Waterborne diseases (WBDs) have continued to be a major health threat to people living in many underdeveloped countries due to absence of basic infrastructure, especially water and health care facilities. In this study we report the findings of an investigation into waterborne diseases amongst the riverine communities in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. A survey of 1200 heads of household using a questionnaire and 600 hospital records were reviewed. A major concern of the study was to identify socio-economic and cultural factors that drive the epidemiology of such diseases. Findings revealed significant differences in the prevalence of waterborne diseases within and between the communities, implicating education levels of the head of household, occupation, and source of water used. The study recommends the provision of community health education through trained community health workers and provision of functional and accessible health care services as a primary means of combating water borne diseases.

Mental disorders cause a substantial amount of the burden of disease. Although they are less frequent in rural areas, their provision of care is disproportionately lower. Reimbursement claims in the federal state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania of the years 2006/2007 serve as the basis for the descriptive distribution of subgroups on the total number of mental disorders and their outpatient care. Of all claims, 35.3% were allotted to neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, 24.2% to affective disorders and 12.5% to substance use disorders. Claims for reimbursement were made for 44.7% by general practitioners, 15.1% by neurologists and psychiatrists, 12.6% by gynaecologists, and 8.1% by internists. Psychotherapists claimed 3.1%. These results cause considerations regarding the establishment of psychotherapeutic and neurological / psychiatric practices as well as the significance of mental disorders in the training of general practitioners.

Phonophobia and hyperacusis are two separate but closely related symptoms that are often mistakenly used in clinical practice as the same entity. Here we present a case report to highlight the distinguishing features of both and discuss the steps of management in these conditions. It is vital for the attending doctors to recognise hyperacusis and phonophobia as different entities to manage them successfully.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare subcutaneous mycosis induced by dematiaceous fungi. Clinically, it is characterized by persistent hyperkeratotic nodules that respond poorly to treatment. A 48-year-old male presented with verrucous tumors and plaques on the trunk and extremities of twelve years duration. Histopathologic studies were consistent with a deep fungal infection, and culture studies identified the causative organism to be Veronea botryosa. The patient underwent surgical excision of some tumors and was given full courses of oral antifungals which did not lead to complete clinical cure. Twelve years after his last follow up, he presented with an increase in number and size of tumors,as well as pallor and weight loss. Histopathology of several skin tumors demonstrated fungal organisms and typical features of phaeohyphomycosis, and significantly, squamous cell carcinoma was present.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Antifungal Agents ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dermatomycoses ; Fungi ; Pallor ; Phaeohyphomycosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Weight Loss

Introduction: Increased prevalence of dengue fever had led to increase stress in providing optimal care for patients. This has been identified as a potential factor that may lead to negative health effects on medical doctors. This study was designed to review the prevalence and associated factors of burnout syndrome (including depression, anxiety, and stress level) among clinicians in the setting of increasing cases of dengue in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was carried out among doctors in contact with patients with dengue infection from four major hospitals in Malaysia in 2015 using Maslach Burnout Inventory and DASS-21 questionnaire. Results: A total of 313 respondents were included in this study with 15.9% of the respondents experiencing high burnout syndrome. Long working hours, depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with high degree of burnout syndrome (p<0.05). However, number of dengue cases reviewed was not significantly associated with the degree of burnout syndrome. Depression and stress were among factors identified as the predictors for burnout syndrome. Conclusion: High degree of burnout syndrome among clinicians with significant correlations with symptoms of depression and stress will require early identification to enable early measures to resolve, as well as prevent it. Future studies with more hospitals involvement should be conducted to establish the relationship between the degree of burnout syndrome and prevalence of dengue infection.