Nigerian Medical Journal 

About: Nigerian Medical Journal is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Health care. It has an ISSN identifier of 0300-1652. Over the lifetime, 439 publications have been published receiving 3850 citations.

Healthcare - associated infections: A public health problem.

Abstract: Disinfection and sterilization in hospitals, is of increasing concern. Nosocomial infections can be defined as those occurring within 48 hours of hospital admission, 3 days of discharge or 30 days of an operation. They affect 1 in 10 patients admitted to hospital. Nosocomial infections are associated with a great deal of morbidity, mortality, and increased financial burden

Hormones in pregnancy

Abstract: The endocrinology of human pregnancy involves endocrine and metabolic changes that result from physiological alterations at the boundary between mother and fetus. Progesterone and oestrogen have a great role along with other hormones. The controversies of use of progestogen and others are discussed in this chapter. Progesterone has been shown to stimulate the secretion of Th2 and reduces the secretion of Th1 cytokines which maintains pregnancy. Supportive care in early pregnancy is associated with a significant beneficial effect on pregnancy outcome. Prophylactic hormonal supplementation can be recommended for all assisted reproduction techniques cycles. Preterm labor can be prevented by the use of progestogen. The route of administration plays an important role in the drug's safety and efficacy profile in different trimesters of pregnancy. Thyroid disorders have a great impact on pregnancy outcome and needs to be monitored and treated accordingly. Method of locating review: Pubmed, scopus.

The human health implications of crude oil spills in the Niger delta, Nigeria: An interpretation of published studies

Abstract: Background: The health hazards created by oil exploration and exploitation are covert and slow in action. They are not given the deserved attention in official documents in Nigeria, even as they can be major contributors to the disease burden in oil-bearing communities. This study is an interpretation of the data reported in several published studies on crude oil spills in the Niger delta region, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A manual and Internet search was conducted to extract quantitative data on the quantity of crude oil spilled; the concentrations of the pollutants in surface water, ground water, ambient air and plant and animal tissue; and the direct impact on human health and household food security. Results: An average of 240,000 barrels of crude oil are spilled in the Niger delta every year, mainly due to unknown causes (31.85%), third party activity (20.74%), and mechanical failure (17.04%). The spills contaminated the surface water, ground water, ambient air, and crops with hydrocarbons, including known carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and benxo (a) pyrene, naturally occurring radioactive materials, and trace metals that were further bioaccumulated in some food crops. The oil spills could lead to a 60% reduction in household food security and were capable of reducing the ascorbic acid content of vegetables by as much as 36% and the crude protein content of cassava by 40%. These could result in a 24% increase in the prevalence of childhood malnutrition. Animal studies indicate that contact with Nigerian crude oil could be hemotoxic and hepatotoxic, and could cause infertility and cancer. Conclusions: The oil spills in the Niger delta region have acute and long-term effects on human health. Material relief and immediate and long-term medical care are recommended, irrespective of the cause of the spill, to ensure that the potential health effects of exposures to the spills are properly addressed.

Barriers to utilisation of maternal health services in a semi-urban community in northern Nigeria: The clients' perspective.

Abstract: Background: Low level of utilisation of maternal health services is a major factor responsible for high maternal mortality in northwestern region of Nigeria This study was aimed at determining the barriers to utilisation of maternal health services from the perspective of mothers in northwestern Nigeria Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 150 mothers, selected through multistage technique, was conducted Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS statistics 170 Results: Only 27% utilised preconception service, 987% antenatal care service (ANC), 240% delivery, 353% postnatal care and 140% utilised family planning service Major reasons for non-utilisation of delivery service were not having a delivery complication in the past (57% (CI = 474-661)) and negative provider attitude (237% (CI = 164-327)) For non-utilisation of postnatal care, the major reasons were also not having a postnatal complication in the past (608% (CI = 504-704)) and negative provider attitude (278% (CI = 194-380)) As for non-utilisation of family planning service, the major reason was desire to have more children (326% (CI = 247-414)) Reasons for non-use of preconception care and ANC were not computed because respondents to these questions were not enough; only 6 (40%) were aware of preconception care in the first place and only 2 (13%) were not using ANC Conclusion: Despite living near a health facility, most of the mothers were not using maternal health services It is recommended that while there is the need to raise awareness on the utilisation of maternal health services, bring it closer to the mothers and make it more affordable, there is a more pressing need to improve its quality, especially through the alleviation of negative attitude of health care providers

Focal reactive lesions of the Gingiva: An analysis of 314 cases at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to review the clinicopathologic features of focal reactive gingival lesions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Methods: A retrospective review of cases of different focal reactive gingival lesions from the records of the Departments of the Oral Biology/Oral Pathology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between 1970 and 2008 was carried out Available clinical data regarding age, gender, location, estimated duration of the lesion and treatment modality were obtained and analyzed Results: Prevalence rate of focal reactive gingival lesions was 56% Pyogenic granuloma (PG) was the most common lesions constituting 57% of the cases Seventeen (95%) of the 179 cases of PG were pregnancy induced pyogenic granuloma The female-to-male ratio was 17:1 All the 4 lesions occurred more in female patients than males The mean age of patients at presentation was 30 ± 165 years The lesions were commonly seen in the second and third decade of life and least commonly seen above the age of 60 years The lesions were equally distributed on the maxillary and mandibular gingivae, and were mostly located on the buccal gingival of the jaws Most (516%) of the lesions occurred in incisors/canine region Recurrence of the lesions was seen in 9 cases (29%), all pyogenic granuloma Conclusion: Focal reactive gingival lesions are relatively uncommon lesions of the oral cavity with a prevalence rate of 56% The lesions occurred commonly in females, and in third decades of life Pyogenic granuloma was the most common lesions constituting 57% of all cases