ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An estimated 285 million persons are visually impaired globally, and 39 million of them are blind. Majority of the blind population reside in developing countries. Over 60% of blindness is attributable to surgical causes of blindness. A surgical audit reveals areas of performance that require improvement. AIM: To assess the output and pattern of minor ophthalmic surgeries over a seven year period. METHOD: The minor ophthalmic surgical records of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria were retrospectively reviewed to obtain information on the patients'demographics, diagnosis, indication, type of surgery, type of anaesthesia administered, outcome of management, histology report and the rank of surgeon. The data obtained were analyzed using Epi Info Statistical version 3.4, Atlanta, Georgia USA. RESULTS: A total of 536 patients had minor ophthalmic operations at the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 2008 and December 2014. There were 281(52.4%) males and 255(47.6%) females (χ(2)=9.4, p>0.1) with a mean age of 37.2 years (SD:24). Furthermore, 41(7.6%) patients had surgery in both eyes. The main anatomical sites of ocular morbidity were eyelid/lashes, conjunctiva and anterior segment observed in 237 (41.1%), 166(28.8%) and 94(16.3%) eyes respectively. Posterior segment lesions as indication for minor surgery was observed in 11(1.9%) eyes in the year 2013 and increased to 38(6.6%) eyes in 2014. Most (75%) minor surgical procedures were performed by resident doctors under supervision (χ(2)=13.7, p<0.05). A total of 584 procedures were performed comprising over 33 different types of minor surgeries. The main surgical procedures included pterygium excision in 104(17.8%) cases, eyelid repair in 74(12.7%) cases and incision and curettage for chalazion in 65(11.1%) cases (χ2=23.9, p<0.001). A recurrence rate of 31.6% and 6.1% was observed in eyes that had pterygium excision and incision and curretage for chalazion respectively; 83.8% of eyelids repaired had no postoperative sequelae while notching of the eyelid margin was observed in 9.4% of eyelids repaired. CONCLUSION: Minor ophthalmic surgeries constitute an important aspect of comprehensive eye care delivery with significant impact on control of blindness programmes. Most minor ophthalmic surgeries are performed on the ocular adnexa, hence the need for strengthening of the orbito-oculoplastic sub-specialty in the hospital.
ABSTRACT
Background: The provision of antenatal care is regarded as the cornerstone of maternal and perinatal health care especially in developing nations and is expected to have a significant impact on achieving the fifth millennium development goal. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of utilisation of maternity services in Gidan Igwe; Sokoto. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive one involving 300 women of child bearing age selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a set of semi-structured interviewer and self administered questionnaires. Results: Majority; 214 (71.3) of the respondents had no formal education; visited a health facility for antenatal care during their last pregnancy; 218 (72.7) and had their last delivery at home; 190 (63.3). Of the 190 subjects that delivered at home; 165 (85) were assisted by Traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Education was statistically significantly associated with ANC attendance and hospital delivery (P=0.0012). Conclusion: Although; a high proportion of the respondents visited health facilities for ANC; only a few of them delivered in these facilities. There is need to increase public awareness on the use of antenatal care services and delivery by skilled attendants
