Caregivers perception of common neonatal illnesses and their management among rural dwellers in Enugu state, Nigeria: a qualitative study.

Background: Neonatal mortality continues to be a challenge in Nigeria, where low-quality care, caregivers' ignorance of signs of neonatal illnesses, and prevalent use of unorthodox alternatives to health care predominate. Misconceptions originating and propagating as traditional practices and concepts can be linked to adverse neonatal outcomes and increased neonatal mortality. This study explores the perceptions of causes and management of neonatal illness among caregivers in rural communities in Enugu state, Nigeria.

Determinants of academic performance in medical students: evidence from a medical school in south-east Nigeria.

Background: Medical education is considered one of the toughest college degrees to acquire. Exploring the factors that determine good academic performance in medical school will help in the planning of curriculum and assist students to navigate through medical school more effectively.

Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study enrolled 145 second year clinical students (500 level) of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in south-east Nigeria using purposive and convenient sampling method.

Pattern of Congenital Anomalies in Newborn: A 4-Year Surveillance of Newborns Delivered in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in the South-East Nigeria.

Congenital abnormalities are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and significantly add to the burdens on healthcare in developing countries. Unfortunately, there remains a paucity of information on congenital birth defects in most developing countries. This is a 4-year prospective study that assessed the patterns and predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Parental practice of child car safety in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Child safety restraints and seat belts are regarded as the most successful safety and cost-effective protective devices available to vehicle occupants, which have saved millions of lives. This cross-sectional descriptive study evaluated the practice and use of child car restraints (CCRs) among 458 purposively selected respondents resident in two local government areas in Enugu State, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to parents of children attending private schools who owned a car.

Outbreak of serotype W135 Neisseria meningitidis in central river region of the Gambia between February and June 2012: a hospital-based review of paediatric cases.

Background: Meningitis still accounts for many deaths in children especially during epidemics in countries within the African meningitis belt. Between February and May 2012, the Gambia witnessed an outbreak of meningitis in two of its six regions. This study presents a clinical perspective of this outbreak in central river region of the Gambia.