Tertiary Health Institution In Nigeria Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises in knee osteoarthritis management in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, there is a disparity among physiotherapists regarding therapeutic exercise as a core treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists could influence this. To investigate Nigerian physiotherapists' knowledge, attitude, and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises. A mixed-method of cross-sectional survey and focus group discussion. Secondary and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. Physiotherapists consecutively sampled from the selected institutions. Participants' knowledge, attitude and utilisation of evidence-based therapeutic exercises for the management of knee OA. This study revealed that 81% of physiotherapists in Nigeria had a fair knowledge of evidence-based practice and the efficacy of therapeutic exercises in managing knee OA. Despite this fair knowledge, 95.3% had a poor attitude. The important emerging categories/themes are treatment preference, clinical experience, and strength of evidence. Physiotherapists in Nigeria have a fair knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic exercises in managing patients with knee OA, although there is a poor attitude and disparity between the use and current recommendations. The research received no funding from a commercial or non-profit organisation.

Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B Infection Among Young Adults in Ekiti, Nigeria: Implications for Education and Vaccination.

Aim Hepatitis B is a preventable infection with transmission of the virus through sex, by blood and from mother to child during childbirth. Youngadults are prone to some of these risk factors, yet data on awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B among them is still limited in Nigeria and none from our locality. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B among young adults attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria with the aim of givingrecommendations based on the findings. Methods A total of 223 young adults who attended the adolescent and young adult clinic of the Family Medicine Department of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti between 1March and 31May2023 were analyzed using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge of hepatitis B was assessed by asking 12 questions relating to awareness of the disease, basic knowledge, route of transmission, the seriousness of the disease when compared to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), complications from the disease, their vaccination status and the number of doses received by the participants. Results The prevalence of awareness of hepatitis B among respondents was 88 (39.5%). Of the223 respondents studied, 158 (70.9%) had a poor knowledge scoreof the disease. There was a significant association between the highest educational background of the respondents and awareness of hepatitis B (p=0.05). Awareness of hepatitis B was also associated withprevious participation in any health screening (p=0.04) and vaccine awareness (p=<0.001). The majority of the respondents with good knowledge scores of hepatitis B preferred social media for disseminating information about their health (p=0.03). Out of all the participants studied, only one(0.4%) had completed the three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine with 11 (4.9%) of them yet to get fully vaccinated. Conclusion Efforts are needed to target social media platforms with information about hepatitis B and vaccination. With awareness campaigns of hepatitis B directed at various social media platforms, this population at risk couldbe educated about the disease and the benefits of vaccination. The low vaccination state among the respondents brought to the fore the urgent need for the government to ensure the provision of appropriate interventions for viral hepatitis among young adults.

DENTIST IN LEADERSHIP POSITION AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A LEADING TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA.

This article was written with the aim of sharing the experience of the author as a dentist who served as a Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital for a total of 8 years from 1998 to 2006. The authors discussed circumstances that led to his emergence as Chief Medical Director, the challenges he faced on the job, the significant achievements he made and his final exit from the job. It is hoped that every dentist that reads this article will have confidence to aspire for the job.&#x0D; The author concluded that on the basis of his experience, there should be increased participation of the private sector in funding and managing tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.&#x0D;

FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SUPERVISOR BEHAVIOR AND THRIVING AT WORK: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

The study investigates the impact of encouraging supervisor behavior on enjoying success at work. Further, it examines the mediating role of psychological well-being on the relationship between family support supervisor behaviour and thriving among Nurses in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty nurses participated in the study. The hypothesized model was used to test descriptive and structural equation modelling. Findings failed to support hypothesis one as no direct relationship exists between family support supervisor behaviour and thriving at work. The results supported hypotheses two and three, indicating a positive and significant relationship between family supportive supervisor behaviour, thriving and psychological well-being. Furthermore, psychological well-being successfully mediates the relationship between family support supervisor behaviour and thriving at work; thus, hypothesis four was supported. Family-support supervisor behaviour policies and programmes may not be sufficient to promote thriving at work as other intervening factors could enhance its effectiveness.

Accuracy of ECG left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) criteria compared to echocardiographic LVH among hypertensives in an African population

Objectives: Hypertension remains one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and a major global public health problem. The left ventricular hypertrophy is a recognized complication of systemic hypertension and strongly predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, few studies have evaluated the accuracy of multiple electrocardiography (ECG) criteria in the diagnosis of the left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensives. This study sets out to determine ECG criterion or criteria that define most accurately echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) among patients with hypertension in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-eight hypertensives and 89 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited consecutively into the study. All participants including hypertensives and control subjects had echocardiography whereas only hypertensive subjects had both echocardiography and ECG. ECG LVH was determined using various ECG criteria. Results: The various ECG criteria for diagnosis of LVH were lower in sensitivities (23.5–38.6%) compared to specificities (64.1–72.9%). The sensitivities and specificities were 28.9% and 64.0%, 38.6% and 72.9%, 23.5% and 64.1%, 34.6% and 69.4%, 34.4% and 68.0%, and 38.6% and 72.9% for Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell voltage, Romhilt-Estes, Cornell duration product, Goldberger, and Massoleini criteria, respectively. The areas under the various receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 0.7010, 0.6040, 0.5960, 0.5950, 0.4790, and 0.4660 for Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell voltage, Massoleini, Romhilt-Estes, Goldberger, and Cornell product duration criteria, respectively. Conclusion: Cornell voltage, Sokolow-Lyon, and Massoleini ECG criteria had the highest combination of sensitivities and specificities with the highest ROC values and thus most accurate ECG LVH criteria

Telemedicine ready or not? A cross-sectional assessment of telemedicine maturity of federally funded tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.

Telemedicine has reinforced its position as a means for the continuity of healthcare services and a cost-effective approach to improving health equity as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The preparedness of health systems for telemedicine is an indicator of the scalability of their services, especially during catastrophes. We aimed to assess the maturity and preparedness of federally funded tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, to deploy telemedicine as such data are currently lacking and are required to drive improvements in health services delivery. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of thirty randomly selected federally funded tertiary health institutions in Nigeria using the Pan American Health Organization's tool for assessing the maturity level of health institutions to implement telemedicine between 17 September 2020 and 1 September 2021. Descriptive statistics were used for overall maturity levels and non-parametric tests to compare scores for overall maturity and specific Pan American Health Organization domains per region. The level of significance was set at p-value <0.05. The response rate was 77.4% (24 of 30 randomly polled federally funded tertiary health institutions responded). Overall, the median telemedicine maturity level was 2.0 (1.75) indicating a beginner level. No significant inter-zonal difference in the median overall maturity level (p = 0.87). The median maturity levels for telemedicine readiness in specific domains were organizational readiness - 2.0 (2.0), processes 1.0 (1.0), digital environment 2.0 (3.0), human resources 2.0 (1.0), regulatory issues - 1.5 (1.0) and expertise 2.0 (2.0); mostly at beginner level, with no inter-zonal differences. Most participating institutions had no initiatives in place for domains of processes and regulatory issues. The current telemedicine maturity level of federally funded tertiary health institutions in Nigeria is at the beginner level. This behoves policy-makers to advance the implementation and deployment of telemedicine nationwide as part of digital quality healthcare, to improve health equity and to ensure continuity of healthcare services in the event of another pandemic.

Utilisation and Challenges of Standardised Nursing Languages in Nursing Process Booklets in Selected Tertiary Health Institutions in Nigeria

IntroductionOver the years, hospitals in Nigeria have employed nursing process booklets, but few have adopted the usage of standard nursing terminology, which may have been a better option to document the level of care provided to patients. Currently, there is no published empirical evidence on the utilisation and challenges of standardised nursing languages in nursing process booklets in Nigeria.The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of standard nursing languages and their difficulties in a few Nigerian tertiary healthcare institutions. MethodsIn this study, a descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective design was employed. The medical, surgical, and psychiatric wards of three tertiary healthcare facilities were the three wards that were specifically chosen.Using a simple random sampling method, 427 Nurses and Nursing Process Booklets were chosen. With the threshold of significance set at p < 0.05, SPSS version 25.0 was used for both data administration and analysis. ResultsThe chosen hospitals had moderate rates of use; 49.1%, 50.8%, and 46.7%. Within the study year (2015–2019), there were variations in documentation quality between the hospitals.The quality of nursing process booklets was viewed positively by the respondents. The difficulties faced by nurses were a lack of motivation, inadequate staffing, and a lack of Standardised Nursing Languages (SNL) understanding. The test of association showed that the specialty area had the highest predictive value (B = 0.790). Nursing documentation quality varied significantly between the three hospitals that were chosen, with mean values of (1.3 ± 0.5; 1.6 ± 0.4; 1.5 ± 0.4) respectively. Conclusion and recommendationThe utilisation level was moderate, and fluctuation in documentation by nurses across the selected years was seen in the hospitals. To enhance the quality of nursing documentation in the nursing process booklets, nurses should be taught in standardised nursing languages.

Willingness to Trade Life for Better Vision: A Study of Time Trade-Off among Glaucoma Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Willingness to Trade Life for Better Vision: A Study of Time Trade-Off among Glaucoma Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Assessment of nurses' knowledge of the prevention of hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Assessment of nurses' knowledge of the prevention of hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Management of melanoma of the foot in our subregion: Is preliminary biopsy always required?

Background: Majority of patients with melanoma of the foot in our subregion present late. After preliminary excision biopsy for these patients, many of them do not come back for further excision when there is an indication to do so following biopsy result. A better result could be achieved by using wider margins for excision biopsy in patients with low socio-economic status. Objectives: We assessed the role of excision of melanoma of the foot without preliminary biopsy as an option in the management of melanoma of the foot in our subregion. Materials and Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective review of patients with melanoma of the foot that presented to a tertiary health institution in Nigeria from December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2019. Results: Half of the patients with lesions that have not advanced locally (35.3%) had wide local excision with 2–3 cm margin without preliminary biopsy, relying on clinical diagnosis of melanoma. Another 35.3% of same number as those mentioned above were managed by doing a preliminary biopsy. Incision biopsy was employed for those with distant metastasis or lesions where amputation of any form was indicated (29.4%). Conclusion: Melanoma of the foot can be diagnosed clinically with a high degree of accuracy in majority of patients. Preliminary biopsy is essential for lesions requiring amputation or very large lesions. For small lesions, excision biopsy with wider margins than is used for preliminary biopsy is beneficial especially for poor patients who tend to delay having a second surgery that is definitive due to financial constraint, ignorance, or other reasons.

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON PALLIATIVE CARE OF TERMINALLY-ILL PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Existing information on Palliative Care (PC) indicated an increase in development of services in some African countries with Nigeria in top three on specialized care. However, knowledge and skill deficit in PC among health professionals (HP) is a significant barrier to quality treatment of patients with chronic life-threatening diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of PC among HP in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study involved 260 consenting HP (Medical doctors, Nurses, Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists, and Social workers), purposively recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. Attitude and knowledge were assessed using Frommelt attitude towards care of the dying (FATCOD) and the Palliative care attitude and knowledge quiz (PCAK) questionnaires respectively. Also, socio-demographic information of the respondents was obtained. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages; and inferential statistics of Chi-Square test and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze data. Alpha level was set at p&lt;0.05. Majority (80%) of the respondents had never received formal PC training and demonstrated poor PC knowledge. Only 13 (5%) had good knowledge of, while 257 (98%) had favourable attitude towards PC. There were significant associations between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and each of knowledge of PC (p&lt;0.05) and attitude towards PC (p= 0.001). Results of Pearson’s correlation indicated significant correlation between knowledge and attitude of the respondents on PC (r= 0.167, p=0.007). Most of the HP in this study had poor knowledge but favourable attitude towards PC. PC should be included in the undergraduate curriculum of concerned HP and continuous professional training be integrated for practicing professionals

Willingness to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine among Anaesthetists in Nigeria

Background: Critical measures in the prevention and control of COVID-19 disease require health care professionals. This study aimed to assess the willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccine among anaesthetists in Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving the total population of anaesthetists in Nigeria was carried out with the use of self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 statistical software.&#x0D; Results: A total of 195 respondents were assessed during this study. All of them were aware of COVID-19 disease, 119 (61%) had a good knowledge of COVID-19 disease while 57 (29.2%) and 19 (9.7%) had fair and poor knowledge, respectively. Over half of the respondents, 103 (52.8%) were willing to accept the vaccine. Predictors of willingness to accept the vaccine included being of the male gender (AOR=2.5, 95%CI=1.213-5.246, p=0.013), being from the South-west geopolitical zone (AOR=3.134, 95% CI= 1.353- 8.651, p=0.020) and having a good knowledge of the vaccine (AOR=14.910, 95%CI=6.114-36.359, p= &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Slightly over half of the respondents were willing to accept COVID 19 vaccines. There is an urgent need for tertiary health institutions in Nigeria to sensitize anaesthetists especially the females on the need to accept the vaccine.

Challenges to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan in selected tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.

The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan in selected tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. Using convergent mixed method design, the qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 427 nurses and nine stakeholders. This was done in one phase with the use of validated questionnaires and in-depth interview guide/key informant interview guide. Data were collected for 5 months and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Qualitative data were analyzed using themes. The explored significant challenges by stakeholders and nurses to sustainability of standardized nursing care plan (SNCP) in all the selected hospitals were inadequate knowledge of standardized nursing languages (SNLs), inadequate staffing, lack of motivation, lack of mandate to use SNLs by the educational system, lack of computers on the wards, weakness of previous training on SNL/SNCP, lack of interest, and high patient load. The study concludes that inadequate knowledge of SNLs and inadequate staff could contribute to non sustainability of SNCP. Nurses should be continuously trained on standardized nursing languages. Staff motivation and increasing the number of staff on the wards would increase the interest of the nursing staff. This will in turn improve the quality of documentation and patient care.

Predictors of ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency in community-dwelling stroke survivors: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough the major goal of rehabilitation is to return a stroke survivor (SSv) to as close to their pre-stroke functioning, limitation in ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency is the major impediment. Despite the importance of walking to the outcomes in stroke, factors predicting its recovery remain unclear. This study therefore was aimed at exploring the predictors of ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency in community-dwelling SSv.MethodsThis study involved 164 (83females) SSv from four tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. Ambulatory level and status was assessed using Functional Ambulatory Classification, motor function using the Fugl-Myer Assessment scale (lower limb), and ambulatory/waking endurance using the 6-min walk test. Ambulatory capability was assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, ambulatory self-confidence using the Ambulatory Self-Confidence Questionnaire, and functional ambulatory profile using the Modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile. Mobility was assessed using the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index, functional mobility using Time Up and Go, balance using the Berg Balance Scale, and cognitive function using the modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Spatial indexes were assessed using the Footprint method and temporal variables using a stopwatch and gait speed on a 10-m walkway. Data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsParticipants (mean age = 54.3±11.36 years) have had stroke for 12.9 ± 17.39 months and spent 9.82 ± 13.19 months in hospital admissions. More (65.2%) had ischemic stroke with 54.3% of them having left hemispheric stroke. The predictors of ambulatory onset in SSv were stroke duration and length of stay in hospital admission contributing 40.3% (β = 0.403) and 17.6% (β = 0.176) respectively to the variance. Mobility (β = 0.249, p < 0.001), gait speed (β = 0.185, p = 0.012), paretic double-limb support time (β = 0.155, p = 0.03), balance (β = 0.334, p < 0.001), and cognition (β = 0.155, p = 0.01) were predictors of ambulatory self-confidence contributing 59.5% to the variance. Balance (β = 0.363, p < 0.001) and mobility (β = 0.155, p = 0.015) were predictors of ambulatory capability contributing 52.9% to the variance. Balance (β = −0.489, p < 0.001), paretic double-limb support time (β = 0.223, p = 0.003), gait speed (β = −0.181, p = 0.022), and paretic swing phase duration (β = 0.177, p = 0.01) were predictors of functional ambulatory profile (p < 0.05) contributing 52.9% to the variance. Gait speed (β = −0.648, p < 0.001) and step length (β = −0.157, p = 0.003) were predictors of walking endurance contributing 76.5% to the variance.ConclusionAmbulatory recovery and walking proficiency depend on the interplay among duration of stroke and length of hospitalization on the one hand and balance performance, cognitive function, and the spatiotemporal integrity of the affected limb on the other hand.

Moringa supplementation improves immunological indices and hematological abnormalities in seropositive patients receiving HAARTs

Moringa oleifera Lam. is known to be of high nutritional and medicinal importance and has been demonstrated to possess a variety of biological activities. This study investigated the beneficial role of M. oleifera (moringa) supplementation in HIV positive subjects receiving antiretroviral drugs. Adult HIV positive individuals (104) attending the medical outpatient clinic in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAARTs) were recruited in a randomized fashion for the study. Half of the subjects received moringa supplement (20 mg daily) additionally, while the others received only HAART and represented the control group. All subjects were monitored for 3 months during which their immunological status (CD4 counts and TNF-α), and hematological abnormalities at pre (baseline) and post study periods were determined. Baseline levels of CD4 increased while TNF-α decreased significantly in control and moringa supplemented groups (p < 0.01). However, the post study CD4 values in the moringa group were higher and TNF-α values were lower compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In addition, baseline hematological abnormalities (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia) were improved but most significantly in the moringa supplemented subjects. The results suggest that moringa has immune-beneficial properties and improved hematological abnormalities in HIV positive individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Assessment of Renal Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Nephropathy is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidities among type 2 diabetic patients globally. Early detection through regular screening for micro-albuminuria has proven immense value. This study aims to assess renal function status of type 2 diabetic patients in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Method: This study involves 132 type 2 diabetic patients and 50 apparently healthy controls. Blood specimens were used to assay plasma creatinine, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), urea levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), while early morning midstream urine was collected for albumin and creatinine. Albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were calculated. Data were analysed using SPSS 15.0. Variables were expressed as mean ±SD. Student T-test was used to compare means, and p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results: When compared to controls, diabetic patients had significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, ACR, mean urine albumin excretion, FPG, and HbA1c. However, the estimated glomerular filtration rate in the cases was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) than in the control. Furthermore, serum creatinine, HbA1c, FPG, and eGFR increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in normal, micro, and macro-albuminuric type 2 diabetic patients compared to controls. Conclusion: When compared to prior studies, our study found an alarming increase in the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in our sample population. This necessitates immediate intervention in the management of type 2 diabetic patients through early screening for micro- and macro-albuminuria via tight and good glycaemic control techniques. Keywords: type 2 diabetes, renal function, albuminuria

Prevalence of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensives in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Objective: Systemic hypertension remains an important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and a major global public health problem. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a recognized complication of hypertension and strongly predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, few studies evaluated the role of echocardiography in the diagnosis of LVHs among hypertensives. This study sets out to determine the prevalence of LVH among hypertensives as determined by echocardiography. Material and Methods: One hundred and seventy-eight hypertensives and eighty-nine age and sex-matched controls were recruited consecutively into the study. They all had echocardiography done to determine which among had LVH. The partition value for LVH for hypertensives was determined using the 97th percentile of the left ventricular mass for controls as a cutoff point. Results: Echocardiographic determined the prevalence of LVH among hypertensives was 32.4%. Conclusion: The echocardiographic prevalence of LVH was 32.4% in the study population. This is a significant proportion among the study population considering the clinical impact of LVH among patients with hypertension.

Predictors of Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Its Related Diseases: A Study of Women in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution

Background: The burden of HPV infection and its diseases is very high in Sub-Saharan Africa and unfortunately many vulnerable women in this region have little or no knowledge about the infection and its diseases. Bearing in mind the vital role knowledge plays in disease prevention and control, our study aimed to assess women’s knowledge about relevant aspects of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection &amp; its related diseases and to predict the factors that influence their knowledge. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 500 women attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria using a self-administered structured questionnaire to assess knowledge about HPV infection, its related diseases and associated risk factors. Knowledge scores were derived, participants were categorized into having either good or poor knowledge and factors associated with good knowledge were assessed. Data was analyzed was using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. Results: The knowledge of HPV infection &amp; its diseases was poor with only 26.3% (123/468) of participants having good level of knowledge. Worse still, only 21.4% believed that they were at risk of acquiring the infection. Tertiary education (AOR=2.40, CI=1.30-4.44, P=0.005), low parity (AOR=4.22, CI=1.40-12.66, P=0.011), and having electronic media (AOR=6.06, CI=2.86-12.9, P&lt;0.001), print media (AOR=4.00, CI=1.21-13.16, P=0.023), healthcare professionals (HCP) (AOR=6.30, CI=3.56-11.11, P&lt;0.001) and organized program (AOR=13.16, CI=5.08-34.48, P&lt;0.001) as primary sources of information significantly predicted good knowledge of HPV infection &amp; its related diseases. Conclusion: Knowledge of HPV infection and its related diseases is very low among Nigerian women in our study. Tertiary education, low parity and having electronic media, print media, HCP and organized health programs as primary sources of information significantly predicted of good knowledge. Health education through these information channels may help to bridge the gap in knowledge and improve public knowledge about HPV and its related diseases.

Timing and associated factors of antenatal booking among pregnant women at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background and aim: The timing of first antenatal booking is still a problem in Sub-Saharan Africa making the accomplishment of WHO recommendation of eight contacts before delivery a big problem. The factors associated with late antenatal booking are multifactorial and have not been studied in our environment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of late first antenatal visits, and the associated factors in a tertiary health institution, South-East Nigeria. Materials and methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study of consecutively recruited consenting one hundred and twenty pregnant women who came for booking. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the study participants. Data were analysed using Stata version 16.1 statistical software. A two-sided statistical analysis was used with a p-value of &lt;0.05 set as significant. Results: The prevalence of the late first antenatal visits was 65.00%, the mean gestational age at booking was 17.58 ± 7.91 weeks. The main reason identified as to why the study participants booked at the time, booked was that the pregnancy has been normal (64.17%), followed by complications (17.50%). Grand multipara [aOR=1.472;95% CI (0.503, 4.309)] and those with interpregnancy interval ≥5 years [aOR=3.519;95% CI (0.378, 32.724)] had a higher likelihood of late booking. Conclusion: The prevalence of late first antenatal visits among pregnant women is high. Grand multiparity and interpregnancy interval &gt;5 years were identified as having higher odds for late booking. We, therefore, recommend that the public should be educated on the importance of early booking into antenatal care.

Experience with Liposuction for the Treatment of Subcutaneous Lipoma: A Case Series from a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria.

Lipomas are the commonest benign tumours in the body. Treatment is often by excision biopsy. Liposuction has traditionally been used for body sculpturing, but recently, it was introduced for the operative management of lipomas. The aim of this study was to present our experience with liposuction lipectomy-assisted lipoma aspiration in terms of its efficacy, complications, risk of recurrence, and patient satisfaction. A retrospective review of 16 patients with solitary or multiple lipomas managed with liposuction over a 5-year period was done. All the patients had a prior fine needle aspiration cytology, which was reported as benign. Informed consent was obtained, and the procedures were performed as a day case under tumescent anaesthesia. Lipo-aspiration was done with manual liposuction device. The patients were discharged on oral analgesics and antibiotics. Sixteen patients (10 females and six males) with 21 lesions were managed. The median age was 43 years (23-66 years). All the patients had satisfactory outcomes. The procedure was converted to open-excisional surgery in one patient, and the histology was reported as fibro lipoma. Friction burn at the cannula site occurred in one patient, which subsequently healed with scars. No recurrence was reported in any of the patients. In well-selected patients, liposuction-assisted lipectomy may have an advantage over the classical open technique. All patients should have a minimum investigation of fine needle aspiration cytology because of the risk of atypical lipomas or liposarcoma, which might have similar features as subcutaneous lipoma.