Introduction Sexual health is an important but often neglected component of diabetes care. Unlike erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction has not been well studied among Nigerian diabetics. Aims To assess the sexual function of women with diabetes, and to determine its clinical correlates. Methods The sexual performances of 51 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the Diabetes Clinic, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. The Female Sexual Function (FSF) scores in each domain of sexual function were then compared with those of 39 nondiabetic controls. The associations between the FSF scores and certain clinical variables, as well as some diabetic complications, were also determined. Main Outcome Measures Sexual performance of the women as measured by the FSF scores using the FSFI questionnaires. Results The FSF score in the diabetic women was 20.5 (±8.3) compared with a score of 31.2 (±8.8) in the control (P value=0.00). The FSF scores in the arousal, pain, orgasm, and overall satisfaction domains were all lower in the diabetic women (P value<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores for “desire” domain in the two groups (P value > 0.05). Women with diabetes attempted sex less frequently (P <0.05). There was a negative correlation between the ages of the women and all the domains of sexual function (P value<0.05). Duration of diabetes correlated negatively with comfort (P value=0.04), lubrication (P =0.03), frequency (P value=0.05), as well as orgasm (P value=0.04) domains. There was no significant relationship between the FSF score and body mass index, blood pressure, and glycemic control. There was no significant difference between the FSF scores of diabetic women with complications and those without (P value > 0.05). Conclusions Diabetes significantly impairs the sexual performance of the Nigerian women afflicted with the disease. Determinants of FSF include age, duration of diabetes illness, and presence of menopause.

No abstract

In this review, hospital case records of 202 adult tetanus managed between January 1990 and December 2001 in a tertiary institution in Southwestern Nigeria were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 36.1+/-17.8 years with male:female ratio of 2.2:1 and an overall mortality rate of 64%. Patients with unfavourable outcomes spent 4.5+/-0.41 days compared with 16.6+/-1.2 days by those who survived. Factors associated with poor prognosis are age >60 years (P=0.029), incubation period <7 days (P=0.007), period of onset <48 h (P=0.0001), tachycardia with pulse rate >120/min (P=0.001) and spasm (P=0.002). Gender (P=0.11), post-injury vaccination (P=0.48) and types of antibiotics administered (P=0.49) were not significantly associated with increased mortality. The three most common complications were aspiration pneumonitis, sepsis and urinary bladder obstruction while complications with highest mortality (100%) were sepsis and cardiac arrest.

No abstract

BACKGROUND: Caregivers play an important role in the management and care of individuals with chronic medical conditions. This is because; they provide emotional, physical, financial as well as spiritual support to their wards. However, the process of caregiving is usually associated with feelings of burden and psychological distress.METHODS: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, clinicbased study done at the endocrinology clinic of a Teaching hospital in Northern Nigeria. It was done utilizing the Zarit Burden Interview, the General Health Questionnaire (12 item version) and a socio-demographic questionnaire designed by the authors. The levels of burden as well as the factors associated with burden and psychological distress in one hundred caregivers of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using chi square, independent T test and linear regression.RESULTS: Forty- two percent (42%) of caregivers experienced little or no burden, 47% had mild to moderate burden, 8% had moderate to severe burden, while 3% had severe burden. When the ZBI scores were dichotomized into ‘low’ and ‘high’ burden, 89% were found to experience low burden, while 11% experienced high burden. On logistic regression, females were found to be four times more likely to experience high burden, while Thirty-five (35%) percent of caregivers had a GHQ score of > 3, signifying psychological distress and psychological distress was found to be significantly associated with burden.CONCLUSION: Many Nigerian caregivers of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus experience burden and psychological distress associated with caregiving, especially female caregivers and those taking care of those taking care of patients with complications. It is therefore important for clinicians to recognize burdened caregivers and intervene appropriately in order to improve the quality of care of these patients.