Establishing Sexual Dimorphism in Diameter of Carotid Arteries among Normotensive Adult Nigerians

Background: The Doppler scan serves as an early and non-invasive diagnostic tool for carotid artery disease due to its location, which is significant for cerebrovascular accidents. The carotid diameter has been associated with hypertension just as a sexual variation in hypertensives is documented. However, the difference among healthy individuals with normal pressure and body weight with relation to the diameter of the carotid is not proven among healthy Nigerians. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify a sexual dimorphism in the diameter of the carotid artery and its association with body mass index and blood pressure among normotensive Nigerians. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 104 were sampled with the average age of 28 years comprising 62 males and 42 females. Doppler ultrasound scans of common, internal, and external carotid arteries were made by an experienced radiologist using a linear transducer with a frequency of 7.0 Mhz. Diameter measurements were taken in end-diastolic alongside blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, and neck and waist circumference. Results: The total diameter measurements of the common carotid artery for male and female were 0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.60 ± 0.07 cm, respectively, internal carotid artery were 0.60 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.08 cm, respectively, and external carotid artery were 0.48 ± 0.11 and 0.50 ± 0.08 cm, respectively. Although the differences were not statistically significant, their associations with the measured biophysical and clinical parameters showed significant differences in both sexes. Conclusion: we opine that sexual dimorphism should not be ruled out by the mere absence of significant difference in the descriptive analysis but also in the associations with other parameters. Keywords: Carotid artery diameter, sexual dimorphism, ultrasound sca

Prevalence of operable intracranial lesions from mild traumatic brain injury in a National Trauma Centre

Abstract Background Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) occupies majority of head traumas in most emergency units. Although patients with mild TBI can be reviewed and discharged on head injury advice, a sizeable number require admission for observation or intervention due to operable intracranial lesions. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of operable lesions in patients with mild TBI. Materials and methods This was a prospective study of consecutive adult patients with mild TBI who had cranial computerized tomography (CT) done at the National Trauma Centre, Abuja. All participants gave informed consent and the study had ethical clearance in the Hospital. Results One hundred and three mild TBI patients with cranial CTs were recruited aged 16–76 years with mean age of 32.25 $$\pm$$ ± 12.35 years. With intention to treat, twenty (20.4%) of them were diagnosed with operable intracranial lesions on CT scans, 19 males and 2 females. Majority of them (14; 66.7%) were young adults within 20–40 years of age. The lesions were 16 extradural haematomas (76.2%), 3 subdural haematomas (14.3%) and 2 depressed skull fractures (9.5%) of the operable cohort. Conclusions Significant number of patients with mild TBI had operable intracranial lesions. Therefore, there is need to screen patients with mild TBI appropriately in order to avoid missed operable lesions

Exploring issues and challenges of leadership among early career doctors in nigeria using a mixed-method approach: CHARTING study

Background: leadership behaviour is a poorly explored phenomenon among early-career doctors (ECDs). Good leadership is vital in maximising the effective management of patients in a clinical setting. While a good number of studies, though with small sample surveys, have researched the role of leadership in clinical setting quantitatively, qualitative investigations are yet to be done in Nigeria. This study aims to explore the attitudes, skills, and experience of ECDs in Nigeria on issues pertaining to leadership in a medical setting, using a mixed-method approach. (2) Methods: we conducted two sessions of key informant focus group discussion (FGD) that involved 14 ECD leaders in Nigeria, exploring their leadership experience in a clinical setting. Furthermore, we used a self-administered questionnaire to quantitatively survey 474 ECDs from seven Nigerian teaching hospitals to explore their attitudes, skills, and experience on issues pertaining to medical leadership. (3) Results: taking on leadership roles is a common phenomenon (52.7%) among the surveyed ECDs; however, the medical leadership position can be very challenging for ECDs in Nigeria. Despite the fact that many (91.1%) of the surveyed ECDs perceived leadership skills as essential skills needed by a doctr, many (44.1%) of them were yet to be formally trained on medical leadership. About three out of every 10 (23.6%) of surveyed ECDs that have ever held leadership positions in a medical setting experienced major leadership challenges while in such office due to their lack of training on leadership skills. Leadership skill acquisition programmes are highly recommended to become an integral part of medical training programmes in Nigeria. (4) Conclusion: there is a need for a structured leadership skill acquisition programme for ECDs in Nigeria. This programme will help in the robust delivery of highly effective healthcare services in Nigeria, as effective leadership is crucial to patient care services

Exploring Issues and Challenges of Leadership among Early Career Doctors in Nigeria Using a Mixed-Method Approach: CHARTING Study

(1) Background: leadership behaviour is a poorly explored phenomenon among early-career doctors (ECDs). Good leadership is vital in maximising the effective management of patients in a clinical setting. While a good number of studies, though with small sample surveys, have researched the role of leadership in clinical setting quantitatively, qualitative investigations are yet to be done in Nigeria. This study aims to explore the attitudes, skills, and experience of ECDs in Nigeria on issues pertaining to leadership in a medical setting, using a mixed-method approach. (2) Methods: we conducted two sessions of key informant focus group discussion (FGD) that involved 14 ECD leaders in Nigeria, exploring their leadership experience in a clinical setting. Furthermore, we used a self-administered questionnaire to quantitatively survey 474 ECDs from seven Nigerian teaching hospitals to explore their attitudes, skills, and experience on issues pertaining to medical leadership. (3) Results: taking on leadership roles is a common phenomenon (52.7%) among the surveyed ECDs; however, the medical leadership position can be very challenging for ECDs in Nigeria. Despite the fact that many (91.1%) of the surveyed ECDs perceived leadership skills as essential skills needed by a doctr, many (44.1%) of them were yet to be formally trained on medical leadership. About three out of every 10 (23.6%) of surveyed ECDs that have ever held leadership positions in a medical setting experienced major leadership challenges while in such office due to their lack of training on leadership skills. Leadership skill acquisition programmes are highly recommended to become an integral part of medical training programmes in Nigeria. (4) Conclusion: there is a need for a structured leadership skill acquisition programme for ECDs in Nigeria. This programme will help in the robust delivery of highly effective healthcare services in Nigeria, as effective leadership is crucial to patient care services