SPECTRUM OF DISEASE AND DIAGNOSTIC VALUES OF ULTRASOUND IN INMATES OF A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN NIGERIA

Ikpeme A. A.*, Ani N. E., Odusolu P. E., Eyong E. and Ekpenyong A. E.

ABSTRACT

Summary: Prisons globally are associated with high medical care needs compared with the general population. In developing Countries such as Nigeria, the prisons have been in deplorable conditions including increase in disease burden among inmates. Aims/Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the health status of inmates in a prison in South-South Nigeria by examining their blood pressure, body mass index and abdomino-pelvic ultrasound findings. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study done in March 2017. The study population was 118 individuals aged 19-70 years encountered during a health outreach to a prison facility. Consent was obtained from the Cross River State Ethical Committee and the inmates themselves before the commencement of this exercise. The abdominal ultrasound scans were carried out by Consultant Radiologists. Frequency tables, histograms and bar charts were used to analyze the data all were analyzed using SPSS 20 INC, Chicago, USA. Results: Out of the 118 inmates assessed, males were the majority 74%, females 26%. The highest age group encountered was 30-39 age group with frequency of 46 (40.35%). Systemic Hypertension was recorded in 16 (14.04%), the younger age group was noted to be most affected. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (9%), fatty liver (4%) and Prostate enlargement (4%) were the commonest findings on ultrasound in the women and men respectively. The commonest clinically diagnosed findings were malaria and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, 42.3% and 27.1% respectively. Conclusion: This is the first report of its kind in this city. Important clinical conditions and abdominal scan findings were malaria, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, systemic hypertension, fatty liver and prostate enlargement.

Keywords: Prisons, Mobile ultrasound, Abdomino-pelvic study, Calabar, Nigeria.