Awareness of Toxicological Impact and Risk of using Talcum Powder as a Factor for Ovarian Cancer among Women in three Metropolitan Cities of Southwestern States, Nigeria

This study evaluated the public awareness level on the toxicological nature of talcum powder and the perceived risk of ovarian cancer among women in order to design effective interventions that will ultimately improve public health among all women in Nigeria. A risk perception survey was developed to capture the public awareness level about talcum powder as an emerging contaminant and risk of ovarian cancer, inquiring whether risk is viewed positively or negatively and the extent of worry or concern. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered and returned, analyzed and interpreted for policy decision making. Each questionnaire contains mostly Likert type questions featuring a set of risks with fixed response alternatives. Basic descriptive statistics was considered for explanatory variables: age, educational attainment and generalized risk sensitivity. Majority of respondents use talcum powder for different purposes. 28% of respondents use talcum powder for genital hygiene, out of which 42.86% use this cosmetic product on a daily basis. Poor level of awareness was generally observed as most respondents do not know whether talcum powder could be considered a potential risk factor for ovarian cancer. Majority (66.43%) were very concerned about the risk of ovarian cancer but perceived less risk for ovarian cancer when asked to compare risk with their respective age groups. Notably, poor level of awareness about the toxicological nature of talc and the relatively high level of perceived risk of developing ovarian cancer due to previous talc exposure was evident among respondents in our study

Seminal fluid profile of male partners of infertile couples at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso: a three year review

Background: Infertility, according to the World Health Organization, has been defined as a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after twelve (12) months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Studies around the world have proven that at the very least, fifty (50) million couples worldwide suffer from infertility and these figures vary from one part of the world to the other. Male factor contribution to infertility remains significant and semen analysis is a major way to determine its contribution. Materials and Methods: This study involved retrieval of the case files of infertile couple attending gynaecology and urology clinics at the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso over a three year period. The seminal fluid analysis results were retrieved from the case files and relevant information checked, reviewed and inputted in a tabular form in Microsoft Excel. Result: A total of 194 couples were managed for infertility between January 2018 and December 2020. Out of this number, seminal fluid analysis was requested for 125 couples, of which only 69 results were returned and 56 seminal fluid analysis results were not returned to the clinic. Conclusion: It was observed that 36% of infertility cases had no evidence to show that seminal fluid analysis was requested for during the course of management of these infertile couple. The implication of this is that there may be an oversight factor on the part of the requesting physician. Other possible reasons is because the female partners of infertile couples often make the trip to the infertility clinics alone hence the physician may have no choice but to investigate the female partner alone. Azoospermia (36%) was the major contributing factors for to male infertility

Typhoid perforation: determinants of outcome in children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Ileal perforation can be a fatal complication of typhoid fever in children as its clinical presentation is often atypical.  The risk of death from intestinal perforation in typhoid fever is more than four times when compared with patients without perforation. A high index of suspicion therefore, and early intervention are mandatory to reduce morbidities and deaths due to this disease in children. Aim: To highlight the factors that adversely influence treatment outcome following typhoid ileal perforation in a  paediatric population and how they could be modified to reduce morbidity and mortality.    Methods: This was a retrospective study whereby medical records of children aged 1 to 15 years with typhoid fever admitted to OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, over a 10-year period, 1994-2004. Results: A total of 38 patients, 20 males and 18 females in the   ratio  1.1:1,  were   managed   for typhoid perforation during the 10-year study period. Twenty-nine patients (76.3%) survived while 9 (23.7%) died.  Of the many factors evaluated, only the duration of time before operation was found to significantly influence treatment outcome adversely (P=0.009), while large single or large multiple perforations (P=0.256), severe peritoneal contamination (P=0.291) and extensive surgery (P=0.089) did not. Conclusion: Typhoid ileal perforation  has a poor treatment outcome in children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.  The duration of time before operation was  the single most important factor that adversely affected treatment outcome. Therefore, swift preoperative resuscitation and early surgical intervention will enhance overall outcome irrespective of the number of perforations, severity of faecal contamination and extent of surgery.   Keywords: Typhoid perforation, Determinants of outcome, Children, Nigeria

Primary Swenson pull through in infants less than 4-months : preliminary report

Background: In our center, our approach has been to practice the traditional staged procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung s disease. This prospective study was to determine the feasibility of early neonatal pull through and in infants less than 4 months. Methods: 5 consecutive patients with Hirschsprung s disease under 4 months of age were recruited in to the study. Full thickness rectal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in all the patients. A primary definitive Swenson s pull through was using standard technique with intraoperative frozen section when available. Perioperative Ceftriaxone and metronidazole was administered preoperatively. A rectal tube made from a 2cc syringe was left in situ for 5-7 days after the operation Results Four of the patients were seen within the neonatal period and a patient presented at 13 weeks, the male to female ratio is 4:1. The mean weight at admission is 3.20kg while the mean weight at surgery was 3.75kg. Intra-operative frozen section revealed that two patients had aganglionosis up to the proximal sigmoid colon while 2 other patients had an aganglionosis up to the proximal descending colon and the distal transverse colon respectively. All the patients were commenced with oral intake on or before 4th post-operative day. Wound infection and paralytic ileus occurred in the immediate post operative period in one patient each while another developed an incisional hernia. None of these complications was life threatening and were all managed as required. Bowel opening in the patients range from 2-5 times daily. Conclusions. Based on this preliminary study it can be concluded that primary neonatal and early infancy pull through is feasible and advantageous to the patients. Further prospective works in this area are needed coupled with improvement in the neonatal care facilities