African journal of medicine and medical sciences
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of magnesium sulphate-pretreatment on suxamethonium-induced complications during induction of general endotracheal anaesthesia.
To determine the effects of Magnesium-Sulphate-pretreatment on Suxamethonium-induced complications (serum potassium rise, fasciculations and apnea). Eighty-four adult patients were selected and randomly allocated into two study groups during induction of general endotracheal anaesthesia. Endotracheal intubation was facilitated with suxamethonium in group A, while in group B magnesium sulphate pretreatment and suxamethonium. ⋯ The study shows that magnesium sulphate pretreatment has significantly reduced suxamethonium-induced hyperkalaemia and severity of fasciculations during induction of general endotracheal anaesthesia, however there was no significant effect on the duration of apnea. The average of 0.034 mmol/L in Group B was not significant {p value 0.06}. We advocate the use of magnesium pretreatment in all patients at risk of these complications.
-
Students adopt several learning approaches towards achieving the perceived goal of passing their prescribed examinations. This study was carried out to determine the study processes being used by medical students of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan on arrival at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. One hundred and sixty five first year clinical students were studied using the modified 'Biggs' Study Process Questionnaire. ⋯ Majority of 1st year clinical students of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan adopted a deep approach to learning and have a good capacity to learn. However, most do not employ self-directed learning strategies and do not see their teachers as role models. The majority intend to travel abroad upon graduation.
-
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a fatal complication and a frequent cause of death among patients hospitalized for remediable and often minor conditions. Various prevalence and associated risk factors of VTE have been documented in different parts of the world. It has been reported that the prevalence of VTE in Africans and Asians is not as pronounced as it is in the Caucasians. ⋯ VTE is a preventable and treatable condition, especially where haematological services, intensive care management and good pre-emptive physiotherapy are available. Thus, mortality from this condition should be considered as a cause for concern even in a poorly funded health care delivery system such as in Africa. It is therefore recommended that appropriate physical and pharmacological methods of prophylaxis should be prescribed according to the degree of risk of VTE in individual patients.
-
Postdural puncture headache remains a major complication of subarachnoid anaesthesia that bothers the anaesthetist and the young mother. Identification of factors that may affect PDPH after caesarean section under subarachnoid anaesthesia could be critical to policy formulation in an emerging obstetric anaesthesia unit. All patients who had caesarean section under subarachnoid anaesthesia were evaluated in a cross-sectional manner. ⋯ Successful dural puncture was achieved on first attempt in 42.0% (n = 47) of the patients. The PDPH was mainly occipital for most of the women, starting on postoperative day 2 and relieved with liberal fluids and paracetamol. Maternal experience of their caesarean section with spinal anaesthesia was satisfactory in 77.8% (n = 21) of patients and 63% (n = 17) would recommend the technique to other women.
-
Comparative Study
Socio-economic determinants of child labour and attitudes to child labour among school children in Ibadan.
This cross sectional study was designed to compare the characteristics of working and non-working school children. Two hundred and thirty one working and 236 non-working children were interviewed. The socio economic factors associated with child labour were trading as mother's occupation, father's educational status, religion, family type (monogamous vs polygamous) and type of residence. ⋯ Road traffic accidents and poor school performance were the commonest adverse effects of child labour indicated by school children. Parents should be educated about the adverse effects of child labour on child development. As poverty is one of the major root causes of child labour, free and compulsory primary education may help to reduce the notion of child work as an option for survival in poor families.