Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research

Improving Telemedicine Practice in Nigeria

W.E. Sadoh , V.O. Omuemu — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

No Abstract

Ulcerative Colitis diagnosed for the First Time in a 93 year old Nigerian Woman: A Case Report

E.A. Odeghe , D.E. Ezuduemoih , G.K. Oyeleke , O.F. Adeniyi , A. Adetona — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and life-long disease characterized by gastrointestinal tract inflammation caused by the interplay of the host’s genetic predisposition, immune responses, and various environmental factors. It is characterized by chronic diarrhea, among other symptoms. Its spectrum comprises Crohn’s disease (CD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and indeterminate colitis (IC). Inflammatory bowel disease occurs in two peaks, the first at 15-25 years, and the second at 40-60 years. It is rarely reported in the extremes of age. Here we report the case of a 93-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed ulcerative colitis presenting as large bowel obstruction.

Assessing Telemedicine Knowledge and Utilization among Residents in Benin City, Edo State during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Study

E.O. Ogboghodo, O.H. Okojie , V.O. Omuemu , E.E. Abdul — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, addressing healthcare service gaps. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and utilization of telemedicine among residents in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult residents of Benin City. A multi-staged sampling technique comprising four stages was employed to select respondents, and data were collected through a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS vs 25.0. Significance was established at p < 0.05, and results were presented as prose and frequency tables.

Results: The study included 413 participants with a mean age (SD) of 26.9 ± 7.1 years. The majority, 279 (67.6%), were students, and 289 (70.0%) had tertiary education. Good knowledge of telemedicine was demonstrated by 192 (61.5%) of the respondents but 122 (39.1%) had used telemedicine services. Fifty-seven (46.7%) of those who used telemedicine favoured phone calls as the primary medium, citing its accessibility. Notably, 106 (86.9%) reported using telemedicine to reduce hospital waiting times, and 105 (86.1%) appreciated its ready availability. Barriers to telemedicine use included network challenges during consultations (42.6%) and inconsistent power supply (36.3%). Age (p = 0.045), sex (p = 0.038) and higher education (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with better telemedicine knowledge.

Conclusion: The study revealed that while a significant proportion of residents in Benin City possessed good knowledge of telemedicine, its utilization remains low. Addressing infrastructure limitations and extending educational efforts will be pivotal in bridging the knowledge-utilization gap in telemedicine.

Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Abuse among University Undergraduates in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

A.I. Obi , G. Pop-Yornwin , E.T. Taiwo, E. Adayonfo, J.N. Obi — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Sexual abuse is a public health problem that poses serious challenge to health and wellbeing of young persons, globally. This study assessed prevalence and predictors of sexual abuse among undergraduate students in the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria in order to develop appropriate preventive intervention

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Selfadministered questionnaires were utilized for the study. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.4 ± 2.8 years and 300 (60%) were females. Awareness of sexual abuse was 98.0%. Lifetime and period (one year) prevalence of sexual abuse was 320 (64.0%) and 200 (62.5%) respectively. Determinants of sexual abuse were female sex (OR=2.234, CI= 1.532 – 3.527, p<0.001), room sharing (OR=2.637, CI= 0.416 – 0.977, p = 0.039), self-support in school (OR = 2.587, CI= 0.416 – 0.977, p = 0.036), history of previous sexual abuse (OR = 6.043, CI= 3.689 – 6.238, p = 0.001) and history of abusive relationship (OR= 5.010, CI= 1.321 – 3.234, p = 0.023).

Conclusion: Sexual abuse is prevalent among study population, with more females than males affected. The University of Benin Management should develop preventive measures that will aid prompt identification and reporting of sexual abuse with anonymity to appropriate authority

Profile and Predictors of Psychological Manifestations of COVID-19 among Adults in Selected Communities of Southwest Nigeria

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The Corona Virus Disease-2019 caused by the virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus - 2 resulted in a global public health problem. Various strategies and interventions were implemented to contain the spread around the world. Despite this, the pandemic persisted with fear and anxiety leading to worsening psychological state. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the profile and predictors of psychological manifestations of COVID-19 among adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select adults aged 18 years and above. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 was used for data analysis and spatial mapping. Level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: More than a tenth (15.3%) of the respondents had experienced severe psychological manifestations due to COVID-19. Younger age (p<0.001), higher level of education (p<0.001), higher monthly income (p=0.013), smaller household size (p=0.001), working in the hospital environment (p=0.001), and rural residence (p=0.005) were significantly associated with psychological manifestations due to COVID-19. Younger age (p=0.030), tertiary education (p=0.020), rural location (p<0.001) and working in the hospital environment (p=0.021) were significant predictors of severe psychological manifestations due to COVID-19.

Conclusion: Psychological manifestations due to COVID-19 was high among the study population and this cuts across socio-demographic and socio-economic groups. Awareness campaigns by the Ekiti State government and other relevant stakeholders could help to reduce this in the population

Perceptions and Factors affecting Utilization of Primary Health Care Services in a predominantly Urban Community in South-South Nigeria

V.T. Iyinbor , O.O.M. Olu , J.C. Nwaogwugwu, V.Y. Adam — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Primary Health Care is the cornerstone of a sustainable national health system for the attainment of universal health coverage. There is poor demand for health services at the primary level of care. This study assessed the perceptions and factors affecting the utilization of primary health care services in a predominantly urban community in South-South Nigeria.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Egor, Benin City, Southern Nigeria. A structured, and interviewer administered questionnaire was distributed to 371 heads of household who were selected using multistage sampling method. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.

Results: Majority of the respondents were males 191 (51.6%). More than half, 195 (52.5%) were in the age group of 35-49 years. Less than half, 171 (46.1%)of the respondents had utilized primary health care services. Only, 42 (24.6%) perceived the services utilized were satisfactory. Immunization, 45 (26.3%), child, 39 (22.8%) and maternal, 32 (18.7%) health care services were the most utilized. Sex (OR = 0.599; CI = 0.38-0.94, p = 0.027), religion (OR = 2.246; CI = 1.066-4.735, p = 0.033), and occupation (OR = 2.437; CI = 1.106-5.367, p = 0.027) were factors associated with the utilization of health services in the study locale.

Conclusions: The utilization of the primary health care services was low, and the perception of services utilized was not satisfactory. The Local Government Health Authority needs to strengthen the primary health care system. Also, improved community engagement and participation could enhance health services access and uptake.

Knowledge of Oral Cancer among Dental Patients in South-Southern Nigeria

B.E. Edetanlen , J.A. Ogbikaya , O. Babalola — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Despite recent advances in the detection and treatment of oral cancer (OC), the rate of late presentation by patients is still high. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about the risk factors and early signs of OC among dental patients in a Nigerian secondary health facility.

Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study design recruited all consecutive patients at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Edo state, Nigeria. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire which was given to all participants that gave written informed consent. Data was collected and analysed

Results: All the 250 respondents approached agreed to participate in the present study. The age range was 18 to 84 years with a mean age of 34.1±12.2 years. There were 71(28.4%) males and 179(71.6%) females. Only 140(56.0%) of the respondents were aware of OC and 70(50.0%) of them had the information from internet/ mass media. Only 65(25.6%) were certain that old age is a risk factor of OC. The age, gender, place of residence, level of education and occupation of the respondents did not significantly affect the level of awareness of the respondents (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The knowledge of risk factors and early signs of OC was unsatisfactory in the patients. The demographic features of the respondents were not related to the level of awareness of OC.

Profile of Confirmed Cases during Lassa fever Outbreak in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State

I. Alenoghena — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorraghic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of confirmed cases of Lassa fever during an outbreak in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.

Methods: A descriptive review of records of cases of Lassa fever between 1st of January to 4th of March, 2019 was done. Confirmation of cases was done using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data analysis was by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 and descriptive statistics was done.

Results: Out of a total of 150 suspected cases of Lassa fever recorded during the period, 63 (42.0%) were confirmed. Among the confirmed cases, the mean age was 28±16.4 years and 34 (54.0%) were males. The incidence of the disease was highest among those within the ages of 15-45 (66.7%) years. The highest proportions of confirmed cases were from Jattu 25 (39.7%) and Auchi 24 (38.1%) communities. The case fatality rate was 12 (19%).

Conclusion: The incidence of Lassa fever was highest among the productive age group with about one in five deaths recorded during the outbreak. The State Government should step-up environmental sanitation activities in Jattu and Auchi Communities in Etsako West LGA.