Ibom Medical Journal

Nutritional knowledge and behaviours among adolescents in Calabar: Towards prevention of diet-related noncommunicable diseases

Danjuma DS — 2025-07-01

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and obesity are major global health concerns currently. Adolescents are also increasingly exposed to NCD risk factors due to poor dietary habits and lifestyle choices that they are exposed to during this formative period. These unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits include low fruit and vegetable consumption, frequent intake of sugary, highly processed foods and physical inactivity.

Objectives: This study assessed the level of nutrition awareness and dietary practices related to NCDs among secondary school students in public and private schools in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 students from both public and private secondary schools. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection; this was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The study findings were presented using frequencies, percentages.

Results: Among the participants, 39.3% had a good understanding of the link between nutrition and NCD risks, 38% scored average, while 22.7% scored low. Only 21.3% reportedly practiced good dietary habits. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship found between nutrition awareness and dietary practices (P = 0.291) or between dietary habits and health status (P = 0.882). Students in private schools showed greater awareness of diet and non-communicable diseases than those in the public schools (P = 0.650).

Conclusion: There was low level of awareness regarding diet and NCD. Consequently, developing nutrition education programmes and strategies aimed at increasing nutrition awareness, healthy dietary choices and practices among adolescents, is highly recommended.

Skin Lightening Practices and Patterns Among Urban Residents in Makurdi, Nigeria: A cross-sectional Study

Akwaras NA — 2025-07-01

Background: Skin lightening practice which involves use of various cosmetic products to lighten the skin raises significant health concerns, as some products may contain harmful chemicals.

Objective: To describe the pattern of skin lightening practices among urban residents in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 399 participants selected by random sampling. A self-administered pretested questionnaire was used. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 and presented as frequencies and proportions.

Results: The participants mean age was 31.76 ± 11.77 years and females were 235(58.9%). About half, 200(50.1%) had secondary education and 202(50.6%) were married. Self-reported practice of use of SLA was 49.9%. Cream was commonest and home-made mixtures of edible and non-edible substances such as honey, lime, tooth paste, hydraulic car fluid were also used. Of the 329 creams used, 197(59.9%) contained one or more SLA, while 121(32.1%) of 377 soaps contained SLA. The top five SLA in creams were vitamin C (25.3%), hydroquinone (21.3%), Kojic acid (15.9%) and corticosteroids (7.3%). The five commonest skin lightening ingredients identified in the soaps were titanium oxide (56.6%), salicylic acid (9.2%), vitamin C (9.2%), mercury (7.5%), lactic acid (2.0%) and licorice extract (1.3%). Eighty-five (42.7%) had used SLA for 13 - 36 months, applying twice a day 172(86.4%) and all over the body 175(87.9%). Majority used different types of SLA serially 80(40.2%).

Conclusion: Policymakers should regulate skin products and healthcare providers should make sustained effort at educating the public against this harmful practice.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Vitamin D Intake Among Pregnant Women in Calabar: Implications for Maternity Care in the Tropics

Eyong E — 2025-07-01

Background: Vitamin D is a micronutrient essential for calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. It is required for optimal maternal health, fetal skeletal development, bone formation and good immune function. Though the vitamin is present in many locally available foods, as well as through supplementation and exposure to sunshine, these practices may require adequate knowledge and a good attitude towards vitamin D by pregnant women. This study aimed to assess these parameters among pregnant women in a tropical developing country setting with adequate daily sunshine.

Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional, with pregnant women attending an antenatal care clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), selected through simple random sampling technique. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to obtain quantitative data on knowledge, attitude, and practice of vitamin D intake and sunshine exposure. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests were employed as inferential statistics to enable us extend results obtained from the sample population to the general population. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Result: Two hundred and twenty-four (224) participants were studied, with a response rate of 95.2%. The mean percentage knowledge score was 28.0 ± 2.6% ranging from 13 to 79.2%. Only one-quarter of the participants had good mean knowledge scores. Most participants (54.9%) had poor attitude. The most commonly consumed vitamin D-rich foods were milk (83.5%), egg yolk (78.6%), yogurt (66.9%) and butter (65.0%). Only 69 (30.8%) participants sometimes took vitamin D supplements.

Conclusion: Most pregnant women had inadequate knowledge, poor attitude, and practice of vitamin D intake and sunshine exposure in the study setting. Antenatal clinic consultations should include health enlightenment on adequate intake of vitamin D rich food, vitamin D supplementation and the need for exposure to sunshine to prevent adverse fetomaternal consequences.

Spectrum of Paediatric Endocrine Disorders in a Newly Established Endocrinology Unit in Southern Nigeria: A Decade Review

Eyong ME — 2025-07-01

Context: As global health has improved due to improving living standards, the nature and burden of endocrine disorders is also expanding with significant impact on public health. An Endocrine subspecialty was created at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria to cater for these supposed rare disorders that are on the increase but are beginning to contribute to morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents.

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the epidemiological and clinical spectrum of endocrine disorders in a Nigerian tertiary hospital, with a view to delineating disease patterns, identifying gaps in diagnosis and management, and providing data to guide policy, resource allocation and clinical decision-making in a resource-limited setting.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive cross sectional study was carried out by reviewing medical records of patients diagnosed with endocrine disorders at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria over a 13years period. Data on demographic characteristics, diagnosis, management modalities and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.

Endocrine disorders were classified using the International Classification of Paediatric Endocrine Diseases (ICPED) and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 to identify patterns and associations using Chi-square test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 232 (0.2%) patients had endocrine disorders among the 139,932 cases seen within the period in review. More females than males had endocrine disorders (females 124 [53.4%] and males 106 [45.8%]). Majority of the children with endocrine disorders were between the ages of 1-5 years (31.9%), followed by the age bracket of 6-10 years (28%). The median age of the children with endocrine disorders was 7.00 years (IQR 9.0) with age ranging from 5 days to 19 years. The four most common endocrine disorders seen in this review were disorders of energy balance (obesity) 47 (20.3%), calcium and phosphate metabolism (rickets) 43 (18.5%), pubertal disorders 42 (18.1%) and Glucose/lipids metabolism 32 (13.7%).

Conclusion: Pediatric endocrine disorders accounted for 0.2% of hospital visits in this resource-limited setting, with higher prevalence in females and children aged 1–5 years. The most common conditions were obesity, rickets, pubertal disorders, and glucose/lipid metabolism abnormalities. Improved diagnostic capacity, early identification, and targeted public health interventions are advocated to address the burden of endocrine disorders in low-resource settings.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interest

Ethical and Legal Dimensions of AI Diagnosis in Medicine

Archibong EI — 2025-07-01

The recourse to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis has ambivalent or paradoxical dimensions. It is believed to have transformed healthcare resulting to improved accuracy and efficiency on one hand, while on the other, it raises concerns regarding ethical and legal dimensions. Because of the sensitive issues of the study, a qualitative method of critical/conceptual analysis of literature was employed to understand the intricate dimensions in the use of AI in matters that bothers on the sacredness of life in the face of wrong diagnosis. A fundamental research question that guided the study was: “what are the ethical and legal implications of AI-driven failed diagnosis”? The interdisciplinary approach of the study aimed at examining more closely, the impact of AI diagnosis on medical care alongside ethical and legal liability. Findings revealed threshold of errors, lack of accountability and legal backing as some outcomes in the use of AI for diagnosis. The discussion indicated the need for clear guidelines and regulations governing AI use in medicine from an ethical and legal perspective. The study’s significance is in its contribution to the overall understanding of AI-use in healthcare delivery and the guarding against faulty diagnosis. Recommendations from the study include establishing standardized AI protocols which will ensure transparency in AI decision-making in medicine as well as training for healthcare practitioners who use the system.

Comparison of the Degree of Hip Rotation Between Amateur Golfers With Low Back Pain and Matched Desk-Bound Individuals in Ebonyi State

Uzunma PI — 2025-07-01

Context: The indefinite results observed in different studies on the hip–low back pain association is alluded to be due to heterogeneous nature of their sample population hence, the need to address this constraint.

Objective: To determine degree of passive hip rotation of Amateur Golfers(AG) with low back pain (LBP) and compare them with Desk-Bound(DB) participants in Ebonyi State.

Methods: Forty-three male participants with LBP made up of 21 amateur golfers and 22 desk-bound individuals participated in the study. The two groups were equal with regards to LBP classification and physical characteristics but differ in activity level. Participants were recruited from Enugu and Ebonyi golf clubs and an Orthopedic hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. A comparative cross sectional study design was used to achieve the objectives of the study.

Measurements of passive internal and external hip rotation range of motion were obtained in extension position with two-armed goniometer.

Results: Showed that the desk-bound group showed significant deficit in external rotation of left hip than the amateur golfers group (DB mean 34.939± 9.837; AG mean 41.127± 7.913, p = 0.029., 95% CI 0.674 - 11.704). There were no significant differences in left internal, right external and internal hip rotation between the two groups(p> 0.05). The difference in degree of rotation between left and right hip of AG and that within DB group was not statistically significant(p >0.05).

Conclusions: Low back pain is the source of hip rotation deficit between amateur golfers and desk-bound groups. Adequate categorising of sample population made the finding more definite thereby clarifying the ever evasive paradox of the hip function -LBP relationship.

Human Dignity in Genetics and Reproductive Health in the Digital Age

Archibong EI — 2025-07-01

The innovation in the digital age has had a significant impact on the field of reproductive health as well as genetics alongside other knotty issues concerning human dignity. The bringing together of genetics, reproductive health, and digital technologies threatens human dignity from the angle of data security breaches, possible exploitation, and erosion of trust through false information and its related constraints. This multidisciplinary examination attempted to analyse the fundamental interaction among genetics, reproductive health, and human dignity from the position of the sophistication in the digital age as well as possible strategies for ensuring the preservation of human dignity. Through a qualitative approach of conceptual and critical analysis, the study found that digital technologies can both promote and undermine human dignity bringing about a moral dilemma with a need for balanced critical analysis of concepts and applications. The study’s significance lies in the view that technology determines the trajectory of the rules of engagement in the comity of humans and even medical practice with the imperative of prioritising human dignity in the development and use of genetic and reproductive health technologies. The main finding of the study is that human dignity can be enabled by progress in genetics and reproductive health with the possibility of abuse as well. Hence, the study concludes by emphasizing the need to protect individual personal autonomy, privacy, and dignity with actionable recommendations.

Interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery among final year dental students and dental interns and its effect on knowledge and confidence in making clinical decisions

Egbunah UP — 2025-07-01

Background: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a surgical specialty that covers a wide scope of management. This translates to a high inflow of patients and an increased workload for practitioners. This increased workload may affect the interest of young dental practitioners in the specialty which may negatively influence their productivity.

Objectives: To determine the level of interest in OMFS and its effect on knowledge and confidence in clinical decision making among final year dental students and dental interns.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos and the Dental Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Participants were final year dental students and dental interns. Interest in OMFS for future specialization, knowledge on management of OMFS cases, and level of confidence in management choices were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: A total of 64 dental students and interns with mean age of 25.9±2.09 years participated in the study. Among the 22 (34.4%) participants interested in OMFS, 12 (12/22, 54.5%) had high level of knowledge while among the 42 (65.6%) participants not interested in OMFS, only 15 (15/42, 35.7%) had high level of knowledge. Similarly, among participants interested in OMFS, 15 (15/22, 68.2%) had high confidence in their clinical decisions in OMFS case management while among participants not interested in OMFS, 24 (24/42, 57.1%) had high confidence. There was no statistically significant relationship between interest in OMFS and knowledge and confidence level (p> 0.05 for both relationships).

Conclusion: The majority of participants included were not interested in OMFS as a future specialty. Among those interested, the majority had a high level of knowledge and confidence. Although these results were not statistically significant, they highlight the importance of interest in productivity.

Cosmetic outcomes and wound closure time in paediatric transverse laparotomy: A randomised comparison of mass and layered closure techniques

Ituen MA — 2025-07-01

Background: Optimal abdominal wall closure in children should ideally balance efficiency with long-term cosmetic outcomes. This study compared wound closure time and scar appearance following mass versus layered closure in paediatric transverse laparotomies.

Methods: This single-centre, randomised clinical trial was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between December 2021 and December 2023. Children aged ≤5 years undergoing transverse laparotomy were randomly assigned to either mass or layered closure techniques. Closure was performed using Polyglactin 910 sutures by senior surgical trainees following standardised protocols. The primary outcomes were wound closure time and cosmetic appearance, assessed using the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0, using appropriate statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 111 children were enrolled: 56 in the mass closure group and 55 in the layered group. Mean wound closure time was significantly shorter in the mass closure group (18.6 ± 3.4 minutes) than in the layered group (32.8 ± 3.8 minutes; p < 0.001). Cosmetic outcomes were comparable between groups at both 3 and 6 months (mean SBSES score: 4.2 vs. 4.1; p = 0.58). Wound contamination and postoperative complications were significantly associated with poorer scar scores, regardless of closure technique.

Conclusion: Mass closure offers a time-saving advantage without compromising scar appearance, making it a practical and cosmetically acceptable technique for paediatric abdominal wall closure in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of agents of dental caries among patients in Uyo, Nigeria

Udoh MA — 2025-07-01

Background: Dental caries, a common oral disease globally affects nearly 100% of the population. Cariogenic bacteria implicated in caries are often resistant to many antibiotics’ classes. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial causes of dental caries among patients in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Methods: One hundred and twenty (120) dental plaque samples were taken and inoculated into Basal salt medium and Basal salt medium agar plates separately. Different morphologically colonies of bacteria were isolated and identified through cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics observed, according to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Pure colonies (isolates) were biochemically confirmed with Vitek 2 System (bioMe´rieux), with their antibiotic susceptibility test.

Results: Culture growth of 27 (22.5%) bacterial isolates comprised mostly of Burkholderia cepacia group (B. cepacia complex) 7(5.8%). Others include Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus 3(2.5%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus 2(1.7%), Enterococcus faecalis 1(0.8%), Enterococcus spp (non E. faecalis) 1(0.8%), Pediococcus pentosaceus 1(0.8%), Kocuria kristinae 1(0.8%), Proteus mirabilis 4(3.3%), Serratia ficaria 2(1.7%), Serratia marcescens 2(1.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 1(0.8%), Acinetobacter spp 1(0.8%) and Enterobacter cloacae ssp dissolvens 1(0.8%). Among Gram-negative isolates, highest level of resistance was for Ceftazidime (66.7%) mostly attributed to B. cepacia isolates while high susceptibility to Levofloxacin was shown by Gram-positive isolates.

Conclusions: Detection of several species of bacteria that were not previously reported as caries aetiological bacteria, and high rate of antibiotic resistance exhibited by these agents of dental caries in Uyo is worrisome. This calls for regular antimicrobial surveys and infection control measures for improved treatment outcomes.

Establishing a best fit model of finger length to occlusal vertical dimension among students of college of health sciences Bayero University Kano

Ikusika OF — 2025-07-01

Background: Anthropometric measurements like finger lengths may shorten the time taken for occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) estimation in the edentulous. They have sparingly been studied in Nigerian populations.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a best fit model equation relating finger length to occlusal vertical.

Materials and Methods: The study was an analytic cross-sectional study among students of the College of Health sciences, Bayero University Kano. Finger lengths and OVD were recorded. Data was summarized with descriptive statistics. Bivariate comparisons were accomplished with Pearson’s correlation. Multivariate analysis was conducted with hierarchical multiple regression. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Five hundred and twenty-eight participants with a mean age of 27.4±2.9 years participated in the study. Eighty three percent of the participants were male, while 93% of them were right-handed. Average OVD was 7.17 ± 0.53 cm (CI: 7.12-7.21 cm). The index finger correlated most strongly with OVD (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), although all finger lengths statistically significantly correlated with OVD (p<0.001). Generalized Linear model (GLM) regression between index finger and OVD incorporating gender produced a best fit equation: (OVD = 3.57 + (0.41 × Length of index finger) + (0.14 × Length of ring finger) – (0.32 × Gender).

Conclusion: Index finger length can predict OVD in a mathematically discernable manner.

The Hippocratic Oath, Principle of Confidentiality and the Moral Burden of Physicians

Archibong EI — 2025-07-01

The Hippocratic Oath containing the principle of confidentiality is a major cornerstone of medical ethics putting the obligation on physicians to maintain the secrecy of patient information. However, this duty can impose a significant moral burden on physicians, particularly when they possess knowledge that must be kept secret even though sensitive or potentially life-altering. This study undertook to explore the moral burden that physicians bear when confronted with the need to maintain confidentiality. The study inquired into how physicians experience and navigate the moral burden of confidentiality as well as the emotional and psychological implications of such medical secrets paralleling their own moral values. The study investigated the moral burden of physicians who know medical secrets and to explore the impact of confidentiality on their well-being and professional practice. The study employed a qualitative systematic review with a thematic analysis using imaginative variation interpretative steps towards the phenomenological (first person lived experience) of physicians as directly captured in documented literature. Ethical consideration in the analysis was not omitted in order to mitigate bias through misrepresentation or overcontextualization. As an outcome, the study recommends that the health of the physician is important and should be safeguarded through reflective ecosystems. This should be from compliance-focused codes to dialogical engagement; and from isolated moral decision-making to shared ethical stewardship. Hence, there is the need for a balance that harps on both institutional and duty-based ethical best practice.

Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among mothers of under-two years in a Community in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Motilewa OO — 2025-07-01

Background: Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are essential to the survival and healthy development of children below 24 months of age. Poor IYCF practices contribute to malnutrition and child mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe IYCF practices and determinants of good practices in a community in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Methods: A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 193 mother-child pairs aged 0–23 months. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multi-variable logistic regression.

Results: Only 30.6% of the 49 infants aged 0-5 months received exclusive breastfeeding. Among 144 children aged 6-23 months. 61.1% met minimum dietary diversity, 58.3% and 57.6% met minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) respectively. Overall, 50.6% of the 193 mothers had good IYCF practices. Significant factors associated with good practices were; caregiver’s age, education, marital status, household income, and age of the child (p < 0.05). Children aged 6–8 months (aOR; 5.08, p =0.003) and 9–11 months (aOR; 3.54. p=0.016) had higher odds of MAD than infants age 0-5 months.

Conclusion: Complementary feeding practices in this community surpasses the national figure, but exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low. Sociodemographic characteristics and income of the caregiver significantly influence IYCF behaviors. Community targeted interventions such as counselling through support groups, maternity protection, and income support may improve IYCF practices especially exclusive breastfeeding.

Cytological pattern of cervical pap smears in a teaching hospital in southern Nigeria

Abasiattai AA — 2025-07-01

Background: Cervical cancer, the most common female genital tract malignancy, remains a serious public health problem, particularly in low and middle-income countries where organized screening programs or services are either non-existent or rudimentary. Cervical cancer can be prevented by the detection and effective treatment of precursor premalignant cervical lesions.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of cervical cytological abnormalities in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Methods: The results of all cervical smears that were collected and processed at the Pathology Laboratory of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital over 5 years were reviewed.

Results: A total of 497 smears were analysed. The majority of the patients were 40-49 years (35.2%). There were cervical cytological abnormalities in 11.1% of the patients, with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL) (49.1%) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSILs) (18.2%) being the most predominant. About 90% of the patients with HGSILs were between 40 and 59 years, while 5.5% of the intraepithelial abnormalities were malignant.

Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical epithelial cell abnormalities in our study is relatively high, with most of the women presenting for screening late in their reproductive lives. Our findings reinforce the need for all women in our environment to begin cervical cancer screening early, and underscores the need and importance of establishing a National cervical cancer screening program to enable early detection of premalignant cervical lesions and their prompt treatment.

A comparative study of socio-demographic characteristics of divorced women and married women in Kano, northern Nigeria

Sulaiman BA — 2025-07-01

Background: Divorce remains a significant global psychosocial challenge, with particularly profound implications in developing nations. The complex interplay of socio-demographic, economic, and cultural factors contributes to marital dissolution, especially in northern Nigeria's unique social context.

Aim: To identify the differences in socio-demographic characteristics between divorced and married women in Kano, northern Nigeria, exploring factors associated with divorce.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 divorced women from the Association of Divorced and Widows of Kano State and 150 age-matched married women from Sayyida Khadija Islamiyya School. Participants were recruited using systematic sampling. Socio-demographic data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results: The mean ages of the divorced and married participants were 35.02 years (SD±13.41) and 33.63 years (SD±9.24) respectively, while the age range of the participants was 15 to 60 years. In univariate analysis, having western education less than secondary school level (O.R 1.6; 1.0 – 2.5), having Islamic education less than 4 years (O.R 3.9; 2.1 – 7.1), early age at first marriage (O.R 1.6; 1.1 – 2.5), having fewer number of living children (O.R 1.7; 1.1 – 2.7), higher amount of monthly income (O.R 2.5; 1.5 – 3.8), having young husband (O.R 2.5; 1.2 – 5.2), and having sexual satisfaction with the husband (O.R 3.5; 1.8 – 6.6) were all positively associated with a divorced status. Key distinguishing factors between divorced and married women included: lower levels of western and Islamic education, younger age at first marriage, fewer living children, higher monthly income, and lower sexual satisfaction. Multivariable analysis revealed that western education below secondary level and sexual dissatisfaction were the most significant predictors of divorce status.

Conclusions: The study highlights the complex interactions between education, age, economic status, and marital satisfaction in determining divorce risks, particularly in the context of northern Nigerian society. There is need for all relevant stakeholders to be aware of these risk factors in order to reduce the rate of divorce in northern Nigeria.

Ambiguous report in anatomic pathology; a southwestern Nigeria experience

Ano-Edwarde GH — 2025-07-01

Background: Ambiguity in anatomic pathology reports is common, with terms like “suspicious for,” “indefinite for,” and “see text” used to express diagnostic uncertainty.

Objective: The study assessed the frequency of use of ambiguous terms in anatomic pathology reports in our hospital.

Methods: The retrospective cross- sectional study involved 125 cases of surgical pathology results with ambiguous terminology in Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, from January 2012 to December 2020. The patients’ sociodemographic data, years of experience of the pathologists, adequacy of biopsy samples, and cases with terms such as “non-representative”, ‘’see description’’ ‘’see text’’, and ‘’inadequate for opinion’’ were retrieved. All cytology reports, surgical pathology reports with standard diagnoses and reports with incomplete biodata were excluded.

Results: There was a male predominance 69 (55.2%) in the studied sample population. A greater proportion (36.8%) of the samples population were of the elderly group About 2.36% of the surgical samples reports were ambiguous. The ambiguous terms “See text (49.6%) and see description (28%)” were more common in the reports Out of the total number of samples studied, 111 (88.80%) of the samples were considered as being adequate and, 14 (11.20%) was inadequate. Most of the specimens that were considered as inadequate were from tru-cut and small biopsies.There was no significant gender difference in the samples reported as inadequate, (p=0.6780.). All the pathologists used ambiguous terms and, there was no significant difference in the use of ambiguous terms between the inexperienced and experienced pathologists (p=0.108).

Conclusion: Ambiguous reports in anatomic pathology were common and were used by all categories of pathologists. These have become ways of avoiding specific diagnosis in cases that are uncertain thereby reducing errors and possible attendant litigations. Re-training programmes for pathologists should be encouraged with provision of high tech ancillary investigations for practicing pathologists to minimize the frequency of ambiguous reports and their attendant negative impact on the management of patients and research.

Detection of Early Onset Nephropathy in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Calabar, Nigeria Using Microalbuminuria

Uzomba CI — 2025-07-01

Background: Asymptomatic nephropathy in children with sickle cell anaemia starts in childhood and may progress to overt renal dysfunction in adult life. This study was carried out to detect early asymptomatic nephropathy in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in steady state using microalbuminuria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 children aged 2 to 16 years, with sickle cell anaemia in steady state. Sociodemographic data, hydroxyurea use, packed cell volume (PCV) and number of blood transfusions given, were recorded. Two consecutive spot urine samples were collected for urinalysis and urinary albumin/creatinine estimations. Data were analysed using SPSS 22, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Microalbuminuria was prevalent in 25% of the subjects. Urine albumin/creatinine ratio had significant negative correlation with steady state PCV. Body mass index, blood pressure, number of blood transfusions and use of Hydroxyurea, had no relationship with microalbuminuria.

Conclusions: Microalbuminuria was seen in children with sickle cell anaemia in our environment; hence, its early screening is recommended.

Venomous snake bite: A case report of limb loss from a neglected bite and review of literature

Adejumo AA — 2025-07-01

Background: Venomous snake bites have been reported in many climes across the globe with attendant morbidity and mortality. Many people still fall victim to this menace largely from occupational hazards and some socio-cultural practices. This study presents a patient who suffered limb loss from neglected snake bite and a review of the existing body of literature on snake bite management including current concepts and future trends.

Methods: Relevant clinical information on the patient were extracted from the medical records. An in-depth search into medical literature on snake bite was carried out using Pubmed and other relevant search engines.

Result: Wound assessment revealed extensive right lower limb necrotic wound with no evidence of vascularity. He was optimized, counselled and had above knee amputation with development of post-operative surgical site infection that was managed with antibiotics and wound dressing.

Conclusion: Early medical intervention will reduce the attendant morbidity and mortality associated with venomous snake bites. Public health education will also create more awareness among the populace to imbibe safety practices.

Colonic angiodysplasia in a 34-year-old Nigerian: A case report with a review of literature

Eboreime OO — 2025-07-01

Angiodysplasia is an arteriovenous malformation characterized by abnormal, tortuous, dilated small blood vessels in the mucosa and submucosa. It commonly occurs in the colon. We report a case of angiodysplasia in a 34-year old Nigerian male, who presented with recurrent asymptomatic, massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. At laparotomy, it was observed that from the sigmoid to the rectum above the peritoneal reflection looked abnormal; with dilated, thickened and turgid wall, and multiple discrete bluish sub-serous swellings all around the sigmoid colonic wall. Affected segment of the colon was resected. Histology showed features consistent with angiodysplasia. His post-operative condition was stable. He was discharged on the seventh post-operative day and one month follow-up has been uneventful.
Conclusion: Angiodysplasia is a common cause of lower GI bleeding. It should be considered in cases of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to non-neoplastic causes.

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma: A case report and review of literature

Bwala KJ — 2025-07-01

Introduction: Congenital mesoblastic nephroma is a rare renal tumour affecting newborns and infants. It is also known as leiomyomatous or fetal hamartoma and is the most common solid Renal tumor in the neonate and infants less than 6 months old.

Case summary: We report a case of congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) in a 19-hour-old boy presenting with a huge intra-abdominal mass and failure to pass meconium. Ultrasound scan revealed a huge intra-abdominal mass arising from the left renal bed and gaseous intestinal dilatation. Emergency simple total left nephrectomy was done, and histological diagnosis of CMN was confirmed. The newborn was discharged in good condition 5 days after surgery.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for a favourable outcome.

Traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the left ulnar artery and vein

Obiozor AA — 2025-07-01

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) result from a puncture of adjacent artery and vein, leading to a low-resistance, high-pressure gradient with consequent high flows. Flow in the supplying artery exhibits a high-velocity, low-resistance waveform, while the draining vein shows arterial-type pulsations. At the fistula site, high-velocity flow jets can produce ambiguous and confusing color and spectral Doppler signals, with possible artefacts from adjacent tissue vibration. Distal to the fistula, hemodynamics may be altered, and vascular steal syndrome is possible. A 45-year-old male construction worker presented with a gradually enlarging, pulsatile swelling on the volar aspect of his left wrist for two months. He reported a throbbing sensation and occasional numbness in his left hand with a history of wrist trauma. Doppler ultrasound confirmed an arteriovenous fistula between the ulnar artery and vein with preserved brachial artery flow. Blood tests showed normal renal function with no evidence of infection or inflammation. He was diagnosed with multiple arteriovenous fistulous formations of the ulnar artery and vein and referred for surgical repair. He underwent successful surgical correction and was followed up at regular intervals to monitor for recurrence. Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention are necessary to prevent complications such as venous insufficiency, thrombosis, or limb ischemia.

Bilateral Congenital Upper Eyelid Eversion in a Newborn: A case Report

Chinawa NE — 2025-07-01

Introduction: Congenital upper eyelid eversion is a rare ocular disorder that often presents at birth with everted and swollen eyelids. It is slightly more common among blacks, usually benign and responds remarkably to conservative management.

Case report: 9-hour old male infant presented with fleshy swelling and eversion of both upper lids. No significant antenatal or postnatal history. Further ocular and systemic examination were not remarkable. He was managed with hypertonic saline guaze pack, Gutt salacyn (5% Sodium Chloride ophthalmic solution), Gutt gentamicin and Occ. chloramphenicol. Significant reduction in swelling and return of lids to normal anatomical position were noticed within 3 days of treatment. Full recovery occurred in about 2 weeks.

Discussion: The patient presented with bilateral congenital upper eyelid eversion which is the common presentation, although a few unilateral cases have been reported. Exact aetiology is usually unknown just as we have noted in the index case. However, thorough ocular and systemic examination is important to rule out probable causes. Treatment with hypertonic saline eye pack, salacyn eye drops and antibiotics resulted in excellent resolution of symptoms.

Conclusion: Congenital upper lid eversion is uncommon ocular presentation that may cause. However, it responds remarkably to conservative treatment which should be initiated early to prevent infection and desiccation of exposed conjunctiva.