Towards characterization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in rural Nigeria

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health challenge and seems to be secretly practiced in some rural communities, despite the ban in Nigeria. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the activities that are involved in FGM, type(s) of FGM practiced and the knowledge of health implications of FGM among rural community members in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: We employed exploratory design using qualitative technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 adult (18 years and older) volunteers in four rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. After thematic analysis using NVivo 11 Pro software, eight sub-themes emerged, among which are: types of FGM practiced, seasons for FGM, FGM by health workers and community leaders, punishment for refusing FGM and knowledge of health implications of FGM. Results: Findings show that FGM is more like a process than just an act, and type most practiced in the study area is Type 1. Circumcisers are health workers and women leaders. Knowledge of health implications of FGM was found to be low among those interviewed. Conclusion: Based on the findings, we concluded that FGM is still practiced in some rural communities in Nigeria, maybe because of poor knowledge of health implications of FGM

Towards characterization of female genital mutilation (FGM) in rural Nigeria

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health challenge and seems to be secretly practiced in some rural communities, despite the ban in Nigeria. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the activities that are involved in FGM, type(s) of FGM practiced and the knowledge of health implications of FGM among rural community members in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: We employed exploratory design using qualitative technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 adult (18 years and older) volunteers in four rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. After thematic analysis using NVivo 11 Pro software, eight sub-themes emerged, among which are: types of FGM practiced, seasons for FGM, FGM by health workers and community leaders, punishment for refusing FGM and knowledge of health implications of FGM. Results: Findings show that FGM is more like a process than just an act, and type most practiced in the study area is Type 1. Circumcisers are health workers and women leaders. Knowledge of health implications of FGM was found to be low among those interviewed. Conclusion: Based on the findings, we concluded that FGM is still practiced in some rural communities in Nigeria, maybe because of poor knowledge of health implications of FGM

Mucinous Rectal Adenocarcinoma in a Background of Chronic Schistosomiasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Reports have revealed the existence of colonic cancer with chronic bowel schistosomiasis. The specie most frequently involved is Schistosoma japonicum. Few cases have, however, shown Schistosoma mansoni as the involved specie. There seems to be an association between rectal cancer and Schistosoma mansoni infestation. Despite earlier studies that refuted any association between schistosomiasis and colonic cancer, more reports are lending credence to the claim that chronic colonic schistosomiasis, especially with S. Japonicum, may induce colonic cancer and the case with are reporting also point to the fact that S. Mansoni may also be implicated. We report a case of a 35-year-old man with a rectal cancer (pT3N0M0) associated with Schistosoma mansoni. He presented with intestinal obstruction and operation revealed a cirrhotic liver with hepatic schistosomiasis.</jats:p

Breast cancer in North-Central Nigeria: challenges to good management outcome

Background: Breast cancer is a major health burden globally. Now ranked the number one cancer in females, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in females in our environment, outcome indices have remained poor in developing countries. The aim of this study was to ascertain the major challenges to good management outcome of breast cancer patients in our centre.Methods: The case notes of all histologically confirmed cases of breast cancer presenting to our centre from January 2016 to December 2017 were reviewed. Information on the variables of interest were extracted using a proforma.Results: Fifty-five (55) patients’ case notes were reviewed. All were females. 30.9% of the patients had early disease versus 67.3% with advanced disease. 76.4% had invasive ductal carcinoma. More lesions occurred on the left and the upper outer quadrants. 46% of the 37 patients with advanced disease who required chemotherapy completed the prescribed six courses. None of the patients who required radiotherapy received it. Only 1.8% of those who required hormonal therapy were still taking them at two years follow-up. 3.6%, 11%, and 0% used alcohol, oral contraceptives and tobacco respectively. 81.8% had been lost to follow-up at two years while 14.5% had died while on admission.Conclusions: This study identified late presentation with advanced disease; poor compliance and adherence to treatment strategies, and poor access to adjuvant therapy as the major challenges to good outcome for this disease.</jats:p

Mucinous Rectal Adenocarcinoma in a Background of Chronic Schistosomiasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Reports have revealed the existence of colonic cancer with chronic bowel schistosomiasis. The specie most frequently involved is Schistosoma japonicum. Few cases have, however, shown Schistosoma mansoni as the involved specie. There seems to be an association between rectal cancer and Schistosoma mansoni infestation. Despite earlier studies that refuted any association between schistosomiasis and colonic cancer, more reports are lending credence to the claim that chronic colonic schistosomiasis, especially with S. Japonicum, may induce colonic cancer and the case with are reporting also point to the fact that S. Mansoni may also be implicated. We report a case of a 35-year-old man with a rectal cancer (pT3N0M0) associated with Schistosoma mansoni. He presented with intestinal obstruction and operation revealed a cirrhotic liver with hepatic schistosomiasis.</jats:p

Towards characterization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in rural Nigeria

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health challenge and seems to be secretly practiced in some rural communities, despite the ban in Nigeria.&#x0D; Objectives: The study aimed to identify the activities that are involved in FGM, type(s) of FGM practiced and the knowl- edge of health implications of FGM among rural community members in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: We employed exploratory design using qualitative technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 adult (18 years and older) volunteers in four rural communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. After thematic analysis using NVivo 11 Pro software, eight sub-themes emerged, among which are: types of FGM practiced, seasons for FGM, FGM by health workers and community leaders, punishment for refusing FGM and knowledge of health implications of FGM.&#x0D; Results: Findings show that FGM is more like a process than just an act, and type most practiced in the study area is Type 1. Circumcisers are health workers and women leaders. Knowledge of health implications of FGM was found to be low among those interviewed.&#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the findings, we concluded that FGM is still practiced in some rural communities in Nigeria, maybe because of poor knowledge of health implications of FGM.&#x0D; Keywords: Female genital mutilation; qualitative study; practice; health implications; Nigeria.</jats:p

Patients’ satisfaction with quality of care in general hospitals in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, using SERVQUAL theory

Background: Patient satisfaction is an essential parameter in the assessment of quality of care and healthcare facility performance. Objective: To investigate patients’ satisfaction with quality of care in general hospitals in Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria, using the SERVQUAL. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed on a sample of 400 patients using a 27-item structured open-ended patients’ satisfaction questionnaire with a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. Patients included in the study were those who must have come for an outpatient clinic within the period, be 18 years and above, and those who gave consent to participate. Of 400 questionnaires administered, 396 (99%) were retrieved. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, mean score ( x), and standard deviation, were employed for interpretation. Results: Out of 396 patients, 156 (39.4%) were male and 240 (60.6%) were females. Most patients were 18–39 years (233 (58.8%)), had secondary education (139 (35.1%)), married (221 (55.8%)), earned &lt;18,000 (170(42.9%)), and were traders (136 (34.3%)). Patients were satisfied with tangibility (2.57 ± 0.99) and reliability (2.84 ± 0.95) and very satisfied with responsiveness (3.06 ± 0.63), assurance (3.07 ± 0.63), and empathy (3.12 ± 0.57). Conclusions: Patients were satisfied with the quality of care. However, satisfaction was highest with empathy and lowest with tangibility. Thus, managers should focus their quality improvement efforts on areas of the neat appearance of health workers, waiting facilities for attendants and patients, and hygienic conditions at the hospital. Also, biannual assessment of patients’ satisfaction should be done and the results generated use judiciously to provide a platform for health sector reform. </jats:sec