ABSTRACT
Background: In 1972, Zambia made abortion lawful on a broad basis. However, safe abortion services are still limited, and the necessary standards and requirements for executing an abortion remain stringent. Due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of abortion law, many women and girls continue to seek unsafe abortion methods outside of health facilities. Healthcare providers play a key role in the provision of safe abortion care to eligible girls and women, but little is known about how they handle it. The aim of this study was to Assess and Explore the Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of adolescent girls and young women, and healthcare providers on abortion in the Lusaka district. Data was collected from Chawama, Chilenje, Chipata Kanyama, and Matero Level 1 Hospitals in Lusaka District. Method: To answer the research topic, the study used Exploratory mixed approaches. Statistical Package for Social Science, Versioni20.0 (SPSS) was used. The matic analysis was used to examine qualitative data by extracting themes from the responses. To see if there were any differences or correlations between the variables' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes, cross-tabulations were used. This was demonstrated using Chi-square tests, which were all done at a 95ipercenticonfidenceiinterval with ai 0.05 significance level as the crucial level. For reporting, the SPSS frequencies were exported to Microsoft Word. Results: The study indicated that the knowledge levels on abortion among participants were high (93.25%). However, some participants on the other hand did not have sufficient information regarding the legality of abortion in Zambia. The theme analysis of reasons why they do not favor abortion revealed that one of them is religious, believing that abortion is comparable to murder. The findings also reveal that a person's religious affiliation influences their decision-making and thought process regarding abortion. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest.......

ABSTRACT
Healthcare financing is one of the major challenges that faces the emergence of non-communicable diseases. This study describes and analyzes the inclusive organization of cardiovascular disease care in Biyem-Assi Health District. From December 2022 to February 2023, we conducted a qualitative study in the Biyem-Assi Health District. Medical anthropology research techniques were used to collect data through interview guides. The sample consisted of patients admitted and followed during the study period. The epidemiological variables studied included age, sex, diagnosis, length of hospital stay, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, knowledge, and modalities of cardiovascular disease (CVD) management, as well as practices aimed at eradicating this scourge. Cardiovascular disease mortality is currently the highest. It affects a young population, so diagnosis is often made late. Very few international technical and financial partners have a real strategy to support prevention and management programs for non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Faced with the growing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in Cameroon, it is urgent to develop a response or rethink a new organization of cardiovascular disease care, involving and mobilizing numerous technical and financial partners, public authorities, and directly concerned healthcare professionals.

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Introduction: The upsurge in male infertility has been associated with impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. There is a dearth of conclusive empirical data as to the deleterious impacts of heavy metal intoxication on male reproductive functioning through the HPG axis. Objective: This study seeks to elucidate the possible effects of chronic lead exposure on HPG signalling activities via biochemical and histopathological assessment. Experimental Section/Material and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomised into four experimental groups (n=10). Group A, the control group received standard feed and water ad libitume. In Groups B, C and D, animals were orally administered lead acetate at concentrations of 2.5% 3.0% and 3.5%, respectively, using a stock solution of 150mg/kg once daily for 35 days. After the treatment period, all animals were fasted overnight and euthanized by cervical dislocation. Blood levels of anterior pituitary hormones (FSH and LH) were analysed using standard methods. Statistical analyses was done on graph pad prism. Testicular tissue was processed routinely for histopathological analyses using different stains. Results: Hormonal assays showed no significant changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (p>0.05) levels across groups. However, histological examination revealed alterations in testicular architecture, including disrupted spermatogonia cell arrangement and reduced Sertoli cell numbers, indicative of adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Conclusion: Chronic lead exposure adversely affects testicular histomorphology in adult male Wistar rats, potentially impacting reproductive function. While hormonal levels remain relatively unaffected, alterations in testicular structure suggest a direct impact on gonadal functions at a cellular level.

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Introduction: The relationship between parity and pregnancy complications continues to arouse interest for obstetricians. Objective: To study childbirth among primiparous versus multiparous women in the gynecology and obstetrics department of the Kati reference health center. Method: We carried out a comparative, cross-sectional retrospective collection study covering primiparous and multiparous women over a period of 12 months (from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021) in the gynecology and obstetrics department of the health center. Reference “Major Moussa DIAKITE” from Kati. Results: out of a total of 3050 deliveries, primiparous women represented 12.8% and multiparous women 11.4%. The average age for primiparous women was 18.9 years with the extremes ranging from 15 years to 30 years and for multiparous women 29.3 years with the extremes ranging from 20 years to 45 years. They were almost completely married (primiparous 89.9% and multiparous 100%) and housewives (primiparous 65.0%; multiparous 87.7%), not in school (primiparous 63.0% and multiparous 74.5%). The total duration of labor was between 06-08 hours (primiparous 83% and multiparous 79.1%). The delivery was carried out vaginally (primiparous 87.8% and multiparous 79.1%). The APGAR score at the 1st minute was good (primiparous 89.8% and multiparous 93.4%). The complications found were dominated in first-time mothers by severe anemia (45.8%), and high blood pressure (47.9%). While in multiparous women they were severe anemia (45.8%), high blood pressure (41.7%) and postpartum hemorrhage (12.5%). We recorded no maternal deaths in either group. Conclusion: the maternal and perinatal prognosis of childbirth in primiparous women was almost similar to multiparous women. He was generally good in both groups.

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Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause of morbidity and sometimes mortality in women of childbearing age [1]. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection over a five-year period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023. All cases of ectopic pregnancy received and taken were included in the study. In charge at the “Major Moussa DIAKITE” Reference Health Center in Kati during the study period. Results: out of a total of 26,133 live births, we managed 67 cases of ectopic pregnancy, i.e. a frequency of 2.5%. Married women (92.5%) and those with a history of sexually transmitted infections (35.8%) were the most affected. The average time from onset of symptoms to admission was 120 hours. The average gestational age at diagnosis was 14 weeks of amenorrhea (8 -20 weeks). The diagnosis was clinical in 62.2% of cases and in 37.8% on ultrasound coupled with hormonal dosage (B HCG). On admission the general condition of the patients was good in 60% of cases; with an average hemoglobin level estimated at 8.5 g/dl and the average hemoperitoneum volume was 925 milliliters. The ectopic pregnancy was ruptured in 98%, it involved the tubal ampulla in 88.1% of cases and the ovary in 2.9%. The contralateral appendix was clinically healthy in 91% of cases. The treatment was surgical from the outset in 98% of cases and one (01) case was medical (i.e. 2%) without success. Seven (07) patients or 10% were transfused. No maternal death was observed postoperatively. Conclusion: ectopic pregnancy was frequent in our structure; the diagnosis was essentially clinical and the treatment was surgical by laparotomy.

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Aim/objective: This study assess the effect of combined oral administration of tigernut, datefruit, soybean extract and liquid codliver oil on semen and hormonal indices such as sperm count, viability, ph., testosterone, FSH, LH, PSA etc using male wistar rats. Methods: The Tiet and Layman methods were used to determine the concerned hormones analyzed while the PSA and semen was calculated using calibrated curve method and hemocytometer Method. The animals were grouped into two phases. Hormonal (1) phase: This consist of 25 animals with group (1) serving as the control, (2) received 1000mg/kg soybean, (3) received 800mg/kg tigernut and datefruit, (4) 800mg/kg of combined extract of tigernut, datefruit, and soybean daily while group5 received a standard drug of 500mg/kg codliver oil daily. Phase (2) Semen analysis: This phase consist of 35 animals with group (1) also serving as control but group (2) receive 1400mg/kg tigernut, (3) receive 800mg/kg datefruit, (4) receive 1000mg/kg soybean, (5) receive 800mg/kg datefruit/tigernut, (6) receive 800mg/kg of tigernut, datefruit, and soybean extract each daily while group7 was administered 500mg/kg codliver oil daily for 35days. Results: The outcome of this study indicate an increase mean values for insulin, LH and testosterone among the test group compared with control. The FSH level was significantly higher in group2 (3.60m/u/ml) but decreases in group3 - group5 compared with the control (3.00m/u/ml) level. There was a significant positive correlation that exist between FSH and LH while the PSA levels are within normal range. Both active and sperm count were increased in percentage and in millions among group5 and group6 administered the combined extract of the fruits daily in comparison with control group. A significant increase level of testosterone and improved normal/active sperm count among the test group administered soybean extract and codliver oil daily was observed. Conclusion: This study is a break through on ..

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Background: Estimating fetal weight plays a crucial role in decision-making, particularly in high-risk pregnancies when determining the timing and method of delivery. In resource-limited settings where ultrasound availability is limited, Symphysio-Fundal Height and Abdominal Girth (clinical method) have been utilized as a substitute for predicting fetal weight. However, the accuracy of this clinical method has not been assessed locally. This study seeks to evaluate the precision of clinical method in estimating fetal weight and its correlation with the actual birth weight at Bugando Medical Centre. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Lake Zone area of Tanzania at Bugando Medical Centre. The study conveniently enrolled 400 mothers with singleton pregnancies who were admitted for normal vaginal delivery, elective cesarean section, or induction of labor. Fetal weight was estimated using clinical methods and compared with the birth weight at delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, employing descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The relationship between estimated fetal weight, and birth weight were examined using the Chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study participants had an average age of 29.13 years (± 5.346). Our analysis revealed that the mean estimated fetal weight slightly exceeded the actual birth weight, with values of 3495 grams and 3250 grams, respectively. Notably, this difference was statistically significant with a P-value < 0.001, indicating the clinical method's tendency to overestimate fetal weight. Furthermore, the clinical method showed a strong positive correlation with actual birth weight (correlation coefficient = 0.7309, p-value < 0.001), demonstrating its reliability in fetal weight estimation. The positive linear correlation between clinical fetal weight ...........