A skin colour code for the Nigerian (Negroid) population

Some researchers have codified various people of different racial and pigment backgrounds into skin types. The West African native population generally falls into type VI –least likely to burn. There is a need for skin colour code in a multiethnic country like Nigeria especially for the purpose of health matters. The human eye is still the most accurate instrument for the measurement of colour; its interpretation however is subjective. An objective form of documentation is needed that will be simple, quick and inexpensive. To meet the challenge for the development of a skin colour code for Nigerians, a study was conducted at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. The study aimed at visually identifying possible skin colours and to reproduce this on the computer. 40 colour chips were identified and found relevant for the Negroid skin in Nigeria including the Nigerian albino. The chart can be laminated using thin transparent plastic film to prevent transmission of infection from skin to skin in different people. A skin colour code can be useful for clinical evaluation of disease conditions like vitiligo as well as for epidemiological studies. Its diagnostic potential is yet to be assessed. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13 (1-2) 2008: pp. 96-10

Challenges of dermatology training among internal medicine resident doctors in Nigeria

Background: The scope of dermatology training varies in teaching hospitals across Nigeria. In some institutions, there is a department of dermatology while in others it is a unit in the internal medicine department. Some medical schools have clinical postings in dermatology while others do not. Although the number of dermatologists in the country has increased compared with a few years back when they were a handful, the numbers are still inadequate to train other health practitioners on skin disorders and to meet the needs of patients. The objective of the study was to determine the perceived challenges by residents with regards to dermatology training so as to provide adequate training and ultimately increase the number of dermatologist in the country Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among resident doctors in internal medicine attending the update course of the National Postgraduate Medical College in April 2012 at Lagos using a selfadministered questionnaire. Data was analysed with SPSS 16. Result: Ninety resident doctors (58 pre-part 1 and 32 post part 1) answered the questionnaire. Seventy two (80.9%) had at least one dermatologist currently in their training institution. Sixty seven (76.1%) of the respondents (35 pre-part 1 and 32 post-part 1) had undergone postings in dermatology. The length of training varied from 1- 6 months. Sixty (66.7%) of the residents had dermatology posting as undergraduates in medical school with the length of the posting ranging from 2-6 weeks (30.0% for two weeks, 23.3% for four weeks and 41.7% for more than four weeks). Residents felt they had inadequate exposure to procedural dermatology (surgery, lasers, aesthetic), dermatopathology and management of wounds. Inadequate research opportunity (55.9%), inadequate mentors (53.2%), and inadequate facilities (53.2%) were more important challenges to dermatology training perceived by more than 50% of the residents.Conclusion: Dermatology training at both undergraduate and post graduate level in Nigeria is variable in content and duration amongst training institutions in Nigeria. There is need to standardise undergraduate and postgraduate Dermatology training. Training institution should operate a standard structured dermatology posting for undergraduate training and adhere to available curriculums provided by the postgraduate colleges for postgraduate training. Adequate facilities should be provided in the training centres and were these are not in place candidates should go to other centres with adequate training facilities for their postings

Review of fine needle aspiration cytology in the management of goitres in Ibadan, Nigeria

No Abstract

Prevalence of dermatological lesions in hospitalized children at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Objective: Skin disorders constitute a significant proportion of consultations in children’s clinics; however, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of dermatological lesions in hospitalized children in Nigeria. This study determines the prevalence of dermatological lesions in hospitalized children.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 402 children aged three months to twelve years admitted in the Pediatric wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, were enrolled over a six-month period. Examination of the skin and its appendages was done for each patient. Data on the socioeconomic status, hygiene, and health-related factors were also obtained using a structured questionnaire.Results: Over 96% of the children had at least one identifiable skin lesion. The five leading skin lesions were postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (49.5%), BCG scar (28.4%), Mongolian spots (27.1%), junctional melanocytic nevi (20.1%), and café-au-lait macules (18.4%). The leading infectious skin disease was pyoderma (13.4%), followed by tinea capitis (6.7%). Scarification marks (P=0.001), tinea capitis (P=0.014), plantar fissuring (P=0.001), and impetigo (P=0.016) were associated with low socioeconomic classes, while the presence of BCG scar (50.0%) was associated with the high socioeconomic class.Conclusions: This study shows that dermatologic lesions are common in hospitalized children. Identifying them will provide an opportunity for pediatricians to educate parents on the various causes as well as prevention of lesions

Effect of Two Blanching Methods on the Nutritional Values of Tomatoes and Pumpkin Leaves

Various blanching methods were applied to tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) to investigate the effect of the different blanching method on some of its nutritional content. The effects of steam and water blanching as a pretreatment on raw tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (control) were investigated in this study using standard methods. For tomatoes, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were;0.48, 68.82mg/100g, 0.88mg/100g, 38.82mg/100g, 0.78mg/100g respectively. 0.45, 69.68mg/100g, 0.58mg/100g, 32.43mg/100g and 0.55mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.42, 69.14mg/100g, 0.47mg/100g, 29.66mg/100g, 0.42mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. * For pumpkin leaves, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were; 0.98, 46.82mg/100g, 4.63mg/100g, 60.41mg/100g, 0.89mg/100g respectively. 0.95, 46.73mg/100g, 2.38mg/100g, 41.08mg/100g and 0.59mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.94, 46.10mg/100g, 1.20mg/100g, 32.16mg/100g, 0.52mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. The results indicate that water and steam blanching significantly reduce the nutritional content. The values of the nutrient were higher in water blanching compared to steam blanching

Cancer mortality patterns in Ghana: a 10-year review of autopsies and hospital mortality

BACKGROUND: Cancer mortality pattern in Ghana has not been reviewed since 1953, and there are no population-based data available for cancer morbidity and mortality patterns in Ghana due to the absence of a population-based cancer registry anywhere in the country. METHODS: A retrospective review of autopsy records of Department of Pathology, and medical certificate of cause of death books from all the wards of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana during the 10-year period 1991–2000 was done. RESULTS: The present study reviews 3659 cancer deaths at the KBTH over the 10-year period. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. The mean age for females was 46.5 [Standard Deviation (SD), 20.8] years, whilst that of males was 47.8 (SD, 22.2) years. The median age was 48 years for females and 50 years for males.Both sexes showed a first peak in childhood, a drop in adolescence and young adulthood, and a second peak in the middle ages followed by a fall in the elderly, with the second peak occurring a decade earlier in females than in males. The commonest cause of cancer death in females was malignancies of the breast [Age-Standardized Cancer Ratio (ASCAR), 17.24%], followed closely by haematopoietic organs (14.69%), liver (10.97%) and cervix (8.47%). Whilst in males, the highest mortality was from the liver (21.15%), followed by prostate (17.35%), haematopoietic organs (15.57%), and stomach (7.26%). CONCLUSION: Considering the little information available on cancer patterns in Ghana, this combined autopsy and death certification data from the largest tertiary hospital is of considerable value in providing reliable information on the cancer patterns in Ghana

An Estimate of the Incidence of Prostate Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is rated the second most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally. Reports show that African men suffer disproportionately from PCa compared to men from other parts of the world. It is still quite difficult to accurately describe the burden of PCa in Africa due to poor cancer registration systems.We systematically reviewed the literature on prostate cancer in Africa and provided a continentwide incidence rate of PCa based on available data in the regio