Etiology and Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Bronchiectasis in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Bronchiectasis is often considered an orphan disease in developed societies. This may not be the case with low-income countries. Currently there is a paucity of data on the pattern and presentation of this condition in Nigeria.

Quantitative activity levels and gestational age at delivery: a prospective cohort study among nulliparous women.

Objective: Despite the knowledge that bed rest does not reduce the risk of preterm birth (PTB), it continues to be recommended by many providers worldwide. This is because there are no quantitative data assessing the relationship between PTB and physical activity in pregnancy. We designed a prospective cohort study using a Fitbit activity tracker to quantitatively explore the association between baseline physical activity in pregnancy in steps/day and the risk of PTB (<37 weeks).

Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Objective: To examine the association between adverse childhood experiences and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This cohort study included individuals who enrolled in a perinatal collaborative mental health care program (COMPASS [the Collaborative Care Model for Perinatal Depression Support Services]) between 2017 and 2021. Participants completed psychosocial self-assessments, including an adverse childhood experiences screen.

Protocol for process evaluation of integration of mental health into primary healthcare in two states in Nigeria: the mhSUN programme.

Background: Current international recommendations to address the large treatment gap for mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries are to scale up integration of mental health into primary care. There are good outcome studies to support this, but less robust evidence for effectively carrying out integration and scale-up of such services, or for understanding how to address contextual issues that routinely arise.

Aims: This protocol is for a process evaluation of a programme called Mental Health Scale Up Nigeria.

The Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Context/aims: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus share obesity as a common risk factor. The presence of OSA may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality of diabetes. Despite their close association, OSA is not routinely evaluated in diabetic patients.

A structured approach to integrating mental health services into primary care: development of the Mental Health Scale Up Nigeria intervention (mhSUN).

Background: The treatment gap for mental illness in Nigeria, as in other sub-Saharan countries, is estimated to be around 85%. There is need to prioritise mental health care in low and middle income countries by providing a strong body of evidence for effective services, particularly with a view to increasing international and government confidence in investment in scaling up appropriate services. This paper lays out the processes by which a programme to integrate evidence-based mental health care into primary care services in Nigeria was designed, including a research framework to provide evidence from a robust evaluation.

Effect of analgesia on the changes in respiratory parameters in blunt chest injury with multiple rib fractures.

Background: Blunt chest injury with multiple rib fractures can result in such complications as pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, empyema thoracis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and prolonged Intensive Care Unit and hospital stay, with its concomitant mortality. These may be prevented or reduced by good analgesic therapy which is the subject of this study.

Methods: This was a prospective study of effects of analgesia on changes in pulmonary functions of patients with traumatic multiple rib fractures resulting from blunt chest injury.

Knowledge and practice of prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis: A survey among Nigerian surgeons.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a potentially dangerous condition that can lead to preventable morbidity and mortality among surgical patients.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of surgeons practising in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria about prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Materials And Methods: Eight Tertiary Institutions were selected from institutions in the geopolitical regions of the country by simple random sampling using balloting method.

Echocardiographic pattern of acquired heart diseases in Nigeria.

Background: Acquired heart diseases (AHDs) are present from childhood to old age, and the frequency of pathology differs according to age and the geographical region of the patients. The aim of this study was to document the echocardiographic patterns of AHDs in our setting.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of echocardiographic diagnosis of AHD was done for age, sex, and echocardiographic pattern.

Multi-center survey of House officers' choice of Medical specialties in Nigeria: preferences and determining factors.

The objective of the study was to determine preferences and factors influencing the choice of medical specialties by House officers. Questionnaires were distributed to House-officers in 4 tertiary hospitals namely: the National hospital, Abuja, the University of Port-Harcourt, the Jos University, and the University of Uyo Teaching Hospitals. The data were simultaneously collected and analyzed using SPSS 20.

Pattern of cardiothoracic surgical diseases in a new cardiothoracic surgery unit in Nigeria.

Background: Cardiothoracic surgical pathologies are available in all geographical regions of the world. Human and material resources are necessary for prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of these cases.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of cardiothoracic surgical cases in the first five years of our new cardiothoracic surgery unit was done.

Malignant transformation in von recklinghausen disease in a rural farmer presenting as huge metastatic soft tissue chest wall tumour: a case report.

Introduction: Although von Recklinghausen disease is relatively common at an incidence of 1 in 4000 live births, malignant transformation in a neurofibromatosis is quite rare estimated at about 5% therefore the importance of life-long follow up of all patients von Recklinghausen disease.

Case Presentation: This is a case report of a 45-year old Nigerian-Ibibio male farmer who presented with six months history of rapid growth in one of the numerous skin nodules which had been present since his teenage age. The clinical diagnosis of malignant change in von Recklinghausen's disease was confirmed by histopathologic examination of an incisional biopsy specimen.

Determinants of mortality in chest trauma patients.

Background: Chest trauma is an important trauma globally accounting for about 10% of trauma admission and 25-50% of trauma death. Different types and severity of chest trauma in different subsets of patients with varying associated injuries result in differing outcomes measured with mortality. Early mitigation of poor prognostic factors could result in improved outcome, therefore the need to know such factors or determinants of mortality in chest trauma patients.

Outcome of tube thoracostomy in paediatric non-traumatic pleural fluid collections.

Objective: Management of pleural fluid collection not due to trauma increases workload of the paediatric thoracic surgeons, while delay or inappropriate treatment worsens the prognosis of the disease. This study aimed at assessing the outcome of therapeutic tube thoracostomy in non-traumatic paediatric pleural fluid collections and identifying factors responsible for treatment failure with tube thoracostomy.

Design: Prospective analysis of socio-demographic characteristics, clinical features, clinical diagnosis, radiological diagnosis, and bacteriological diagnosis including bacteria cultured with sensitivity pattern, also treatment offered including tube thoracostomy with duration of tube thoracostomy and length of hospitalisation, indication for additional surgical procedure with type, and outcome of treatment of 30 paediatric patients with non-traumatic pleural fluid collection.

Challenges of lung cancer management in a developing country.

Background: The investigation of pulmonary neoplasm in Nigeria is hampered by lack of investigative tools and religio-cultural beliefs that detest autopsy. However, recent publications seem to suggest an increasing incidence of this lesion in Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: A 30-month prospective study of all cases of lung cancer seen at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria was done to document the incidence and challenges of management in the region.

Use of the General Health Questionnaire as a screening tool for geriatric patients in Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: Old age is inevitably associated with general biological and physical decline.Mental health issues are among the most prevalent health problems of the elderly and constitute an important source of distress for patients and caregivers. Primary care providers frequently fail to diagnose these problems, and, even when they do, management may not be optimal.

Morbidity and mortality of caustic ingestion in rural children: experience in a new cardiothoracic surgery unit in Nigeria.

Background. Inspite of the fact that accidental caustic ingestion is an entirely easily preventable problem, it has however persisted in rural Nigerian communities because the commonly implicated agent which is caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) is sold in open markets without restrictive legislations. This study aims to identify the perpetuating factors of paediatric caustic ingestion and recommend preventive measures.

Recognition of mental health problems by primary care physicians in a tertiary care hospital in Nigeria.

Aims And Objectives: This study sought to determine the difference in detection of attendees with mental health problems visiting the General Out-patient clinic of a tertiary institution; the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-12) were compared with those identified by the physicians.

Patients And Methods: Three hundred and twenty two (322) subjects aged 18 years and above, attending the clinic for the first time, were recruited for the study by a systematic random sampling method. Using a cut off score of '3' on the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), 'Cases' and 'Non-cases' generated were compared with those identified by the doctors.

Patient characteristics that may predict the likelihood of the presence of mental health problems in patients attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria.

Background A considerable number of patients seen in general outpatient clinics (GOPC) are known to suffer from psychiatric rather than physical disorders. Studies have shown that doctors working in these clinics have difficulty in making accurate ratings of mental health problems in their patients and have poor knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis. Accurate recognition of psychiatric symptoms in a patient is essential for specific diagnosis and successful management.

Challenges of vascular access in a new dialysis centre--Uyo experience.

Background: Introduction of dialysis has prolonged the lives of end-stage renal disease patients. To maintain these patients on long term dialysis, permanent vascular access procedures capable of allowing flow of >200ml of blood/minute, are required. Without permanent vascular access, patients are subjected to repeated attempts for cannulation to provide temporary vascular access during every session of haemodialysis, risked with numerous vascular access related complications.

Tricuspid atresia with normal axis on ECG palliated with a central shunt; a case report.

Background: Tricuspid Atresia is the 3rd commonest cyanotic congenital Heart disease. It is characterized by lack of communication between the right atrium and right ventricle. The treatment often requires a palliative systemic to pulmonary shunt before definite surgery.

Cardiac pacemaker treatment of heart block in Enugu a 5-year review.

Background: Symptomatic heart block is a treatable cardiac cause of death which occurs globally. In Nigeria it is increasingly diagnosed and treated with permanent artificial cardiac pacemaker insertion and pulse generator implantation, sometimes after a period of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Methods: Twenty-three patients who were diagnosed with symptomatic heart block and surgically treated with permanent artificial cardiac pacemaker in National Cardiothoracic Centre, Enugu, between April 2001 and March 2006 had their case notes retrospectively reviewed and information entered into a proforma.

Traumatic common carotid-jugular fistula: report of 2 cases.

Traumatic common carotid artery-to-internal jugular vein fistula is a rare entity that is not usually detected during the acute injury phase. We present 2 cases of traumatic carotid-jugular fistula. Both involved the right side of the neck, and both were due to injury from a firearm.