African Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences

Volume 1, No. 1, January—June, 2002
Abstracts

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, Pages 1—5.

 
External Debt Burden and Health Expenditures in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation

 
S. TOMORI and M. A. ADEBIYI
1Department of Economics, University of Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria.

 
 
SUMMARY
This paper attempts to examine the relationship and implications of servicing Nigeria’s external debt and the resources devoted to the health sector. The poor state of health services delivery is attributable to the under-funding of the sector. This is partly explained by the huge resources set aside for external debt servicing, with limited funds left for the social services sector. An attempt was made to develop a multiple-regression model and test it with data from Nigeria. Contrary to expectations, a positive relationship was established between external debt servicing and health expenditures. This was probably due to debt rescheduling exercises, which is further recommended.

Key words: Debt burden; Health expenditures.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 6—12.

 
Medical Audit:
A Nigerian Teaching Hospital’s Preliminary Experience

B. J. BOJUWOYE
Department of Medicine,
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,
Ilorin, Nigeria.

Correspondence to:
B. J. Bojuwoye
National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria,
Km 26, Badagry Express Way,
P. M. B. 2003, Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria.

SUMMARY
The definition, historical background, aims dimensions and the characteristics of medical audit as well as the indices to be measured in a medical audit exercise are highlighted. The preliminary experience of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in the planning, implementation and monitoring of a viable medical audit programme is reviewed. The steps involved included among others:

Key words: Medical Audit: Nigerian Teaching Hospital Preliminary Experience.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 13—21

 
A review of the use of Computer and Internet Services in a
Lagos Tertiary Institution

 
I.I. Olatunji-Bello1, A. Ibegwam2 and T. O. Odugbemi3
1Department of Physiology,
2Medical Library,
3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,
College of medicine of the University of Lagos
P. M. B. 12003, Lagos.

2Correspondence:
A Ibegwam,
The Medical Library,
College of Medicine, University of Lagos,
P. M. B 12003, Lagos

 
SUMMARY
The availability of information on medicine and related subjects cannot be over estimated on the Internet. Some tertiary institutions in most of the developing countries, in particular Nigeria, do not have access to the Internet. This may be due to the high cost of the Internet connectivity, inadequate basic infrastructure and also to the lack of knowledge on the use of the computer and Internet. The penetration of computers and Internet technology into all corners of professional life will influence the way students and members of staff communicate and work. This article presents basic information on the application of Internet in the fields of medicine, nutrition and health, furthermore identifies the attitude of students and staff of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) to the newly introduced computer Laboratory and Internet Services. The CMUL is a modern tertiary institution, situated in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The methodology employed in this study was stratified distribution of questionnaires to both students and members of staff of different categories. The knowledge of the existence of the Computer laboratory and Internet services on the third floor of the Medical Library, and previous computer experience was sought. The attitude of users to current price charge, location as well as the staff providing the services was also studied. The major findings indicate that many were computer literate and also users of the services provided in the CMUL. The major activity performed on the Internet was e-mail. This study shows the need to introduce measures for improved services by eliminating the telephone dialing time delay and power outages from public electric supply.

Key words: Internet, Information Technology, Library and Medical Education.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 22—25

 
Biotechnology from Microbiology Perspective

 
MENDIE U. E.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology,
School of Pharmacy,
College of Medicine of the University of Lagos,
Idi-Araba, Lagos.

 
SUMMARY
Biotechnology has scaled many hurdles of advancement into a science that now covers all realms of human endeavours. It has been elevated into a pedestal of solving many of man’s intractable problems of survival in this planet. Researches in biotech has now been intensified in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, biological and environmental sciences. The prying into the cells interior as in molecular biology and biochemistry has provided succour in forms of new drugs and chemicals, which have been found to alleviate difficult health problems such as cancer, heart disease and hypertension. Insulin, homones and growth factors, which hitherto were obtained from animal cells, are now being produced by fermentation of yeasts and bacteria. Monoclonal antibodies are now being produced from tissue cultures. These and other newer drugs obtained through biotech are now huge commercial success making them readily available and affordable. Advances in DNA recombinant technology and genetic engineering have created novel cell forms with improved characteristics which have impacted positively on human lives. However, the applications of cloning to humans have been resented by many governments due to ethical issues involved. Other microbiological dimensions of biotech will need to cover such areas as biopesticides, biofertilizer and environmental controls, etc. Indeed, microbiologists must exploit these advances to understand more of the molecular intricacies of cells; and to harvest the immense potentials of microorganisms in sustaining man’s survival on earth.

KEY WORDS: Biotechnology, cloning, microbiology, genomics.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 26—28.

 
Comments on Bioterrorism and Potential Pathogens

TOLU ODUGBEMI
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,
College of Medicine, University of Lagos,
P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected] 

 
SUMMARY
There are various biological agents that are implicated in bioterrorism. The best known of these potential pathogens is Bacillus anthracis an agent causing anthrax. The other pathogens are discussed to create public awareness in Nigeria.

Key words: Bioterrorism; pathogens; Nigerian experience; Laboratory services.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 29—34.

 
Constitutional Provisions And Administrative Disciplinary Powers:
The Medical And Dental Disciplinary Tribunal In Review.

 *Oyelowo Oyewo
Acting Head of Department of Public Law,
Faculty of Law,
University of Lagos.

 
SUMMARY
The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal is empowered to deal with all cases of professional discipline under the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act. This process of administrative adjudication is examined against the background of constitutional provision that affects the exercise of the powers of the Tribunal and the rights guaranteed to the professionals when they appear before the Tribunal. Decisions of our courts reviewing and pronouncing upon the proceedings of the Tribunal are analysed. Our conclusion is that the constitutional provisions are imperatives binding upon the Tribunal and the medical and dental practitioner involved in disciplinary proceedings.

Key words: Constitutional and administrative, law standards, professional discipline.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 35—40.

 
General Introduction to Administrative/Legal Problems of Health Institutions

 
G. A. ADETOLA-KASEEM, Esq.
Legal Practitioner and Notary Public
208, Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove,
P. O. Box 611, Shomolu, Lagos State.

 
SUMMARY
Management of health institutions, like many other endeavours, is regulated by law. There is therefore the need for health managers to familiarise themselves with the laws affecting their institutions. The health manager must know the functions, powers and limitations of different statutory or established organs within his institution to ensure that decisions are validly made. Good record-keeping which include careful preservation of documents is of equal importance as documentary record constitute primary evidence in the event of dispute and litigation. The health manager must also be familiar with the laws of meetings and communication, and use them effectively in management to ensure effectiveness and validity of his actions. Finally, it is mandatory for the health manager to ensure that the various health professionals employed in his institution are duly registered and licensed to practise their respective professions, because the employment of unregistered and unlicensed professionals amount to an offence under the law.

 

Key words: Legal; Administrative; Health Institution; Record-keeping; Documents; Meetings; Communication; Health Professionals.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 41—44.

 
The effect of Load Bearing either on the back or on the Chest on Oxygen Consumption and Energy Expenditure

 
S. I. JAJA, B. F. OLUDEMI and J. K. RENNER*
Departments of Physiology and Paediatrics*
College of Medicine, University of Lagos
P.m.b. 12003, Lagos. Nigeria.

Correspondence:
Dr. S. I. Jaja
Department of Physiology
College of Medicine, University of Lagos
P.m.b. 12003, Lagos. Nigeria.

 
SUMMARY
Changes in arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure have been investigated in healthy young women (aged between 19.0 years to 24.0 years) at rest or while walking a distance of 76.5 meters within two minutes on a horizontal plane. These measurements were taken with no load bearing, with load bearing on the back and then on the chest. The weight of the load was 6.4 kg.

Results showed that without bearing load, walking increased pulse rate by 11.3 ± 1.3% (p < 0.05), oxygen consumption rate by 28.4 ± 2.5% (P<0.05) and energy expenditure by 28.6 ± 2.3% (P<0.05) when compared with measurements taken at rest. Oxygen consumption rate increased by 37.2 ± 3.0% (p < 0.01) when the weight was strapped to the back and by 62.0 ± 2.0% (p < 0.001) when the weight was strapped to the chest. Similarly, energy expenditure was significantly higher (p < 0.001) when the weight was strapped to the chest (64.7 ± 1.2%) than when it was strapped to the back (41.2 ± 3.5%). Increase in pulse rate was also significantly higher (p < 0.01) when the weight was strapped to the chest (10.0 ± 0.7%) than when it was strapped to the back (2.6 ± 0.5%). Arterial blood pressure changes were similar. Results of this study show that load bearing on the back is less energy demanding than load bearing on the chest.

 

Key words: Load bearing, back, chest, oxygen consumption, energy expenditure.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 45—48.


Sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA™) in the treatment of male Erectile Dysfunction: A 6-week, Flexible Dose Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety

Nwofor A. M. E.1, Yeboa E. D.2, Dogunro A. S.3
1Urology Unit, Department of Surgery,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
2Urology Unity, Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
3Pfizer Specialties Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Correspondence to:
Dr. A. M. E. Nwofor
Urology Unit, Department of Surgery
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
PMB 5025, Nnewi , Nigeria.

SUMMARY
Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major health concern which in some communities has been estimated to affect about half of men aged 40 years and above. Due to the high social stigma and its co-morbid nature, ED still remains highly under-diagnosed and hence untreated. Equally important is the lack of effective oral therapy for even those that opted for orthodox medicine. Currently available therapies are cumbersome and they remove the spontaneity in sexual intercourse coupled with the fact they could be rather expensive and out of the reach of the ordinary patient. The sum total of this is that there is a large pool of patients that are languishing in their despair and are being denied, and their spouses, an important ingredient of marriage. The availability of Sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA™) has increased the treatment options available and is set to revolutionize the attitude of the medical community and the lay public to this disease entity.
Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in black men with erectile dysfunction of varied etiologies.
Method: 50 successive patients with ED were recruited into the study. The starting dose was 50mg and this could be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on efficacy and toleration. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), patient event log and the global assessment of efficacy were used to assess efficacy while adverse events were monitored by safety laboratory assessments and by the reported and observed events.
Results: 78% of the patients were always able to achieve erections or achieve it most of the times as compared to 10% who were able to do this at baseline (p<0.0001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in those who were able to maintain their erections after penetration at end of therapy as compared to the baseline, 76% versus 6% (p<0.0001). Using the global efficacy question, 94% of the patients reported that taking sildenafil citrate improved their erections. The commonest drug related adverse event was headache (10%), which was transient and did not interfere with the day to day activities of the patients.
Conclusion: This study shows that Sildenafil citrate is an effective oral treatment option for erectile dysfunction in black patients and was well tolerated.

Key Words: Sildenafil citrate; Erectile dysfunction; IIEF.

 
 

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 49—53.

 
University Pre-medical Academic Performance as a Predictor of performance in the Medical School:
A Case Study at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos
*OLUFEYI A. ADEGOKE and **C. NORONHA
Departments of Physiology* and Anatomy**
College of Medicine, University of Lagos
P.m.b. 12003, Lagos. Nigeria.

Correspondence:
Dr. O. A. Adegoke
Departments of Physiology
College of Medicine, University of Lagos
P.m.b. 12003, Lagos. Nigeria.


SUMMARY
The present study was carried out to evaluate student achievement in medical school professional examinations in the light of previous pre-medical school academic performance. This was done as part of the process of evaluating factors which might contribute to academic success and high
quality of medical education. Medical and Dental students of the University of Lagos Medical School were studied over a five-year performance period. They were divided into high, medium and low-performance groups based on their performance in the pre-medical school examination. The high performance group were students who scored above 59%, medium performance — those who scored between 53% and 58%, while the low-performance group were those who scored below 51%. The mean achievements of the three groups in medical school examinations were studied and compared. It was observed that pre-medical school high-performers continued to perform better than the medium-performers, scoring an average of 60% in all the exams. The medium performers were also found to perform better than the low-performance group, scoring an average of 55% in their exams while the low performers scored an average of 50%. Results of the study imply that performance in the medical school entrance examinations is a good index of student performance and achievement in the medical school and is therefore predictive of future clinical performance. Low performance in pre-medical school exams generally leads to poor performance in the medical school. These results will be relevant when there is need to modify academic and admission policies in the Medical School.

Key words: Pre-medical school performance, medical school achievement.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
January—June 2002, Vol. 1, No. 1, 54—57

 
Use of Audiovisual Media and Equipment by Medical Educationists:
Trends in the College of Medicine University of Lagos.

 
I. I. Olatunji-Bello1, A. O. OTUNLA2 and A. O. SOMEFUN3
1Department of Physiology,
2Biomedical Communications Department,
3Department of Surgery,
College of Medicine of the University of Lagos
P. M. B. 12003, Lagos.

Correspondence author:
Mr. A. O. Otunla
Biomedical Communications Department,
College of Medicine of the University of Lagos.

 
SUMMARY
This study was designed to determine the frequency of use of the audiovisual media and equipment for the teaching and training of medical students by medical teachers in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Emphasis is on the different audiovisual media formats like projected still visual media and equipment, which are available for use in teaching and training at the college. Our results show that there was a significant (P=0.000) difference in the frequency of the use of these audiovisual media and equipment. The most frequently used audiovisual medium and equipment is transparency on Overhead projector (O. H. P.) while the medium and equipment that is barely used for teaching is computer graphics on multi-media projector. This study also suggests ways of improving teaching-learning processes in medical education, using new technologies of communications and appropriate techniques of media presentations, such as; computer generated graphic media and multimedia presentations, videotapes presentation, and video CD and multimedia projector.

Key words: Medical Education; audiovisual; media; presentations.