Survey of Medical Specialists on their Attitudes to and Resources for Health Research in Nigeria

Aim: To study the views of medical specialists on their attitude to and the resources for health research in Nigeria and draw appropriate policy implications. Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaires were distributed to consenting 90 randomly selected medical specialists practising in six Nigerian tertiary health institutions. Participants' background information; importance attached to research; motivations for conducting research; funding; ethical oversight; literature search; and statistical support were probed. The coded responses were stored and analyzed using the statistical SPSS software. Results: Fifty-one out of the 90 questionnaires distributed were returned; giving a response rate of 63.3. Research function was rated third by 64.7of the respondents after hospital service (72.5) and teaching (66.0). Advancement of knowledge was the strongest motivating factor for conducting research (78.4). Securing funding (94) and finding time (80) were their major constraints. Only a minority of the respondents; 20and 14; respectfully; positively rated the quality and promptness of the decisions of their institutions' ethical organs in the highest category. Most of their literature search was conducted on the internet (96.1) and they stored and analyzed their research data with commonly available statistical software. Conclusion: Our study respondents regarded research highly but were severely constrained in conducting research by lack of access to sources of funding from within and outside Nigeria and finding time from core hospital functions. We recommend periodic (re)training in research particularly on how to apply for research grants and giving some protected research time for Nigerian medical specialists in order to boost their research function

Ocular disorders in children in Zaria children's school

BACKGROUND:The main causes of blindness in children change over time. The prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in children were studied in northern Nigeria 6 years ago. This study like the previous one was a school eye health screening conducted in Zaria children school located at the centre of Zaria, a city in northern Nigeria.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:to determine the current prevalence and pattern of eye diseases affecting school children in Zaria. This is to serve as a current template for planning eye care for children in Zaria and environs.MATERIALS AND METHODS:a cross sectional study of 327 children who completed a pre-designed school eye screening format was conducted. Consent was obtained from the school authority and the parents before the screening exercise. It involved assessment of visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examination and colour vision testing. Intraocular pressure measurement and refraction were done for those with indications.RESULT :A total of 327 children were examined, out of which 45.6% (n=149) were males and 54.4% (n=178) were females. M: F=1:1.2. Age range 5-17 yrs with mean of 9.6 ± 3.1(SD). The commonest causes of eye disorders were refractive errors 8.0% (n=26), allergic conjunctivitis 7.3 % (n=24), glaucoma suspects 3.7% (n=12) and colour deficiency 1.5%(n=5).CONCLUSION :The major causes of childhood eye disorders were uncorrected refractive errors and allergic conjunctivitis. The predominance of uncorrected refractive error is similar to what is obtainable in other parts of the world especially in the urban areas

Involutional Lower Eyelid Entropion: Combined Wheeler's and Wedge Resection of Tarsal Plate

BACKGROUND: Involutional entropion; a common eyelid condition; has different methods of surgical correction and attendant variable recurrence rates; depending to a large degree on the method used. OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a modified technique of entropion repair where the Wheeler's method is combined with wedge resection of the tarsal plate. METHODS: This was a chart review study of 49 patients who had the modified technique carried out to correct their involutional entropion. The technique essentially involves dissecting and separating the lower lid pre-tarsal orbicularis muscle from the tarsal plate; resecting a down-base triangular wedge of the tarsus followed by shortening the orbicularis and anchoring it to the tarsal plate superiorly. RESULTS: Over the three and a half-year review period; 54 eyelids of 49 patients underwent the procedure to correct their lower eyelid entropion. Of these; 28(57) were females and 21(43) males with a mean age of 73.5 years. The mean follow up period was 30.3 months. One (1.9) recurrence was recorded in all the cases during the follow-up period. Complications were minimal. CONCLUSION: The combined Wheeler and wedge resection of the tarsal plate produces very good post-operative results and can be used in primary involutional entropion or as the procedure of choice if an initial different surgical technique used fails

Efficacy of garcinia Kola 0.5 aqueous eye drops in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

PURPOSE:To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5% aqueous solution eye drops in patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (POAG/OH).MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-masked, multicenter, active-controlled prospective study. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive Timolol 0.5% eye drops as a control medication (A = Group 1 eyes) or Garcinia kola 0.5% eye drops as the study medication (B = Group 2 eyes). All drops were instilled at 6 am and 6 pm daily. Goldman applanation tonometry was performed at 9 am, 12 pm and 3 pm at baseline, week-6, week-12 and week-24 visits. Voluntary and actively elicited reports of adverse events were documented. The mean change in IOP over 24 weeks was the primary outcome measure. Both groups were compared for statistically significant differences at all visits. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:A total of 178 patients were randomly assigned to G. kola and Timolol groups. At baseline there were no differences in mean IOP between groups, based on age, sex, or diagnosis. At the end of the study period (24(th) week), the mean (+/- SD) reduction in IOP was 12.93 +/- 2.3 mmHg (47.8% +/- 0.8% reduction) in G. Kola group and 13.09 +/- 2.8 mm Hg (48.2% +/- 1.03% reduction) in the Timolol group (P > 0.05). Adverse events were mild in nature with no statistically significant differences between groups (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Garcinia kola ophthalmic solution significantly reduces IOP as compared to baseline. The IOP lowering effect of both treatments was equivalent

Audiometric Findings in Waardenburg's Syndrome amongst the Institutionalised Deaf Blind in Kaduna-Nigeria

Introduction:Waardenburg's syndrome is a rare inherited disorder of congenital hearing loss and Pigmentary disturbances of the eyes; hair; skin and neural crest derivatives. Methodology: 620 students in a deaf/blind school were examined and four had Waardenburg's syndrome with a frequency of 0.65. 2 males and 2 females with Waardenburg's syndrome and age ranges between 10-19years (mean 15.75years) All 4 subjects had complete blue irides; white forelock and sensorineural hearing loss; and thus met the diagnostic criteria. They were then subjected to Audiometric assessment. Results: Otoscopy was essentially normal but Audiometry revealed sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL] in all the subjects ranging from severe to profound with one subject being stone deaf. Conclusion: Waardenburg's syndrome is a rare disorder in our environment although it may be under reported.Two of the subjects benefited from amplification and were given hearing Aids. Provision of early amplification cannot be over emphasized