Barriers and solutions to effective mentorship in health research and training institutions in Nigeria: Mentors, mentees, and organizational perspectives.

Aims and Background: Mentoring relationships and programs have become a subject of global interest and their relevance is high in the ever-evolving health system. In Nigeria, informal system of mentoring is largely practiced. To be able to institutionalize mentoring program, there is need to explore the various challenges of mentoring process and suggest potential approaches for effective mentor-mentee relationship in health research institutions in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The study was designed to explore the barriers and solutions to mentoring process from the perspectives of the mentor, mentee, and organization in health research and training institutions in Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed and the study was conducted among 21 health researchers drawn from 24 health research institutions across the 6 regions of Nigeria. The nominal group technique was adopted in the data collection process. Results: The most frequently reported mentor challenges were "lack of understanding of mentorship process" (84.2%) and "lack of capacity for mentoring" (78.9%), while those of mentee were "mentor preference" (73.7%) and "lack of freedom of expression" (47.4%). "Culture of selfishness/individualism" (84.2%) and "lack of formal relationship" (63.2%) were the most mentioned systemic challenges. Training on mentoring process and relationship was mentioned as the most frequent approach to overcoming challenges for the three perspectives. Conclusion: Significant mentorship challenges exist in the Nigerian health, academic and research institution. Systematic approaches to finding and implementing the appropriate solutions are needed to circumvent these bottlenecks.

Determinants of Health-related Quality of Life in Persons with Epilepsy Seen at a Tertiary Hospital in North Western Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing global concern about the effect of epilepsy on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of the sufferers. AIM: This study assessed the determinants of HRQoL in persons with epilepsy (PWE) in a tertiary hospital in North Western Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 103 patients with epilepsy aged ≥ 18 years attending Neurology clinic. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the institution. The short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered to the participants. Statistical significance was set with p value at 0.05. The determinants of HRQoL was obtained by using univariate and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULT: The mean age of patients was 33.4±15.8 years. There were 54(52.4%) males and 49 (47.6%) females. The significant determinants of HRQoLfound were time of last seizure episode (OR = 7.50, 95% CI = 1.36 -41.20, p = 0.021) and social support (OR = 21.5, 95% CI = 3.67 - 125.68, p = 0.001). Following multivariate logistic regression analysis, social support (OR = 29.51, 95% CI = 2.87 - 302.66, p = 0.004) appeared as the independent determinant of HRQoLin PWE. CONCLUSION: Social support was the main determining factor of HRQoL in epilepsy patients in this study. Therefore there is the need to ensure a comprehensive care which should include health education, adequate seizure control and social support for epilepsy patients to improve their HRQoL.

Retrospective assessment of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the special care baby unit of a private health facility in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Newborn morbidity and mortality have remained unacceptably high in developing countries despite consistent efforts at controlling the scourge. Unlike in developed countries where neonatal mortality rate ranges between 1 and 5 per 1000 live births, average neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria is 36 per 1000 live births. The majority of the causes of death are largely preventable with timely low cost interventions. This study was structured to determine the pattern of morbidity and mortality amongst babies admitted in the Special Care Baby Unit of Madonna hospital Makurdi, Nigeria.Methods: The records of neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) over a tenyear period (2005-2015) were retrospectively reviewed. Information obtained included the sex, age at admission, gestational age, birth weight, reasons for admission and outcome of treatment.Results: A total of 1,121 babies were admitted during the period under review. The male female ratio was 1.2:1.The majority of the babies were aged between 2-7 days with a mean 6.17.+ 7.01 The mean weight on admission was 2807+907g. Neonatal sepsis, jaundice, low birth weight and birth asphyxia were the most common morbidities. The overall mortalityrate was 14.1%; however, proportionate mortality due to low birth weight was highest (26.4%), followed by tetanus (23.5%), asphyxia (20.8%), Respiratory tract infection (13.8%), meningitis (13.3%), sepsis (10.3%), jaundice (9.6%), and diarhoea (4.0%)Conclusion: Neonatal mortality rate in the study was high. The major causes of admission are preventable. Strengthening perinatal care, emergency obstetric care services and neonatal resuscitation skills are necessary to reduce the neonatal mortality