International Journal of Emerging Multidisciplinaries: Biomedical and Clinical Research

A Scoping Review of the Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Women in Nigeria

Muhammed Murtala Muhammed, France Ncube, Nasirudeen Lanre Oloko — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Over 19 million cases of breast cancer were reported among women in 2020, surpassing lung cancer to become the leading cause of cancer worldwide. Women in developing countries have higher mortality rates than women in developed countries. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple procedure carried out by women themselves to determine any changes in their breasts and if needed seek further medical attention. This scoping review aimed to assess the available evidence on the knowledge and practice of BSE among women in Nigeria. This scoping review was conducted by searching African Journals On-Line (AJOL), ProQuest, PubMed and Science Direct databases for eligible studies. The relevant data was then extracted and a summary of the findings reported. 36 eligible articles were identified, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered for data extraction. All the studies included were cross-sectional descriptive surveys. The average reported knowledge of BSE is 67%, with 40% of study respondents practicing BSE, but only 26% of study respondents practiced BSE monthly. There’s low practice of BSE among women in Nigeria. Further research and appropriate interventions are needed to improve early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

The Prevalence of Endoparasites of Local and Exotic Breeds of Domesticated Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) within Kaduna Metropolis

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of endoparasites among local and exotic breeds of chickens reared and slaughtered in three Local Government Areas within Kaduna metropolis. A total of one hundred and seven (107) intact fresh intestines were randomly sourced and examined. Direct smear technique was employed to isolate endoparasites (helminths and protozoans) from each faecal sample. The result revealed that Gongylonema ingluvicola, a nematode had the highest prevalence rate of 79.62% in the entire male population of both local and exotic breeds sampled and 71.69% in the entire female population sampled. The result revealed the overall prevalence of endoparasites to be 58.90% (63/107) among the chickens sampled within the study area. Local breeds had a higher prevalence rate of 68.78% than the exotic breeds (44.18%), thus there was a significant difference in infection (p<.05). Other species isolated in the males and females respectively include Ascaridia galli (38.88%; 22.64%), Syngamus trachea (7.40%; 3.77%), Strongyloides avium (7.40%; 35.85%), Heterakis sp. (24.1%; 3.77%), Raillietina sp. (14.81%; 49.1%), Gongylonema ingluvicola (79.62%; 71.69%), Hymenolepis sp. (3.70%; 1.89%), Davainea proglottina (3.70%; 3.77%), Capillaria sp. (1.85%; 1.89%) and a protozoan, Eimeria sp. (3.70%; 3.77%). The study area should be expanded and molecular identification of these parasites is necessary for confirmation.

Perception and Attitude of Health Care Workers in Tertiary Health Care Facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria towards Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Unmarried Adolescents

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Adolescents are faced with the challenges of having access to and the utilization of quality sexual and reproductive health services, and one of the barriers responsible for this situation is the negative personal attributes of service providers. This study aimed to assess the perception and attitude of health workers in the tertiary health facilities in Plateau State towards sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2020 among 208 doctors and nurses/midwives who were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 23. The mean age of the respondents was 37.1 ± 9.1 years, 131 (63.0%) were doctors and females constituted 120 (57.7%). One hundred and twenty-nine (62.0%) had a good perception, while 105 (50.5%) had a positive attitude towards sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents. Younger age below 55 years and a good perception were found to be predictors of a positive attitude towards sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents. A considerable number of the health workers in the tertiary health facilities in Plateau state had a negative attitude towards sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents, an attribute that was significantly seen more in those who were older and had a poor perception. There is a need to improve healthcare workers’ attitudes towards the provision of sexual and reproductive health services for unmarried adolescents.

Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorder in an Unmarried Female Undergraduate Student following Parental Autocratic Behaviour : A Case Report

Tensaba Andes Akafa — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This case report aims to unveil the influence of undue paternalistic behaviour on the health of a family member in order to provide insight to the consequences of undemocratic parenting style in the family. The presentation of an “undifferentiated” patient is a common encounter in the Family Medicine Clinics. Therefore, a thorough evaluation and high index of suspicion is vital in managing such cases with thick file syndrome or recurrent hospital visits. These cohort of patients are often at risk of misdiagnosis and/or request for high technology investigations which is unnecessary for the individual and family. A 23-year-old unmarried university female student presented with complaints of crawling sensations in the body, chest pain and intermittent palpitation for six months at a Family Medicine Clinic. She was previously misdiagnosed for other conditions but it turned out to be somatic symptom and related disorder (SSRD). This case clearly revealed the psychosocial influence from a paternal tyrannical behaviour resulting in mental disorder of a family member.