Knowledge and perception of plastic surgery among tertiary education students in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge, perception, and acceptance of plastic surgery among any population are influenced by channel of presentation. A good understanding of the public awareness will define the way plastic surgery services will be provided. AIM: To assess the knowledge, awareness of availability, and acceptance of plastic surgery practice in Enugu, South East Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based prospective study. RESULTS: The electronic media is the most common medium of awareness. Less than half the sample knew about the existence of plastic surgeons in Enugu even though a large proportion was aware of the existence of plastic surgery as a specialty. The concentration of plastic surgeons in a center is directly related to awareness of plastic surgery services in that facility. The most common esthetic procedure done by a plastic surgeon in Enugu is tattoo removal and scar refashioning. Orthopedic surgeons are thought to be key players in the management of burn patients as much as the plastic surgeons due to the "SIGNPOST EFFECT." CONCLUSION: The level of awareness is high in the sampled population with associated increase in acceptance of its practice and willing utilization. All public hospitals should be encouraged to employ the services of plastic surgeons. Appropriate branding of specialized hospitals where plastic surgery service is available will advance the practice significantly.

DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS -12 MONTHS PROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF PATTERN OF PRESENTATION AT ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY TEACHING HOSPITAL, PARKLANE, ENUGU: A BASIS FOR DIABETIC FOOT CLINIC?

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes. This morbidity results in long hospitalization and high cost of management. It is a significant cause of non-traumatic amputation. Reduction in incidence and progression to amputation will be highly desired. AIM: To highlight the pattern of presentation and to emphasize the need for multidisciplinary approach in prevention by integration of focused footcare plan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective interviewer administered questionnaire based study. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were recruited with a male female ratio of 1.8:1. Mean age of presentation was 55.5 years and commoner in those that have had diabetes for 10 - 15 years. Low level of education had a direct relationship with occurrence of DFU. Neuropathy was a common predisposing factor to DFU. More than 60% had no knowledge of foot care even though they have been educated on dietary control here was average hospital stay of 48 days, amputation rate of 19.4% and mortality rate of 8.3%. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive foot care program should be incorporated in the management of diabetes as soon as diagnosis is made in other to reduce the huge burden of DFU.

Traumatic Brain Injury in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem in Nigeria; as it could be associated with long term and life long deficits. Unlike other parts of the world; in our country; motorcycles are possibly the main cause of this injury. Unfortunately; we do not have a national epidemiological data base yet. This study was aimed at defining the peculiar demographic and associated risk factors in traumatic brain injury among our patients; as part of a multi-institutional data pool for a future meta-analysis to generate the national data base. Methods: This was a 24-month retrospective study of all head injury patients who met the criteria for traumatic brain injury in the Accident and Emergency Department of a tertiary health institution. Data were collected from the emergency cards and case notes; then collated and analyzed using the descriptive statistics on SPSS 13; with the p value taken as 0.05. Results: A total of 9;444 patients were attended to during the 24 months; 510 (5.4) of them met the inclusion criteria for the study. This translated to a presentation rate of 5.3 cases per week and an incidence rate of 2;710 per 100;000 per year. Males accounted for 404 (79.2) of the cases. The peak age incidence (31.2) was in the 20 - 30 year age group. Traders constituted the highest occupational group 125 (24.5). Most (58.8) of the cases resulted from motorcycle accident. There were 28 deaths giving a mortality rate of 5.5or 148 deaths per 100;000 per year. Conclusion: The risk factors were the male gender; motorcycle riding; illiteracy; trading; extremes of age and active daytime period of 12:01 - 18:00hours. The incidence rate was much higher than in the developed countries; but could reduce with the use of crash helmets; seat belts; speed limits and safety/protective vehicular devices; with better road rehabilitation