Left Atrial Appendage Closure With Catheter Ablation vs. Ablation Alone on Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background Combining left atrial appendage closure with catheter ablation (LAACCA) has been proposed as a potential approach to improving outcomes by simultaneously addressing arrhythmia and reducing stroke risk. This study compares the in-hospital outcomes of LAACCA vs. catheter ablation (CA) alone for atrial fibrillation (AFib) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Comparative Outcomes of TAVR in Mixed Aortic Valve Disease and Aortic Stenosis: A Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a suitable alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). A high proportion of patients with AS have mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) with mild or more concurrent aortic regurgitation (AR). Differential outcomes of TAVR among patients with AS and MAVD have not been well characterized.

Factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Objective: A non-negligible proportion of sub-Saharan African (SSA) households experience catastrophic costs accessing healthcare. This study aimed to systematically review the existing evidence to identify factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) incidence in the region.

Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, CNKI, Africa Journal Online, SciELO, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, and supplemented these with search of grey literature, pre-publication server deposits, Google Scholar®, and citation tracking of included studies.

Evaluating the discriminatory power of the velocity field diagram and timed-up-and-go test in determining the fall status of community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Systematic reviews demonstrated that gait variables are the most reliable predictors of future falls, yet are rarely included in fall screening tools. Thus, most tools have higher specificity than sensitivity, hence may be misleading/detrimental to care. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the validity, and reliability of the velocity field diagram (VFD -a gait analytical tool), and the Timed-up-and-go test (TUG)-commonly used in Nigeria as fall screening tools, compared to a gold standard (known fallers) among community-dwelling older adults.

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents: An international ID-IRI survey.

Introduction: Although vaccines are the safest and most effective means to prevent and control infectious diseases, the increasing rate of vaccine hesitancy and refusal (VHR) has become a worldwide concern. We aimed to find opinions of parents on vaccinating their children and contribute to available literature in order to support the fight against vaccine refusal by investigating the reasons for VHR on a global scale.

Methodology: In this international cross-sectional multicenter study conducted by the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine parents' attitudes towards vaccination of their children.

Safety of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Aortic Aneurysm: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) among patients with thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysms (AA). Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we explored the safety of TAVR among patients with a diagnosis of AA.

Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample database (2012-2017) for hospitalized patients undergoing TAVR, using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for endovascular TAVR.

The pattern of pediatric respiratory illnesses admitted in ebonyi state university teaching hospital South-East Nigeria.

Background: Reports from the developed nations reveal respiratory tract infections as the leading cause of childhood hospital admissions. Children may be admitted for a variety of respiratory illnesses. Data on the spectrum of pediatric respiratory illnesses admitted in the hospital is scarce.

Myelo-meningocele: A multi-disciplinary problem.

Background: Myelo-meningoceles are part of congenital afflictions of the spinal column. They arise from the failure of the neural tube to fuse properly during early embryonic growth. The causes and sequalae are multiple and, therefore, require multiple disciplines, to handle them.

Spontaneous subgaleal aerocele.

Apart from reporting about a case of spontaneous subgaleal aerocele this paper looks at the possible causes and management also. A 35-year-old Igbo-Nigerian female, about 4 weeks post-natal, with a 10-month old steadily and gradually enlarging mass around the back of her head, including both temporal regions was referred to us. Plain skull radiographs showed air in this mass.

Trend in case detection rate for all tuberculosis cases notified in Ebonyi, Southeastern Nigeria during 1999-2009.

Unlike previous annual WHO tuberculosis reports that reported case detection rate for only smear-positive tuberculosis cases, the 2010 report presented case detection rate for all tuberculosis cases notified in line with the current Stop TB strategy. To help us understand how tuberculosis control programmes performed in terms of detecting tuberculosis, there is need to document the trend in case detection rate for all tuberculosis cases notified in high burden countries. This evidence is currently lacking from Nigeria.

Poor oral Hygiene may be the Sole Cause of Oral Cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this case-control study was to draw attention to the possibility that poor oral hygiene resulting from infrequent and inadequate use of chewing sticks might be the sole cause of oral cancer in 60 patients investigated in the maxillofacial units of two specialist hospitals in eastern Nigeria.

Methods: Sixty cases and 60 controls made up the study population. We matched them for age, gender, period of admission and study site.

Tuberculosis treatment outcome and its determinants in a tertiary care setting in south-eastern Nigeria.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate tuberculosis treatment outcomes in a Nigerian tertiary-care setting and to identify factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective audit of tuberculosis patients registered for treatment from January 2006 to December 2010 at Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki, Nigeria. Six treatment outcome criteria were assessed based on guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Ethical Dilemma and Management of Infertility in HIV Seropositive Discordant Couples: A Case Study in Nigeria.

The traditional African society places an invaluable premium on procreation and, in some communities, a woman's place in her matrimony is only confirmed on positive reproductive outcome. Infertility is rife in Nigeria, and HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection is a global pandemic, which has led to a drop in life expectancy across the world. In Nigeria, a number of cultural norms relating to gender roles and power dynamics constitute a serious barrier to issues of sexuality and infertility.

Cervical cancer awareness and cervical screening uptake at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common genital tract malignancy among women in developing countries.

Objective: To assess the awareness of cervical cancer among Igbo women in a rural population of Southeastern Nigerian and determine their uptake of cervical screening services.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study.

Predicting mode of delivery using mid-pregnancy ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length.

Background: It has been recognized that preterm labor is related to short cervical length and that poor progress in labor is a major indication for cesarean section at term. We therefore hypothesize that long cervix is not associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery during labor at term.

Objectives: The objective is to determine the relationship between cervical length at mid-pregnancy and mode of delivery and preterm delivery.

An analysis of risk factors associated with traumatic extremity amputation stump wound infection in a Nigerian setting.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the risk factors associated with traumatic extremity amputation stump wound infection in our environment.

Method: This was a retrospective analysis of databases that included the entire patient population with traumatic extremity amputation seen in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki from January 2001 to December 2011.

Result: There were 63 patients studied and stump wound infection was a complication in 38 (60 %) of them.

Experiences with provision of post-abortion care in a university teaching hospital in south-east Nigeria: a five year review.

The objective of the study was to review the implementation of Post Abortion Care and effective linkage to other post abortion services in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Data on PAC over a five year period (July, 2004 to June, 2009) were analyzed and a standardized questionnaire was administered to 45 direct PAC service providers. Abortion complications constituted 41.

The economic burden of tuberculosis care for patients and households in Africa: a systematic review.

Objectives: To summarise the state of knowledge on the economic impact and consequences of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment for patients/households in Africa, and to highlight any weaknesses in the work conducted to date.

Methods: We systematically searched for published articles in English between 1990 and June 2010 in eight databases and the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Broad search terms were used ('tuberculosis' OR 'tuberculosis/HIV' AND 'costs' AND 'Africa').

Outcome of road traffic injuries received in the emergency room of a teaching hospital, Southeast Nigeria.

Road traffic injuries (RTI) are a rapidly growing public health problem in developing countries. This study was aimed at assessing the early outcome of RTIs received in our hospital emergency room. Understanding this will help to achieve optimum injury outcome.

Risk factors and perinatal outcome of umbilical cord prolapse in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Aim: The goal of this study was to identify risk factors associated with umbilical cord prolapse and to document the perinatal outcome of cases of cord prolapse.

Materials And Methods: During the period of the study (from July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2007), forty-six cases of umbilical cord prolapse were identified from the labor ward record and analyzed retrospectively. Associations between cord prolapse and potential risk factors were evaluated by means of the odds ratio.

HIV voluntary counseling and testing practices among military personnel and civilian residents in a military cantonment in southeastern Nigeria.

Background: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services are expected to lower rates of HIV transmission through a reduction in high-risk sexual behavior and through improved access to medical treatment, care, and support. However, increasing access to and uptake of VCT, especially among groups at high risk for HIV infection, has remained a major challenge in Africa.

Purpose: The study was undertaken to determine the uptake of VCT (measured by whether study participants had ever received an HIV test) and the factors influencing this practice among military and civilian residents of a military cantonment in Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria.

From DOTS to the Stop TB Strategy: DOTS coverage and trend of tuberculosis notification in Ebonyi, southeastern Nigeria, 1998-2009.

Background: Nigeria ranks fourth among the 22 high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. The estimated incidence of all TB cases in 2009 was 311/100,000 population. Since the implementation of DOTS in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria, the epidemiology of TB in the region has not been documented.

Pregnant Nigerian women's view of cesarean section.

Objective: Cesarean section (C/S) is still being perceived as an abnormal means of delivery by many antenatal women in Nigeria. This study aims to determine the perceptions of antenatal clients in the southeastern Nigeria on C/S.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 300 consenting pregnant clients attending the antenatal clinic.

The status of tuberculosis infection control measures in health care facilities rendering joint TB/HIV services in "German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association" supported states in Nigeria.

Objective: To assess the status of tuberculosis (TB) infection control practice in health care facilities implementing joint TB/HIV activities.

Materials And Methods: A descriptive survey triangulating self-administered questionnaire (facility survey to Infection Control Officer, individual health worker to general health workers), review of facility case notes and participant observation techniques was carried out. Twelve health facilities from southern Nigeria were assessed.