Ibom Medical Journal

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in some Nigerian commercial meats: a public health concern?

Eridiong O. Onyenweaku — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Various chemical compounds enter food during meat production, processing, and storage. With increasing urbanization and industrialization, environmental pollution is also rising, posing a public health concern.

Objectives: This study determined the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in commonly consumed commercial meats obtained from different sources in Calabar, Nigeria.

Method: The six samples investigated in this study are roadside grilled ram meat (suya), hotel suya, grilled pork, fried pork, grilled catfish and smoked catfish. PAH levels were determined using gas chromatography, while heavy metal concentrations were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results: The grilled meats had significantly higher contents of most of the PAHs with Flouranthene having the highest concentration (19.04±0.03 µg/kg) in grilled pork. Also notable was the exceptionally high value (49.53±0.04 µg/kg) recorded by grilled catfish for Benzo[e]Anthracene (BeA) while on the other hand, it was not detected in fried pork. Both Pyrene and BeA were not detected in smoked catfish but were significantly found in other samples. The heavy metals were found in minimal concentrations with mercury not being detected at all in any of the six samples. Notably, most of the PAH levels detected were below the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) maximum permissible limit of 35 µg/kg for total PAHs in food.

Conclusion: To prevent undesirable health outcomes that long term/excessive consumption these meats may pose due to their PAH and heavy metal contents, mild to moderate consumption should be advised as well as healthier preparation methods such as air frying.

Identification and Classification of Prescription Errors at a Tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Prescription errors are the most common type of medication errors that occur in healthcare settings, and they are risk factors to adverse effects, drug therapy problems and failure in therapeutic goals.

Objectives: The study was designed to identify, classify, and assess prescription errors in three units of a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective screening of prescriptions from patients’ case folders in Ophthalmology, General Outpatient Department (GOPD) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) units of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. Prescriptions from these units were conveniently selected for assessment in May 2022. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 23 was used for analysis.

Results: Nine hundred and forty-one (941) case folders were screened, and 840 (89.3%) prescription errors were identified. Of these, there were 470 (56.0%) errors of commission, 165 (19.6%) errors of omission related to prescriber, and 205 (24.4%) errors of omission related to medication. Illegible writing, absence of prescriber’s name and signature and absence of diagnosis were the most common errors related to the prescriber. Absence of dose/strength, duration and frequency were the most common errors related to medication. The most common error of commission was drug-drug interaction which occurred in 324 (68.9%) prescriptions. NHIA had the highest prescription errors (429; 51.1%) followed by GOPD (264; 31.4%) and Ophthalmology (147; 17.5%).

Conclusion: There was a high prescribing errors in the study setting. This calls for an urgent need for regular training on prescribing practices in the study setting to reduce prescription errors and improve the achievement of therapeutic goals.

Dietary Diversity Among Women of Reproductive Age Selling in Selected Markets within Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria

Nkereuwem Ndaeyo Ekerette, Akaninyene Uwemedimo Udo, Mary Okon Ikotidem — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Context: Poor dietary intake practices often observed among market traders can impact negatively on dietary diversity, and subsequently on nutritional problems of women of reproductive age selling in markets.

Objective and Method: Dietary diversity, measured using the Minimum Dietary Diversity - Women was assessed among women of reproductive age selling in four selected open markets in Uyo metropolis in a descriptive cross-sectional study. Consumption of ≥5 food groups was considered to meet the requirement for adequate dietary diversity.

Results: A total of 325 women with a mean age of 32.20 years participated in the study. Dietary intakes were based primarily on starchy staples (100.0%) and flesh foods (45.2%), with moderate intakes of pulses (35.4%); nuts and seeds (29.2%) and vitamin A-rich dark green leafy vegetables (25.4%). Only 16.6% of women attained adequate dietary diversity. Consumption of individual food groups differed significantly based on the following factors: nuts and seeds (p = 0.042); eggs (p < 0.001) and other fruits (p = 0.007) differed across markets; other vegetables group (p = 0.016) differed based on age groups; nuts and seeds (p = 0.008) differed based on education; flesh foods (p=0.006) and eggs (p = 0.013) differed based on income while consumption of all dairy (p = 0.044) differed based on marital status.

Conclusion: Dietary intakes of women in this study were restricted to few food groups, hence low dietary diversity. Nutrition education package that emphasizes the importance of diversified diets, and include meal planning guides with cooking demonstrations can improve dietary diversity in the setting.

Harnessing the Potential of Bacteriocin in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever and Cholera: A Systematic Review

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Typhoid fever kills 135,000 to 230,000 people every year and affects an estimated 11–21 million people globally. About 95,000 people die annually from cholera, and an additional 2.86 million get infected. Bacteriocins have been reported to inhibit the growth of various pathogens such as Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify bacteriocins having potential in treating typhoid fever and cholera.

Methods: The techniques utilized in this study adhere to the recommended reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) framework for systematic review. These methods encompass the processes of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion.

Results: A total of 13,012 literatures were obtained from google scholar and PubMed. After removal of duplicates, and screening of title, abstract and full-text, a total 34 articles were used for data extraction. Multiple lactic acid bacteria capable of producing highly effective bacteriocins against typhoid and cholera were found. Bacteriocins with potential to combat typhoid include enterocin LD3, bacteriocin DU10, bacteriocin LD4, plantaricin LP 21–2, plantaricin SLG1, enterocin B, enterocin A, plantaricin LD1, plantaricin JLA-9, bacteriocin LJR1, and bacteriocin LB44. Bacteriocins with potential to mitigate cholera include pediocin PA-1, enterocin 12a, and a silver nanoparticle-based bacteriocin. These bacteriocins act against etiological agents of typhoid fever and cholera by pore formation, destruction of cell wall and bactericidal action.

Conclusion Several anti-typhoid and anti-cholera bacteriocins have been identified. Further investigation into their modes action against Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae is needed. Additionally, in vivo assessment of their potency in treating typhoid fever and cholera is urgently required.

HLA-B expression in breast cancer patients in southwestern Nigeria: A descriptive study

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate human leukocyte antigen B (HLA-B) expression in breast cancer tissues from two tertiary health institutions in southwestern Nigeria and explore its relationship with age at diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of HLA-B in the histologic tissues of breast cancer patients at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, which was diagnosed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. The tissue samples were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) to preserve their morphology and antigenicity. We used an anti-HLA-B antibody (Clone PAS-35345) from Thermo Fisher Scientific as the primary antibody.

Results: Thirty-eight cases of breast cancer were evaluated during the study period. Half of the breast cancer patients expressed little or no HLA-B protein. High and moderate expression was observed in only 7 (18.4%) and 10 (26.3%) of the patients, respectively. A comparison of the expression of HLA-B across the different age groups revealed no statistically significant differences between the age groups (p = 0.898).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that over 40% of breast cancer patients exhibited moderate to high HLA-B expression, suggesting that a significant proportion of these cancers may be amenable to immunotherapy. There was no significant variation in the degree of expression of HLA-B across the various age groups at presentation. This could also mean that HLA-B expression is not particularly related to early-onset breast cancer.

Assessment of exfoliated nasal mucosa cells among morticians exposed to formaldehyde in Benin City, Nigeria

Ebojele FO, Aihie EO — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Exfoliated nasal mucosa cells were studied among morticians exposed to formaldehyde in Benin City, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: 50 subjects were divided into five groups A,B,C,D and E according to their duration (in years) of exposure with 10 subjects in each group. Group A served as control with nil exposure while groups B,C,D and E served as the test groups with 0-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-20 years, and > 20years exposures respectively. Anthropometric parameters of subjects were measured and cytology of exfoliated nasal epithelia cells was done. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad prism version 5.0 and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Results showed infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells and progressive increase in nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N-C ratio) with exposure duration.

Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that exposure to formaldehyde for a prolonged period could have cytotoxic effect on the respiratory tract among morticians.

Cranial base angulation and linear dimensions in Class I, II and III sagittal jaw relationships in a Nigerian population: A cephalometric study

Aghimien OA, Ize-Iyamu IN — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Controversies still exist on the role of cranial base in the classification of jaw discrepancies. This present study was conducted to determine the role of cranial base in the classification of jaw discrepancies among a Nigerian population.

Materials and method: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 209 pre-treatment lateral cephalographs comprising of 79 males and 130 females (aged 7 to 55 years). The A-point- nasion-B point angle (ANB) was used to categorize the sagittal jaw relationship into skeletal patterns I, II and III. One-way ANOVA was applied to test if cranial base angulation and length differ significantly among the skeletal patterns. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test for association between some independent variables. Statistical significance was determined only when p value was < 0 .05

Result: There were no statistically significant differences in the cranial base angle and cranial base lengths in the different skeletal patterns. Negative significant correlations were noted between the cranial base angle and the sella nasion-A point angle (SNA; r= - 0.483; p<0.001) and the sella nasion-B point angle (SNB; r= - 0.439, p<0.001) angles in the different skeletal malocclusion but not with cranial base angle and ANB angle (r= -0.021, P=0.758). In addition, the cranial base length showed positive significant correlation with the effective maxillary length (r= 0.759, p=<0.001) and effective mandibular length in the different skeletal malocclusion morphology (r= 0.718, p<0.001)

Conclusion: This study has shown that cranial base angulation and linear dimensions do not play primary aetiological roles in determining the outcome of the sagittal jaw relationships in the different skeletal malocclusion.

Factors Influencing Outbreak of Diarrhoea among Children under the age of five years in Borno State

Lola N, Kever RT, Hamina D, Alhaji A — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Diarrhoea infection has been recognized as one of the world’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality, resulting in over two million deaths per year, especially children in resource-limited countries

Aim: To assess the factors influencing the outbreak of diarrhoea among under-five Children in Borno State.

Methods: A cross-sectional community study was conducted in a sample of 400 households in Borno State. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select mothers of under-five-year-old children. Data was collected with the aid of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine the relationships between the potential associated factors and diarrheal diseases.

Results: The significant positive associates of a high incidence of diarrhoea were increased number of under-five-children (OR=1.289, 95% CI=1.016-1.635, P= 0.037), polygamous families (OR=2.004, 95% C.I=1.321-3.040, p=0.001), non-attendance of antenatal care by mothers (OR= 2.312, 95% C.I.= 0.996-5.365, p = 0.041), sharing toilets (OR=3.352, 95% C.I=2.190-5.131,P<.001), using water from vendors (OR= 5.172, 95% C.I.=1.354-19.765, p =0.022) and disposal of refuse on the street (OR= 2.868, 95% C.I.=1.597-5.151, p<.001) . In contrast, mothers with higher educational qualifications (OR=0.121, 95% C. I=0.030-0.485, p =0.003) and the use of piped underground reservoir water (OR=6.25, 95% C.I.=1.536- 25.425, p = 0.015) were identified as factors that significantly reduced the likelihood of diarrhoea outbreaks.

Conclusion: Our study has shown that non-attendance of antenatal care by mothers, toilet sharing, poor sources of drinking water, and refuse disposal methods are significant associates of diarrhoea outbreaks. These findings underscore the importance of improving antenatal care attendance, sanitation facilities, and waste management practices to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea.

Psychosocial Correlates of Antiretroviral medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS in a tertiary hospital in Kano, Northwest Nigeria

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: About 39.9 million of the world’s population are infected with Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Treatment of infected people has been found to reduce the risk of onward transmission to others however, only about 54% have access to antiretroviral drugs in Nigeria. Despite the recommendation that 95% adherence to ARV is necessary for adequate viral suppression to be achieved, studies have shown that antiretroviral medication adherence ranges between 50%-88% globally. Psychosocial problems have been associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral medications leading to treatment failure and development of resistant strains.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the psychosocial correlates of Antiretroviral (ARV) medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a tertiary hospital in Kano.

Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized among adult patients with HIV/AIDS attending SS Wali Virology Centre of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH). Age, gender, marital, educational and occupational status were gathered using the socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire. Oslo 3-item Social Support Scale was used to assess social support. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used to assess adherence to ARV medications.

Results: 420 participants were recruited into the study with mean age of 40.4±10.0 years. About 73.6%, 16.0%, 10.1% had strong, moderate and poor social support respectively
Seventy-five percent had good ARV drug adherence. 62.4% of participants with psychiatric diagnosis had poor medication adherence while 72.7% of those with poor social support had poor adherence.

Conclusion: About three-quarters of respondents had relatively good ARV drug adherence. Having a psychiatric disorder and poor social support were the independent predictors of poor ARV medication adherence.

An audit of two hundred and fifty consecutive breast biopsies in Nigerian women

Johnson AB, Aishat ON, Adedotun OA, Salewa OE, Adewale A, Adebola A — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: This study aims to audit the clinical and pathological features of patients with breast lumps seen at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure Complex, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the surgical outpatient department of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure Complex over a three-year duration between May 2018 and April 2021. Histopathological reports of all breast specimens received and processed during the study period were retrieved from a computer database and analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-two patients were seen during this study period of three years between May 2018 and April 2021, two males and 250 females. Two male patients were diagnosed with gynecomastia and were therefore excluded from the study. The age range was 14-75 years and the mean age was 40.12 years with a standard deviation (SD ±10.60 years); The commonest symptoms were, breast lumps in 205 patients, (82%) and breast pain in 50 patients (20%). One hundred and sixty patients (64%) had benign breast diseases out of which 50 (20%) were fibroadenoma, and fibrocystic disease 45 (18%). The main histological type of breast cancer was ductal adenocarcinoma 85 invasive, 17 ductal carcinoma in situ, and 5 infiltrating lobular adenocarcinomas.

Conclusion: Benign breast lesions are more common generally, while invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common malignant lesion. This study affirms that breast diseases in Nigerians are characterized by late presentation, and often dismal mortality.

Determinants of Road Traffic Accidents Among Motorcycle Riders In Four Selected Sub-Counties, Kitui County, Kenya

Mutinda FK, Juma J, Muchiri J, Kariuki P — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Over 50 million instances of serious injuries have been documented annually, while 1.2 million instances of mortality related to traffic accidents are disclosed around the world. This study aimed to establish the determinants of road traffic accidents among motorcycle riders in selected four Sub-counties in Kitui County, Kenya.

Material and Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Multi-stage sampling was employed to recruit study respondents for this study. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire while Key informant interview guides were used to capture qualitative data. Frequency and percentage were used to examine descriptive data while the association between two or more variables of interest was examined using logistic forward linear regression. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically.

Results: From this study, there was a positive statistical association between environmental factors in motorcycle accidents (R=.392; p.05), translating to environmental factors being responsible for around 15.1% of possible motorcycle accidents. There was a positive statistical association between personal characteristics and motorcycle accidents (R=.291; p.05), translating to personal characteristics being responsible for around 8.5% of possible motorcycle accidents. Lastly, there was a positive statistical association between riding skills and motorcycle accidents (R=.342; p.05), translating to riding skills being responsible for around 10.2% of possible motorcycle accidents.

Conclusion: From this study motorcycle accidents are a public health concern. In addition, environmental factors, personal characteristics, and riding skills were found to be statistically associated with motorcycle accidents.

Early outcome of femoral supracondylar fracture managed with distal femoral locking plate at National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala Kano

Tsoho SA, Abubakar K, Awomusi FO, Usman MI, Muhammad S — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Supracondylar fractures of the femur cause considerable morbidity and mortality especially in the elderly.¹ The incidence was found to be higher among the younger socioeconomically active groups.¹ Surgical treatment of this difficult fracture is a challenge due to the need for anatomic and functional restoration of the fracture fragments.

Improved implant instrumentation and extensive surgical experience have made operative treatment the standard cure for the management of the fractures.²

This study looks at the early outcome of supracondylar fractures in adults treated with the Distal Femoral locking plate at National Orthopedic Hospital Dala, Kano.

Methodology: This study had a prospective descriptive design and was conducted among forty two (42) eligible patients over a 19 months period. Patients were followed up for six (6) months. Functional surgical outcome was assessed using Schatzker and Lambert criteria. Data of 39 patients was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with a p - value of 0.05. Three patients were lost to follow up.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 34.64 ± 9.74 years with a male preponderance of 82.1%. Road traffic accident was the commonest cause of injury. The common fracture patterns were AO muller A1 and A2; 28.2% each. Normal knee extension was recorded in all the patients.

About 53.8% of participants had knee flexion of 120^o - 130^o . No varus or valgus deformities were recorded. Persistent pain as post-operative complication was recorded in 15.4%. Satisfactory outcome was recorded in 97.4% and fair in 2.6%.

Conclusion: The study revealed that femoral supracondylar fracture is common among young active males. Promising outcome was recorded in patients treated with distal femoral locking plate.

Effect of Ananas comosus methanol leaf extract on immature, non-pregnant and pregnant uterus of adult female albino wistar rat

Johnson EI, Ekanem AU, Bassey E, Nwafor P — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The leaves of Ananas comosus is used traditionally as an abortifacient among the Indians.

Objective(s): The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-conceptive and anti-implantation, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effect of Ananas comosus methanol leaf extract on a uterus of female albino Wistar rat.

Study Design: Mature female wistar rats with regular consecutive oestrus cycle were divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each. The experimental groups received 485.5 mg/kg, 970 mg/kg and 1455.5 mg/kg body weight respectively with the control group receiving 1 ml/rat/day body weight of normal saline. Mating was done before and after administration of the extract for the anti-conceptive and anti-implantation experiments respectively. The antiestrogenic and estrogenic effect was done in immature ovariectomized rats using 17β estradiol as reference while the experimental groups were given same dose as above.

Result: Pregnancy was significantly prevented in a dose dependent manner as the low dose group had a reduced number of pups littered while the medium and high dose groups had no litters. The medium and high dose groups had no implantation sites. There was a very weak estrogenic but strong anti-estrogenic effect of the extract.

Conclusion: The study showed that A. comosus leaf extract prevented conception in rats through its anti-implantation and anti-oestrogenic effects.

The knowledge and interest of Iraqi pharmacists in pharmaceutical research: A cross-sectional study

Mikhael EM, Jumaah N, Ahmed A, Mohammed N — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: High interest and good knowledge in pharmaceutical research are crucial for pharmacists to improve the quality of care to their patients. Most pharmacists in developing countries have poor knowledge in the basics of conducting scientific research and are less likely to be interested in participating in research activities. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess Iraqi pharmacists' knowledge and interest in pharmaceutical research.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a newly developed and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to Iraqi pharmacists through social media in March 2023. Only pharmacists who work in community pharmacies were eligible to participate in the study.

Results: The questionnaire was filled by 230 pharmacists; however, only 149 responses were complete and submitted by community pharmacists and thus included in this study. Most of the participating community pharmacists have an intermediate interest in research activities. Meantime, this research interest was positively and significantly influenced by the history of publishing research (P<0.05). Less than 1/3 of the participating pharmacists were confident in their knowledge about pharmaceutical research.

Conclusion: The participating Iraqi community pharmacists have a moderate interest but poor knowledge in pharmaceutical research.

Clinical profile and management outcomes of paediatric undescended testes in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: An 11-year review

Ituen MA, Akpanudo EI, Eyo AE, Emmanuel EM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Context: Undescended testis (UDT) is a common urogenital abnormality in male children, and early intervention is imperative to prevent impaired spermatogenesis or malignant transformation.

Objective: This study analysed and documented the presentation, pattern, and management outcomes of paediatric UDT at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), South-South, Nigeria.

Methods: This was an 11-year retrospective descriptive study of children managed for UDT at the Paediatric Surgery Unit of UUTH between January 2012 and December 2022. Data were extracted from case notes using a structured proforma, documenting age, clinical presentation, surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, and results are presented as frequencies, percentages, and medians with interquartile ranges (IQR).

Results: Sixty-five children were treated for UDT, with ages ranging from 7 months to 15 years (median: 5 years, IQR: 2–9 years). The most common presenting complaint was an empty scrotum in 51 patients (78.5%). Three-quarters of the patients (78.5%) presented after their first birthday, with the most frequent reason for delay being advice from healthcare workers to wait indefinitely. The right testis was undescended in 30 patients (46.1%), the left in 15 (23.1%), and bilateral in 20 (30.8%). Forty-seven (72.3%) had palpable testes, while 18 (27.7%) were nonpalpable. The canalicular position was the most frequent testicular location (48.2%), and the most common associated anomaly was congenital hernia or hydrocele (97%). Single-stage orchidopexy was performed in 53 patients (81.5%), two-stage in 8 (12.3%), and orchidectomy in 4 (6.2%). The overall success rate for orchidopexy was high, with a 21.5% complication rate, the most common being scrotal surgical site infection (13.8%).

Conclusion: Undescended testes is a common condition in male children with good surgical outcomes when treated early. In our study, most patients presented after their first birthday, often due to delayed referral by healthcare workers. Early referral and awareness campaigns are essential to reduce delays and improve outcomes.

Contraceptive Potential of Methanol Leaf Extract of Ananas comosus In Female Wistar Rats

Johnson EI, Ekanem AU, Bassey E, Nwafor P — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Traditionally, Ananas comosus leaf is used locally to prevent pregnancy among the indians.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Ananas comosus methanol leaf extract on oestrus cycle and ovulation.

Study Design: The study was conducted using 20 mature female rats with regular oestrus cycle. The three experimental groups of 5 animals each received a stat dose of 485.5mg/kg, 970 mg/kg and 1455.5 mg/kg body weight respectively while the control group received 1ml of normal saline. Doses were gotten from LD50. All administrations were done intraperitoneally at proestrus and vaginal smear were examined for 8 days to investigate the effects of the extract on oestrus cycle and ovulation.

Result: Ovulation was prevented, oestrus cycle disrupted with prolongation of the dioestrus phases and number of mature follicles reduced on ovary histology.

Conclusion: The study showed that Ananas comosus methanol leaf extract prevented ovulation from occurring and caused irregularity of the oestrus cycle with the disruption of fertility hormones.

Prevalence, Attitude and Predictors of Public Urination amongst Adults attending a Tertiary Health Facility in Uyo, Nigeria

Ekanem AM, Akwaowo CD, Motilewa OO, Udofia EA, Eduwem DU, Akpanekpo E — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Public urination is a widespread sanitation challenge and public health concern with global occurrence and regional variation. Despite its prevalence, empirical data on its determinants and public attitudes remain limited, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of public urination, examine public attitudes toward the practice, and identify socio-demographic and behavioural predictors of public urination among adults in Uyo, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 361 adults attending the General Outpatient Clinic at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between September 1 and October 31, 2019. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 17.0. Descriptive statistics summarized socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics and urination practices, while chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Logistic regression was employed to determine independent predictors of public urination and attitudes toward the practice, adjusting for potential confounders. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were generated.

Results: Public urination was highly prevalent, with 78.7% of respondents reporting the behaviour in the past six months. The most cited reasons for public urination were poor sanitary conditions of available toilets (46.8%) and the absence of public toilets (39.4%). A negative attitude toward public urination was reported by 80.9% of respondents, with women significantly more likely than men to disapprove of the practice (86.7% vs. 71.8%, p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, women were twice as likely as men to have a negative attitude toward public urination (aOR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.11–3.67, p=0.02), while rural residents had lower odds of negative attitudes compared to urban residents (aOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.22–0.75, p=0.004). Employment in the private sector was associated with a higher likelihood of public urination (aOR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.10–3.90, p=0.02). Conversely, being married (aOR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.26–0.90, p=0.02) and having a negative perception of public urination (aOR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.10–0.71, p=0.008) were associated with lower odds of engaging in the behaviour.

Conclusion: Public urination is a common practice in the study area, largely driven by inadequate sanitation infrastructure. While public disapproval of the behaviour is high, systemic barriers contribute to its persistence. Addressing this issue requires investment in public sanitation facilities, policy enforcement, and behavioural interventions to promote proper hygiene practices.

Audit of Histopathology Request Forms in a Teaching Hospital: Assessing the Adequacy of Clinician-Provided Information for Diagnosis

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Context: The laboratory request form is the first contact a patient has with the laboratory and it is where important information about the patient is required by the pathologist to make their input in the management of the patient. Insufficient patient information can lead to delay in issuing pathology reports and could be a source of diagnostic error.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of information on the request forms accompanying histopathology samples submitted to the Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Settings and Design: This was a retrospective study in the Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Methods and Materials: There was a standardized histopathology request form that all the departments across the hospital used to send their requests for histopathological examination. Each request form was assessed for the presence and completeness of the necessary items in the forms.

Statistical analysis used: Data obtained was analysed using both Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences 23.0 (SPSS version 23.0). Results were presented in tables.

Results: Most of the specimens received were breast tissues (22.8%). Most requests were from the surgery department accounting for 57.0%. Doctor’s contact number was the least completed information (74.4% missing). Patient contact numbers were missing in 45.8% of requests made. Clinical information was not provided in 11% of the request forms. In 83.2% of the forms, clinical information provided was not adequate. None of the request forms contained all the necessary information required for histopathological diagnosis. There was a significant statistical association between nature of specimen and key variables like contact number of clinicians, clinical information and adequacy of clinical information with p-value of 0.05.

Conclusion: This study showed clinicians did not supply adequate information in most of their requests for histopathology services. There is need to sensitize clinicians on importance of providing adequate information in histopathology request forms.

Prevalence of hypertension and microalbuminuria in children of hypertensive and non-hypertensive parents in Calabar, Nigeria: A comparative study

Akpakpan IV, Ineji EO, Anah MU, Ikpeme OE, Amajor AC, Uzomba CI — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: High blood pressure (HBP) and microalbuminuria are common in children of parents with hypertension. Microalbuminuria is a strong predictor of early stage hypertension as well as kidney injury.

Objective: This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of HBP and microalbuminuria among children of hypertensive parents.

Methods: This was a comparative study involving 176 children aged 6-15 years of hypertensive parents attending the hypertension clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and 176 children aged 6-15 years of normotensive health workers. Blood pressure, anthropometric indices were measured. Also, body mass index (BMI) and waist –hip-ratio (WHR) were calculated according to standard protocols. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) on a spot early morning urine sample obtained from all the participants was measured. Subjects with UACR >20-30mg/g were taken as having microalbuminuria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0, with significant p-value set at 0.05.

Results: Five (2.8%) out of 176, of the subjects had high BP, while one (0.6%) out of 176 of children of normotensive parents had HBP. The difference in prevalence was not statistically significant (p=0.061). There were no differences in the BMI and WHR in the two groups. None of the children in the study had microalbuminuria. However, mean urine albumin: creatinine ratio was higher in the subjects compared with controls.

Conclusion: The prevalence of high BP among children of hypertensive parents was not significantly higher than that of children of normotensive parents and none of them had microalbuminuria.

Left Heart Changes in Hypertensives Attending Rivers State University Teaching Hospital: An Echocardiographic Review

Ngozi CS, Deinma A, Rita W, Bonas H — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a significant health challenge globally and in Nigeria, where it stands as the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive heart disease refers to the complex and diverse change of the cardiac structure and function secondary to hypertension.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the patterns and gain insight to the progression of cardiac changes among hypertensives patients presenting at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.

Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital's Echocardiogram lab. Ethical clearance was obtained, ensuring privacy and informed consent. Hypertensive patients aged 18 and above were included, excluding those with diabetes, heart diseases, or rheumatic valvular disease.

Demographic and clinical data were collected, and echocardiograms performed to assess cardiac parameters like LAD, LV dimensions, and LVM. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS 25 for descriptive and comparative evaluation.

Results: The prevalence of combined and isolated cardiac abnormalities were 278(76.80%) and 73 (20.14%) respectively, with only 11(3.31%) normal
The most prevalent combined condition was left atrial enlargement occurring in combination with other cardiac abnormalities in 164 (45.30%) of the study population.

Conclusion: The study highlights the complexity of hypertensive heart disease in Nigerian adult and the need for classifications that encompass the full spectrum of cardiac structures, including those in the left atrium. Public health initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and facilitating access to diagnostic services like echocardiography could help in early identification and intervention.

Comparative analysis of preoperative and postoperative nasal appearance following unilateral complete cleft lip repair in Kano

Bardi M, Adebola RA, Efunkoya AA, Omeje KU, Amole IO, Suleiman AR, Bawa TA — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cleft of the lip even after primary repair is reported to show residual deformities especially affecting the nose. The correction of nasal asymmetry is believed to be most challenging and has contributed greatly to modifications and improvement in surgical techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nasal outcome using the symmetry of the nose in children with unilateral complete cleft lip following primary repair in Kano.

Methods: This was a prospective analysis of the nasal outcome in children with unilateral complete cleft lip with or without palate. Preoperative and postoperative measurement of the nostril height, nostril width and alar base width were assessed using the symmetry index by Amaratauga et al. Measurements were done using a digital caliper. Data analysis was done using the paired t-test.

Results: It showed that only the nostril width had statistically significant asymmetry (p<0.05) postoperatively. However, using the ANOVA, the nostril height of the unilateral complete cleft of the lip and palate was most asymmetrical (p= 0.019) among the component forms of unilateral complete cleft.

Conclusion: A properly done primary lip repair alone may not sufficiently address the problems of the cleft nose, the incorporation of primary rhin.oplasty into primary cleft lip repair will meet the expectation of parents and children born with cleft.

A rare case of torsion of a gravid uterus with delivery through inadvertent posterior lower segment uterine incision with favorable outcome: A case report

Lawal AM, Oyetunji OL, Ibrahim HM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We report a case of 32yr old primigravida with persistent breech presentation at term that had an elective lower segment caesarean section at 38 weeks 3 days gestation. Having gained access into the peritoneal cavity, the utero-vesical peritoneal reflection could not be accessed in an apparently grossly normal gravid uterus, coupled with indwelling catheter draining clear urine. Kerr’s lower segment incision was made after correcting dextrorotation and the baby and subsequently the placenta were delivered. The incision was repaired in double layers. Exploration revealed a uterus that rotated 180 degrees, with the left fallopian tube and ovaries occupying right iliac fossa and vice versa. It was then de-rotated, thereby alerting our attention to the accidental posterior lower segment incision. The patient’s immediate postoperative conditions remained satisfactory and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day having made smooth recovery.

Management of Extra-cranial Arteriovenous Malformations of the Scalp: A case report

Onwurah C, Obi CC, Agagwuncha NO, Ezeifedikwa C, Nwafor IA, Eze JC — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital fast-flow vascular malformations characterized by abnormally tangled arteries and veins connected by abnormal shunts without intervening capillaries. The growth of AVMs is usually initiated by trauma and hormonal changes in puberty. Compared to the intracranial AVMs, extracranial AVMs are rare. The treatment of extracranial AVMs, though poses a challenge to the surgeon, is debilitating to the patients.

We report a case of extracranial arteriovenous malformation of the head in a young man who noticed it from childhood. He was clinically and radiologically evaluated using CT angiography and had two-stage surgical interventions.