Electroencephalographic Findings in Patients Referred for Electroencephalogram in a University Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Background: Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a valuable investigation for the assessment of patients with seizures and some other neuropsychiatric disorders. The literature is scanty of reports describing its application and usefulness in Nigerian patients. In this study we analyzed the EEG records of a series of patients who were referred with various provisional diagnoses. Materials and Methods: EEG records of the entire 200 consecutive cases referred from various clinics within and outside a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria during a 1 year period were analyzed. Information on biodemographic data; clinical description of symptoms and provisional diagnosis made by referring physicians and the EEG diagnosis were obtained from the records. Results: Most of the attendees were aged between 10 years and 29 years (59.5) and mostly males (63.5). About 80 of the attendees had received a provisional diagnosis of seizure disorder (generalized and partial). The EEG diagnosis of seizure disorder accounted for 75; normal EEG record accounted for 21 and organic brain disorder accounted for 4 of all EEG diagnosis. Generalized seizure disorder was the commonest seizure type by EEG diagnosis (50). There was a significant association between the provisional diagnosis and EEG diagnosis (P 0.05). Conclusion: Most of the patients referred for the EEG had their reports consistent with clinical suspicion. EEG was found to be a useful tool in the evaluation of seizures and organic brain disorder in our study

The perception of family function by adolescents with epilepsy in a rural nigerian community.

The family plays a significant role in epilepsy management in sub-Saharan Africa and how this role is perceived by persons with epilepsy could influence epilepsy outcomes. The objective of the study was to assess perception of family function by adolescents with epilepsy (AWE). The sociodemographic and epilepsy characteristics of AWE in a rural Nigerian community were assessed and the Family APGAR tool was used in assessing their perception of satisfaction with family functioning. Adolescents (n = 1708) constituted 26% of the community's population and 18 (10.5/1000) had epilepsy. The AWE age range was 11-19 years (mean 16.7 ± 2.6 years) with a male preponderance (15, 83.3%). The family was the only source of care. Family dysfunction (Family APGAR Score <7) was indicated by 15 (83.3%) of the AWE. The strongest perception of family function was in adaptability while the weakest was with growth. The indication of family dysfunction was significant (P<0.05) in the older (age 14-19 years) AWE when compared with the younger AWE (11-13 years) in the study. Most of the AWE indicated living in a dysfunctional family setting. The study highlights the need to address the role of the family in the provision of comprehensive epilepsy care.

Health Care Seeking Behavior among Caregivers of Sick Children Who Had Cerebral Malaria in Northwestern Nigeria.

Cerebral malaria is a significant cause of childhood morbidity in our region. The challenges of effective management include time and quality of treatment. The study appraised the health care seeking behavior of caregivers of sick children who developed cerebral malaria, in Zaria, northwestern Nigeria. Caregivers indentified were parents 29 (87.9%) and grandparents 4 (12.1%). Most of them were in the upper social classes. Health care options utilized before presentation at our facility were formal health facility 24 (72.7%), patent medicine seller 12 (36.4%), home treatment 10 (30.3%), and herbal concoction 6 (18.2%) with majority 24 (72.7%) using more than one option. Antimalarial therapy was instituted in 25 (75.6%) of the cases. Mortality was significantly associated with the use of herbal concoction, treatment at a formal health facility and patent medicine seller, multiple convulsions, age less than 5 years, and noninstitution of antimalarial therapy before presentation. The study showed use of inappropriate health care options by caregivers and highlighted the need to pursue an awareness drive among caregivers on the use of health care options.

Patent medicine sellers: how can they help control childhood malaria?

Roll Back Malaria Initiative encourages participation of private health providers in malaria control because mothers seek care for sick children from them. This study investigated Patent Medicine Sellers (PMS) management of presumptive malaria in children in order to identify how they can assist malaria control. A cross-sectional survey of 491 PMS in Kaduna, Nigeria, was done using interviews and observation of shop activities. Most (80%) customers bought drugs without prescriptions. Only 29.5% were given instructions about doses. Between 40-100% doses of recommended antimalarials were incorrect. Some (22%) PMS did not ask questions about illness for which they were consulted. Most children treated in shops received injections. PMS facilitate homecare but have deficiencies in knowledge and practice. Interventions must focus on training them to accurately determine doses, give advice about drug administration, use oral medication, and ask about illness. Training should be made a prerequisite for registering and reregistering shops.