Archive 2010 - No 1

*MA Talle **O Enyikwola ***A Adelaiye *H Yusuph *MM Baba *B Bakki *BW Goni

Correspondence to: Dr Mohammed A Talle, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri. Nigeria. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background: The prevalence of systemic hypertension is on the increase worldwide. Clustering of hypertension and disorders of lipid accelerates the process of atherosclerosis, leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Assessment of lipids is an essential component of patient evaluation in hypertension. Objectives: To determine the plasma lipids of untreated hypertensive patients presenting at the cardiology clinic of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Methods: One hundred and fifty untreated hypertensive patients (90 males and 60 females) aged 35 to 55 years were consecutively enrolled. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured using standard procedures. Fasting blood sample was collected for the determination of serum lipids electrolytes, BUN and blood glucose. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 11 for windows. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 45.10 ±6.36 years. Mean Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 158.64 ±17.82mmHg and 103.04 ±9.40mmHg respectively. Mean BMI was 27.46 ±0.39 Kg/m2 and 24.59 ±4.78 Kg/m2. About 51% and 17% were overweight and obese respectively. Thirty percent (30%) of patients had hypercholesterolaemia whereas 40% had hypertriglyceridaemia. Combined hypertcholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia was observed in 24%. Conclusions: Disorders of lipid is common amongst hypertensive patients in this environment. Effective management of patients with hypertension should include assessment and management of disorders of lipids..

 *A. M Kodiya,  *A. A. Adeosun,  *G.T.A Ijaduola, **C. O. Bekibele, ***B. M. Ahmad
Correspondence to:  Dr. Aliyu Mohammed Kodiya National Ear Care Centre, PMB 2438, Kaduna. Nigeria. Email- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: +2348055917603

Background: It has been observed that having two sensory disabilities such as visual impairment and hearing loss could be extremely incapacitating. The need for early detection of a possible second handicap in the blind especially hearing impairment cannot be over emphasized. Early detection and prompt management of such a case will improve the quality of life of the blind. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of associated hearing loss in the blind. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study of 51 blind people living in Sabo area of Ibadan metropolis the capital of Oyo state, Nigeria. Volunteers were subjected to ophthalmic assessment and Otolaryngological examination followed by pure tone audiometry using Audiometer model 20 kamplex at the departments of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology of University College Hospital, Ibadan. Excluded from the study were all other blind people living in a different locality and those that declined to participate. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS. Result: Out of the fifty-one blind people recruited into this study, 36 were males and 15 females with a ratio of 2.4: 1. Their ages ranged from 8 months to 90years with a mean of 48.5years and standard deviation of 28.0. Twenty-five (49.0%) of the volunteers were elderly (>60years). The prevalence of hearing loss was 66.76%. The commonest type of hearing loss was sensorineural (68.3%). More than half of the visually impaired elderly also have hearing impairment. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing loss among the blind appears to be high. There is the urgent need therefore, to include the blind population in the national ear care programme in order to reduce the menace of dual sensory loss. Caregivers of the blind especially the elderly should be educated on the possibility of an associated hearing loss
 

Muhammad Z*, Muhammad D** Ibrahim SA*

Correspondence to:  Dr. Muhammad Zakari Department of obstetrics and Gynaecology Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano/Bayero University, Kano E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background: Worldwide obstetric admission into the intensive care unit is rare.  Objective: To determine the indications and outcomes of Obstetric ICU admission.  Study design, setting and subject: Retrospective descriptive study involving 15 obstetric cases admitted into the ICU of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, from 1st January 2002 to December 31st 2008.  Results: The total number of deliveries during the period of study was 20,560 and fifteen (15) of these were admitted into the ICU (0.073%). The age of the patients ranged between 16 and 43 years with a mean age of 27.2 ±7.9 years. The parity ranged from 1 to 5 with a mean of 2.4 ±1.7. Eighty percent of the admissions were postpartum. The main indications for admission in this study were Eclampsia (53.3%), pulmonary embolism (20%) and severe haemorrhage from ruptured uterus (13.3%). Only two (13.3%) of the patients received ante-natal care. Four patients died, giving a mortality rate of 26.7%. Conclusion: Eclampsia was the leading indication for obstetric admission into the ICU. This may be reduced by appropriate management of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy and public enlightenment on the importance of ante-natal care and hospital delivery.
 

¹M. Bukar,  ²A A Mayun, ³D D Kizaya ³Z. Bello, ¹Kwari S 
Correspondence to: Dr Mohammed Bukar Department of obstetrics and gynaecology University of  Maiduguri Teaching hospital, P.M.B 1414 Maiduguri Borno state Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract: A 25year old P2+1 woman presented to the gynaecology emergency unit at the Federal Medical Centre Gombe with a one day history of abdominal pain and dizziness. Ultrasound scan diagnosis was that of acute ruptured ectopic pregnancy. She had emergency exploratory laparotomy with right oophorectomy. Histology revealed ruptured corpus luteum cyst. The management pitfalls are highlighted

Wakil MA, Abdul IW, Abdulmalik JO, Salawu FK, Ahidjo A
Correspondence to: Dr. Musa Abba Wakil, Department of Mental Health, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background: There is a paucity of psychiatrists in Nigeria, with disproportionately fewer numbers practising in the northern parts of the country. The attitude of medical students in northern Nigeria towards the specialty should serve as a reliable indicator of the likelihood of redressing this shortfall in personnel, in the near future. Objectives: To evaluate the attitude of 5th year medical students toward psychiatry and the correlation between current attitude to psychiatry and future intentions to pursue a career in the specialty. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 100 fifth year medical students of the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, was conducted using the 30-item Attitudes to Psychiatry (ATP-30) Scale and a brief socio-demographic questionnaire. Results:The students had a mean ATP- 30 score of 89.0 (s.d = 6.6, range = 76- 111). There was no gender difference in scores (♂ vs. ♀= 88.6 vs. 90.0, X 2 = 25.9, p = 0.305) but significant association was found between the age group 26 – 30 years and positive attitude towards psychiatry (X 2 = 17.4, p = 0.015). The statement, ‘I will like to be a psychiatrist’ and ‘intention to specialise in psychiatry’ were found to be significantly correlated (Spearman’s rho = 0.56, X 2 = 0.54, and p < 0.001).