despite different health care structures, a similar proportion of respondents sought medical care (approximately one in five). Antibiotic usage for the treatment of diarrhoea was reported by 8.3% of respondents in the United States, 5.6% in Ireland, 3.8% in Canada, and 3.6% in Australia. Conclusions: Diarrhoea is a common illness among persons in the community in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. With similar methodologies and a standard case definition, age and sex patterns and health care seeking behaviour were remarkably consistent between countries.

Background: Studies in several countries have estimated the prevalence of diarrhoea in the community. However, the use of different study designs and varying case definitions has made international comparisons difficult. Methods: Similar cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted in Australia, Canada, Ireland (including Northern Ireland), and the United States over 12 month periods between 2000 and 2002. Each survey asked about diarrhoea in the four weeks before the interview. For this comparative analysis, uniform definitions were used. Results: Questionnaires were completed for 6087 respondents in Australia, 3496 in Canada, 9903 in Ireland, and 14 647 in the United States. In the four weeks prior to interview, at least one episode of diarrhoea was reported by 7.6% of respondents in Canada, 7.6% in the United States, 6.4% in Australia, and 3.4% in Ireland. The prevalence of diarrhoea was consistently higher in females. In all countries, the prevalence of diarrhoea was highest in children <5 years and lowest in persons ≥65 years of age. When diarrhoea and vomiting was considered, the prevalence was almost identical in the four studies (range: 2.0-2.6%). Despite different health care structures, a similar proportion of respondents sought medical care (approximately one in five). Antibiotic usage for the treatment of diarrhoea was reported by 8.3% of respondents in the United States, 5.6% in Ireland, 3.8% in Canada, and 3.6% in Australia. Conclusions: Diarrhoea is a common illness among persons in the community in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. With similar methodologies and a standard case definition, age and sex patterns and health care seeking behaviour were remarkably consistent between countries.

Olax viridis (Olacaceae) and Syzygium guineense (Myrtaceae) are shrubs commonly found in the tropics. They are traditional folkloric medicine for a great number of sicknesses. Olax viridis has a wide range of applications in ethnomedicine which include treatment for ulcers, veneral diseases, ringworm, sleeping sickness, diarrhea, fever. Syzygium guineense has been reported as antidiarrheal agent. Liquid from the bark and roots have been reported to act as a purgative when mixed with water. Both plants have been claimed to have antivenom properties. However, there are no scientific reports on snake venom neutralizing activities of these plants. The plant samples were collected from Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria. The chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade. Wistar albino rats (male) weighing between 180-200 g were randomly divided into seven groups of three (3). Groups 1-7 received water, normal saline, venom, venom and Olax viridis, venom and Syzygium guineense, Olax viridis and Syzygium guineense respectively. The extracts were administered orally at the dose of 400 mg kg−1 b.w of rats and 1 h later, the venom (0.08 mk kg−1) was administered. Pulse rate, blood glucose, rectal temperature, plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol, creatine kinase activity and edema were measured. Significant neutralization of the effects of Naja katiensis venom was observed in the groups of rats that received the extracts. Blood glucose, pulse rate, rectal temperature and creatine kinase activity were elevated in the untreated envenomated groups. These results suggest that oral administration of Olax viridis and Syzygium guineense extracts possess antivenom property, thus, providing the rationale for their use in treatment of sake envenomation.