Niger J Clin Pract
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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Comparative Study
Mortality patterns in the accident and emergency department of an urban hospital in Nigeria.
The accident and emergency (A & E) department of any hospital provides an insight to the quality of care available in the institution. The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) is a foremost institution in the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria, servicing a core population of about 5 million people. The aim of this review was to highlight the demographic patterns of mortality, time spent before death in the emergency room. ⋯ Improvement in management techniques might unravel the mysteries of death of unknown origin. Management of medical emergencies should be emphasized in the training of accident and emergency workers.
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Comparative Study
Knowledge and attitudes of terminally ill patients and their family to palliative care and hospice services in Nigeria.
A palliative care and Hospice service is a neglected aspect of medical discipline especially in a developing country like Nigeria. With the global increase in incidence of cancer and HIV/AIDS and 70% of them presenting late, coupled with limited resources, for effective symptom control, palliative care therefore remains the only option left to improve the quality of life of the patients. ⋯ There is a gross lack of knowledge about PC&H in our community as evidenced among the participants studied. However, there is a positive attitude towards PC&H suggesting a general acceptance, since there is presently no well established Hospice in Nigeria; we recommend that government and Non governmental organizations should assist in this area. A hospital based Hospice might be a starting point.