Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Screening For Cervical Cancer Among Female Students Of A Tertiary Institution In South Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer of females worldwide and the commonest cancer of the female genital tract in our environment. It can be prevented through early detection by cervical screening (Pap smear). Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates. Method: A pre tested questionnaire was administered to third and fourth year female students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. Result: Out of the 220 students involved in the study, 134 (60.9) had knowledge of cervical cancer and 118 (53.6%) were sexually active with the average age at sexual debut being 21.2 years. The mean age of the students was 23.8 years and the age range was 17 to 39 years with 175 (80%) in the age range of 20- 29 years. About 2/3 of the students did not know about Pap smear and worse still, none of them had undergone a Pap screening test before. This low participation in screening for cervical cancer was attributed to several reasons including ignorance of the existence of such a test, lack of awareness of centers where such services are obtainable, ignorance of the importance of screening and the risk factors to the development of cervical cancer. Conclusion: There is good level of awareness of cervical cancer among the female undergraduates but poor knowledge and participation in cervical cancer screening. The development of a comprehensive cervical cancer screening strategy is being recommended to improve participation with a view to prevent cervical cancer by early detection and treatment of the pre-malignant stages. Keywords: Cervical cancer, screening, female undergraduates. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 216-21

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of klebsiella species from Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria

Klesiella specie isolated from clinical specimens from Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital ( EBSUTH), Abakakliki were studied to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patter.Between January, 2003 and September 2004 a totaql of 3,600 specimens processed in the routine Medical Microbiology laboratory of EBSUTH, of which 245(6.8%) yielded Klebsilla species, with 84 from out – patients and 161 from in – patients The number of isolates from various samples were:” Urine 126, Sputum 37 Edocervical swab 13, Aspirates 8, High Vaginal Swab 7, Blood 3,Eye Swab, Ear Swab and Cerebrospinal fluid were 2 samples each. Organisms were identified b y the conventional methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done by the disk diffusion methods. The antimicrobial disk used include: Ceftazidime, Cefurxime, Cefotaxine, Augmentin, Pefloxacin (30ug), Doxycyline (25ug) Genticin (10 ug) Cigprofloacin and Ofloxacin (5ug) each and Erythromycin (15ug) all were Oxoid products. Results were interpreted according to NCCLS criteria. Klebsilla species were isolated most from urine specimens (51.4%) followed by wound swsabs (18.4%) Antimicrobial susceptibility to various groups drugs used was generally poor. The most sensitive antimicrobial was Cipprofoxacin with 121(49.4%) isolates susceptible to it, followed by Genetamicin with 95(38.8%) than Ceftazidime with 90(36.7%). Seventeen isolates were muti resistant to all the antimicrobial agents used. The result of this study will help in the empirc theraopy of infection csused by Klebsella species in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria but continuous surverillance of antimicrobial resistance of the organnisn is very necessary in the formulation of a sound a antibiotic policy in the hospital Keywords: Klebsiella spp, antimicrobial susceptibility Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 8(2) 2005: 90-9

Comparison of saline wet preparation, giemsa staining and culture methods for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis

No Abstract. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 7(3) 2006: 213-21

The use of antibiotics in the management of acute upper respiratory tract infections by final year medical students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Widespread and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents for viral illnesses has contributed to the emergence of infections caused by antimicrobial drug resistant organisms. The aim of the study was to determine how final year medical students of nnamdi azikiwe university would manage the common cold or upper respiratory tract infection when they become medical doctors. Seventy-one students were interviewed using both questionnaire and oral interview. Majority of the students about 88% identified the common could as upper respiratory tract infection. Sixty-eight of them (95.8%) responded that they would commence antibiotic treatment if there were purulent nasal discharge and productive cough. The reasons for commencement of antibiotics were to prevent bacterial super infection, pressure from patient and the claim that it is evidence based. Knowledge of the common cold as an upper respiratory tract infection is quite high but there is the bad attitude of using antibiotics n the management. There is therefore need for education of the medical students as well as doctors on the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic use especially in the management of the common cold.Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 22-2

Single widal anti body titre result versus typhoid fever diagnosis in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital

No Abstract

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers in a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus constitutes part of the growing health problem associated with chemotherapy because they are more difficult to treat and could transfer drug resistance to other bacteria.Objective: This research work was carried out to find the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among health workers in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.Methodology: Two sets of 300 swab samples were collected from the anterior nares of 300 health workers, comprising 82 Laboratory Staff and 218 Clinical staff, and processed without delay. One of each duplicate swab sample was inoculated directly onto chocolate agar, incubated for 24 hours at 37oc while the other swab was used to make a smear for Gram staining. All isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were screened for methicillin resistance using 1μg/ml oxacillin disc in Mueller Hinton agar plate supplemented with 4% sodium chloride.Results: One hundred and ninety-two (64%) out of 300 were carriers of Staph aureus, while 90 (30%) out of the 300 were positive for MRSA. The prevalence of MRSA among the health workers were Medical Doctors 24%, Medical Laboratory Scientists 34.1%, Nurses 28.8%, Ward Attendants 50.0%, and Cleaners 20.0%.Conclusion: Over all MRSA prevalence was 30.0%. There was no significant relationship between duration of service and MRSA carriage rate. There was a significant difference in MRSA carriage between those health workers who adhered to universal precautionary measures and those who did not. The prevalence of MRSA among health workers in this study was high thus creating the need for the Health Workers to adhere to universal precautionary measures while carrying out their routine work to avoid being possible sources of nosocomial infections.Keywords: Contact, exposure, hospitals, oxacillin, patient

Comparative evaluation of direct stool smear and Formol-ether Concentration Methods in the identification of Cryptosporidium species

Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhoea in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Unfortunately this pathogen is not often checked for in Microbiology laboratories because the formol-ether stool concentration method for identification of Cryptosporidium is cumbersome and may not be routinely undertaken in very busy laboratories and in laboratories with inadequate personnel. This study was therefore carried out to compare the outcome of direct stool examination and formol-ether concentration method with the aim of finding a non-cumbersome method of examining for Cryptosporidiumspecies routinely in stools when it is indicated. Fresh stool specimens of 193 HIV positive and 200 HIV negative patients (control) attending clinic at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) were processed within two hours of collection using direct stool smear and formol-ether concentration methods. Permanently stained slides were prepared using Kinyoun acid-fast stains. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 35 (18.1%) of HIV seropositive patients using direct stool smear method and in 36 (18.7%) using formol-ether concentration method. There was no statistical difference between the two methods (p > 0.05, xz = 0.012, df = 1 at 95% confidence limit critical ratio = 3.841). No Cryptosporidiumwas identified in the control (HIV negative) patients using either method. Cryptosporidium oocysts can be routinely checked for in the Microbiology laboratories using either direct stool smear or formol-ether concentration stool method with comparable sensitivity. KEY WORDS: Cryptosporidium identification, direct stool smear, concentration method. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 5-

Bacterial pathogens associated with secondary peritonitis in Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Secondary peritonitis is a common and serious form of intra-abdominal infection, often associated with high morbidity and mortality. The overall patient outcome has not markedly improved in spite of advances in patient management. There is therefore need to study the pattern of bacterial pathogens associated with secondary peritonitis in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern as that would help in formulation of empiric antibiotic policy on peritonitis and improve the outcome/prognosis of the patients. A prospective study of 35 patients with suspected peritonitis at LUTH between February, 2002 and June 2003 was done. Peritoneal fluids of these patients were collected intra-operatively under aseptic conditions. The specimens were subjected to aerobic and anaerobic studies. Twenty-seven isolates were identified aerobically with Escherichia coli being the most predominant organism 11(31.4%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 6(17.1%) then Klebsiella spp 4(11.4%). Anaerobic culture showed Prevotella species as the most predominant 14(40%) followed by Bacteroides fragilis group 8(22.9%). Overall, Prevotella species were the most predominant organisms isolated in LUTH patients with secondary peritonitis. . Keywords: Bacterial pathogens; Secondary peritonitis; Lagos Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 9 (2) 2006: pp.169-17

A four year review of external quality assessment of sputum AFB smear microscopy centres in Southeast Nigeria.

Objective: To identify the types, pattern and trend of errors in sputum smear microscopy in peripheral primary health laboratories in the Southeast States of Nigeria.Design: Retrospective studyMethods: A retrospective study of laboratory reports of randomly selected and blinded re-checked sputum smear microscopic slides at the peripheral laboratory centres (using Lots Quality Assurance Sampling Method) in the Southeast States of Nigeria between 2003 and 2006.Result: A total of 862 errors were found between 2003 and 2006 (862/873 or 98.7%), and consisted of HFN 155 (18%), HFP 138 (16%), LFN 161 (18.7%), LFP 186 (21.3%), and QE 222 (25.7%). There was a statistically significant association (P value < .05) between the following types of errors (LFN, QE, total minor errors and total errors) and the period 2003 to 2006. However, there was no statistically significant association between these types of errors and slide volume (microscopic workload). The means of total error, and total minor errors declined as the sampling quarter moved from 1st to the 3rd quarter, while total errors declined as the year moved from 2003 to 2006.Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship between types of errors, pattern of minor errors and period of the study. The study showed a trend between the errors (LFN, QE, and TE) and the period of review (2003 to 2006), while the total minor errors and total errors declined as the sampling quarter moved from 1st to the 4th quarter of the years.Key Words: External Quality Assessment, Lots Quality Assurance Sampling Method, Nigeria, and sputum smear microscopy