ABSTRACT
Aim: To estimate sex using demarking points and index of sexual dimorphism of horizontal and vertical diameters of lumbar pedicles in male and female Nigerians. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Human Anatomy and Department of Radiology (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital), University of Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria between February 2007 and June 2008. Methodology: Four hundred (400) radiographs of adult Nigerians (200 males and 200 females) were measured. Age range for the individuals was 18-76 years. Radiographs used for this study were obtained from the collection of record unit of the Radiology Department, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in Borno state, Nigeria.Radiographic viewing box, temporary maker, pencil and a meter rule were used for the measurements.The radiographs for males and females were classified separately into six (6) age groups with ten (10) years interval. Vertical and Horizontal diameters of lumbar pedicle were represented on the radiographs by “h” (taken as the maximum dimension of the pedicle between the upper and lower margins of the pedicles) and by “t” (maximum diameter between the medial and lateral aspect of each pedicle). Distance between upper and lower extremities, as well as that between medial and lateral extremities of each pedicle were marked and measured as vertical and horizontal diameters respectively. Results: The result of the present study showed that, the vertical and horizontal diameters of the lumbar pedicles in adult Nigerians were all greater in male than in female counterpart. It was also observed that sexual differences in the two parameters were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001) in both sexes. Index of sexual dimorphism (ISD) was also calculated and it was observed that all parameters were found to be greater than 100; this showed that male had higher values over female counterpart. Demarking points were also calculated for each parameter, the result also showed similar pattern of increase in male parameters over female counterpart. The result also showed age-related significant (P<0.001) variations for the lumbar pedicle diameters, from 18-27 through 38-47 years age groups with a decrease in diameters at the 48-57 through 68-77 years age groups in both sexes. Conclusion: It was observed that the vertical and horizontal diameters were sexually dimorphic; the demarking points of male diameter were all higher than those of the female counterpart. Index of sexual dimorphism also showed that male vertical and horizontal diameters were all greater than female vertical diameter as the index of sexual dimorphism were all greater than 100 from L1 through L5. This study reconfirms the fact that osteometric assessment is highly population- specific. It may be added that more studies are required in the southern part of Nigerian population to give a better picture of the racial variation that exists there and to offer more osteometric standards for assessing sex for the entire country.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine menstrual pattern and disorder associated with it among female medical students. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between February – September 2010. Methodology: Self descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 169 Medical students (MBBS II-V) between the ages 19-46 years. Respondents were selected from each class using stratified random sampling method. Stratification was done according to their class. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the respondents to complete. Three researchers and two research assistances were on site to assist. Students were briefed on the objective of the study and duly completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Subjects who had primary amenorrhea and/or history of abdominal or pelvic surgery were not eligible for the study. The questionnaire included data such as; age of menarche, menstrual pattern, severity of pain (dysmenorrheal), marital status, effects of exercise, socioeconomic status, Body mass Index (BMI) and Diet. The method of observation involved personal interaction and questioning of respondent to find out if they had anything peculiar about their cycle. The number of days of menstrual flow on menarche and number of pads use per day were in the questionnaire. Results: It was observed that 148(87.6%) respondents had regular length of menstrual cycle, particularly in the age groups 20-22 and 23-26 years which recorded 39 and 43 respondents respectively. Irregular menstrual cycle was found in 21(12.4%)respondents, which showed its peak at the age group of 17-19(33.3%) years, between age groups. It was also observed that 118(69.8%) respondents had painful menstrual flow, out of which 71(60.2%) had mild pain, 30(29.7%) had moderate pain while 17(14.4%) had severe pain. Result of length of menstrual cycle between single and married respondents showed that, 20(71.4%) of single respondents had short menstrual length compared to 8(28.6%) married respondents of corresponding short menstrual length. It was revealed that in 148(87.6) respondents that had regular menstrual cycle type, 106(71.6%) menstrual flow was average, while in 31(21.0%), it was scanty and heavy in 11(7.4%) respondents. 10(47.6%) respondent had average irregular menstrual cycle, while 9(42.9%) and 2(9.5%) respondents had scanty and heavy irregular menstrual cycles The result showed no significant variation in frequency of menstrual cycle (p=0.5). 99(58.6%) of respondents did no physical exercise; while 70(41.4%) did at least 30 minutes exercise (p=0.38). 101(59.8%) respondents belong to high upper, 51(30.2%) in upper-middle and 17(10.0%) belonged to lower socioeconomic status (p=0.14). 135(80.0%) respondents had daily fast food habits, out of which 95(80.5%) had positive history of pain and 34(20.0%) had no daily fast food (P=0.80). 30(17.8) respondents were underweight, 120(71.0%) had average weight and 19(11.2%) respondents were overweight (p=0.20). Conclusion: Study has established mean age at menarche, menstrual pattern and menstrual disorder (pain) in relation to BMI, exercise and socioeconomic factor among female Medical Students of University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was very high among the female medical students. Although further research is needed, as relationship between Menstrual cycle, obesity, diet and exercise are conflicting with other studies.