A cross-sectional prospective study of influence of socioeconomic class (SEC) on ages of sexual maturation and menarche among Igbo school-girls was in 1990, carried out in Enugu, Nigeria. From primary and secondary schools, 1506 girls were randomly selected. They were stratified into SEC using the modified Olusanya, Okpara and Ezimokhai method and rated for sexual maturation, using the Marshall and Tanner standard. Pubic hair development commenced at 9.92 ± 1.93, 10.40 ± 1.59 and 10.66 ± 1.74 years for upper, middle and low SEC girls respectively with a mean of 10.37 ± 1.80 years while breast development commenced at 10.42 ± 2.10, 10.94 ± 1.80 and 10.97 ± 1.68 years respectively with a mean of 10.88 ± 1.83 years. Ages at completion and menarche had a similar pattern and were statistically significant (p<0.05). Onset and completion of sexual maturation in the higher SEC were earlier than in the lower classes. Need to start early, graded sex education is advocated especially with improving standard of living.

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A mainly literature-based epidemiological investigation on the diagnosis of Typhoid Fever (TF) with special reference to the Nigerian situation was made. The following major inferences were reached (i) Diagnosis of TF by all currently available techniques are not fool proof except bone-marrow, blood and stool cultures, (ii) Widal test is used without standardized cut-off titres. (iii) widal test should be supported by clinical and other considerations, (iv) Presently, TF diagnosis in Nigeria appears unsatisfactory. Appropriate epidemiological studies in Nigeria is proposed in the development of reliable screening procedures for TF.

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Late fractures of the mandible after operative removal of the lower molars are relatively rare. As a result of the increased observation of this rare fracture-which is complication after osteotomy - the typical clinical development is described. Common among the four patients referred to the author from January 1997 to June 1997 were: an audible click upon biting on a hard substance, persistent pains at the site of operation, and renewed local swelling. Age (> 40 years) and extensive osteotomy were the main causes of the late fractures. Preventive measures include thorough enlightenment of the patient about the possibility of a late fracture as one of the complications of the operation. Consequently also the information about the type of food to be taken 5-6 weeks after surgery. Very important too are limitation of bone loss during osteotomy and prophylactic intermaxillary fixation after surgery.

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The blood pressures of 3333 pupils (1634 boys and 1699 girls) aged 6 to 14 years from 6 randomly selected schools in and around Enugu metropolis were measured. The mean blood pressure and 95^th percentile values were determined. The mean systolic blood pressures of the boys were found to be 100.8 to 110.7mmHg and their mean diastolic blood pressures 65.8 to 66.6mmHg for ages 6 to 14 years. For the girls, their mean systolic blood pressures were 102.2 to 118.7mmHg while their mean diastolic blood pressures were 67.8 to 71mmHg for same age range. The 95^th percentile levels for the boys were 119.98 to 130.15mmHg for systolic blood pressures and 80.58mmHg for diastolic blood pressure for the age range studied. For the girls, the levels, were 119.57 to 140.6mmHg for the systolic blood pressures and 84.19 to 87.86mmHg for the diastolic blood pressures for same age range. These percentile charts, race and ethnicity determined, are recommended for use in the area of study for blood pressure assessment.

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We present a review of histologically confirmed tumours of the eye and adnexa in 94 Nigerian adults at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, from 1980 to 1990. The neoplasms in 50% of the patients (26 male. 21 female) were malignant with mean age of 51 at presentation. The remaining 50% had benign neoplasms. The commonest occurring neoplasm was invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (11.7%), while squamous papilloma of the lid and conjunctiva (7.5%) manifested most frequently among the benign tumours. The findings were generally similar to other studies in negroes. On the other hand, basal cell carcinoma of the lid occurred in 3 of our patients (3.2%) remarkably.

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A pilot study was carried out involving 198 Secondary School youths selected randomly from 12 Secondary Schools in Enugu. A self administered pretested questionnaire was used to assess their level of knowledge of AIDS and their attitude towards protecting them-selves from HIV infection. The mean age of the students was 16.2 years. Only 42.9% had adequate knowledge of possible sources of HIV infection and modes of transmission. Four percent (4%) did not know that AIDS exists in Enugu, and 16.2% admitted being sexually active. Of these, only 37.5% had used a condom. The TV/Radio scored highly (65.3%) as a source of AIDS information. Most of the students (82.6%) indicated a hunger for more education on AIDS. It is recommended that government and non-governmental organizations mount a sustained, well-planned AIDS Control Programme in Schools and in the Community to improve the level of knowledge of AIDS among the youths as a matter of urgency to reduce HIV transmission and forestall the AIDS tragedy in this part of the world.

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The often publicised claims of traditional medicine practitioners and prayer houses of success in the treatment of infertility have recently been investigated. Seventeen out of the seventy-five women managed in our unit for infertility in the last ten years, admitted having been to traditional medicine practitioners or prayer houses and were closely and confidentially interviewed. All seventeen of them freely volunteered information that gave great cause for concern. They admitted having been made to commit adultery, either with the Chief Priest of the traditional medical practice, the prayer house prophet or his assistants. Two of the women admitted that their previous pregnancies occured through the process of adultery. Furthermore, all the native medical concoctions given to them were anlysed and found to contain no fertility enhancing properties. Some of the husbands of these women were found to have azoospermia or severe oligospermia. Twelve of these women became pregnant and delivered live babies, when the cause of their infertility was identified and treated. Therapeutic insemination of donor semen was very successful, using ultrasound to monitor ovarian follicular growth.

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A cross sectional survey of 391 secondary school student was carried out in 1992 to study their dental health knowledge and practice. Their predominant method of cleaning the teeth was the brush method (84%) followed by the traditional chewing stick (45%). The teeth were mainly cleaned in order to prevent disease (76%) and partly for aesthetic reasons (40%). Except for the chocolate (74%), there was a generally low ability of the students to identify common cariogenic diets especially soft drinks (8%). And apart from “hole in the tooth” (47%), other symptoms and signs of dental diseases were poorly recognised. Also in the absence of tooth pain (36%), regular dental check-up is not the practice in this population. Dental health education by dentists and dental auxiliaries is recommended to remedy the situation.

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Compulsory antenatal screening for HIV infection was conducted for pregnant women between July 1993 and July 1995 at Enugu, to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in this group. 1845 antenatal women were tested. 25 had confirmed positive test given a prevalence rate of HIV infection of 1.36%. The rate however increased from 1.1% in 1993 to 1.8% in 1995. Though this increase was not statistically significant with X² value of 0.831 and P <0.05, the rise may reflect the rising infection rate in a stable heterosexual society like Nigeria. Urgent measures should be taken to protect our women as paediatric HIV infection will equally be on the increase and the health care givers are exposed to greater risks.

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