PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O Oviawe

Publications and source records attributed to O Oviawe.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Is childhood asthma underdiagnosed and undertreated?

Underdiagnosis of asthma may lead to inappropriate management including undertreatment, and consequently to high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed at determining the rates of diagnosis and treatment of childhood asthma among medical practitioners. Relevant information on 45 asthmatic children was collected using pre-tested questionnaires. There were 30 (66.7%) males and 15 (33.3%) females (M:F, 2:1). Mean age, average ages for onset of symptoms and diagnosis of asthma were 9.4 years, 1.8 years and 6.6 years respectively. An average of 4 previous medical consultations were undertaken for asthma symptoms, but only 11 (24.4%) cases were labeled as asthma. Alternative diagnostic labels including allergy, bronchitis (wheezy), pneumonia (chest infection), and tuberculosis, were used in 29 (64.4%). Five (11.1%) cases were unlabelled. Alternative labeling for asthma was associated with frequent usage of non-bronchodilator medications including antihistamines, antibiotics, antituberculous drugs, cough mixtures, and herbal concoctions. Only 15 (33.3%) cases received bronchodilators, rarely prescribed regularly in the absence of asthma label. This study reveals low diagnosis and treatment rates for asthma, emphasising the need to audit the management of childhood asthma among medical practitioners, with the view of providing information.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Trend in childhood tuberculosis in Benin City, Nigeria.

In order to determine the trend in childhood tuberculosis, case records of children diagnosed and treated for tuberculosis between January 1981 and December 1995 at the paediatric tuberculosis clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital were reviewed. Of 8,829 paediatric medical cases, 1,026 (11.6%) were managed as tuberculosis. The proportion of tuberculosis cases increased steadily over the study period from 6.9% in 1981 to 22.1% in 1995. An apparent decrease in the number of cases in 1985 (6.6%) was attributable to a strike by medical personnel. The clinical pattern of tuberculosis during the study period shifted toward the adult type with disseminated and cavitating lesions predominating in later years. Additionally, the severity of the disease increased with the incidence of both haemoptysis and finger clubbing increasing from 1.6% in 1981 to 14.2% and 18.2%, respectively, in 1995. Possible reasons for these findings include increased prevalence of malnutrition in childhood, increasing tuberculosis in the adult population and the effects of HIV/AIDS.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Haemorrheological changes in asthmatic Nigerian children.

A total of 73 children, 25 asthmatic patients in stable state, 23 in crisis state and 25 controls, nonasthmatic healthy individuals, age matched were studied. Relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and whole blood viscosity (RWBV) and fibrinogen levels were estimated. There were no significant differences between the controls and the stable asthmatic patients in any of the parameters measured. The fibrinogen concentration (p < 0.025), RPV and RWBV (p < 0.02) in asthmatic patients during an attack were significantly different from the respective values in the controls and the stable asthmatic patients. We conclude that hyperviscosity and hyperfibrinogenaemia may contribute to bronchitis and tissue damage during an asthmatic attack.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The problem of non-attendance at a paediatric tuberculosis outpatient clinic.

A total of 146 children receiving treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over a 5-year period were studied in order to determine the pattern of attendance, factors responsible for non-completion of treatment and the health status of non-attenders. There were 70 (48%) non-attenders and the mean duration of treatment before default was 20 weeks (range: 4-60). The factors mitigating against treatment completion included low maternal education level, disruptive family events and equating disappearance of the tuberculosis symptoms with cure of the disease. Of the non-attenders, 51 (72.9%) practised self-medication with the anti-tuberculosis drugs, often given intermittently and beyond the period otherwise allowable. Nineteen of the 70 patients who defaulted still had major health problems at the time of home visit. Of these, five were later hospitalized while the others were given fresh appointments. We conclude that supervision of treatment at home will minimize non-attendance but at the moment this service is not available at the study locale because of inadequate resources and the magnitude of the tuberculosis problem.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1988

Polypharmacy: its cost burden and barrier to medical care in a drug-oriented health care system.

In order to determine the economic and therapeutic implications of the prescriber habit in a drug-oriented health care system, data were collected on the provisional diagnosis, prescribed drugs, and their cost and procurement pattern among 1450 pediatric outpatients in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. It was found that on average, about five drugs were prescribed for each patient, and there was a tendency to prescribe more expensive and sometimes unnecessary drugs. The more the number or higher the cost of drugs prescribed, the less patients procured them. It is therefore recommended that health care authorities and physicians in similar settings should review their drug policies and prescribing habits in order to discourage polypharmacy and the high cost of chemotherapy, with their attendant barrier to medical care.

Child↗
PubMed1986

The changing pattern of post-partum sexual abstinence in a Nigerian rural community.

With a structured interview schedule, this study surveyed the pattern of post-partum sexual abstinence in a Nigerian rural community where facilities for active contraception were absent. It was found that the younger generation observed significantly shorter abstinence period (P less than 0.01). Without contraception, the resultant increased period of sexual contact among couples may considerably raise the fertility of the population. The need for family planning services is therefore indicated, preferably integrated into primary health care programmes designed to reach rural communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Pneumatocoeles associated with pneumonia: incidence and clinical course in Nigerian children.

One hundred and twenty cases of pneumatocoele, admitted, treated and followed-up at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in 1981 are presented. Radiologically the pneumatocoele cases were associated with either the bronchopneumonic or lobar/segmental pattern of pneumonia. There were significant differences between these patterns in respect of the time of occurrence, size and number of pneumatocoeles and associated bacterial agents. The contribution of measles infection to the development of pneumatocoele is noted. Although the ultimate course of pneumatocoele was towards spontaneous resorption, the process was slow in most of our patients. This was attributed to the poor nutritional status of the majority of them.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prescriber performance in a paediatric general practice clinic of a university teaching hospital.

In order to assess prescriber performance at a general practice clinic of a University Teaching Hospital, the medical records on and the prescription given to patients less than 16 years of age were studied. Performance was assessed on the basis of the diagnosis, suitability of the drugs prescribed, their dosage, duration, combination and cost. Prescription was inappropriate in 74.3% of cases and the prescribers indulged in polypharmacy, unnecessary and extravagant prescribing of drugs in suboptimal dosage. Establishment of drug prescription/utilization committee, and hospital drug formulary, coupled with frequent evaluation of the prescribers are suggested means of enhancing prescriber performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Orbitocephalic metastases from neuroblastoma: report on three cases.

Three unusual cases of Neuroblastoma with metastasis to the skull and orbit are presented. The bizarre clinical features which make diagnosis and subsequent management difficult are highlighted, suggesting the need for a multi-disciplinary approach.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗