Rural Southwestern Nigeria Research Articles

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural southwestern Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

We aimed to identify the prevalence, bacterial isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and factors associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural southwestern Nigeria. We performed a hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients with T2DM and ASB. Demographic and clinical data were collected using questionnaires. Urine samples were cultured using standard laboratory procedures, and bacterial colonies were isolated and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed using the disc diffusion technique. Relationships between variables were assessed using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of the 280 participants, 73 (26.1%) had ASB (95% CI: 20.9%-31.2%). The most commonly identified isolate was E. coli (45/73; 61.7%), 100.0% of which were sensitive to cefuroxime but resistant to ciprofloxacin. Female sex (AOR, 6.132; 95% CI: 2.327-16.157), living below the poverty line (AOR, 2.066; 95% CI: 1.059-4.029), uncontrolled blood glucose (AOR, 2.097; 95% CI: 1.000-4.404), and a history of indwelling urethral catheterization (AOR, 14.521; 95% CI: 4.914-42.908) were associated with ASB. The findings suggest that cefuroxime should be used as an empirical treatment, pending urine culture and sensitivity, and that efforts should be made to prevent ASB in rural southwestern Nigeria.

“It is not the end of my life”: positive identity (re)constructions among young mothers in rural South-Western Nigeria

ABSTRACT Social norms around the timing of motherhood mean that young mothers are often viewed as different and negatively stereotyped. Drawing on data from South-Western Nigeria, this paper explores unmarried young women’s identity (re)construction in the context of the negative societal representations of young motherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 young mothers, using photo-elicitation as a complementary method. The results revealed that despite facing social stigma, some young mothers were able to challenge negative societal stereotypes, reframe the challenges they faced as mothers and construct positive maternal identities for themselves. Our findings offer insights into the complex interplay between stigma and identity formation and provide recommendations for sustainable interventions and social support to empower young mothers in Nigeria.

Performance evaluation of provitamin a maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids for yield and other agronomic traits in southwestern Nigeria

Maize is a vital dietary staple in Nigeria, offering crucial nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and micronutrients. However, conventional maize lacks enough of the nutritional precursor for vitamins, necessitating the cultivation of stable, high-yielding provitamin A maize hybrids. This is crucial for combating malnutrition, particularly in rural populations vulnerable to ?hidden hunger?. This study aimed to assess the agronomic performance and yield of newly developed maize hybrids over a two-year period in Ikorodu and Osogbo, Nigeria. Twenty-two improved maize hybrids, two commercial hybrids, and a reference check were evaluated. Hybrid grain yields ranged from 3.33 t/ha (Ife-hybrid 3) to 5.69 t/ha (LY1409-61) over the two years, averaging 4.03 t/ha. All hybrids, except Ife-hybrid 3 (3.33 t/ha), outperformed the reference check (3.92 t/ha), with four hybrids achieving yields exceeding 5 t/ha across the two years. The distribution of precipitation in 2019, with higher and well-distributed rainfall, significantly impacted grain yields compared to 2020. This effect was particularly notable during the flowering and grain filling stages from July to October. LY1409-61, AS1802-15, and LY1409-21 consistently performed well across varying weather conditions, indicating their adaptability to diverse agro-ecologies. Adopting these maize hybrids has the potential to enhance maize output and alleviate malnutrition in rural southwestern Nigeria. The study emphasises the vital role of promoting nutrient-enriched maize varieties to combat nutritional deficiencies, enhance food security, and benefit communities dependent on maize as a staple, which could notably contribute to sustainable agriculture and improved nutritional outcomes in the region.

Relationship between the Level of Spirituality and Blood Pressure Control among Adult Hypertensive Patients in a Southwestern Community in Nigeria

Background: Spirituality has been strongly associated with good blood pressure control as it forms a strong coping mechanism in hypertensive patients. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was done to determine the relationship between spirituality and blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria to achieve good blood pressure control. Method: The selection was done by systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical information were obtained through semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The level of spirituality was assessed using the Spiritual Perspective Scale. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 61.1 ± 11.1 years. More than half (52.6%) had a high level of spirituality and more than two-thirds (67.1%) of respondents had controlled blood pressure. Respondents with a high level of spirituality were 4.76 times more likely to have good blood pressure control {p < 0.001, 95% CI (1.05-14.99)} than those with a low level of spirituality. Conclusion: Proper understanding and effective utilization of this relationship will assist health professionals and researchers in the appropriate integration of this concept into patients’ holistic care with the aim of achieving better blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.

Relationship between the Level of Spirituality and Medication Adherence among Adult Hypertensive Patients in Rural South Western Nigeria

Background: Spirituality has been found to drive the motivational component of the Behavioural Wheel of the Theory of Change Approach in adaptation mechanisms. Effective medication adherence has been strongly associated with good hypertension control and one way to achieve this is to leverage spirituality as a strong coping mechanism in hypertensive patients. Method: Selection was done by systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical information were obtained through semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The level of Spirituality was assessed using the Spiritual Perspective Scale and medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 61.1±11.1 years. More than half (52.6% and 61.2%) had high level of spirituality and good medication adherence respectively. Respondents with high level of spirituality (99.4%) had good medication adherence and this was statistically significant with p<0.001. Conclusion: Proper understanding and effective utilization of this relationship will assist health professionals and researchers in the appropriate integration of this concept into patients’ holistic care with the aim of achieving better blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.

Malaria infection and its association with socio-demographics, long lasting insecticide nets usage and hematological parameters among adolescent patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that adolescents are contributing to the populations at risk of malaria. This study determined the prevalence of malaria infection among the adolescents and examined the associated determinants considering socio-demographic, Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) usage, and hematological factors in rural Southwestern Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and September 2022 among 180 adolescents who were recruited at a tertiary health facility in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Interviewer administered questionnaire sought information on their socio-demographics and usage of LLINs. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for malaria parasite detection, ABO blood grouping, hemoglobin genotype, and packed cell volume. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of malaria infection was 71.1% (95% CI: 68.2%-73.8%). Lack of formal education (AOR = 2.094; 95% CI: 1.288-3.403), being a rural residence (AOR = 4.821; 95% CI: 2.805-8.287), not using LLINs (AOR = 1.950; 95% CI: 1.525-2.505), genotype AA (AOR = 3.420; 95% CI: 1.003-11.657), genotype AS (AOR = 3.574; 95%CI: 1.040-12.277), rhesus positive (AOR = 1.815; 95% CI:1.121-2.939), and severe anemia (AOR = 1.533; 95% CI: 1.273-1.846) were significantly associated with malaria infection. The study revealed the prevalence of malaria infection among the adolescents in rural Southwestern Nigeria. There may be need to pay greater attention to adolescent populations for malaria intervention and control programs.

Performance of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Carried Out by Community Medicine Distributors to Guide Home Management of Malaria in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Southwest Nigeria

The World Health Organization recommends parasite-based diagnosis of malaria before the administration of artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT). Trained community medicine distributors (CMDs) constitute a credible option in healthcare delivery in resource-limited and hard-to-reach settings. This study evaluated the performance of mRDT, microscopy and PCR in the diagnosis of malaria among febrile under-5 children in rural South-western Nigeria. One thousand and forty-three (1,043) febrile children aged 3 – 59 months were enrolled on this study as part of a larger one. The CMDs collected finger prick blood samples and performed mRDT, prepared thick blood smears for malaria microscopy and blood spots on filter paper for PCR assays. Malaria was detected in 78.7%, 69.2% and 55% by mRDT, PCR and microscopy, respectively. The sensitivity of mRDT was 88.2% versus 92.5% while specificity was 42.2% versus 38.2% against PCR and microscopy, respectively. The PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy were 88.2% versus 64.8, 61.7% versus 80.6% and 74.0% versus 68.1% respectively. Levels of agreement with PCR and microscopy were fair (κ-value = 0.336 versus 0.322). PCR detected 97.8% P. falciparum, 4.4% P. malariae and 2.5% P. ovale. Trained community medicine distributors can effectively performed malaria rapid diagnostic tests to guide appropriate home management of malaria in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes of Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Rural South-Western Nigeria: A Three-year Retrospective Observational Study

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes of Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Rural South-Western Nigeria: A Three-year Retrospective Observational Study

Assessing agricultural commercialization and rural infrastructure development in rural Southwestern Nigeria: evidence from smallholder cassava farmers

This study assessed agricultural commercialization and rural infrastructure development of smallholder cassava farmers in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Nigeria with cross-sectional data collected from 352 smallholder cassava farmers. Crop commercialization index (CCI) was used to compute each farmer’s CCI and categorized into four levels while ordered logit model was employed to analyze the determinants of agricultural commercialization of cassava farmers in the study areas. Availability of some important rural infrastructures were assessed across cassava farmers’ commercialization levels. The results revealed that 13.1 % of cassava farmers did not participate in the sale of cassava roots while 86.9 % of them participated actively in the output market. The mean and maximum CCI in the study areas was 59.1 and 95.5 respectively. The results also showed that less than 40 % and 20 % of cassava farmers in all commercialization levels had access to electricity and piped water respectively. The ordered logit regression analysis indicated that age, transport cost, cassava marketing experience, and distance to market were among the determinants of agricultural commercialization. Therefore, stakeholders should expedite policy actions capable of promoting rural infrastructure development that will enhance agricultural production, marketing and improve the quality of life of rural farming communities.

Early Experience of Laparoscopic Surgery in a Teaching Hospital in Rural Nigeria

Introduction/background: Laparoscopic surgery is still at its budding phase in low resource countries. The reasons for this include poor financing of the health sector and lack of trained personnel. The aim of this article is to highlight our initial experiences, our challenges in setting up laparoscopic surgery in a private tertiary hospital in rural southwestern Nigeria, and to share our efforts towards alleviating these challenges.&#x0D; Methodology: A retrospective analysis of all patient who had laparoscopic surgery between January 2019 and December 2020 at the Surgery Department of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan, Ogun State was carried out. Their sociodemographic, preoperative and intraoperative data along with postoperative records were subjected to descriptive analysis.&#x0D; Results: During the period, 19 patients had laparoscopic procedures: 12(63.2%) males and 7 (36.8%) females with age ranging from 4 to 63years. The most common indication for laparoscopic surgery was appendicitis, representing 84.2% of the procedures. Most of the procedures were done on emergency basis (63.1%) while 36.9% were elective procedures. All the procedures were therapeutic though in 21.1% we started with diagnostic intent but intra-operatively we proceed to therapeutic procedure following confirmation of the diagnosis. The duration of the procedures ranged from 40 minutes to 107 minutes with a mean duration of 74.8±19 minutes. No intra or post operative complications were recorded in this cohort of patients. The mean duration of hospital stay was 2 days.&#x0D; Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible in low resource setting. We recommend that centers embarking on laparoscopic surgeries should start with diagnostic procedures and gradually incorporate therapeutic procedures as they improve in proficiency.&#x0D; Author&#x0D; C C Adumah 1, A O Mosanya 1, O F Salami 2, O K Apata 1, I O Ogundele 1, E C Onuoha 1

Community-acquired pneumonia and its predictors of mortality in rural southwestern Nigeria: A-five year retrospective observational study.

The predictors of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) mortality are important outcome measures in epidemiological studies and clinical trials. There is an observed paucity of data regarding the predictors of mortality of CAP in Nigeria. Few studies from the urban centres have been reported in the literature, with none from the rural centres. The objective of this study is to ascertain the clinical presentations, risk factors, and predictors of mortality among patients admitted for CAP in rural Southwestern Nigeria. A retrospective observational study using a data form and a standardised questionnaire reviewed the 176 patients admitted to Southwestern Nigeria hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analysed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats. A total of 176 patients were studied. Their mean age was 53.3±16.8 years. There were more males, 112 (63.6%), than females. The most common clinical presentations were cough, fever and sputum expectoration. The case fatality rate was 9.1% and its predictors were older aged patients [Adjusted Odds Ration (AOR), 4.135: 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.389-12.315); p =0.005], hypoxia [AOR, 11.118: 95% CI (2.607-47.405); p<0.001], tobacco smoking [AOR, 3.632: 95% CI (1.459-9.039); p=0.008], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [AOR, 10.111: 95%CI (2.370-43.139); p <0.001], and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [AOR, 9.444: 95% CI (4.304-20.725), p<0.001]. The case -fatality rate was 9.1%, and its predictors were older age patients, patients with hypoxia, tobacco smoking, COPD, and HIV. This study strengthens the argument on the higher prevalence of CAP and its mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The findings may provide an impetus for prospective research on these outcomes.

Chiefs and Rural Health Services in South-Western Nigeria, c. 1920-c. 1950s.

SummaryThis article examines the role of African chiefs in the administration of colonial medicine in rural south-western Nigeria, emphasising the adaptive ways they navigated a difficult position between colonial medical authorities and indigenous medical legitimacy. Whereas colonial authorities expected chiefs to enforce medical policies and to encourage their subjects to use medical facilities, Africans wanted chiefs to defend and promote Yoruba medical and religious practices that colonial authorities and missionaries usually undermined. By supporting established African healing systems, chiefs stood to gain political mileage and favour with traditional healers. Furthermore, we argue that although African chiefs cooperated with the government in implementing health policies, they had a difficult relationship with sanitary inspectors who enforced sanitary regulations in ways that bred resentment. In the 1940s, Yoruba chiefs advocated for more rural health services, perhaps to pacify the rising nationalist movement that would have made them irrelevant had they not cooperated.

Malaria infection and its association with socio-demographics, preventive measures, and co-morbid ailments among adult febrile patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives:The study determined the prevalence of malaria infection and its association with socio-demographics, environmental, housing, and co-morbid ailment factors.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional of 330 consented adult febrile patients who were recruited at a tertiary health facility in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire sought information on their socio-demographics, environmental, housing, and co-morbid ailment factors. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for malaria parasite detection, retroviral screening, glycated hemoglobin, and hemoglobinopathy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The strength of the association between independent and dependent variables was measured using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval with a significant level (p value <0.05).Results:The prevalence of malaria parasitemia was 63.3% (95% confidence interval: 57.9%–68.5%). Being a farmer (p = 0.002), lack of formal education (p = 0.043), low-income earners (p = 0.031), presence of bushes (p = 0.048), stagnant water (p = 0.042), not sleeping under long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (p < 0.001), and sickle cell disease (p = 0.041) were significantly associated with malaria infection.Conclusion:The study revealed that there is a high prevalence of malaria infection in rural Southwestern Nigeria. There may be a need to pay greater attention to adult populations in rural areas for malaria intervention and control programs.

Socio-Demographic Profile, Asymptomatic Malaria Parasitaemia and Glycemic Control among Midled-Aged and Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Rural Southwestern Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study

The main therapeutic goal for all type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is to maintain good control so as to prevent the risk of complications associated with poor control. This study determined the prevalence of poor control and its association with socio-demographics and malaria parasitaemia among middle aged and elderly T2DM patients at a tertiary hospital in rural Southwestern Nigeria. We conducted a retrospective observational study on 250 T2DM using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for glycated hemoglobin sugar estimation and malaria parasite detection by microscopy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Multivariate logistic regression identified the association of socio-demographics and asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia with poor control. The prevalence of poor glycemic control was 31.6% (95%CI: 34.4%-45.8%). Old age, (AOR=4.868; 95% CI: 1.258-24.574), female genders (AOR=7.100; 95% CI: 1.875-34.655), no formal education (AOR=3.447; 95% CI: 1.098-21.478), presence of malaria parasitaemia (AOR=48.423; 95% CI: 4.987-411.366), and higher parasite density (AOR=7.102; 95% CI: 1.785-15.002), were significantly associated with poor control. Health facilities should integrate screening of malaria parasitaemia into the management of T2DM patients while also exploring other barriers of poor control.

Pattern of Surgical Emergencies in Rural Southwestern Nigeria.

Introduction:Considering the magnitude of deaths prevailing in the accident and emergency department (AED) in health facilities of sub-Sahara Africa, there is a need to have information on the burden of admissions and deaths due to surgical emergencies. Few studies in Nigerian hospitals in urban and suburban areas have been documented, but none in the rural setting. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the sociodemographic profile, causes and outcomes of admissions, and the pattern and causes of deaths due to surgical emergencies.Methods:A retrospective survey using a data form and a predetermined questionnaire was used to review the patients admitted for surgical emergencies at the AED of a tertiary hospital in rural southwestern Nigeria from January 2015 to December 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats.Results:Surgical emergencies constituted 43.9% of all admissions. The mean age of admissions was 42 ± 16.9 years, and majorities were in the young and middle-aged groups. There were more males (66.4%) than females (33.6%). Trauma(60.9%) of which road traffic accident (RTAs)(56.0%), was the leading mechanism of trauma. The mortality rate was 5.4% and was caused majorly by RTAs (33.0%), diabetes mellitus foot ulcers (11.0%), and malignancies (9.8%).Conclusion:In this study, surgical emergencies constituted 43.9%, and a majority of the patients were male. Trauma caused by RTA is the most cause of admission. The mortality rate was 5.4%. This finding may provide an impetus for prospective research on this outcome.

Stroke Subtypes, Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes at A Tertiary Hospital Situated in Rural Southwestern Nigeria: A Five- Year Restrospective Observational Study

Introduction: Despite the high burden of stroke globally, there is an observed paucity of data regarding its subtypes, risk factors and treatment outcomes in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The study ascertained the subtypes, risk factors and treatment outcomes of stroke at the adult Accident and Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital in a rural Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and methods: A retrospective survey using data form and standardized questionnaire was used to review the patients admitted for stroke between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats. Results: In this study, 276 stroke patients comprised Ischemic (60.1%) vs Hemorrhagic (39.9%) strokes were studied. The mean age of the patients was 67.3±11.1 years. The majority were males and were older than 65 years. The independent predictors of stroke admissions were Informal education [(AOR = 0.288; 95% CI: (0.120-0.691), p = 0.005)], low income earners [(AOR = 0.452; 95% CI: (0.230-0.888), p = 0.021)], obesity [(AOR = 0.080; 95% CI: (0.019-0.347), p= 0.001)], heart failure [(AOR= 9.152; 95% CI: (2.325-41.266), p &lt; 0.001)], atrial fibrillation [(AOR = 0.136; 95% CI: (0.068-0.891),p = 0.001)], tobacco smoking [(AOR = 0.350; 95% CI: (0.137-0.891), p = 0.028)], and poorly controlled blood pressure [(AOR = 0.107; 95% CI: (0.033-0.348), p &lt;0.001)]. The mortality rate was 10.1%. Conclusion: The results of this study further support the argument on the higher prevalence of stroke admission in rural areas of Southwestern Nigeria. There may be need for public awareness on primary stroke prevention and early identification of the risk factors in order to reduce the prevalence and mortality of stroke in the rural Southwestern Nigeria.

Five-year analysis of clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria: A retrospective observational study.

IntroductionStroke mortality and its predictors are important outcome measures in stroke epidemiological studies and clinical trials. There is an observed paucity of data regarding the clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality in Southwestern Nigeria. Few available related studies have centred on hospitals in the urban and sub-urban areas; however, none in the rural settings. This study, therefore, focuses on the clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality at the adult Emergency Centre of a tertiary hospital situated in rural Southwestern Nigeria.MethodsA retrospective survey, using data form and standardized questionnaire, was used to study the patients admitted for stroke between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analysed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats.ResultsA total of 276 patients were studied. Their mean age was 67.3 ± 11.1 years. The most common clinical presentations were hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficit. The case of fatality was 10.1%. The predictors of stroke mortality were age ≥65 years [(AOR = 12.752; 95% CI: (1.022–159.190), p = 0.048)], Glascow coma score <8 [(AOR = 50.348; 95% CI: (7.779–325.866), p < 0.001)], uncontrolled blood pressure [(AOR = 23.321; 95% CI: (2.449–221.927), p = 0.006)], presence of atrial fibrillation [(AOR = 16.456; 95% CI: (2.169–169.336), p = 0.009)], convulsion [(AOR = 25.889; 95% CI: (2.374–282.296), p = 0.008)], heart failure [(AOR = 30.284; 95% CI: (3.265–256.347), p < 0.001)], and a repeat stroke [(AOR = 32.617; 95% CI: (2.410–441.381), p = 0.009)].ConclusionThe 7-day fatality was 10.1%. The predictors of stroke mortality were poor Glascow coma score, uncontrolled blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, convulsion and a repeat stroke. This study strengthens the argument on the higher prevalence of stroke and its mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Our findings may provide an impetus for prospective research on this outcome.

Household Demand for Fruits and Vegetables in Rural and Urban South-Western Nigeria

In spite of the enormous benefits of fruits and vegetables, studies have shown that their consumption in Nigeria is far below the recommended daily intake therefore, this study investigated the factors influencing the demand for fruits and vegetables among households in rural and urban South-western Nigeria. Data were sourced from 152 rural and 259 urban households, respectively with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics and the quadratic almost ideal demand system model. Household size and location, sex and years of education of household heads influenced the demand for fruits and vegetables. Both rural and urban households considered the demand for fruits and vegetables to be luxury goods. Rural households were more responsive to changes in own-prices of fruits and vegetables than their urban counterpart. Fruits and vegetables were “net substitutes” in the rural and “complements” in the urban.

Household Demand for Fruits and Vegetables in Rural and Urban South-Western Nigeria

Household Demand for Fruits and Vegetables in Rural and Urban South-Western Nigeria

The Burden of Neurosurgical Diseases in a Rural Southwestern Nigeria Setting

Most of the few neurosurgeons in Nigeria are clustered in the urban centers. Consequently, a large proportion of the population who live in the rural areas have no direct access to neurosurgical care. This study aims to describe the burden of neurosurgical diseases in a rural neurosurgical service in Nigeria. This was a prospective observational study of all neurosurgical patients managed at our center between August 2018 and July 2019. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). The study cohort comprised 379 patients, including 267 males and 112 females (male:female ratio 2.4:1). The mean age was 35.71 ± 20.08 years (range, 35 hours to 100 years). More than one-half of the patients (55.6%) were age 20-49 years. Head injury was the most common presentation, occurring alone in 256 patients (67.55%) and in combination with spinal cord injury in 30 patients (7.92%). Brain tumors were present in 19 patients (5.01%), spinal cord injury in 15 patients (3.96%), degenerative spine disease in 9 patients (2.38%), and hydrocephalus in 5 patients (1.32%). Surgical intervention was performed in 21 patients (5.54%). The outcome of treatment was good in 251 patients (66.22%); 34 patients (8.97%) were referred to other facilities, 43 patients (11.35%) were discharged against medical advice, mostly because of economic reasons and poor medical insight, and 31 patients (8.18%) died. Trauma is the most common indication for neurosurgical care in our service. Poverty and poor medical insight remain formidable obstacles to maximizing the benefits of available neurosurgical care in developing countries.