135 research outputs found
How well Nigerian radiographers adhere to pediatrics-specific protocols during computed tomography procedures
INTRODUCTION: Enormously high-dose procedures such as computed tomography requires pediatrics-specific protocols due to high tissue radio-sensitivity and higher lifetime attributable cancer risks. Itâs not known if radiographers in Nigeria consider this fact at all times.This work aimed to survey head computed tomography dose in Nigeria for evidence of pediatric- specific practice.
METHODS: The census of CT scanners was undertaken prospectively across the country from June 2019 to September 2021, while the dose survey was undertaken retrospectively in 14 facilities distributed evenly across the geopolitical zones between February to September 2021. Data on computed tomography installations were supplied by radiographers spread across the country. A dose survey involving 490 and 700 pediatrics and adult patients emanated from fourteen of those facilities. Doses were extracted from on-screen volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose- length product (DLP) in non-contrast investigations.
RESULTS: There were 209 CT scanners installed in Nigeria as of September 2021, with a triennial growth rate of 12.4% (n = 26). Monthly patient throughput for all CT requests was †41,412 with pediatric cases accounting for 10.4 % (n = 4,311). Mean head dose for pediatrics and adults with CTDIvol (41/58 mGy) and DLP (922/1198 mGy-cm) appeared different prima facie. However, a paired - sample t-test gave statistically significant difference in the CTDIvol (p = 0.001), but not with DLP (p = 0.055).
CONCLUSION: The installation of CT scanners is on the increase in Nigeria. Pediatric and adult CT dose had minimal differences. Given the higher lifetime attributable cancer risks for pediatrics, this should be worrisome. This calls for pediatric- specific protocol design and enforcement by relevant regulatory agencies, as well as meticulous optimization of protection from radiation by radiation practitioners
Machine Learning Research Trends in Africa: A 30 Years Overview with Bibliometric Analysis Review
In this paper, a critical bibliometric analysis study is conducted, coupled
with an extensive literature survey on recent developments and associated
applications in machine learning research with a perspective on Africa. The
presented bibliometric analysis study consists of 2761 machine learning-related
documents, of which 98% were articles with at least 482 citations published in
903 journals during the past 30 years. Furthermore, the collated documents were
retrieved from the Science Citation Index EXPANDED, comprising research
publications from 54 African countries between 1993 and 2021. The bibliometric
study shows the visualization of the current landscape and future trends in
machine learning research and its application to facilitate future
collaborative research and knowledge exchange among authors from different
research institutions scattered across the African continent
HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): a cross-sectional study of primary school teachers
Background: Teachers are in advantage position to propagate correct
information with regard to HIV/AIDS thereby influencing attitude
towards PLWHA. With correct information stigmatization leading to
spread of the scourge might be prevented. Aims & Objectives: The
study was conducted to determine knowledge and attitude of primary
school teachers towards PLWHA. Methods & Materials: The
cross-sectional survey was used to study a sample of 400 primary school
teachers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The instrument used for data
collection was researchers\u2019 designed questionnaire. Out of 400
copies of questionnaire administered; 394 representing 98.5% return
rate, were used for analysis of data. Results: Results showed
respondents had moderate (57.4%) knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS and
positive attitude (3.09 \ub1 0.98) to PLWHA. Female teachers\u2019
dispositions to PLWHA were better than the males based on their
attitude scores and the difference was not significant in general
knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude to PLWHA. Conclusion: Our findings
underscore the need for a universal health education programme,
focusing on HIV/AIDS education, in education institutions that train
teachers in Nigeria so as to possibly mitigate the discrepancy in
knowledge regarding curability of AIDS and any undesirable attitude
towards PLWHA that may arise among teachers
Safety of Ionizing Radiation in Selected Conventional X-ray Diagnostic Centres in Calabar and Uyo metropolises, Nigeria
Background: Humans are inevitably exposed to background radiation in work and public environments. The aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of the secondary barriers in conventional x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar and Uyo metropolises. This is by determining the weekly and annual effective dose in their respective uncontrolled areas and comparing them with the international recommendations. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar, represented as C1, C2, and C3 respectively, and in four xray diagnostic centers in Uyo, represented as U1, U2, U3, and U4 respectively. Background radiation was measured using Radex 1212 A-A battery-powered survey meter, at a distance of 2.5meters away from the xray units. Radiation measurement was taken at three different spots, and the recorded data were analyzed. Results: The mean calculated effective dose per week in mSv/week for each diagnostic center was given as 0.130 ± 0.0068mSv/week. Also, the mean calculated effective dose per year in mSv/year for each center was given as 0.66 ± 0.35mSv/year. These values are below the National Commission on Radiation Protection (NCRP) recommendations of 0.02mSv/week and 1mSv/year respectively. From the results, the mean calculated chance of developing cancer was 2.33 Ă10-3% which was lower than the NCRP recommendation for continuous public exposure of 5.5Ă10-3 %. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the integrity of the shielding designs and their dimensions assessed are safe
Maternal death and obstetric care audits in Nigeria: A systematic review of barriers and enabling factors in the provision of emergency care.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Yutaka Osakabe for co-ordinating the retrieval of full text articles. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supported this study, grant number 12-100074-000-INPPeer reviewedPublisher PD
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