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Introduction: Nutrition is a major factor that can have long-term effects on the brain’s structural and functional capacity. The interplay between nutrition and child development cannot be overemphasised, especially in developing countries. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of under-fives and determine the relationship between the nutritional status and their developmental quotient. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 415 under-fives aged 6-59 months in selected pre-schools and immunisation centres. Developmental assessment was done using the Schedule of Growing Skills II. The nutritional status was assessed using the WHO growth charts for weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age. Chi-square and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to determine the association between nutritional status and selected developmental domains. Results: The mean age was 32.6 ± 15.9 months. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The overall prevalence of developmental delay was 35.4%, with manipulative domain accounting for the highest delay (25.8%). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 9.1, 3.8 and 3.8% while 2.2% were overweight. Weight-for-age had a significant association with the hearing and language domain (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.09-9.72, p = 0.036,) and interactive social domain (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.0-13.0, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The nutritional status of a child has an effect on certain developmental domains of that child. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of under-fives will go a long way to facilitating the development of this group of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Catholic Church in Nigeria is vibrant. The presence of two emeriti Cardinals and a serving one in Abuja plus its array of human capital in terms of priests, religious and laity, as well as rich cultural dynamics, tells the story more. Despite this seeming flamboyance, the Church in the West African country has not reached its potentials. This qualitative paper, "Communication and Culture as Catalysts for Rewriting the African Narrative in the Nigerian Church" used the Cross-Culture theory as theoretical framework to ascertain the matter. It argued that lack of a unified theology of inculturation and implementing same, reliance on handouts from Europe and America, ethnicity and mediocrity are responsible for the backwardness. The study suggested developing an inculturated language of faith through creating a nexus between African communication and culture as ways of rewriting the African narrative in the Nigerian pastoral context. It concluded that effective communication and culture can create a new template not only in telling the Nigerian version of the narrative but in enabling the Church in Nigeria reach its full potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for high quality honey by consumers in developing countries calls for quality assessment of various honey samples displayed for sales to ascertain their originality. This study focused on assessing some quality attributes of honey samples sold in Ogbomoso region, comprising five local government areas. A total of 20 honey samples were obtained directly from major sellers of honey in different open markets in the region. Samples were analyzed for pH, diastatic activity, acidity, ash, total phenols, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), moisture content and total reducing sugars, and compared with honey standards specified by Codex Alimentarius Commission. The HMF content of different honey samples ranged from 14 to 99 mg/kg. Sixty percent of honey samples collected had values of HMF above the maximum limit of 40 mg/kg. Diastasic activity ranged from 0.00 to 27.8 schade unit, ash content ranged from 0.32 to 1.02%, total reducing sugar content ranged from 10.30 to 65.35% and were significantly (p<0.05) different. The pH and acidity of most honey samples were within the recommended values. Total phenols and total soluble solids of analysed honey samples ranged from 4.00 to 68.50 GAE/100 g and 70 to 78 °Brix, respectively. The moisture contents of the samples were significantly (p<0.05) different from each other. The results obtained showed that some honey samples were within the stipulated standard recommended by Codex Alimentarius Commission while others did not meet the recommended safe limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haptoglobin phenotypes were determined in 120 type 2 diabetes mellitus (including 60 diabetics with vascular complications and 60 diabetics without any vascular complications) and were compared to 50 apparently healthy individuals. A higher frequency of Hp 2 allele gene and Hp 2-2 phenotype was observed in diabetics and diabetics with vascular complications respectively. We found an association between Hp 2 allele in type 2 diabetes mellitus and Hp 2-2 phenotypes in diabetics with vascular complications. Hence, we conclude that screening diabetics for Hp 2-2 phenotypes would be an added advantage in patient focus management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the workplace experiences of second-generation Nigerian adults in the USA. Drawing on data from semi-structured interviews with 67 respondents, I show that second-generation Nigerians differ in whether they perceive racial discrimination in the workplace. There was an almost even split between subjects who felt they had been discriminated against because of their race and those who said they had not experienced anti-black discrimination. For those who felt they had been racially discriminated against at work, their experiences took very similar forms to those of African Americans, with many drawing analogies between their workplace experiences and those of African Americans and other blacks. But there was evidence of intra-black dynamics with some experiencing ethnic discrimination from African Americans and some enjoying an advantage over African Americans because they are children of black immigrants. I showcase two strategic responses found among respondents: minimizing ethnic difference and stepping up one’s game, which were used to negotiate racism and achieve economic mobility. This is consistent with the minority cultures of mobility thesis; that minority groups have cultures of mobility that foster upward social mobility, and it challenges segmented assimilation theory’s perception that black immigrant groups and their children lack tenacity or adaptive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The prevalence of RLS in pregnancy is higher when compared with the general population however it remains unknown among indigenous black Africans. Available data indicate that RLS is uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa. We embarked on this study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of RLS in an antenatal clinic sample of Nigerian pregnant women compared with a primary care sample of non-pregnant women.Methods: A total of 310 pregnant women and non-pregnant women filled out a questionnaire which incorporated the 2014 minimal criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Demographic and clinical data, including sleep duration and samples for blood hemoglobin concentration and urinalysis were obtained.Results: The mean ages of the pregnant and non-pregnant women were 24.9 ± 5.6 years and 23.6 + 5.4 years, respectively (p = 0.003). There was no case of RLS found among pregnant women while five (1.6%) of the non-pregnant women fulfilled the criteria for RLS. Overall, the prevalence report of RLS symptoms was associated with lower mean habitual nocturnal sleep duration (p < 0.05) coffee (p = 0.013) and kola nut (0.023) consumption, report of leg cramps (p < 0.001) and proteinuria (p = 0.047), Report of leg cramps and proteinuria were independently associated with RLS.Conclusion: The prevalence of restless legs syndrome is low among women of child-bearing age in the Nigerian population and may be lower in pregnancy. Report of leg cramps and proteinuria are independently associated with RLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress among immigrants may be due to loss of familiar environment and experience of discrimination. Spiritual retreats may be one way to manage stressful life situations. The present study examined whether participation in a six-day spiritual retreat results in changes in perceived stress and whether changes in perceived stress depend on participant’s demographic characteristics. A total of 88 Nigerian Catholic immigrant sisters completed the Perceived Stress questionnaire pre-retreat, day three, and immediately after a spiritual retreat. Friedman Two-way ANOVA by rank was used to determine if there are mean changes in perceived stress over the three-time period, while Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used to determine if there were demographic differences in perceived stress. There were no differences in perceived stress at baseline, but there was a significant reduction in perceived stress at Time 2 and 3. There were no differences in perceived stress for the demographic variables except age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a rare condition that is characterised by the development of bony swellings, usually at the growth ends of long bones. It is autosomal dominant, and may result in debilitating deformities. Porencephaly on the other hand is a cystic degeneration of the brain that is associated with the development of encephalomalacia. There is no established link between HME and porencephaly. This case report describes a seven year old female that has features of coexisting HME and porencephaly. She presented with afebrile seizures, learning impairment, stunted growth, macrocephaly and multiple bony swellings. Similar bony swellings were observed in the mother and the sibling of the index case. The coexistence of HME and porencephaly is rarely encountered in clinical practice. This presentation should stimulate the search for a possible link, which may perhaps herald the discovery of a new syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Orofacial cleft has a worldwide distribution but it is peculiar in the developing countries due to poor healthcare facility with resultant high incidence of unoperated adult cleft. Various model of surgical mission by foreign experts had existed to combat this menace. The indigenous rotatory model by Cleft & facial deformity foundation is hereby presented. Methods: Carrying out an outreach programme in a rural area begins with the identification of a hospital with optimum facility, followed by effective awareness campaign, then a pre-surgical meeting with the hospital management. Personnel, equipment and materials were mobilised to the site while surgery usually lasted one week. Results: Seventeen outreach programmes were carried out in 10 different hospitals from March 2011 to June 2017. There were 546 orofacial cleft patients, 280 (51.3%) males and 266 (48.7%) females. The age ranged between 1 week to 70years with a mean age ± (SD) of 9.3±11.5. Four hundred and forty eight (82.1%) of the cleft patients were operated. Three hundred and twenty two (59.0%) patients were treated under general anaesthesia while 126 (23.1%) were treated under local anaesthesia. Eight surgeons and 4 anaesthetics were trained during the study period with several local practitioners benefitting from exposure to standard practice. Standard techniques were employed for cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Minor complications were recorded with one mortality. Conclusion: This model is an effective and efficient way of reaching out to the poor patients with orofacial cleft. Effective mobilization, large volume of safe and quality surgery, easy knowledge transfer and possibility of patient review are some of its advantages. With regular training and funding, it could be an effective way of minimising ignorance and eradicating adult cleft in Nigeria and other developing societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposure of users account for how they seek information and this is what has prompted this study. This paper investigated the information seeking behaviours of users in the enhancement of information communication technology in the Nigerian university environment. The quantitative approach method was used and questionnaire administered to two hundred (200) students randomly selected from the four (4) Nigerian universities in the South-Western part of Nigeria. The data gathered from the questionnaire was analysed using the frequency count, simple percentage, t-test for independent sample mean and pearson moment correlation. The result reveals that male information seeking behaviours in the use of library has a greater significant influence than the female. Also, significant relationship exists in the usefulness and effectiveness of ICT by users in the academic library. More so, the result shows that postgraduate students were more frequent in the use of ICT resources than the undergraduates. Furthermore, the result indicates that information seeking behaviours is of great challenge when using ICT to get materials in the library. Recommendations were then made that there is absolute need to introduced digital catalogue to the academic libraries. When the libraries are automated, library users can have access to information sources available in that library. There is also need to upgrade facilities in the academic library especially as regards electronic information infrastructure and resources to meet the needs and expectations of the new age users. Finally, courses on the use of internet and virtual libraries should be design in a way to instruct the students or library users on how to make use of the available technologies in accessing and meeting up with their information needs through information communication technology (ICT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to perform a systematic review of all the available published data on CRC in Nigerians over a period of 53years as a proximate indication of the burden of the disease. Materials & Methods: The data were sourced from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar search engines as well as direct contact with some authors. All published studies on histologically confirmed CRC in Nigerians constitute the materials. Selected papers were independently reviewed by the authors. Results: Of 35 papers found, 19 met the criteria and a total of 2497 cases reported in these 19 publications constituted the materials utilised for the review. There is increasing incidence as evident by increase in annual frequency increased from 18.2/annum in the early years (1954-1969) to 86.8/annum in the latter years (1991-2007). The average age incidence was 46years (peak=41-50 age group); 674(32%) of all the cases were aged below 40years. The male to female ratio was .3:1. Of the 2238 cases in which site was reported, rectum 1349(60%) was the commonest site followed by caecum 260(17%). All the cases were adenocarcino- mas and 1043(56%) were well differentiated. Mucinous carcinoma and signet ring type accounted for 309(17%) and 32(2%) respectively. Of 1061 cases in which Duke′s staging was reported, 622(59%) presented in stage B disease fol- lowed by stage C 266(25%). Conclusions: The incidence is of CRC is increasing in Nigeria. The mean age is low and incidence appears to be increasing in younger patients.

Background: Comparative studies of patients in different sociogeographic/ecological zones may unravel potential environmental and nutritional factors influencing disease phenotype. In sickle cell disease (SCD), differential access to comprehensive care may influence their growth and nutritional status. Methods: From June 2015 to February 2016, steady-state nutritional parameters of 109 Brazilian and 95 Nigerian children with SCD attending routine clinic visits at Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife (Ilesa unit), respectively, were compared. Results: A relatively high proportion of the children in both centres (23.5%) were wasted [body-mass index (BMI)-for-age z-score<-2). BMI-for-age z-score, height-for-age z-score, upper arm fat area and fat percentage were lower in the Nigerian cohorts. More Nigerians, 29.5% (28/95) against 18.3% (20/109) were wasted, and had short stature, [12.6% (12/95) vs. 3.7% (4/109)] than Brazilians. A higher proportion of Brazilian patients were overweight or obese (9.2 vs. 4.3%), and taller for age (15.6 vs. 8.4%). None of the Nigerian patients had severe vitamin D deficiency, only 12.6% (12/95) had suboptimal vitamin D and 1.1% (1/95) had low serum zinc levels, unlike 79.8% (87/109) of the Brazilian patients with suboptimal vitamin D and 10.1% (11/109) with low zinc. Conclusion: Undernutrition is still prevalent among the two cohorts. Nigerian patients were thinner and had reduced linear growth for age. This observation justifies the continued need for specialized nutritional care for children with SCD. In addition to hydroxyurea therapy, research is needed to determine appropriate nutritional intervention and exercise regimens for these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beans are recommended for their richness and for their salutary effect on blood glucose. Inter-species differences impact on blood glucose. What appeared unknown is whether varieties of beans of the same species (Vigna unguiculata[Linn] Walp) have differential effects on blood glucose when equal amounts are consumed. Objective: To perform proximate analysis and compare the glycaemic indices on consumption ofVigna unguiculata(Linn) Walp species. Setting and subjects: This was an experimental study and subjects consisted of 12 healthy consenting participants at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos, Nigeria. Outcome measure: Fibre contents and the glycaemic indices ofVigna unguiculata(Linn) Walp varieties ‘oloyin’, ‘drum’ and ‘Sokoto’white. Results: The mean (±SD) crude fibre content ofVigna unguiculata(Linn) Walp varieties ‘oloyin’,‘drum’ and ‘Sokoto white’ are 2.75% (± 0.00), 2.64% (± 0.14) and 2.94% (± 0.17) respectively. The median (95% CI) glycaemic index (GI) ofVigna unguiculata(Linn) Walp variety ‘oloyin’ was 12.10% (6.0–16.31), variety ‘drum’ 17.64% (9.22–48.93) and variety ‘Sokoto white’ 12.04% (5.54–28.94) respectively. The GI of the bean meals differed significantly (Friedman’s test, χ2(2) = 6.500,p = 0.039). Conclusion: The fibre content of intra-species beans, together with their GI, differs. ‘Drum’ bean meal has the lowest fibre content and highest glycaemic response. ‘Oloyin’ and ‘Sokoto white’ bean meals are recommended for persons with DM as some beans are more diabetic friendly than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of international Black African collegians (IBAC) in U.S. higher education has not been adequately investigated, particularly as it relates to understanding the diversity within Black and international student populations. In this manuscript, I offer seven culturally relevant suggestions for student affairs professionals, all of which build on my professional experiences working with IBAC in student affairs as well as my research with Nigerian collegians in U.S. higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) among subjects with schizophrenia and also to determine their associated factors. Methods:A cross-sectional study involving 232 patients with schizophrenia were recruited from a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Socio-demographic questionnaire, Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Suicidality module of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Inventory were administered. Results:The prevalence of OCS was 54.3% among patients with schizophrenia, and washing symptom was the most common (51.7%). Patients with schizophrenia that had OCS had more severe psychopathologies and higher levels of suicidality. OCS among patients with schizophrenia were also associated with the use of second-generation antipsychotic medications. Conclusions:OCS are common in schizophrenia. Hence, there is a need for routine screening of patients with schizophrenia for OCS and then, manage them appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The reported health and socioeconomic consequences of ear piercing, especially in modern day society, underscore the need to further research into this subject. In this study, we determine the trends and complications of ear piercing among selected Nigerian population. Aim and Objectives: The aim and objective of this study was to draw attention to the trends and complications of ear piercing with a view to prevent its associated complications. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between February and May 2015 among selected Nigerian population from two of its six geo-political zones. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire which had been pretested was used to collect data from 458 respondents who consented using multistage sampling technique. Results: Of 480 respondents enumerated, 458 completed the questionnaires and gave their biodata. The male:female ratio was 1:6.2. Their ages ranged from 18 to 75 years with a mean of 35.56 ± 10.16. About 35.4% of the respondents were within the age group of 31-40 years. Majority of the respondents, i.e.,79.3% practiced ear piercing on their children. Most of them (86.8%) preferred single piercing. Ear piercing was performed within the 1st week of birth in 37.2% of the respondents. Large percentage (93.2%) of the respondents will not encourage ear piercing in male children. Nearly 20.5% of the respondents observed complications. Conclusion: Ear piercing remained a common practice in Nigeria, with respondents preferring it on females. Majority of the piercings are done in childhood and by untrained personnel. Keloid formation was the notable complication observed by the respondents. There is a need to increase awareness about the hazards of ear piercings and to enact laws that regulate ear piercings particularly in children which is hereby stretched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Biopsies are often essential for definitive diagnosis of oro-facial lesions and are a part of oral diagnostic procedures carried out in histopathology laboratories. At present, there is paucity of literature on the audit of oral histopathology services in Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of biopsied oral lesions in a Nigerian tertiary institution. Also to profile the usage of oral pathology service and to identify challenges that may be present in an oral histodiagnostic service. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed at the Oral Pathology Department of the University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Reports of all biopsies submitted at the Oral Pathology laboratory, for the period 1990-2014, were reviewed and data extracted. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS software, version 20. RESULTS: The total number of reports was 1,998; invalid reports constituting 220(11%) were subsequently excluded leaving 1,778(89%) valid reports. The mean age of patients was 36.70± 19.79, while the peak age of presentation was in the 3rd decade. Male to female ratio was 1:1.1, and the mandible was the most common site of lesions 619(34.8%). These services were mainly utilized by oral surgeons (83.9%) and ameloblastoma (11.5%) was the most frequently diagnosed lesion. CD45 (16.7%) was the most frequently requested immuno-diagnostic test. CONCLUSION: Biopsied oral lesions were more prevalent in females, while oral and maxillofacial surgeons utilized these services the most. Inadequate biopsy specimens or unrepresentative specimens and deficient documentation were challenges identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the influence of the Mbari club and early Nigerian prose writers on the works of the Nigerian literary dramatists. In addition, the study analyses and documents the impact which this influence has on the works of selected Nigerian literary dramatists over decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly care is the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to the elderly. In Nigeria, care of the elderly has always been taken to be the responsibility of family members with little or no government support. Today Nigerian youth lack adequate knowledge of the elderly, this has led to a negative perception of the elderly, with the increasing elderly population there is a problem. Elderly care is not in any Home Economics program in Nigeria. This study developed an Elderly Care Education instructional content needed for integration into Home Economics Curriculum of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). The study adopted the Research and Development design. The study was conducted in South-Eastern Nigeria. The population was made up of 846,960 respondents namely: 63 Home Economics lecturers, 193 Home Economics students, 3,092 nurses and 843,612 elderly persons. The entire population of Home Economics lecturers and Home Economics students were used. While a sample of 200 nurses was randomly selected and 40 elderly persons were purposively drawn to participate in the Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). Three instruments were developed and used to collect data. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient index was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument, and it yielded an overall coefficient of α = .97. The research questions were analysed using mean, while ANOVA was used to analyse the hypotheses then, Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) was used for pair wise comparison of means of items that were significantly different to determine the differences in the means. The findings include the content of 32 elderly care education courses. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The more contemporary wave of diaspora Africans constantly call upon a wide array of elements of their native cultures as they negotiate life in their host societies, signifying their continuing linkage to their homelands. This article examines marriage among Nigerian immigrants in the US for patterns expressing their continuing connectedness to their native cultures. I argue that marrying fellow Nigerians allows them to create a space where their native cultures become part of their daily lives. Legitimizing their marriages using Nigerian institutions, to an extent which is not required by US law, also signifies their connection to their homelands. When they give their children ethnic (Nigerian) names, they do so explicitly to express their cultural identity and roots and sow the seeds of this consciousness in their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The internship period is a peculiar time in a doctor's career, and some have described it as a "nuisance year" during which the junior doctor assumes many roles at the same time. Junior doctors especially house officers are faced with many unique challenges; this is even more pronounced in poor resource settings like Nigeria. This study aimed to unravel and improve understanding of the challenges faced by medical and dental interns in Nigeria., Methodology: A nine-member House officers Research and Statistics Committee (HRSC) was immediately set up to include three senior colleagues - Senior Registrars and Registrar. To carry out her responsibility efficiently the committee created the House Officers Research Collaboration Network (HRCN), a 103- member team comprising medical and dental interns from across Nigeria under a collaborative - Medical INternship Training in Nigeria (MINTING) study., Results: Out of a total of the 103 House Officers Research Collaboration Network, 80 of them participated in this survey giving a 78% response rate. Ten of the intern Collaborators had additional qualification and seven of them had BSc as an initial degree. About 66 % of the Collaborators have never authored any publication. Of the 27 that have published an article; three collaborators are said to have published 15, 13, 16 articles respectively. Male collaborators where more likely to have published at least one article in the past. Thirty one of the 80 Collaborators have never been in a research collaborative group prior to this MINTING collaborative., Conclusion: This commentary is set out to describe in detail Nigerian House Officers initiative in terms of the structure, functions, operational modalities, and to investigate the demographics of the HRCN collaborators which showed that over two third of collaborators have never authored any publication and about a third of them have never been involved in collaborative research. We also believe the findings will serve as policy guide and benchmark in training the critical medical health force., (© Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan.)

Background: Gallstones detected incidentally during imaging are termed 'silent' or asymptomatic gallstones and they account for 80% of all gallstones. About 1-2% of patients with silent gallstones develop symptoms yearly; however, determining those who will develop symptoms is a major challenge. Ultrasonography is the most sensitive and specific method of detecting gallstones with an accuracy greater than 95%. The study aims to determine the prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed silent gallstones in a Nigerian population and to determine its association with age and gender., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of abdominal ultrasound scans performed at the Radiology department of a tertiary institution between January 2013 and December 2015. Data retrieved included age, sex, and sonographic findings. Data analysis was done by simple proportions and percentages using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software., Results: Two thousand, one hundred and thirty-eight patients had abdominal ultrasound scans for various reasons during the study period. These included 915 males and 1223 females. Incidental findings of gallstones were observed in 52 patients, giving a prevalence of 2.4%. The prevalence of gallstones increased with age (p=0.051) with the highest prevalence seen in the 5th decade. Gallstones prevalence was higher in females with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3.5., Conclusion: The prevalence of silent gallstones is low in our environment, but given the complications that may arise, follow-up for early detection of complications in the patients is therefore strongly recommended., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists., (Copyright © 2023 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Background: Paediatric day case surgery refers to planned procedures on patients on a non-resident basis but requires some facilities and time for recovery before discharge home on the day of surgery. This study was conducted to audit paediatric day case surgery practice at our centre, and to determine the outcome of day case surgeries., Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of cases seen over a period of 12 years, 2010 to 2022. These patients' data were assessed from their case notes and information obtained for each of the patients included age, gender, diagnosis, type of operation, type of anesthesia and post operative complications. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 for windows., Results: A total of 1,211 patients were recruited, with a M: F; 6: 1. The age of patients ranged from one week to 15 years with a median age of two years. A higher proportion of case load involved infants and toddlers compared to the other paediatric age groups. In this review, the largest volume of cases was seen in the last five years with the peak in 2018 (202). The right groin for an isolated diagnosis was operated in 381 (59 %) patients compared to the left 265 (41 %). The mean duration of surgery time was 40 minutes. Most of the patients had General Anesthesia (GA) with endotracheal tube, face mask, and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) using isoflurane, halothane and propofol at different times as anesthetic agents. There were no re admissions or mortality, however two of our patients had recurrence necessitating a re-do surgery., Conclusion: Groin hernias are the most common day cases in children in our facility. Day case paediatric surgery is safe, and outcome is generally good, when well managed., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan.)

Globalization ensures connectedness, the sharing of knowledge across nations and across continents. This is facilitated mainly by growth in information technology which, to a large extent, is dominated by the developed world. The SMS text message is a product of technology as people can send written messages through their cell phones. The language of text messages is of necessity brief and full of abbreviations and symbols because the cell phone SMS facility has a limited capacity for containing written texts. In relation to artistic production the SMS facility is grossly inadequate. It is however appropriate for containing and relating gnomic narrative forms such as the proverb. This paper acknowledges the receipt of SMS proverbs on a daily basis from centre 5020 and centre 5810. The paper looks at one year’s collection of such proverbs, analyses its distribution, and examines its form, particularly the pseudo-proverbs that are presented alongside the proverbs and comments on some of the major themes embedded in them. The paper concludes that modern technology is a career of culture and that a developing world like Nigeria needs to be an active participant in the global world lest it be culturally swallowed by the technologically advanced countries.

Best macular dystrophy is reported to be rare in Africans. It is a hereditary disease that starts in childhood and progresses through some stages before visual symptoms occur. This case report presents a 43-year-old Nigerian with the disease and stresses the importance of regular eye exams of patients and relatives to detect changes such as choroidal neovascular membrane amenable to treatment.

It is proper that as we celebrate 50 years Independence for our beloved nation Nigeria that we also pause to reflect on the state of our children these past fifty years. It is also proper that those who actively witnessed the state of the children these past fifty years volunteer to lead reflections on the state of Nigerian children. I am deeply grateful for being invited to bear this witness. Having said that, let me quickly say that the task is enormous and one has to be imaginative, selective and indeed perspectivistic and even personal to even scratch the surface of the topic in so short a time.

Background: According to 2006 AIDS epidemic update global summary, the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS world wide is about 39.5 million (34.1-47.7million).1 In Nigeria about 2.9 million (1.7-4.2 million) people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2005.2 The AIDS epidemic continues to spread rapidly among the youth.3 Objectives: To ascertain the perception attitude and practice of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for human immune deficiency virus among undergraduates in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive survey was carried out among 185 undergraduates of the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus using a self administered questionnaire. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, fifteen were not returned hence 185 undergraduates were included in the study. Result: The result is from the study carried out in January 2009. Mean age is 22 ± 3.7 SD, 104 (56.3%) males and 80 (43.2%) females. Most 171 (92.4%) were aware of VCT, 177 (95.7%) felt that VCT was important. Inspite of this however a small proportion 48 (25.9%) of the respondents attended VCT services. Most of the respondents gave their reason for non use of VCT as having no knowledge of where to obtain the VCT services. Conclusion and Recommendation: The undergraduates were found to have good knowledge of VCT, access VCT services but low use of the services was discovered. It is therefore recommended that intensive health education and awareness campaign be carried out among the undergraduates to increase their uptake of VCT services.

Background: Men of African ancestry have disproportionately high incidence rates of prostate cancer (PCa) and have high mortality rates. While there is evidence for a higher genetic predisposition for incidence of PCa in men of African ancestry compared to men of European ancestry, there have been few transcriptomic studies on PCa in men of African ancestry in the African continent., Objective: We performed transcriptomic profiling and fusion analysis on bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) samples from 24 Nigerian PCa patients to investigate the transcriptomic and genomic rearrangement landscape of PCa in Nigerian men., Design: Bulk RNA-seq was performed on 24 formalin-fixed paraffin-embeded (FFPE) prostatectomy specimens of Nigerian men. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on 11 high-quality samples. Arriba Fusion and STAR Fusion were used for fusion detection., Results: 4/11 (36%) of the samples harbored an erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) fusion event; 1/11 (9%) had a TMPRSS2-ERG fusion; 2/11 had a TMPRSS2-ETV5 fusion, and 1/11 had a SLC45A3-SKIL fusion. Hierarchical clustering of normalized and mean-centered gene expression showed clustering of fusion positive samples. Furthermore, we developed gene set signatures for Nigerian PCa based on fusion events. By projecting the cancer genome atlas prostate adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) bulk RNA-seq data set onto the transcriptional space defined by these signatures derived from Nigerian PCa patients, we identified a positive correlation between the Nigerian fusion signature and fusion positive samples in the TCGA-PRAD data set., Conclusions: Less frequent ETS fusion events other than TMPRSS2-ERG such as TMPRSS2-ETV5 and non-ETS fusion events such as SLC45A3-SKIL may be more common in PCa in Nigerian men. This study provides useful working transcriptomic signatures that characterize oncogenic states representative of specific gene fusion events in PCa from Nigerian men., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a heterogeneous group of inherited peripheral neuropathy. It has various genetic and phenotypic characteristics and can be a significant cause of morbidity with severe disabling consequences. Often the diagnosis may be missed. It is not commonly encountered in Nigerian medical clinics and there is no documented prevalence rate for the country. Method: A case report of a 31-year-old man presenting to the medical outpatient clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu with features of Charcot -Marie - Tooth disease is presented. Relevant literature is also reviewed. Result: A thirty three year old Nigerian male presented to the medical clinic with a thirteen-year history of progressive paraesthesiae in the feet, which later involved the hands. This was accompanied seven years later by gradual onset weakness of the muscles especially the distal group in both upper and lower limbs which led to paralysis. No sphincter involvement. Family history was not contributory. He had typical features of HMSN type I and was a possible proband. Conclusion: Though not common, the inherited peripheral neuropathies are a cause of significant morbidity. When recognized there are potential issues of genetic counseling that arise for which Nigerians are yet to come to terms with.

Purpose Given the reality that working mothers experience difficulties in achieving work-family balance because of the social restrictions that arise from parenting combined with career goals, this paper aims to explore the various coping strategies that are used by working mothers in the cities of London (Great Britain) and Lagos (Nigeria).Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 72 mothers who worked in banks in London (Great Britain) and Lagos (Nigeria). Thematic analysis and investigator triangulation are used.Findings The findings reveal various coping strategies used by working mothers in the cities of Lagos and London. The paper also unearths the efficiency and the shortcomings of the use of au pairs among British working mothers and the similarities and disparities in terms of such use compared to the traditional use of housekeepers in Nigeria.Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing work–family balance literature by exploring the coping strategies of working mothers because of sociocultural and institutional differences in Great Britain and Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of periodontal diagnosis among the older adult periodontal patients seen in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria, based on their demographic factors and level of risk of periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: The clinical records of all the patients aged ≥65 years, treated at the Periodontology Clinic between 2009 and 2012, were used for this retrospective study. The information retrieved from their clinical notes includes their medical history, history of smoking, and alcohol consumption and other demographic data such as age, sex, and socioeconomic class of the participants. Results: More than one periodontal diagnosis was made in 88.8% of the studied elderly, signifying the involvement of multiple sites. All the various diagnoses recorded in this study were more common among the males, i.e., chronic marginal gingivitis (56.6%), chronic periodontitis (54.7%), tooth wear lesions (59.0%), periodontal abscess (56.3%), and gingival enlargement (60%) (P > 0.05). Majority (59.7%) who had chronic periodontitis belong to the lowest socioeconomic class (P > 0.05). Majority (83.3%) who had a high risk of developing periodontal disease were males (P = 0.005). All the older patients with high risk of developing periodontal disease had multiple diagnoses (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the pattern of periodontal conditions seen in the studied older adults is similar to what has been previously reported and that demographic factors and level of risk of periodontal diseases may influence the pattern of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Juvenile delinquency has become a significant global problem. Conduct disorder (CD), among other psychiatric disorders, has assumed prominence in its association with juvenile offending as well as criminality in adulthood. Despite this knowledge, little attention is given to this problem especially as it affects adjudicated adolescent offenders in developing countries. Aim: To examine the prevalence and correlates of CD among incarcerated adolescents in a Nigerian Borstal Institution and to investigate its independent predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 147 inmates of a Borstal Institution in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire and interviewer administered MINI-KID were used. The associations between conduct disorder and socio demographic as well as forensic variables were investigated using Chi square statistics while logistic regression was used to predict CD. Results: Out of 147 respondents, 83 (56.5 %) met the criteria for CD with a mean age 17.1 ± 1.1. Of the socio-demographic and forensic variables investigated, number of siblings (OR 4. 630; p = 0.010; 95 % CI 1.433-14.964) and previous history of incarceration (OR 4. 99; p = 0.043; 95 % CI 1.048-23.846) emerged as independent predictors of CD. Conclusions: This study recorded a high prevalence of conduct disorder among a sample of incarcerated juvenile offenders. The association of conduct disorder with large family size and recidivism highlights the need for comprehensive early interventions focused on improving parental supervision in large families as well as other re-training programs aimed at reducing juvenile re-offending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major holdings of the broadcast libraries of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) are electronic information resources; therefore, providing safe places for general management of these resources have aroused interest in the industry in Nigeria for sometimes. The need to study the preservation and conservation of these information resources becomes very important so as to alleviate and find suitable measures to eliminate the identified possible damaging effects of this malign challenging situation in the broadcast libraries of the NTA. This study attempted to find out the categories of electronic information resources and their level of preservation and conservation as well as the challenges that were faced in the preservation and conservation of the resources identified. The descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Five broadcast libraries were purposively selected for this study and questionnaire were used to obtain data from the heads of each library. Multimedia files were majorly acquired in tapes of various categories. Lack of policy, human errors, lack of in-depth knowledge and funding were among the major problems highlighted. Meanwhile, the study recommended the following; procurement of newer resources like disk video server, provision of standard and working policy and holistic study of general managements of electronic information resources among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain management (SCM) is a production based project delivery approach that has come to stay and help streamline all the experiences of extensive delays and abandonment that have bedeviled the Nigerian construction industry. The objectives of this study were to identify and evaluate the constraints to the application of SCM in the delivery of construction projects. The study adopted an exploratory research design method of investigation consisting of both quantitative and qualitative methods. A purposive and convenient sampling technique was deployed in selecting the sample size using the Krejcie and Morgan method. A semi-structured interview, multiple case study, personal observation and questionnaire survey was carried out among four (4) construction firms located in Abuja, Lagos and Rivers State respectively. The questionnaires were used as the primary data collection instrument after they were pre-tested using a pilot study for validity and reliability. The data collected were analyzed using Severity Index (SI) and Cronbach's Alpha reliability with the aid of SPSS 17.0 version as well as a Microsoft excels programmed software. The study found that out of the 403 responses gotten on the twenty four (24) factors identified as constraints to the application of SCM in construction project delivery. The followings were identified as the most significant constraints; Lack of the understanding of SCM concept (SI=50.76), unclear strategic benefits (SI=50.52), dearth of trust within and outside an organization (SI=50.31), lack of a common standard for collaboration (SI=49.32) and failure to broaden the SC vision beyond procurement or product distribution (SI=48.12). The study recommends that a forum be created through workshops, conferences, face-to-face interactions to aid in understanding what the concept is all about. The study further recommends that effort should be made by the professionals, contractors, subcontractors and the likes to adopt the SCM techniques in the delivery of their construction projects to schedule, cost and quality objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the corneal endothelial cell density of adults at the MeCure Eye Center and to determine the relationship between age, sex, and corneal endothelial cell density. Methods: This study was a retrospective study looking at those records of individuals who had undergone specular microscopy or corneal endothelial cell count measurement at the MeCure Eye Center. Results: The endothelial cell characteristics of 359 healthy eyes of 201 volunteers were studied. The mean corneal endothelial cell density (MCD) was 2,610.26±371.87 cells/mm² (range, 1,484-3,571 cells/mm²). The MCD decreased from 2,860.70 cells/mm² in the 20-30-year age group to 2,493.06 cells/mm² in the >70-year age group, and there was a statistically significant relationship between age and MCD with a P-value of <0.001. There was no statistically significant correlation between sex and corneal endothelial cell density (P=0.45). Conclusion: This study shows that endothelial cell density in Nigerian eyes is less than that reported in the Japanese, American, and Chinese eyes, and is comparable to that seen in Indian and Malaysian eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a physiological process associated with an increased hemodynamic load and cardiac structural remodeling. Limited echocardiographic information exists on cardiac chambers, left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions, and LV mass during trimesters of normal pregnancy among African women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Echocardiography was done at the beginning of the second trimester, beginning of the third trimester, and middle of the third trimester for 100 normal pregnant women and at one visit for age-matched 100 nonpregnant women. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 software. Analysis of variance was used to compare within trimesters, and a P value of >0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ages of the patients and controls were 28.20 (±5.91) and 28.35 (±6.06) years, respectively (age range =19-44 years, P = 0.86). Cardiac chambers, LV systolic function, and LV mass and its index increased significantly during pregnancy. A significant increase in A-wave velocity but slight increase in E-wave velocity and a reduction in tissue e' velocity at the septal margin but a progressive increase in a' velocity were also observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cardiac chamber dimensions, LV wall thickness, and mass, most indices of LV systolic and diastolic function, though within normal range, were significantly higher in pregnant than in nonpregnant Nigerian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examined the presence and relationship of the variables physical function level, fear of falling, occupational status, and fall prevalence in a Nigerian elderly sample. It describes the survey methodology used in the test, documents the results between varying age and occupation groups, and concludes that fall prevalence is particularly high among the Nigerian elderly.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, life-threatening disease characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, neurologic abnormalities, renal insufficiency, and fever commonly associated with infections, malignancy, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. Coexistence of TTP with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare, and the emergence of the full manifestation of SLE starting with TTP is even rarer. Black people due to genetic risk factors are at increased risk of TTP. In the present article the authors describe the case of a Nigerian woman who developed classical features of TTP as the first manifestation of SLE. The patient's condition was stabilized after treatment with intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone and subsequently on oral prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report an unusual case of orbital hydatid cyst successfully managed by surgical excision. Case report: A 33-year-old female presented with gradual protrusion of the left eye associated with poor vision, cosmetic embarrassment and watering. She had excision biopsy of an encapsulated cystic lesion with cheesy tissue and serous content. Orbital hydatid cyst due to echinococcosis was confirmed at histopathological examination of the excised tissue. She subsequently became pregnant hence, could not undergo post-operative antihelminthic treatment, but was managed conservatively with no recurrence after five years of regular follow-up. Conclusion: Orbital hydatid cyst should be considered as a differential in a young patient presenting with unilateral proptosis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]