Highland Medical Research Journal

Advancing Clinical Research and Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from the Current Issue

2026-07-09T10:04:08+00:00

No Abstract

The effect of cognitive behavioural therapy on job productivity level among health personnel with work-related insomnia at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

2026-07-09T10:06:48+00:00

Background: Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a common sleep disorder affecting many health workers, particularly those with shifts that interfere with normal sleep patterns. This study assessed the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on job productivity among shift health workers experiencing work-related insomnia at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A prospective interventional study design was utilized, enrolling 60 shift workers suffering from work-related insomnia. Participants completed structured questionnaires to gather sociodemographic data, insomnia symptoms, and baseline job performance levels. Of these, 30 received CBT interventions, while the remaining 30 served as a control group. Job performance was later assessed using the Health Personnel Job Productivity Rating Scale (HPJPRS).

Results: indicated that the intervention group experienced improved sleep duration, leading to a statistically significant increase in job performance by 56.7% compared to the control group (p = 0.031).

Conclusion: CBT effectively enhanced job performance among shift workers by improving their sleep quality, suggesting a strong link between improved sleep and increased productivity.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury in newborns hospitalized at Jos University Teaching Hospital

2026-07-09T10:11:28+00:00

Background: In critically ill newborns, the risk factors for developing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) vary widely and multifactorial; it involves several potential exposures including nephrotoxic medications, sepsis, hypotension and adverse perinatal events such as asphyxia.We sought to identify the risk factors for AKI, and to determine the relative risks for AKI in sick newborns hospitalized at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted among 150 sick newborns recruited consecutively at the SCBU of JUTH. Changes in serum creatinines and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) of the babies were used to identify babies with AKI. Risk factors associated with AKI were identified using Chi-square.
Result: The prevalence of AKI in the study population was F) 2 14.7%, sepsis (0.001 and dehydration (X =15.084; p= 0.001) were found to be significantly associated with AKI. Those with sepsis and dehydration were 5 times each more likely to develop AKI than those without it, and both were statistically significant. Sepsis (RR= 4.9, 95% CI=1.72-13.72), dehydration (RR= 4.7, 95% CI= 2.33-8.63).
Conclusion: Sepsis and dehydration are risk factors associated with development of AKI.

Prevalence and risk factors of obesity among adolescents in urban and rural secondary schools in Jos

2026-07-09T10:18:19+00:00

Background: The prevalence of adolescent obesity and overweight is on the increase in both developed and developing countries. This is associated with a rise in the incidence of obesity -related co-morbidities. The most feasible solution lies in the utilization of primary prevention strategies which are targeted at the risk factors for adolescent obesity and overweight. These may vary by geographical location. This study, therefore, assessed and compared the risk factors of obesity/overweight in secondary school students in rural and
urban areas of Jos, North Central Nigeria.
Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among 450 adolescents, aged 12-18 years from January to June 2019 in Jos, Nigeria. Data on sociodemographic characteristics was obtained using pretested questionnaires. BMI-for age was determined using the 2007 WHO Body Mass Index chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to show association between the sociodemographic risk
factors and overweight/ obesity.
Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.2% and 1.3% respectively. Gender and parental socioeconomic status were found to be independent risk factors for adolescent overweight/obesity.
Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among secondary school adolescents in Jos, Plateau State. Gender and parental socioeconomic status are independent risk factors for adolescent overweight/obesity. Primary prevention programs which focus on these risk factors could aid in preventing and controlling this scourge.

Haematological and biochemical profile of children with cerebral palsy in a neurodevelopmental clinic in Lagos, Nigeria

2026-07-09T10:23:52+00:00

Background: Deranged hematologic and biochemical profile have been associated with cerebral palsy in various ways, including association with aetiology and complication of the illness. We sought to describe haematological and biochemical parameters in children with cerebral palsy. The relationship between the parameters and the children's demographic characteristics was also examined.
Methods: It was a one-year retrospective analytical study of seventy-six children with cerebral palsy assessed at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Centre, Lagos. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell count and its indices, white blood count, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase parameters were recorded. The data was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-26). The mean, standard deviation and interquartile range were analyzed. The level of significance was at p<0.05.
Results: The Mean ±SD haemoglobin level, white blood cell count and platelet count were 115.77 mg/dl ± 7.844, 7.486 x 9 9 10 /L ± 2.251, and 305.17 x 10 /L ± 104.599 respectively. Males had higher mean values for all parameters except mean cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels. On t-test analysis, anaemia was commoner in children less than 5 years and it was statistically significant (p=0.045). Lower alkaline phosphatase values were observed in children older than 9 years old, which was statistically significant (p=0.030). Sodium levels were similar across all age groups and did not show any statistically significant difference.
Conclusion: This study found various haematological and biochemical derangements with anaemia observed to be commoner in the younger age group. The findings will help in the assessment and management plan for children with cerebral palsy.

Impact of Cataract Surgery on Visual Functions and Quality of Life in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

2026-07-09T10:30:03+00:00

Background: Cataracts are responsible for 50% of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa, and visual impairment from cataracts greatly affects the quality of life and psychology of the affected individual, their family, and their community. The efficacy of vision-restoring cataract surgery in improving quality of life needs to be demonstrated with facts in order to convincingly mobilize resources for an accessible and affordable cataract surgery program.
Aim: To determine the impact of cataract surgery on visual functions (VFs) and quality of life (QoL) in patients operated on at Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State.
Methods: QoL and VF questionnaires were administered to the participants preoperatively and 6 weeks post cataract surgery. The QoL, visual acuity (VA), and VF of the participants were compared at preoperative and 6-week postoperative visits. Correlations of VA, VF, and QoL of the participants were also done before and post cataract surgery. SPSS version 18 was used to analyze the data.
Results: A total of 432 participants participated in the study. There were 206 (47.7%) males and 226 (52.3%) females, with a mean of 58.0 years. There was a positive correlation between a patient's preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and visual function. Changes in subscales of quality of life and visual functions comparing preoperative with postoperative results were more remarkable in patients' mobility and sensory, respectively.
Conclusion: There was improvement in visual function and quality of life following cataract surgery in this study. Hence, it is advised that surgeons should assess the VF and QoL of the patient before and after cataract surgery.

Eagle syndrome: rare cause of chronic neck pain – A case report and review of the literature

2026-07-09T10:36:49+00:00

Background: Eagle's syndrome (ES) is a rare clinical disorder characterised by the aberrant elongation and ossification of the styloid process (SP), a narrow bony protrusion at the base of the skull or the calcification/ossification of the stylohyoid ligament and which may result in cervicofacial pain and dysphagia. It is also referred to as stylalgia, styloid syndrome, stylohyoid syndrome, or stylohyoid complex syndrome.

Methods: We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented with an insidious onset of chronic bilateral neck pain of three years duration, worse on the right side, with recent progression and associated dysphagia. There is no prior history of previous neck surgery or trauma. Craniofacial computed tomography (CT) done with axial, reformatted coronal and three-dimensional (3D) volume rendered images revealed elongation of the temporal bone styloid processes, with associated ossification of the stylohyoid ligaments bilaterally, extending inferiorly to abut the hyoid bone, and measuring about 6.60cm and 6.39cm in length for the right and left respectively (normal <3cm). There is no gross carotid arterial or jugular venous compression noted.

Results: A diagnosis of bilateral Eagle's syndrome was made. The patient declined surgical intervention and was managed conservatively with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentin, and amitriptyline. He was subsequently lost to follow-up.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the earliest reported radiologically diagnosed case of Eagle's syndrome in Warri, Delta State, Southern Nigeria.