Tropical Journal of Health Sciences

Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with lumbar spondylosis in two tertiary health institutions in North-central Nigeria

AT Kuranga, D Sulyman, GH Ibraheem, TA Mohammed — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Lumbar spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the lumbar spine that is highly prevalent in older adults and patients presenting with chronic low back pain. Lumbar spondylosis is associated with significant psychological comorbidities, particularly anxiety and depression, which can adversely impact the management and overall well-being of affected individuals. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among patients with lumbar spondylosis and to identify associated socio-demographic and clinical factors. This study was conducted at two tertiary health institutions in Ilorin, Kwara State. Using a cross-sectional hospital based design, a total of 176 patients aged 40 years and above with lumbar spondylosis were recruited. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders. EPI-INFO version 7.2.6.0 was employed for statistical analyses to determine associations between psychological comorbidities and various socio-demographic and clinical variables. Level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among the study population was 23.3% and 20.5%, respectively. Female gender, unemployment, higher educational attainment, and prolonged duration of back pain were significantly associated with anxiety disorder. No significant socio-demographic or clinical factors were associated with depression The high prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with lumbar spondylosis underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to management.

Utilization of oral care services and oral hygiene practices of medical doctors in a tertiary hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria

GO Alade, SC Raymond — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The medical professionals are more likely to encounter vulnerable populations than dental professionals, because patients with dental issues often visit the physicians first. Hence, it is imperative for the medical doctors to maintain good self-oral care practices. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the oral self-care practices dental service utilization attendance and of medical doctors in different specialities of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among medical practitioners in UPTH. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institution, followed by participants' consent before commencing the study. Data was collected over 3 months period using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM SPSS Inc. Chicago Illinois). Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence limits.

There were 154 (92 [59.7%] males and 62 [40.3%] females) participants, with a M: F of 1.48:1. There were 71 (46.1%) registrars, 28 (18.2%) senior registrars and 55 (35.7%) consultants, recruited from the various departments of medicine and surgery. Eighty-two (53.2%) participants brush their teeth twice daily, 140(90.9%) used toothbrushes as cleaning aids, 81(52.6%) brush using vertical and horizontal techniques. One hundred and nineteen participants (77%) visited the dental clinic previously; more males visited the dental clinic between 6-12 months compared to females (p=0.361). More consultants visited the dental clinic less than 6 months ago, while more registrar visited 6-12 months ago (p=0.028). Considering the reasons for the dental visits, half of the registrars, 5(50.0%) visited for routine dental check-up. More of the consultants 17(37.8%) and the registrars 17(37.8%) visited for scaling and polishing. (p=0.822).

Molecular epidemiology of Dengue virus infection among febrile patients in Ilorin, Nigeria

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dengue is one of the viruses that has been established to be responsible for many febrile cases but most febrile illnesses are often misdiagnosed as malaria and typhoid in Nigeria due to the endemicity of malaria and typhoid. Most of the available data on the circulation of dengue virus in Nigeria were obtained from the less specific and less sensitive serological investigations. We assessed the prevalence of dengue virus and determined its association between socio-demographic factors in three health facilities in three local governments in Ilorin, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study therefore employed molecular technique to provide a specific and more sensitive data on the prevalence of dengue virus infection among febrile patients in Ilorin, Nigeria. We recruited 110 febrile patients from three health facilities in three local governments Areas within Ilorin Metropolis. The patients' blood were collected and transferred immediately to the Molecular Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Ilorin for Molecular analysis. One-step RT-PCR was performed using Bosphore Dengue- Chikungunya Detection Kit to detect the presence of dengue virus RNA in the blood of the recruited patients. The results showed 8.2% positive for RT -qPCR detection of dengue virus with no statistically significant relationship between all tested socio-demographic factors. Specifically, 12.5% of patients recruited from General Hospital, Ilorin were positive for RT-qPCR detection of dengue virus infection, 6.7% from Civil Service Hospital Ilorin and 3.13% from University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. We recommend routine procedural investigations for Dengue virus infection among patients with febrile illness in our hospitals.

Practice of ocular hygiene and risks for ocular disorders among undergraduate students of the University of Benin

J. A. Ebeigbe, O. N. Obazee, E. A. Obahiagbon, S. I Ebuwa — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ocular hygiene practices encompass a variety of behaviors and habits that individuals can incorporate into their daily routines. Proper ocular hygiene is not only preventive against ocular disorders but also supportive of ocular health, contributing to the overall well-being of an individual. The aim of this study is to assess the practice of ocular hygiene and the risk for ocular disorders among undergraduates of the University of Benin. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study design. There were 450 respondents, male and female, aged between 18-30 years with a mean age of 24.28 ± 2.27 years. Results showed that participants had very good ocular hygiene practices (83.6%). A good percentage (82%) of them reported avoiding touching their eyes all the time, 70% of them wore sunglasses when going out, 76% consulted their eye doctor regularly and 82% only used eyedrops prescribed by the doctor. The risk for developing ocular diseases among participants was low. No family history of ocular diseases (61%), no past history of eye infection (70%), no history of diabetes mellitus (94%) or hypertension (94%) were reported. There was no significant correlation between ocular hygiene practices and risks for ocular disorders (r < 0.1; p > 0.05). Predominant ocular symptoms among participants were light sensitivity (60%), headache (54%) and eyestrain (46%). Although this study showed that most of the students had very good ocular hygiene practices, significant risk factors for ocular disorders were identified. This included excessive screen use and extended periods of near work activities. These factors could be associated with the development of ocular symptoms such as headaches and sensitivity to light, as reported in this study.

Evaluating protocols for assessing toxicological effects of ethnopharmacological agents on the central nervous system

E.K. Umukoro, O.B. Elijah, E.G. Moke — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The authors carried out an online search of relevant articles in Embase, Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, Proquest and Scopus from 1968 till date. The search focused on several areas such as ethnopharmacological toxicology, functional observational batteries, CNS toxicity, behavioural models, and historical perspectives of CNS toxicity testing. Out of the articles that met the criteria and addressed the scope, a total of 51 were used to create this article. The goal in drug development is to create medications that have the greatest therapeutic effectiveness while causing the fewest negative side effects. The continuous expansion of research on the therapeutic properties of ethnopharmacological substances indicates a growing likelihood of harmful effects resulting from these agents, especially those that may impact the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the unique nature of the central nervous system (CNS) and the blood-brain barrier, which controls the passage of foreign substances into the brain, it is crucial to exercise caution and verify that ethnopharmacological agents already in use do not unintentionally and excessively affect the CNS. It is becoming increasingly necessary to analyse the potential toxicity of ethnopharmacological drugs and understand the specific pathways by which these compounds can be harmful to the central nervous system (CNS). A narrative review is needed for the methods used in biochemical testing and behavioural tests to evaluate toxicity, which can be identified by biochemical and histological abnormalities as well as behavioural abnormalities. The specific areas affected and their diverse functions determine the different Biochemical, histological and behavioural. The neurotoxicity risk posed by both traditional and novel ethnopharmacological substances is a significant and immediate concern. The protocols used to detect these toxicities have not undergone recent evaluation. In addition, few researchers engage in the complete process of toxicological testing.

Accidental intra-arterial diazepam injection: A case report of psychiatric patient managed at an under-resourced healthcare facility

O Oladeji, D Sulyman — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Accidental intra-arterial injection of diazepam is an uncommon but potentially devastating complication. It could occur when parenteral diazepam is inadvertently given intra-arterial instead of intravenously. Cases have been reported globally, however, more are not reported especially when it occurred at under-resourced healthcare facilities. This case report detailed a case of Mr. K A, a 42-year-old plumber who was managed at a rural nursing home. He was accidentally given intra-arterial diazepam instead intravenous in the ante-cubital fossa of the left upper extremity. The patient presented with physical aggression during an episode of psychotic disorder. Two days after the injection, the patient complained about pain and swelling in the left hand and fingers, for which oral analgesic was administered and patient was reassured. Also, skin discolouration was observed after the 5th day. The condition deteriorated after about 6 weeks with skin becoming darker, absent of peripheral pulse in the left upper arm and gangrenous changes and falling off of two fingers. Relatives demanded for referrer to a psychiatric facility at this point because the patient was still psychotic. However, patient was immediately referred to a teaching hospital where there would be orthopedic and plastic and reconstructive surgeons as well as psychiatrists. The case highlights the importance of adequate training of health workers on injection technique and timely recognition of signs and symptoms suggestive of complications of intra-arterial injection.

Fibromatous periorchitis mimicking testicular tumour in a 30-year-old male

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fibrous pseudotumours of the tunica vaginalis, epididymis, and spermatic cord are uncommon benign paratesticular masses. An extremely rare variant termed "fibromatous periorchitis" exhibits diffuse proliferative encasement of the testis and manifests grossly as an indurated testis reminiscent of malignancy. We present the case of a 30-year-old man who presented with a grossly enlarged right testis, benign scrotal ultrasound findings, and pathologic evidence of fibromatous periorchitis. The natural history, gross and histologic findings, and management of fibrous pseudotumours and fibromatous periorchitis are discussed. Understanding fibromatous periorchitis is crucial as it can prevent the need for radical orchidectomy, particularly in younger patients.