Contributions of Practicing Radiographers to Research in Nigeria

Background: Research has been identified as a key component that ensures high level of professionalism among health practitioners, especially in the field of imaging science. A measure of research engagements among professionals, particularly practicing radiographers, for the attainment of international standard is very important, which has not been so far ascertained in the country.   Objectives: To assess the contributions of practicing radiographers to research, and to determine the extent to which research findings are being integrated into the current day practice.   Methods: A 16-item, self-administered, structured, paper-pencil and web-based questionnaire was used to assess 113 practicing radiographers with work experience graded from < 1 year to > 25 years. Respondents were recruited via volunteerism. A 68.0% (n = 77) return rate was recorded for questionnaires. Data obtained were recorded, grouped and tabulated.   Results: A good proportion (98.23%) of the respondents identified the need for research in the improvement of current day clinical practice. About 33.63% conducted research while 10.62% published their findings in peer-reviewed journals. Also, 91.15% of the respondents read Radiography journals while 73.79% applied the results in their day-to-day clinical practice.   Conclusion: The results obtained in the present study showed that research activities among practicing Radiographers in Nigeria is low, despite the claims of improved application of research results into practice. More efforts by academic mentors and relevant authorities is desirable to encourage younger radiographers to venture into research.   &nbsp

Assessment of Common Chest X-ray Findings in Immuno-compromised Patients in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Retroviral diseases such as the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is characterized with immune suppression leading to opportunistic infections (OI). This immune deficiency predominantly involves the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Purpose: To assess the prevalence of a variety of infections associated with immune compromised patients (ICPx)using chest radiographs.Methods: A retrospective study of 543 (44.75 % male and 55.25 % females) postero-anterior (PA) and the anteroposterior (AP) chest radiographs of HIV/AIDS patients for a period of 5 years (2008-2013), selected at random from the X-ray departments of 5 hospitals within Lagos Metropolis.Results: The result showed that about 395 (72.44 %) radiographs presented with various infectious patterns while148 (27.56 %) radiographs demonstrated normal radiographic patterns. Subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis (30.94 %) were presented with the most predominant opportunistic infections (OI), followed by pneumonia (17.12%), pleural effusion (12.89 %), kaposi’s sarcoma (8.66 %). Other conditions such as cardiomegaly, atelectasis and lung consolidations constituted 3.13 %.Conclusion: Most HIV/AIDS patients in Lagos metropolis presented with episodes of PTB as evidenced on the chest radiograph. Also, as important as the chest radiograph is in detecting lesions, some patients presented with normal chest x-ray findings despite a high suspicion of pulmonary disease

Trans-orbital sonographic assessment of optic nerve diameter in a sampled Nigerian population

Background: Studies have reported variants in the dimensions of optic nerve diameter among different ethnic groups, just as other body anatomy differs from regions to regions.Aim: To establish normal range of optic nerve diameter in a sampled Nigerian population, sonographically.Materials and Method: A total of 725 apparently healthy adult subjects (362 males aged 32 to 65 years and 363 females aged 30 to 68 years) were recruited from the South South and South Eastern parts of Nigeria for this prospective descriptive study. The optic nerve diameter (OND) was measured using a high-resolution digital dedicated small-parts real time ultrasound machine (Sonoace 5500; Medicol, Medison, Miami, FL, USA) with a high frequency (10-MHz) linear array transducer. Subjects were in supine position and were asked to keep their eyes closed and still. Coupling gel was placed on the closed eye lid with the transducer softly placed over the upper temporal eyelid in an axial plane. The OND was measured perpendicular to the vertical axis of the scanning plane as a horizontal distance between the two walls of the nerve sheath. The height and weight of the subjects were determined using a meter rule and a weighing scale.Results: The mean optic nerve sheath diameter of males and females was 4.2 ± 0.13 mm. It ranged from 4.0 to 4.45 mm. The optic nerve sheath diameter of males was not significantly different from that of females (p = 0.345). No significant difference between the mean OND of both eyes (p = 0.345). Body mass index and age did not have any association with OND (r = 0.017, 0.034), the data were normally distributed.Conclusion: Optic nerve diameter of apparently normal Nigerian adults ranges from 4.0 to 4.5 mm. Values outside this range may demand further evaluation in the study population

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AS A PILLAR FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Systematically, integrating cultural specificities in the conception, measurements and practice of development is imperative as it ensures the involvement of the local population and a desirable outcome of development efforts. In the transition to green societies, dialogue and tolerance will be key for mutual understanding and the building of bridges among nations and countries, leading to a culture of peace, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development. In that context, we must make the most of the world’s cultural diversity, as it fosters development and social cohesion. Culture is more than the arts and literature. In its widest sense, culture embraces everything from your choice of what to wear each day to the traditions, beliefs, and values of your family and community. Of course, this includes all forms of artistic expressions and creativity. It is also the language one speaks, place of worship, the things that move one emotionally, and the sources of meaning in one’s life. Cultural diversity plays an important role in sustainable development, because it fosters economic growth, helps individuals and communities to expand the life choices, therefore, it is important to adapt to change and raising the resilience of social-ecological systems. It creates a rich and varied world, which increases the range of choices and nurtures human capacities and values, and therefore, it is a mainspring for sustainable development for communities, people and nations. Cultural diversity and cultural participation strengthen democracy, tolerance and social cohesion. It is an investment in the future as well as a driving force of sustainable development, since enhancing people’s choices and responsibilities is key to human development

Anthropometric study of the cranial parameters using Computed Tomography (CT) scan to establish cephalic index of a sampled population in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Ethnic characteristics of individuals are best described with the skull. Cranial index is one of the most important variables for determining sexual dimorphism and of course racial differences. Parameters used in establishing cephalic index vary considerably depending on the age, sex, geographical habitat, ethnic background of the individuals involved and the methods employed. Such has not been documented in Calabar, especially with the use of advanced imaging modality such as the Computed Tomography (CT) scans. This is the rationale of the study.Objective: To determine the cephalic index of Nigerians residing in Calabar using CT scan.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 cranial Brivo 385 16 slice CT scan images of Nigerians aged from 18 to 87 years were obtained from the Asi-Ukpo Diagnostic Medical Centre Calabar. A simple random probability sampling technique was employed. Variables measured were the Maximum Cranial Length (MCL), Maximum Cranial Width (MCW), Bizygomatic Length (BZL) and the Orbital Length (OBL). The cephalic index was obtained by measuring the ratio of the maximum head width (MCW) or the Biparietal Diameter (BPD) to maximum head length (MCL) or the antero-posterior diameter then multiplied by 100.Results: Cranial length was 182.9 ± 0.657mm in males and 178.53 ± 0.09mm in females. Cranial width was 138.59 ± 0.56mm in males and 137.21 ± 0.65mm in females. The orbital length was 34.35 ± 0.31mm in males and 33.37 ± 0.29mm in females while bizygomatic length was 130 ± 0.31mm in males and 127.54 ± 0.84mm in females. Cranial index was 76.09mm in males and 75.81mm in females. No significant difference between males and females of the study population as the subject appears to be largely mesocephalic (p<0.05).Conclusion: Cranial index of the study sampled population is majorly mesocephalic. Therefore, CT scan is very important a tool in the assessment of cranial parameters in anthropometry.Keywords: Anthropometry, Calabar, Cranial index, Computed Tomography, Mesocephali