The Inevitability of Crisis in Human Existence

This paper examines the nature of crisis and attempts to argue the thesis that the total removal of crisis from the world is tantamount to the removal of the human species from the surface of the earth and ultimately the end of the existence of society. It is reasoned that human development is essentially anchored on the ability of the human person to devise methods of surmounting problems that are encountered in society. Therefore, the idea of fashioning the world in an orderly manner characterized by absolute peace without any upsurge of crisis whatsoever is an expectation of a paradise on earth, where absolute perfection would be a mark of identity of its inhabitants. Such an expectation, though it holds sway only in the religious arena, is not only a fantasy but also an unreliable hope which is doomed to fail at the onset. I argue that human existence itself is crisis, a phenomenon which dictates the spate of societal progress and development

Pulmonary Tuberculosis mimicking a right Eventration on Radiography: The falsity of single view radiograph in the diagnosis of a precursor of pulmonary disease: A Case Report

Background: The diaphragm is one of the most important muscles of respiration in the body separating the abdomen from the thorax. Abnormalities of the diaphragm could be congenital or acquired, morphological or functional while pulmonary infection e.g. pulmonary tuberculosis, is implicated in its etiology. Case presentation: A 63-year- old man with six weeks history of cough productive of yellowish sputum. Chest X-ray showed a uniform well-circumscribed opacity in the right lower lobe abutting on or in continuum with the right diaphragm consistent with a diaphragmatic hump. Sputum Gene Xpert was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Chest CT scan revealed bilateral lymph node enlargement with hyperdense lesions in the anterior basal segment of the right lower lobe and medial bronchopulmonary segments of the right middle lobe. He was treated for 6 months with first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Discussion: The incidence of the diaphragmatic hump on chest radiograph worldwide and among Nigerians is unknown. The association of diaphragmatic hump with chest infection has been well document. The association of diaphragmatic hump with pulmonary tuberculosis is uncommon. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis with atypical clinical and radiological presentations. Such prompt diagnosis will aid the treatment of the disease

Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism: A Retrospective Study in a Nigerian Private Tertiary Hospital

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality in the more technically advanced western world. However, in Africa and Nigeria in particular, the burden of PE is largely poorly defined as few data are available. Objectives: To characterize the clinical profile, management and outcomes in PE patients confirmed with Computerized Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria. The medical records of PE patients confirmed by CTPA and admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital spanning July 2016 to June 2020 were retrieved for analysis. Results: Thirty-one patients with the age range of 26 to 93 years were included and the mean age was 55.5±18.5 years. Breathlessness was the most prevalent presenting symptom. In the majority of patients (48.4%), the risk factors were not known. However, the most common risk factor and co-morbidity was pregnancy (16.1%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 9.7%. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of PE in this cohort were similar to those described in the literature. The high mortality rate in this study also underscores the need for large population studies in black Africans

Management protocol of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Coronavirus infection became a global pandemic in March 2020. The number of hospitalized cases in Nigeria and Ogun State has been on a steady increase with a concomitant rise in Mortality. This necessitates a coordinated and a more systemic approach in the management of this deadly disease. As a result of the potential effects of the disease on the socio-economic development of Ogun State, the state government granted Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo the permission to diagnose, admit and manage cases in line with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)/World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This led to the establishment of a molecular laboratory and a COVID-19 task force to oversee the treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease. This protocol is developed to serve as a template for the diagnosis, admission, treatment of cases of COVID-19 diseases presenting for care in the hospital and to prevent the spread of the disease among healthcare workers within the hospital environment

A Contagious Malady: The Human Quest for Truth through Religion

A unique characteristic of mankind is rationality, an element which distinguishes man from animals, and which enables man to think intelligently and reach conclusions. It manifests itself in human cognitive potency and gives room for diverse views among men on the objects of knowledge and beliefs – both of which are efforts to pin down truth. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the problems associated with man's efforts to pin down truth through religion and to hold a thesis that religion is a “contagious madness” which has created chaos instead of happiness, confusion instead of truth, and disunity and polarity instead of peaceful co-existence and harmony among all persons in the world. This is what I choose to call the general psychosis of mankind. The phrase “contagious malady” is used here not in the sense of medical science, but figuratively to show the effect of religion on man and the society in which he lives. Perhaps, my views concerning religion, as expressed in this paper, represent my own share of the global madness. It is expected that contrary or even complementary views will be expressed by individual critics or admirers of my views respectively, to exhibit their own portions of the general psychosis among human race. However, our task here is not to destroy religious truth a la Marx or Feuerbach, but to create an awareness needed to foster tolerance among different religious beliefs in the society. The need for religious tolerance in the world becomes imperative in the face of religious insurgences and problems all over the world. These problems are so enormous that they, at times, assume political, social and economic dimensions. Therefore, medication for the epidemic must not exclude consideration of the purpose of man and his religion.LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 5 2008: pp. 367-37

Reiters syndrome – a case report and review of literature

The occurrence of Reiter's Syndrome is rare and not commonly reported in Nigeria. This paper reports a case of a 35yr old male Nigerian with Reiter's Syndrome, occurring 1-2 weeks after a bout of a dysenteric illness. The patient presented with fever, conjunctivitis, dysentery, urethritis and arthralgia. The joint pains involved the left wrist (which was swollen), the right knee and ankle joints. The patient was managed conservatively. The case is presented with a view to documenting the occurrence of Reiter's Syndrome in an African Nigerian. Key Words: Reiters syndrome; Nigerian African Health Sciences Vol.4(2) 2004: 136-13

Awareness and Preparedness for the Ongoing Community Spread of Coronavirus Infections Among Healthcare Workers in a Nigerian Private Tertiary Facility

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting and spreading the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease putting themselves, the patients and the community at large at risk. Therefore, there is a need for adequate preparedness in the face of this pandemic. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of HCW (clinical and non-clinical) on COVID-19, determine the level of HCWs preparedness against COVID-19 and evaluate the level of preparedness of the hospital facility against COVID-19. Methods: Purposive sampling technique was used in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from a validated questionnaire was used to collect appropriate data on socio-demographics, knowledge about COVID 19 and preparedness. Results: A total of 170 HCWs with a mean age of 34.7±6.9 years participated in this study. More than half (56.5%; 96/170) were females. The average knowledge score among clinical staff was 9.04±13.77, with 80 clinical staff having good knowledge of COVID-19. The majority of non-clinical staff had a fair knowledge of COVID-19 with an average knowledge score of 5.11±47.07. About 63.4% were not confident enough in caring for a suspected coronavirus case even though more than half (57.6%) have had formal training in Infection Prevention and Control and above 77% (131/170) confirmed the availability of PPE in their facility. However, about three-quarters (74.7%; 127/170) believed the hospital is well prepared to manage COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: This study revealed that this cohort of HCWs have good knowledge of COVID-19 and are convinced that they and their facility are well prepared for outbreaks of COVID-19

A review of morbidity pattern among undergraduate Law students that accessed healthcare at a private University clinic in South-west, Nigeria

Background: There is a growing youth population in Nigeria’s universities. It is important to understand the prevailing health problems of undergraduate students and provide services that are responsive to their health needs. Hence, this study assessed the morbidity pattern among law undergraduates that accessed care at a private Nigerian university clinic.Methods: A review of health records of 569 undergraduate law students who attended Babcock University, Iperu campus clinic, Ogun State, from January-December 2018 was conducted. Data were extracted from clinic cards and information on socio-demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and outcome of care were obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and summarised using frequencies and percentages.Results: The median age of the clinic attendees was 18.7 years and 410 (72.1%) of the clinic attendees were females. Fifth year students accessed care at the University clinic more than other undergraduates, 228 (40.1%). The common morbidities were malaria, 291 (51.1%), respiratory tract infection, 269 (47.3%), malnutrition, 221 (38.8%) and dysmenorrhea, 84 (14.8%). The commonly prescribed class of drugs were analgesics 454 (79.8%), haematinics 401 (70.1%), antibiotics 397 (69.8%), antihistamines 290 (51.0%) and antimalarials 260 (45.7%).Conclusion: Communicable diseases such as malaria and respiratory tract infections were the most common morbidities among the students studied. The study findings are important in planning university health services aimed at effective prevention and treatment of common morbidities among undergraduates. The university needs to increase sensitization among students with the aim of improving clinic service utilization by students, especially the non-final year students. Keywords: Health problems; Undergraduate students; Private University; Nigeri