BackgroundDespite the widespread acceptability of glucometers as a blood glucose self-monitoring and point-of-care device, their usage is confronted with operational, technical, regulatory, and quality control concerns.ObjectiveThis study assessed knowledge, estimated competence, and measured experience of healthcare practitioners using glucometers for patient care in two states of Northern Nigeria.MethodsThis cross-sectional, descriptive study used a total population sampling strategy and self-completed questionnaires. A total of 768 questionnaires were distributed to hospitals in Jigawa and Kogi States, Nigeria, from December 2019 to April 2022. The questionnaire had three sections: collecting details about type of healthcare facility, sociodemographic characteristics and educational qualifications of participants, and assessment of knowledge, competence and practice. Data were analysed and results expressed as frequencies and percentages.ResultsOverall, 570 questionnaires were filled and retrieved, giving a response rate of 74.2%. Most of the participants were male (312; 54.7%); female participants totalled 258 (45.3%). Most participants were aged < 50 years (25–40 years, 215 [37.7%]; 41–50 years, 246 [43.2%]). The majority of participants were Medical Laboratory Scientists (124, 21.8%]), Technicians (151, 26.5%), or Nurses (132, 23.2%). Most participants (284, 49.8%) reported having no formal training prior to first use of glucometers in patient care. Many participants (379, 66.5%) knew about glucometer calibrators; 235 (41.2%) did not know what specific purpose calibrators served.ConclusionThis study found a lack of knowledge, competence and experience among healthcare practitioners, especially for hands-on use of glucometer calibrators and standard operating procedures for blood glucose testing using glucometers.What this study addsThe study brings to fore the need for training and retraining of healthcare practitioners on the theoretical and practical skills required for operating glucometers. Periodic calibration of glucometers and provision of quality control materials should be incorporated into standard operating procedures at point-of-care testing workstations in health facilities.

Domestic violence (DV) is a major public health concern with profound emotional, psychological, and medical consequences for women and their families. This study assessed the prevalence, associated factors, and proffered solutions to domestic violence in pregnancy (DVP) among married women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 447 pregnant married women attending antenatal care at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, pretested questionnaire (with supplementary validated tools) and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics (version 22.0). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with significance set at P < 0.05. The prevalence of DVP was 27.1%. Husbands or intimate partners were the main perpetrators (66.2%). Emotional/psychological abuse was the most common form of violence (60.3%), while sexual abuse was least reported. On multivariable logistic regression, factors independently associated with DVP included rural residence, maternal age ≥ 30 years, lower maternal educational status, and partners with tertiary education or social habits such as alcohol use, infidelity, and keeping late nights (P < 0.05). Most respondents (40.2%) believed prayer was the solution, while 31.1% felt no solution existed. Domestic violence in pregnancy remains prevalent in Enugu, Nigeria with emotional abuse being most frequent. The reliance on prayer or resignation as "solutions" reflects deep-rooted cultural and religious influences. Routine screening during antenatal care, coupled with culturally sensitive counseling, referral pathways, and community-based interventions, is urgently needed to address the burden and prevent associated complications.

BackgroundChildren with congenital heart diseases are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) later in life, and children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) are at greater risk.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and the associations between microalbuminuria and age, oxygen saturation and haematocrit in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.MethodsThis was a comparative, cross-sectional analytical study carried out over a period of six months. Thirty-six children with CCHD and thirty-six apparently healthy children were enrolled consecutively. Haematocrit levels, oxygen saturation, serum and urine creatinine levels and urine albumin levels were determined for eligible participants. A urine albumin/creatinine ratio in the range of 30–300 mg/g was classified as positive for microalbuminuria. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables.ResultsThe prevalence rates of microalbuminuria were 38.9% (95% CI: 20.1, 56.5) and 5.6% (95% CI: 0.67, 18.7) in children with CCHD and in apparently healthy children, respectively. More children with CCHD than apparently healthy children had microalbuminuria. χ2 = 11.57, COR = 10.8 (95% CI: 2.23, 52.29), p = 0.001. Compared with those without microalbuminuria, children with microalbuminuria had significantly higher haematocrits. χ2 = 12.38, p = 0.001. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a haematocrit ≥ 56% was a strong predictor of microalbuminuria in children with CCHD. AOR = 18.33 (95% CI: 2.52, 133.26), p = 0.004.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that children with CCHD are more likely to have microalbuminuria than are children who appear to be in good health and that microalbuminuria in this group of children is related to higher haematocrit levels. Early screening of this group of children is recommended to reduce the risk of progressive kidney disease.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Abstract Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in African urban centers where road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause. Limited access to neurosurgical care, imaging, and critical care infrastructure may exacerbate outcomes in these settings. This systematic review evaluates the burden, outcomes, and healthcare system factors associated with RTA-related TBI in African urban centers. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published from January 2010 to May 2025. Observational studies, clinical audits, and hospital-based registries reporting on TBI from RTAs in African urban centers were included. The primary outcome was mortality and functional outcome (e.g., Glasgow Outcome Scale), and secondary outcomes included morbidity, hospital length of stay, and time to neurosurgical intervention. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and QUIPS tools. Data were synthesized narratively, and no meta-analysis was conducted. Quality of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. Results: A total of 13 studies involving 6,453 participants across 8 African countries were included. The majority of patients were young males (aged 20–35), and RTAs, especially motorcycle crashes, were the dominant mechanism of injury. Severe TBI (GCS ≤8) was common, and mortality rates ranged from 30% to 70% among this subgroup. Predictors of poor outcome included low GCS, hypotension, and delayed presentation. Access to neurosurgical intervention, CT imaging, and ICU care varied widely across centers, with several studies noting financial barriers as a major contributor to discharge against medical advice (DAMA). Only three studies reported long-term outcomes beyond hospital discharge. Risk-of-bias assessment found that most studies were at moderate risk of bias, with common limitations including single-centre hospital sampling, retrospective data collection in several cohorts, incomplete reporting of missing-data handling and sample-size justification, and limited follow-up or attrition for longer-term outcomes. Conclusion: RTA-related TBI in African urban centers is associated with high mortality and unfavorable functional outcomes, largely due to delayed access to care, limited imaging and ICU capacity, and socioeconomic constraints. Improved trauma systems, expanded neurocritical care services, and financial protection mechanisms are urgently needed to reduce preventable mortality and improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

Introduction: Oligodontia represents the developmental absence of six or more teeth, posing significant challenges for masticatory function, speech, and psychosocial well-being. While extensively documented in developed countries, limited reports exist from resource-constrained settings in Africa. This study presents two pediatric cases of oligodontia managed with available resources and analyzes their clinical presentations against current literature. This case report was prepared following the CARE guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and completeness.Cases and Interventions: Case 1, a 10-year-old female with a history of missing anterior teeth from birth, with no associated systemic abnormalities and no contributory family history, but with deranged alkaline phosphatase. To address masticatory function, speech, and esthetic problems, removable partial dentures were fabricated for both jaws. Case 2, a 10-year-old female with a family history of congenitally missing teeth but no other features of syndromic oligodontia, with an associated crown fracture involving the enamel, dentine, and pulp of the maxillary right central incisor, peg-shaped maxillary right lateral incisor, and retained mandibular central incisors. Systemic features of mild acanthosis nigricans, nail abnormalities, and hypohidrosis were observed with deranged alkaline phosphatase. To restore speech and masticatory function, root canal treatment and postretained crown restoration of the maxillary right central incisor and composite resin restoration for the peg-shaped maxillary right lateral incisors and retained lower central incisor teeth were done.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of oligodontia significantly improve functional outcomes and quality of life. Resource limitations necessitated adaptive treatment approaches while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

The International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes (ICSBCS) has played a vital role in defining and overcoming many inequities that exist in breast cancer treatment and outcome on a global basis through capacity-building programs that improve the management of breast cancer patients across the African diaspora. ICSBCS activities also fill critical gaps in disparities research related to the genetics of ancestry. Over the past 20years, ICSBCS teams have spearheaded landmark studies documenting the relevance of genetic African ancestry to breast cancer risk, while also improving the quality of care delivered to patients in diverse communities. Herein, the achievements and future goals of this international, multi-institutional breast cancer research and outreach program are summarized.

Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is a veritable reconstructive option for covering skin and soft tissue defects but donor site management remains a challenge. Attempts to improve STSG donor site care have been made using different methods and various dressing agents; however, there is no consensus on the standard method of donor site care. This study aims to compare STSG healing rate using early versus late exposure of donor site dressing methods. This study was conducted in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Southeast, Nigeria. Forty patients were recruited for the study and assigned to two groups of 20 patients each by a simple random sampling method. Group A had late exposure of the donor site dressing, whereas Group B had early exposure of the donor site dressing. The percentage re-epithelialization rate on the 14th day and the duration for complete re-epithelialization for both groups were calculated. The results were analyzed using International Business Machine Corporation, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Chicago Illinois, USA. (IBM SPSS) Statistics for Windows version 26. The early exposure dressing method showed a faster re-epithelialization rate with a mean value of 98.15 (±4.92) compared with late exposure dressing methods with a mean rate of 70.95 (±13.22), which was statistically significant with a P value of 0.001. The duration for complete re-epithelialization was 13.80 (±4.63) days for the early exposure method and 29.40 (±6.25) days for the late exposure method. This is statistically significant with P < 0.001. Management of STSG donor site by early exposure of the donor site dressing is associated with increased re-epithelialization rate and shortened duration for complete donor site healing.

Blood and blood products are life-saving interventions, preventing millions of deaths annually. However, they present ethical and clinical risks from transfusing wrong blood, near misses, and infectious and immunologic risks, which effective hemovigilance systems are designed to prevent. As African countries have a scarcity of such robust surveillance systems, why do hospital transfusion committees (HTCs) that can enable effective hemovigilance remain a rarity? We aimed to assess the status, barriers, and opportunities for functional HTCs in Nigeria to improve national hemovigilance systems and blood transfusion outcomes. A mixed-methods research study was undertaken, with quantitative data collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and in-depth group and individual interviews. These were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and inductive thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key themes. Ninety-eight health facilities across all 23 local government areas in Rivers State were assessed quantitatively, and 128 blood transfusion practitioners were assessed qualitatively. Routine reporting of blood transfusion adverse events occurred in 56.7% of facilities, whereas only 33.3% conducted audits. Only 12.5% of facilities had functional HTCs. Practitioners' responses revealed poor management commitment, blame culture, inadequate training on documentation and recognizing adverse events, limited funding, and heavy staff workload. Effective hemovigilance in Nigeria remains challenged, and findings underscore the need for national mandates standardizing HTC operations. Developing adequate reporting and auditing systems that enhance blood safety requires exploring hindrances to functional HTCs. Vital approaches include high-level government and management commitment, resource mobilization, staff training, blame avoidance, and technology-enabled systems that alleviate task burdens on transfusion personnel.

Background: Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma, with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) as key risk factors for progression. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment targeting dysplastic tissues in BE. This paper assesses RFA’s efficacy in preventing HGD progression and promoting LGD regression in BE, and evaluates its safety profile, including complications such as esophageal stricture, bleeding, and perforation. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies published up to October 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective trials, and retrospective cohort studies involving BE patients undergoing RFA were included. Data on study characteristics, complications, and outcomes were extracted. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for effectiveness outcomes, with prevalence rates for safety outcomes. Results: Seven studies (3654 patients) met inclusion criteria. The pooled log OR for HGD progression was -2.60 (95% CI: [-5.38, 0.18]), suggesting a potential protective effect, though with uncertainty. LGD regression showed a significant pooled log OR of 2.75 (95% CI: [1.37, 4.14]), with high heterogeneity (I 2 = 83.99%). Esophageal stricture prevalence was 5.84% (95% CI: [4.07, 18.31]), bleeding 1.79% (95% CI: [0.01, 5.63]), perforation 0.79%, and abdominal pain: 1.45%. Conclusions: RFA effectively promotes LGD regression and may prevent HGD progression in BE, though larger RCTs are needed to confirm HGD effects. Generally safe, RFA carries risks of stricture and bleeding, requiring careful patient selection and monitoring. Long-term, diverse studies are essential to assess durability and generalizability.