Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 

About: Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice is an academic journal published by Medknow. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 2229-7731. Over the lifetime, 2772 publications have been published receiving 25383 citations.

Socio-economic differences in health nutrition and population within developing countries. An overview.

Abstract: The contents of this volume summarize the large body of data produced by a project dealing with socio-economic inequalities in health, nutrition, and population (hnp) within fifty-six developing countries. The data are intended to serve as a source of basic information for use in preparing analyses and developing initiatives to benefit poor people. At the volume's core are the overview tables in the following section. Each overview table provides figures dealing with inequalities across economically-defined quintiles of the population for a single hnp indicator for all of the fifty-six countries covered. The 120 indicators presented are in four categories: health status (such as infant and child mortality, child nutritional level, and fertility); use of basic health services (immunization, treatment of common childhood illnesses, antenatal care, and assisted delivery); health-related behaviors (e.g., smoking and alcohol use and sexual practices); and other health-status determinants (like education). The purpose of this opening chapter is to explain how data appearing in the overview tables and in the individual country reports came into being, and how they can be used to help shape policies and programs. To this end, it deals with four topics. The first is the rationale for the tables' focus on the economic dimension of health inequalities. The second is the source of the data and the methods used to produce the tables. Third shows illustrations of how the information presented in the tables can be used to facilitate health policy and program development. The fourth shows how the techniques used in producing the information can be used to monitor how well or poor programs or policies have reached the poor.

Health care financing in Nigeria: Implications for achieving universal health coverage

Abstract: The way a country finances its health care system is a critical determinant for reaching universal health coverage (UHC). This is so because it determines whether the health services that are available are affordable to those that need them. In Nigeria, the health sector is financed through different sources and mechanisms. The difference in the proportionate contribution from these stated sources determine the extent to which such health sector will go in achieving successful health care financing system. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, achieving the correct blend of these sources remains a challenge. This review draws on relevant literature to provide an overview and the state of health care financing in Nigeria, including policies in place to enhance healthcare financing. We searched PubMed, Medline, The Cochrane Library, Popline, Science Direct and WHO Library Database with search terms that included, but were not restricted to health care financing Nigeria, public health financing, financing health and financing policies. Further publications were identified from references cited in relevant articles and reports. We reviewed only papers published in English. No date restrictions were placed on searches. It notes that health care in Nigeria is financed through different sources including but not limited to tax revenue, out-of-pocket payments (OOPs), donor funding, and health insurance (social and community). In the face of achieving UHC, achieving successful health care financing system continues to be a challenge in Nigeria and concludes that to achieve universal coverage using health financing as the strategy, there is a dire need to review the system of financing health and ensure that resources are used more efficiently while at the same time removing financial barriers to access by shifting focus from OOPs to other hidden resources. There is also need to give presidential assent to the national health bill and its prompt implementation when signed into law.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria, 2000-2013: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the West African nation of Nigeria is lower than many Sub-Saharan African countries. In Nigeria, HBV is reported to be the most common cause of liver disease. However, the extent of HBV exposure among Nigerians at average risk is unknown. Our aim, therefore, was to accurately estimate the HBV prevalence for the country and the prevalence for specific subgroups. We used electronic databases to select systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 2000 to 2013. Forty-six studies were included (n = 34,376 persons). We used a random effects meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to generate our estimates. The pooled prevalence of HBV in Nigeria was 13.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.5, 15.7%). The pooled prevalence (% [95% CI]) among subgroups was: 14.0% (11.7, 16.3) for blood donors; 14.1% (9.6, 18.6) for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics; 11.5% (6.0, 17.0) for children; 14.0% (11.6, 16.5) among adults; and 16.0% (11.1, 20.9) for studies evaluating adults and children. HBV prevalence in Nigeria varied by screening method [% (95% CI)]: 12.3% (10.1, 14.4) by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; 17.5% (12.4, 22.7) by immunochromatography; and 13.6% (11.5, 15.7) by HBV DNA polymerase chain reaction. HBV infection is hyperendemic in Nigeria and may be the highest in Sub-Sahara Africa. Our results suggest that large numbers of pregnant women and children were exposed to HBV from 2000 to 2013. Increased efforts to prevent new HBV infections are urgently needed in Nigeria.

Magnetically retained silicone facial prosthesis.

Abstract: Patients with orocutaneous fistulas suffer from discomfort in terms of facial esthetics, food spill over and lack of psychological confidence to present them socially. Prosthetic camouflaging of facial defects and use of silicone maxillofacial material are the alternatives to the surgical retreatment. Silicone elastomers provide more options to clinician for customization of the facial prosthesis which is simple, esthetically good when coupled with bio magnets for retention.

Patients' satisfaction with services obtained from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria.

Abstract: Objective : Periodic patient satisfaction surveys provide feedback to hospital management and staff regarding the quality of services rendered. These surveys have become routine as part of total quality management in developed countries. We assessed patient satisfaction with services provided in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Method : Structured questionnaires were administered on a cross-section of 201 patients and two focus group discussions were held with patient relatives at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Results : Overall, 83% of the patients were satisfied with the services received from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, while the remaining 17% were dissatisfied. Specifically, 88%, 88%, 87% and 84% of the patients were satisfied with patient provider relationship, in-patient services, hospital facilities and access to care. However, 30% and 27% of the patients were dissatisfied with waiting time and cost of treatment respectively. Patients and their relatives complained about delayed appointments, missing folders, missing laboratory results and long appointments for ultrasound and other radiological investigations. Conclusion : The high patient satisfaction notwithstanding, health workers need to consider patients as customers by being friendly and reducing waiting time for consultation and investigations. Widespread implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme will also reduce the cost of services and drugs to patients.