Tag: nevin manimala

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):232-239. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_50_23.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The undiagnosed and untreated tuberculosis (TB) cases underpin the experience of accelerating deaths. Everyone should be engaged in managing TB patients to revert the current trend.

AIMS: In this context, we assessed the outcome of an education intervention on the knowledge of TB and referral practice of presumptive TB cases to directly observed therapy strategy amongst patent medicine vendors (PMVs).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was quasi-experimental, conducted amongst 647 PMVs in Delta State, Nigeria.

METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain baseline data on knowledge of TB. An educational intervention on knowledge of TB was then given. A post-intervention assessment of TB knowledge was subsequently conducted using the same questionnaire. The exact number of referrals of presumptive TB cases by PMVs and the number that tested positive amongst the referred presumptive TB cases, 3 months before and after the training were obtained from the state TB database.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS v. 26 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: The pre-training knowledge average score was 15.45 ± 6.45, while the post-training average score was 19.44 ± 7.03 (P < 0.001). The pre-training average number of presumptive cases referred was 146 ± 124.7, and the post-training was 205.67 ± 255.4, P = 0.41. The pre-training average number of cases that turned out positive was 9.5 ± 6.3, and the post-training was 13.5 ± 11.3, P = 0.42.

CONCLUSION: There was a significant improvement in PMVs’ knowledge of TB post-intervention. However, while an increase in the number of cases referred and positives detected was observed, this was not significant. Periodic training and updates to PMVs in keeping with current trends and best practices in TB management are recommended.

PMID:37675700 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_50_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):226-231. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_83_23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health promotion (HP) is a part of the general practitioners’ (GPs) competencies defined by the World Organization of Family Doctors. The implementation of HP in their practice is unsatisfactory.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore GPs knowledge, attitudes and practices in Morocco about HP at the primary healthcare services.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administrated questionnaire including, knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs toward HP. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: Two hundred and forty GPs responded to our questionnaires, the sex ratio was 1.12 with an average age of 40.46 ± 9.05 years. More than half of our participants perceived HP as a concept indistinct from prevention, 70.4% believed that HP refers to the biomedical model. On a Likert scale of 1-5, the level of HP knowledge was 2.71 ± 1.13. The most discussed topics with the population were tobacco, alcohol, overweight and obesity. Statistically significant association was found between the competencies of GPs in lifestyle behaviours and the practice of this competence.

CONCLUSION: The knowledge of GPs remains insufficient, and their practices focus more on the areas in which they feel competent, which requires the implementation of specific training for the development of GPs skills in HP.

PMID:37675699 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_83_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):218-225. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_39_23.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Varicocele is a treatable aetiology of male infertility. Magnification with surgical loupe has been associated with improved outcome and reduced morbidity than the conventional technique without magnification.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of two techniques of subinguinal varicocelectomy, with a surgical loupe and without.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomised hospital-based study. Forty-six patients were randomised to two arms – Group A: loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy (LASV) and Group B: open subinguinal varicocelectomy without Loupe (OSV). They all had their semen and hormonal parameters compared preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Post-operative complications were also assessed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age was 38.28 ± 4.55 years with a range of 27-46 years. The mean age in Group A was 37.35 ± 4.68 and 39.22 ± 4.33 years in Group B. There was an improvement in motility, sperm count and concentration in both the groups at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in these parameters on comparison of the two groups at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone decline was significant in the OSV group at 3 and 6 months, P = 0.010 and 0.021, respectively. There was no difference in other hormonal parameters both at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate in each arm of study was 4.3%. All complications occurred in Group B.

CONCLUSION: Both techniques resulted in improvement in seminal fluid parameters. All complications occurred in the arm that had subinguinal varicocelectomy without loupe. Loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy is safe and effective.

PMID:37675698 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_39_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):210-217. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_8_23.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A newly cut neonatal umbilical stump is a potential portal of pathogen entry leading to omphalitis. Neonatal sepsis can complicate omphalitis, but good cord care practices can reduce this risk.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess umbilical cord care practices in tertiary-, secondary- and primary-level healthcare facilities in Jos, Nigeria.

METHODS: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study of 284 mothers of infants aged 3-6 weeks old attending immunisation clinics in the three-level healthcare facilities using multistage sampling technique between April and September 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as point and interval estimates, respectively. P < 0.05 was adjudged to be statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers and infants was 25 ± 6 years and 5 ± 1 week, respectively. Only 2.2% of mothers used chlorhexidine (CHX) gel for cord care. Mothers showed good knowledge but poor practice of cord care. A significant positive relationship was observed between quality of cord care practices and level of healthcare facility (χ² = 15.213; df = 2; P < 0.001). Good cord care practices were predicted by mothers’ age 30-46 (AOR = 3.6; CI: 1.4-9.1) and good knowledge of cord care (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI: 2.2-9.9).

CONCLUSIONS: The study has highlighted the good knowledge but poor practices of cord care by mothers and the need to scale up the uptake of CHX gel in Jos. Mother’s age and good knowledge of cord care are predictors of good cord care practices.

PMID:37675697 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_8_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):200-209. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_80_23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Kidney diseases requiring haemodialysis are becoming an emerging public health problem. This study aimed to determine the burden, socio-demographic and other risk factors associated with haemodialysis in Northwest Nigeria.

METHODOLOGY: The study was a retrospective multicentre review of secondary data from the dialysis centres of public hospitals in northwestern Nigeria. Risk factors for renal failure were examined in 1329 patients who were enrolled for haemodialysis between 2019 and 2022 in the four public dialysis centres in Kano and Jigawa state. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: The minimum age of the patients was 2 years and the maximum was 100 years with a median of 48 (interquartile range = 31, 60) years. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was found amongst more than two-thirds 998 (75.1%) of the patients. Up to 51 (3.8%), 62 (4.7%) and 10 (0.8%) were seropositive for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, respectively. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was significantly higher (67.9%, P < 0.001) amongst patients with post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), and were 24 times more likely to develop AKI when compared with those with no PPH (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [13.5-44.5]). CKD was significantly higher amongst patients with hypertension (HTN) (84.9%, P < 0.001), and were 3.2 times more likely to develop CKD compared with non-hypertensives (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI = [2.4-4.1]). Acute on CKD (AOCCKD) was significantly higher amongst patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) (28.1%, P < 0.001), and were three times more likely to develop AOCCKD than those without CGN (aOR = 3, 95% CI = [2.1-4.2]).

CONCLUSION: PPH was the major reason for AKI related haemodialysis while diabetes and HTN were the major causes of CKD-requiring haemodialysis. CGN was more amongst patients who had dialysis due to acute exacerbation of CKD. The government and relevant stakeholders should ensure a favourable policy for the screening and management of patients.

PMID:37675696 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_80_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):193-199. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_56_23.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbance is common in persons with stroke and when unrecognised and untreated may hinder rehabilitation efforts and lead to poor functional outcome. It may also result in increased risk for stroke recurrence.

AIM: We investigated the frequency and associated factors of sleep disturbances amongst stroke survivors.

METHODOLOGY: One hundred and ten stroke survivors attending the neurology outpatient clinics of two tertiary hospitals, from February 2021 to January 2022, were interviewed after obtaining ethical approval and informed consent. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain their socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and sleep disturbances. Excessive daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Data were analysed with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: Eighty (72.7%) patients were males with a mean age of 61.4 ± 11.8, slightly older than the females (30, 27.3%) with a mean age of 60.9 ± 2.9. Their median follow-up duration was 7.5 months. Majority (84, 76.4%) had ischaemic stroke, and the frequency of sleep disturbances was 37 (33.6%) consisting of insomnia (19, 17.3%), hypersomnia (10, 9.0%), sleep-disordered breathing (5, 4.5%) and sleep-related movement disorder (3, 2.7%), respectively. Using the ESS score, 22 (20.0%) had mild, 10 (9.0%) had moderate and 7 (6.4%) had severe ESS scores, respectively. Univariate analysis showed depression to be significantly associated with ESS (P = 0.006) whereas multivariate analysis revealed age and sex as significant associated factors (P = 0.008 and P = 0.009) of ESS.

CONCLUSION: More than one-third of participants reported sleep disturbances with depression, age and gender as associated factors.

PMID:37675695 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_56_23

Indian J Med Res. 2023 Sep 6. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_3493_21. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Despite being a tropical country, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in India with studies indicating 40-99 per cent prevalence. Apart from calcium and phosphate metabolism, vitamin D is involved in cell cycle regulation, cardiovascular, hepatoprotection. The metabolism of vitamin D is regulated by vitamin D tool genes (CYP2R1/CYP27B1/CYP24A1/VDR). The promoter regions of some of these genes have CpG islands, making them prone to methylation induced gene silencing, which may cause a reduction in circulating vitamin D levels. Epigenetic basis of vitamin D deficiency is yet to be studied in India, and hence, this pilot study was aimed to analyze whether methylation levels of CYP2R1 gene were correlated with the levels of 25(OH)D in healthy, adult individuals in Indian population.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, healthy adults of 18-45 yr of age with no history of malabsorption, thyroidectomy, chronic illness or therapeutic vitamin D supplementation were recruited. DNA methylation analysis was carried out by methylation specific quantitative PCR. Serum calcium, phosphate and vitamin D levels were also quantified. Statistical analysis was done by R 4.0.5 software.

RESULTS: A total of 61 apparently healthy adults were analyzed. The serum vitamin D levels did not correlate with CYP2R1 methylation levels in our study population. Significant positive correlation was observed between age and serum vitamin D levels. Significant association of gender was found with CYP2R1 methylation levels.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: This study found no significant correlation between levels of CYP2R1 methylation and circulating 25(OH)D deficiency. Further studies on the Indian population having a larger sample size including entire vitamin D tool genes, among different ethnic groups may be conducted to elucidate molecular etiology of circulating 25(OH)D deficiency. The high prevalence of normal serum calcium and phosphate levels among vitamin D deficient subjects in this study coupled with the strikingly high prevalence of the deficiency at the national level, may suggest the need to revise the cut-off criteria for vitamin D deficiency in the Indian population.

PMID:37675692 | DOI:10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_3493_21

Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2023;64(4):154-160. doi: 10.3358/shokueishi.64.154.

ABSTRACT

An inter-laboratory study involving 24 laboratories was conducted to validate the modified analytical method for the migration solution of heptane for the determination of bisphenol A migrating from polycarbonate food processing materials. In this study, two concentrations of samples were blindly coded. Each laboratory determined the analyte (bisphenol A, phenol and p-tert-butylphenol) concentration in each sample according to the established protocol. The obtained values were analyzed statistically using internationally accepted guidelines. Horwitz ratios were calculated based on the reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSD_R), which was estimated from the inter-laboratory study, and predicted RSD_R, which was calculated using the Horwitz/Thompson equation. Horwitz ratios of the two samples ranged from 0.15 to 0.37 for the three compounds, meeting the performance criteria of less than 2 set by the Codex Alimentarius for analytical method approval. These results showed that this modified analytical method shows good performance as an analytical method for the migration solution of heptane.

PMID:37673605 | DOI:10.3358/shokueishi.64.154

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2023 Sep 6:fetalneonatal-2023-326132. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326132. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37673594 | DOI:10.1136/archdischild-2023-326132

Artif Intell Med. 2023 Sep;143:102605. doi: 10.1016/j.artmed.2023.102605. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

ABSTRACT

Machine learning (ML) has demonstrated its ability to exploit important relationships within data collection, which can be used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prediction of outcomes in a variety of clinical contexts. Anxiety mental disorder analysis is one of the pending difficulties that ML can help with. A thorough study is demanded to gain a better understanding of this illness. Since the anxiety data is generally multidimensional, which complicates processing and as a result of technology improvements, medical data from several perspectives, known as multiview data (MVD), is being collected. Each view has its own data type and feature values, so there is a lot of diversity. This work introduces a novel preprocessing feature selection (FS) approach, multiview harris hawk optimization (MHHO), which has the potential to reduce the dimensionality of anxiety data, hence reducing analytical effort. The uniqueness of MHHO originates from combining a multiview linking methodology with the power of the harris hawk optimization (HHO) method. The HHO is used to identify the lowest optimal MVD feature subset, while multiview linking is utilized to find a promising fitness function to direct the HHO FS while accounting for all data views’ heterogeneity. The complexity of MHHO is O(THL²), where T is the number of iterations, H is the number of involved harris hawks, and L is the number of objects. Using two publicly available anxiety MVDs, MHHO is validated against ten recent rivals in its category. The experimental findings show that MHHO has a considerable advantage in terms of convergence speed (converging in less than ten iterations), subset size (removing 75% of the views; reducing feature size by 66%), and classification accuracy (approaching 100%). Furthermore, statistical analyses reveal that MHHO is statistically different from its competitors, bolstering its applicability. Finally, feature importance is evaluated, shedding light on the most anxiety-inducing characteristics. The likelihood of developing additional disorders (such as depression or stress) is also investigated.

PMID:37673574 | DOI:10.1016/j.artmed.2023.102605