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Background: Folic acid (FA) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that cannot be synthesized in the human body; hence its major source is from diet. It plays a key role in embryonic development. FAsupplementation in pregnancy reduces the risk of megaloblastic anaemia, preterm delivery and neural tube defects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the use of FAand factors associated with uptake amongst pregnant women at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 451 antenatal attendees at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from 1 January to 31 March 2020.After consent was obtained, a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the women. Data was entered into a spread sheet and analyzed with SPSS version 25. The results are presented in means and percentages. The confidence interval was set at 95% and a pvalue of <0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Chisquare test and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine association between usage of FAand variables.Results: Most of the women, 258 (57.21%) were between the ages of 30 and 39 years and were primarily nulliparous 122 (27.1%). Moreover,two-thirds of them 330 (73.2%) had post-secondary education and nearly all 409 (90.7%) of the women were married. Majority 370 (82.0%) of the pregnant women were currently taking folic acid but only 109 (24.2%) commenced before pregnancy. Use of FAwas significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics such as age, marital status, level of educationandoccupation (p<0.05). In addition, parity, planned pregnancy, history of having a child with neural tube defect, and timing of commencement of folic acid were all significantly associated with folic acid usage (p<0.05). Conclusions:Only a small proportion of pregnant women have used FAbefore their pregnancies. A public health policy or strategy to increase the pre-conceptional use of folic acid is needed.
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Introduction: Pain is one of the most recurrent complaints obtainable in paediatric settings especially while carrying out procedures. The emergency section is averytaskingplaceforchildren. Hence itisimportant for health care workers to follow a child focussed or individual methods in their assessment and management of pain and painful procedures.Aim:To determine health workers’ approach towards non-pharmacological management of procedural pain in children at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methods: Thisdescriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2019 and January 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to retrieve information on biodata, knowledge and practice of non -pharmacological management of procedural pain in children. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.Results: Respondents in this study included 25(24.8%) physicians and 61(60.4%) nurses. Forty-four respondents (43.5%) had more than 10 years’ workexperience. Self-development 59 (58.4%) was the most common source of knowledge of paediatric pain management. Fourteen(13.9%) respondents knewthe appropriate time of applying non-pharmacological measures of which distraction was the most common strategy mentioned (n=85, 84.2%) and used (36%). Nurses were significantly more knowledgeable about non-pharmacological methods of pain management in children (p= .000).Conclusion: There are gaps in knowledge and practice of clinicians concerning use of non-pharmacological interventions in the management of procedural pain in children. Development of a standard protocol would be an asset. There is need for necessary tools, and institutional commitment to adequate pain relief for children in our institution
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Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate and comparethelinear anthropometric body features of the Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba, the three major ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria. The research design was a cross-sectional design. Methodology:The study made use of a total number of one thousand two hundred (1200) subjects divided into four hundred (400) subjects randomly selected from each of the Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw ethnic groups of southern Nigeria whose ages ranged between 21 to 40 years with BMI of 18.50 to 30.00.Due to bone density,subjects whose BMI fell within the category of overweight according to conventional BMI classification,looked apparently healthy and were included in the study.Determination ofminimum sample size was done using the Taro Yamane’s formula. BMI and linear body anthropometric measurements were taken using stadiometer, calibrated flexible meter tape, meter rule and weighing scale. Statistical analysis was done using statistical packagefor the social science (SPSS version 25.0) and Microsoft Excel 2019. Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD; minimum and maximum. Age was grouped into two categories (21 –30 and 31 –40) years. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also grouped into two; normal weight and slightly overweight. Independent sample t-test was thus carried out to determine significant difference in the measured anthropometric variables across age and BMI groups. Confidence interval was set at 95%, therefore p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results:Results were presented in charts and tables. Variations were observed across the different ethnic groups. Age related changes and variations in BMI were also observed in the anthropometricparameters studied. On comparison with other racial populations, certain parameters were close while most showedmarked variation which underscores racial variation. Though certain degree of variation was observed across the three negroidethnic groups, it is not adequate to subcategorise these Southern Nigerian ethnic groups. Conclusion:These anthropometric values not only provide a description of the standardlinear anthropometric body features of southern Nigeria but could find use in anthropological and medical studies, standardization of anatomical models as well as in the design of products to fit this negroid population
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Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate the circumferential anthropometric body characteristics of adult male Ijaws of southern Nigeria. Methodology:The research design was a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. It made use of a total number of four hundred (400) subjects whose ages ranged between 21 to 40 years with BMI of 18.50 to <30.00. Individuals whose BMI fell within the category of overweight according to conventional BMI classification were included in the study because they looked apparently healthier than those with BMI classified as normal. Minimum sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula. Circumferential body anthropometric measurements and BMI were taken using stadiometer, digital calipers, calibrated flexible meter tape and weighting scale. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social science (SPSS version 25.0) and Microsoft Excel 2019. Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD; minimum and maximum. Age was categorized into two groups (21 –30 and 31 –40) years while Body Mass Index (BMI) was also categorized into two; normal weight (18.5 –24.9) and slightly overweight (25.0 –30.7). Independent sample t-test was therefore carried out to determine significant difference in the measured anthropometric parameters according to age. The confidence interval was set at 95%, therefore p< 0.05 was considered significant.Results:Results were presented in tables. Age and BMI were had no impact on the studied anthropometric parameters as there were no statistically significant difference seen when compared across age and BMI groups.On comparison with other racial populations, racial variation was observed. Conclusion: Circumferential anthropometric studies are mainly used to demonstrate health status, growth rate and other population demography. This study catalogued anthropometric description of body circumference of the Ijaw ethnic group. These anthropometric values will be useful in medical studies and forensics.
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Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the angular craniofacial soft tissue profile of adult southern Nigerian males of Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba extractions. Methodology:The study made use of a total number of one thousand two hundred (1200) subjects divided into four hundred (400) subjects each from the Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw ethnic groups of southern Nigeria whose ages ranged between 21 to 40 years. Determination of minimum sample size was done using the Taro-Yamane’s formula. The study employed the use of photogrammetry. Standardized photographic record of the 1200adults were taken in the natural head position. Photographs were analysed using a software tool (WinImager). Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2019. Results:Results showed ethnic variations across the different ethnic groups. Age related changes were also observed. On comparison with other racialpopulations, marked differences were observed Conclusion:These anthropometric values define the facial soft tissue norm of southern Nigeria and could be useful in anthropometric studies, orofacial, orthodontic and maxillofacial surgeries, and forensics
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Introduction:Whereas advances in perioperative care of children continue to be made with increasing evidence-based practice for postoperative analgesia, inadequate relief of postoperative pain resulting in significant morbidity and mortality is still being reported.Objective:To appraise surgeons' perspectives and practice of paediatric post-operative pain assessment and management at a tertiary health facility in southern Nigeria.Methods: In this cross-sectional survey carried out between September and December 2019, asemi-structured and self-administered questionnaire was distributed to surgeons/trainees in departments/units where paediatric patients undergo both major and minor surgeries. Their perspectives and practice of postoperative pain assessment and management were analysed using SPSS version 20.0.Results:Seventy-nine respondents completed the survey, including 19(24%) consultants, 32(40.5%) senior registrars, and 22(27.9%) junior registrars. Two-third of respondents (n=51, 64.6%) had more than 10 years working experience post-graduation. Involving parents/caregiverso assess postoperative pain was the most common strategy used by respondents (n=69, 87.3%), and most of them (n=67, 84.8%) do not make use of any pain assessment tools. Non-pharmacologic strategies for postoperative pain management were applied/prescribed sometimes (n=20, 25%) or rarely (n=20, 25%). Paracetamol and NSAIDs were the commonest non-opioid analgesics used while pentazocine was the commonly used opioid. Many respondents (n=66, 83.5%) had never prescribed morphine for postoperative analgesia in children. Seventeen percent of respondents do not prescribe postoperative analgesia to newborns.Conclusion:Findings of this study show that the practice in our institution falls short of the recommended multimodal approach to paediatric postoperative pain care.Development of standard protocols and training of providers of postoperative care are recommended.
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Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) aims to promote, protect and support optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among all women, irrespective of their employment status. Consequently the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), a Baby Friendly Hospital, has provided free Crèche services since 1996 to enable working mothers breastfeed their babies while at work, as they resume after 4 months of maternity leave. Aims: To appraise attendance and use of the Crèche by health workers for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding at the UPTH. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, UPTH, Nigeria. Methodology: Personal data and data on Crèche attendance were extracted from the Registers of children cared for at the Crèche between November 2006 and October 2016, entered into Excel Spreadsheet and analysed with SPSS version 20. Simple statistics were used to analyse and present data. Results: One thousand and sixty-two children utilised the Crèche during the 10 years review period with total of 10,490 attendances. The children consisted of 604(57%) males and 458(43%) females, aged 6 weeks to 48 months (mean-6.44±2.54 months). An average of 93.6 children were cared for each month, with attendance showing a declining trend and they spent 2 to 9.5(mean-4.68) hours daily. The children attended the Crèche for 1 to 22(mean-7.35) days each month, while 32% of them attended only 1-3 days a month. Mothers from all clinical and non-clinical departments utilised the Crèche with nurses constituting 37%. Conclusion: Utilisation of the Crèche services was sub-optimal. Its provision alone is insufficient to promote and support optimal IYCF practices among working women. User education and support for optimal IYCF practices are required. Access to Crèche services in all shifts and on all days should be guaranteed. Improved record keeping is required.
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Aim: This study is aimed at determining the dermatoglyphic patterns of the congenital lame subjects in a southern Nigerian population. Study Design: This is designed to identify the congenital lame subjects through their palmar and digital prints. Place and Duration of Study: The subjects were recruited from special schools in Owerri and Borikiri in Southern part of Nigeria. The study was conducted between the month of April to July, 2010. Materials and Method: A total number of 150 congenital lame subjects (comprising 100 males and 50 females) were recruited for this study. The parameters studied include the digital pattern, A-B ridge counts, ATD and DAT angles. Digital and palmar print patterns were obtained by using the ink method. Results: Results of this study showed that ulnar loops were the most predominant in both sexes. This was followed by whorls and arches. There was a significant difference (P=.05) in the A-B ridge counts and ATD angles in both hands in males and females while the DAT angles showed no significant difference (P=.05) in the left hand but significant in the right hand. Conclusion: The results of this study could be useful to anthropologists, clinicians and forensic scientists.
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Aims: To re-evaluate intrauterine contraceptive use in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria and determine the uptake rate, effectiveness, side effects and discontinuation rate of IUCD. Study Design: Descriptive retrospective analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Family planning clinic, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between 1st January 2007 to 31st December, 2011. Methodology: The case files of all the clients who accepted intrauterine contraceptive device at the UPTH within the study period were retrieved from the record section of the family planning clinic and studied. Data on the client’s socio-demographic characteristics, complications and reasons for contraception and discontinuation were extracted, entered into SPSS for windows 11.0 version and analysed. Results: Of the 1, 434 new acceptors of contraception during this period, 366 accepted intra uterine contraceptive device giving an uptake rate of 25.5%. The mean age of the clients was 33.32±4.2 years and all were parous. The common complications were menorrhagia and vaginal discharge in 29 (26. 6%) each, abdominal pain in 28 (25.7%) and secondary amenorrhea in 10(9.2%) clients. One unintended pregnancy occurred giving a pearl pregnancy rate of 0.27 per 100 woman years. Up to 108 clients discontinued IUCD use, giving a discontinuation rate of 29.5%. Conclusion: IUCD is a highly effective and safe contraceptive method with a prevalence rate of 25.5% and discontinuation rate of 29.5% in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria.