Articles

Purpose: The role of healthcare workers in cervical cancer prevention is pivotal because healthcare workers’ recommendations have been reported to be a key motivational factor for cervical cancer screening among women in Nigeria. Assessing their knowledge, attitudes, and practices on cervical cancer prevention is necessary.Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional survey involving healthcare workers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A questionnaire designed for the study was used to obtain data about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the healthcare workers. Logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of practice and a p - value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results: Out of 188 participants that completed the study, 165(90.7%) had good knowledge about the prevention of cervical cancer while 24(13.2%) had good practice concerning the prevention of cervical cancer. positive attitude (Odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.14 - 1.35, p < 0.001) increased the odds of good practice.Conclusion: There was no association between the knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and the practice of the healthcare workers. Further research is required to explore the incongruence between knowledge and practice of cervical cancer prevention and its practice.

This study examines the intricate interplay among poverty, unemployment, education, and rural-urban migration in Nigeria, employing both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, computing descriptive and inferential statistics such as regression analysis. Quantitative findings reveal income inequality, with many individuals earning below average. Education emerges as a key determinant of economic opportunities, with higher education associated with better outcomes. Moreover, poverty and unemployment exhibit a strong positive correlation with adverse outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Qualitative insights delve into the motivations behind rural-urban migration, shedding light on the economic drivers compelling individuals to seek opportunities in urban areas. Participants’ narratives uncover the challenges faced by migrants, from housing to accessing essential services. Additionally, the role of remittances in sustaining sending communities is highlighted, underscoring their significance. This study underscores the multidimensionality of poverty, unemployment, and migration and emphasizes the need for holistic, evidence-based approaches to promote inclusive development. Recommendations include investments in education, job creation, social safety nets, income inequality reduction, and support for migrant integration. These measures can contribute to equitable economic growth and improved well-being in Nigeria.

Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. It is one of the most common single-gene disorders with an incidence rate of approximately 1 in 10,000 live births. The clinical manifestations are progressive hypotonia and muscle weakness due to the degeneration of alpha neurons in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and motor nuclei in the lower brain stem. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, SMA has five subtypes. Supportive measures can be offered for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal complications. Carrier testing for all couples is recommended and this can be done by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). Prenatal diagnosis can be offered to carrier couples. Therapies must be given within the newborn period for maximum benefit and before the loss of motor neurons. It is achieved by identifying the SMA babies through Newborn screening. Several new FDA-approved drugs can reduce the progression of symptoms in SMA. However, they cannot offer a definite cure. Clinical follow-up and Neurological assessment demonstrate that SMA children can attain developmental milestones after receiving treatment, which is never normally attained in untreated cases. In utero SMA treatment with Zolgensma would enhance the survival rate and favorable neurological outcomes in the future. Base editing and Gene editing with CRISPR-Cas technologies to target the mutations and restore functional and stable SMN protein levels are the future hopes for a permanent cure of SMA.

The authors are searchers in psychopathology and communicate here about the dead wishes in relation to euthanasia. In Europe, the question comes regularly up to know if the law should be changed concerning the prohibition of euthanasia. The health system obeys progressively a modern idea of comfort and the “good life”. The authors are psychotherapists and their methodology is based mainly on phenomenological psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychopathology. Statistics of the French Ministry of Health will support their statements. Different clinical experiences with young patients, aging patients, or near-to-death patients are crossed and compared to those marked by heavy experiences like rape or amputation. The unbearable nature of their suffering makes them ask frequently to stop the pain. They would prefer being dead. This contribution examinates this kind of demand to find a helpful position for the caregiver and the patient. We should consider that near-death patients may often be at the climax of anxiety and depression is likely to switch over to dementia. In asking to finish with life, this purpose may change one day to another – sometimes it just highlights the wish to see things changed. The position of society and the medical staff has a high influence as well. Asking for euthanasia shows the variety of the same words that have different meanings from a medical, psychological, or psychopathological viewpoint. The purpose is to consider these aspects with the patient’s demand.

Stevia is a natural sweetener that has gained attention as a potential sugar substitute for glycemic control and weight management. Extensive research has shown that high sugar consumption is linked to obesity, dental caries, and other health issues. Stevia, derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, offers sweetness without calories and has a favorable glycemic profile. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in regulating blood glucose levels and reducing overall sugar and caloric intake. Consumer attitudes suggest a positive reception of Stevia as a sugar substitute among health-conscious individuals. However, further research is needed to understand its long-term effects and consumer sentiments. Future investigations should prioritize human clinical trials, targeted studies in diabetic populations, and exploration of Stevia’s interaction with gut microbiota, among other aspects. Stevia shows promise as a health-conscious alternative in glycemic control and weight management.

Background: Prophylactic dental procedures following implant placement are critical to the long-term success of implants and are also dependent on the patient maintaining effective home care.Purpose: Evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive measures in patients with diabetes during long periods after prosthetic treatment with implants.Materials and methods: The study included 62 patients with diabetes with edentulism using 146 dental implants. Patients underwent constant monitoring, including regular occupational hygiene during follow-up examinations. Their frequency was set individually from 2 to 4 times A clinical index including Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Probing Depth (PD), and Marginal Bone Loss (MBL). Results: In patients included in the preventive protocol after 12 months, the mean BOP was 1.4 ± 0.15, and PPD was 2.46 ± 0.42. After 12 months in patients mean MBL was 0.72 ± 0.6 mm, after 3 years MBL was 1.24 ± 0.25 mm. For patients who were excluded from preventive services after 12 months, the mean BOP 1.9 ± 0.25, and the mean PPD was 3.56 ± 0.28). After 12 months in patients mean MBL was 0.87 ± 0.7 mm, after 3 years MBL was 1.52 ± 0.32 mm (p > 05). Compared to persons enrolled in the preventive protocol, those in the group without services were more likely to develop peri-implantitis (42.4% vs. 12,6%). The survival rate of implants after 3 years was 98.4%. The survival rate of implants in those patients who were excluded from preventive services after 3 years was 95.4%.Conclusion: For patients with diabetes, regular medical examinations, accompanied by professional oral hygiene procedures, prevent the development of negative reactions of the soft tissues surrounding the implant.

A 43-year-old man presented to the emergency department with syncope following hematemesis. He gave the history of melena for 3 days.

The incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to rise, and obesity continues to be a predominant comorbid condition affecting patients with HFpEF. Recent research sheds light on the important pathophysiologic role that obesity plays in the development of HFpEF, with many areas of opportunity existing for future developments in understanding the etiology and management of the disease. Crucial in these pathophysiologic developments are studies that clearly characterize the obesity phenotype in HFpEF and compare it to presentations of HFpEF in patients without obesity. This paper reviews the existing literature on the obesity phenotype within HFpEF and discusses some of the prevailing ideas behind the pathophysiologic interplay between the conditions, as well as the existing treatments demonstrating improved outcomes in HFpEF.

Background: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) pain attributed to myalgia is a common condition and patients should get advice on the best treatment option. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the effect of two different exercise programs, or bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with chronic frequent primary myofascial orofacial pain. Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial including patients fulfilling criteria of chronic frequent primary myofascial orofacial pain with a reported pain intensity of ≥ 4 on a numerical rating scale (0-10). Ninety subjects were randomized to either bite splint, home exercises, or a supervised exercise program. Two examiners blinded to the treatment modality examined the same subject at baseline and a 3-month follow-up. Non-parametric statistical methods were applied for the outcome of treatment in intended-to-treat analyses. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The pain severity index was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in all treatment groups. Jaw opening capacity improved significantly (p < 0.05) for those randomized to bite splint and for those in the home exercise program. About 70% of the participants reported improvement in their TMD pain severity with no significant difference between treatments. Both exercise groups improved in jaw function at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline. Those who had a bite splint reported significantly more improvement in their headaches compared to those in the exercise programs. Conclusion: Jaw exercise programs and bite splint treatments had similar positive effects on TMD pain severity attributed to myalgia after 3 months.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global crisis, straining healthcare systems and leaving us with limited options to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This retrospective, cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of antibiotic resistance patterns among urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Al-Shifa Hospital’s medical departments in comparison with non-medical departments using data from microbiology laboratory archives over a one-year period. From the examined urine cultures about 25% were obtained from internal medicine departments and double the number was obtained from non-medical departments. The positive rate was around 35% and about two-thirds of the samples were collected from female patients. Among all departments, Enterobacteriaceae spp. were found to be the most frequently isolated uropathogens, accounting for 80% of cases. However, resistance rates varied depending on the specific organism and antibiotic used. For instance, E. coli showed a resistance rate of only 5% against meropenem, while amoxicillin-clavulanic acid exhibited a resistance rate exceeding 95%.Importantly, the study revealed a significant disparity in resistance rates between medical and non-medical departments, specifically concerning third-generation cephalosporins. In internal medicine departments, resistance rates were alarmingly high, with cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime showing resistance rates of 75%, 75% and 66.5% respectively. In contrast, non-medical departments displayed lower resistance rates, approximately 60%, 60% and 40%, respectively.In summary, this research sheds light on the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance in UTIs and emphasizes the discrepancy in resistance rates between medical and non-medical departments. Urgent efforts are required to address this issue and find effective solutions to prevent the rise of untreatable bacterial infections.