Comparative prospective study of early outcomes after osteosynthesis with locked intramedullary nailing or plating for closed femoral shaft fractures at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.

Aim Of The Study: This was to compare the early outcome of closed femoral shaft fractures treated with locked intramedullary nailing and plating at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu.

Methods: The study was a prospective study over 12-month period at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital ethical committee.

Comparison of age-based weight estimation with actual measured weight in children aged one to twelve years in Enugu.

Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate the degree of accuracy of age-based weight estimation methods in assessing the weight of the Nigerian child.

Method: The weights of one thousand, four hundred and fifty-six (1,456) children were measured and compared with the updated Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), Best guess, Nelson and Luscombe & Owen methods.

Result: The updated APLS, Nelson and Luscombe & Owen methods underestimated the weights in younger children while overestimating in older ones.

Examining the distribution of benefits of a free Maternal and Child Health programme in Enugu State, Nigeria: a benefit incidence analysis.

Objective: To determine the population groups that benefit from a Free Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) programme in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, so as to understand the equity effects of the programme.

Method: A community-based survey was conducted in rural and urban local government areas (LGAs) to aid the benefit incidence analysis (BIA) of the FMCH. Data were elicited from 584 randomly selected women of childbearing age.

A short course of oral ranitidine as a novel treatment for toddler's diarrhea: a parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Background: The current paradigm for treating toddler's diarrhea comprises dietary modification and fluid restriction. Previous studies show that probiotics and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H blockers could control diarrhea associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). This study aims to determine and compare the efficacy of a short course of oral ranitidine and a probiotic in the treatment of toddler's diarrhea.

Gossypiboma: Spontaneous trans-urethral migration of a forgotten surgical gauze sponge 5 years post hysterectomy in grand multiparous post-menopausal woman.

Introduction: Gossypiboma denotes a mass of cotton retained in the body following surgery. Migration of gossypiboma from initial site is a rare entity and could pose some diagnostic difficulties. Migration of gauze sponge has been reported to occur in several organs of the body.

Right ventricular function among South East Nigeria children with sickle cell anaemia.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is characterized by attendant ischemia-reperfusion injury especially to the heart.

Methods: The aim of this work is to compare the right ventricular function of children with SCA in steady state (subjects) with those with haemoglobin AA genotype (controls), using echocardiography. It is a cross-sectional study, which echocardiographic measurements to assess right ventricular function among children with SCA and their controls.

Examining the effect of peer-support on self-stigma among persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Introduction: Contrary to assertions that stigma may no longer be experienced due to substantial advancement in antiretroviral access and treatment, self-stigma still exists among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria. The use of peer health workers to improve care in underserviced settings has been implemented by a number of programs, but its effect has not been extensively assessed. This study compared the level of self-stigma among PLWHA in peer support and non-support groups in Enugu State Nigeria.

Prevalence of psychological workplace violence among employees of a public tertiary health facility in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Psychological violence is the most common form of workplace violence (WPV) that can affect job performance and health of the workers.

Aims: This study sought to determine the prevalence of psychological WPV among employees working in a tertiary health institution in a South-eastern state of Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study done in 2018 among healthcare workers at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu State using a pretested self-administered questionnaire adapted from Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study Questionnaire.

Rates and predictors of adherence and retention for antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive adults in Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: HIV infection and AIDS are majorpublic health challenges in Nigeria, a country with one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa and the second largest HIV epidemic in the world.Non-adherence to medication and defaulting from treatment are the two major challenges faced by anti-retroviral therapy (ART) programs in resource-constrained settings. This study was undertaken to determine the rate and predictors of adherence to medication and retention among people living with HIVin Enugu State, Nigeria.

Achieving financial risk protection through a national Social Health Insurance Programme in Nigeria: Perspectives of enrollees and healthcare providers.

Introduction: Out-of-pocket (OOP) payment adversely affects universal financial risk protection (UFRP) and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Since the introduction of a Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) in Nigeria, the extent to which it has provided UFRP is still largely unknown. This study therefore assessed this from the perspectives of both enrollees and healthcare providers.

Assessment of the effect of urethral plate width on outcome of hypospadias repair.

Background: The paradigm for hypospadias repair is a straight penis with a vertical meatus at the tip of the glans that provides satisfactory urination and is cosmetically acceptable to the parents of the patient.

Objective: To determine the cosmetic and functional outcomes of hypospadias repair in relation to the width of the urethral plate.

Patients And Methods: This study was a prospective evaluation of patients operated for hypospadias.

Evaluation of Female Sexual Function in Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Seen in a Tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria With Emphasis on its Frequency and Predictors.

Women with diabetes are at increased risk of sexual problems. However, this problem is underreported; hence, the need for this study. This was a cross sectional case-controlled study.

Prevalence rates of histopathologic subtypes associated with steroid resistance in childhood nephrotic syndrome in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Introduction: The prevalence rates of the common histopathologic subtypes of childhood nephrotic syndrome associated with steroid resistance appear to be changing globally. In Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), the trend is similar over the past few decades.

Aim: This systematic review aims to determine the current prevalence rates of the histopathologic subtypes associated with childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in SSA.

The prevalence and risk of urinary tract infection in malnourished children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There are vast differences in prevalence rates of urinary tract infection (UTI) reported among malnourished children globally. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide estimates of pooled prevalence of UTI among these children and combined UTI risk in comparison with their well-nourished counterparts.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and African Journals Online; date of the last search: 22 December 2018) for studies reporting either the prevalence of UTI in malnourished children or parallel healthy controls.

What is the cost benefit ratio of sending adeno-tonsillar tissues for histology: does adenoid/tonsillar tissue in children undergo malignant transformation?

Due to the enormous amount spent on histology of adenoid and tonsillar samples from children with adeno-tonsillectomy with no confirmed result of malignancy, it has become expedient to reconsider sending such tissues for histologyThe objective of this study was to determine the necessity of sending tissues of adenoid and tonsils for histology by means of ascertaining the prevalence of malignancy among children with adeno-tonsillectomy. This was a retrospective study done in three private hospitals that provide care for children in Enugu. Data was obtained from the medical records of 72 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy from September 2011 to May 2018.

Short term outcome and predictors of survival among birth asphyxiated babies at a tertiary academic hospital in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

Background: Birth asphyxia (BA) is a preventable cause of cerebral insults in newborns. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Of the 120 million babies born in third world countries annually, it is estimated that about 3.

Maternal near-miss and death associated with abortive pregnancy outcome: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of life-threatening complications related to pregnancies with abortive outcome and the associated health service events and performance in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals.

Design: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Setting: Forty-two tertiary hospitals.

Opinion and use of contraceptives among medical students of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.

Background: Non-use or poor usage of any form of contraception increases the chances of unwanted pregnancies, abortion and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS occurring with attendant problems. The knowledge of, and the appropriate use of contraceptives will reduce the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe induced abortion as well as limit incidence of STIs and associated complications.

Objectives: Determination of the opinion and use of contraceptives; to examine the socio-demographics, knowledge and attitude towards contraception and contraceptive use among medical undergraduates in the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.

Vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease: current paradigm on pain management.

This narrative review aims to highlight the current paradigm on pain management in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. It specifically examines the pathophysiologic mechanisms of sickle cell pain as well as the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods of pain management. Recurrent painful episodes constitute the major morbidity in sickle cell disease (SCD).

The Rationale for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Africa.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Africa. The condition is treatable but not curable. There are numerous obstacles to glaucoma care in Africa, including availability, accessibility and affordability of treatments, as well as medication nonadherence among patients.

Level of awareness and treatment of anxiety and depression during pregnancy in southeast Nigeria.

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders are somewhat masked by features of pregnancy; hence many women are ignorant of them and are untreated.

Aim: To determine the level of awareness and treatment of anxiety and depression in pregnancy.

Setting: The study was carried out at the antenatal clinic of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.