Browsing by Author "Driver, Christine."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of pharmacy and nursing students towards male circumcision and HIV in a KwaZulu-Natal University, South Africa.(AOSIS, 2011) Naidoo, Panjasaram.; Dawood, Farzana.; Driver, Christine.; Narainsamy, Magdalene.; Ndlovu, Sikhanyiso.; Ndlovu, Victor.Background: Male circumcision is currently being promoted in South Africa as a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method. Effective implementation requires that healthcare providers should believe in the procedure’s efficacy and should possess a positive attitude. A study was undertaken amongst pharmacy and nursing students with different objectives. Objectives: To ascertain students’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding male circumcision and (HIV) prevention. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study using anonymous questionnaires was undertaken amongst 4th year pharmacy and nursing students studying at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, after obtaining their consent. Data were captured and analysed using SPSS version 15. Results: A response rate of 83.18% and a mean knowledge score of 66.43% with relatively positive attitudes (62.7) were obtained; 85.4% of the respondents felt that promoting male circumcision is appropriate, with all Muslim students (n < 11) supporting the promotion of male circumcision. Even though all Muslim students supported male circumcision, only 3 students were willing to perform the procedure if adequately trained (p < 0.03). The majority of the female students were unwilling to perform the procedure (p < 0.005). A third of the respondents indicated that male circumcision would both undermine existing protective behaviours and strategies as well as increase riskier sexual behaviour. Over 54% of the respondents believed that the South African Health System would be able to cope with the massive male circumcision drive. The majority of the respondents favoured the procedure to be done at birth. Pain was cited as the most important reason for not wanting to be circumcised. Conclusion: Pharmacy and nursing students have a moderate knowledge of male circumcision and HIV prevention with relatively positive attitudes. The majority felt that promoting male circumcision is appropriate and should be encouraged.Item Metformin does not prevent glucose intolerance but improves renal function and reduces oxidative stress in type 1 diabetes.(2016) Driver, Christine.; Owira, Peter Mark Oroma.Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition caused by the complete destruction of insulin producing pancreatic β-cells. Increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant capacity are associated with the development of diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy. Metformin, a drug commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been suggested to have antioxidant capacity. We hypothesise that metformin, when used as an adjunct to insulin in T1D may help prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy by decreasing oxidative stress. Sprague-Dawley rats (230-250g) were divided into 5 groups, (Group A: untreated controls, B: diabetic control, C: T1D + insulin (4U/kg twice daily), D: T1D + metformin (250mg/kg via oral gavage), E: T1D + metformin + insulin). Diabetes was induced in groups B-E by intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection at a dose of 65mg/kg body weight and diabetes was confirmed 48 hours later. Glucose tolerance test, serum and urinary electrolytes (K+,Cl- ,Na+), creatinine, urea, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione concentration and malondialdehyde concentration were analysed. Metformin alone did not improve glucose intolerance. Both the diabetic control group as well as the group treated with metformin alone experienced hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss and impaired glucose tolerance. However, when metformin was added to insulin there was a significant increase in electrolyte excretion and also greatly improved creatinine clearance when compared to the diabetic control group. Metformin with insulin further reduced superoxide dismutase activity compared to the diabetic control, increased glutathione concentration as well as reduced malondialdehyde concentrations in both plasma and renal tissue. In conclusion, metformin has positive additive effects on oxidative stress and renal function when used as an adjunct therapy to insulin for T1D.