Millennium development goals-knowledge and attainability as perceived by doctors: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: To audit the knowledge of doctors and evaluate their disposition toward the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured questionnaires requesting information about knowledge of the acronym "MDGs" were administered on willing doctors at three tertiary health centers: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and Federal Medical Centre, Yola. Data were analyzed using frequency tables and simple statistical methods. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three doctors participated in the study, comprising 65 (35.5%) from Bida, 18 (9.8%) from Yola, and 100 (54.7%) from Ilorin, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 (P < 0.05). Thirty-nine respondents (21.3%) had no fore kowledge of MDG (P < 0.05). Only 77 (42.1%) of the respondents who had fore knowledge of "MDG" knew the number of goals to be eight (P < 0.05). Among those who had fore knowledge of MDG, only 34 comprising 15 (10.4%, Bida), 1 (0.7%, Yola), and 18 (12.5%, Ilorin) could correctly list a minimum of four of the MDGs (P < 0.05). Only 12 (8.3%) of the respondents believed that the MDGs are very achievable. CONCLUSION: There is an absolute need for more elaborate publicity on the MDGs among doctors as they are key players if attaining the MDGs is to be a reality.

Ultrasound findings in amenorrhoeic women with vaginal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY: To document sonographically identifiable causes of vaginal bleeding in secondarily amenorrhoeic women of child bearing age. METHODS: A retrospective study of ultrasonographic findings among 102 secondarily amenorrhoeic women of childbearing age with vaginal bleeding was carried out. Ultrasound scan was carried using Siemens Sonoline SL1 equipment with 3.5MHz and 5.0MHz transducers RESULTS: 75(73.2%) patients had pregnancy-related conditions, 14(13.7%) had normal, non-pregnant uteri while the remaining 13 (12.8%) had other gynaecological conditions namely pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids and ovarian masses. Though pregnancy-related conditions are the major causes of vaginal bleeding in amenorrhoeic women of childbearing age, PID, fibroids and ovarian masses are possible findings. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound examination is vital in the elucidation of vaginal bleeding in amenorrhoeic women. Pregnancy related conditions are not the only significant cause of amenorrhoea complicated by vaginal bleeding.

Current views on ultrasonography in the management of pyogenic liver abscess-challenge to practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa.

The aim of this review of the recent literature on the current practice in the management of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is to highlight the important roles radiological procedures, particularly ultrasonography (US) now play in it. US equipment is now widely available in many African nations, yet not much is being done to embrace this current line of management. This is evidenced by the dearth of published work in this area from especially sub-Saharan Africa. It is being suggested that general surgeons and radiologists in this region collaborate more to reduce the cost of treating all cases by operations.

Sonographic diagnosis of congenital brain malformations: the Ilorin experience.

A retrospective study was done to determine the incidence of congenital malformation of the brain among African infants over a 5 year period. Transfontanelle ultrasound (US) was performed on 98 infants consisting of 45 males and 53 females. The mean age was 2.6 months (range 1-11 months). Congenital malformation was present in 25.5% of the 98 cases studied, most of which were associated with hydrocephalus. Cerebral aqueduct stenosis was the commonest congenital anomaly encountered and was found in 24% of case. This study shows that transfontanelle US is a useful tool for diagnosis of congenital brain malformations in infants.

Transfontanelle ultrasonography: an invaluable tool in the assessment of the infant brain.

Transfontanelle (cranial) ultrasonography was carried out in 98 Nigerian infants over a period of 5 years. Of the infants, 38 (38.8%) had hydrocephalus from various causes while 26 (25.5%) had congenital anomalies. As ultrasound equipment is becoming a more readily available and affordable tool in the developing countries, it should become much easier for medical staff in these countries to arrive at the correct diagnosis of intracranial diseases in infants.

An appraisal of the radiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis in Ilorin.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains a disease of serious socio-economic and public health importance in Nigeria. This study was carried out to appraise its radiological features with the aim of identifying any changes or new patterns. The chest radiographs of PTB patients examined in the radiology department, UITH, Ilorin over a 5-year period from January 1995 to December 1999 were studied. There were 423 patients including 47 children (0-14 years). Adults of working age (21-60 years) were more affected. There was a female preponderance. The most common radiological features were cavity formation, streaky opacities, reticulonodular opacities and nodular opacities. These features often occurred together in same patients and more usually bilaterally. However, where cavity formation was unilateral, it was more on the left side. In childhood disease, hilar lymphadenopathy, bronchopneumonia and pleural fluid collection were the most common. Cavity formation in children was equally frequent in the 0-5 years and the 6-10 years age groups. The chest radiograph remains an important tool in the diagnosis of PTB. The major radiological features remain the same but the patterns of sex distribution and cavity formation are probably changing. Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis; radiological features.