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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Major burn injuries are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reports of improved outcome in developed countries may not reflect the situation in developing nations despite efforts at improving burn care. We aimed at evaluating yearly trends in burn injury outcome. The study was a retrospective study of patients who presented with burn injuries from 2011 - 2021. Information obtained included biographic data, injury characteristics, trends and determinants of outcome. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29. A total of 866 patients were recorded with yearly average of 78.72. Incidence and severity of injury increased over the years. Some more current practices were yet to be adopted at the center. Most common complications were sepsis and renal failure. Trends of outcome measures were not consistent. Average maximum TBSA salvaged was 62.32 ±12.13 (41- 81), mean mortality rate was 15.16 ± 10.00 (0 - 36.23), mean LA50 was 55.25 ± 19.05 (37.36 - 95.91) while average mean TBSA in those that died was 68.37 ±10.71 (50 – 88). Age, gender, dressing agents, TBSA, inhalation and depth of injury had variable but significant effects on outcome. Adopting more current practices will improve outcome but requires funds and support.
Original Research Article
Effect of Biomass Smoke Pollutants on Respiratory Health of Food Vendors in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria
Abdullahi O. Amali, U. Loskurima, Jamila A. Idrisa, Hadiza U. Muktar, A. Hammangabdo, A. A. Hassan, Musa D. Musa, A. Abba, M. Lawan, M. Muhammad, Z. Zakariyya, I. Chiroma, B. Bakki
East African Scholars J Med Surg; 2025; 7(8): 221-232
https://doi.org/10.36349/easjms.2025.v07i08.006
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21 Downloads | Aug. 16, 2025
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic exposure to biofuel smoke from biomass fuels like wood and charcoal poses major respiratory health risks, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Commercial food vendors in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria, often use these fuels for cooking, but their respiratory health effects are under-researched. Objective: This study examined the association between exposure to biofuel pollutants (PM2.5, CO, CO2, NO2, VOCs) and respiratory symptoms and lung function among commercial food vendors compared to controls without biomass smoke exposure. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 195 adult food vendors and 195 matched controls. Air pollutants were measured during peak cooking hours using portable sensors at vendor workplaces and control sites. Respiratory symptoms were assessed using the Modified Medical Research Council questionnaire; ventilatory function was measured by spirometry (PEF, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC). Logistic regression and correlation analyses assessed pollutant effects. Results: Vendors were exposed to significantly higher median levels of PM2.5 (162 vs. 14 µg/m³), CO (36 vs. 2 ppm), CO2 (836 vs. 580 ppm), and VOCs (908 vs. 139 ppb) compared to controls (p < 0.001); NO2 levels were similar. PM2.5 exposure was significantly linked to increased odds of dyspnoea (OR=1.018; p=0.002). CO exposure correlated with cough (OR=1.043; p=0.051) and phlegm (OR=1.056; p=0.034). Lung function measures (PEF, FEV1, FVC) correlated positively with PM2.5 but negatively with CO2. Oxygen saturation did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Commercial food vendors in Maiduguri experience high biofuel pollutant exposure associated with increased respiratory symptoms and altered lung function, underscoring the urgent need for interventions to reduce occupational exposure.
Original Research Article
Respiratory Symptoms among Commercial Food Vendors Exposed to Biofuels Smoke in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria
Abdullahi O. Amali, U. Loskurima, Jamila A. Idrisa, Hadiza U. Muktar, A. Hammangabdo, Abdul F. H. Alhaji, Musa D. Musa, A. Abba, M. Lawan, M. Muhammad, Z. Zakariyya, I. Chiroma, B. Bakki
East African Scholars J Med Surg; 2025; 7(8): 213-220
https://doi.org/10.36349/easjms.2025.v07i08.005
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28 Downloads | Aug. 14, 2025
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Background: Biomass fuel combustion, a common practice among commercial food vendors in Nigeria, generates harmful air pollutants that may increase respiratory symptoms. This study assesses the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among food vendors exposed to biomass fuels in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria, compared to unexposed controls. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study with a comparative design was conducted among 195 food vendors using biomass fuels and 195 age-, sex-, and height-matched controls in Maiduguri. Respiratory symptoms were assessed using the Modified Medical Research Council (MRC) Questionnaire. Data were collected and symptom prevalence was compared using chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Vendors exhibited significantly higher prevalence of dyspnea (54.4% vs. 14.9%, p < 0.001), cough (18.5% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.013), and phlegm (13.8% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.011) compared to controls. Other symptoms, including wheeze (5.1% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.305), nasal congestion (8.7% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.458), runny nose (11.8% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.234), itchy nose (5.1% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.354), and sneezing (7.7% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.192), were more frequent among vendors but not statistically significant. Conclusion: Food vendors exposed to biomass fuels in Maiduguri experience a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, particularly dyspnea, cough, and phlegm, compared to controls.
Original Research Article
Impact of Biofuel Smoke on Ventilatory Function among Food Vendors Exposed to Biomass in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria
Abdullahi O. Amali, U. Loskurima, Jamila A. Idrisa, Hadiza U. Muktar, A. Hammangabdo, Abdul F. H. Alhaji, Musa D. Musa, A. Abba, M. Lawan, M. Muhammad, Z. Zakariyya, I. Chiroma, B. Bakki
East African Scholars J Med Surg; 2025; 7(8): 204-212
https://doi.org/10.36349/easjms.2025.v07i08.004
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39 Downloads | Aug. 14, 2025
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic exposure to biofuel smoke is a major risk factor for respiratory impairment in developing countries, yet its impact on ventilatory function and the role of exposure duration remain understudied in Northeast Nigeria. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate ventilatory function parameters and the effect of exposure duration on lung function among commercial food vendors exposed to biofuel smoke in Maiduguri, Nigeria, compared to controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 182 food vendors using biofuels and 185 age-, sex-, and height-matched controls. Spirometry measured peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. Ventilatory defects (obstructive/restrictive) were defined using Global Lung Function Initiative Lower Limit of Normal criteria (LLN). Exposure duration was assessed via questionnaire. Groups were compared using t-tests and chi-square tests, with Pearson’s correlation for exposure duration and lung function, at p<0.05. Results: Vendors exhibited significantly lower PEF (5.95 ± 1.17 vs. 6.49 ± 1.12 L/s, p<0.001), FEV1 (2.39 ± 0.49 vs. 2.65 ± 0.49 L, p<0.001), FVC (3.10 ± 0.49 vs. 3.39 ± 0.54 L, p<0.001), and FEV1/FVC (76.72 ± 5.44% vs. 78.30 ± 4.26%, p=0.002) than controls. Obstructive defects were observed in 8.2% of vendors vs. 4.3% of controls (p=0.13); restrictive defects in 1.6% vs. 0.5% (p=0.34). Exposure duration negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC (r=-0.23, p=0.002). Conclusion: Biofuel smoke exposure impairs ventilatory function, with longer exposure exacerbating airflow limitation, highlighting the need for occupational health interventions in Nigeria.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: A good postoperative outcome of cataract surgery requires a precise biometric measurement; hence, accurate preoperative measurements of the eye are essential to achieving the desired postoperative refractive result. This study assessed the effect of pupillary dilatation on ocular biometry and intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Method: A prospective study was performed on eighty eyes of 69 patients scheduled for cataract surgery. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), flat keratometry (K1), steep K (K2), average keratometry reading (average K), Lens thickness (LT), Intraocular lens (IOL) power were measured, before and after pupil dilatation using Apamide plus (Tropicamide 1% Phenylephrine 2.5%. Intraocular lens (IOL) power was calculated using the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff/Theoretical (SRK/T) and Haigis formulae integrated in the ultrasound Tomey Biometer AL-100. We compared the ocular parameters before and after pupil dilatation. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in mean post-dilatation ACD and a decrease in mean post-dilatation LT in all patients, in comparison to mean pre-dilatation measurements (p. < 0.05). IOL power calculation using SRK/T and Haigis formula was not affected by pupillary dilatation. However, in all 3 groups of AL, only group 2 (AL) had a statistically significant increase in mean post-dilatation in ACD, in comparison to mean pre-dilatation measurements (p. < 0.05). Conclusions: Pupillary dilatation significantly affected biometry readings like ACD and LT but did not influence keratometry readings, AL and IOL Calculation formulae SRK/T and Haigis.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronary artery disease ("CAD") is the most frequent kind of cardiovascular disease and one of the primary causes of morbidity and death in different cultures. Several risk factors for this condition have been found so far. For many years, researchers have researched problems such as old age, gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, higher body mass index, and a good family history. Various research on the risk factors for this illness have shown disparate and conflicting findings, suggesting that achieving a consistent and rational reaction might aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Although identifying risk factors has the potential to lower CAD dramatically. Several genes and associated proteins have been recognized in relation to cardiovascular illness. The purpose of this research was to identify and compare the expression of the VEGF gene in the positive angiography and control groups. Method: The target group is 20 people, 10 of whom are healthy and 10 of whom have cardiovascular disease who undergo angiography. In this work, RNA was extracted from the samples, cDNA was produced, and Real Time PCR was used to quantify and qualitatively measure gene expression. SPSS was used to do statistical analysis. Considered significant was a significance level of.05. Results: Based on quantitative data obtained from Real Time PCR, VEGF expression was significantly increased in the angio-positive group compared to the "control group" (P <0.05). Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between demographic factors Current smoker, DM, HTN, Education level, Male, Age and vascular stenosis (P> 0.05) There was also a significant relationship between biochemical factors LDL-C, HDL-c, Triglyceride, Total cholesterol, No FBS and stenosis (P> 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the expression of VEGF in people with coronary artery disease is statistically significantly increased. It also showed that coronary arter
ABSTRACT
Arachnoid cysts are benign lesions that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These lesions usually develop gradually and asymptomatic, however they can sometimes become symptomatic due to cyst expansion or intracystic hemorrhage. The current article explores a rare case of an arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa in a 36-year old male. The patient has been pleasing for 8 months an intracranial hypertension SD made of moderate headaches (VAS 6/10) associated with a bilateral blurred vision, complicated 4 months later by vomiting at the rate of one episode per day. The purpose of this study is to highlight the rarity of arachnoid cysts in the posterior cranial fossa and to elucidate the radiological similarities among hydatid cysts, pilocytic astrocytomas, and arachnoid cysts.