Ultrasonographic screening of urinary schistosomiasis infected patients in Agulu community, Anambra state, southeast Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pathology of <it>Schistosoma haematobium </it>infection in 60 infected primary school children in Agulu community, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, with over 50 ova/10 ml urine was assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The ultrasonographic examination was done using a sector scanner with convex probe. World Health Organisation method was used for classification and scoring of lesions. T-test and Coefficient of determination were used in analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The pathologic effects due to <it>S. haematobuim </it>identified among the study group included irregularity of the bladder wall (25%), thickening of the bladder wall (10%) and massing of the bladder wall (3.3%). About 4(6.7%) and 1(1.7%) of the patients had the right pelvis and left pelvis of their kidney moderately dilated respectively. Identified bladder wall lesions had 69 scores while kidney dilation had 30 scores. The number of individuals with lesions correlated with intensity of infection. Male pupils (65.2%) had more lesions than females (34.8%). The difference observed in lesion distribution among males and females was found to be significant (df = 6, p < 0.05). All bladder and kidney lesions responded favorably to treatment with praziquantel (40 mg/kg-body weight).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Health education campaign including showing the community members evidence of damages to the organs (from the ultrasound pictures) will go a long way in the control and prevention of the disease in this community.</p

Undescended Testes: Contemporary Factors Accounting for Late Presentation

Introduction: Early detection and treatment of undescended testes by orchiopexy by 6–12 months of age is important to minimize germ cell loss and improve the individuals’ fertility index. Decades since after the adverse relationship between the delayed treatment and infertility was established, we are still having young boys presenting very late with undescended testes.Objective: To understand the current reasons behind the increasing rate of late presentation of boys with undescended testes.Patients and methods: Clinical records of patients managed for undescended testis from January 2011 to December 2016 were reviewed. In addition, where the needed information was not recorded in the case files, telephone interviews and/or invitation for a clinical examination were employed when necessary to obtain complete data.Results: There were 39 patients with 50 undescended testes (16 left, 12 right and 11 bilateral). The age range at presentation to the hospital was from 1 day to 11 years. Undescended testes were noticed in 27 (69%) children at the age one year or less. Of this number, 19 (70%) sought medical attention at any hospital within one year of age of the child, 11(41%) were presented to our unit for treatment within the child’s first birthday, and 7 (26%) had surgical treatment within 2 years of age. Age at surgery ranges from 16 days to 11 years. The delay in presentation progressively declined as the parental academic level increases. Only 7 (18.0%) and 2 (5.1%) children were examined by a doctor after birth and at 6 weeks post natal visits, respectively. A majority of the empty scrotum was first noticed by the parents/grand mother in 25(64%) children as against 12 (31%) by health workers. Causes of late presentation include: parental ignorance of the abnormal position of the testes, 14 (35.9%); wrong information by clinicians at the hospital of first visit, 9 (23.1%) and erroneous belief that the testes will still descend, 8 (20.5%)

Parasites Associated with Sachet Drinking Water (Pure Water) in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called “Pure Water” in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2,

THE PROSPECTS OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY TO ENGENDER ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian government has openly publicized its intentions in commercializing agricultural biotechnology as an aid to realize food security in the nation. With a population estimated to be 200 million, the avoidance of food crises is at the core of the efforts of the federal government. One of the solutions to this problem adopted by major economies is agricultural biotechnology. Notwithstanding this truism, the country has not benefited exponentially from this technology. This paper will therefore investigate the issues hindering ample development of agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria while seeking a potential workable improvement to the trajectory in order to impact economic growth positively. The findings show agricultural biotechnology has the capacity to maneuver the underperforming agricultural sector into a viable one that can drive tremendous growth in Nigeria if a culture of Science and Technology on agric-biotechnology is embarked on, budgetary allocations that can fund research and development in this field is made and close monitoring to ensure compliance and quality control by all stake holders is maintained.  Keywords: Biotechnology, Agriculture, Economic Growth, Nigeria

Seminal fluid analysis of male partners of infertile couples in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Context: Procreation is one of the greatest desires of every couple, especially in the developing countries like ours. Male infertility is an important but neglected reproductive health issue, and it appears to contribute significantly to infertility in our environment.Aims: The aim of the study is to review the seminal fluid analysis parameters of male partners of infertile couples attending infertility clinic at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA).Materials and Methods: This was a 5‑year retrospective study of male partners of couple attending the infertility clinic in FETHA between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016. Case notes of couples managed for infertility were reviewed. Information extracted includes the sociodemographic characteristics, duration of infertility, type of infertility, and seminal fluid analysis results with emphasis on the semen volume, sperm morphology, motility, pH, and the microbacterial isolates.Statistical Analysis: Data were entered into an excel spreadsheet on a personal computer, and statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7.2.1 software. Sociodemographic characteristics are presented in frequencies and simple percentages. Means of categorical variables were compared using the Chi‑squared test whereas continuous variables were analyzed using Student’s t‑test. A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Assessment of semen analysis was done using the 2010 World Health Organization human values for semen parameters.Results: Case records of 922 couples attending the infertility clinic were retrieved; however, 756 folders had semen analysis results. During the study, the contribution of the male partner to infertility was 41.0%. The mean age of the patients was 40.10 ± 10.23; the modal age was 34 years; and most of the patients were traders. Majority had normospermia 380 (50.3%) whereas 376 (49.7%) had abnormal semen parameters. There was a high level of leukocytospermia (≥80%) in this study, and the predominant organism cultured was Staphylococcus aureus 328 (43.4%). Oligospermia was the most frequent (33.0%) derangement in semen analysis results. The age and duration of the infertility were not significantly related to abnormal semen analysis; however, men who are resident in urban areas, or who consume alcohol or tobacco, and those who were managed for primary infertility had a significant relationship with abnormal semen parameters (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Semen analysis remains an indispensable tool in the overall diagnosis of male infertility in our environment. Men who are resident in the urban areas or consume tobacco/alcoholic beverage had a significant risk of abnormal semen parameters.Keywords: Abnormal semen patterns; male infertility; prevalence of male infertility; seminal fluid analysis; tren

Is the femoral neck-shaft angle an independent risk factor for hip fractures? An observational study

Background: The femoral neck-shaft angle (FNSA) has been implicated in the aetiology of hip fractures. The longer moment arm of a higher FNSA has been theorized to impart a greater deforming force to the greater trochanter, which may cause a hip fracture.Methods: A prospective study that involves adults with hip fractures and a control group matched for age and sex. The FNSA of both groups were measured on an anteroposterior X-ray of the pelvis. The mean FNSA were compared with a paired samples t-test, and a binary logistic regression analysis was run with the FNSA as a predictor variable and the presence of hip fracture as an outcome variable.Results: A total of 150 patients were recruited for the study, 75 per group. The mean age of patients with hip fractures was 71.30 years (S.D.=14.34), and that of the control group was 73.94 years (S.D.=12.55), p=0.264. The mean FNSA of the study group was 133.96o (S.D.=3.77) while that of the control group was 131.05o (S.D.=3.86), p&lt;0.001. Increasing FNSA imparts a higher risk of having a hip fracture, O.R.=1.24 (95% C.I, 1.12-1.37).Conclusions: Individuals with higher FNSA demonstrated a significantly increased risk of developing hip fractures. However, the exact cut-off point of the FNSA, which predisposes to the risk of these fractures, remains to be elucidated.

Assessment of complications following use of pneumatic tourniquet for elective orthopedic procedures at National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu

Background: A pneumatic tourniquet is a constricting or compressing device with an inflatable cuff used to control venous or arterial circulation to an extremity for a period of time. Tourniquet safety is related to the cuff pressure and duration of application. The objective of this study was to determine the common complications that follow the use of pneumatic tourniquet in elective orthopaedic surgical procedures at National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu.Methods: This was a prospective study over 18 month period (June 2014 – November 2015) at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Following ethical approval and written informed consent, patients who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited. The study was conducted using the ‘intelligent pneumatic tourniquet’ with single bladder reusable cylindrical cuff. The cuff pressure was determined in each case by addition of 100mmHg to the baseline systolic BP for the upper limbs and 150 mmHg to the baseline systolic BP for the lower limbs. The data collected included patients’ demographics, cuff pressure, cuff location, tourniquet duration and complication encountered among other parameters.Results: A total of 160 procedures in 152 patients were included and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The prevalence rate of 1.9% for nerve palsy, 1.3% for tourniquet pain, 1.9% for surgical site infection and 5.6% for pressure sore were found in the study. No other complication was encountered.Conclusions: From the results of this study, it is concluded that the use of pneumatic tourniquet under the prescribed conditions is associated with low prevalence of complications

Epidemiology of lumbar disc herniations in adults with low back pain in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is used to describe a spectrum of anatomical abnormalities involving disc extension beyond the interspace. It follows a tear in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. It is one of the most common causes of low back pain among adults. The study aims to assess the epidemiological pattern of lumbar disc herniations among adults with low back pain in Enugu urban.Methods: The study was a prospective study at National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu and Annunciation Specialist Hospital Enugu. Following ethical approval and written informed consent, patients who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited. The MRI scans of the participants were viewed using DICOM® (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) software on laptop computer. The data included the patients’ demographics, functional disability index for back pain, weight, height, the anatomical level(s) and site(s) of the herniated disc among other parameters.Results: A total of 81 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were included and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The mean age of the subjects is 52.99±13.13 years. The most common affected age group is 51-60 years (27.2%). Majority of the subjects (68; 84%) had multiple level herniations which usually includes L4 level(74; 91.4%).Conclusions: That multilevel lumbar disc herniation is far more common than single level herniation with a prevalence of 84% among adults with low back pain in Enugu urban. That, there is statistically significant association of lumbar disc herniation and increasing age

Health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Establishment of the health impact of hypertension on quality of life of Nigerians is a step towards controlling the disease. The study aimed to provide a Nigerian specific reference list of utility scores of hypertensive patients with various interacting conditions.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>An interviewer-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using hypertensive patients in two purposively selected tertiary hospitals located in South-Eastern Nigeria. Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI3) was used.</p> <p>A total of 384 participants with either hypertension alone or with hypertension-associated complications were interviewed in the two tertiary hospitals.</p> <p>The overall mean utility score was 0.35 +/- 0.42. Patients with hypertension alone had the highest overall mean utility score (0.57 +/- 0.29) while hypertensive patients with stroke had the lowest overall mean score (0.04 +/- 0.36). Being a male, increase in age and mean arterial blood pressure, emergency visit and loss of work due to illness were associated with significant decrease in overall utility scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study presented a reference for health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients.</p