Quality Control of Conventional X-Ray Tube in Three Tertiary Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria

Background:Quality control of conventional x-ray tube ensures that the patient integral radiation dose is minimized and image quality is improved, by controlling the x-ray beam to reduce scatter radiation.  Objective:To assess x-ray tubes for half value layer (HVL), x-ray field and light field congruence using known standard. Methodology:The HVLs were measured using calibrated, non-invasive, digital multifunctional detector meter that incorporate computer output. The detector was positioned at the center of the collimated beam axis with focus-to-image distance (FID) of 100 cm. Tube potentials of 80 and 100 kVp were selected, and used to make exposures. The corresponding HVLs were then recorded. Also, x-ray field and light field congruence were measured by placing 18 cm x 24 cm cassette loaded with film at FID of 100 cm. The collimator light was in ON position and metal markers were used to delineate the periphery of the light field. Misalignment was calculated from the developed radiographs using standard formula. Results:The HVL ranged from 3.40 to 4.4mmAl. Also, the sum of the misalignment in both orthogonal directions ranged from 7.21 to 9.70 % of FID in all three centers. Conclusion:The HVL were within standard limit at 80 and 100 kVp in all the centers studied. However, x-ray field and light field were grossly misaligned.   &nbsp

A Comparative Study of the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Synthetic Wastewaters Using Different Adsorbents

A comparison has been made of the efficiency of heavy metal ion adsorption from synthetic wastewaters by charcoal prepared locally from the burnt remnants of plantain peel with more conventional adsorbents such as industrial activated wood charcoal, technical charcoal animal powder and Amberlite resin. Thus, mixed standard solutions (100 mg/ℓ) of copper and lead ions adjusted by buffer solutions to pH values of 5, 7 and 9, respectively, were allowed to flow through adsorbent columns which were 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm in length. The concentrations of the heavy metal ions in the mixed standard solutions were determined before and after contact with the adsorbents via atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The adsorption capacities of the various adsorbents based on the overall percentage removal of Cu 2+ ions at pH 9 employing a column of 50 cm length were in the order: Amberlite resin (98.89 ± 7.59%) > plantain peel charcoal (98.56 ± 6.72%) > technical charcoal animal powder (96.87 ± 5.78%) > activated wood charcoal (93.64 ± 7.29%). The corresponding order for Pb 2+ ions at a pH value of 7 employing a column of 50 cm length was: Amberlite resin (99.98 ± 7.53%) > plantain peel charcoal (98.37 ± 7.95%) > technical charcoal animal powder (97.91 ± 6.83%) > activated wood charcoal (96.39 ± 7.06%)

Factors Influencing Uptake of Prostate Cancer Screening among Adult Males in Iseyin LGA, Oyo State

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. This study assessed factors influencing uptake of PCa screening at a popular town in Iseyin, Oyo State.Methods: Relevant information was obtained from 376 participants using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Respondents were selected through multistage sampling technique Statistical tests such as Chisquare, Fisher's exact test and Student's T-test were performed to duly analyse data obtained.Results: Participants' mean age was 50.2 + 8.0 years with a larger (58. 5 %) proportion of men aged 50 and below. Overall summarized scores on poor knowledge and negative attitude were 42.8 % and 44.7 % respectively. Specific knowledge regarding location of prostate, risk factors and symptoms was as low as 21.0%, 26.3% and 37.2%, respectively. Barely 27.9 %, 19.9 % and 16.2 % knew prostate specific antigen test, digital rectal examination and ultrasound as PC screening techniques respectively. Previous uptake of screening was very low being 16.0 %. Individuals with poor knowledge and those who are non-professionals are 3 times (Odds Ratio – 0.295) and 2 times (Odds Ratio – 0.524) respectively less likely to do PCa screening compared with their other counterpartsConclusion: The study showed considerable awareness of prostate cancer. However, comprehensive knowledge of its symptoms and the screening methods was greatly lacking. The need is therefore indicated for an aggressive health promotion intervention designed to increase awareness on PCa screening at the community level. Keywords: prostate cancer, uptake, screening method

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways