Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: KEGG:D02448 (Fansidar)
 243 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The Nomadic Health Unit of the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) has been running mobile clinics in 2-week excursions throughout Maasailand, Kenya for 30 years. The problems The problems encountered and their solutions and the nature of the operation are reported. In the early days of the program, the emphasis was on providing immunization and preventive services. A clinician carried a microscope until a laboratory technologist was hired in 1987. Standard laboratory equipment in the mobile clinic includes a lightweight Leitz microscope which runs on a 12-volt vehicle battery or a main electric source. There is also a small portable spectrophotometer. Blood is separated and sera preserved up to 2 weeks in liquid nitrogen, an then kept refrigerated at AMREF headquarters until needed. A portable battery- operated Toshiba computer is also available. Laboratory capability means blood analysis can be performed to detect malaria, particularly chloroquine-resistant malaria. Treatment for malaria no longer involves chloroquine; amodiaquine or Fansidar is now used. In 1990, 235 slides were examined for malaria of which 16% were positive. 36 sputum stains were analyzed for acid-fast bacteria, of which 5 were positive. Maternal health care involved 561 antenatal visits, which involved hemoglobin estimates and a syphilis reagent test. Most hemoglobin results ranged between 8-11 g/dl. Patients receive supplemental iron and folic acid. Of the 575 syphilis tests, 6% were positive and patients were treated with penicillin. In northwest Turkana there has been a high prevalence (5-10%) of Echinoccus granulosis which is detected with an ultrasound scanner by a parasitologist. Small cysts are not detectable by scanner or serology. Computer analysis is accomplished with a compiled Dbase program. Several methods of data entry were tried. At present, the clinician enters patient records directly into the computer; patients keep their own records. A paper copy is also available. WHO ICD9 codes are used for identifying diseases. Coding for lab tests and prescriptions is done with a self- generated system. Compilations are made of total prescriptions, lab tests conducted, and diseases encountered. Prescriptions average 3 Kenyan shillings (US $.10). A frequent problem is patients with vague complaints desiring drugs. Drugs are dispensed as necessary, or not at all. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are trained by a clinic nurse by visiting other TBAs and health clinics. Community volunteers manage tachoma. Other satellite activities include a school health program and a training program for village health workers.
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PMID:Taking health care to the Maasai. 1228 83