Jos Journal of Medicine https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm <p><em>Jos Journal of Medicine</em> is a peer-reviewed journal and editorially independent publication of the Association of Resident Doctors of Jos University Teaching Hospital. It seeks to provide a forum for the dissemination of research, review articles and information in all aspects of medical sciences among medical professionals in Africa</p><p>Other journals associated with this journal: <a title="http://www.josjournalofmedicine.com/" href="http://www.josjournalofmedicine.com/" target="_blank">http://www.josjournalofmedicine.com/</a></p> en-US Copyright is held by the journal editorjjm@gmail.com (Dr Amusa G Adeniyi) editorjjm@gmail.com (Onyia Chrisitana Ukamaka) Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:59:14 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.11 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Role of mobile health in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293883 <p>No abstract</p> Philip Adewale Adeoye Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293883 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Impact of suicide prevention training among staff of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293886 <p><strong>Background:</strong> There is still much to be done in the aspect of training and education of clinical and nonclinical staff about their role in the early identification, management and prompt referral of suicidal patients. The aim was to evaluate and assess the impact of a one-day suicide prevention training administered to both clinical and non-clinical staff of Jos University Teaching Hospital, (JUTH) Jos on their knowledge, information on suicide, self-confidence and attitude towards suicidal behaviour.</p> <p><strong>Methodology</strong>: A quasi-experimental study. Data were collected among health and non-health related workers of JUTH, Jos. Paired t-test was used to assess the impact of suicide on training on knowledge, suicide information, self-confidence, and attitudes towards suicide. Post-intervention comparison between health-related workers and those who are not was assessed using Chi-square. Statistical significance was set at P-value &lt; 0.05.</p> <p><strong>Result:</strong> There were more (59.9%) health-related workers compared to non-health related workers. Mean knowledge pre- vs post-intervention (19.27 vs 27.84 [95%CI: 7.18, 9.60]; P=0.0001); Suicide information (4.44 vs 5.02, 95% CI [0.20, 0.94]; P=0.003) and self-confidence (9.67 vs 11.86 [95% CI: 1.66, 2.69]; P=0.0001). Post-intervention comparison of good attitude between health related and non-health related workers (HR vs NHR; 79.5% vs 58.8%; OR: 2.71; [95%CI: 1.24, 5.94]; P=0.011).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This study has shown that suicide prevention training has positive impact on the knowledge, information on suicide and self-confidence in the management of suicide among health and non-health related workers.</p> T.E. Amupitan , P. Akinnusi , C. Gofung , A. Ebiloma , P.A. Adeoye , J.M. Dogo , B.A. Gyang , A.Y. Armiyau , J.T. Obindo Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293886 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 A comparative study of cervical cytology findings among women with end-stage renal disease and matched controls in women undergoing routine cytological screening https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293943 <p><strong>Background:</strong> Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women in Nigeria and one of the top 2 causes of cancer related deaths. There is growing evidence about the relationship between renal disease and cervical cancer. This study aimed to compare the cervical cytology findings in women with CKD being prepared for transplants and matched control group.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study conducted at the Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre. A total of 70 women were included with retrospective sampling from the hospital medical records. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, statistical significance was set p&lt;0.05.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> There were 33 with normal renal function for routine screening and 37 women who had End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The Normal renal function group had 78.79% of cytological smears normal while 67.57% were normal in the ESRD group. The rate of premalignant lesions of the cervix was 3.03% in the normal renal function group and 10.81% in the ESRD group, though, not statistically significant (p-value - 0.259). There was no association between the cervical cytological findings and the duration of ESRD.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The findings from this reaffirms that ESRD patients appear more likely to have abnormal cervical cytology, though ASCUS alone does not indicate high risk of progression to cancer, it indicates a need for further investigation to ascertain the risk levels of people with ESRD. Cervical cytology screening prior to transplantation and treatment of premalignant lesion of the cervix in women with ESRD could improve outcomes.</p> Chinedu G. Obikili, Adah F. Elachi, Adams Ochigbo, Joseph Maji Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293943 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Assessment of knowledge, safety practices, and lung function of petrol pump attendants In Jos Metropolis, Nigeria https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293888 <p><strong>Background:</strong> Urbanization has led to increase in use of automobiles globally, which has caused an increase in the number of fueling stations, as well as petrol pump attendants who are exposed to the volatile solvents in petrol. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, safety practices, and lung function of petrol pump attendants in Jos Metropolis, Plateau state, Nigeria.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using quantitative methods. Total sampling was done to select all 114 registered fueling stations in Jos metropolis. Simple random sampling was used to select 2 participants at each station giving a total of 228 participants. Data was collected and subsequently analyzed using SPSS version 23. Lung function was assessed using peak flow meters. A 95% significance level and p-value of 0.05 were used while carrying out bivariate and multivariable analysis.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> There was poor overall knowledge of hazards and their effects among 70.2% of the pump attendants, while 80.7% were found to have inappropriate safety practices overall. Also, 82.9% of attendants were found to have normal lung function. Multivariate analysis revealed that male pump attendants had significantly higher odds of having abnormal lung function (aOR=3.41, CI=1.61-7.24, p=0.001), and those with good knowledge of work-related hazards had 0.3 times lower odds of having abnormal lung function compared to those with poor knowledge. (aOR=0.28, CI=0.11-0.72, p=0.008).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Overall, knowledge was found to be poor and majority of attendants had inappropriate safety practices. Lung function was found to be abnormal in a minority of respondents. Since poor knowledge typically translates to inappropriate practices, it is therefore of paramount importance that efforts be made to sensitize the pump attendants about occupational hazards they can encounter to ensure their safety at work.</p> Winnifred Otaro, Eugene C. Eugene, Tolu Adeniji, Ovye Ahgu, Chundung A. Miner Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293888 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Factors associated with knowledge of road signs and past history of road traffic accident among commercial drivers plying the Kaduna Abuja expressway, Nigeria https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293945 <p><strong>Background</strong>: Road traffic signs are salient ways of communication to road users, violations of which is implicated in causing road traffic accidents with good knowledge, interpretation, and observance required to reduce the incidence of road traffic accidents. This research aimed to assess factors associated with knowledge of road signs and past history of road traffic accident among commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 366 registered commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and observations. The drivers were recruited through a multistage sampling technique. Common road signs in their usual colors were shown to the drivers to test their ability to correctly identify the signs. Their responses were recorded and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 and presented as frequencies, percentages, and charts. Fisher's exact and Chi-square were done; and conclusions made at a p-value of &lt;0.05 level of significance.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 366 participants were interviewed in this study, all of which were males. The study found that only 126 (34.4%) respondents had good knowledge of road traffic signs while most 240 (65.6%) had poor knowledge. One hundred and six drivers (44.3%) have a history of accidents in the past. The average score for awareness of road traffic signs was 50.1%, with the 'Slippery surface' sign as the least identified sign 41(11.2%) while the 'Children crossing' sign was the most familiar sign, 304 (83.1%). Only age (middle age) and mode of training (driving school) had a statistically significant relationship with knowledge (p=0.006; p=0.006, respectively). On the history of accidents in the past and driving characteristics only possession of a driver's license had a statistically significant relationship (p=0.017)</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There is inadequate knowledge of road signs among most of the commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway. It was therefore recommended that all commercial drivers are educated on road signs at points of obtaining a driver's license and a revision done during the renewal of such license.</p> Pannan I. Da'ap, Cinjel P. Stephen, Julfa J. Nden, Arome K. Okeme, Adamu U. Shehu Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293945 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Assessment of knowledge attitude and practice of quality assurance amongst non-physician medical laboratory staff of tertiary hospitals in northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional study https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293971 <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Quality assurance is essential in every health institution, particularly in a laboratory setting to achieve and maintain quality, reliable and dependable test results. Despite the reports of compliance in some laboratories in Nigeria, it suffers serious challenges. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of quality assurance among non-physician pathology laboratory staff of tertiary hospitals in northern Nigeria.</p> <p><strong>Methodology:</strong> This is a descriptive cross-sectional study among 103 non-physician medical laboratory staff working in different pathology laboratories in the study area. Mean values and proportions of Knowledge, attitude and practice was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire and was classified as good or poor using the modified Bloom's criteria. T-test and Chi-square were used to test level of significance in observations at 95% confidence level.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> 87.4% had good knowledge, 78.6% had good attitude and 73.5% had good practice of quality assurance in their health facilities. Mean score for practice was higher (4.64±1.83), compared to knowledge (2.39±0.69) and attitude (1.99±0.72). Knowledge, attitude, and practice were associated with work experience and increased with it, while age of participants was only associated with practice (p=0.023). Highest level of knowledge, attitude and practice was observed in respondents with 21-30 years of working experience. Factors associated with good knowledge attitude and practice was Adherence to ISO, SON policies (p=0.002), regular training and re-training of personnel (p=0.001), regular accreditation by regulatory bodies (p=0.003), and higher working experience ( 0.023). The major challenge to practice of quality assurance was inadequate/lack of training of staff on quality assurance.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There is high level of knowledge, good attitude and practice of quality assurance among non-physician medical laboratory staff of tertiary hospitals in northern Nigeria. Similar studies is recommended in other region of the country.</p> A.S. Longwap , I.A. Bawa , A. Hamisu , L. Imoh, A. Affi , H. Salisu , E.D. Suleiman , R.A. Dachi , E.D. Jatau, A. Dahal , I. Emmanuel , S.F. Akpagher , C.O. Isichei Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293971 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 A five- year audit of hysterectomy in Jos University Teaching Hospital https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293889 <p><strong>Background:</strong> Hysterectomy, a common major surgical procedure aimed at completely or partially removing the uterus, is associated with a negative connotation amongst several ethnicities and cultures as well as reports of debilitating psychiatric and psycho-social consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, indications, routes and trends of hysterectomies in Jos University Teaching Hospital.</p> <p><strong>Materials and Methods</strong>: It was a retrospective descriptive study, which involved the secondary analysis of all the hysterectomies that were performed in Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 2014 and<br>December 2019 with data entered into and analysed using IBM SPSS version 24.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Abdominal hysterectomy had a prevalence of 31.3% while vaginal hysterectomy had a prevalence of 3.5% giving an overall hysterectomy prevalence of 34.8%. An overwhelming proportion of the hysterectomies done were via the abdominal route (89.9%). Only 10.1% was done through the vaginal route. The most common indication for abdominal hysterectomy was uterine fibroid (34.8%) followed by cervical carcinoma (22.4%). The most common gynaecological surgery from the study was myomectomy, accounting for 36.5% of all the major gynaecological surgeries done.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Hysterectomy remains a commonly performed gynaecological surgery globally and locally,<br>with uterine fibroid being the most common indication. The vast majority of hysterectomies were done via abdominal route not the minimally invasive approaches such as vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Steps should thus be taken to enhance the use of other routes which are associated with less morbidity and mortality.</p> K.C. Michael , F.A. Magaji , R.E. Akpa , A. Aken Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293889 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Profile of the unknown unconscious patient at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293892 <p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Every human being is given a name for identification and convenience. Some patients may be brought into the accident and the emergency (A&amp;E) department of unknown identity and the patient's name is not known. The unknown patient can be defined as a patient whose identity is unknown at the time of arrival at the hospital.</p> <p><strong>Method:</strong> This is a prospective study of unconscious patients who were unknown and unnamed at the time of admission in the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from September 2023 to July 2024.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> During the study period, 41 unknown patients were admitted to the accident and emergency. The majority of the patients were males 35(85.4%) Most of them were brought to the hospital by bystanders and the driver that hit the patient. The majority 63.4% were brought in from the accident scene, 53.7% had severe traumatic brain injury and 68.3% died. By the time the patient left the A&amp;E either they were transferred to other wards or died, the identity of 61.0 % was known.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The emergency physician occasionally will encounter patients who are unconscious with no known identity. The unknown patients are mainly adult males. Trauma especially road traffic accidents is the leading cause of unconsciousness in a patient with an unknown identity.</p> Dabota Yvonne Buowari, Barile Edward Ikpae, Biibaloo Legborsi Livinus Copyright (c) 2025 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jjm/article/view/293892 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000