-
The Effects of Meningitis on Anterior Pituitary Functions
Suat Zengin,
Behcet Al,
Mehmet Dogan,
Basri Can,
Mustafa Bogan,
Cuma Yildirim
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
36-41
Received:
15 July 2013
Published:
20 October 2013
Abstract: Objective: This study investigated the changes in the anterior pituitary hormones of patients who were admitted to an emergency service and diagnosed with acute meningitis. Methods: A total of 21 patients who were admitted to an emergency service between 01 January and 31 October 2012, and diagnosed with meningitis, were included. Blood samples were collected from the patients within an initial 24 hours of admission and at month 6, in order to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The results were analyzed using SSPS-18 software. Results: Of the patients, 47.6% were male, and 52.4% were female. At month 6, TSH, LH, and ACTH levels were higher than those measured on admission. This difference was meaningful for TSH, but insignificant for LH and ACTH. At month 6, mean GH, FSH, and PRL levels were lower than admission levels. At the time of admission, FSH was at lower than normal levels in seven patients, LH was lower in six patients, TSH was lower in four patients, GH was lower in four patients, and ACTH in was lower in three patients. At month 6, FSH was lower in five patients, LH was lower in four patients, TSH was lower in one patient, GH was lower in six patients, and ACTH was lower in five patients. Conclusion: The differences between hormone levels at admission and at month 6 show that meningitis causes changes in anterior pituitary hormones.
Abstract: Objective: This study investigated the changes in the anterior pituitary hormones of patients who were admitted to an emergency service and diagnosed with acute meningitis. Methods: A total of 21 patients who were admitted to an emergency service between 01 January and 31 October 2012, and diagnosed with meningitis, were included. Blood samples wer...
Show More
-
Perceived Barriers to Condom Use among Out-of-School Adolescents in Kumba, Southwest Region of Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
42-50
Received:
28 August 2013
Published:
20 October 2013
Abstract: Cameroon has a high concentration of out-of-school youth. Therefore research relating to out-of-school adolescents and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is imperative. This study investigated the perceived barriers to condom use among out-of-school adolescents in Kumba, Cameroon. A cross-sectional study of a probability sample of 405 adolescents aged 15-24 years was adopted. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, at the level 0.05.Most out-of-school adolescents in this study perceived certain barriers to condom use. Up to60.5% perceived that they lacked knowledge on correct condom usage; 58.8% perceived that they would feel embarrassed to buy condoms; 54.2%would feel embarrassed to use condoms; 50.9% would feel embarrassed to ask their partners to use condoms; 70.6% believed that condom usage decreases sexual sensations, making sex less enjoyable for either partner; 70.4% believed that condom use reduces sexual urges; 66.1% respondents believed that condom use could make partner feel un-trusted; 37.8% perceived that should a condom slip off during intercourse, it could land up in the stomach of the female partner; 46.6% perceived that they would be allergic to lubricants used in condoms, and 54.8% perceived that latex condoms cause itching. Being a Christian or a male was associated with increased perceived barriers to condom use, while being a Muslim was associated with increased perceived barriers to condom negotiation. Being a female was associated with increased barrier to condom access. Perceived barriers to condom use were associated with condom non-use. Out-of-school adolescents perceived certain barriers to condom use, and consequently were not using condoms and were therefore at risk of HIV/AIDS transmission.
Abstract: Cameroon has a high concentration of out-of-school youth. Therefore research relating to out-of-school adolescents and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is imperative. This study investigated the perceived barriers to condom use among out-of-school adolescents in Kumba, Cameroon. A cross-sectional study of ...
Show More
-
A Review of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Mechanisms at a Cellular Level: A Rationale for Clinical Use
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
51-55
Received:
20 September 2013
Published:
20 October 2013
Abstract: Delivery of health care demands evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice helps to ensure that all facets of health care delivery are subject to a higher level of accountability. This helps to assure that the patient is receiving treatment that has some proof of efficacy. In recent years, physiotherapy practice has been influenced by a swell of research which, in many cases, supports current practice and, in some cases, influences change of practice. Despite the fact that there is a significant increase in the numbers of clinical trials and reviews in Physiotherapy, including research in electromagnetic modalities and mechanical modalities, it is not uncommon for a practitioner to feel at a loss to answer, “Exactly how does this treatment work?” This paper will review the mechanisms of action of the most common electromagnetic modalities and provide a rationale as to why “pulsed” fields seem to produce more significant effects compared with continuous applications. It will be shown that significant tissue healing effects, particularly with the modality PEMF, are likely the result of increased activity in non-excitable cells. The reputation of electromagnetic modalities has suffered in recent years, likely due to a lack of understanding of mechanisms for action. In the literature, the understanding in this area has made considerable progress over the past ten years. This review will explain the science at a cellular level and suggest the potential mechanisms for action for the modalities with specific focus on PEMF.
Abstract: Delivery of health care demands evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice helps to ensure that all facets of health care delivery are subject to a higher level of accountability. This helps to assure that the patient is receiving treatment that has some proof of efficacy. In recent years, physiotherapy practice has been influenced by a swell...
Show More
-
Risk Factors of Pre-Diabetes among Adult Nigerians with Essential Hypertension in a Resource-Constrained Setting of a Primary Care Clinic in Eastern Nigeria
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh,
Ndubueze Richard Uchenna,
Nnadozie Paul Obiegbu
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
56-64
Received:
2 September 2013
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Background: As the case detection of pre-diabetes(PD) increases worldwide, screening for its risk factors which overlap with those of type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) is an important primary care challenge that is often neglected especially in under-resourced setting. Aim: This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of pre-diabetes among adult Nigerians with essential hypertension in a resource-constrained setting of a primary care clinic in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on 320 consecutive adult Nigerians with essential hypertension who were screened for PD and 106 of them who had PD and met the inclusion criteria were age and sex matched with 106 non-hypertensive and non-diabetic control. Demographic and some risk factors of PD were obtained using a pretested, structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Pre-diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose of 100-125 mg/dL and /or plasma glucose level of 140-199 mg/dL two hours after a 75g oral glucose load. Results: One hundred and six (33.1%) out of the 320 hypertensive patients screened had PD. Obesity (P=0.001), positive family history of DM (P=0.001) and inadequate physical activity (P=0.001) were significantly associated with PD. The most significant predictor of PD was obesity(OR=12.50(2.38-34.48), P=0.001).The obese patients were twelve and half times more likely to have PD compared to their non-obese counterparts. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of PD in adult hypertensive study population. Obesity, family history of DM and inadequate physical activity were proximate independent risk factors. The presence of these risk factors should therefore provide guide for screening adult Nigerians with essential hypertension for PD in primary care.
Abstract: Background: As the case detection of pre-diabetes(PD) increases worldwide, screening for its risk factors which overlap with those of type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) is an important primary care challenge that is often neglected especially in under-resourced setting. Aim: This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of pre-diab...
Show More
-
Prolonged Exposure to Oil and Gas Flares Ups the Risks for Hypertension
Egwurugwu,
Jude Nnabuife,
Nwafor,
Arthur
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
65-72
Received:
27 September 2013
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: This study was done to assess the impacts of prolonged exposure to oil/gas flares on blood pressure measures in humans in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The study was carried out among chronically exposed residents (475) and non-exposed individuals (315). All the subjects were matched for age, sex, occupation, education. Blood pressure was measured with manual mercury sphygmomanometer in sitting position after at least 10 minutes rest. The results showed that the test group subjects had statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MAP) compared with the control(p<0.05). The males had higher prevalence of high blood pressure than the females (p<0.05). Results also showed that the blood pressure measures increased with age. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to oil/gas flares increased the incidence of hypertension and this may increase the risks for cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract: This study was done to assess the impacts of prolonged exposure to oil/gas flares on blood pressure measures in humans in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The study was carried out among chronically exposed residents (475) and non-exposed individuals (315). All the subjects were matched for age, sex, occupation, education. Blood pressure was mea...
Show More
-
Abdominal Obesity in Adult Nigerian Africans: Prevalence and Co-Occurrence with Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in a Resource Poor Setting of a Rural Hospital in Eastern Nigeria
Gabriel Uche Pascal Iloh,
Augustin Obiora Ikwudinma
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
73-80
Received:
29 September 2013
Published:
30 October 2013
Abstract: Background: Abdominal obesity is socially and culturally not recognized as a health problem in Nigeria. However, the deleterious effects of abdominal obesity are on the cardio-metabolic disorders such as hypertension, dysglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. Of great concern in rural Nigeria is that most adult patients with abdominal obesity are not routinely diagnosed and therefore do not receive appropriate management Aim: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity in adult Nigerian Africans and its co-occurrence with cardio-metabolic risk factors in a resource poor setting of a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out from June 2008 to June 2011. A total of 3012 adult patients aged 18-91 years were screened for abdominal obesity using the third report of National Cholesterol Education Panel(NCEP) in adult (ATP III) criterion and 350 patients who had WC ≥102cm and ≥88cm for men and women respectively were screened for cardio-metabolic risk factors. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia were defined using JNC 7, American Diabetic Association and the third report of NCEP in adult (ATP III) criteria respectively. The data collected included basic demographic variables, blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting lipid profile and plasma glucose. Results: .The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 11.6%. The most common co-occurring primary cardio-metabolic risk factor was hypertension (44.6%). Others included isolated dyslipidaemia(22.6%) and diabetes mellitus(7.1%). Conclusion: Abdominal obesity exists among the study population and co-occurred with cardio-metabolic risk factors with hypertension being the most frequent and diabetes the least. Abdominal obesity should be considered during clinical encounter with adult Nigerians in the study area alongside the complex of other primary cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Abstract: Background: Abdominal obesity is socially and culturally not recognized as a health problem in Nigeria. However, the deleterious effects of abdominal obesity are on the cardio-metabolic disorders such as hypertension, dysglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. Of great concern in rural Nigeria is that most adult patients with abdominal obesity are not routin...
Show More
-
New Drug Approval Probability Model in Phased Clinical Trials
Onyiaorah,
I V,
Oyeka,
ICA,
Efobi,
CC,
Onyiaorah,
AA,
Okeh,
UM
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
81-85
Received:
30 September 2013
Published:
20 November 2013
Abstract: Modern medicine brought with it “evidence-based practice”, which demands that a diagnostic test or treatment method or drug to be used on humans must be proven to be at least safe and efficacious; and the result from the use of such must be reliable and repeatable. These days, the need for evidence-based practice has become even more imperative. Evidence-based practice extends to veterinary practice and also to non-medical practices, for instance in oil exploration. To satisfy these demands in drug testing, robust statistical methods of assessment and ethical procedure must be employed. We here develop and present a probability model for the approval of a new drug intended for use in man or animal. The model showed that there should be more than one evaluation committee working on the approval of one drug at a time. This approach would help in minimizing the error of approving wrongly drugs that should never have been approved. The proposed method has proven the workability and value of using at least three independent evaluation committees, working with the same sets of criteria, in assessing the basis for the use of a new drug and its approval.
Abstract: Modern medicine brought with it “evidence-based practice”, which demands that a diagnostic test or treatment method or drug to be used on humans must be proven to be at least safe and efficacious; and the result from the use of such must be reliable and repeatable. These days, the need for evidence-based practice has become even more imperative. Ev...
Show More
-
The Relationship between Teamwork and Empowerment to Patient Satisfaction in Orthopedic Settings: An Exploratory Study
Paul Bruning,
Timothy Baghurst
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
86-94
Received:
27 October 2013
Published:
20 November 2013
-
Blood Group Distribution Pattern among Adult Who Attended Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Olaniyan Olugbemi,
Meraiyebu Ajibola,
Musa Ojone,
Dare Joseph,
Atsukwei Denen,
Adelaiye Alexandra
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
95-98
Received:
10 October 2013
Published:
10 December 2013
Abstract: Serological markers have served as important indicators for the understanding of genetic variation between and within population, providing valuable insight into the dynamics of population structure. The present study, therefore aimed at providing the percentage frequency of the ABO and Rhesus distribution pattern of adults who attended the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria for record and health planning. The study was carried out on two hundred adults (77 male and 123 female). The blood samples were taken by cubital venepuncture and analysed using the agglutination method (Dacie and Lewis 2001). Among the male population; Blood group O was the highest with the percentage frequency of 22.5 %, followed by blood group A (7.5 %), B (6.5 %) and the least percentage frequency was observed in blood group AB with 2 %. Among the female population; Blood group O, A, B AB had percentage frequency of 29 %, 11.5 %, 17.5 %, and 3.5 % respectively. The RhD distribution also varies among male population; RhD positive 87 % and RhD negative 13 %. The percentage frequency of RhD positive among the female population was 93.5 % and that of RhD negative was 6.5 %. The total percentage of RhD positive was 91 % and that of RhD negative was found to be 9 %. The ABO and RhD pattern in both the male and female population studied correlates with previous studies carried out in other part of Nigeria population: like Ogbomosho, Oyo State; Benin; Niger- Delta region and FCT, Abuja. Blood group O is the most common while Group AB present the least and rarity of RhD negative was observed in both male and female population studied.
Abstract: Serological markers have served as important indicators for the understanding of genetic variation between and within population, providing valuable insight into the dynamics of population structure. The present study, therefore aimed at providing the percentage frequency of the ABO and Rhesus distribution pattern of adults who attended the Federal...
Show More
-
Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Trend in a Special Care baby Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in Yola: the Need to Educate Health Workers and Mothers on Quality Neonatal Health Practices
Baba Usman Ahmadu,
Hamman Isah Babba,
Joda Aisha Abdallah,
Abraham Musa Tizhe,
Akor Ogecha,
Pius Sunday,
Yakubu Hyeladi Francis,
Gamdu Jesini
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, November 2013
Pages:
99-103
Received:
11 August 2013
Published:
20 December 2013
Abstract: Background: Neonatal morbidities like neonatal sepsis (NNS), prematurity and perinatal asphyxia constitutes the major causes of neonatal mortality worldwide, even though, there may be slight intra and inter country variations. Objective: The main objectives of our study were twofold: 1) To determine the morbidity and mortality pattern of neonates admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the Federal Medical Centre Yola (FMCY), Adamawa state. 2) To provide relevant public health information that will be of benefit in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was carried out. Case notes of neonates admitted and managed for various morbidities at the SCBU of the FMCY over a period of seven months between April 2012 and October 2012 were retrieved and reviewed using a structured questionnaire, to document demographic characteristic, diagnosis and the number of deaths that occurred. Statistical analyses were performed by use of SPSS statistical software version 16, Illinois, Chicago USA and a computer program for epidemiologist PEPI version 3.01. Results: Total admission for the period was 292 (100 %). There were 124 (42.5 %) males and 168 (57.5 %) females. The male to female ratio is 1:1.4. Highest morbidity 47 (72.3 %) was observed in April, but highest mortality was bimodal, one in April 14 (27.7 %) and the other 14 (26.9 %) in August. Overall association of the morbidity and mortality figures for the period was not significant (p = 0.296). The mean Morbidity and mortality was 33.0 (8.9) and 8.7 (4.5) respectively. Multivariate test showed a significant difference between NNS on the combined dependent variables (morbidity and mortality), p = 0.012. When the results for the dependent variables were considered separately in a Univariate model using a Bonferroni adjusted alpha levels, both dependent variables were significance at p = 0.001 for morbidity and p = 0.000 for mortality. Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis and prematurity were the major causes of neonatal mortality, whereas, severe perinatal asphyxia was the second cause of morbidity in this study.
Abstract: Background: Neonatal morbidities like neonatal sepsis (NNS), prematurity and perinatal asphyxia constitutes the major causes of neonatal mortality worldwide, even though, there may be slight intra and inter country variations. Objective: The main objectives of our study were twofold: 1) To determine the morbidity and mortality pattern of neonates a...
Show More
