Bridging peace between herders and farmers in Nigeria. A study of Borderline on Radio Nigeria, Enugu

In the past decade, Nigeria; a nation state with a population of about one hundred and sixty million people and over two hundred and fifty ethno-linguistic, socio-cultural and religious groups, had suffered pervasive violent crises with devastating impacts on the peaceful co-existence of its citizens. These crises which were either fuelled by seemingly incompatible interests and values or mere hostilities, had resulted to major outcomes such as premature deaths, gruesome casualties and general stagnation in the socioeconomic growth of the communities affected and the nation at large. Several reconciliatory measures and mediation processes have been applied by the Nigerian government, as well as the international community but the results are yet not impressive. This paper presents drama as an interventionist tool for conflict resolution and social reconstruction. Using qualitative methodology, the selected radio drama attempts using a dramatic approach to expose the various perspectives to the prevalent issues of conflicts between herders and farmers in Nigeria; and calls for a peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic groups, hence, advocating for dialogue and negotiations rather than violence and aggression as effective ways of achieving lasting peace in the nation.Keywords: Conflict, Drama, Nigeria, peace, Radi

Traumatic penile injuries: Mechanisms and problems of treatment in a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Background: Penile injuries are uncommon. The more severe injuries are often difficult to manage.Objectives: We report our experience with penile injuries from different causes and treatment options available. Patients and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively 23 cases of penile injuries presenting to the Urology Unit of a tertiary hospital in the Southeastern part of Nigeria from January 2007 to December 2012.Results: The management for each patient varied depending on the nature and extent of the injury. The mean age of the patients was 28.9 ± 14.4 years (range 3 weeks to 43 years). The mean duration before presentation was 22.7 ± 17.8 h (range 1–168 h). The causes of penile injuries were categorized as follows: Postcircumcision 3 (13.0%), genital mutilation (self‑inflicted injury/attacks by assailants) 6 (26.1%), accident 4 (17.4%), penile fracture 8 (34.8%), and gunshot injury 2 (8.6%). Isolated blunt injuries to the corporal tissues as occurs in penile fractures was managed successfully with early exploration and closure of the tunical tear, while injuries to the penile skin was managed with dressing and secondary closure. Severe penile injuries resulting in partial or total phallic loss presented the most challenge to treatment.Conclusion: Traumatic penile injuries are not common. Severe penile injuries could be challenging because of the nature of the injuries, delayed presentation and unavailability of modern technological tools and experience required for the treatment of such severe injuries. Expertise in the use of flaps for a neophallus are still been developed, and penile prosthetic devices are not readily available in our setting.Key words: Injuries, management, penile, traumati

Success of nephron-sparing surgery in the treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma

Advancement in imaging techniques has now made it possible for small renal tumors to be detected incidentally. This has led to the use of minimally invasive techniques for treatment of these cases. A 33-year-old woman was diagnosed to have a small renal mass after routine abdominal ultrasonography for epigastric discomfort. Computed tomography scan was used to characterize the mass, and an elective partial nephrectomy was successfully carried out. The procedure is safe, less morbid, and has good oncological outcome

Complication rates of open transvesical prostatectomy according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system

Background: Traditional open prostatectomies either transvesical or retropubic remains the reference standard for managing benign prostatic enlargement in some centers, especially in developing countries. The comparison of complication rates between the various types of open prostatectomies is usually a source of significant debate among urologists, most times with conflicting results. The Clavien–Dindo classification system is an excellent attempt at standardization of reporting complications associated with surgeries. Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the records of patients who had open transvesical prostatectomy (TVP) in three specialist urology centers in Anambra state, Southeast Nigeria, over a period of 5 years (January 2004–December 2009), with the aim of documenting medical and surgical complications arising from open TVP. These complications were then categorized according to the Clavien–Dindo system. Results: A total of 362 patients had open TVP over the period under review. Of this number, 145 had documented evidence of complications. The mean age of the patients was 66.3 years (SD 9.4 years; range 49–96 years). The mean follow‑up period was 27.8 months (SD 12.6 months; range 6–33 months). The overall complication rate for open TVP in this study was 40.1% (145/362). Complication rates for grades i, id, ii, iiia, and iiib were 0.8%, 0.6%, 35.1%, 0.6%, and 3.0%, respectively. Most complications of open TVP occur in the early postoperative period. Conclusion: Open TVP still remains a valid surgical option in contemporary environment where advanced techniques for transurethral resection of the prostate and laparoscopic prostatectomy are unavailable. Most complications occur in the early postoperative period, with bleeding requiring several units of blood transfusion accounting for the commonest complication. This should be explained to patients during the preoperative counselling.Keywords: Classification, postoperative complications, reference standard, suprapubic prostatectomyNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice •Jan-Mar 2012 • Vol 15 • Issue

Default from neoadjuvant chemotherapy in premenopausal female breast cancer patients: What is to blame?

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in most parts of the world including Nigeria. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been demonstrated to be a helpful strategy in the context of locally advanced breast cancer.Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate some factors that may contribute to low rate of acceptance and adherence to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: A 1-year prospective study of premenopausal women with locally advanced breast cancer recommended for neoadjuvant chemotherapy from June 2009 to May 2010.Results: Forty-four patients gave consent to be part of the study. The ages ranged from 26 to 51 years with a mean age of 42.1 years ± 7.7 years. Only 31 patients completed the four courses of NAC. Seventeen (38.6%) patients dropped out of treatment, before, during or after completing NAC. Ten of these defaulted due to inadequate funds to procure chemotherapy, three patients because they insisted on immediate mastectomy, and four of these patients refused surgery when they achieved complete clinical response, probably due to fear of mastectomy which is common among women in our environment. Twenty patients had dose deferment.Conclusion: Lack of funds to procure chemotherapy and refusal of additional modality of treatment are the two major factors responsible for default of NAC and its goal in patients with LABC

Diagnosis of prostate cancer with needle biopsy: Should all cases be biopsied before treatment?

Background: The triad of digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate specific antigen, and transrectal ultrasound‑guided prostate biopsy is used in the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). It is recommended that all cases of PCa should be diagnosed with needle biopsy before treatment. The exclusion criteria for those that may not be suitable have not yet been defined. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all the patients diagnosed with PCa at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Southeast, Nigeria, from January 2007 to December 2010. Relevant biodata and method of diagnosis of PCa before treatment were reviewed. Results: A total of 133 patients had bilateral orchidectomy over the period. 120 (90.2%) had their diagnosis confirmed by needle biopsy before bilateral orchidectomy (category 1), while 13 (9.8%) had bilateral orchidectomy before diagnosis was confirmed. The method of diagnosis for category 1 patients was with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), abnormal DRE findings, elevated prostate‑specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal needle biopsy. For category 11 patients, diagnosis of PCa was suspected based on LUTS, abnormal DRE findings, and elevated PSA. Of this number, 11 (84.6%) had, in addition, sudden onset paraplegia at presentation, while 2 (15.4%) had severe uncontrolled hematuria at presentation. All the patients in both categories had needle biopsy confirmation of their disease. The sensitivity of PSA was 99.2%. Conclusion: Needle biopsy of the prostate is the preferred method for the diagnosis of PCa in most cases before treatment is undertaken. There are valid reasons why all PCas will not be diagnosed in this fashion. Elevated PSA when combined with an abnormal DRE finding increases the predictive value for cancer. In areas where pathologists are lacking, abnormal DRE and elevated PSA results can be a guide to proceed to treatment especially, where there is severe compromise of patients’ quality of life due to symptoms of advanced PCa while awaiting confirmation.Keywords: Bilateral orchidectomy, needle biopsy, prostate cancerNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice •Jan-Mar 2012 • Vol 15 • Issue

RELATION BETWEEN GLOBAL RADIATION AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN A HUMID TROPICAL CLIMATE OF WEST AFRICA

Obvious is the fact that globally the climate is changing. Solar energy and water availability are the key factors affecting agricultural productivity in Subtropical Africa. In this paper is presented the global radiation for Owerri, Nigeria (latitude 5.48oN, longitude 7.03oE) between 1985-1997 which has a mean annual value of 76.17 W/m2 per day. With appropriate crop specie selection and management, food production, including poultry output can be boosted in this high solar radiation area. The introduction of solar egg incubator, solar manure dryer and brooder has been strongly advocated

RELATION BETWEEN GLOBAL RADIATION AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN A HUMID TROPICAL CLIMATE OF WEST AFRICA

Obvious is the fact that globally the climate is changing. Solar energy and water availability are the key factors affecting agricultural productivity in Subtropical Africa. In this paper is presented the global radiation for Owerri, Nigeria (latitude 5.48oN, longitude 7.03oE) between 1985-1997 which has a mean annual value of 76.17 W/m2 per day. With appropriate crop specie selection and management, food production, including poultry output can be boosted in this high solar radiation area. The introduction of solar egg incubator, solar manure dryer and brooder has been strongly advocated

Optimal benefits of utilizing renewable energy technologies in Nigeria and the Cibs quadrangle: a review

With rapid population growth and increase in industrial activities, more energy is consumed, resulting in environmental pollution and economic difficulties, ttherefore, the need for utilising renewable energy resources has emerged globally and it is possible that China, India, Brazil and South Africa (CIBS) would develop renewable energy technologies that are more appropriate for the needs of developing countries. Nigeria for example has adequate fuel supplies (world’s sixth largest exporter of crude oil) yet more than 70 percent of its inhabitants do not have access to electricity for their domestic needs. This paper presents some potential of solar power at six sites in each of the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The sites are Owerri (5 o 29’N, 7 o 1’ E), Port-Harcourt (4o 47’ N, 7 o 0’E), Lagos (6 o 26’ N, 3 o 17’E), Abuja (9 o 3’ N, 7 o 15’E), Maiduguri (11 o 51’ N, 13 o 9’E) and Sokoto (13 o 3’N, 5 o 14’E) that are located in different climatic zones of Nigeria. The solar electricity potential at all the sites were over 3000 Wh/m2/day which is enough to meet typical domestic energy needs of typical households. It has been discussed how other African countries can apply the results to meet their electrical energy needs that will have a multiplier effect of improving the living standard of the people while preserving the environment, maintain sustainability and generate employment boosted by strong political will and collaborative links with the CIBS quadrangl

Schistosomal stricture of the ureter-diagnostic dilemma

Chronic schistosomiasis of the urinary tract can present with symptoms unrelated to the disease. A 33-year-old man from Edo State Nigeria presented with recurrent left flank pain. Laboratory investigations did not reveal any cause. Radiological investigation revealed a stricture of the left ureter and hydronephrosis of the left kidney. Management included surgical excision and antischistosomiasis chemotherapy. Histopathological examination of specimen of the ureter obtained after surgical exploration revealed Schistosoma heamatobium ova in the wall of the ureter