HADHRAMOUT JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

1) Clinical Aspects and Patterns of Treatment Response to Steroid in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Mukalla Maternity and Child Hospital, Hadhramout, Yemen

Saleh Awad Bahwal, Mazin Ahmed Jawass, Noor Abdulaziz Binkroom — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a common and important chronic kidney disease in childhood.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to illustrate the clinical aspects and treatment response pattern of the Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome steroid.

Methods: A six-year retrospective research was conducted on children with INS who were treated at Mukalla Maternity and Child Hospital in Hadhramout, Yemen.

Results: This study included 62 children aged 1-15. All patients were complained from generalized edema 100 (100%), followed by abdominal distension 44 (71%) and ascites 40 (64.5%). Children older than 6 years, and those presenting with hypertension or hematuria, were significantly more represented in the steroid-resistant group compared to the steroid-sensitive group (P < 0.05). Forty nine patients (79%) were steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome, of whom seven children (14.3%) developed complete remission and 42 children (85.7%) developed relapsed of whom 19 children (38.8%) had infrequent relapses, 11 children (22.4%) had frequent relapsing, and 12 children (24.5%) had steroid depend. Thirteen patients (21%) were steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Conclusions: A relapsing course was observed in most children with INS. The patients were really needed biopsy in order to give proper protocol for treatment and to the determine prognosis.

2) Sero-prevalence of dengue among suspected cases reported to EDEWS in Yemen in 2024

Ali Ahmed Al-Waleedi, Abdulla Salem Bin-Ghouth, Amar Shawqi Al-Gailani — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Dengue is an endemic vector borne diseases in Yemen. Clinically, the disease is similar to the other mosquito transmitted disease like malaria, Chikungunya and west Nile virus.

Objective: to determine the sero-prevalence of Dengue virus among suspected patients in the southern and eastern governorates of Yemen during the year 2024.

Methods: it is a cross-sectional descriptive study that. Data used for this study were sourced from the Electronic Integrated Disease Early Warning System (EIDEWS), an extended surveillance platform that tracks epidemic-prone diseases in real time.

Results: A total of 8609 suspected dengue cases were reported in the year 2024 to the electronic early warning system in the southern and eastern governorates in Yemen during the year 2024. A total of 221 out (20.2%) of 1091 suspected cases of dengue were positive for IgM specific for dengue while 393 out of 831 clinically diagnosed dengue cases were positive for IgG specific for dengue (48.9%) given the dengue IgG: IgM ratio to 2.4. The highest sero-prevalence was observed in the age group 15-44 years (22.44%). Shabwah, Marib and Aden governorates has the highest prevalence of dengue. Coinfection was existing in dengue confirmed cases with Chikungunya (17.6%), west Nile virus (2.3%) and malaria (0.9%).

Conclusion: High endemicity of dengue were identified among patients with dengue like illness. Coinfection was existing in dengue confirmed cases with Chikungunya.

3) Barriers to Kangaroo Mother Care Practice: A Questionnaire-Based Study among Healthcare Providers in Special Baby Care Units in Yemen

Omar Abdul-Rahman Bawazir, Noor Abdulaziz Binkroom — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major public health concern and the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Simple and feasible interventions can improve neonatal outcomes. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), which involves skin-to-skin contact, has been shown to be an effective and practical method to reduce mortality rates among preterm infants in both low- and high-income countries.

Objective: To identify barriers in implementing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) among medical and nursing staff in special baby care units.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among hospital staff in Mukalla city, Yemen. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, and barriers to implementing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). The data were entered into SPSS (version 22). Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentage and presented using bar charts.

Results: A total of 176 doctors and nurses participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.9%. The majority (70.7%) were female. Participants over 30 years of age comprised 105 (60.3%) of the sample, and 88.5% had not received any training on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). The most commonly reported barriers to KMC implementation were resistance to mindset change, inadequate training, limited experience, and challenges related to the facility environment and available resources.

Conclusion: Healthcare providers are key to successful KMC implementation. Overcoming barriers requires proper training, clear guidelines, staffing optimization, and financial support. In Yemen, integrating KMC necessitates structured education and system-wide adoption strategies.

4) Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome Presenting with severe Anemia: A Case Report

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and hamartomatous polyps, primarily in the gastrointestinal tract. The syndrome is associated with complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal intussusception, and an increased risk of malignancies both within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy with PJS who had no family history of the condition and was admitted for blood transfusion due to severe anemia. Clinical examination revealed muco-cutaneous pigmentation, and upper GIT (gastrointestinal tract) endoscopy identified multiple polyps, confirming the diagnosis of PJS. This case highlights the importance of doing gastrointestinal tract upper GIT endoscopy in children with unexplained severe anemia associated with muco-cutaneous pigmentation may serve as a crucial diagnostic clue for PJS.

5) Assessment of Prescription and Intake of Iron Supplements among Pregnant Women who Attend Primary Healthcare Centers in Al-Mukalla District

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Iron is essential for several physiological functions in the body. Anemia in pregnancy has many detrimental effects on maternal and child health.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate patterns of iron supplement prescription and adherence among anemic pregnant women receiving antenatal care at primary health care centers in Al-Mukalla district, Yemen.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in primary healthcare centers in Al-Mukalla district in 2020. The total sample size in this study was 380 of anemic pregnant women. Data was collected by using a validated, self-administered questionnaire.

Results: The most common age group among anemic pregnant women was 18 to 35 years (92.4%). Primary school was the most educational level of them (43.7%). Most pregnant women were housewife's (86.3%) and multigravida (68.9%). Ferrous fumerete is the most commonly iron supplement received by pregnant women (75.30%). The most frequently prescribed dose of iron supplements ranged from 30 to 60 mg/day (65.5%) for less than three months (87.9%). Water is the most commonly dinking type that pregnant women take with iron supplements (91.1%).

Conclusion: This study revealed that iron was used with an appropriate dose but with inappropriate duration. Most of pregnant women were used iron with water. Ferrous fumerete is the most commonly used type of iron supplements.

6) Knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Aden /Yemen

Ekram Ali Badwi, Entesar Mohammed Qushash — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain significant global public health challenges. As infection rates continue to rise worldwide, evaluating awareness and perceptions of these conditions—especially among adolescents and young adults—is essential for effective prevention strategies. This research focuses on examining HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes among high school students, a key demographic for targeted health education interventions.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out involving a sample of 312 secondary school students selected from four randomly chosen schools in Aden governorate, Yemen. A standardized, researcher-developed questionnaire was utilized to evaluate the participants’ knowledge and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS. The data collection was conducted in a classroom setting to ensure high response rates and uniformity in the administration of the survey instruments.

Results: Overall, the students demonstrated satisfactory general knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including an understanding of its modes of transmission. However, misconception present about other modes of transmission and prevention. The students identified social media (81.7%) as their important source of information about AIDS. Near 70% stated that they would not buy vegetables from a vegetable seller with AIDS, and 60.9% disagree to share the class with HIV infected student.

Conclusion: The investigation established that secondary school adolescents display adequate baseline awareness of HIV/AIDS concepts, yet concerning inaccuracies persist specifically relating to disease transmission pathways and scientifically established prophylactic methods.