Authors:Amaka Lovelyn Obi-Nwosu, Eberechi Ogeiheoma Nwoye, Christian Chibuzor Ibeh, Betrand Obi Nwosu, Chinekwu Skye Nwosu, Ifechukwu Daniella Obi-Nwosu, Emeka Callistus Izuchukwu Abstract: Background: One of the most challenging decisions for any medical graduate is the career pathway choice. A lot of factors are known to influence this decision. Medical graduates make career choices without reference to societal needs. Some specialties end up being competitive while some are faced with shortages. There is need for a balanced distribution of specialists if the general populace will be served by the right mix of medical specialists. Objective: The study sought to determine the factors influencing career choices amongst medical doctors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of doctors in Anambra State. Stratified sampling technique with proportionate allocation was used to select the required number of doctors from each category of doctors. Simple random sampling was then used to select the respondents from the various groups. Data was collected using semi-structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS V 24. Results: Two hundred and ninety respondents were recruited with 62.8% being males. The mean age of respondents was 39.47 ± 9.25 years. Those who had opted not to specialize in any area were 13.1%. More than half of the respondents (59%) were distributed among the four major specialties of Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics respectively. The major factors that were found to influence choice of specialty were personal interest, perceived competence and future job opportunities in that specialty. The commonest reasons for change of from initial desired specialty were stressful nature of specialty and previous negative experiences. Conclusion: Many factors are involved in physician’s choice of career after graduation. While some specialties have enough doctors with intense competition, some other specialties are faced with dire physician shortages. There is a need for these factors to be critically analyzed in order to achieve a balanced distribution of physicians for effective healthcare service in these communities. PubDate: 2024-07-15 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Sunday Isaac Omisakin, Abraham Sunday Ayeni, Aloy Okechukwu Ugwu, Sunusi Rimi Garba, Awoniyi Adebayo, Chioma Ethel Obodo, Okoro Austin Chigozie, Adefemi Ayodeji Kayode, Ayanbode Olufemi Abstract: BACKGROUND: Infertile men contribute an intriguing 30- 50% of infertility burden worldwide. This is even more worrisome in Nigeria being one of the countries located in the infertility belt of Africa. The rising trend in male factor infertility is evidenced by the decrease in seminal fluid parameters which has since been used as a surrogate marker of male fecundity. This study analysed the effect of body mass index on seminal fluid parameters of men who sought fertility treatment at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos. (68 NARHY) over a five-year period. METHODS: This was retrospective cohort study of the cases of infertile couples that attended Gynaecology and Urology clinics of 68 NARHY from 1st January 2019- December 31st, 2023. A purposely designed proforma using the WHO manual for the examination of human semen was used for data collection. Outcome measures were volume of semen, total sperm number, sperm concentration, PH, agglutination, liquefaction, motility, morphology, vitality, and white blood cell count. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Data were presented as means and proportions. P-value of < 0.05 was used as the level of significance. RESULTS: Overall, 562 couples attended Gynaecology and urology clinics with fertility-related concerns within the study period with a retrieval rate of 98.3%. Age and BMI of the participants significantly affected sperm motility, and morphology. (p-values of 0.001, and 0.002 respectively). CONCLUSION: Obesity presents a myriad of problems as regards to male sexuality and fertility. This study has demonstrated that increasing age has a negative effect on sperm morphology, and total motility with obesity also showing additional negative effect on the above and sperm concentration. PubDate: 2024-07-15 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:Chike V Ofoegbu, Ugochukwu S Umeh, Evaristus E Afiadigwe Abstract: Background: Pnemomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema is a rare but potentially fatal sequalae of bronchial foreign body aspiration. An 18-month-old female presented to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department with a 28-hour history of sudden onset choking, cough, shortness of breath and fever. At the onset of symptom, some pieces of groundnut seed were found in her immediate surroundings, but no eyewitness accounted of what transpired. Oxygen saturation was 64% on intranasal Oxygen support. The child had cardiac arrest twice and was resuscitated; first at presentation and then on the theatre table, during induction of anaesthesia. Bronchoscopy revealed edematous bronchus; secretions were suctioned, and the visible groundnut seeds lodged within the bronchial lumen retrieved. Further careful search revealed no other obvious remnant. Symptoms improved immediate postop but deteriorated about 12 hours later, with worsening dyspnoea, fever, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. She had a revision bronchoscopy, and another piece of ground-nut seed was identified and retrieved. All respiratory symptoms gradually resolved within the next 48hours, and she was discharged home. Conclusion: Though an uncommon mode of presentation, foreign body aspiration should be ruled out in any child with unexplained subcutaneous emphysema around the lower neck and upper chest region in the presence of other acute lower respiratory tract symptoms. Emergency bronchoscopy remains the gold standard of treatment. PubDate: 2024-07-15 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
Authors:CS Okoye, CO Okeke, OL Ezeike, GI Amilo, NC Ibeh, SI Ogenyi Abstract: Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with variable haematological manifestations which are more common among persons living with HIV (PLWH) than the general population. Objectives This cross-sectional study was designed to ascertain the variations in red blood cell and white blood cell indices in PLWH on antiretroviral treatment and those that are treatment naïve at NAUTH, Nnewi. Methods The study included a total of 180 adult participants which comprised eighty PLWH on antiretroviral treatment (PLWH on ART), forty PLWH not on ART (PLWH non-ART) and sixty HIV negative control subjects. Red blood cell and white blood cell indices were measured using Diatron’shaematology auto-analyser. Results The Red blood cell count, Haematocrit and Haemoglobin levels were significantly lower in PLWH not on ART when compared to PLWH on ART and HIV negative subjects. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly lower in PLWH on ART and PLWH not on ART compared to HIV negative subjects. The Mean cell volume (MCV) was significantly higher in HIV negative subjects compared to PLWH on ART and PLWH not on ART, while the total white blood cell count was significantly higher in HIV negative subjects compared to PLWH not on ART. The monocyte count was significantly higher in PLWH on ART compared to PLWH not on ART and HIV negative subjects. Conclusion HIV infection results in significant variations in some red cell and white cell indices. The negative variations improve among PLWH on ART compared to PLWH not on ART. This affirms the favourable prospects of antiretroviral therapy in resolving derangements in some haematological parameters. PubDate: 2024-07-15 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2024)
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