Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital is a federal government of Nigeria teaching hospital located in Nnewi, Anambra state. The current chief medical director is Joseph Ugboaja.
Background:Although studies in adults have shown that early removal of the nasogastric tube (NGT) after major bowel surgery is safe and more beneficial than delayed removal, adoption of this practice in children has been slow due to limited supporting evidence. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between early and delayed nasogastric tube removal in children undergoing major bowel surgery. Methods:A total of 102 children who underwent major bowel surgery were randomized into two groups: Group I (early removal) and Group II (delayed removal), with 51 patients in each group. In Group I, the NGT was removed 24 hours postoperatively, whereas in Group II, it was removed after the passage of either faeces or flatus. The primary outcome was the prevalence of vomiting, while secondary outcomes included the timing of return of bowel sounds and the achievement of full-scale feeding. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 20 (IBM, SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Qualitative and quantitative variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Student's t-test, respectively. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Vomiting occurred in 6 (11.8%) patients in the early group and 5 (9.8%) patients in the delayed group (p = 0.750). Bowel sounds returned significantly earlier in the early group (83 ± 11.67 hours) compared with the delayed group (97 ± 17.71 hours; p = 0.029). Full-scale feeding was achieved at 121.84 ± 13.67 hours in the early group and 132.63 ± 12.79 hours in the delayed group (p = 0.031). Conclusion:This study reveals that early removal of the nasogastric tube might not significantly increase the rates of vomiting. However, it might lead to significantly reduced time to the return of bowel sounds and full scale feeding.
Background and Objectives: Dermatology relies on a complex terminology encompassing lesion types, distribution patterns, colors, and specialized sites such as hair and nails, while dermoscopy adds an additional descriptive framework, making interpretation subjective and challenging. Our study aims to evaluate the ability of a chatbot (Gemini 2) to generate dermatology descriptions across multiple languages and image types, and to assess the influence of prompt language on readability, completeness, and terminology consistency. Our research is based on the concept that non-English prompts are not mere translations of the English prompts but are independently generated texts that reflect medical and dermatological knowledge learned from non-English material used in the chatbot’s training. Materials and Methods: Five macroscopic and five dermoscopic images of common skin lesions were used. Images were uploaded to Gemini 2 with language-specific prompts requesting short paragraphs describing visible features and possible diagnoses. A total of 2400 outputs were analyzed for readability using LIX score and CLEAR (comprehensiveness, accuracy, evidence-based content, appropriateness, and relevance) assessment, while terminology consistency was evaluated via SNOMED CT mapping across English, French, German, and Greek outputs. Results: English and French descriptions were found to be harder to read and more sophisticated, while SNOMED CT mapping revealed the largest terminology mismatch in German and the smallest in French. English texts and macroscopic images achieved the highest accuracy, completeness, and readability based on CLEAR assessment, whereas dermoscopic images and non-English texts presented greater challenges. Conclusions: Overall, partial terminology inconsistencies and cross-lingual variations highlighted that the language of the prompt plays a critical role in shaping AI-generated dermatology descriptions.
OBJECTIVE:To explore Nigerian women's lived experiences of menopause and identify sociocultural, structural, and health-system factors shaping symptom recognition, care-seeking, and wellbeing, using in-depth qualitative inquiry. DESIGN:Qualitative interview study. SETTING:Urban, peri-urban, and rural communities across Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS:Post-menopausal women aged 40-66 years experiencing natural, surgical, or medical menopause. METHODS:As part of the Nigerian arm of the MARIE project, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with purposively sampled post-menopausal women to capture diverse menopausal stages, socioeconomic positions, and geographic contexts. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis informed by an equity-centred, intersectional framework. Multiple researchers independently coded transcripts, with iterative discussion and triangulation to enhance analytic rigour and validity. RESULTS:Three interrelated themes characterised menopausal experiences in Nigeria. First, structural health-system inequalities were evident, including limited anticipatory information, inadequate clinician training, fragmented care pathways, and restricted access to hormone replacement therapy and non-hormonal treatments. Second, sociocultural and gendered norms shaped symptom interpretation and disclosure, with menopause often framed as a natural or inevitable life stage requiring endurance rather than care, compounded by stigma and silencing within families and communities. Third, women demonstrated adaptive coping and resilience, relying on peer networks, faith-based practices, and self-management strategies in the absence of formal support. Urban participants reported comparatively better access to information and services, while rural women described pronounced neglect and dependence on informal care. CONCLUSIONS:This qualitative study provides the first in-depth, context-specific account of menopausal experiences among Nigerian women, revealing substantial inequities driven by sociocultural beliefs, economic constraints, and systemic gaps in healthcare provision. The findings underline the urgent need for culturally sensitive, equity-oriented menopause care in Nigeria, including integration into primary healthcare, improved professional training, affordable access to evidence-based treatments, and public health education to reduce stigma and unmet need.
Communicable diseases remain a major public health concern in Nigeria, especially among market traders who face daily exposure to infection risks. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of preventive measures against communicable diseases among traders in Anambra State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 traders selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered, and validated questionnaire. Analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. The respondents were predominantly between 25–44 years (mean age: 38±12 years), with males constituting 61.1%. Most were Christians (83.2%), married (47.7%), and educated up to the secondary level (39.3%). Awareness of communicable diseases was high (94.0%), with television (73.9%), friends (61.0%), and radio (60.7%) as major information sources. Although 91.3% knew about proper handwashing and 84.1% about environmental sanitation, only 7.4% demonstrated good knowledge. However, 88.8% practiced at least one preventive measure especially handwashing (90.5%) and body hygiene (71.5%). Poor practice was attributed to disbelief in preventive measures (61.1%) and ignorance (58.3%). Factors such as negligence (OR=0.380, p=0.038) and laziness (OR=0.308, p=0.025) significantly affected preventive practices. Marital status was significantly associated with practice levels (p=0.05), and males attended more health talks than females (p=0.004). Despite high awareness, there was a gap between knowledge and actual preventive practices, influenced by negligence, laziness, and misconceptions. Continuous health education, targeted seminars, and community-based interventions are recommended to improve compliance with preventive measures among traders.
Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have reduced mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Nigeria. Nonetheless, there is limited research on the impact of perceived helplessness on the wellbeing of PLWH in Nigeria. This study examined the effect of perceived helplessness on middle-age and older PLWH using health-related quality of life (HRQoL), subjective health (SH), and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) as outcomes related to wellbeing. We invited 150 participants, all of whom completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing the variables of interest and key sociodemographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were fit to examine the relationship between perceived helplessness and wellbeing, accounting for relevant covariates such as age, sex, relationship status etc. Results showed that higher perceived helplessness was associated with lower physical HRQoL (B = -0.275, p < 0.001), lower mental HRQoL (B = -0.18, p < 0.001), better SH (B = 0.010, p < 0.001) and higher reports of SCD (B = 0.443, p < 0.001). PLWH in Nigeria are exposed to stressors that diminish their sense of control and increase their risk for poor wellbeing. The findings underscore the need for interventions to ameliorate perceived helplessness, thereby improving health and wellbeing among aging adult PLWH in Nigeria.
