Niger J Clin Pract
-
This study was undertaken to establish the sero-epidemology of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. ⋯ This study shows a 0.5% prevalence of HCV antibodies among blood donors and describes their demographic characteristics. This calls for urgent implementation of a universal donor screening for HCV antibodies and setting up of a national blood transfusion service run on the basis of voluntary, non-remunerated low risk donors.
-
To determine the demographic pattern, indications and complications associated with tube thoracostomy in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi. ⋯ Tube thoracostomy is a simple and efficacious procedure for the treatment of pleural space collections. The safety of the procedure can be improved upon by adequate training in the insertion procedure, while proper selection of cases will reduce failure rate and unnecessary morbidity. Early resort to thoracoscopic or open surgery when tube thoracostomy is considered inappropriate or has failed will improve the success rate in the overall management of pleural fluid collections.
-
(I) To determine the barriers to timely initiation of breastfeeding in mothers who Hospital. (2). To determine if there is any statistical association between the time of initiation of breastfeeding and certain socio-demographic, obstetric, psychosocial and environmental factors in the mother-baby pairs. METHODOLOGICAL: A prospective, hospital-based study of 500 consecutive health mother-infant pairs delivered at UPTH (both vaginally and by Caesarian section). Information was obtained using a structured questionnaire, medical record review and direct observation. Early initiation, i.e. mothers who initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes of delivery (in the case of the vaginally delivered (VD) mothers) or within 30 minutes of recovery of post-operative consciousness (in the case of those delivered by Caesarian section) were compared with those who initiated breastfeeding after 30 minutes (Late initiator) in the VD and C/S groups. The association between time of breastfeeding initiation and factors under consideration were determine using the chi-squared test. ⋯ There was a low prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding in mothers delivered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. This low prevalence was due to delay in helping the newly delivered mother, especially those with Caesarean delivery. Routine labour ward practices interfere with the time of breastfeeding initiation. Routine labour ward and delivery table, specific assignment to the staff in the delivery/labour rooms help newly delivered mothers initiate breastfeeding early, and empowering the to request for babies are recommended.
-
To determine the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among practicing female nurses with a view to sensitizing them as a first step towards increasing screening uptake in the community. ⋯ knowledge of cervical cancer screening services among female nurses in Nnewi is high while uptake rate is abysmally poor. There is need to further educate the nurses who will play a major role in enlightening the public on the availability and need for cervical screening services.