Performance of students in anatomy in the 2nd MBSS examinations in some Nigerian universities

Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the pass rates of medical students in anatomy with those of medical biochemistry and physiology. Method: The 2nd MBBS (Part I MBBS) examination results of some medical schools in Eastern Nigeria over a variable period of 3-5 years were obtained. The schools were those of Abia State University (ABSU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). The performance of students in anatomy, medical biochemistry and physiology were compared. Result: ABSU and NAU had relatively smaller populations of students than UNIPORT and UNEC The percentage passes in anatomy in ABSU, NAU, UNIPORT and UNEC were 78.31%, 79.3%, 41.24% and 54.7% respectively. The performance of students in schools with small populations was better in anatomy than in either medical biochemistry or physiology. The reverse was the case in schools with large populations of students.Conclusion: Class size plays an important role in the performance of students in anatomy. The lower the population of students, the greater the chances of adequate exposure of students to the study materials, and consequently the better the performance. Orient Journal of Medicine Vol. 18(1&2) 2006: 11-1

Material Resources For Eye Care Delivery In Urban South-Eastern Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the availability and distribution of material resources for primary and secondary level eye care delivery in Enugu-North Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State. Methods: A survey of Public (State and Local Government administered) health care facilities in Enugu North LGA was done. The health map of Enugu North Local Government Area was read to identify available health care facilities. Each facility was visited. A pre-tested, observer–administered questionnaire was used to interview the administrative heads of all the health care facilities in the LGA. The population of the Local Government Area was obtained from the Enugu office of the National Population Commission (NPC). Results: The population of the area is 522,926. These persons are distributed in the three health districts as follows: Coal Camp – 157,179, Asata/Ogui – 157,577 and New Haven – 208,170. There are fourteen public primary and secondary level health care facilities in the Enugu North LGA. These are unevenly distributed in the three health districts of Coal Camp (64.29%), Asata/Ogui (28.59%) and New Haven (7.14%). Altogether primary level health care facilities made-up 13 (92.9%) of the facilities while there is only one (7.1%) secondary level health care facility in the LGA. Materials for eye care are available in only the secondary level health care facility. The materials for basic eye care in the primary level health care facilities were limited and were only found in 61.54% of such centres. Basic drugs for eye care delivery were always available in 4 (28.97%) centres; occasionally available in 4 (28.97) centres; and unavailable in 6 (42.86%) centres. Conclusion: The materials available for eye care delivery in Enugu North LGA are inadequate. The available materials are unevenly distributed. The possible reasons for the uneven distribution are, historical, political and geographic. These findings constitute barriers to uptake of eye care services Key Words: Eye care, material resources, availability and distribution of material resource. Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 13-1

Ophthalmic Presentations in Leprosy Patients in (South-Eastern) Nigeria

Objective: To determine the magnitude and pattern of ocular disorders and blindness among leprosy patients, presenting at three leprosy clinics in South —Eastern Nigeria. Methodology: All the in- patients, as well as the out- patients that presented to the 3 leprosy clinics during the 2- month period of the study were examined. Altogether, 171 patients were studied. All data were entered into the computer and analyzed using the SPSS software package. Results: Ocular examinations revealed that 60.2% of the patients had leprotic lesions. Other findings were cataract 24.6%; pterygium 24.6%; refractive errors 21.6%; glaucoma 12.3%; age- related macular degeneration 4.6%; presumed toxoplasmosis 1.2%; optic atrophy 1.2% and squint 0.6%.A total of 10.5% of patients were blind and 39.8% visually impaired. Cataract accounted for 55.6% blindness. Conclusion: It is concluded that non- leprotic lesions, particularly cataract were responsible for most of the blindness. We recommend that ophthalmic surgeons should organize regular and periodic surgical outreaches to leprosy centers with the aim of dealing with non- leprotic causes of avoidable blindness in such centres. Key Words: Leprosy, Leprotic eye lesions, non-leprotic eye lesions, surgical outreaches. Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(3&4) 2004: 18-2