Showing papers in "The Journal of medical research in 2004"

Congenitally acquired malaria in a hyperendemic area: A cohort study.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of congenitally acquired malaria in Nnewi South eastern Nigeria Setting: Hospital based. Tertiary care centre in a tropical rain forest hyperendemic malaria zone. Materials/Subjects: Cross-sectional prospective study. Blood samples of 94 mother-baby pairs were examined for malaria parasitaemia Results: Out of the 94 mothers, 83 or 87.8% had received pyrimethamine prophylaxis throughout pregnancy. Despite this 50.0% were parasitized. 24.6% of neonates had malaria parasites. The birth weights of the infected neonates were not affected. Maternal parasite densities correlated with those of the babies. Conclusions: More effective antenatal antimalarial prophylaxis is needed to reduce the prevalence of congenitally acquired malaria. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 44-48

Breast feeding practices in Onitsha South Eastern Nigeria – 2 years after Baby Friendly Initiative

Abstract: Objective: To study the impact of “baby friendly hospital initiative” on breast feeding practices in Onitsha South Eastern Nigeria, 2 years after introduction. Setting: Holy Rosary Maternity Hospital Onitsha Materials and methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 178 breast feeding mothers on maternal age, mothers' educational attainment, attendance at breast talks, and acceptance of exclusive breast feeding. Information was also obtained on feeding in the post natal ward, breast feeding practices at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months post delivery. The data obtained was analyzed. Results: Breast feeding practices was studied among 178 breast feeding mothers attending the infant welfare clinics of Holy Rosary Maternity Hospital Onitsha, 2 years after it was made a “Baby Friendly Hospital”. A total of 145 or 81.4% of the mothers were between the ages of 20 and 34 years, and all of them had some level of formal education with 59% of them acquiring secondary education. About one third or 33.1% of them were full time housewives while the rest engaged in one form of professional activity. While two thirds or 67.4% of the mothers attended breast feeding talk sessions 89% had knowledge of breast feeding support group and utilized their services during ante natal visits. Seventy three percent initiated breast feeding within less than an hour of delivery. All most all the mothers (99.4%) established breast feeding by the time they were leaving the hospital on discharge and continued breast feeding up to 6 weeks post discharge. This proportion dropped to 84.3% at 12 months and to 1.1% at 24 months. Exclusive breast feeding rate fell from 99.4% on discharge to 3.9% at 6 months, while “on-demand” was practiced by 99.9% of the study population. Conclusion: We therefore recommend that the Campaign on Baby Friendly Initiative activities should continue and be strengthened to effect the “The ten steps to successful breast feeding. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2):26-31

Sexual behaviour and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among female adolescents in Ilorin Kwara State

Abstract: Subject and methods: Eight hundred and twenty six female adolescents from two randomly selected female only secondary in llorin metropolis were interviewed with respect to their sexual behaviour and knowledge of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Results: The age ranged between 11 and 20years. Sexual activity is significantly associated with respondent's family type (polygamy and socio –economic status). Seven hundred and forty four (90.1%) had ever discussed sexual topic. About three –fifth 440(59.1%) had the first discussion with friends /peer. Five hundred and twenty six (63%) knew one or two symptoms of STD. Two hundred and eighty eight (34.9%) knew the condom use could prevent STD. Three hundred and eighty six (46.7) had experienced sexual intercourse. The youngest age at first sexual intercourse was 11 years with a mean age of 15.9years. In 140 (32.2%) of those that had sexual experience, the sexual partner was older and in 81(21%) there was some element of force/coercion. Motive for the first sexual intercourse included curiosity 149(38.6%), financial reward/inducement 97(25.1%) and urging of friends 85(22%). Conclusions: It is recommended that sex education should start at primary school level to educate female teenagers on the dangers of early initiation of sexual activity; and ways of protecting themselves against the sexual advances of the male gender. Key Words: Female adolescents, Sexual behavior, knowledge, Sexually transmitted disease; llorin. Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol.8(1) 2004: 10-16

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: A case report

Abstract: Background: The frequency of infantile hypertrophic stenosis is not known in Nigeria. The first case coming to our attention is described. Method: Descriptive case report. Results and conclusion: The infant was otherwise well with low birth weight.. A suggestive abdominal ultrasound was confirmed by barium contrast study and at surgery. Ultrasound examination in utero is advocated for early detection. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 60-63

Cryptosporidium infection among young children in Onitsha Urban Area in South –Eastern Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Cryptosporidum parvum is increasingly being reported as a cause of diarrhoea in different part of the world with higher incidence in young children. Objective and Design: A cross –sectional study was carried out in Onitsha, an urban area in Anambra State, Nigeria. Setting, Subject and Methods: Stool samples of 144 children under ten years old who presented in hospitals located in five different zones in the area were examined for Crytosporidum oocyts using modified Ziehl Neelsen technique and other intestinal parasites using wet preparation and formal –ether concentration techniques Results: Sixty –four (44.4%) patients were infected with one or more parasites. Cryptosporidum oocysts were detected in stool of 12 patients aged 0 -2years. Oocysts were found mainly in diarrhoeal stools giving a prevalence rate of 10.6 %( 9 patients) as against 5% (3 patients) with non- diarrhoeal stools. Cryptosporidum was the second most detectable parasitic agent after E. histolytica in diarrhoeal stools but in most of the cases it was the only detectable parasites. Conclusions: This parasitic agent therefore may be responsible for some of the patients brought to hospitals with acute diarrhoeal, in which no causative agents can be detected with available routine laboratory techniques. Awareness of the risk factors to infection is called for hence, the living conditions of the people in the area need to be improved with help of the government and co-operation of the inhabitant themselves. Key Words: Cryptosporidum parvum, diarrhoea, children, Onitsha. Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol.8(1) 2004: 17-20

Changes in plasma lipid peroxide and ascorbic acid levels in diabetes mellitus and clinical significance in an urban, Nigerian population

Abstract: Design and method: This study was conducted on the relationship between plasma lipid peroxides, ascorbic acid levels and diabetes mellitus. Forty two diabetic patients (24 males and 18 females) age grouped between 40 - 60 years were studied in the diabetic clinic of Federal Medical Centre Owerri. Controls were patients who had normal fasting blood sugar levels. Results: This study revealed a significant increase in plasma lipid peroxidase levels ( using) malondialdehyde-MDA- as marker for lipid perioxidation) in diabetic patients ( 6.27±0.52nmol MDA/ml) when compared to the plasma lipid peroxide level in control group (4.98±0.52) nmol MDA/ml) at P 0.05). Conclusions: this study therefore revealed that an increase in lipid perioxidation products and the decrease in antioxidant vitamin C are associated with diabetes mellitus and that vitamin C supplementation or that gotten from natural foods should serve as an added advantage to protect the patients with diabetes mellitus. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 32-35

Bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract at Nnamdi Azikiwe Unversity Teaching Hospital Nnewi

Abstract: Method: A prospective study of the endemicity and pattern of bacterial infections of the lower respiratory among patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, using the WHO guideline for clinical diagnosis for patients selection. Result: A total of 112 patients were enlisted during the period giving an incidence of 76 per 1000 outpatient attendance. Out of this number, 80 (71.4%) had bacterial isolates in their sputa. The commonest bacterium isolated was staphylococcus aureus (38.7%) followed by streptococcus pneumoniae (36.4%), haemophillus influenzae (12.5%) pseudomonas aerogenosa and klebsiella pneumoniae , 5% each while haemophillus parainfluenzae was seen in only 2.5%. The mean age was 47.0 years with a range of 16-74 years. The peak incidence was in the 7th decade of life, M:F was 1.2:1. Conclusion: There was evidence that the patients with sterile sputa had taken some antibiotics before presentation. This may have suppressed the growth of the causative organisms. This brings to fore the enormity of antibiotic abuse and its consequences in our environment. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2):40-43

Sickle cell genotyping in Abia State University Teaching Hospital: A four year review

Abstract: Objectives: To observe trends in hospital frequency of sickle cell disease during the study period. Design: A retrospective review over a four year period. Method: Analysis of the laboratory requests registers and results. Results: A downward trend in yield and frequency of sickle cell disease was observed over the four year period of study. Conclusion: concerted efforts by clinicians, religious organizations and social welfare services contributed to the steady decline. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 49-52