Danjuma AA, Baba AS, Yusuf HM, Manasa YS, James AA, Gideon DM.

Background: Campylobacter species have been recognised as a leading cause of acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Owing to the high prevalence of resistance, antibiotics are losing effectiveness in clinical treatment of human campylobacteriosis. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of Campylobacter. Methods: Stool specimen was suspended in Campylobacter enrichment broth and incubated at 42 0 C for 48 hours in microaerophilic conditions. Campylobacter agar containing cefoperazone and vancomycin was inoculated with 5µl of the enrichment broth and incubated at 42 0 C for 48 h as above. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli were identied using conventional bacteriological methods and confirmed with molecular techniques. Sensitivity testing was performed using disc diffusion method. Results: Out of the 250 stool samples from children with diarrhoea tested, 37 (14.8.%) was positive for Campylobacter species. Of the 100 samples from non-diarrhoea children examined, two (2%) was positive for Campylobacter species. Campylobacter coli (56.8%) was more frequently isolated compared to C. jejuni (43.2%). Most of the isolates were from children aged 19 – 24 months. Males (17.6 %) were more affected than females (11.8%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing results revealed high resistance rates among the isolates to erythromycin, ciprooxacin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, gentamicin, streptomycin, cotrimoxazole and azithromycin and no resistance to chloramphenicol. Multidrug resistance (resistance to > 3 antibiotics) was observed in 53.8% of C. coli and 46.2% of C. jejuni isolates. Conclusion: The ndings of this study underscore the signicance of Campylobacter infections as a major public health concern in paediatric populations in Maiduguri.

Adekunle AA¹, Ayo-Aderibigbe O¹, Rasheed MW², Idowu NA³, Sabageh D¹, Afolayan EOA

Background: Uterine leiomyoma is a the most common benign gynaecological tumour seen in women of reproductive age. Aim : This study aims to determine the frequency and age distribution of histologically diagnosed cases of uterine leiomyomas. Method : This was a cross-sectional retrospective review of histologically diagnosed leiomyoma at the Department of Morbid Anatomy, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital (LTH), Ogbomosho between January 2012 and December 2016. The age of patients, nature of specimens, and presenting symptoms were extracted from request cards. The data obtained was analyzed using both Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences 23.0 (SPSS version 23.0). Results: The mean age of patients presenting with uterine leiomyoma was 40.5 years (SD=±10.1) with the peak age incidence in the fourth decade with a total number of 78(40.6%) cases. Menorrhagia and abdominal mass were the most common presenting complaints accounting for 117(60.9%) and 101 (52.6%) of cases respectively. Conclusion : Uterine leiomyoma is a benign neoplasm of smooth muscle origin commonly seen in women of reproductive age and abnormal uterine bleeding was the commonest presenting complaint.

Musa A, 1 Abba U, 2 Gaini FM, 3 Mato MN, 3 Bappah MY, 3 Jibril MB, 4

Background: Abdominal ultrasonography is an essential imaging modality in diagnosing patients with acute appendicitis. Its major advantages include high diagnostic accuracy, availability, affordability, and excellent safety prole relative to other imaging modalities with few limitations in children. Clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and the modied

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that spread mainly through sexual activities with some exceptions which can spread via other routes. These diseases frequently go undetected and untreated with consequent serious reproductive morbidity and mortality. This study determined the knowledge and risks perception of STDs among secondary school students in Bauchi metropolis, Northeastern Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 332 senior secondary school students in Bauchi metropolis. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge and risks perception on STDs and analyzed using Statistical product and service solutions (SPSS version 23.0). Alpha level of signicance was set at 0.05. Results : The mean age and standard deviation of the respondents was 16.25±1.714, more than half (59%) of the respondents were males and 51.2% the respondents were from senior secondary school (SSS1). The participants were mainly Hausa (66%) and Muslims (95%). The proportion of students that previously tested positive for STDs was 20.2% and the level of good knowledge and good perception were 82.5% and 62.3% of STDs respectively among the students. Factors associated with previously testing positive for STDs among secondary school students were: gender, category of school, nature of the school and the care/supervisor of the respondents. While gender, tribes and nature of the school were also factors associated with knowledge of STDs, the signicant predictor of knowledge of STDs was tribe [OR =2.8, CI (1.22 – 6.43)]. Conclusion: There was good knowledge, good perception and low proportion of students that previously tested positive for STDs in Bauchi metropolis and there was association between knowledge with tribe, gender, and other factors. Adolescent sex education and strengthening of screening services may further reduce the risks of STDs in addition to detecting students with STDs.

Keywords: Knowledge, STDs, perception, adolescents, Bauchi

Sabiu A 1 , Dungus MM 2 , Dalili MS 3 , Sumayyah BA 4

Abulfathi AA 1 , Bukar FL 1 , Abiso MA 2 , Warshu SH 3 , Wudiri ZW 1 , Bolori MT 1 , Oloyede TA 1  

Background: Contraceptive discontinuation is a signicant factor contributing to low contraceptive prevalence in low-resource settings like Nigeria and can lead to increased unintended pregnancies and challenges in child spacing or planned parenthood. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and reasons for contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age in urban and rural areas of Kano State, Nigeria. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, employing structured survey questionnaires. Results : Of the 605 participants, 207 in urban and 228 in rural areas had discontinued at least one contraceptive method, resulting in discontinuation rates of 68.3% and 75.5%, respectively. The difference in discontinuation was statistically signicant, with the rural counterparts having higher discontinuation rates with a p-value ≤0.05. Implanon had the highest discontinuation rates (55.1% in urban and 37.2% in rural areas), while the withdrawal method had the lowest rates (0.0% in urban and 2.5% in rural areas). The most common reasons for discontinuation were side effects (24.2% in urban and 36.1% in rural areas), distance too far (21% in urban and 5.1% in rural areas), and husband's disapproval (12.8% in urban and 16% in rural areas). Conclusion: The high prevalence of contraceptive discontinuation poses signicant risks of unplanned pregnancy and unsafe abortions, thereby increasing maternal morbidity and mortality rates of mothers and neonates in Kano State. Urgent interventions addressing the root causes are imperative to reverse this trend, and women should have proper counselling on the side effects of the contraceptive method used.

Keywords: Contraceptive discontinuation, Urban, Rural, Women of reproductive age, Kano

Shu'aibu L 1 , Aliyu N 1 , Abubakar MY 2 , Adamu A 1 , Dandela S. 1

Background: Halitosis is an offensive odour emanating from the mouth and can be of oral or extra-oral origin. It is a social problem affecting approximately 25% of adults. It can be subjective or objective with tonsils contributing about 3% of objective halitosis due its characteristic crypts that are capable of retaining epithelial debris and food particles that undergo anaerobic bacterial activity producing foul smelling cheese-like substance that sometimes, becomes mineralized leading to formation of tonsilloliths. Tonsillectomy is one of the treatment options in halitosis of tonsillar origin. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between tonsils and halitosis and to determine the role of tonsillectomy in the management of halitosis. Methods: This is a 4-year retrospective review of clinical information of patients who presented to the department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina with diagnosis of halitosis of tonsillar origin from January 2021 to November 2024. Data on demographics, clinical features, treatment and outcome of treatment were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Out of 28 people diagnosed with halitosis of tonsillar origin, 12 (42.9%) were males and 16(57.1%) were females with 14(50%) below the age of 20 years and 14 from 21 years to 40 years. Twelve (42.9%) had moderate halitosis while 16(57.1%) suffered halitosis of severe degree with associated recurrent sore throat in 8(28.6%), recurrent sore throat and tonsilloliths in 10 (35.7%), with 10 (35.7%) having no associated symptoms. Halitosis resolved within 4 to 6 weeks of tonsillectomy in 20 (71.4%) of the patients and within 7 to 12 weeks in 6(21.4%) of the patients while 2 (7.1%) complained of persistence of symptom 12 weeks after the surgery. Conclusion : Halitosis is a common social problem that can originate from oral or extra oral sources. Tonsils are important sources of halitosis of extra oral origin and when found to be the primary source, tonsillectomy stands as an important treatment option.

Keywords: Halitosis, Tonsilloliths, Tonsillectomy, FTH Katsina.

Yusuf HM, 1,2 Asheikh MM, 1,2 Imam RA, 1,2 Nkama II, 1 Farouk AG, 1,2 Mustapha MG. 1,2  

Bukar FL 1 , Abulfathi AA 1 , Musami UB 2 , Bello U 1 , Kareem YA 3 , Yanga PJ 4 , Abubakar Y 4 , Dagala AV 4 , Abubakar A 4 , Chilariye KA 4 , Amodu MO 1 .

Background: Social media refers to any internet-based platform or service (such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter) that enables individuals to interact verbally and nonverbally. Evidence suggests a direct relationship between social media usage and impaired mental health, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, and narcissism . Objective : The main objective was to determine the mental health effects of social media use among undergraduate students of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed with a sample size of 400 students. A multistage sampling technique was utilised to select the respondents, and a self-administered questionnaire with socio-demographic questions to obtain information on demographic and social media characteristics and general health questions (GHQ-12) was used to screen for psychological distress. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a Chisquare test, with a level of statistical signicance set at p < 0.05 . Results: Four hundred respondents completed the questionnaire. Of these, 43.5% were aged between 21 and 25 years, with a mean age of 23.4+2.2. More than half (55.5%) were male. Most respondents (60.8%) were aware of the effects of social media on mental health. WhatsApp (63.5%) was identied as the most frequently used social media platform. It was found that (34.3%) had psychological distress. Both age and academic level were signicantly associated with mental health status. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress, highlighting the signicant mental health challenges faced by this demographic. Therefore, students should be encouraged to promote a balanced use of these platforms.

Umar SS 1 , Otene SA 2 , Tijjani AA 3 , Bojude AD 4 , Sarimiye FO 5 , Abubakar SB 6 , Okwor VC 7 , Ikhile EA 8 , Suleiman AG 9 , Hamidu SK 10 , Nwordu VC 11 , Lasebikan N 12 , Ali-Gombe M 11 , Aliyu UM 13

Background: Bad news is dened as ‘any information that adversely and negatively affects the patients' view of their future'. It is one of the most critical aspect in the management of cancer patients. Many models have been developed and studies have shown that breaking bad news is most effective if it is structured following established guidelines. Despite this, healthcare workers who provide care to cancer patients receive little to no formal training in breaking bad news especially in low-resource settings Objective: The objective of the study was to train all categories of healthcare providers responsible for cancer patients (including specialist doctors, nurses, psychologists) on breaking bad news and assess effectiveness of the training on their knowledge of breaking bad news. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study to determine the effect of a training workshop on the knowledge of healthcare providers on breaking bad news. Baseline data on socio-demographic characteristics and their knowledge on breaking bad news was assessed prior to training. This was followed by an 8- hour workshop which comprised of lecture series, practical demonstration and group tasks on breaking bad news. A post training evaluation was conducted and the results analysed using frequency, tables, charts and difference of mean tests. Results A total of 590 and 528 healthcare providers participated in the pre-test and posttests respectively. The mean age of healthcare providers was 39.2 ± 9.1 years, with 385 (64.4%) being females and 205 (35.6%) being males. The doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers constituted 210 (35.6%), 211 (35.8%) and 169 (28.6%) respectively. There was signicant improvement in knowledge of participants when the pre and post training knowledge scores were compared (p<0.0001). However, on disaggregation of participants into geopolitical zones, only the North Central (p = 0.0014), North East (p = 0.0024), South East (p = 0.03), and South West (p = 0.0079) zones recorded signicant increase in the knowledge score of participants following training. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of training in addressing the knowledge gaps on breaking bad news among healthcare providers of cancer patients.

Keywords: Knowledge, Breaking Bad News, Cancer, SPIKES Model

Shamsuddeen M

Background: Gangrene is the term used to describe the death or decay of tissue due to lack of blood supply.

Spontaneous lower limb gangrene in neonates is a rare entity. Most often, the aetiology remains unidentied. Case summary: I report a case of spontaneous lower limb gangrene which developed soon after birth. No aetiology was identied. My Patient was managed with supportive care that included antibiotics and antithrombotics, and developed auto amputation at the ankle, which was refashioned to knee disarticulation.

Keywords: Spontaneous, autoamputation, lower limb, antibiotics

Galtimari IA, 1,2 Talle MA 1,2

Background: First-degree AV block and Mobitz I second-degree AV block are largely asymptomatic. However, severe prolongation of the PR interval in patients with rst-degree AV block could result in simultaneous atrial and ventricular contractions (loss of AV synchrony) and Talle MA symptoms akin to pacemaker syndrome. Case Summary: We present a 25-year-old male soldier who presented with a three-year history of exertional shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, and pre-syncope. Examination revealed bradycardia (42 bpm), other cardiovascular ndings were normal. ECG showed rst-degree AV block (PR interval: 347ms) with a broad QRS complex, later progressing to Mobitz I second-degree AV block (45 bpm). Exercise testing revealed an inadequate PR shortening despite an increase in heart rate. Other investigations, including echocardiography and blood tests, were normal. Limited access to Holter ECG and genetic testing hindered denitive diagnosis. Given the risk of progression to complete heart block and sudden cardiac death, early electrophysiology evaluation and pacemaker implantation are recommended.

Keywords: Symptomatic bradycardia, First-degree AV block, Mobitz I second-degree AV block