Tropical Journal of Medical Research

Health-related Quality of Life and Anthropometric Indices in Hypertensive Patients in a Nigerian community – A Cross-Sectional Study

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQoL) can be negatively affected by hypertension (HTN) and its complications and by poor anthropometric indices in an individual. Evidence abounds of positive correlation between anthropometric indicators and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hypertensive patients with poor anthropometric indices are at higher risk of poorer HRQoL. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and anthropometric indices among hypertensive patients in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design conducted among 132 adults (67.4% female) attending cardiology outpatient clinics in Nnewi. The anthropometric parameters were obtained through a routine measure, and the Short Form 12-item questionnaire was used to obtain data on HRQOL. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v. 26). The descriptive analysis included percentage, frequency, and mean standard deviation, while the Spearman rank order test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the correlation and influence respectively with alpha value set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.92±9.43 years old. The results revealed low physical component scores, fairly good mental component scores, and that the majority (80.6%) were either overweight or obese. A significant negative correlation was observed between age and Physical component (PCS) (p<0.001). Participants who were employed recorded higher PCS (p= <0.001) especially Teachers (P= 0.002). Conclusion: The participants had poor physical but relatively better mental HRQOL, with significant associations observed between anthropometric indices and HRQOL.

Patterns of Ocular and Adnexal Injuries at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, Nigeria

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Background: Eye injuries contribute significantly to the current public health dilemma. They resulted in 16 million cases of blindness, 23 million cases of low vision and 19 million cases of monocular blindness globally. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of ocular and adnexal injuries at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal survey was done among consecutive patients with ocular trauma. Information was obtained, from each new patient, using a structured questionnaire including history, examination, relevant investigations, treatment, assessment of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and visual outcome. Results: Eighty patients aged 3-83 years were studied with an incidence of 1.06%. Majority of the injuries were accidentally self-inflicted (43.7%). Thirty-five injuries were self-inflicted, 27 caused by sharp objects, 34 occurred at home and 22 were caused by assaults/fights. About 36 participants had closed globe injuries, 23 had open globe injuries and 21 adnexal-only injuries. No statistically significant association between type of injury and gender (p>0.05). There was a general improvement in the visual outcome of the injuries, but not statistically significant. (p=0.28). Conclusions: Eye injuries were common among the young and females in Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha. People should be educated on the preventive measures and appropriate management of these injuries.

Synergistic in-vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Combined Methanol Stem Bark Extracts of Morinda lucida and Pterocarpus santalinoides Against Clinical Isolates from Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Ifeoma Enweani-Nwokelo , Ngozika Achukwu, Ugoy Ogbonna, Peter Achukwu — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Background: The past few decades have shown a rising interest in research towards the development of newer antimicrobials to help curtail emerging multiple drug-resistant microbes that are posing a serious global health risk to the populace. Objectives: To assess the antimicrobial effects of methanol stem bark extracts from M. lucida and P. santalinoides on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria isolated from diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and Methods The bacterial isolates, obtained from patients at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were tested for antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial activities of the methanol stem bark extracts were tested using the agar well diffusion test. The minimum inhibitory concentration and fractional inhibitory concentration were done using the Checker-board micro-titration method and the fractional inhibitory concentration index calculated. The time-kill assay was done to confirm synergistic and bactericidal activity using the MIC’s obtained. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that it contained tannin, alkaloids, phenol, terpenoids, saponin, and glycosides. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that the combined extracts were active against the MDR microbial isolates tested with varying inhibitory zone diameter which ranged between 25 and 37mm. The fractional inhibitory concentration index of the combination showed synergism (0.18-0.35mm). The time-kill assay confirmed the synergistic and bactericidal activity by a 3log 10 CFU/mL decrease in the number of viable cells within 6 hours of incubation. Conclusion: The combination of M. lucida and P. santalinoides methanol stem bark extracts could be a promising treatment for diabetic wound infections caused by MDR bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Spina bifida in a Tertiary Health Institution: A 17-Year Experience

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Background: Split spine has shown a progressively changing temporal trend. It appears to be decreasing in frequency in advanced countries unlike what is observed in some Africa countries. It also appears to have different epidemiological patterns, based on ethnicity, race and geographic location. Objectives: This study aims to review the clinical profile of spina bifida patients that were operated on in a tertiary health institution in Anambra State between 2006 and 2023. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study. Records were obtained from patients’ folders, theatre and ward admission registers. Demographic data like age and sex were collected, diagnosis, presenting symptoms, operation done and complications were retrieved using the data extraction template. The data was analysed with SPSS 23, while results were presented in tables and chats. Results: A total of 83 cases were operated on within the period. Average cases per year was 4.9 while almost half of the total number of cases were seen in the first four years of study. About 74% of the patients presented within the first two years of age. They were mostly males, while the most common type was spina bifida cystica. The most common region affected was lumbosacral. Eight presented with rupture. Twenty-eight patients had CSF diversion for hydrocephalus. Ten patients had surgical site infection, while thirteen mortalities were recorded. Conclusion: There is a decreasing frequency of patients with spina bifida in the study. Lumbosacral region is still the most affected region while spina bifida cystica is the most common variant.

Infertility does not discriminate—but access to care does; Breaking the Silence on Infertility, A Call for Equality in Low-Middle-Income-Countries

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

For millions of women, subfertility is not just a medical condition—it is a deeply personal struggle that affects every aspect of their lives, yet reproductive healthcare remains out of reach for many women in low-resource settings. Despite the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.7 and 3.8 advocating for universal access, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) remains a luxury few can afford. In many societies, a woman’s worth is still unfairly tied to her ability to bear children, leaving those facing infertility to endure stigma, emotional distress, and even domestic violence. Cultural beliefs and superstitions only deepen their isolation, turning what should be a shared journey into a lonely battle. Yet, hope remains. Across the world, women pray, perform rituals, and cling to faith, searching for solace in a system that often fails them. But faith alone cannot replace access to proper fertility care. On International Women's Day (IWD) 2025, we must recognize that reproductive justice is not a privilege—it is a right. Every woman, regardless of wealth or background, deserves access to fertility treatments. It is time to ensure that all women’s reproductive choices are supported, respected, and truly their own.