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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cardiac catheterization for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is now routinely done at the Save a Life Port Harcourt, since last two years. Also included are cardiac devices which include pacemakers, Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. In this retrospective study, we review our initial two years’ experience of Cardiac Catheterization at the Save a Life Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt. Methods: This is a retrospective study over a period of two years, form 1st February, 2021 to 31st March, 2023. A total of 216 consecutive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization including cardiac devices performed in Save a life Mission Hospital between 1st February 2021 to 31st March 2023 were evaluated. Among them 88; (40.7%) were coronary angiogram, 41 (18.98%) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting, 59(27.3%) permanent pacemaker insertion, 29 (13.4%) Implantable cardioverter defibrillators, 14 (6.5%) cardiac resynchronization therapy and 26 (12.1%) with peripheral angiography. Six patients were referred for coronary artery bypass surgery. Vascular complications [groin hematoma] occurred in two patients (0.9%). Conclusion: Both diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization procedures are safe with very low risk of complications even in its initial experience. The optimate goal of these procedures is to ensure the safety of the patients.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The relationship between umbilical cord dimensions and placental and birth weight has been a subject of scientific inquiry. Studies suggest that the weight and length of the umbilical cord may serve as indicators for fetal well-being and are often correlated with placental weight and overall birth weight. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of umbilical cord weight and length with placental and birth weight using Pearson co-efficient. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Gynaecology, Bangladesh Medical College Hospital and Dhaka medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the period from June 2017 to June 2018. Total 150 umbilical cords were collected from women giving birth in our hospital for this study. Result: The maternal age predominantly ranged between 30-34 years, accounting for 35.3% of the sample. The mean gestational age was 38.8 weeks, with most births occurring at 38 weeks (49.3%). The gender distribution of newborns was balanced, with 52% males and 48% females. The study also revealed a gradual increase in both neonatal and placental weights from 37 to 42 weeks of gestation. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated moderate but significant relationships between umbilical cord weight and placental weight (r=0.2708, P=0.013), and umbilical cord weight and birth weight (r=0.3183, P=0.008). The strongest correlation was observed between placental weight and birth weight (r=0.5156, P<0.0001). Conclusion: This study found moderate but statistically significant correlations between umbilical cord weight and both placental and birth weights. The strongest correlation was observed between placental weight and birth weight, underscoring the importance of placental health in neonatal outcomes.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this article is to analyze the factors behind the resignation of Community Distributors. Methodology: The qualitative method was used to collect data through individual interviews and focus groups in the health districts of Kouoptamo, Foumbot and Massangam in the West region of Cameroon. Between 2020 and 2022, these interviews were conducted with Beneficiaries, Community Distributors, managers of district health services and health facilities, and also town hall managers. The data collected was analyzed using the content analysis technique and interpreted using Michel Crozier's Systemic Analysis. Results: The methodological procedures used led to a number of results, including the low or non-existent coverage of CDs, the choice of CDs, the lack of community ownership, the discrepancy between actual and official data, and the diversion and sale of medicines, the main consequence of which is the misuse of Mectizan. Furthermore, faced with a lack of support, community distributors are showing a lack of interest in distributing this product and are resigning. To alleviate this problem, health professionals are trying to replace them with health auxiliaries, nurses and trainees, who unfortunately have no knowledge of their area of activity. Conclusion: As the Community Distributor is the key to Ivermectin Treatment under the Community Directive, it is important to review its status on the scale of actors and to consider strategies for its funding in order to revitalize the CDTI strategy for the elimination of onchocerciasis.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Infertility is a major societal problem with public health importance in developing countries and child adoption provides an alternative for infertile women to have children but misconceptions, myths and misinformation surrounding child adoption hinders infertile couple from adopting a child. This study was a cross sectional qualitative research carried out to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of infertile women towards child adoption as infertility management among 20 infertile women attending gynecology clinic in a government owned hospital in Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were purposively selected and data was collected with the aid of in-depth interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Obstacles of child adoption include psychological dissatisfaction and negative reaction of husbands and family members. Husbands’ reaction includes preference for biological children and marrying of second wives. Child adoption was psychologically dissatisfying to participants with some suggesting that it will make no difference and that step is a sign of acceptance of defeat in the quest to have biological children. Family dynamics found to hinder the practice of child adoption includes high value for blood relations, blaming of the woman, unpredictable family influence, discrimination against the adopted child, and family not allowing the adopted child to inherit property. To improve attitude and acceptability there is the need for community-wide sensitization programme targeting dispelling of myths and misconceptions and highlighting the benefits of child adoption among key stakeholders.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Growth monitoring (GM) is a strategy that enables early identification and timely intervention in children who are not growing according to the expected pattern through periodic measurement of some growth indicators preferably weight. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of growth monitoring among mothers and other caregivers in healthcare facilities in Bayelsa State. Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional design involving 313 caregiver-child pairs recruited from selected health facilities in Bayelsa State. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25.0 Armonk, NY. Results: Questionnaires from 313 caregiver–child pairs were analysed, 97.8% of the responders were mothers to the children they brought, and 51.1% of them were aged 28-37 years. Majority 140 (44.7%) of the respondents were from a low socioeconomic class. Two hundred and forty-eight of the children (79.2%) were aged 0-11 months, 52.1% were males, and 47.9% were females. Eighty-three responders (25.6%) demonstrated good knowledge of GM with scores of ≥75%, 132(42.2%) had poor knowledge score of < 50%, while 98(31.3%) had fair knowledge scores of 50% - < 75%. The growth chart appreciation scores were also unsatisfactory as 75.4% (236/313) of the study population showed poor appreciation of the chart, 11.5% (36/313) fair and 13.1% (41/313) good appreciation. Only 47 respondents (15%) had ever been taught how to use the growth chart and 76.6% of these were taught by nurses. Average scores for good, fair and poor attitudes were 39.3%, 59.7% and 1% respectively. On Utilisation, 308(98.4%) children had the Road to Health cards but the rate of appropriate Utilisation of Growth Monitoring in this study was 25.6% as only 80 children had ≥ 75% of their weights duly charted according to their ages. Conclusion: Knowledge of child health cards and their utilisation by caregivers in Bayelsa State .....
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Autoimmune blistering disorders are a group of rare skin diseases. They develop when your body's mucous membranes the lining of your mouth, nose, and other cavities and skin are attacked by your immune system. Blisters grow as a result of this. Objective: The main goal of this study is to determine the diagnosis and treatment methods of the autoimmune blistering diseases in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a total of 260 patients from January 2021 to December 2021 in 250 Bedded General hospital, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. Results: In our study, 55% patients were male and 45% patients were female. Maximum patients (19.6%) were between 30 to 39 years of age group. Minimum number of patients (13.2%) were between 20 to 29 of age group. Maximum patients (75) had pemphigus vulggaris and minimum number of patients (15) had pemphigus foliaceus. Maximum patients were treated with steroids (51) and azathioprine (53). Minimum number of patients (10) were treated with cyclosporine. Side effects like (Cushing syndrome, Growth retardation, Osteoporosis) were observed in patients treated with steroids (6), Neutropenic sepsis (4) in Rituximab, Hemolytic anemia (3) in Dapsone and Nausea (4) in Azathioprine. 141 patients had complete remission off therapy and 119 patients had partial remission on therapy. Conclusion: As the population ages, more people will eventually require treatment for autoimmune skin illnesses that cause blistering. Rituximab, infliximab, etanercept, leflunomide, doxycycline, omalizumab, and immunoadsorption are currently being explored in controlled prospective trials since there is an urgent need for specific and well-tolerated medicines. Prospective, controlled trials are still needed to verify the effectiveness of the present treatments.
ABSTRACT
Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genodermatosis, which is characterized by triad of skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy and leukoplakic lesion in the oral cavity. The purpose of reporting this case with review of recent literature is to create better awareness about the multisystem manifestations of this fatal condition that can aid clinicians in early diagnosis. A case of 12 year old female is reported presenting with classical triad of lesions with briefly review of literature.