Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research

Curbing the menace of substance abuse among youths in Nigeria: A call to action

Wilson Sadoh, Vivian Omuemu — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Substance abuse has reached epidemic proportions affecting between 20 and 40 percent of youths in Nigeria. It is a public health concern that threatens the health, well-being, and future of our young generation. The alarming rise in substance abuse among youths has far-reaching and devastating consequences. This editorial highlights the commonly abused drugs, the root causes and the multifaceted approach for addressing substance abuse in Nigeria.

HPV vaccines and a future without cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa

Michael Ezeanochie — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Cervical cancer remains a global public health problem with the annual number of new cases and deaths projected to increase to 700000 and 400,000 in 2030, respectively. Unfortunately, about 85% of woman affected by cervical cancer are young, undereducated and live in the world’s poorest regions like sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Although high income countries (HIC) have reduced morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer by about 80% using cytology (pap smears) for population-based screening cervices in the past 60 years, many low-middle-income-countries (LMIC) in sub-Saharan Africa have not been able to replicate it due to limited resources and challenges with the personnel, laboratory and logistics requirements, competing health needs and the appropriate political commitment. Addressing the barriers to achieving the 90:70:90 targets by 2030 will help the region towards a sustainable pathway to eliminate cervical cancer by 2120.

Multiple antibiotic resistance index of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

HO Ogefere, MO Idoko — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract but has been associated with hospital associated- and community infections. In this investigation, K. pneumoniae that was isolated from several clinical specimens of patients at a tertiary hospital in Benin City was evaluated for its multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index.

Methods: A total of 100 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae from the hospital’s inpatients and outpatients were employed. By using conventional microbiological techniques, isolates were identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out and MAR index was calculated.

Results: The susceptibility test showed that K. pneumoniae exhibited high level of multidrug resistance with a total of 24 isolates resistant to the 12 antibiotics tested. The MAR index ranged from 0.42 to 1.00 with the mean value of 0.7994. The K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens of inpatients showed a higher MAR index of 0.82 than that of outpatients (0.74).

Conclusion: These findings present a major public health concern. Concerted efforts that emphasize antimicrobial stewardship must be put in place to mitigate this problem.

Cervical cancer screening practices of antenatal clinic attendees in Garki Hospital Abuja, Nigeria

Alphonsus Isara, CJ PC-Onyekwere — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cervical cancer, a preventable disease, is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide is a major public health problem especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of cervical cancer and practice of cervical cancer screening among antenatal clinic attendees in Garki Hospital Abuja, Nigeria.

Methods: Two hundred and fifteen antenatal clinic attendees selected using systemic sampling techniques participated in this facility-based cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 22.0. Statistical level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: One hundred and twenty-two (57.0%) of the respondents were aged 30 – 39 years, 191 (89.3%) were married, 202 (94.4%) had tertiary level of education while 72 (33.6%) were primipara. Majority 191 (89.3%) were awareness of cervical cancer with health care workers 81 (42.4%) and mass media 72 (37.7%) as the predominant sources of information. Majority 157 (82.2%) mentioned abnormal vaginal bleeding as a symptom of cervical cancer while 28 (14.7%) do not know the symptoms of cervical cancer. Sixty-eight (35.6%) and 30 (15.7%) mentioned multiple sexual partners and early sexual exposures as risk factors for cervical cancer, respectively. Only 31 (16.2%) had screened for cervical cancer. Socio-demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with respondents’ uptake of cervical cancer screening

Conclusion: The awareness concerning cervical cancer was high but the in-depth knowledge of its symptoms and risk factors was generally poor. The uptake of cervical cancer screening was abysmally low.

Extensive cortical infarctions post-acute meningoencephalitis: A case report with literature review

Ewere Ogbimi , N Kogha , N Emma-Nzekwue , SO Emagboron — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Central nervous infections can present with or be complicated by acute infarctions similar to those seen in acute ischaemic stroke. Multiple and extensive cortical infarctions is an uncommon complication of acute bacterial meningitis in the young adult population and is associated with a poor prognosis.

Findings: We present a case of a 41year old male bar attendant with extensive cortical infarctions post-acute meningoencephalitis. He was referred to our facility with a history of sore throat, fever, headache, neck pain and irrational behaviour. Initial Brain Computerised Tomography scan (CT) at presentation was normal, however a throat swab had revealed non-haemolytic streptococci and Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed growth of streptococcal species (spp.). He was commenced on empirical intravenous antibiotics. A repeat brain CT scan ordered for after a week on admission due to patient’s deteriorating state showed extensive multiple cortical and subcortical infarctions bilaterally involving the pons, cerebellar, and cerebral cortex. Despite intensive management, we lost the patient after eighteen (18) days on admission.

Conclusion: The presence of multiple infarctions portends a worse prognosis and should prompt more vigilance in the management of such patients.

Internet addiction among undergraduate students in Southern Nigeria: Implications for policy and practice

Esohe Ogboghodo, EK Omoregie , E Omoike , Vivian Omuemu — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Internet addiction among undergraduate students is a growing concern globally, with potential implications for academic performance and overall well-being. However, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate students in Southern Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with internet addiction among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in Southern Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at the University of Benin selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from the Internet Addiction Test by Young. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22.0, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results: Four hundred and ninety-nine respondents participated in this study with a mean age of 20.5±2.7 years. Out of 499 respondents surveyed, 392 (78.6%) were addicted to the internet. Of these, 356 (90.8%) exhibited mild addiction, 35 (8.9%) had moderate addiction, and 1 (0.3%) had severe addiction. Male gender (p=0.037) was found to have a significant association with the prevalence of internet addiction.

Conclusion: This study highlights the alarming prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate students at the University of Benin in Southern Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address internet addiction among undergraduate students in Nigeria.

Antibacterial activity of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) extracts on selected bacteria isolates

YC Azuamah , KN Uguru, EC Eluchie, CF Johnson — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Ocimum gratissimum is a plant rich in bioactive compounds believed to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects. This study was carried out to determine the antibacterial activity of Ocimum gratissimum extracts on selected bacteria isolates.

Methods: This was a prospective clinical and laboratory study in which bacteria swabs were collected from patients who presented with bacterial conjunctivitis at the Eye Clinic, Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri for culturing and isolation. The zones of inhibition of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum on three bacteria isolates from the swab samples was tested for antibacterial activity.

Results: The mean zones of inhibition for 100 mg/ml ethanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum was 18.96 ± 0.20 mm on S. aureus, 16.35 ± 0.28 mm on E. coli, and 17.80 ± 0.37 mm on K. pneumonia. For 100 mg/ml aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum, the mean zones of inhibition was 5.17 ± 0.17 on S. aureus, 3.82 ± 0.21 mm on E. coli, and 3.80 ± 0.20 mm on K. pneumonia. There was a significant antibacterial effect (p < 0.001) of both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum on the selected bacteria isolates.

Conclusion: Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed antibacterial activity on the selected bacteria isolates. These findings support the potential of Ocimum gratissimum as alternative therapeutic agent against drug-resistant bacteria.

Effect of a bi-herbal formula extract on ETS Variant-6 and Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2 Genes expression in Phenyl-Hydrazine induced anaemia in Albino Wistar rats

PA Obazelu, CO Gaius-Igboanugwo — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Alterations in the expressions of ETS variant-6 (ETV6) and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 (NFE2) may occur as part of cellular response to phenyl-hydrazine administration and the need to replenish RBCs. Understanding the relationship between phenyl-hydrazine-induced damage, erythropoiesis, and transcriptional regulation mediated by ETV6 and NFE2 provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying anaemia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of bi-herbal formula of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extracts on ETV6 and NFE2 gene expressions in phenyl-hydrazine induced anaemia in albino Wistar rats.

Methods: A total of 60 adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups; A, B, C, D, E and F representing control, phenyl-hydrazine group, ferrous sulphate group, phenyl-hydrazine+ 100mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus, phenyl-hydrazine+ 200mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus and phenyl-hydrazine+ 400mg/kg bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus respectively. Messenger RNA (mRNA) ETV6 and NFE2 were determined using polymerase chain reaction.

Results: mRNA expression of ETV6 of group B was higher when compared to group A (p<0.05). Groups C and D showed statistically significant higher expression of ETV6 when compared to group A and B (p=0.001). There was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of NFE2 of group B when compared to group A (p=0.001). Groups E and F showed statistically significant lower expressions of NFE2 when compared to groups A and B (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Phenyl-hydrazine and bi-herbal formulation of Picralima nitida and Cymbopogon citratus caused positive alterations in ETV6 and NFE2.

Knowledge and prevalence of substance abuse among undergraduate students of a Nigerian university

Andrew Obi, II Udume , E Adayonfo , JN Obi , RU Obi , DI Nkwagu — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Substance abuse among university students is an evolving concern among young person’s today with grave consequences on health and well-being. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and prevalence of substance abuse among university students in order to identify appropriate preventive measures.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 771 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected by a multistage sampling technique, data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.050 at 95% confidence interval.

Results: The mean age of respondents studied was 23.2 ± 2.3 years. Six hundred and sixty-four (97.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge of substance abuse. The life time prevalence of substance use was 44.4% (n=342) while recent prevalence of substance use was 68.1% (n= 233). Faculty of students (OR=2.320; CI=1.379 - 2.434; p<0.001), religion (OR: 0.452; CI: 0.048-0.282; p<0.001), family type (OR: 0.240; CI: 1.215-3.118; p=0.006), monthly allowance (OR: 0.375; CI: 1.541-6.707; p=0.002) and knowledge of substance use (OR: 0.235; CI: 0.075-0.740; p=0.013) were identified as significant predictors of substance use.

Conclusion: Despite good knowledge of substance abuse and health implications a little less than half of the respondents used substances. There is need to reduce the prevalence of substance use through targeted health educational interventions among this target population.