Pattern of morphine prescription by doctors in a Nigeria tertiary hospital

Background: Morphine was reintroduced into Nigeria after a long period of absence due to technical problems relating to stock accounting. With this reintroduction, prescriber education was commenced in many centers including the University of Ibadan. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to review the morphine prescription habits of the medical doctors practicing at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and to assess the level of conformity with international guidelines. Materials and Methods: All the prescriptions on oral morphine in the hospital’s pharmacy records within a 6 months period were reviewed. Results: The results showed that more than half (51.7%) of all morphine prescriptions were from the Radiation Oncology Department, while the newly created Day Care Hospice Unit accounted for 31.8% of the prescriptions. No prescriptions were seen from the Labor ward. Only 1.1% of all the prescriptions conformed to international guideline as contained in the “Blue Book.” Conclusion: The results showed that there is a need for more education and advocacy programmes to increase awareness among doctors about morphine prescriptions.Keywords: Audit, doctors, morphine, Nigeria, prescriptionsNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • Jan-Mar 2012 • Vol 15 • Issue

Chemo-radiation in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, disease free 6 years-a case report

No Abstract. Nigrian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.9 (1) 2006: pp.87-8

Chemo-radiation in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, disease free after 6 years-a case report

This is a case report of a patient with advanced nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, (T4 N2 MO) who had chemo-radiation with Cisplatin based chemotherapy and total midplane dose of 60 Gray external beam radiation. Six years after treatment patient has remained disease free and the primary site histologically confirmed disease free with no clinical evidence of regional or distance metastases Keywords: advance nasopharyngeal carcinoma, chemo-radiation, disease- free Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 9(1) 2006: 87-8

Knowledege And Attitudes Of Terminally Ill Patents And Their Family To Pallative Care And Hospice Services In Nigeria

Background: A palliative care and Hospice service is a neglected aspect of medical discipline especially in a developing country like Nigeria. With the global increase in incidence of cancer and HIV/AIDS and 70% of them presenting late, coupled with limited resources, for effective symptom control, palliative care therefore remains the only option left to improve the quality of life of the patients. Objective: To asses the knowledge and attitudes of patients and their relations to palliative care and hospice services [PC&H] and to fashion out appropriate services for the patients. Materials and methods: A total of 130 participants were studied using a questionnaire which comprised of three parts: Socio-demographic variables, Information about Knowledge and Attitudes towards PC&H. Results: Sixty nine were patients, while 61 were family members. Ninety four [72.3%] had no knowledge of PC&H regardless of level of education and social status. 109 [84%] agreed that symptoms of the terminally ill patients should be treated to improve their quality of life and 75% of the participants agreed that this will be better done in a Hospice. 106 [83%] participants desire to have hospice established in every community, this again was regardless of tribe. Conclusion: There is a gross lack of knowledge about PC&H in our community as evidenced among the participants studied. However, there is a positive attitude towards PC&H suggesting a general acceptance, since there is presently no well established Hospice in Nigeria; we recommend that government and Non governmental organizations should assist in this area. A hospital based Hospice might be a starting point. Key words: Knowledge, Palliative care, Hospice. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol 8(1) 2005: 19-2