Journal of Medicine in Africa

Mammography-Enhanced Immunotherapy Decision Making in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Charting A New Course

2026-07-18T21:22:31+00:00

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, but advances in immunotherapy have brought new hope to patients. While traditional imaging tools like Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are used to guide treatment, there is growing curiosity about whether mammography - a standard breast cancer screening tool - might also have a role to play. In rare cases, mammography has helped detect breast metastases from NSCLC or changes linked to immune-related side effects. Emerging technologies like AI and radiomics also assist researchers in spotting mammography imaging patterns that could hint at how a tumour might respond to immunotherapy. Beyond its diagnostic potential, routine mammography could encourage patients to engage more with other screening programs, leading to earlier detection and better treatment outcomes. Although the research is still in its early stages, exploring how mammography might contribute to immunotherapy decision-making could open new doors in the personalised care of NSCLC patients.

Utilization of Online Pregnancy Information Among Pregnant Women in Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria

2026-07-18T22:13:31+00:00

Background: The increasing availability of digital technologies has transformed how pregnant women access health information, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the utilization of online pregnancy health information among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano State.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a quantitative survey of 422 pregnant women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors at a confidence interval of 95% and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The study revealed that 60.4% of respondents utilized online pregnancy health information, with more than half engaging frequently on the internet. Age (p=0.012), educational level (p= <0.001), and gestational age (p = 0.001) were identified as significant predictors of online pregnancy health information utilization.

Conclusion: The study showed that online pregnancy health information is moderately utilized among pregnant women, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to integrate digital health guidance into routine antenatal care.

C-Reactive Protein–To–Albumin Ratio and its Association with Stroke among Hypertensive Patients in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

2026-07-18T22:33:33+00:00

Background:
Chronic inflammation is central to the development of hypertension and its complications, including stroke. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), which combines a positive and a negative acute-phase reactant, has emerged as a potential marker of systemic inflammatory burden. However, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the CAR among hypertensive patients and assess its association with stroke status in a South-Eastern Nigerian population.

Methods:
This pilot case–control study included 20 participants, comprising 10 hypertensive patients and 10 apparently healthy normotensive controls. Serum albumin was measured using the bromocresol green method, while C-reactive protein was determined by an immunoenzymometric assay. CAR was calculated as the ratio of CRP to albumin. Blood pressure was measured using standard protocols and stroke status was determined and supported by clinical findings and neuroimaging reports. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Kendall’s tau-b correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results:
Hypertensive patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels and higher CRP concentrations compared with controls (p = 0.004). CAR values were significantly higher among hypertensive participants (range: 1.077–4.667) compared with controls (range: 0.265–0.842) (p = 0.023). A strong positive association was observed between CAR and stroke status (tau-b = 0.618, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:
CAR is elevated among hypertensive patients and is significantly associated with stroke status, suggesting its potential role as a simple and cost-effective prognostic inflammatory marker. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings.

Routine Childhood Immunisation Coverage and Dropout Rates at a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria: A Four-Year Retrospective Review (2022–2025)

2026-07-18T23:30:05+00:00

Background: Routine childhood immunisation is central to child survival in Nigeria, yet coverage and completion vary across settings and over time. Facility-level evidence is needed to assess programme performance during disruption and recovery.

Objectives: This study reviewed routine childhood immunisation coverage and dropout rates at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria, from 2022 to 2025, identified vaccines with consistently high uptake, and assessed schedule completion between Penta1-Penta3 and BCG-measles.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using routine immunisation registers from the Family Health Clinic, UPTH. All children aged 0-23 months vaccinated between January 2022 and December 2025 were included. Administrative coverage rates were calculated for each antigen, and monthly dropout rates were estimated for Penta1-Penta3 and BCG-measles.

Results: A total of 37,685 immunisation visit records were reviewed. Male children accounted for 17,570 (46.6%) visit records, while female children accounted for 20,115 (53.4%). Administrative coverage estimates were generally high but varied over time, with a decline in 2023, an increase in 2024, and a subsequent reduction in 2025. Vaccines administered at birth and at 6 weeks of age, including BCG, OPV0, HBV0, Penta1, and PCV1, consistently had the highest uptake. In contrast, vaccines administered later in infancy, including rotavirus vaccine, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), measles vaccine, yellow fever vaccine, and meningococcal A conjugate vaccine (MenA), showed greater variability. Penta1–Penta3 dropout rates were slightly above the recommended threshold in 2022, improved in 2023, and increased in 2024, while BCG–measles dropout rates remained high and fluctuated throughout the study period.

Conclusion: Facility administrative immunisation coverage estimates at UPTH remained generally high, although completion across the schedule was inconsistent, particularly for rotavirus, inactivated polio, measles, yellow fever, and meningococcal A conjugate vaccines. Strengthening follow-up systems and defaulter-tracking may improve completion rates.

Resident Doctors' Perceptions of and Barriers to Health Research Participation at a Tertiary Hospital in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

2026-07-19T00:33:28+00:00

Background:

Research is fundamental and indispensable to the advancement of medicine and health. Global reports reveal a significant global divide, with developing countries having much lower health research outputs. This limits healthcare advancement and innovation. This study explored the perception and barriers to research participation among resident doctors in the Federal Medical Centre, Bayelsa. Nigeria.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 80 resident doctors undergoing residency training was conducted. A validated tool, including an 18-item Likert scale tool and semi-structured questions that explored perceptions and barriers to health research participation was used to obtain information. Findings were summarized using tables and charts.

Results:

Mean age was 37.59 years (+4.56). Most resident doctors 71(88.8%) felt that Health research improves the resident doctor’s critical appraisal skills. 40(50.0%) perceived Health research as difficult, and 55 (68.7%) felt Publication of research is frustrating. Across the research stages, the most difficult areas identified were Data analyses and interpretation 19 (23.8%). Only 1(1.3%) resident doctor had ever received a grant; two-thirds 53(66.2%) did not have a research mentor. The most common obstacles to research practice were lack of money 62 (77.5%), insufficient time 56 (70.5%) and limited availability of research mentors 52 (65.5%).

Conclusion:

Resident doctors generally value health research but face significant practical barriers like insufficient time, lack of technical training, and inadequate funding that limit engagement despite positive attitudes. This gap between perceived value and actual participation reflects structural and institutional shortcomings rather than a lack of motivation of their part. Structured interventions, including dedicated funding, mentorship, adequate research time, and targeted training, are needed to translate favorable attitudes into improved research output among resident doctors.

Fabrication of a Right-Indwelling Ocular Prosthesis in an Indian Patient: A Case Report

2026-07-19T00:48:20+00:00

Ocular defects caused by trauma, anomalies, or surgery significantly affect vision and appearance, and indwelling ocular prostheses offer long-term cosmetic and psychological rehabilitation by restoring facial symmetry and self-esteem. This case report details the fabrication of a custom right indwelling ocular prosthesis for an Indian patient post-enucleation, emphasizing personalized rehabilitation using locally available materials and techniques within a resource-limited setting. A 43-year-old Male with a history of right eye enucleation due to retinoblastoma presented for replacement of a six-year-old ocular prosthesis that no longer fit satisfactorily, despite previously being well-tolerated without complications. The patient, having worn an ocular prosthesis for nearly six years, opted for anatomical retention over peg implant retention after a thorough discussion of treatment options, visual assessment of the anophthalmic socket, explanation of the multi-step procedure, and provision of informed consent. The patient's previous ocular prosthesis guided the selection of an appropriate impression tray, after which a detailed impression of the eye socket was taken using alginate, duplicated in silicone putty, and used to fabricate a wax scleral pattern that simulated the companion eye. The ocular prosthesis was fabricated using the reverse curing method for acrylic resin, followed by meticulous trimming, coloration with custom pigments and red wool for vascular simulation, and finalized with a second heat cure using clear PMMA to replicate corneal translucency and ensure accurate aesthetic matching with the natural eye. The finished ocular prosthesis was delivered and fitted to the patient, who expressed satisfaction with its comfort and aesthetics, received hygiene and handling instructions, and was placed on a structured follow-up schedule to monitor adaptation and address any issues. This case demonstrates that with patient-centered planning and available materials, a custom ocular prosthesis can provide durable, cost-effective, and psychologically beneficial rehabilitation in resource-limited settings.