Intravitreal Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Ibadan: Method of Administration

Purpose: To outline the method of administration of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti‑VEGF) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) for the purpose of improved eye care among neonates. Background: ROP is a major potential, but largely preventable cause of blindness in the pediatric population. ROP has been shown to be a  two‑stage event with an initial disruption to normal retinal vessel growth, which is then accompanied by the second stage of vessel development. Preterm infants have undeveloped retinas, with avascular areas at the periphery. Subsequently, as the infant grows, these undeveloped retinas lacking an adequate supply of oxygen then stimulate angiogenic factors for the development of new vessels. Some predisposing risk factors include inappropriate oxygen therapy and lower birth weights. Initially, ROP was documented to be sporadic in most regions of Africa, but due to the recent advancement in medical facilities and personnel training, more preterm babies are surviving, thereby increasing the rate of ROP. Our hospital, the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has been assessing preterm babies for signs of ROP in conjunction with the neonatologists for the last four years, with various stages of ROP being diagnosed and treated. Intravitreal use of anti‑VEGF has been accepted as a valuable therapy in preventing the development of advanced cases of ROP. The purpose of this study is to describe the method of administration of this important medication. Conclusion: Intravitreal anti‑VEGF may prevent avoidable blindness in babies with ROP. However, to prevent devastating complications, appropriate  techniques and the guidelines given in this study should be considered to minimize complications. Keywords: Antivascular endothelial growth factor, methods of administration, retinopathy of prematurit

Changing indications for intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections at the university college hospital, Ibadan, Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: To review the current indications for intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, in order to make recommendations for planning of services.Methods: The medical records of 172 patients who had intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrieved. Socio-demographic and clinical data were extracted, analysed, and compared with data from the previously published audit report covering 2010 to 2012.Results: Three hundred and thirty injections were given to 182 eyes in this cohort of patients. The mean age was 61.1±16.3 years (range <1-90 years), with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Retinal vein occlusion, 64 (35%) remained the most common indication for anti-VEGF injections in the eyes treated. This was followed by choroidal neovascular membrane/wet age-related macular degeneration which accounted for 42 (23%) as reported previously. However, cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy/ diabetic maculopathy needing anti-VEGF were noticed to have almost doubled from about 8 (10%) in the previous study to 15 (27%) in the present study. In addition, idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, 18 (10%) ranked above proliferative sickle cell retinopathy in the present study. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), neovascular glaucoma, retinal artery macro-aneurysm and myopic choroidal neovascular membrane were the new emerging indications.Conclusion: There is an expanding indication for anti-VEGF in the management of retinal vascular diseases in the health facility and adequate measures should be put in place for early diagnosis and management. Patients should be counselled on the availability of this treatment option

Learning Styles of Fresh Clinical Students in Ophthalmology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria: A Pilot Study

Background: The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, is using a new curriculum for its learners. Therefore, knowing thelearning styles of the learners will help the teachers formulate appropriate teaching strategies. The aim of the pilot study was to determine thelearning styles of the 1st‑year clinical students rotating through ophthalmology with a view to recommending appropriate teaching strategies tothe teachers for the smooth running of the new curriculum. Methodology: The first fifty set of students sent to the department of ophthalmology for ophthalmology rotation was used as a pilot. A total of 47 students completed the study. Three students voluntarily did not participate in the study. Design: VARK questionnaire‑assisted testing of learning styles was used for the study. It consists of 16 questions with four options testing each domain of visual (V), auditory (A), write or reading (R), and kinesthetic (K) ways of learning. Multiple responses were allowed. The total responses were computed at the end to give an idea of the learning styles of the students. Results: A total of 1192 responses were received from 47 students (25 males and 22 females), with a male‑to‑female ratio of 1.1:1. The Auditory and kinesthetic ways of learning were responsible for 669 (56%) responses. There was no statistically significant difference among the sexes. Conclusion: The most preferred  learning styles were the auditory and kinesthetic ways of learning. Teachers should consider direct instructions and more hands‑on teaching of their students while formulating a teaching plan. Keywords: Auditory, kinesthetic, learning styles, medical students, teaching, VARK questionnair

Early sexual debut: prevalence and risk factors among secondary school students in Ido-ekiti, Ekiti state, South-West Nigeria

Background: Early adolescent sexual activity remains a recurring problem with negative psychosocial and health outcomes. The age at sexual debut varies from place to place and among different individuals and is associated with varying factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early sexual debut among secondary school students in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.Results: More than two-thirds, 40(67.8%), had early sexual debut. The prevalence of early sexual debut was about 11%. The mean age of sexual debut was 13.10±2.82; the mean age for early sexual debutants was 11.68±1.98. The mean number of sexual partners was 2.44±1.99. Male gender, having friends who engaged in sexual activities had association with early sexual exposure (p<0.05). Alcohol intake had the strongest strength of association for early sexual debut among the students.Conclusion: The high prevalence of early sexual exposure among the students calls for urgent interventions to stem the trend. This will help to reduce the devastating negative psycho-social and health sequels.Keywords: Sexual debut, prevalence, risk factors, Nigeri

Early sexual debut: prevalence and risk factors among secondary school students in Ido-ekiti, Ekiti state, South-West Nigeria.

Background: Early adolescent sexual activity remains a recurring problem with negative psychosocial and health outcomes. The age at sexual debut varies from place to place and among different individuals and is associated with varying factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early sexual debut among secondary school students in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Results: More than two-thirds, 40(67.8%), had early sexual debut. The prevalence of early sexual debut was about 11%. The mean age of sexual debut was 13.10\ub12.82; the mean age for early sexual debutants was 11.68\ub11.98. The mean number of sexual partners was 2.44\ub11.99. Male gender, having friends who engaged in sexual activities had association with early sexual exposure (p<0.05). Alcohol intake had the strongest strength of association for early sexual debut among the students. Conclusion: The high prevalence of early sexual exposure among the students calls for urgent interventions to stem the trend. This will help to reduce the devastating negative psycho-social and health sequels

Pattern of ocular abnormalities among students attending schools for the hearing impaired in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

Objective: To describe the pattern of ocular abnormalities among students attending schools for the hearing impaired in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study  conducted from February to March 2016 among hearingimpaired students who were older than 10 years. Students were selected from four schools using systematic random sampling. The students’ sociodemographic characteristics, visual complaints, ocular, and family history were recorded using an interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire. Ocular examination and refraction was conducted on each student. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS Statistics for Windows 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with the test of association performed using the chi-square test and level of statistical significance set at P-value <0.05.Results: A total of 335 students participated in the study. Mean age was 17 ± 2.9 years (range 11–39 years). The prevalence of ocular abnormalities among the  participants was 56.1%. These included allergic conjunctivitis 8 (2.4%), retinitis pigmentosa 3 (0.9%), phthisis bulbi 3 (0.9%), cataract 2 (0.6%), and Wardenburg syndrome 2 (0.6%). Seventy-five (22.4%) respondents were with coexisting ocular abnormalities. Conclusion: The prevalence of ocular abnormalities was found to be high among the hearing impaired, with refractive error being the most common. It is necessary for the eye care providers and other stakeholders to provide eye health education as well as affordable and accessible eye care services for hearing-impaired students so as to improve their overall quality of life.Keywords: children, hearing impaired, ocular abnormalities, students, visual impairmen