Delta Oghara Medical Journal
type: channel
description: The Delta Oghara Medical Journal (DOMJ) is a biannual, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the MDCAN DELSUTH chapter. It provides a platform for researchers, clinicians, and academics in Nigeria and beyond to disseminate scientific information to the medical community and society at large. DOMJ publishes original research, case reports, review articles, etc, focusing on advancements in medical sciences.... Continue Reading. Submit an Article |Instruction for Authors | Current Issue | Past Issue | Contact/Support
publisher: The Medical and Dental Consultants' Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), DELSUTH Chapter
language: en
publication name: Delta Oghara Medical Journal
copyright: This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). You are free to share and adapt the material for non-commercial purposes, provided appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and Delta Oghara Medical Journal, a link to the licence is provided, and any adapted material is distributed under the same licence. Licence link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
items: Utility of NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis of Heart Failure Phenotypes in a Sub-Saharan African Population
items: KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF LASSA FEVER AMONG RESIDENTS OF ESAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
items: Economic Burden AND Patterns of Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Nigeria
items: Malnutrition: Prevalence and Associated Factors among School Age Children in Delta State, Nigeria
items: PREVALENCE OF PREAURICULAR SINUS AMONGST ANNANGS AND IBIBIOS
items: Prioritizing Routine Dental Visits in Developing Nations: Addressing the Silent Epidemic
items: Maintaining Infection Control Standards: Challenges in a Resource-Constrained Environment
items: A Ten-Year Survey of Uterine Fibroids in a Tertiary Hospital in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria
items: Morbidly Adherent Placenta in an Unscarred Nigerian Uterus: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
items: Clinicopathologic Discordance in Atypical Unilateral Dorsolateral Lichen Simplex Chronicus Mimicking Kaposi Sarcoma
items: Attitudes of dental students to communication skills learning in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state.
items: Parkinson Disease and Its Impact on Quality of Life
items: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in A 14 Year Old Girl:
items: Strengthening Healthcare Access in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions:
items: Giant Gall Bladder Stone:

Utility of NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis of Heart Failure Phenotypes in a Sub-Saharan African Population
type: item
description: Background: N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) is a cornerstone in the diagnostic algorithm for heart failure (HF). However, its behaviour across different HF phenotypes, particularly in sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations where patient characteristics and HF aetiologies differ, is not well described. This study evaluated the utility of NT-proBNP in diagnosing HF phenotypes in a Nigerian cohort using the 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criteria. Methods: In a prospective observational study, 130 adults with HF were classified into HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF<40%), mid-range EF (HFmrEF, LVEF 40-49%), and preserved EF (HFpEF, LVEF≥50%) based on comprehensive assessment including echocardiography and clinical evaluation. Plasma NT-proBNP was measured using a high-sensitivity ELISA. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare NT-proBNP levels across phenotypes. Diagnostic performance was assessed by the proportion of patients meeting the ESC NT-proBNP threshold (>125 pg/mL for ambulatory and >300 pg/mL for hospitalized patients). Results: The median NT-proBNP level for the entire cohort was 3800.0 pg/mL (IQR: 2900.0-4500.0). All 130 patients (100%) had NT-proBNP levels above the ESC diagnostic thresholds. There was no significant difference in median NT-proBNP levels between the three phenotypes (HFrEF: 3900.0 pg/mL [IQR: 3075-4600], HFmrEF: 3700.0 pg/mL [IQR: 2275-3700], HFpEF: 3850.0 pg/mL [IQR: 2700-4325]; p=0.461). The biomarker was equally elevated in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Conclusion: NT-proBNP is a highly sensitive biomarker for confirming the diagnosis of HF in this SSA population, with 100% of patients exceeding the recommended ESC cut-offs. Contrary to findings from other regions, NT-proBNP levels were uniformly and markedly elevated across all HF phenotypes, showing no discriminatory value between HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF. This suggests that while NT-proBNP is indispensable for ruling out HF i…
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Internal Medicine
  topic: category
subject: Clinical Research
  topic: category
subject: N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide
  topic: keywords
subject: Heart Failure
  topic: keywords
subject: Diagnosis
  topic: keywords
subject: Phenotypes
  topic: keywords
subject: Sub-Saharan Africa
  topic: keywords
subject: Echocardiography
  topic: keywords
subject: Biomarker
  topic: keywords
creator: Haruna Abubakar Alhaji
creator: Ayoola Yekeen Ayodele
creator: Hussain Muhammad Sulaiman
creator: Babalawan Muhammad
creator: Kabir Abdussalam
creator: Mohammed Fatima Isa
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
date: 2026-08-01
publication date: 2026-08-01
starting page: 25
ending page: 29

KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF LASSA FEVER AMONG RESIDENTS OF ESAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
type: item
description: Background: Lassa fever is endemic in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria, yet community-level data on awareness, knowledge, and behavioural risk remain scarce. This study assessed the awareness, knowledge, and risk level of Lassa fever among residents of Esan West LGA and identified their sociodemographic determinants. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 residents selected across all 10 wards of Esan West LGA between July and December 2013. Multi-stage sampling was employed. Knowledge was assessed using a 28-item scale and graded as good (≥75%), fair (50–74%), or poor (<50%). Risk level was assessed using a 20-item scale and graded as high (>75%), moderate (50–74%), or low (<50%). Chi-square test was used to evaluate associations between outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics at a significance level of 0.05. SPSS version 25 was used to analyse all data. Results: The mean age of respondents was 43.6 ± 21.6 years. Awareness of Lassa fever was recorded in 44.0% of respondents, with the ISTH Outreach Team and electronic media as the leading information sources. Only 7.0% had good knowledge, while 33.7% had poor knowledge. Educational level was the sole significant predictor of both awareness (χ² = 11.14, p = 0.011) and knowledge (χ² = 19.8, p = 0.011). High behavioural risk was identified in 37.0% of respondents. Female gender, employment in skilled and unskilled occupations, community of residence, and longer duration of stay were significant determinants of high risk (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Conclusion: Awareness and good knowledge of Lassa fever were low among residents of Esan West LGA. We recommend a shift from passive information delivery to peer-driven, structural, and incentivised interventions that embed health education into daily survival and cultural routines.
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Public Health
  topic: category
subject: Global Health
  topic: category
subject: Lassa fever
  topic: keywords
subject: awareness
  topic: keywords
subject: knowledge
  topic: keywords
subject: risk assessment
  topic: keywords
creator: Nosa Akpede
creator: Mojeed Olaitan Rafiu
creator: Kingsley Osuji
creator: Francis Osemhoahu Erah
creator: George Obozokhale Akpede
creator: Danny Akhere Asogun
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
date: 2026-08-01
publication date: 2026-08-01
starting page: 13
ending page: 20

Economic Burden AND Patterns of Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Nigeria
type: item
description: Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing global health crisis, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all deaths worldwide. In Nigeria, the burden of hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions is rising rapidly, exacerbated by limited health insurance coverage, fragmented healthcare infrastructure, and high out-of-pocket costs. This study assessed the economic burden and healthcare utilisation patterns related to NCDs in a rural Nigerian setting. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 adults in Esan Central LGA, Edo State. Multistage sampling was used to select participants. Data on sociodemographics, NCD diagnoses, and direct healthcare costs were collected via structured questionnaires. Out-of-pocket expenses for consultations, medications, investigations, transportation, and hospital admissions were documented. Associations between age and NCD prevalence were tested using chi-square analysis. Results Nearly one-third of respondents reported an NCD diagnosis, with hypertension and diabetes being the most prevalent. Age was significantly associated with a higher incidence of NCDs. Affected individuals faced multiple financial burdens across care categories, with medications and hospital admissions being the most expensive. Over 75% relied on personal funds for treatment, with minimal support from insurance or family. Conclusion The study highlights the cumulative economic strain of NCD management in resource-limited settings, emphasising the urgent need for financial protection mechanisms. Policies expanding insurance coverage, subsidising essential care, and decentralising NCD services to primary care levels are crucial to reduce this burden and improve health equity in Nigeria.
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Internal Medicine
  topic: category
subject: Public Health
  topic: category
subject: Health Policy and Ethics
  topic: category
subject: Chronic disease management
  topic: keywords
subject: Economic burden
  topic: keywords
subject: Healthcare costs
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
subject: Noncommunicable diseases
  topic: keywords
creator: Nosa Akpede
creator: Mojeed Olaitan Rafiu
creator: Kingsley Osuji
creator: Francis Osemhoahu Erah
creator: Musa Abdullahi Muhammed
creator: Prince Enahoro
creator: Oseyomon Ojeh-Oziegbe
creator: George Obozokhale Akpede
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
date: 2026-08-01
publication date: 2026-08-01
starting page: 7
ending page: 12

Malnutrition: Prevalence and Associated Factors among School Age Children in Delta State, Nigeria
type: item
description: Background: Malnutrition continues to be a fundamental health problem across school-age children in poor resource countries, including Nigeria. Both undernutrition and overnutrition adversely affect physical and brain development, educational performance, and prospective health outputs. Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the frequency of malnutrition and identify factors influencing nutritional status of primary and secondary school children across Delta State. Methodology: Across Delta State, Nigeria, 201 primary and secondary school students between the ages of 6 and 17 participated in a cross-sectional survey. A multistage sampling process was employed to select study participants. Systematic questionnaire was employed to obtain information on dietary pattern and sociodemographic traits. Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile was computed using anthropometric data, such as height and weight. WHO growth references were used to categorize malnutrition based on age-for-height and sex. SPSS version 23 was utilized for data analysis. Chi-square test, multinomial logistic regression, and descriptive statistics were employed at 95% confidence threshold. Results: The study sample comprised 58.7% females and 41.3% males. Prevalence of thinness, overweight, stunting, and underweight was 14.9%, 5.0%, 7.0%, and 3.5%, respectively. Most respondents (80.1%) had normal nutritional status. Association between gender and nutritional status was statistically significant (χ² = 7.308, p = .026), prevalence of thinness was more common among males compared to females. Vegetable consumption was significantly associated with nutritional state (χ² =11.572, p = .003). Multinomial logistic regression showed that female gender was independently associated with reduce odds of thinness (AOR = .15, 95% CI: .024–0.951, p = .044). Conclusion: Despite the normal nutritional status of most school children, thinness and stunting remain important public health concerns. School-based…
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Public Health
  topic: category
subject: Malnutrition
  topic: keywords
subject: Nutritional status
  topic: keywords
subject: School-age children
  topic: keywords
subject: Thinness
  topic: keywords
subject: Undernutrition
  topic: keywords
creator: John Esimaje Moyegbone
creator: Ezekiel Uba Nwose
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
date: 2026-08-01
publication date: 2026-08-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 6

PREVALENCE OF PREAURICULAR SINUS AMONGST ANNANGS AND IBIBIOS
type: item
description: A preauricular sinus is a congenital anomaly that occurs at the anterior margin of the ascending limb of the helix of the external ear. Its prevalence varies significantly across different ethnic and geographical populations worldwide. This study aimed to determine its prevalence among Annang and Ibibio patients attending an ENT outpatient clinic in Southern Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional observational study, involving a systematic observation and assessment of patients attending the ENT outpatient clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State. Three hundred and two subjects with a mean age of 25.2 years were recruited in this study, out of which 35.4% [107/302] were of the Annang tribe and 64.6% [195/302] were of the Ibibio tribe. The M:F ratio of respondents was 1:1.5. A prevalence of 17.6% [53/302] was noted. The Annang subjects had the highest prevalence rate of 19.6% [21/107], while the Ibibios had 16.4% [32/195]. Only 24% [72/302] of the participants had heard of PAS prior to the survey, while 25% [18/72] of those affected sought medical attention. Health education to improve public awareness of the condition is advocated.
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Surgery
  topic: category
subject: Medical Education
  topic: category
subject: Pre-auricular sinus
  topic: keywords
subject: Annang
  topic: keywords
subject: Ibibio
  topic: keywords
creator: Mfon Inoh
creator: Akpan U Ekanem
creator: Elizabeth Enene Inoh
creator: Chinaza Samuel Ikechukwuka
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
date: 2026-08-01
publication date: 2026-08-01
starting page: 21
ending page: 24

Prioritizing Routine Dental Visits in Developing Nations: Addressing the Silent Epidemic
type: item
description: In developing countries, the burden of oral disease remains a silent epidemic, yet not considered very important in comparison to other systemic health-associated challenges. While significant strides are being achieved in curbing major communicable diseases, some non-communicable diseases are not gaining the same ground, particularly oral diseases such as Dental caries and Periodontal diseases. The review, therefore, aims to highlight the significant role of” Routine Dental Visits” in mitigating against a rise in the global burden and the key factors responsible for its non-utilization generally. It identifies factors such as; poor perception and ignorance of the importance of oral health in relation to overall health, of both the individuals and the government, cultural barriers, affordability of oral health services, a generalized poor health seeking behavior, non\insufficient- health insurance coverage for oral diseases and the curative health model approach of the government system of care, as responsible. The consequence of this neglect was further analysed to be a worsening of clinical presentations, requiring a much higher level of funding than would have been needed for preventive oral healthcare. This subsequently translates to a higher financial burden on oral healthcare for both the individual and the government at large. Changing the status quo would require a change in the curative model approach to oral health to a preventive model of oral healthcare. This would include prioritizing routine oral\dental visits, as a core component of primary healthcare, leveraging on community-based strategies and the integration of oral healthcare into existing health platforms.
subject: Review Articles
  topic: section
subject: Public Health
  topic: category
subject: Dentistry
  topic: category
subject: Oral healthcare
  topic: keywords
subject: Routine dental visits
  topic: keywords
subject: Oral diseases
  topic: keywords
subject: Global burden
  topic: keywords
creator: Orie G. Asidi
creator: Sylvia O. Ebhodaghe
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 18
ending page: 21

Maintaining Infection Control Standards: Challenges in a Resource-Constrained Environment
type: item
description: Standard Infection Control Protocols (SICPs) are the foundations of safe healthcare delivery for both the patient and the healthcare worker. It houses the key to the prevention of cross-infection in such environments. These protocols are generally designated “Universal Standard Precautions,” known to be strictly adhered to in high-income countries (HICs). However, their implementation in resource-constrained environments (RCEs) reveals a profound chasm between policy and practice. This narrative review synthesizes evidence to explore the multifaceted challenges that undermine SICP adherence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and under-resourced settings within high-income nations. A close review and analysis of the challenges confronting the practice of SICPs in RCE settings reveals the root cause to be; a failure of the system. This is expressed as chronic infrastructural instability, fractured supply chains, an unsupported health workforce, and pervasive socio-cultural and economic barriers. This review, therefore, unveils the challenges bedeviling compliance and the possible route of repair that can create a positive paradigm shift in favour of compliance with SICPs.
subject: Review Articles
  topic: section
subject: Public Health
  topic: category
subject: Global Health
  topic: category
subject: Standard Infection Control(SICP)
  topic: keywords
subject: Resource Constrained Environment (RCE)
  topic: keywords
subject: Healthcare Workers(HCW).
  topic: keywords
creator: Anyanwu B. Eberinga
creator: Helen K. Odion-Obomese
creator: Nicholas Koga
creator: Duncan O. Umukoro
creator: Orie G. Asidi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 13
ending page: 17

A Ten-Year Survey of Uterine Fibroids in a Tertiary Hospital in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria
type: item
description: Background: Uterine fibroid is a common gynaecological problem among women of reproductive age, and it commonly affects the quality of life of the affected women. Objective: To determine the prevalence, clinical presentation and management outcome of uterine fibroid at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a ten-year retrospective descriptive study of patients with uterine fibroids managed at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2023. Folders of patients who were managed for uterine fibroid were retrieved from the medical records of the hospital, and relevant information on socio-demographic parameters (such as age, parity, level of education), clinical presentations and mode of treatment was extracted and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: The prevalence of uterine fibroid was 27.7%. The mean age was 36.3.2 ± 8.05years. The modal age group was 31 – 39 years. The commonest clinical presentation was infertility (78.4%). Majority of patients (97.4%) had open myomectomy. Conclusion: Uterine fibroid is a common benign gynaecological tumour. The majority of patients presented with infertility. Myomectomy was the commonest mode of treatment because most of the patients were in reproductive age group and desirous of fertility. Future application of newer techniques may reduce the prevalence of open myomectomy.
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology
  topic: category
subject: Clinical Research
  topic: category
subject: Leiomyoma
  topic: keywords
subject: Menorrhagia
  topic: keywords
subject: Myomectomy
  topic: keywords
subject: DELSUTH
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
creator: Osamudia Okhionkpamwonyi
creator: Henry Edehwosa
creator: Aimiehinor Akhator
creator: Innocent Okoacha
creator: Orighomisan Omagbe
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 1
ending page: 8

Morbidly Adherent Placenta in an Unscarred Nigerian Uterus: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
type: item
description: Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy that can results in massive obstetrics hemorrhage and often leads to hysterectomy. It is associated with maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. One-third to one-half of all emergency postpartum hysterectomies are performed as a result of adhesive placental disorders. The prognosis of MAP can be improved with prenatal diagnosis, which has been shown to reduce morbidity by 50% however, only half of MAP cases are diagnosed prenatally. Management could be conservative or surgical. We report a case of morbidly adherent placenta in a 24 years old G1P0+0 Nigerian nulliparous lady that was diagnosed intra-operatively.
subject: Case Reports
  topic: section
subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology
  topic: category
subject: Case Studies
  topic: category
subject: Morbidily adherent placenta,
  topic: keywords
subject: maternal , mortality, morbidity, DELSUTH
  topic: keywords
creator: Aimiehinor Edward Akhator
creator: Innocent Okoacha
creator: Omagbe Orighomisan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 27
ending page: 29

Clinicopathologic Discordance in Atypical Unilateral Dorsolateral Lichen Simplex Chronicus Mimicking Kaposi Sarcoma
type: item
description: Background: Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis arising from repetitive mechanical trauma that sustains an itch-scratch cycle and leads to epidermal hyperplasia and dermal fibrosis. Although frequently encountered in dermatologic practice, dorsolateral involvement is rare and may assume exaggerated morphologic features that simulate infectious or malignant processes. Objective: To report an unusual case of unilateral dorsolateral LSC clinically mimicking Kaposi sarcoma and to emphasize the indispensable role of clinicopathologic correlation in atypical acral dermatoses. Methods: Comprehensive clinical evaluation with histopathologic examination and repeat biopsy confirmation. Results: Histopathology demonstrated irregular acanthosis, compact orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, papillary dermal fibrosis with vertically oriented collagen bundles, and dense lymphocytic infiltrates. These findings confirmed LSC. Due to persistent clinical concern for neoplasia, repeat biopsy was performed and reconfirmed the diagnosis. Combination corticosteroid-based therapy led to marked clinical improvement. Conclusion: This case underscores how atypical anatomic presentations of otherwise common inflammatory dermatoses can create substantial diagnostic ambiguity and clinical uncertainty. When lesions arise in unusual locations or exhibit overlapping morphologic features, reliance on clinical impression alone may be misleading. In such scenarios, histopathologic evaluation serves as the definitive diagnostic anchor. Moreover, when clinicopathologic discordance persists, repeat biopsy and careful correlation between clinical findings and microscopic features are essential to establishing an accurate diagnosis.
subject: Case Reports
  topic: section
subject: Internal Medicine
  topic: category
subject: Case Studies
  topic: category
subject: Lichen simplex chronicus
  topic: keywords
subject: dorsolateral dermatoses
  topic: keywords
subject: Kaposi sarcoma mimic;
  topic: keywords
subject: clinicopathologic correlation
  topic: keywords
subject: pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia
  topic: keywords
creator: KEVWIE BECKY OBASI
creator: Ayo Bemigho Odonmeta
creator: Sylvester Emoefe Imonioro
creator: Elohor Ofejiro Akpomudjere
creator: Alice Chidinma Ikpe-Kalu
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 22
ending page: 26

Attitudes of dental students to communication skills learning in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state.
type: item
description: Background: Effective communication is a key component of dentist-patient interaction and it is a fundamental skill that can improve the effectiveness of patient management. Communication skills training aims to develop communication not only with the patient but also with the family of the patients, colleagues and other health care professional. There is virtually no research identifying dental students’ attitude towards communication skills learning in Nigeria. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the attitude of dental student towards communication skill learning in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among 129 undergraduate students (Part 1 – 6) of the Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife. A self-administered questionnaire of the communication skills attitude scale (CSAS) which comprise of both the positive attitude scale (PAS) and negative attitude scale (NAS) was used for the data collection from participants. The data collected was sorted and cleaned to remove any missing values. Inferential statistics analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Results: A total of 129 dental undergraduate students completed a structured questionnaire on communication skills learning; The communication skills attitude scale (CSAS). The mean score for the positive attitude scale (PAS) was 50.98±5.61 and for the negative attitude scale (NAS) was 37.64±6.56. There were no statistically significant differences based on age and study year in attitudes toward learning communication skills. However, the negative attitude scale showed a statistically significant difference between males and females (p-value=0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that dental students generally have a positive attitude towards communication skills learning.
subject: Original Articles
  topic: section
subject: Dentistry
  topic: category
subject: Medical Education
  topic: category
subject: Communication skills
  topic: keywords
subject: Learning
  topic: keywords
subject: Attitude
  topic: keywords
subject: Dental students
  topic: keywords
creator: Oji Okorie
creator: Matthew Iyiola
creator: Olufemi Ogundipe
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2026-04-06
publication date: 2026-04-06
starting page: 6
ending page: 12

Parkinson Disease and Its Impact on Quality of Life
type: item
description: Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which significantly impacts on the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. All the components of QoL (physical functioning, psychosocial, cognitive, and environmental) can be affected by the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, side effects of treatment, and sociocultural factors. Methodology: This study is a literature review on the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. Excerpta Medica (EMBASE), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Public Medline (PUBMED), Health Inter-Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) and Google Scholar databases were searched and scholarly articles on Parkinson’s disease and QoL were reviewed for the purpose of the study. Results: Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigrawhich result in motor and non-motor symptoms (such as cognitive function) with profound negative impact on the QoL. Also, with progression of the disease, and worsening of symptoms, an attendant decline has been observed in the QoL of patients with Parkinson's disease Family and social support is crucial in the management of the condition. Conclusion: PD significantly impacts on the QoL of patients and should be assessed for. Recognition of challenges in the lives of patients with PD is important in their management in addition to drug therapy. Family and social support including occupational and financial support are relevant in management.
subject: Review Articles
  topic: section
subject: Reviews and Meta-analyses
  topic: category
subject: Neurodegenerative disorder
  topic: keywords
subject: Parkinson’s Disease
  topic: keywords
subject: Quality of Life
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognition
  topic: keywords
subject: Physical Functioning
  topic: keywords
creator: Oghenekobiruo Wisdom Agboro
creator: Onyekachi Jessica Amaechi
creator: Ilerioluwa Kehinde Ajayi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-07-05
publication date: 2025-07-05
starting page: 5
ending page: 10

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in A 14 Year Old Girl:
type: item
description: Pulmonary hypertension carries a high morbidity and mortality especially when presentation occurs late. Due to its subtle manner of presentation and high cost of care, diagnosis is often delayed and treatment is beyond the reach of most affected Nigerians. A 15-year-old girl who presented with easy fatigability of 2 years duration and dypnoea on exertion of 3-weeks duration. She had features of systemic and pulmonary congestion on examination. An echocardiogram done revealed supra-systemic pulmonary pressure with a massively dilated and poorly functional right ventricle. A large secundum ASD with bidirectional flow of blood was also noted. She was commenced on anti-failure regimen and treatment for pulmonary hypertension. Due to high cost of care, combination therapy for pulmonary hypertension could not be sustained and patient eventually succumbed to the illness.
subject: Case Reports
  topic: section
creator: Efe Abolodje
creator: Efemena Edoja
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-07-05
publication date: 2025-07-05
starting page: 15
ending page: 18

Strengthening Healthcare Access in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions:
type: item
description: Health is a critical factor that cannot be overemphasized in the human and social-economic development of any nation. Access to healthcare plays a vital role and is essential for maintaining and improving health. The Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) was established by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and aims to provide affordable and quality health coverage for students in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other post-secondary institutions. TISHIP is a laudable initiative, designed to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and protect students from catastrophic medical expenses through pooled contributions. The programme offers a wide range of preventive and curative services without making payments at the point of accessing care. However, various studies have reported mixed findings about the awareness, knowledge, utilization, attitudes and perception about the programme. Although the NHIA Act of 2022 makes health insurance coverage mandatory for all Nigerians as a means of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), there has been a lack of enforcement, creating major setback to the its implementation. The implementation of TISHIP seems voluntary and at the discretion of each institution, with many having not yet subscribed to it, while some operate it inconsistently. Hence, the implementation challenges need to be tackled and addressed. Strengthening the programme will require a multi-sectoral approach involving all the stakeholders including NHIA, institutional authorities, HMOs, healthcare facilities and professionals, and student bodies. To improve the programme’s effectiveness, efforts should focus on increasing student awareness, strengthening human resources, improving service delivery, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation. It is also essential to ensure transparent fund management, set a premium that is sufficient and economically sustainable, make the programme mandatory, and establis…
subject: Review Articles
  topic: section
subject: Healthcare
  topic: keywords
subject: TISHIP
  topic: keywords
subject: Access
  topic: keywords
subject: Tertiary Institutions
  topic: keywords
subject: Nigeria
  topic: keywords
creator: Oluwaseun E Daramola
creator: Agede Olalekan A.
creator: Joseph Anthony I.
creator: Nyemike S. Awunor
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-07-05
publication date: 2025-07-05
starting page: 1
ending page: 4

Giant Gall Bladder Stone:
type: item
description: Gallbladder stones usually exhibit significant variation in size but rarely up to 5cm. Giant gallbladder stones, defined as stones greater than 5cm in diameter or more than 70 grams in weight, are a rare phenomenon and pose a management challenge. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy while being the gold standard of surgically removing gallbladders has a high rate of conversion to open even in expert hands due to the challenges of handling the giant gallstones. These challenges include difficulty grasping the gallbladder with the laparoscopic instruments, difficulty in exposing the anatomy of Calot’s triangle due to the size of the stone and extrinsic compression on the Calot’s triangle and difficulty in retrieving the specimen. We present the management of our first case of cholecystectomy for a giant gallbladder stone and discuss the choice of surgery.
subject: Case Reports
  topic: section
subject: Case Studies
  topic: category
subject: gallbladder stone
  topic: keywords
subject: laparoscopic cholecystectomy
  topic: keywords
subject: Calot
  topic: keywords
subject: fundus first
  topic: keywords
creator: Ibrahim Eneye Suleiman
creator: Ibrahim Umar Garzali
creator: Muideen Abodunde Bello
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Delta Oghara Medical Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2025-07-05
publication date: 2025-07-05
starting page: 11
ending page: 14