George Eleje

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Verified

George verified their affiliation via an institutional email.

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• MBBS, MSc (Hum. Rep.); Ph.D, MD, FMCOG, FWACS, FICS
• Professor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Qualitative research methods have historically been centered on framework analysis and narrative reporting, particularly in contexts like healthcare, where patient experiences are paramount. While this approach has yielded invaluable insights, it often underutilizes the full potential of qualitative data. This paper critically appraises the current...

Background Gingivitis increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to map the evidence of periodontal diseases in pregnant adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. Methods This scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework (registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HVCD5). A literature search was conducted...

Although the Safe Motherhood Initiative is currently a global priority, the implications of maternal self-medication for meeting Safe Motherhood and Sustainable Development Goal 3 objectives in low- and middle-income countries has yet to be addressed. Although local medical doctors are an influential stakeholder group, able to determine health poli...

Background Background: Multiple pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies associated with an increased likelihood of adverse : Multiple pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies associated with an increased likelihood of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. The global incidence of multiple gestations is rising, yet recent data on their maternal and per...

HPV self-sampling has the potential to improve early detection of cervical cancer among women living with HIV (WLHIV), but its acceptability varies, creating implementation challenges, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to assess the acceptability of HPV self-sampling among WLHIV. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic...

Cord entanglement is defined as an umbilical cord that encircles the fetal body, neck, or extremities with overall reported prevalence of 30 %. Its effects on perinatal outcomes is controversial and management is very challenging in low and middleincome settings especially when it co-exists with bleeding Type IV placenta previa. A 19-year-old under...

To evaluate the vitamin D status of patients with liver cirrhosis and to determine the role of serum vitamin D level, if any, in the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This cross-sectional comparative study recruited liver cirrhosis patients from the Gastroenterology clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria, an...

Background: Nigeria is one of the hyper-endemic countries for hepatitis B with national prevalence rate of 11%. No study has been done in Nigeria to the best of authors’ knowledge to assess the level of immunity among children vaccinated against HBV. Objective: To assess prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen, determine the presence of antibodie...

Diagnosing childhood diseases can be particularly challenging, especially in areas with limited access to specialists. This case report explored the application of MedBrain®, an artificial intelligence–powered Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS), in supporting diagnosis in paediatric practice. We presented two clinical cases from Nigeria: a 4-y...

Background Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Various predictive methods exist, but none are without flaws. Risk factors vary in different women and at different gestational ages; hence, investigating non-modifiable factors, such as ABO and Rhesus blood groups, may aid prediction and early detection of preeclampsia...

Bladder prolapse, also known as cystocoele, is the most common form of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), significantly affecting women's physical, sexual, and psychosocial health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite its widespread prevalence and disabling consequences, bladder prolapse remains under-recognised and inadequat...

Background: Hormone Replacement Therapy remains underutilised and under-researched in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite its potential to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and improving access to HRT. This study explored pharmacists' perspectives...

Background: Menopause is a significant transitional phase in a woman’s life, yet among marginalised populations such as indigenous communities in Sri Lanka, it remains under-explored and under-supported. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of menopause among indigenous women, focusing on their symptomatology, coping strate...

Abstract Women-led indigenous farming and ethnobotanical systems across Asia, Africa, and South America are vital yet often overlooked foundations for reproductive health, food security, and ecological resilience. This paper draws on diverse case studies—including jamu in Indonesia, ayurveda in India and helawedakama in Sri Lanka, milpa systems in...

Objectives To compare blood loss in reproductive-age women who received intravenous tranexamic acid plus tourniquet versus tourniquet and placebo during an open abdominal myomectomy. Methods This is a prospective three-centre double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of consenting eligible 114 women with uterine fibroids scheduled for open...

Menstrual health in Africa is often neglected due to stigma, poor access to products, sanitation, and education, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Common menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia are frequently undiagnosed. Endometriosis, affecting 5–10% of reproductive-age women, remains underdiagnosed due to healthcar...

Objective: Preeclampsia/eclampsia (P/E) contribute significantly to adverse maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in our environment. Low dose aspirin (LDA) when appropriately prescribed and used has been shown to grossly reduce the adverse outcomes. However, the rate and pattern of uptake in our environment is not known. This study aimed...

Objectives To determine seroprevalence, seroconversion, and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates for dual and triplex infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among pregnant women. Methods A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted in six randomly selected tertiary hospit...

The advancement of global health equality is being hindered by persistent disparities in women's health data. Despite comprising over half of the global population, women remain underrepresented or poorly characterized in many health datasets. According to the Gender Data Outlook (GDO) Index, developed by PARIS21 and UN Women, while progress has be...

Objective To estimate the association between cervico-vaginal microbiota and cervical cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Study design Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Method The databases, PubMed and African Journal Online (AJOL), as well as Google Scholar, were accessed. All primary studies (cross-sectional, cohort and case control) that reported...

A bstract Background The two main phenotypic types of preeclampsia/eclampsia (P/E) are early and late onset. The classification is necessary for prognostication of the disorder and better management. In Nigeria, information regarding the prevalence and pregnancy outcomes is still sparse. Objectives To determine the prevalence of phenotypic patter...

Reproductive politics lie at the intersection of gender, power, and governance, shaping women's autonomy through laws, policies, and cultural norms. Historically, colonialism and population control initiatives marginalized women, particularly in the Global South, fostering distrust in healthcare systems. Feminist movements advocate for reproductive...

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has exponentially grown over recent years in women’s health, gaining momentum globally, offering transformative potential in diagnostics, personalized treatment, and healthcare delivery. AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics are being used to enhance...

Introduction Oral cancer is ranked among the ten most common cancers in the world and is a growing public health concern in Nigeria. However, the extent of the burden of oral cancer in Nigeria is poorly understood. A better understanding of the prevalence of oral cancer will inform the development and implementation of efficient and effective oral...

Abstract Background Women globally spend a significant portion of their lives experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, which can severely affect their quality of life. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has proven effective in alleviating symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. However, disparities in access...

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of perineal massage during the second stage of labour in preventing perineal trauma in nulliparous women. Methods: A randomized control trial involving 104 nulliparous women undergoing vaginal delivery. The participants were randomised into two arms (intervention-group ‘A’ and control-group ‘B’) in a 1:1 r...

Background: Uterine fibroids can significantly impair the quality of life of women. While most fibroids remain asymptomatic, 25% of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids require medical intervention. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was developed and published in PROSPERO (CRD42022346251) to explore surgical treatment outcome...

Diagnosing childhood illnesses can often be challenging, particularly with conditions that share overlapping symptoms. This case report examines the role of MedBrain, a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS), in diagnosing common childhood illnesses. The report discusses two clinical cases involving a 9-year-old child diagnosed with chickenpox and...

Background A significant gap exists in understanding the effectiveness of intra-class (same-class) level peer mentorship programmes designed to enhance academic performance, well-being, and student involvement among underperforming medical students. This study assessed the effectiveness of intra-class (same-class) peer mentorship programme on the a...

Background Despite assumptions that insurance coverage would boost oral healthcare utilization in Nigeria, there is insufficient evidence supporting this claim. This study investigates the associations between residential location, awareness of the oral health insurance scheme, history of dental service utilization, and acceptance of oral health in...

Background The WHO in collaboration with the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health, established a nationwide electronic data platform across referral-level hospitals. We report the burden of maternal, foetal and neonatal complications and quality and outcomes of care during the first year.

Background An important indicator of mothers’ satisfaction with their care is birth satisfaction. Maternal health care can only be deemed to be of good quality if mothers are satisfied with the care they received. This increases maternal joy. A vital tool for understanding the delivery process from the mother’s point of view is the Birth Satisfacti...

Background Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, affects approximately 40 million women of reproductive age contributing to preventable anaemia during pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight. In spite of the high prevalence rate of this disease among school aged children in Abakaliki, no study in Abakaliki has looke...

OBJECTIVES This research explores the perceptions of medical students regarding self-assessment techniques in clinical studies at public universities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates the benefits of these techniques and their perceived alignment with formal evaluations conducted by supervisors. METHODS Utilizing a descripti...

Background There is no national data on the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria. Methods A search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases for articles pu...

The increasing prevalence of diabetes in the United States poses a significant public health issue due to its link with a higher cancer risk. This study utilized data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to ascertain the prevalence of cancer among diabetics and identify key factors affecting this risk. These insights are...

Menopause, whether natural (ie, the permanent cessation of an individuals's menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months, without any other obvious cause), surgical, or induced by medical treatments, is characterised by the permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause affects all those assigned female at birth, hereafter referred to as “wom...

Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when one or more pelvic organs (uterus, bowel, bladder or top of the vagina) descend from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. Symptoms include pelvic discomfort, fullness, and changes in bladder or bowel function. Treatment ranges from conservative approaches to surgery, depending on sympto...

Background Maternal dyslipidemia is one of the consistent metabolic changes during pregnancy. There is a controversy as to whether maternal lipid disturbances in early pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Aim To determine the effects of maternal dyslipidemia on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Methods A prospectiv...

HIV remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with significant gaps in testing coverage caused by stigma, limited healthcare access, and logistical issues, highlighting the need for enhanced HIV control efforts. HIV self-testing presents a promising solution to overcome these barriers; however, there is a lack of systematic review and met...

Introduction The inducibility of the cervix for labour induction is usually determined by cervical status evaluation. The Bishop score is historically used to forecast the success of induction of labour, although it is subjective, and not reproducible. However, transvaginal ultrasound measurements of cervical length are rarely used for preinduction...

Objective: The pursuit of medical education is reputed to be demanding and research has increasingly shown that successful completion of medical studies entails fostering the mental well-being of medical students. However, medical students’ subjective vitality which is a critical component of their metal well-being is grossly underexplored. This st...

Objective: To identify the mental health implications among perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women undergoing natural, surgical, or medical menopause in Sri Lanka. Design: A mixed-methods study was designed and used. Methods: The study secured ethics approval prior to commence the recruitment. This interim evaluation included 38 S...

Background: Menopause is the natural biological process marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. While it’s a normal stage of life, the severity of symptoms can vary widely among women...

Objective: To assess the mental health implications among peri- menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal women who were undergoing natural, surgical, or medical menopause in Malaysia. Design: A mixed-methods study was designed and conducted in Malaysia following Ethics committee approval. Methods: This interim analysis involved 50 women, aged 18–...

Objective: To assess the mental health implications among per- imenopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal women. Design: A mixed-methods study was designed and conducted in Nigeria following Ethics committee approval. Methods: This interim analysis encompasses 40 participants, including all women aged 18–90 living in Nigeria who pro- vided inform...

Objective: This study aims to determine the mental health im- pact and workforce issues of perimenopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal women and trans men who have had natural, surgical, or medical menopause. Design: A mixed-methods study was conducted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following Ethics commit- tee and Health Resea...

Objective: This study aims to report the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in modulating lipid profile includ- ing a decrease in triglycerides (TG), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFH), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), along- side an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum Estradiol levels. Design...

Objective: To identify the prevalence and outcomes of women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Design: An evidence synthesis was conducted using a system- atic reivew and meta-analysis. Method: A systematic methodology was developed and pub- lished in PROSPERO (CRD42022346051). Searches were con- ducted using PubMed and Science Direct between...

Background The undergraduate medical training programme is demanding and rigorous. This underlines the importance of a peer mentorship strategy to improve the well-being, self-determination, school connectedness, and performance of struggling medical and nursing students. This study is aimed at identifying struggling medical and nursing students us...

Background Assessing for significant proteinuria in pregnancy (SPIP) stands as a key indicator for diagnosing preeclampsia. However, the initial method typically employed for this assessment, the urine dipstick test, often yields inaccurate results. While a 24-h urine collection is considered the most reliable test, its implementation can lead to d...

Purpose: To determine the role of faith leaders towards reducing glaucoma blindness in Africa. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among faith-based leaders in Anambra state. A pretested self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was distributed among consenting faith-leaders. Responses obtained include biodat...

Caesarean scar pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy with the potential for catastrophic outcomes. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt diagnosis and intervention to improve outcomes. This report describes a rare case of Caesarean scar pregnancy, which was initially misdiagnosed as a threatened miscarriage and cervical ectopic p...

Background Uterine fibroids, or Leiomyoma is a type of Smooth Muscle Tumors of the uterus (SMTs) and are common in the black race. Giant uterine fibroids, on the other hand, are uncommon and may occur during patient dissimulation. Dissimulation may occur because of a dread of surgery and hospitals visits, fear of surgical death, chronic intake of h...

Objective Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been associated with adverse changes in lipid and glucose profiles compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based ART, but data in pregnancy is limited. We evaluated metabolic markers in pregnant women with HIV after starting TAF- vs TDF-based ART. Meth...

Background Oral health care behaviors during pregnancy affects maternal and child health outcomes. This scoping review sought to map the existing literature on the oral healthcare behaviors of pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, EBSCOHOST, Sabinet, African Index Medicus, and Scopus data based were searched in...

Objectives: To estimate the serum lipid levels in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy and also determine the correlation between the mean serum lipid levels and the severity of the disease. Methods: This was a case-control study that involved 116 (58 preeclamptic and 58 normotensive control group) consenting pregnant women at the Fed...

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy-induced disorder characterized by the presence of hypertension and proteinuria occurring after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive and aproteinuric woman. This study is aimed at investigating the maternal serum levels of estriol in pregnant women with preeclampsia. This is an analytical cr...

Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of rectal diclofenac for relieving postoperative pain following diagnostic hystero-laparoscopy and dye test (dHLD). Methods A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted among women who underwent dHLD to evaluate fertility. The women received either rectal diclofenac...

Background and objectives Malaria can be fatal during pregnancy, posing a serious risk to both mothers and fetuses, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Primigravidae are particularly susceptible to placental malaria in areas with high rates of transmission due to insufficient immunity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of placental malaria...

Objectives To determine the prevalence, case-fatality rate, and associated risk-factors of Noma in children in Nigeria. Methods Search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. Data were extraction using a double-blind approach. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I² sta...

Objective To compare the effects of early and delayed cord clamping on the haemoglobin levels of neonates delivered at term. Methods This randomized controlled trial enrolled pregnant women during the second stage of labour. They were randomized into either the early cord clamping (ECC) group or the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group in the ratio o...

Background: Respiratory illnesses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria where healthcare services are largely inaccessible.

Background Speculum lubrication may help to reduce the pain experienced during Pap-smear collection and hence increase uptake of cervical cancer screening and repeat testing, but there are fears of its interference with cytological results. Aim To determine and compare the adequacy of cervical cytology smears and the mean pain scores of women unde...

Background: Breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women is responsible for a good number of cancer deaths worldwide. In high-income countries, the mortality rate from this disease has strongly reduced due to the availability of efficient screening programs and profound management interventions. However, in low and middle-income countries...

Background Uterine cavity pathology may affect the endometrium or myometrium, resulting in distortion of the uterine cavity, and is responsible for 2%–5% of infertility. The methods for its assessment usually involve imaging modalities like pelvic ultrasonography, often transvaginal-(TVS), and hysterosalpingography-(HSG), with hysteroscopy-(HSC) as...

The interaction of adolescent pregnancy with HIV is a complex and crucial public health issue worldwide. This is evident in sub-Saharan Africa, where the co-occurrence of HIV and adolescent pregnancies represents a high risk for additional health and social consequences for both adolescent mothers and their children. This study aims to explore lite...

Background Adolescence is a critical period of life that has implications for oral health and wellbeing, however, the oral health profile of adolescents in Nigeria is undocumented. This systematic review and meta-analysis determined the prevalence of caries and identified the caries prevention behaviours among adolescents in Nigeria. Methods In Aug...

Objective To examine the prevalence, perinatal outcomes and factors associated with neonatal sepsis in referral‐level facilities across Nigeria. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Maternal and Perinatal Database for Quality, Equity and Dignity Programme in 54 referral‐level hospitals across Nigeria. Setting Records covering the period fro...

Background: The hepatitis C virus causes serious morbidity and mortality and is a global public health concern. Aim: To ascertain adult patients' awareness of hepatitis C in a specialist eye clinic in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire administered by interviewers and also self-administered by participants w...

Background: Chronic inflammation, a factor for high mortality, persists throughout the pregnancy period of women living with human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Aim: To determine whether pregnancy alone or the combined effects of HIV and pregnancy are the sources of the inflammation, this study evaluated the predictive variables for inflammation, l...

Objectives: To determine the common diseases in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps during the flooding. Methods: The study was conducted in IDP camps in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria during the last quarter of 2022 (October to December 2022). Secondary data obtained from patients’ record booklets was used. A total number of 19,080 pe...

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing tool is a widely adopted tool in Nigeria. However, there is little known about its impact in reducing HIV infection rates in Nigeria. This review aims to assess the impact of the use of HIV self-testing on the incidence of HIV infections in the country. Methods This was a systematic review...

Objective To determine the incidence and sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with birth asphyxia and the immediate neonatal outcomes of birth asphyxia in Nigeria. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Maternal and Perinatal Database for Quality, Equity and Dignity Programme. Setting Fifty‐four consenting referral‐level hosp...

Synopsis This case involved a 10‐year‐old female with recurrent abdominal pain misdiagnosed as ‘ama‐afo’. Intraoperative findings showed a left‐sided strangulated/gangrenous tubo‐ovarian mass twisted four times on its pedicle.

Umbilical nodes and cords play a crucial role in fetal development and are essential for the transfer of nutrients and oxygen between the mother and the fetus. Sonographic diagnosis of umbilical nodes and cords has become an integral part of prenatal care, allowing for the early detection of abnormalities and potential complications. The umbilical...

Background: Contraception is a strategy to meet the family planning goals of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) as well as to reduce the transmission of HIV. There is limited data from Nigeria, where HIV prevalent is the second-largest in the world. This study aimed to examine contraceptive use and identify factors influencing i...