SSMJ November 2022
Editorials
World’s first vaccination campaign to control hepatitis E outbreak in Bentiu, South Sudan
Hepatitis E is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis, causing approximately 20 million infections and 44,000 deaths every year. It is transmitted through faecal contamination of food and water. The fatality rate is up to 25% among pregnant women, as well as increasing the risk of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths.News, Reports and Policy
Join The South Sudan Medical Journal Editorial Team
SSMJ, the only medical journal in South Sudan, is free online and published quarterly by the Health and Social Science Research Institute of South Sudan (HSSRI-SS). SSMJ is looking for volunteers, with an interest in health care in South Sudan,Obituary: Dr Gatkuoth Khatir Lamba Takh
South Sudan has lost another young medical doctor with a future in front of him, Dr Gatkuoth Khatir Lamba Takh, who died of a cardiac arrest on 6 November 2022 in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.Clinical Guidance
Planning for classroom teaching
Many variables affect the outcome of classroom teaching. Planning is needed to consistently achieve success. This includes the creation of a lesson plan, with teacher and learner activity focused on achieving the intended learning outcomes. Key issues to be considered are class size; creating a physical and psychological environment for learning; and supporting learning with ‘scaffolding’ and formative assessment.Tuberculous Pericarditis
Tuberculous pericarditis is a serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa with a mortality at six months of about 40% if there is associated HIV infection and 17% without. The key to improved treatment is for the clinician to be alert to the warning features, to conclude the diagnosis promptly and institute treatment as a matter of urgency.Research
Roles of local healthcare workers in the humanitarian response in South Sudan: a literature review
Armed conflict is devastating to the health system, is a public health concern and recovery is an enormous challenge. The independence of South Sudan in 2011 brought much hope. However, eight years later, the country is still at conflict with itself. Although rich in resources, it is ranked among the poorest in the world and depends on donor funding for most service delivery, especially health. In an international context, promoting the localisation of humanitarian aid and the integration of health services, there is a lot to learn from the roles being played by healthcare workers (HCWs) throughout the conflict in South Sudan.Morbidity and mortality of tetanus at Kenyatta National Hospital: a ten-year case audit
Tetanus is a major health problem in developing countries, and is associated with high a morbidity and mortality. There are no recent local data in Kenya on the impact of the disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the type, severity, risk factors, immunization history and outcome of tetanus patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).Factors associated with reduced foetal movements in Iringa, Tanzania
Maternal perception of foetal movement ensures foetal wellbeing. Reduced foetal movement is associated with foetal hypoxia, stillbirths, and intrauterine foetal growth restriction (IUFGR). This study aimed at assessing factors that are associated with maternal perception of reduced foetal movements.Characteristics of hearing loss in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Hearing loss is a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the causes and patterns of hearing loss at a private hospital that serves the largest number of patients with ear, nose and throat diseases in Tanzania’s largest city.The impact of public health interventions in a developing nation: an overview
Around 80% of factors that determine population health sit outside the control of health services. It is essential we influence these factors in addition to those within the remit of health services in order to improve and protect the health of population in a developing country. Public health functions encompass working across the domains that constitute population health systems with various partners.Case Reports
Abdominoscrotal hydrocoele: a case report
Abdominoscrotal hydrocoele is a rare condition in which the hydrocoele sac extends beyond the scrotum into the abdomen through the inguinal canal. Various ideas have been proposed regarding this condition but controversy remains. We report a case of abdominoscrotal hydrocoele in a 16-year-old boy.Acute heart failure from electrical shock: a case report
A report of a 13-year-old female with respiratory distress following an electrical shock at home and the management undertaken at the hospital in Yei; including implications for South Sudan.Summaries
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