Journal of Medicine in Africa

Inter-Individual Variability In Pain Among Healthy African Volunteers: Experimental Evidence

A.H. Umar — 2025-03-30

BACKGROUND:

Pain, either clinical or experimental, is characterised by a high degree of inter- individual variability, associated with environmental, physiological and genetic factors. This study was designed to investigate sex and ethnic differences in pain perception and the roles of serum glutamate and serotonin concentrations on experimental pain responses among healthy Nigerian adult population.

METHODS/SUBJECTS:

One hundred and sixty-one (161) apparently healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 to 65 years were recruited for the study. Experimental pain was induced using ischaemic pain tests and pressure pain. Glutamate and serotonin were analysed in serum by ELISA.

RESULTS

The result showed that experimental pressure and ischaemic pain thresholds were significantly higher in males than in females. Male subjects were found to have lower serum glutamate concentration than females. Serum glutamate concentration was found to correlate positively with pressure pain threshold, while serum serotonin concentration was found to correlate negatively with ischaemic pain tolerance.

CONCLUSION:

Perception of experimentally induced pressure and ischaemic pain among healthy adult Nigerian subjects showed variation by sex. There is a positive correlation between serum glutamate and experimental pressure pain threshold, and a negative correlation between serum serotonin and experimental ischaemic pain tolerance.

Relationship Between Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Velocities And Sickle Cell Severity

L.C. Ezeuko — 2025-03-30

INTRODUCTION

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a chronic haemolytic state associated with recurrent blood transfusions, infections and its attendant complications. Vasocclusion results in the narrowing of the major cerebral blood vessel which predisposes children with SCA to the development of multisystem complications. Cerebral blood flow velocity can be assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound and the sickle cell disease severity can be assessed using scoring system by Adegoke and Kuti adopted for use in Nigeria for disease severity. The study compared the relationship between cerebral artery blood flow velocities (CBFV) and sickle cell disease severity in SCA children aged 2-16 years seen at Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo state.

METHODS

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a chronic haemolytic state associated with recurrent blood transfusions, infections and its attendant complications. Vasocclusion results in the narrowing of the major cerebral blood vessel which predisposes children with SCA to the development of multisystem complications. Cerebral blood flow velocity can be assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound and the sickle cell disease severity can be assessed using scoring system by Adegoke and Kuti adopted for use in Nigeria for disease severity. he study compared the relationship between cerebral artery blood flow velocities (CBFV) and sickle cell disease severity in SCA children aged 2-16 years seen at Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri, Imo state.

RESULTS

A total of 102 subjects out of the 150 enrolled patients were screened within the study period. The values obtained from this procedure were categorized as abnormal (≥200cm/s), conditional (170 – 199cm/s) and normal or standard risk (< 170cm/s). Children with abnormal blood velocities are at high risk for CVA while children whose velocities fall within the conditional range are at moderate risk for CVAs. The prevalence of abnormal cerebral blood flow velocity of above 170cm/second was 17.6% (13.7% was at conditional risk zone and 3.9% at high risk zone). All the subjects at high risk zone were aged 2-6 years and 75% females. Ninety participants (88.2%) had mild disease while the remaining 12(11.8%) had moderately severe disease. None of the patients had a severe disease. Majority of those with mild disease had high risk for a CVA.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of abnormal cerebral blood flow velocity in SCA children is 17.6%. Identification of subjects at risk for a CVA although with a mild disease scores helped in primary prevention by prompt therapy institution.

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Sexual Harassment Among Female Undergraduate Students Of A Tertiary Institution In Sokoto State, Nigeria

A. Shehu — 2025-03-30

INTRODUCTION

Sexual harassment has become a public health problem in higher institutions globally. Females are more vulnerable, considered weak and given less attention hence have lower voices. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with sexual harassment among female undergraduates in a tertiary institution in Sokoto State.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 232 female undergraduates in Sokoto between March and April 2021. The respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured self- administered questionnaire (ODK). Descriptive statistics was done, as well as inferential statistics to determine significant association (p<0.05).

RESULTS

The lifetime and current prevalence of sexual harassment among the respondents were 44.8% and 26.7% respectively. Education funding (p=0.004) and Employment status (p=0.001) were significantly associated with current sexual harassment while tribe was significantly associated with lifetime sexual harassment (p=0.026). Female students who were unemployed were ≈6 times more likely to experience sexual harassment (SH) compared to students who were employed (OR = 5.744 [C.I = 2.015, 16.368]). Female students who were Hausa/Fulani were ≈3 times less likely to experience sexual harassment compared to female students of other tribes (OR = 0.399 [C.I = 0.200, 0.798]).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a high lifetime and current prevalence of sexual harassment among respondents. Employment status and tribe were the predictors of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment awareness campaigns should be conducted by student associations and the school authority to enlighten/empower the students periodically.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Presenting With Atypical Symptoms In Children- Challenges Of Diagnosis In Sub-Saharan Africa: Two Case Reports

Moses Ikobah Jonah — 2025-03-30

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the involuntary retrograde movement of gastric contents across the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) into the oesophagus which is associated with inconvenient symptoms or complications. It is prevalent all over the world but more has been reported in developed countries than in developing countries. This is a report of two cases of GERD in children involving a preterm neonate and an adolescent who presented to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital with non-specific symptoms. The preterm neonate had repeated apnoea and failure to thrive while the adolescent presented with non-cardiac chest pain and abdominal pain. With review by the Paediatric Gastroenterologist, diagnosis of GERD was made and treatment commenced. Both patients showed significant improvement in their symptoms; the preterm gained weight and the apnoea stopped, while the adolescent no longer had the chest pain and abdominal pain. These two cases show that there is the need for a high index of suspicion among Paediatricians who see children with non- specific symptoms such as non-cardiac chest pain, failure to thrive and apnoea in the newborn and to refer them to the Paediatric gastroenterologists timely for proper evaluation and treatment.

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024: A Note To Stakeholders In Health

A.K. Jimoh — 2025-03-30

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness week (WAAW) is a week-long annual event taking place between 18 to 24 November to
create (more) awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This year’s 2024 event has come and gone with the theme: ‘Educate
(stakeholders on AMR), advocate (for bold commitments) and act now (take concrete actions in response to AMR)’. Infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship (IPAC & AMS) committees of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi organized a seminar on 21st of November, 2024 at the teaching hospital’s multipurpose hall to commemorate this year’s event with a special host to a radio program in Bauchi. The lessons learned shouldn't be forgotten, this
informed the decision of members of IPAC & AMS to put it in black and white to serve as quick reminder for the stakeholders in health. It becomes necessary because the misuse of antimicrobials has reached alarming levels, with devastating consequences, including the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Shockingly, around 66% of oral antibiotics are consumed without a prescription, highlighting the urgent need for responsible antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Antimicrobial resistance occurs when pathogenic agents like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites develop mechanisms to resist the effect of antimicrobial drugs making the drugs
less effective or ineffective in treating infections. This happens when microorganisms evolve and become resistant to medications,
rendering them ineffective against infections. AMR is a stealthy but deadly threat, recognized globally as a top-ten health risk that demands urgent attention; it is a threat to control of emerging and reemerging infections contributing to approximately 5 million deaths all over the world. It threatens the successful achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as people living in poverty are facing heavy burden of infectious diseases and having to deal with the economic impact of infections that are resistant to treatment.