Assessment of medication knowledge among adults with diabetes mellitus in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Background: Previous research had suggested a relationship between patients' knowledge of their medications and their adherence to treatment instructions.Objective: To assess medication knowledge among adults with diabetes mellitus at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State.Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 152 adults with either Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes mellitus attending the Diabetes Clinic of the OOUTH. A two-part questionnaire was used to collect data on demography and knowledge of their medications.Results: Out of the one hundred and fifty two respondents, 60.5% were females and majority, (50.7%) fell within the 60-79 years age group. Majority (76.3%) of the patients reported very good medication knowledge, 32% and 46.1% knew the names and number of all the drugs they were taking respectively. Majority (96.1%) were aware they were receiving treatment for diabetes mellitus. The pharmacist was rated as the main information provider by 38.8% while 50.7% were not satisfied with their level of glycaemic control. Although 32.2% agreed that the information provided made available to them was sufficient, 71.1% preferred medication instructions in both written and verbal forms. Conclusions: The present study revealed the need for adequate and appropriate information for patients receiving care for diabetes mellitus to enable them engage in effective self-care management of their ailment

Facial Plexiform Neurofibromatosis in a 16 Year-Old Female from Eastern Nigeria: a Rare Presentation

Plexiform neurofibromatosis or von Pleckinghausen's disease is an uncommon variety of neurofibromatosis type I; usually associated with trigeminal nerve. We report a rare case of the disease on the face of a 16 year-old female patient. The patient presented with overhanging mass of skin folds on the face; completely covering one eye and partially covering the second eye; as well as occasional pain and itching. Physical examination revealed the presence of cafe au lait macules; freckling in the axillary; optic glioma and iris hamartomas. Family history was not contributory. An interventional reconstructive surgical procedure with excision of surplus skin folds on the face and lip margin was performed on the patient. Doloneurobionr (paracetamol and vitamins B1; B6 and B12 combination) as well as Vecutenr (neomycin sulphate; clortrimazole and dexamethosone combination) cream were used to successfully manage the occasional pain and itching. There was evidence of re-growth of the tumours over a one year follow-up period