Histopathological pattern of Orbito-Ocular Lesions, a retrospective hospital-based study spanning 15 years

Background: Many previous studies on orbito-ocular lesions are skewed in favour of the neoplastic lesions in general and the malignant lesions in particular. This, therefore, creates a vacuum on the spectrum of these lesions, thus may result in problematic diagnostic bias by the ophthalmologist and pathologist. Objective: To give the spectrum and relative frequencies of orbito-ocular biopsies and by extension orbito-ocular lesions/diseases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of all cases of orbito-ocular biopsies with histopathologic diagnosis. Results: There were 236 orbito-ocular biopsies. The male to female ratio was slightly in favour of the females. Orbito-ocular biopsies had a wide age range that spanned from the 1st to 10th decade, mean age in the 3rd decade (20-29years) and a peak age in the 1st decade (0-9 years). The neoplastic lesions were the prevalent indication for orbito-ocular biopsies (63.72%) while the conjunctiva (58.10%) was the most common site for orbito-ocular biopsies. Conclusion: This study noted a wide array of orbito-ocular lesions for which biopsies were done for histopathological diagnosis. This we hope will in no small measure increase the diagnostic precision of the ophthalmologist and the pathologists in our own environment

Utility and Effectiveness of Computerised Motion Sensitivity Screening Tests in Rural Onchocercal Community Survey

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive tool of community diagnosis for onchocercal endemicity needs to be identified and ascertained for their utility and effectivity in order to facilitate the control of onchocerciacis in sub-Saharan Africa OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility and effectiveness of the Wu-Jones Motion Sensitivity Screening Test (MSST) in detecting optic nerve diseases in onchocercal-endemic rural Africa. METHODS: MSST was applied to sampled subjects in the selected communities of Raja in Sudan; Bushenyi in Uganda; Morogoro in Tanzania; and of Ikom; Olamaboro and Gashaka in Nigeria. Basically; six points within the central field of vision were repeatedly tested at 1/3 meter from the screen of a laptop computer in a room darkened. Motion sensitivity was expressed as a percentage of motion detected in the individual eye and this was averaged for the community. RESULTS: A total of 3;858 eyes of 2;072 patients were examined. Seventy-six percent of the subjects completed the test; at an average test time of 120.4 (66.7) seconds. The overall mean motion sensitivity of all eyes tested was 88.49 (17.49). At a cut-off point of 50; 6.4of all subjects tested were subnormal; while at 70cutoff; 13.3were subnormal. The highest proportion of 50cutoff sub-normality was recorded at Morogoro at 12.7. CONCLUSION: Motion Sensitivity Screening Test was widely accepted and easily administered to the rural and largely illiterate subjects studied. Our data suggest that the proportion of severe field defects by MSST in a community; with cutoff at 33; best correlates with optic nerve disease prevalence; while proportion of defect from a higher cut-off level at about 50; best correlates with overall ocular morbidity

"The state of physical health of ""foster children"" in Tororo District; Uganda."

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the state of physical health of foster children in Tororo County; Tororo district. Many studies carried out usually focus on one aspect of health of children e.g.nutritional status; dental status etc. This has led to looking at health problems among children in sectors thus also the development of vertical heath programmes e.g. CDD; malaria control etc. This study attempted to look at all diseases prevalent among children. To give a more true picture of the magnitude of poor health status of children in Uganda and Tororo in particular; The study targeted foster children of plan International who have been identified of the more disadvantaged and vulnerable group. An attempt to describe the morbidity patterns among these children was made. A few factors contributory and directly affecting the health state of the children are described. A sample of foster children;356 children from 3 subcounties of Tororo county where the children live were examined as found.Most of them were examined in school as it was school trem period. The social hitory was obtained from both the foster children and their families using a structured questionnaire. Most foster children live with at least one their biological parents accept in cases of double orphans. A good number too are partial orphans. Most of the children live in poor and unhygienic coditions leading to skin conditions and general poor personal hygiene. Cough and cold; malaria and poor oral hygiene were the biggest health problem in the study; followed by skin diseases especially sepsis; Tinae and scabies. The nutritional state of the children was also poor. Many of the children were underweight and stunted. The state of anaemia was noy remarkable. Many children had one type of illness at the time of examination; 2 weeks or a month before and so did the other children at home or the many children are said to have been immunised but a good a number of children did not have a BCG scar or was poor. The contributor factors were poor sources of water; poor nutrition due to famine in the district. Poverty is the common occurrence amongst the communities and this has an effect on the health of children. The availability and accessibility of health services is another contributory factor. The level knowledge health and hygiene could be a factor. The common occurrence of orphaned children now being taken care of by others is another major factor. The general; leaving conditions including housing; overcrowding and poor latrine coverage and use ( as seen among sick children ) are some of the factors found to be contributing to the health status of children.Recommedations include emphasis and strengthening primary health care and school health programs and to particularly highlight on basic personal hygiene including oral hygiene