Safety, efficacy and acceptability of implanon a single rod implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel) in University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Objective: The study evaluated the safety, efficacy and acceptability of Implanon (etonogestrel) subdermal implant contraceptive amongst its acceptors.

Study Design: This was part of an on going prospective longitudinal study that involved 32 women out of 46 sexually active healthy informed volunteers recruited from our family planning clinic between February and March 2007. All the subjects received the single rod subdermal implant Implanon which contains 68 mg etonogestrel.

Thirst perception in dehydrated sickle cell disease patients in steady state.

Liberal fluid intake is one of the key management strategies in sickle cell anaemia [SCA] patients in steady state, but less work has been done on the desire of patients to drink water. Using the Visual Analogue Scale we studied thirst perception [TP] in 20 euhydrated SCA patients and 28 control [HbA] subjects, as well as during dehydration in 13 SCA patients and 9 HbA subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for Na, K ions, creatinine concentrations and haematocrit and specific gravity of urine were determined.

Haemostatic function in Norplant (levonorgestrel) users: a 3-year prospective experience in Benin-City, Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate the haemostatic function and menstrual pattern of Norplant acceptors after 36 months of use.

Method: This was a prospective longitudinal study that involved fifty five healthy, non-breastfeeding, sexually active informed volunteers recruited from our family planning clinic, between September and December 2002. Blood samples were collected at pre-insertion, 12, 24 and 36 months follow up for packed cell volume, platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time.

Using serial haemorheological parameters to assess clinical status in sickle cell anaemia patients in vaso-occlussive crisis.

In a prospective study using standard methods, haemorheological parameters were assessed in 10 sickle cell anaemia patients in pain crises. Patients were investigated for possible changes in determinants of rheology in the course of painful episodes: blood samples were taken for plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC); plasma viscosity (PV); haematocrit (Hct), whole blood viscosity (WBV) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) using standard methods. Samples were collected on presentation to the emergency unit and daily for 4 consecutive days.

The effect of accessibility to drugs on outcome of therapy in patients with malignant lymphoma.

Objective: To determine the compliance rate, reasons for default and factors affecting compliance.

Patients And Methods: A prospective study of patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 190 patients on chemotherapy for ML were followed up for between 6 and 18 months during study period (1995-2003).