A O Idowu, M B Fawale, R A Bolarinwa, A A Sanusi, A F Ogunmodede, S O Lawal, O A Asifat, A A Adebowale, M A Komolafe
{"title":"Assessing the Correlation of Protein C and Protein S Levels with Stroke Severity and Functional Outcomes in Adults with Ischaemic Stroke.","authors":"A O Idowu, M B Fawale, R A Bolarinwa, A A Sanusi, A F Ogunmodede, S O Lawal, O A Asifat, A A Adebowale, M A Komolafe","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Protein C, a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant, regulates thrombin generation with its cofactor, protein S. Deficiencies in these proteins predispose individuals to thrombophilia, which may contribute to ischemic stroke. However, data on their role in Nigerian populations remain limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare serum levels of protein C and protein S between adults with acute ischemic stroke and matched healthy controls; to assess associations between these deficiencies and stroke severity; and to evaluate their relationship with functional outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hospital-based, cross-sectional case-control study was conducted involving 100 ischemic stroke patients and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum protein C and S levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), while functional outcomes were measured using the Barthel Index and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on days 7, 14, and 30. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with significance set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 200 participants (59 males, 41 females per group), the mean age of stroke patients was 61.24 ± 13.30 years. Median time to presentation was 48 hours. Protein C levels were significantly lower in stroke patients, while Protein S showed no significant difference. A weak positive correlation was observed between Protein C levels and stroke severity (rs = 0.201, p = 0.045), whereas Protein S did not show such a correlation. The functional outcome showed no significant association with either protein.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Protein C deficiency may serve as a marker for stroke severity but has limited predictive value for functional outcomes. Further research is needed to clarify its pathophysiological role in ischemic stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 7","pages":"523-530"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145726334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A B Dogara, I S Aliyu, D S Mshelia, H M Suleiman, F A Mahmud, M G Abubakar
{"title":"Evaluation of Microalbuminuria Level to Determine Diabetic Nephropathy Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Zaria, Nigeria.","authors":"A B Dogara, I S Aliyu, D S Mshelia, H M Suleiman, F A Mahmud, M G Abubakar","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Microalbuminuria was reported to be elevated in diabetic nephropathy and high levels of this biomarker correlates with progressing nephropathy, decline in e-GFR and consequently renal failure in some patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the level of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients and its correlation with renal function.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>One hundred Type-2 diabetic patients and an equal number of apparently healthy, age and sex-matched controls were recruited. Urinary albumin and serum creatinine was measured using FIA and Jaffe kinetic methods respectively. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0 with level of significance at p < 0.05. Urinary albumin creatinine ratio (u-ACR) was calculated, serum creatinine was used to calculate e-GFR using Cockcroft and Gault formula; while Mann-Whitney test was used to compare difference between the two means.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The u-ACR (3.15 (7.8, 1.3)) mg/mmol was found to be significantly higher in patients than controls (p = 0.000) while serum creatinine (74.00 (86.0, 67.0) μmol/L was found to be significantly lower in patients than controls (p = 0.000). Pearson's correlation showed significant negative correlation between u-ACR and e-GFR (r = - 0.318, p = 0.001) and between serum creatinine and e-GFR (r-value = - 0.546, p-value = 0.000), while a significant positive correlation between u-ACR and serum creatinine (r-value = 0.281, p = 0.005) among patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The concentrations of microalbuminuria was higher in type 2 diabetic patients, and it may be used to assess renal function.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 7","pages":"559-565"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145726382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antioxidant Depletion in Asphyxiated Neonates, Neuropsychiatric Burden in Parkinson's Disease, and Public Health Vulnerabilities: The Need for Proactive Healthcare Delivery.","authors":"G E Erhabor","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 7","pages":"519-520"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145716007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K S Oluwadiya, A O Adeoti, M I Usman, P O M Maison, G A Rahman, A A Olasinde, S Mensah
{"title":"Burnout Without Borders: Exploring Burnout and the Validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Among Medical Students Across Four Countries in Africa.","authors":"K S Oluwadiya, A O Adeoti, M I Usman, P O M Maison, G A Rahman, A A Olasinde, S Mensah","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There has been little or no cross-cultural validation study of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aims to test three hypotheses among medical students in four selected countries - Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This research utilized a cross-sectional design and employed an online self-administered questionnaire. The measurement of burnout was conducted utilizing the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey for Students (MBI-GS (S) on Google Form. The survey was distributed via WhatsApp to medical students enrolled in six medical schools across four countries. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS AMOS version 24 for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The prevalence of burnout varied among the medical students in the four countries with Ghana (72.1%) and Nigeria (61.2%) higher than Sierra Leone (59.2%) and Uganda (47.7%). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the 3-factor structure of the MBI-GS(S) fits both the overall sample and the samples from each of the four individual countries albeit after correlating error terms in the analysis. However, hypothesis 2, which posited structural invariance across the samples from the four countries, was only partially met as the model demonstrated configural invariance across the samples but not metric invariance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of our study provide empirical evidence supporting the presence of burnout among medical students, revealing significant disparities across the participating countries. While the MBI-GS (S) proved to be a useful tool for this assessment, our findings also highlight the challenges of achieving measurement invariance in cross-cultural research, underscoring the need for culturally adaptable methodologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"443-451"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145550961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Management Challenges of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call for Urgent Action.","authors":"T O Adedeji, J E Tobih, B A Adegbosin","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic suppurative otitis media is a serious health care concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty, ignorance, and non-availability of surgical treatment techniques militate against its effective management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective descriptive study conducted at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo on patients with CSOM over five years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 428 patients consisting of 232 males and 196 females with age ranged from 1 - 83 years. Children 1-15 years constituted the largest (54.2%) proportion. RCSOM (37.4%), LCSOM (29.9%) and bilateral CSOM (32.7%). Majority (51.4%) had discharge for more than 2 years. Most patients 208 (48.6%) had moderate size perforations and majority (93.5%) were central perforations. Culture results showed pseudomonas 24.3% and staphylococcus aureus 24.3% as the most common organisms isolated. PTA of 152 patients (reviewed) showed that 36.8% had moderate degree of HL and severe degree HL in 26.3%. Ninety four (61.8%) had conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss was significantly associated with the size of perforation (p = 0.001) and duration of ear discharge (p = 0.022). About 99% of patients were managed conservatively with topical ear drops/ dressing with wick gauze impregnated with ciprofloxacin ear drops. Five patients (1.17 %) had tympanoplasty, six (1.40%) had cortical mastoidectomy and 2 (0.47%) patients died secondary to intracranial complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Challenges militating against effective management of CSOM in Nigeria include poverty, delayed presentation, few tympanomastoid surgical experts and poor attitude toward surgical procedures. Public enlightenment including early presentation of patients, provision of adequate equipment and focused attention on appropriate surgical techniques should be embarked upon urgently.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"474-481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emerging Technologies in Health Care: Bridging the Promise and the Gaps.","authors":"G E Erhabor","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"421-422"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145550986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A A Sanusi, A F Ogunmodede, A Bello, A O Idowu, O E Olorunmoteni, U C Eke, M B Fawale, A A Adebowale, S Ayenowowon, K P Ayodele, M O Olaogun, M A Komolafe
{"title":"Limitations to the Implementation of a Robotic Rehabilitation Programme for Stroke Survivors in Nigeria.","authors":"A A Sanusi, A F Ogunmodede, A Bello, A O Idowu, O E Olorunmoteni, U C Eke, M B Fawale, A A Adebowale, S Ayenowowon, K P Ayodele, M O Olaogun, M A Komolafe","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Arm function recovery is essential for stroke survivors' ability to perform activities associated with daily living. Consequently, impairment in arm function is a significant target for stroke survivors' physical or robotic rehabilitation. This study aims to explore the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a robotic rehabilitation programme for stroke survivors in a resource-poor setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional design with a qualitative approach was chosen. A semi-structured, interview-based questionnaire was administered and data were collected from stroke survivors presenting at the adult neurology clinic of two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Data from the interview-based questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 52 stroke survivors participated and were interviewed. More than half (55.8%) of the respondents were elderly, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. Majority of respondents (58%) had no idea about the use of robotics for stroke rehabilitation. About 44% of the respondents believe that the major determinant of interest in robotics will be favourable outcome after trials on other participants. Lack of financial support and transportation aid constitute barriers, while creation of awareness and the availability of transportation aid from home to hospital were the major facilitators to participation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the fact that most stroke survivors in the resource-poor setting were not aware of the usefulness of robotics in stroke rehabilitation. Hence, increasing knowledge and creating awareness about robotic rehabilitation will make it more readily acceptable for stroke survivors. KEYWORDS: Barrier, Facilitator, Robotic rehabilitation, Stroke survivors, Implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"452-456"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A G Akanbi, O O Akanbi, A A Adejumo, O S Ilori, V O Oyedepo, I Aina, A A Olalere
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in Medical Practice: Time to Join the Global Participants' Train.","authors":"A G Akanbi, O O Akanbi, A A Adejumo, O S Ilori, V O Oyedepo, I Aina, A A Olalere","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical practice is attracting attention in various aspects of disease management. Currently, many doctors lack a basic understanding of this data-driven innovation and are unaware of its potential applications in the field of medicine. This review thus aims to provide an introductory insight into AI, the basic concepts of AI and how it is applicable to medical practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We reviewed the concept of AI by elucidating its fundamental principles and applications in medical practice. Literature searches were conducted on AI using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE. The search keywords included artificial intelligence, machine learning, AI algorithm, medical application of AI, and the future of AI in medical practice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ninety-four articles were initially reviewed, but only 71 met the inclusion criteria. The application of AI in medicine is growing across various aspects of disease management for cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. It has been used for complex procedures, such as robot-assisted surgery, in managing medical information and data, in predictive and precision medicine, and in clinical research.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AI is rapidly transforming the future of human endeavours, and the healthcare community is no exception, with its potential to revolutionise medicine. Incorporating AI into healthcare should be considered a necessity, not just an option. We cannot afford to be passive observers, waiting for others to take the lead.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"482-493"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A O Omoboyeje, O J Adebami, O A Oyedeji, A Ademisoye, V O Kayode
{"title":"Serial C-reactive Protein and Blood Culture in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis among Babies with Risk Factors for Sepsis at Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria.","authors":"A O Omoboyeje, O J Adebami, O A Oyedeji, A Ademisoye, V O Kayode","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neonatal sepsis (NNS) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among newborns, especially in developing countries. Early identification of risk factors is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to investigate utility of serial C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood culture in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis (NNS) among babies with risk factors for sepsis.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>All consecutive term babies with maternal and/or neonatal risk factors for sepsis with or without initial symptoms were studied. Blood culture was done for all the participants. The CRP I was done at admission, CRP II at 48 hours and CRP III at 72 hours (a total of 3 samples). The value of CRP ≥10mg/l was considered abnormal.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 106 participants, 35 (33%) had positive blood cultures, with Staphylococcus aureus being the prevalent organism. The sensitivity of CRP at the cut off ≥10mg/l was 60%, 69.7%, and 66.7% for CRP I, CRP II and CRP III, with negative predictive value (NPV) of 73.6%,72.2% and 73.8%, respectively. Abnormal temperature, respiratory distress and convulsion at presentation were significantly associated with positive blood culture (p= 0.002, 0.014 and 0.009, respectively). Logistic regression identified abnormal temperature and delivery outside the hospital facility as being significantly related to elevated CRP values (p= 0.027, 0.016).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the importance of utilization of serial CRP tests in the early detection of sepsis in neonates with risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"423-429"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence, Mortality Rate and Risk Factors of Obstetrics-Related Venous Thromboembolism in Africa: A Systematic Review.","authors":"T U Nwagha, C P Ojukwu, M Nweke, U I Nwagha","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obstetric-related venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in Africa. However, management has remained suboptimal. Evaluating its epidemiology will aid policy decisions.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the prevalence, mortality rate and risk factors of obstetrics-related venous thromboembolism in Africa.</p><p><strong>Search strategy: </strong>We searched four databases namely MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Complete.</p><p><strong>Data collection and selection: </strong>We undertook independent screening to identify relevant articles. Only peer-reviewed articles written and published in English were included.</p><p><strong>Data analysis: </strong>We fitted a random-effect model to estimate the pooled prevalence and mortality rates, with I2 computed to estimate the degree of heterogeneity.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Prevalence of obstetrics-related VTE varied between 2 (per 100,000 deliveries) in 2000 and 248 (per 100,000 births) in 2020. The pooled prevalence was 17 per 100,000 births (95% CI 6-480/100,000 births). Two most important risk factors were immobilization/prolonged travel (OR=2.5 [95% CI 1.4 - 4.5] to 18 (95% CI 2.3-137) and oral contraceptive (OR=15.9, [95% CI 1.9-133.1]). VTE-related maternal mortality ranged from 33 to 286 per 100,000 live births.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Moving from 2000 to 2020, there is an increasing trend in the prevalence of obstetrics-related VTE and associated maternal mortality in Africa. The strength of risk factors of obstetrics-related VTE in Africa may not follow a global risk stratification pattern.</p>","PeriodicalId":23680,"journal":{"name":"West African journal of medicine","volume":"42 6","pages":"506-516"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}