Lower limb amputation in diabetic foot disease: experience in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

The diabetic foot is characterised by the triad of neuropathy, infection, and ischaemia, which may ultimately lead to limb amputation. It is important to understand the factors that place diabetic patients at increased risk of amputation in our society, hence the need for this study. The medical records of all patients admitted and treated for diabetic foot complications over a 3-year period (January 2007 to December 2009) were retrieved. Relevant information was obtained from the case notes. Thirty-six (36) patients entered the study, 25 males and 11 females (M:F ratio 2.3:1.0). Mean age was 54 years (range 24­74). Patients presented with foot gangrene (58%), ulceration (31%) and infection (11%) with trauma being the most common precipitating factor (53%). Nineteen patients (53%) had lower limb amputation, the commonest of which was below knee. Of the patients that had amputation, 18 (95%) had type 2 diabetics. Adequate diabetic foot disease preventive strategies need to be designed and implemented to reduce the incidence of lower limb amputations

Sexuality; Contraception and Unintended Pregnancy among Female Student Nurses in Calabar; Nigeria

Background - There has been increased concern on human sexuality; especially with respect to contraception and the control of sexually transmissible infections. There is need to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that influence sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among young women. Methods - A descriptive cross sectional study that focused on the socio-demographic characteristics; sexuality; knowledge and use of modern contraceptive technology as well as interventions taken in the event of inadvertent pregnancy was conducted. A structured; close- ended questionnaire was randomly administered to 195 female nursing students with 60; 65 and 70 of them in their first; second and third year respectively. Results - Majority (76.7) of the students were in the age bracket of 20 - 24years. While 65.6of them were sexually active; only 54.9had knowledge of family planning. Condom was the commonest contraceptive used (37.4) and the main reasons were that of effectiveness (31.8) and safety (30.3). There was a significant relationship between respondents with multiple sexual partners and incidence of unwanted pregnancies (p=0.003). The majority (51.2) of those with unwanted pregnancies resorted to induced abortion