Sonographic assessment of pregnancy co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy could cause obstetric complications.Objectives: To assess sonographically the frequency of occurrence and effect of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted during a period of 23 months. A convenience sample of 816 consecutive consenting pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria was evaluated during routine prenatal ultrasound scan. The women were referred for prenatal sonography. One hundred of the subjects who had myoma co-existing with pregnancy and another 100 subjects without myoma were selected for follow-up. These groups were followed up till delivery and obstetric complications and outcomes were documented. Any changes in size and growth rate of myoma were documented.Results: Subjects with myoma co-existing with pregnancy were 12.3%. This was commoner with increasing maternal age. An increase was observed in myoma mean size from 60mm to 63mm from the 1st scan sequence to the 2nd scan sequence and a reduction from 63mm to 59mm in the 3rd scan sequence. Myoma growth rate was 0.667mm per week. Myomas inpregnancy especially large ones caused more complications during delivery when compared to pregnancies without myomas.Conclusion: Routine sonography is important in pregnancy management of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy.Keywords: Routine sonography; uterine myoma, pregnancy, obstetric complications

Incidence of occupational stress among medical radiographers: a population based zonal survey.

Biomechanical and Psychosocial stresses are capable of destabilizing any health care professional. The current health sector reform in Nigeria, which lays emphasis on service delivery on a background of very few radiographers, may lead to an increase in stress level. This study investigated the incidence of occupational stress among radiographers in southeastern Nigeria. 50 self-completionquestionnaires were delivered to radiographers in the southeastern Nigeria. The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer, anatomical regions of biomechanical systems/stress and Visual analogue scale (VAS), which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 32 questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically. Biomechanical stresswas observed in all anatomical regions studied. Job satisfaction rating was 61.3% and anxiety level was 45.3%. This study has provided a baseline stress level and prevalence among radiographers withwhich future studies in view of the on going health sector reform in Nigeria could be compared

Validity of common ultrasound methods of fetal weight estimation in late pregnancy among women in Kwale, Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

Background: Accuracy of some ultrasound equations used in our locality for fetal weight estimation is doubtful.Objective: To assess the accuracy of common ultrasound equations used for fetal weight estimation.Subjects and Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted on selected Nigerian obstetric population at Central Hospital, Kwale between March, 2009 and January, 2011. Sonography was performed on 412 women with advanced singleton cyesis and measurements of BPD, HC, AC, and FL were obtained and figured into 12 common ultrasound equations for the estimation of fetal weight. The actual birth weight at delivery was recorded.Results: The highest intraclass correlation coefficient was generated by the Hadlock 5 and Hsieh 2 equations. The least mean absolute percent error was obtained with Hsieh 2 equation, followed by Woo 3, and Hadlock 5. These equations also had the least percentage error and the least range of limits of agreement in the same order with no significant difference between their mean fetal weight estimates and that of the actual birth weight (p > 0.05). All twelve equations had strong positive correlation with the actual birth weight with Nzeh 2 equation the least.Conclusion: Hsieh 2 equation has the best accuracy in fetal weight estimation studied.Key Words: Validation; Fetal Weight; Sonography; Advanced Cyesis; Nigerian Populatio

The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infection among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Title: The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infections among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria. Objectives; The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of universal precaution against fluid borne infections among radiology staff in northern Nigeria teaching hospitals to elicit responses to questions regarding their knowledge and practice of universal precaution. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted among radiology staff practicing in teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria. The questionnaire was sent out by post and the response rate over a period of two months period was 52.5%, (n=63).  Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency and percentages were generated using statistical package for social sciences (spss) version 14.0. Result; Results show that 95.3%, (60) of the radiology staff come in contact with body fluid in their work while 87.3%, (55) have good knowledge of universal precaution. There were 72.7%, (46) of the studied staff who practice universal precaution. Only 41.3%, (26) of the staff use the incident reporting system when exposed to patients body fluid. It also found managements laxity in providing all necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves, mask, goggles, and aprons. Conclusion: This study found radiology staff of teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria have satisfactory knowledge of universal precaution which is not matched by practice. Keywords:Universal Precautions, Fluid-borne Infection, practice, Radiology, Knowledg

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Self‑Testing: Perspectives from Primary Healthcare Workers in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria

Background: Stigmatization remains an intractable issue surrounding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management. Testing services are the gateway to treatment and prevention. HIV‑self testing (HIVST) is a panacea to this stigmatization. It is a simple friendly testing technique. This study assessed issues surrounding the HIVST from the perspectives of the primary health‑care workers in Enugu State. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was carried out using a semi‑structured interviewer‑administered questionnaire. A convenience sampling of 238 respondents were sampled from the 17 local government areas of the state. Analyses were performed using IBM‑SPSS version 23. Ethical approval was obtained from the Enugu State Ministry of Health. Results: The majority of the respondents were within the age of 31–50 years 84 (35.3%), predominantly females 203 (85.3%) and mainly married 191 (80.3%). Half of them had practiced for over 10 years and 145 (60.9%) had good knowledge of HIV screening. However, 23.9% understood HIVST as a  testing modality approved by the World Health Organization. A handful of them, 25 (10.5%) correctly identified the 5Cs of HIV testing. Only 162 (68.1%) of the health‑care workers reported stigma as the most perceived problems of the present testing modality and 146 (61.3%) expressed a  preference for HIVST over previous methods. Age was found to be a determinant of good knowledge of HIVST, as being within the age group of  20–40 years has a 1.83 greater odds of good knowledge of HIVST than, 41–60 years age group (Adjusted odds ratios = 1.830; 95% confidence interval  1.081–3.099). Conclusion: Most of the Primary health‑care workers in Enugu State had poor knowledge of HIVST. These workers could benefit from awareness creation and training on HIVST by public health specialists to improve their knowledge. Keywords: Enugu state, human immunodeficiency virus self‑testing, perspectives, primary health‑care worker

Sonographic assessment of pregnancy co-existing with uterine leiomyoma in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy could cause obstetric complications. Objectives: To assess sonographically the frequency of occurrence and effect of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted during a period of 23 months. A convenience sample of 816 consecutive consenting pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria was evaluated during routine prenatal ultrasound scan. The women were referred for prenatal sonography. One hundred of the subjects who had myoma co-existing with pregnancy and another 100 subjects without myoma were selected for follow-up. These groups were followed up till delivery and obstetric complications and outcomes were documented. Any changes in size and growth rate of myoma were documented. Results: Subjects with myoma co-existing with pregnancy were 12.3%. This was commoner with increasing maternal age. An increase was observed in myoma mean size from 60mm to 63mm from the 1st scan sequence to the 2nd scan sequence and a reduction from 63mm to 59mm in the 3rd scan sequence. Myoma growth rate was 0.667mm per week. Myomas in pregnancy especially large ones caused more complications during delivery when compared to pregnancies without myomas. Conclusion: Routine sonography is important in pregnancy management of uterine myomas co-existing with pregnancy

INCIDENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHERS: A POPULATION BASED ZONAL SURVEY.

Biomechanical and Psychosocial stresses are capable of destabilizing any health care professional. The current health sector reform in Nigeria, which lays emphasis on service delivery on a background of very few radiographers, may lead to an increase in stress level. This study investigated the incidence of occupational stress among radiographers in southeastern Nigeria. 50 self-completion questionnaires were delivered to radiographers in the southeastern Nigeria. The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer, anatomical regions of biomechanical systems/stress and Visual analogue scale (VAS), which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 32 questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically. Biomechanical stress was observed in all anatomical regions studied. Job satisfaction rating was 61.3% and anxiety level was 45.3%. This study has provided a baseline stress level and prevalence among radiographers with which future studies in view of the on going health sector reform in Nigeria could be compared

Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka, Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Normative value of spleen size among school age children is important for objective assessment of the spleen. Objective: This study was aimed at determining sonographically the normal limits of the spleen size according to age, sex,and somatometric parameters among school age children. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451 girls) aged 6 - 17 years. The subjects were recruited from some primary and secondary schools within Nsukka metropolis and also from out patients in the study centre. A pilot study was done to determine the intra- and inter rater reliability of sonographic measurements of the spleen. The sonographic examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers. Spleen sizes were obtained with the subject in a right lateral decubitus position. Results: Measurement of spleen length was reliable while measurement of spleen width was less reliable within and between sonographers. Dimensions of the spleen were not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). Height correlated best with spleen dimensions. Conclusion: Normogram of the spleen size with respect to height is important in the determination of some pathology associated with changes in its size

Determining a Sonographic Nomogram for Gallbladder Spherical Index using a Proposed Model Formula.

The Gallbladder spherical index (GBSI) of 380 volunteers (215 males and 165 females) was assessed using ultrasonography and a model formula to establish a nomogram for a Nigerian population of Igbo descent. The length, width and height of their gallbladders were measured after an overnight fast. Using the model formula (GBSI= width +height / 2 Length X 100), GBSI was calculated. The mean ± SD (range) of GBSI for the assessed population was 43.98 ± 9.19%(26.06 – 65.09%) while for males and females were 43.77 ± 8.34%(27.14 – 60.16%) and 44.25 ± 10.24%( 26.06-65.09%) respectively. Non-parametric t-test showed no significant difference between GBSI of the sexes at