Work-Family Conflicts among Female Staff of Higher Institutions in Nigeria

The responsibilities of a typical African woman in family upkeep are enormous, ranging from house chores, cooking to child-care and so on. Striking a balance and maintaining harmony between work and family have always been a great challenge for women in general. This paper examines factors that conflict between official responsibilities and family demand among female staff of higher institution of learning in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to selected female staff of higher institutions across the country. Hierarchical sampling technique was used to select female staff from a university, a polytechnic, and a college of education in six states of the country (one state per geopolitical zone in the country). Simple percentage and bar charts were used to present the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The mean responses for each factor were ranked and the first four ranked factors are discussed. All Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceed 0.800 thresholds, validating all factors considered. Long working hours, inadequate working facilities and inadequate pay are major factors that cause conflicts between work and family among the respondents. Stress, mental fatigue and psychological burnout/disorder are the major effects observed while resuming and closing work at convenience is the major mechanism being used by women in tertiary institutions. Other highly ranked mechanisms are: using house keeper/help, using childcare centre closer to workplace, and help from colleagues in carrying out official assignments. Keywords: Work, Family, Conflicts, Female, Tertiary, Institution. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-27-09 Publication date:September 30th 202

Evaluación bioquímica del aceite de semilla de Hura crepitans infrautilizado: respuestas funcionales e inflamatorias en ratas albinas

Hura crepitans seed oil (HCSO) remains under-utilized, largely due to the scarcity in data regarding its biochemical properties. To investigate the functional and pro-inflammatory responses to HCSO, twenty-four male rats were grouped into four and received compounded diets containing 5%-HCSO; 10%-HCSO; 15%-HCSO; and 15%-AHO (as control) for eight weeks. The functional responses and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors were appraised. The organ function biomarkers in rats fed with HCSO-supplemented diets were statistically similar to those of control rats, except for uric acid and creatine levels, which were significantly lower in the HCSO-fed groups, and the urea level, which was elevated in all HCSO-fed groups. Also, HCSO significantly downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and their receptors (IL-1R and IL-6R), when compared to the control group. Our results highlight the reno- and cardio-protective potentials of HCSO, as well as its anti-inflammatory potentials.El aceite de semilla de Hura crepitans (ASHC) sigue estando infrautilizado en gran parte debido a la escasez de datos sobre sus resultados bioquímicos. Para investigar las respuestas funcionales y proinflamatorias al ASHC, veinticuatro ratas macho se agruparon en grupos de cuatro y recibieron dietas compuestas que contenían 5%-ASHC; 10%-ASHC; 15%-ASHC y 15%-AC aceite de cacahuete (aceite de cacahuete control), durante ocho semanas. Se evaluaron las respuestas funcionales y la expresión de citocinas proinflamatorias y sus receptores. Los biomarcadores de la función de los órganos en ratas alimentadas con dietas suplementadas con ASHC fueron estadísticamente similares a los de las ratas de control, excepto por los niveles de ácido úrico y creatina, que fueron significativamente más bajos en los grupos alimentados con ASHC, y el nivel de urea, que fue elevado en todos los grupos alimentados con ASHC. Además, ASHC disminuyó significativamente la expresión de citocinas proinflamatorias (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β e IL-6) y sus receptores (IL-1R e IL-6R), en comparación con el grupo de control. Nuestros resultados destacan los potenciales renoprotectores y cardioprotectores del ASHC, así como su potencial antiinflamatorio

Day Case Surgery in Nigerian Children: Influence of Social Circumstances of Patients

Background: In order to achieve good results in day surgery and avoid pitfalls, selection of appropriate procedures and patients is required with attention given to the social circumstances among other considerations. The aim of this prospective study therefore was to evaluate the influence of the social circumstances of the patients on the performance of day surgery practice in our environment. Method: This was a prospective study carried out between April, 2004 and December, 2004, during which time 88 children aged 15 years and below with uncomplicated inguinal hernias were treated at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). The parents of the patients were interviewed about their social circumstances to determine the possibility of compliance with postoperative instructions. The data generated were then analyzed. Results: More than half (54.6%) of the patients were from Ile-Ife. A few came from towns varying in distances from 65 to 80 km and spent an average time of 75 to 90 minutes to reach the hospital. Majority of the patients used public vehicles as a means of transport to and from the hospital in escort of their mothers. Despite the long distances and difficult traveling conditions, the parents still preferred day case surgery and were willing to obey postoperative instructions. Conclusion: From the findings in this study, day case surgery in children in our environment is feasible, despite the poor social circumstances of most of them. There is, however a compelling need to raise the standard of living of the people to enable them benefit maximally from day case surgery.Fond: Dans l'ordre pour r\ue9aliser de bons r\ue9sultats dans la chirurgie de jour et pour \ue9viter des pi\ue8ges, le choix des proc\ue9dures appropri\ue9es et les patients est exig\ue9 avec l'attention donn\ue9e aux circonstances sociales entre d'autres consid\ue9rations. Le but de cette \ue9tude \ue9ventuelle \ue9tait donc d'\ue9valuer l'influence des circonstances sociales des patients sur l'ex\ue9cution de la pratique en mati\ue8re de chirurgie de jour dans notre environnement. M\ue9thode: C' \ue9tait une \ue9tude \ue9ventuelle effectu\ue9e entre les avril 2004 et d\ue9cembre 2004, et pendant ce temps 88 enfants ont vieilli 15 ans et ci-dessous avec des hernies inguinales peu compliqu\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 trait\ue9s aux h\uf4pitaux de enseignement d'universit\ue9 d'Obafemi Awolowo complexes (OAUTHC). Les parents des patients ont \ue9t\ue9 interview\ue9s au sujet de leurs circonstances sociales pour d\ue9terminer la possibilit\ue9 de conformit\ue9 aux instructions postop\ue9ratoires. Les donn\ue9es produites ont \ue9t\ue9 alors analys\ue9es. R\ue9sultats: Plus que la moiti\ue9 (54.6%) des patients \ue9taient d'Ile-Ife. Uns sont venus des villes changeant dans les distances de 65 \ue0 80 kilom\ue8tres et ont pass\ue9 un temps moyen de 75 \ue0 90 minutes pour atteindre l'h\uf4pital. La majorit\ue9 des patients a utilis\ue9 les v\ue9hicules publics comme moyen de transport \ue0 et de l'h\uf4pital dans l'escorte de leurs m\ue8res. En d\ue9pit des longues distances et des conditions de d\ue9placement difficiles, les parents ont toujours pr\ue9f\ue9r\ue9 la chirurgie de cas de jour et \ue9taient dispos\ue9s \ue0 ob\ue9ir des instructions postop\ue9ratoires. Conclusion: Des r\ue9sultats dans cette \ue9tude, la chirurgie de cas de jour chez les enfants dans notre environnement est faisable, en d\ue9pit des circonstances sociales pauvres de la plupart d'entre elles. Il y a, toutefois un besoin contraignant de soulever le niveau la vie du peuple pour leur permettre de b\ue9n\ue9ficier au maximum de la chirurgie de cas de jour

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Peripheral venous cutdown procedure: survey of residents' knowledge and practice

Background: Peripheral venous cutdown procedure (PVCD) is a live-saving procedure that should be taught as part of core skills in undergraduate medical curricula. Every doctor should be able to perform it for administration of fluid and blood in emergency situations. However, it is doubtful that the knowledge of trainees is adequate as referral to surgical units to perform this procedure is quite high.Objectives: This study aims at determining the most common indications and the knowledge of trainees in our centre in performing PVCD.Methods: It is a cross-sectional questionnaire based study conducted amongst one-hundred trainees in the various clinical sub-specialties. The semi-structured selfadministered questionnaire was divided into segments on their experience, knowledge and indications for PVCD. The filled questionnaires were collected, collated and analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (version 16). Level of significance was determined using Chi square with p value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: There were 81 respondents consisting of 55 males and 26 females with a median age of 33 years and mean age in residency programme of 2.5 years. Sixty (74%) of the respondents have assisted in the procedure before while only seven (33.3%) have performed PVCD on their own. There was statistically difference in the performance of PVCD between surgical and non-surgical trainees (p=0.003). The commonest indication for PVCD in our centre is difficult venopuncture in patients who require fluid or blood replacements. All but one respondent agree that PVCD is a sterile procedure but only 30 (37%) trainees submitted that draping was necessary. An average of 14-15 (17.3-18.5%) residents did not answer questions on the technical details of PVCD.Conclusion: Surgical residents have better experience and knowledge than their colleagues from other clinical departments. Efforts should be made to improve the teaching of this procedure at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to address this knowledge gaps.Keywords: venous cut down, trainees/residents, knowledge, practic

Cystic poorly differentiated nephroblastoma: A case report and review of literature

Background: Cystic poorly differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN) is a rare variant of nephroblastoma which follows a benign clinical course. Case diagnosis/treatment: In this report, we document a case of CPDN in a 2 year old boy who presented with recurrent gross painless hematuria and progressive abdominal distension. Abdominal ultrasound showed a multicystic lesion and CT scan features of Stage III Wilms tumour. Nephrectomy was done after two cycles of chemotherapy according to the SIOP Nephroblastoma therapeutic protocols. Histology showed blastemal cells in the wall of only one of the cysts, with no solid expansile nodules. The patient had to have five more cycles of chemotherapy and also radiotherapy for residual tumour. Conclusions: Surgery is curative in Stage I CPDN and adjuvant therapy is not required. Adequate sampling is critical to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. We suggest that a minimum of 2–3 tissue sections should be taken per centimetre of tumour diameter. Related entities including cystic nephroma, cystic Wilms tumour and completely necrotic nephroblastoma are discussed in the differential diagnosis

Day Case Surgery in Nigerian Children: Influence of Social Circumstances of Patients

Background: In order to achieve good results in day surgery and avoid pitfalls, selection of appropriate procedures and patients is required with attention given to the social circumstances among other considerations. The aim of this prospective study therefore was to evaluate the influence of the social circumstances of the patients on the performance of day surgery practice in our environment. Method: This was a prospective study carried out between April, 2004 and December, 2004, during which time 88 children aged 15 years and below with uncomplicated inguinal hernias were treated at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). The parents of the patients were interviewed about their social circumstances to determine the possibility of compliance with postoperative instructions. The data generated were then analyzed. Results: More than half (54.6%) of the patients were from Ile-Ife. A few came from towns varying in distances from 65 to 80 km and spent an average time of 75 to 90 minutes to reach the hospital. Majority of the patients used public vehicles as a means of transport to and from the hospital in escort of their mothers. Despite the long distances and difficult traveling conditions, the parents still preferred day case surgery and were willing to obey postoperative instructions. Conclusion: From the findings in this study, day case surgery in children in our environment is feasible, despite the poor social circumstances of most of them. There is, however a compelling need to raise the standard of living of the people to enable them benefit maximally from day case surgery.Fond: Dans l'ordre pour réaliser de bons résultats dans la chirurgie de jour et pour éviter des pièges, le choix des procédures appropriées et les patients est exigé avec l'attention donnée aux circonstances sociales entre d'autres considérations. Le but de cette étude éventuelle était donc d'évaluer l'influence des circonstances sociales des patients sur l'exécution de la pratique en matière de chirurgie de jour dans notre environnement. Méthode: C' était une étude éventuelle effectuée entre les avril 2004 et décembre 2004, et pendant ce temps 88 enfants ont vieilli 15 ans et ci-dessous avec des hernies inguinales peu compliquées ont été traités aux hôpitaux de enseignement d'université d'Obafemi Awolowo complexes (OAUTHC). Les parents des patients ont été interviewés au sujet de leurs circonstances sociales pour déterminer la possibilité de conformité aux instructions postopératoires. Les données produites ont été alors analysées. Résultats: Plus que la moitié (54.6%) des patients étaient d'Ile-Ife. Uns sont venus des villes changeant dans les distances de 65 à 80 kilomètres et ont passé un temps moyen de 75 à 90 minutes pour atteindre l'hôpital. La majorité des patients a utilisé les véhicules publics comme moyen de transport à et de l'hôpital dans l'escorte de leurs mères. En dépit des longues distances et des conditions de déplacement difficiles, les parents ont toujours préféré la chirurgie de cas de jour et étaient disposés à obéir des instructions postopératoires. Conclusion: Des résultats dans cette étude, la chirurgie de cas de jour chez les enfants dans notre environnement est faisable, en dépit des circonstances sociales pauvres de la plupart d'entre elles. Il y a, toutefois un besoin contraignant de soulever le niveau la vie du peuple pour leur permettre de bénéficier au maximum de la chirurgie de cas de jour

Surgical management of pygopagus parasiticus in a developing country: Challenges and review of the literature

Conjoint twins are a rare aberration of monozygotic twinning which could be symmetric or asymmetric. Pygopagus parasiticus is a form of asymmetric twinning in which the parasitic or incomplete twin is attached to the autosite (dominant twin). We present our recent experience in the management of a case of pygopagus parasiticus highlighting the challenges peculiar to developing economies such as ours and how such challenges could be surmounted

Neonatal neuroblastoma with adrenal primary and metastasis to the liver: A case report and a review of literature

We report the case of a 23-day-old neonate with neuroblastoma (NBL) in the right adrenal gland and widespread metastases to the liver. This raises the possibility of foetal NBL, which was missed during periodic ultrasonography done during the mother's pregnancy. We hope that this report would increase the awareness of physicians about foetal, congenital and neonatal NBL; and of sonographers about space-occupying lesions in the foetus. The clinicopathologic features and the management of neonatal NBL are discussed