Prevalence and Causes of Low Vision and Blindness among Adult Patients Attending Eye Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital in South East, Nigeria

Background: Low vision and blindness are significant public health issues worldwide. They result in educational, occupational, and social challenges in the affected persons. Their care givers/ families are also severely affected. There is however limited data on the magnitude of visual impairment in Aba, South East Nigeria. Objective: To determine the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness among adult patients attending eye clinic in a tertiary hospital in South East Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was an institutional-based retrospective, descriptive study involving 457 patients who attended Abia State University Teaching Hospital eye clinic between April and September 2018. Data was obtained from patient’s hospital records within the period under study and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at a P-value of < 0.05. Results: Data of 457 ophthalmic patients who met the inclusion criteria for this study were analyzed. Mean age of respondents was 48.5 ± 17.7 years. A total 5.4% of the patients had bilateral low vision, while 30.2% and 7% had monocular and bilateral blindness respectively. Cataract-related diagnosis, refractive errors and glaucoma (28.4%, 28.2% and 14.7%) respectively were the major causes of low vision and blindness among the patients. Statistically significant association was found between respondent’s diagnosis and age as well as occupation (P<0.001). Conclusion: Results from this study will aid in planning low vision & blindness preventive programs and improving eye care services.

Download Full-text

Potential adverse drug events and its predictors among hospitalized patients at medical center in Ethiopia: a prospective observational study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91281-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tamiru Sahilu ◽

Mestawet Getachew ◽

Tsegaye Melaku ◽

Tadesse Sheleme ◽

Duresa Abu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Adverse Drug Events ◽

Medical Center ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Drug Event ◽

P Value ◽

Contributing Factors

AbstractPotential adverse drug event (PADE) is a medication error with the potential to cause associate degree injury however that does not cause any injury, either due to specific circumstances, chance, or as a result of the error being intercepted and corrected. This study aimed to assess the incidence, contributing factors, predictors, severity, and preventability of PADEs among hospitalized adult patients at Jimma Medical Center. A prospective observational study was conducted among hospitalized adult patients at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors predicting PADE occurrence. P-value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. A total of 319 patients were included. About 50.5% of them were females. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 43 ± 17.6 years. Ninety-four PADEs were identified. Number of medications (adjusted OR = 5.12; 95% CI: 2.01–13.05; p = 0.001), anticoagulants (adjusted OR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.22–5.19; p = 0.013), anti-seizures (adjusted OR = 21.96; 95% CI: 6.57–73.39; p < 0.0001), anti-tuberculosis (adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.002–4.59, p = 0.049), and Elixhauser comorbidity Index ≤ 15 (adjusted OR = 6.24; 95% CI: 1.48–26.25, p = 0.013) were independent predictors of PADEs occurrence. About one-third of patients admitted to the hospital experienced PADEs.

Download Full-text

Acute Post Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis among Children from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Asian Journal of Pediatric Research ◽

10.9734/ajpr/2021/v5i430181 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 27-36

Author(s):

Fatima Bello Jiya ◽

Paul Kehinde Ibitoye ◽

Nma Muhammed Jiya ◽

Mohammed Hassan Abba

Keyword(s):

Hospital Mortality ◽

Economic Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

University Teaching ◽

Systemic Hypertension ◽

P Value ◽

Post Discharge ◽

Paediatric Unit ◽

Post Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Aims: To determine the clinical and laboratory profile of children with acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) admitted into Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, the outcome, and factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Study Design: A 5- year retrospective study. Place of Study: Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) and Paediatric Medical Ward (PMW) of the Department of Paediatrics, UDUTH Sokoto. Methodology: The records of children aged 4 to 14 years with the diagnosis of APSGN were reviewed. Relevant history, physical examination findings, laboratory and radiologic investigation findings were extracted from their case folders and recorded into a proforma sheet. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. (IBM SPSS Inc., USA). The level of statistical significance was set at 5%, which is p-value < 0.05. Results: Fifty-four (0.9%) of the 6128 children were managed for APSGN giving a prevalence of 10.8 APSGN cases per 1000 children. Forty-one folders were utilized for the study. There were 21(51.2%) females and 20(48.8%) males, with F:M ratio of 1.1:1. Mean age at presentation was 9.1± 3.1 years. Majority (92.6%) were ≥5 years and mainly 22(53.7%) of low socio-economic status. The main features were body swelling 40(97.6%), fever 25(61.0%), oliguria 24(58.5%), systemic hypertension 37(90.2%), proteinuria 41(100.0%), and haematuria 41(100.0%). Acute kidney injury was the commonest 25(61.0%) complication. Thirty (73.2%) cases were discharged, 5 (12.2%) died, 6(14.6%) left against medical advice. Low social status (0.03), requirement for dialysis (p=0.003), congestive cardiac failure (p=0.01), and pulmonary oedema (p=0.04) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. Requirement for dialysis (p=0.005) was the independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. At three months post discharge, 20(48.8%) of the 31 cases had achieved complete resolution of APSGN. Conclusion: APSGN is common in Sokoto and similar in pattern to other reports from Nigeria. The presence of complications at presentation increases the risk of in-hospital mortality.

Download Full-text

PUVAsol therapy in the management of vitiligo: outcome in a dermatology clinic in South-West Nigeria

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20191759 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 247

Author(s):

Patrick O. Echekwube ◽

Olayinka A. Olasode ◽

Emmanuel O. Onayemi

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Adult Patients ◽

University Teaching ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Extensive Disease ◽

Dermatology Clinic ◽

South West ◽

University Teaching Hospitals

Background: Vitiligo is a depigmentary dermatosis which currently has no cure but there are different treatment options available to treat affected patients with varying results. The aim of the study was to ascertain the effect of PUVAsol therapy offered to adult patients with vitiligo at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methods: All consecutive adult patients with vitiligo who presented at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex, Ile-lfe and gave consent were recruited for the study which was for a period of 6 months. Patients with limited disease were treated with topical PUVAsol and those with extensive disease were treated with oral PUVAsol. The outcome of therapy for the patients was classified into three categories as follows: progressed (P), stable (S) and repigmented (R). The repigmented group was further sub-classified into fair (R1) and good (R2) representing ≤50% and >50% repigmentation of areas affected respectively.Results: After 6 months of therapy, most of the patients (92%) had repigmentation of their lesions while the remaining had either stable lesions (6%) or progression of their lesions (2%). Amongst the patients whose lesions got repigmented, 96% of them had repigmentation in less than half of the areas affected by vitiligo which was a fair outcome.Conclusions: PUVAsol is a treatment modality for vitiligo with some repigmentation of lesions following therapy for 6 months. PUVAsol therapy could be recommended in resource poor settings because of its low cost and availability in most parts of Nigeria.

Download Full-text

Ivermectin as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 among Healthcare Providers in a Selected Tertiary Hospital in Dhaka – An Observational Study

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2020.2.6.599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed Tarek Alam ◽

Rubaiul Murshed ◽

Pauline Francisca Gomes ◽

Zafor Md. Masud ◽

Sadia Saber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Large Scale ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Chi Square ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Experimental Group

Introduction: While multiple vaccines are undergoing clinical trial across the globe, we yearn for an FDA approved drug to protect us from the devastating pandemic for the time being. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Ivermectin when administered as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. Method: An observational study, with 118 healthcare providers who were enrolled purposively, was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka from May 2020 to August 2020. The subjects were divided into experimental and control groups; and the experimental group received an oral monthly dose of Ivermectin 12mg for 4 months. Both groups were exposed to COVID-19 positive patients admitted in the hospital during the course of study. The symptomatic subjects were evaluated by physical examination, COVID-19 RT-PCR and/or HRCT of chest. Differences between the variables were determined using the Chi-square test and the level of statistical significance was reached when p<0.05. Result: 73.3% (44 out of 60) subjects in control group were positive for COVID-19, whereas only 6.9% (4 out of 58) of the experimental group were diagnosed with COVID-19 (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Ivermectin, an FDA-approved, safe, cheap and widely available drug, should be subjected to large-scale trials all over the world to ascertain its effectiveness as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Ophthalmic Findings and Their Effect on Visual Function in Persons with Albinism in Southern Nigeria

Ophthalmology Research An International Journal ◽

10.9734/or/2019/v10i130095 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Ihunanya Ibanga ◽

Chinyere N. Pedro-Egbe ◽

Alfred A. Onua ◽

Bassey Fiebai

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Contrast Sensitivity ◽

Visual Function ◽

Low Vision ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ocular Disorders ◽

Southern Nigeria ◽

Study Participants

Aim: To determine the pattern of ocular disorders in persons with albinism and how they affect visual function. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over a five-month period on persons living with albinism in Southern Nigeria. The study participants were randomly selected during the monthly meetings of a support group known as The Albinism Foundation (TAF).Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were assessed using the ETDRS visual acuity chart and Pelli Robson contrast sensitivity test chart. A comprehensive eye examination including dilated fundoscopy was also carried out to determine other ocular disorders. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and statistical significance was set at a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 116 PWA (232 eyes) were examined. There were 44 (37.9%) males and 72 (62.1%) females. The age of the study subjects ranged from 5 to 56 years. Most eyes were visually impaired for both distance (n=228; 98.3%) and near vision (n= 224; 96.6%). Contrast sensitivity in most eyes (n=138; 59.5%) was subnormal. With refraction and Low Vision Aid (LVA), there was significant improvement of the mean VA by 2-3 acuity lines and 6 acuity lines respectively (p=0.000). All the examined eyes had fundus hypo-pigmentation, 91.4% (n=212) had iris trans-illumination, 86.2% (n=200) had nystagmus, and 34.4% (n=80) had strabismus. Nystagmus, strabismus and iris trans-illumination significantly (p=0.00) reduced visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Conclusion: Most study participants had reduced distance visual acuity and contrast sensitivity but with correction there was a significant improvement in vision. The presence of nystagmus, strabismus and iris trans-illumination were observed to contribute to the poor vision experienced by most persons living with albinism. Hence, early optical intervention and counselling is important in improving the quality of living of persons with albinism.

Download Full-text

Pterygopalatine Fossa Infiltration: A Radio-Anatomic Study among Adult Patients in a Tertiary Private Hospital

Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.32412/pjohns.v30i1.377 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 24-28

Author(s):

Neil Louis L. Apale ◽

Joel A. Romualdez ◽

Rodolfo E. Rivera ◽

Joseph Benjamin M. Lu

Keyword(s):

Ct Scan ◽

Private Hospital ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Pterygopalatine Fossa ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

P Value ◽

Mucosal Thickness ◽

Greater Palatine Canal ◽

The Right

Objective: As a guide to the clinical practice of infiltration of local anesthesia into the pterygopalatine fossa via the greater palatine canal, this study sought to determine and record the mean CT scan measurements of the following: 1) palatal mucosal thickness, 2) length and width of greater palatine canal, and 3) length and width of pterygopalatine fossa, among adult patients in a private tertiary hospital in Quezon City. Method: Study Design: Retrospective, Descriptive Study Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital Participants: Paranasal Sinus (PNS) CT Scans of 113 adult patients from January 2014 to May 2014 were reviewed and evaluated. Excluded were images with pathology that distorted the anatomy of the sinuses and surrounding structures. Results: Our study showed average CT scan measurements of 5.98 mm palatal mucosal thickness, 16.99 mm greater palatine canal length, 18.75 mm pterygopalatine fossa length, 2.37 mm greater palatine canal width, and 2.58 mm pterygopalatine fossa width. Comparison of average measurements by sex was not statistically significant. There was statistical significance when comparing the right palatal mucosal thickness of 5.86 mm with the left which was 6.11 mm, with p-value of 0.001. Comparison between the length of the right pterygopalatine fossa of 18.48 mm with the left side at 19.01 mm, showed statistical significance with p-value of 0.01. Conclusion: As the average measurement of the mucosal palatal thickness combined with the length of the greater palatine canal was 22.97 mm, we recommend bending the needle 23 mm from the tip in a 45 degree angle, for adult patients who will undergo sinus surgery, control of posterior epistaxis, trigeminal nerve block, and minor oral cavity surgeries. Keywords: pterygopalatine fossa infiltration, greater palatine canal, greater palatine foramen, regional anesthesia blocks

Download Full-text

Attitude and acceptability of assisted reproductive technology among women in a tertiary hospital in Sokoto, northern Nigeria

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20211488 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 1770

Author(s):

Amina G. Umar ◽

Aisha N. Adamu

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Educational Status ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

University Teaching ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Living Children

Background: Infertility couple affects the couple's life, work, health, personality, identity and quality of life. The aim of the study is to determine the attitude and acceptability of assisted reproductive technology among women at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that involved three 350 women attending infertility clinic. They were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained was managed using the statistical package for social sciences version 20. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant and the result obtained was presented in charts and tables.Results: Among the 350 women recruited, their ages ranged between 14-58 years with a modal age of 25-35 yeas (58.0%) and a mean of 28.59±6.7. They are mostly (78.6%), of the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group. Almost all (98.9%) of them were married and unto 40.5% of them were in polygamous marriage. Majority, 36.9% had tertiary education, and about same proportion, about half, 51.7%% were gainfully employed. About 60.3% of them were nulliparae with a mean duration of infertility of 5.07±4.8 years. Approximately half, 53.1% had secondary infertility and only about half, 51.4% will accept ART if offered. Unfortunately, among those who declined, majority (40.9%) had no reason for doing so. There was statistically significant association between educational status and acceptance of assisted reproductive technology (ART) at p value 0.02.Conclusions: The acceptance of ART in our environment is influenced by the educational status and number of living children.

Download Full-text

Factors associated with demand for epidural analgesia among women in labor at a tertiary hospital in Nnewi, South-East, NigeriaFactors associated with demand for epidural analgesia among women in labor at a tertiary hospital in Nnewi, South-East, Nigeria

10.30574/msarr.2021.2.1.0028 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 08-013

Author(s):

Samuel C Ojiakor ◽

Afam B Obidike ◽

Kenneth N Okeke ◽

Chioma P Nnamani ◽

Amaka L Obi-Nwosu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epidural Analgesia ◽

Dural Puncture ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Labor Analgesia ◽

University Teaching ◽

P Value ◽

Post Dural Puncture Headache ◽

Labor Epidural

Background: Epidural labor analgesia has become prevalent in high income countries, but its use in low and middle income countries such as Nigeria is poorly studied. Objectives: To determine the rate of demand, indications, post-dural puncture headache rate and factors affecting demand for epidural analgesia among women in labor. Method: This was a across sectional analytical study of women in labor who were managed at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017. Data was obtained from women’s case files from Medical record department, labor ward, and Anesthesiology departmental records. Information obtained included total number of deliveries, mode of delivery, those that received epidural: date and time of placement, indication and number of side effects. Univariate analysis models were applied to evaluate the association between patient demographic, socioeconomic factors, clinical and demand for labor epidural analgesia. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Thirty-six women out of 1,373 women received epidural labor analgesia, giving the epidural labor analgesic rate of 2.6%. The most common indication for epidural labor analgesia was maternal voluntary request which accounted for 24 (66.7%) of the population receiving analgesia. One (2.8%) parturient developed post-dural puncture headache which resolved spontaneously within 24 hours. Parturient who utilized labor epidurals were significantly older than 30 years of age (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.51-6.62; p=0.002), Multi-parous (OR 26.65; 95% CI 3.64-100.00; p=0.001), and with higher income (OR 9.02; 95% CI 4.38-18.57; p=<0.001), but not with higher level of education (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.27-1.16; p=0.114). Conclusion: The demand for labor epidural in the study center was low with a demand rate of 2.6% and post-dural puncture headache rate of 2.8%. The significant factors related to a parturient’s request for epidural analgesia during labor included age greater than 30 years, multiparity and higher income. There is a need for an enhanced awareness programs on obstetrics epidural analgesia.

Download Full-text

The potential factors affecting the perception of aesthetic smile among adult patients attending Dental clinics of Jazan University

Acta stomatologica Naissi ◽

10.5937/asn1980956s ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (81) ◽

pp. 1966-1979

Author(s):

Fawzia Shaabi ◽

Bandar Al-Makramani ◽

Fuad Al-Sanabani ◽

Alraawi Abdo ◽

Ahmari Al ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Plan ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Vital Role ◽

Adult Patients ◽

P Value ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Patient’S Satisfaction ◽

Potential Factors ◽

The Aesthetic ◽

Male Subjects

Introduction: Aesthetic smile is an important part for every patient since it plays a vital role in his personality, selfconfidence and self-esteem. Aim: To assess the relationship between the potential factors affecting the perception of aesthetic smile among adult patients, to evaluate the patient's satisfaction toward their smile and to find the most common factors for their dissatisfaction caused by smile. Materials and methods: A 100 males and 100 females were evaluated for the presence or absence of aesthetic smile. The clinical examination was included categories related to personal aesthetic factors of the smile. A questioner designed by Goldstein to measure the patient's self-perception and satisfaction of their smiles was used. The data were pooled for analysis, statistical significance was set to p-value ˃ 0.05. Results: There was a significant differences in the parallel interpupillary line and coincided of dental midlines alone and with facial midlines in the aesthetic and non-aesthetic choices, also between the symmetry of maxillary central and lateralicisors, and canines with their axial inclinations choices (p< 0.05). Some group of questions showed significant differences among female and male subjects while, the male subjects Some questions were near to the statistical significant differences, while others showed no significace between males and females choices. Conclusion: Dental and facial factors showed highly significant relationship with aesthetic smile. So, it should be observed by a dental specialist to provide a proper treatment plan with respect to the potential factors of the aesthetics to help for self-satisfaction measurement.

Download Full-text

Distribution Pattern of Serum Uric Acid Level Before and After National Festival Dashain among Patients Visiting Tertiary Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal

Journal of Health and Allied Sciences ◽

10.37107/jhas.152 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 36-39

Author(s):

Dipesh Tamrakar ◽

Sabina Shakya ◽

Sadikshya Shrestha ◽

Salina Pradhananga ◽

Vijay Kumar Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Uric Acid ◽

Distribution Pattern ◽

Serum Uric Acid ◽

Serum Uric Acid Level ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

University Teaching ◽

P Value ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Dashain, one of the national festivals in Nepal, celebrated with excessive consumption of high purine content foods, alcoholic and soft beverages. These foods have been associated with higher Serum Uric Acid (SUA) levels leading to hyperuricemia. This study was intended to evaluate the distribution pattern of SUA level a month before and after this festival for two consecutive years. Methods and Materials: The data of 5818 patients visiting Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for SUA test (a month before and after Dashain festival for two consecutive years; 2017 - 2018 A.D.) were collected and analyzed. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD taking 95% confidence interval and p values of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the variables. Results: The mean SUA levels before and after Dashain in two consecutive years were 333.5 ± 112.1 μmol/L and 334.2±114.7 μmol/L in 2017 A.D. and 322.6 ± 103.9μmol/L and 343.2± 111.4 μmol/L in 2018 A.D. There was a significantly elevated level of the mean SUA level after Dashain festival in 2018 among both sexes (p-value <0.05). The age-wise distribution of mean SUA after the Dashain festival was consistent with increasing age among the study population. Conclusion: The study concluded that the Dashain festival has an impact on increasing the SUA level.

Download Full-text