Diabetic retinopathy in a Nigerian community.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients attending the medical outpatient department of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. METHODS: This study was conducted between November 2007 and February 2008. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of the hospital prior to carrying out the study. 100 diabetic patients selected by simple random sampling were interviewed with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. All the respondents had fundoscopy conducted at the eye clinic with the aid of a direct ophthalmoscope. The data was collated and analysed. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents (85 percent) had type 2 diabetes mellitus, while the rest (15 percent) had type 1 diabetes mellitus. 15 percent of the respondents had varying degrees of diabetic retinopathy. The duration of diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy at a p-value of 0.002. CONCLUSION: A few of the respondents had diabetic retinopathy. There is a need to create awareness among diabetic patients on the need for routine ocular examinations.

Millennium Development Goals: an assessment of awareness and perceptions of attainability by health workers in Owo, Nigeria.

AIM: To assess the awareness of the United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by some Nigerian health workers and also their perceptions of the attainability of the goals. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Through the means of a structured questionnaire served on 92 consenting health workers selected by stratified sampling technique ,information regarding their bio data, awareness of the millennium development goals (MDGs), the duration and source of the awareness and their perception of attainability of the goals were obtained. The feasibility of attainment of the goals was rated as: very attainable, attainable, and not attainable. RESULTS: All the respondents were by then aware of the MDGs. Most of the respondents (57.6%) became aware within the preceding year, i.e., 2006; while only very few (2.2%) had been aware 6-7 years earlier (2000 and 2001). Some respondents (46.7%) got to know of MDGs through their colleagues while others (32.6%) got to know through the print and electronic media. The remaining others (20.7%) were informed through the sensitization efforts of the government and non-government agencies. The highest degree of optimism for the attainment ofMDGs were displayed largely for health related MDGs; i.e., the goals 4, 5 and 6. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Majority of the respondents were aware of MDGs. Most adjudged the attainment of MDGs feasible. The government and other stake holders should sensitize the populace, strengthen the health system and ensure equitable access to health care.

Awareness of family planning amongst antenatal patients in a nigerian community: an exploratory study.

AIM: This study aimed at determining the awareness about family planning amongst pregnant women presenting to the antenatal clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted between December, 2007 and February, 2008 at the antenatal clinic of the hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the hospital prior to commencement of the study. The information was obtained from the respondents with the aid of a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which included their bio-data, awareness and the sources of awareness about family planning .Other information obtained were reasons for family planning as well as knowledge about the different methods of family planning. The information obtained with the study instrument (questionnaire) was collated and analyzed with SPSS statistical software version 12.0.1. RESULTS: Most respondents (89%) were aware of family planning. The majority of the respondents:42 (47.2%) received information about family planning from health workers while 21(23.6%) received the information through the media. Most of the respondents (74%) knew about condom. The level of education significantly affected the awareness about family planning with a p value of 0.017. CONCLUSION: Most respondents were aware of family planning. The media should play a more prominent role in creating awareness amongst the populace about family panning.

Causes of blindness and visual impairment at the school for the blind owo, Nigeria.

AIM: This study was designed to determine the causes of blindness amongst the pupils of the School for the blind ,Owo and also identify treatable causes of blindness in the study population. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted between November and December,2007 at the School for the blind, Owo. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Committee of Federal Medical Centre, Owo prior to carrying out this study. Sixty two pupils of the School for the blind and blind students in Owo High school were enrolled in this study. The subjects were interviewed and examined by the authors with the aid of WHO'S recording form for blindness and visual impairment in children. The data obtained with the study instrument was collated and analyzed with SPSS 12.0.1. RESULTS: MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECTS: 55 (88.7%) were blind while the remaining 7 (11.3%) had low vision. Lens ranked highest amongst the anatomical sites of visual loss accounting for 24.2%,followed by retina (14.5%),optic nerve (12.9%) and glaucoma (12.9%).The main aetiological factors were intrauterine (37.1%) and hereditary factors (21%). The commonest single diagnosis was cataract (21%) followed by glaucoma (12.9%). Twenty seven respondents (43.6%) had treatable causes of blindness. CONCLUSION: The lens ranked highest amongst the anatomical sites of blindness and visual impairment. The main aetiological factors were intrauterine and hereditary factors. The commonest single diagnosis was cataract. Less than half of the respondents had treatable causes of blindness and visual impairment.