Nigerian Males Research Articles

Coming Out and Reaching Out: Linguistic Advocacy on Queer Nigerian Twitter

ABSTRACT Anti-homosexuality and anti-LGBTQ attitudes persist in Nigeria, cutting across the activities of state and non-state actors. However, away from the hostile public physical spaces, the digital world has become a refuge where Nigerian queers attempt to exist true to their self-identities, and to take charge of the narratives about their existence. In examining how Nigerian queer males assert their agency, this study pays attention to the linguistic advocacies around the topics of “coming out” and “reaching out”. I analyse how Nigerian queer men navigate the digital media space and engage in anti-homophobic advocacies. The data are retrieved from Twitter via keyword searches and manually selected tweets. Using located and embedded knowledge, I identify that the performative use of language achieves the functions of coming out and confronting homophobic cyberbullying; providing information to non-queers; representations of family and acceptance in queer tweets; and, speaking out against politicians, government and society. The implications are that queer Nigerian males identify and use digital platforms for expressing their sexualities as well as for purposive identity formations which manifest in both in- and out-group advocacies.

Pro12Ala Polymorphism of the PPAR-γ Gene is not Associated with BMI and Energy Metabolism among Healthy Nigerian Males

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors while the PPAR-γ subtype regulates adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The Pro12Ala (rs1801282) polymorphism of the PPAR-γ has been linked to obesity in some populations. Objectives: The present study aimed to find the relationship between PPAR-γ Pro12Ala polymorphism, energy metabolism and obesity among Nigerians males. Methods: One hundred and fifteen male participants were recruited and their physical parameters such as weight and height were measured. Blood samples were taken for the analysis of metabolic parameters (fasting blood sugar, electrolytes and lipid profile) and DNA extraction, while genotyping was done by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Blood samples were also analysed for metabolic parameters, Deoxyribonucleic Acid extraction and genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Results: Results show that the frequencies of the C (Pro) and G (Ala) alleles were 74.8 % and 58.2 % while the genotype frequencies of Pro/Pro (CC), Pro/Ala (CG) and Ala/Ala (GG) were 54.8 %, 40.0 % and 5.2 % respectively within the population sampled. The genotype distribution was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2 =0.422, p<0.001). The distribution of Pro and Ala alleles was not significantly different (p>0.05) between different BMI categories. The physical and metabolic parameters (except plasma sodium and chloride) measured were not also significantly different (p>0.05) between genotype groups as analyzed by ANOVA. Conclusion: No association was found between the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ gene and BMI in the Nigerian population sampled. Future studies involving females and a larger population are recommended.

The Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency among Men with and without Prostate Cancer in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Zinc deficiency is reportedly common and influences prostate cancer (PCa) incidence among elderly males. Hence, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among Nigerian males with PCa.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive case–control study among 220 PCa patients and 220 age-matched controls. Clinical and laboratory variables were obtained and evaluated among both study groups. Analysis of serum PSA and plasma zinc was done under standard protocols.Results: No age difference (cases: 69.73 ± 7.72 vs controls: 68.97 ± 7.32; P > 0.05) was observed among both study groups. Prevalence of zinc deficiency among PCa and control groups was 69.1% and 21.8%, respectively. Zinc deficiency was more prevalent among the elderly PCa patients (n = 119; 78.3%) compared to elderly controls. Higher proportion (n = 136; 89.5%) of zinc-deficient PCa patients presented with moderate-severe PCa disease. Elderly PCa patients (n = 119; 81.0%) predominated among those exhibiting moderate-severe PCa disease. Inverse relationship between zinc and age was more pronounced among the PCa patients (Beta= −0.454; P < 0.001) than the controls (Beta= −0.343; P ≤ 0.001).Conclusion: The study findings indicate a significant burden of zinc deficiency associated with adverse outcome of PCa among elderly males with the disease. Zinc deficiency may serve as a therapeutic target or diagnostic marker in elderly males with PCa.

Serum Trace Elements and Antioxidant Vitamins among Male Patients with Prostate Disorders in the Delta Region of Nigeria

Background : Prostate cancer remains the commonest form of cancer among Nigerian males, constituting 13.3% of all male cancers encountered in this region. Trace elements and antioxidant vitamins may be of epidemiological significance in the early prediction and treatment of prostate complications. The study aimed to explore the serum trace elements, antioxidant vitamins concentration and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) among male with prostate disorders in the delta region of Nigeria. Methods : Blood specimens were collected from males with symptoms of prostatitis (n=70), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n=60) and prostate cancer (PCa; n=70), alongside with apparently healthy male subjects (n=60). The levels of trace elements and antioxidant vitamins were evaluated. Fluorescence immunoassay technique was used to assess the expression of PSA. Results : Compared with the controls, PCa patients had a significantly increased level of vitamin A (p 0.05). Interestingly, there was a significant positive correlation between prostate specific antigen, trace elements and vitamins in BPH group (p<0.05). Conclusions : Prostate disorders such as prostatitis, BPH and PCa may be associated with elevated levels of PSA, but, does not affect the circulating expression of some serum trace elements and antioxidant vitamins.

METABOLIC SYNDROME AND REPRODUCTION: CURRENT PERSPECTIVES IN NIGERIA

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors. It is a major health challenge globally, with an increased prevalence in the developing world. Studies on its role on reproduction in Nigeria are currently sparse. This article therefore, examines current knowledge on metabolic syndrome and reproduction in Nigerians. Academic databases including PubMed as well as Google search engine were searched between 2012 and 2017 for metabolic syndrome in reproduction in Nigerian males and females. Current observations suggest that metabolic syndrome adversely affects reproduction.

English

Collodiaphyseal angle (CDA) is the angle formed between the femoral neck axis and the diaphysis axis. The aims of this study were to determine the normal range of collodiaphyseal angle in adults and to determine any difference in the collodiaphyseal angle between right and left femur and also between sexes. 340 subjects consisting of 170 (50%) males and 170 (50%) females were included in this study. Plain radiographs were taken with the patients lying supine and the medial malleoli touching each other to prevent the hips being laterally rotated. Films were shot at a film focal distance (FFD) of 90 cm to minimize magnification. Measurements were taken with calibrated ruler and the collodiaphyseal angle was measured using goniometer. Results showed a normal range of CDA among Nigerian males as mean &plusmn; SD of (133.2&deg; &plusmn; 7.6) for the right and mean &plusmn; SD of (131.1&deg; &plusmn; 7.3) for the left. In females, it was (125.1&deg; &plusmn; 6.9) on the right and (123.0&deg; &plusmn; 6.9) on the left. Based on the study, coxa vara and coxa valga could be diagnosed on the normal range of collodiaphyseal angle in Ile-Ife (118&deg; -145&deg; in males and 110&deg; -138&deg; females). There is also sex variation and difference in CDA between right and left femur. Key words: Collodiaphyseal angle, coxa vara, coxa valga. &nbsp

Attitude of a Discrete Group of Nigerian Male Doctors Towards Prostate Cancer Screening

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Testicular Dysfunction is a Common Feature in Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Hypogonadism in male patients with diabetes mellitus is associated with older age, obesity and poor glycaemic control. The patterns of sperm count, testicular volume, sperm motility and morphology have also been reported to be abnormal in these patients, though reports are conflicting. The objectives of this study were to assess gonadal function and sperm parameters in Nigerian males with diabetes mellitus. A study sample of 150 males consisting of 108 patients and 56 age-matched controls were recruited. The ADAM questionnaire was used to obtain a clinical score for hypogonadism. Laboratory parameters measured were fasting plasma glucose, serum LH, FSH, free testosterone, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride. Testicular volume was measured with a Prader orchidometer. Total sperm count, sperm morphology and motility were assessed. Hypogonadism was present in 38.9% of males with diabetes compared to 3.6% in controls. The patients with diabetes had significantly lower sperm count, reduced sperm motility with increased abnormal forms than the controls (p<0.001, p<0.001). Only 8.5% of the patients did not demonstrate any abnormality in testicular function. Poor sperm function was more common than hypogonadism and was associated with poor glycaemic control (p<0.001). Likewise, hypogonadism was significantly associated with poor glycaemic control (p<0.001).

Pyospermia in Men Seeking Assisted Reproduction Technology

Introduction: Pyospermia is often detected in semen, especially when investigating for male infertility. Pyospermia, in a significantly large number is often correlated with inferior sperm parameters and reduced fertility. Pyospermia may be a factor of a fundamental genitourinary infection. This study assessed the relationship between pus cells and semen parameters in infertile Nigerian males. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at Nordica Fertility Center, Lagos, Nigeria, from 2004 to 2009. A total of 907 subjects were analyzed. Subjects ages (years) were categorized into ≤30, 30.1 - 35, 35.1 - 40, 40.1 - 45, 45.1 - 50 and >50, BMI into x2 = 0.05, P-value = 0.51, OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.30, 11.02). Mean progressive motility (%) was significantly reduced (t = 1.95, P-value = 0.03) among patients with ≥3/hpf pyospermia (33.75 ± 19.23) compared to those with 1 - 2/hpf pyospermia (38.58 ± 21.63). Patients with sperm oval head ≤ 30% had significantly higher pyospermia (t = 2.22, P-value = 0.013) than those with sperm oval head of >30%. Conclusion: Elevated pus cell counts were observed among obese azoospermic men, those with reduced sperm progressive motility and those with lower count of sperms with oval head morphology. Clinicians should consider pyospermia relative to body mass index and mean progressive motility in their management of male infertility.

Men at the Edge: Margins and Masculinities in Nigerian Migrant Fictions

Most African societies are constructed as patriarchal and consequently structured around a hegemonic conception of masculinity. The male gender stands as the embodiment of authority and a symbol of power and privileges. But, since about the middle of the eighties, and for reasons ranging from economic difficulties, political crisis and war to the quest for educational and professional fulfillment, people from different African communities and countries have been voting with their feet, migrating to different countries of Europe and America. On arrival in their different countries of destination, they find themselves confronted with a different kind of social relations. Men in particular find themselves consigned to the margins of their new societies, with all the powers and privileges they had become used to almost completely abrogated. In short, they discover that they have to adjust to a form of masculinity that can only be described as subordinate.Recent Nigerian works of fiction focusing on the theme of transnational migration have con­tinued to reflect on this situation. The authors of these works have, among other issues, continued to explore the condition of Nigerian males existing at the edges of their new societies in the diaspora, articulating the untold agony they suffer and the crisis of adjustment they experience. My focus in this paper then lies in the exploration of the perspective of transformed masculinities in Nigerian migrant fiction, focusing specifically on Ike Oguine’s A Squatter’s Tale.

A Pilot Psychometric Investigation of the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) and Women's Sexual Addiction Screening Test (W-SAST) in a Nigerian Hospital Setting

This study explores the psychometric properties of the SAST and W-SAST in an African setting. Following initial field-testing and a subsequent focus group discussion among 30 medical students, minimal language modifications were made to these questionnaires to better suit the Nigerian populace. The SAST and W-SAST were then respectively administered to a sample of 44 male and 47 female psychiatric patients. Thereafter, the respondents were subjected to an interview based on the Carnes Sexual Addiction Diagnostic Criteria. Internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha was.70 and.77 for the SAST and W-SAST respectively. As a screen for problematic hypersexual behavior in Nigerian males, the SAST had acceptable sensitivity (.83) and specificity (.93) at an optimal cut-off score of 14. A cut-off score of 9 reasonably balanced the sensitivity (.80) and specificity (.83) of the W-SAST when used as a screening tool for sexual addiction among Nigerian women. The SAST and W-SAST are valid and reliable tools that can be respectively used to screen for problematic hypersexual behavior among Nigerian men and women.

Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer: Implications for patients′ management

Background: Cancer of the prostate is the commonest cancer and the most frequent cause of cancer deaths in Nigerian males. In Nigeria, prostate cancer patients frequently present in the late stage of the disease with consequent poor prognosis. The outcome of the disease in our setting is also worsened by diagnostic errors; this fact has been underappreciated. In this study, we have assessed the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of prostate tumors by clinicians working in Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved for all histopathology requests for prostatectomy specimens submitted to three pathology laboratories in Anambra State, Nigeria. The working clinical diagnoses were compared with the corresponding histopathology diagnoses, and the diagnostic accuracy of the medical doctors was calculated statistically. Results: Our results showed that the clinicians studied have a low overall sensitivity (37,500 per 100,000 patients) in diagnosing prostate cancer. Furthermore, doctors working in public hospitals have a slightly lower sensitivity but higher specificity than doctors serving in private hospitals when it comes to diagnosing prostrate tumors. Conclusion: This study revealed a high specificity but low sensitivity in clinicians' ability to accurately diagnose prostatic cancer. Reliance on PSA needs to be reviewed. More so the serving laboratories in the index State may need to apply internal and external quality assurance systems to their PSA analysis. It will be instructive to search for other diagnostic tools with appreciably higher predictive value. Generally, more education, research and development is needed for improvement.

Association of seminal plasma cadmium levels with semen quality in non-occupationally exposed infertile Nigerian males

Aim: Male infertility of unknown etiology may be attributed to various environmental exposures to toxic substances such as metals. Very few human studies have evaluated the relationship between male reproductive function and toxic metal concentrations in seminal plasma in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of cadmium in seminal plasma of non-occupationally exposed infertile Nigerian males and correlate their levels with semen quality. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 subjects were enrolled, which includes 60 infertile males on a routine visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City and 20 fertile males (controls). The concentration of cadmium in seminal plasma was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization standard. Results: Mean seminal plasma cadmium level was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in infertile males compared with controls. The toxic metal correlated negatively (P

Racial differences in the ECG — selected aspects

IntroductionRacial differences in the ECG have been known about for many years but there has been no significant comparison of large population groups. This study set out to remedy this shortcoming. MethodsDigital ECG data were available for four population samples gathered in Scotland, Taiwan, Nigeria and India. All ECGs were recorded in the different countries and processed centrally by the University of Glasgow ECG Analysis Program. Measurements were analysed statistically to look for significant differences. ResultsThere were 4223 individuals in the study (2559 males and 1664 females). In general terms, findings such as QRS duration being longer in males than females applied to all four races. More specifically, QRS voltages were higher in young black males compared to others, while ST amplitudes, as in V2, were higher in Chinese and Nigerian males than in Caucasians. ConclusionRace requires to be taken into account to enhance automated interpretation of the ECG.

Anthropometric measures of adiposity as correlates of atherogenic index of plasma in non-obese sedentary Nigerian males

Background The increase in cardiovascular events has necessitated the identification of possible predictors that can help in predicting atherogenicity. Objective The study sought to identify the anthropometric measures of adiposity that are associated with atherogenic risk in sedentary, non-obese, young male adults. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to recruit a purposive sample of 414 sedentary males in a university campus. Anthropometric measures of adiposity, lipid parameters, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were assessed. Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data collected. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results There was a high risk of cardiovascular events (AIP=0.36±0.04 SD) among the participants. A significant correlation (p=0.000) was obtained between each of the anthropometric measures (except conicity index) and AIP. Body mass index, body adiposity index, and percent body fat were significant predictors accounting for 38.9, 3.1, and 2.2% of the variance due to AIP. Conclusions Sedentary status among young males is associated with high atherogenic risk in the presence of normal lipid and anthropometric parameters. Both central and general measures of adiposity predict less than half of the atherogenic risk in sedentary young males.

Penile size in healthy Nigerian newborns: country‐based reference values and international comparisons

To establish normal reference values for penile size in Nigerian newborn boys and to compare those values with standards from other populations. A total number of 261 healthy newborn boys delivered at gestational ages of 28 weeks or more were enrolled in the study. Penile lengths and widths were measured within 72 h of birth. The mean (±SD) penile length in the 261 Nigerian males studied was 3.4 ± 0.48 cm, while the mean mid-shaft diameter was 1.2 ± 0.14 cm. Compared with data from other populations, Nigerian newborn boys had similar penile sizes to those reported for US Caucasian boys (mean 3.4 cm), but significantly greater penile sizes than those reported for boys from China and Hong Kong (mean 3.0 and 3.1 cm, respectively; both p < 0.001). There was a slight, but significant, difference in size between Nigerian and Malaysian boys, with Malaysian boys having greater penile sizes (mean 3.5 cm; p < 0.05). A Nigerian newborn with a penile length of <2.39 cm can be considered to have a micropenis.

Radiologic Determination of Ischiopubic Index in South-South Nigerian Population

For anthropological and medicolegal reasons, sex is usually identified from the human skeleton. The hip bone is normally used and the ischiopubic index is one of the best parameters used for determination of sex. This study was carried out to determine the pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index of the South-South people of Nigeria. Anteroposterior radiographs of adult pelvis (age range, 18-75 years) were evaluated. Five hundred and eighteen (518) radiographs (259 males and 259 females) were those of the south-South people of Nigeria. The morphological measurements were pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index. The mean values of pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index of male South-South Nigerians were 74.99 mm, 85.03mm and 88.65, respectively while those of their females were 84.48 mm, 79.52 mm and 106.45, respectively. The mean pubic length was significantly longer in females than males in the population (p<0.05). The mean ischial length was significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.05). The ischiopubic index of the females was significantly higher than that of the males. Using the radiographs, sex could be assigned to 32.43% of males and 31.66% of females when using the formulae (Mean±3SD). But then, using the formulae (Mean±2SD), sex was assigned to 68.72% of South-South Nigerian males and 62.53% of South-South Nigerian females. When these results were compared with other races, there were racial differences. Thus, this study is important as it has provided the necessary data for the Nigerian population under investigation. An ischiopubic index greater than (90) will most probably be that of a female and less than (90) will most probably be that of a male in South-South Nigeria. The data is recommended to obstetricians, physical anthropologists and forensic scientists.

Prostatic tumours among Nigerian males: A private practice experience in Benin-City, South-South, Nigeria

To highlight the frequency and histological types of prostatic tumours seen in a private practice setting in Benin-City, South-South Nigeria. Haematoxylin and eosin stained-slides of prostatic biopsies diagnosed at the Ashamas Foundation Diagnostic Centre, Benin-City for 10 years were archived and studied. Histological request forms were analysed for clinical bio-data, type of biopsies and diagnosis. A total of 908 prostatic tumours comprising of 468 open prostatectomies, 378 transurethral prostatectomies, 60 needle biopsies and 2 unspecified biopsy types were diagnosed. The peak age incidence of prostatic tumours was 60-69 years accounting for 37% of all prostatic tumours. Nodular prostatic hyperplasia (NPH) was the most common tumour accounting for 74.9%. Prostatic cancer was the second most common tumour accounting for 22.1% of all prostatic tumours. Six cases (1.3%) of incidental carcinoma were diagnosed out of the 680 cases of NPH. Transitional cell carcinoma and metastatic carcinoma constituted 0.2%, 0.1% of prostatic tumours respectively. In all, carcinosarcoma and fibrosarcoma accounted for 0.1% each of the prostatic tumours. High grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm accounted for 0.2% while 1.1% was inadequate for histopathological diagnosis. Nodular prostatic hyperplasia accounted for vast majority of all prostatic tumours in this study. However a significant percentage of prostatic adenocarcinoma was also encountered. Health education and population based screening modalities are advocated to reduce prostatic tumour morbidity and mortality in the Nigerian adult male population.

A cephalometric investigation of horizontal lip position in adult Nigerians

The aims of this study were to (1) identify soft tissue cephalometric norms for horizontal lip position in an adult Nigerian population; (2) compare values for Nigerian males and females; and (3) compare Nigerian norms with established norms for Caucasians and other populations. A cross-sectional descriptive study. Lagos University Teaching Hospital Dental Clinic, Idi-araba, Lagos, Nigeria. One hundred students (44 males and 56 females) of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, aged 18-25 years, of Nigerian ancestry, with a normal class I occlusion and no facial asymmetry. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of the subjects were taken in natural head position. Radiographs were manually traced and 11 soft tissue cephalometric parameters measured. These were derived from the Steiner, Ricketts, Burstone, Merrifield and Holdaway soft tissue analyses. Male and female values were compared using Student's t-test with a level of significance at P<0·05. Statistically significant differences were observed between Nigerian males and females in eight of the variables studied, with males having more protrusive upper and lower lips than the females. Variables, which did not vary by sex, were soft tissue facial angle, nose prominence and soft tissue chin thickness. In addition, Nigerian norms were higher than norms reported by Steiner, Ricketts, Burstone and Holdaway for Caucasian populations, while the Z-angle was lower than the norm established by Merrifield. Gender-specific soft tissue norms for horizontal lip position should be used for orthodontic treatment planning in Nigerian subjects. Nigerians have more protrusive upper and lower lips compared to Caucasians.

Heel bone mass of a young South Indian population with a Nigerian population residing in a South Indian suburban neighborhood: a comparative study

This cross-sectional cohort emphasized the impact of heel bone mass in the South Indian population and its comparison with Nigerian ethnicity, residing in South India. Peak bone mass, however, evidenced a significant decrease of around 30% compared to that of Nigerian ethnicity. In the South Indian population, the local folks do not seem to be well informed about the relative association of bone mass with osteoporosis. Hence, there is an acute necessity to assess the same with respect to the ethnic population, presumed to have possessed high bone mass, i.e., the Nigerian population. The calcaneus of the right foot was measured with a quantitative ultrasound device (Sahara, Hologic Inc., USA) for a total population of 734, out of which 314 were Indian males, 348 Indian females, 41 Nigerian males, and 30 Nigerian females, whose ages ranged from 18 to 35 years. The peak bone mass in Indian males and females is 0.507 ± 0.1 and 0.479 ± 0.1 g cm(-2), respectively, and it is 0.714 ± 0.2 and 0.682 ± 0.2 g cm(-2) with regard to Nigerian male and female populations, respectively. Indian males and females who were within the age group of 26-30 and ≤ 20 years, respectively, represented high bone mass, and the same was the situation with respect to Nigerian counterparts who were within the age group of 21-25 years. Indian and Nigerian non-vegetarian population of both the genders demonstrated a high significance value of p < 0.000001, deciphered by means of unpaired t test. Peak bone strength was dominant in the Nigerian population compared to that of Indians. The Indian population is approximately lagging by 28-30% with respect to peak bone mass behind their Nigerian equivalents. Indian non-vegetarian male and female populations lagged by 6.15% and 6.16% behind the Indian vegetarian male and female populations, respectively.