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Objectives: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) stemmed from the search of humans for other means of relieving pain and managing diseases which has plagued its existence. CAM use is on the increase among the general population in both the developed and developing nations and also among surgical patients. There is therefore a need to ascertain the perceived adverse effects, the safety perception and the determinants of its use so as to improve the advocacy for adequate regulation. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out among surgical outpatients in a tertiary hospital. One hundred and fifty patients between the ages of 18 and 85 years were recruited. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from each participant. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The lifetime prevalence of CAM use among the respondents was 76 % while the point/current prevalence was 37.3 %. The percentage of current users using CAM for surgical complaints was 30.4 %. Biological based therapy accounted for 110 (72 %) of CAM used and unbranded herbal products was responsible for more than two-third of it. Almost a third of the patients (46, 30.7 %) perceived that CAM is safe while 62 (41.3 %) were not sure of its safety. Only 15 (13.2 %) and 6 (5.3 %) have ever recorded side effects and drug interactions respectively. Older age group, income less than 10,000 Naira, positive safety perception and belief about CAM were identified as determinants of CAM usage. Conclusions: The prevalence of CAM usage among surgical outpatients was quite high and the major determinants of its use are the patient's age, safety perception and their level of income.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Reproductive health information and services are fundamental to health, well-being and opportunities for women and young people, yet throughout the world, women and youths do not have access to quality reproductive health care thereby exposing them to unplanned pregnancy, teen birth, induced abortion as well as increased exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV inclusive. This study is meant to explore the expectation of adolescents of an adolescent reproductive health services as well as to assess the experiences of those who had visited an ARHS at the centers. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional prospective study, analytic in design using a multistage sampling technique where 452 secondary school pupils in both rural and urban communities were interviewed using a pretested validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi square was used to test for association between both rural and urban adolescents in issues relating to their expectation and experiences, with p value of

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a disfiguring infective skin lesion caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. If untreated, BU may lead to extensive soft-tissue loss and other complications. The objective of this study is to highlight the challenges encountered in the diagnosis and management of a patient with BU in our hospital. The patient is a 5-year-old boy who presented with an extensive nonhealing ulcer, knee deformity, and fever. He was initially managed as a case of nonspecific ulcer. A recurrence of the ulcer with loss of part of the skin grafts a week after discharge led to the clinical suspicion of BU which was confirmed using microscopy. In South Western Nigeria, the major constraint in the management of BU includes underdiagnosing of the disease because it is not often screened for due to absence or insufficient standard diagnostic instruments dedicated for that purpose.

Background Following surgery or other types of trauma, scar formation occurs with wound healing because of the replacement of normal skin with fibrous tissue. The conversion of a normal scar to an abnormal scar usually occurs 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Abnormal scars can be a source of patient dissatisfaction, especially following cosmetic surgical procedures. Therefore, supporting scars with tape after surgery is critical for reducing scar tension. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of patients’ satisfaction with their scar outcomes following microporous taping and to identify the determinants of scar satisfaction. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to compare the scar satisfaction of postsurgical patients who underwent scar taping with microporous tape to those who did not. The scars were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery using the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS). The test group had microporous tape applied to their scars and the tape was worn 24 hours a day for a period of 6 months. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Categorical variables and mean PSAS scores were compared using the chi-square test and repeated-measures analysis of variance, respectively. Results At 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months the taped group had significantly lower PSAS scores and higher satisfaction scores than the control group. Scar thickness and pruritus were statistically significant determinants of patient satisfaction. Conclusions Microporous tape is an effective modality for improving scar satisfaction in postsurgical patients.

Abstract Background Fournier’s gangrene is an acute soft tissue necrotizing infection involving the perineum and the external genitalia which can result in a major loss of the scrotal wall with exposure of the testicles. Reconstruction of such major defect is quite challenging; the use of pedicled gracilis muscle flap helps to create an aesthetically acceptable scrotum with minimal donor site morbidity. Case presentation We described the case of a 60-year-old man with a large scrotal loss from Fournier’s gangrene following bladder outlet obstruction and perineal abscess. He had multiple debridement and reconstruction with pedicled left gracilis muscle flap with a good aesthetic and functional post-operative outcome. The major challenge encountered was the loss of the skin graft as a result of the retraction of the muscle flap due to too early ambulation; this can thus be avoided by adequate pre-operative counseling and enforcing bed rest. Conclusions The use of gracilis muscle flap in the reconstruction of large scrotal defect described in this report has the additional advantage of creating a pliable and soft feel like that of the original scrotum with minimal donor site morbidity.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is global public health crisis. Mass vaccination, until herd immunity is achieved, is one of the most effective ways of combating the deadly infectious virus. The disposition of health workers towards the AstraZeneca vaccine will most likely determine if other members of the community will be willing to get vaccinated or not. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as determine the various side effects experienced by those who have already been vaccinated. Method: Frequency tables were created, and Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their acceptance or rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine and attitude towards it. Using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, multinominal logistic regression was used to determine the key factors which influenced respondents’ decision to have the vaccine. Result: There was a statistically significant relationship between the cadre of health care workers, their tribe, and their involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients and their attitude towards the vaccine. Conclusion: Previous involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients is one of the most important determinants of health care workers' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most respondents were positive about the vaccine; however, the fear of side effects was the primary reason why those who were yet to be vaccinated, do not plan to do so. The most common side effect reported by those who had already been vaccinated, was pain at the injection site. Public awareness of the vaccine and its benefits should be increased, and the vaccine should be made available in all health care facilities.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is global public health crisis. Mass vaccination, until herd immunity is achieved, is one of the most effective ways of combating the deadly infectious virus. The disposition of health workers towards the AstraZeneca vaccine will most likely determine if other members of the community will be willing to get vaccinated or not. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as determine the various side effects experienced by those who have already been vaccinated. Method: Frequency tables were created, and Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their acceptance or rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine and attitude towards it. Using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, multinominal logistic regression was used to determine the key factors which influenced respondents’ decision to have the vaccine. Result: There was a statistically significant relationship between the cadre of health care workers, their tribe, and their involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients and their attitude towards the vaccine. Conclusion: Previous involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients is one of the most important determinants of health care workers' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most respondents were positive about the vaccine; however, the fear of side effects was the primary reason why those who were yet to be vaccinated, do not plan to do so. The most common side effect reported by those who had already been vaccinated, was pain at the injection site. Public awareness of the vaccine and its benefits should be increased, and the vaccine should be made available in all health care facilities.