Medical and dental students’ willingness to administer treatments and procedures for patients living with AIDS

Background. Nearly three decades after the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)epidemics continue to pose significant challenges to low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa.Objective. To assess medical and dental students’ willingness to perform specific techniques and procedures on people living with AIDS (PLWA).Methods. A survey was done among medical and dental students (N=304) at a Nigerian University using a 21-item questionnaire that elicitedresponses on sociodemographic characteristics and willingness to perform specific techniques and procedures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) andan independent t-test were used to determine the influence of sociodemographic variables. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of willingness.Results. The cohort of medical and dental students was willing to care for PLWA. Almost all medical students were either undecided or unwillingto perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. A higher proportion of dental students were either undecided or unwilling to assist during surgery, toothextractions and other procedures they considered to be invasive. More medical than dental students were willing to carry out surgical procedures.Previous personal encounters with AIDS patients, religion, and satisfaction with instructions influenced medical and dental students’ willingness tocare for PLWA, while knowing a family member living with AIDS (R2=0.22, p<0.001) was the strongest predictor of willingness to care for PLWA.Conclusion. Extensive use of clinical clerkships and exposure through direct experience are viable strategies necessary for optimising and enhancingmedical and dental students’ dispositions to perform procedures and care for PLWA

Mandibular reconstruction: a new defect classification system

This paper presents a new mandibular segmental defect classification system (La-Co-CE) with a view to highlight the complexity and difficulty of the reconstruction with free autogenous bone grafts which the most frequently used method for surgeons practicing in developing countries. We submit that defect classification systems will continue to remain relevant if surgeons are to is pre-operatively classify the envisaged operative difficulty and objectively compare the outcome postoperatively

Multidisciplinary approach to genomics research in Africa: the AfriCRAN model

This article is an outcome of the African Craniofacial Anomalies Research Network (AfriCRAN) Human Hereditary and Health (H3A) grant planning meeting in 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria. It describes the strengths of a multidisciplinary team approach to solving complex genetic traits in the craniofacial region. It also highlights the different components and argues for the composition of similar teams to fast track the discovery of disease genes, diagnostic tools, improved clinical treatment and ultimately prevention of diseases

Postgraduate trainees’ perceptions of the learning environment in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Background. The learning environment represents various factors that describe the learner’s experiences in that setting. The learning environment of junior doctors undergoing training programmes in hospitals is considered a major factor determining both academic success and health service delivery performance. Increased performance in both areas requires routine assessment of the learning environment to identify components that need attention.Objective. To evaluate the perception of junior doctors undergoing specialist training regarding the learning environment in a teaching hospital.Methods. This was a single-centre, cross-sectional study, using the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM). The questionnaire was used to collect data on the learning environment of junior doctors in all 10 clinical departments at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. All of the junior doctors (n=148) in the hospital at the time of the study received the questionnaire; they constituted the sample size for the survey. Data collected were analysed to assess junior doctors’ perceptions of the overall learning environment and of the individual factors in the learning environment as measured by the individual items of PHEEM.Results. The hospital educational environment was rated high, with a score of 98.25. The domains of the environment measure also showed positive perceptions, but revealed specific areas in need of attention as measured by the items of the questionnaire. Significant (p<0.05) differences were noted in the perceptions of some items of the environment in the clinical departments.Conclusions. The junior doctors’ perceptions of their educational environment were positive. The study was able to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in the overall hospital learning environment and the specialty departments. Overall, it identified the absence of an informative handbook for junior doctors and quality accommodation and catering facilities when the doctors were on call, as well as excess workload and lack of counselling services as areas that require the most attention to improve the learning environment

Plunging ranula: A report of two cases

Plunging ranula, a rare differential diagnosis of cervicofacial masses is presented in two Nigerian patients. The authors highlight the pathophysiology and treatment methods of this condition. It is suggested that clinicians be aware of the various modes of presentation and natural history of the disease to facilitate prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.,br> (East African Medical Journal: 2002 79(1): 51-53

Postgraduate trainees’ perceptions of the learning environment in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Background. The learning environment represents various factors that describe the learner’s experiences in that setting. The learning environment of junior doctors undergoing training programmes in hospitals is considered a major factor determining both academic success and health service delivery performance. Increased performance in both areas requires routine assessment of the learning environment to identify components that need attention.Objective. To evaluate the perception of junior doctors undergoing specialist training regarding the learning environment in a teaching hospital.Methods. This was a single-centre, cross-sectional study, using the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM). The questionnaire was used to collect data on the learning environment of junior doctors in all 10 clinical departments at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. All of the junior doctors (n=148) in the hospital at the time of the study received the questionnaire; they constituted the sample size for the survey. Data collected were analysed to assess junior doctors’ perceptions of the overall learning environment and of the individual factors in the learning environment as measured by the individual items of PHEEM.Results. The hospital educational environment was rated high, with a score of 98.25. The domains of the environment measure also showed positive perceptions, but revealed specific areas in need of attention as measured by the items of the questionnaire. Significant (p<0.05) differences were noted in the perceptions of some items of the environment in the clinical departments.Conclusions. The junior doctors’ perceptions of their educational environment were positive. The study was able to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in the overall hospital learning environment and the specialty departments. Overall, it identified the absence of an informative handbook for junior doctors and quality accommodation and catering facilities when the doctors were on call, as well as excess workload and lack of counselling services as areas that require the most attention to improve the learning environment

Microgenomics of Ameloblastoma

Gene expression profiles of human ameloblastoma microdissected cells were characterized with the purpose of identifying genes and their protein products that could be targeted as diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as for potential therapeutic interventions. Five formalin-fixed, decalcified, paraffin-embedded samples of ameloblastoma were subjected to laser capture microdissection, linear mRNA amplification, and hybridization to oligonucleotide human 41,000 RNA arrays and compared with universal human reference RNA, to determine the gene expression signature. Assessment of the data by Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) and cluster analysis showed that 38 genes were highly expressed (two-fold increase) in all samples, while 41 genes were underexpressed (two-fold reduction). Elements of the sonic hedgehog pathway and Wingless type MMTV integration site family were validated by immunohistochemistry. We have identified the expression of multiple genes and protein products that could serve as potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets

Clinical options for mandibular reconstruction: A review

This paper reviewed the different clinical options for reconstruction of segmental defects of the mandible. The options reviewed included no reconstruction; the use of prosthetic implants (alloplasts); autogenous bone grafts; combination of allopplasts with autografts; free pedicled compound grafts;combination of homografts and autografts; distraction osteogenesis; and tissue engineering. The goal, objectives, criteria for success of autogenous and alloplastic reconstructions were highlighted as well as the factors that may influence the choice of a particular method