2018 - Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc. https://cephashri.org Advancing Evidence. Building Healthier Communities Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:24:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://cephashri.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png 2018 - Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc. https://cephashri.org 32 32 Sakkiya treatment in northern Nigeria: any existing scientific literature? https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-treatment-in-northern-nigeria-any-existing-scientific-literature/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:22:18 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1148 Traditional medicine is a popular practice in Nigeria. One of the popular traditional “surgical” care of body swelling in northern Nigeria is Sakkiya. Sakkiya is a Hausa word which means “the act of puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip, for the purpose of achieving a cure”. Interestingly, author has seen quite a number of clinical cases associated with Sakkiya. This study aims to review the existing literature(s) on Sakkiya treatment, and to give a breakdown of the existing research works that had been done on this area so far. An online search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, on all existing English literatures on Sakkiya till August 31, 2017, was done. No relevant literature was seen on this form of traditional treatment (i.e. Sakkiya). This finding suggests that Sakkiya practice is an overlooked area of healthcare in Nigeria.

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]]> Traditional medicine is a popular practice in Nigeria. One of the popular traditional “surgical” care of body swelling in northern Nigeria is Sakkiya. Sakkiya is a Hausa word which means “the act of puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip, for the purpose of achieving a cure”. Interestingly, author has seen quite a number of clinical cases associated with Sakkiya. This study aims to review the existing literature(s) on Sakkiya treatment, and to give a breakdown of the existing research works that had been done on this area so far. An online search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, on all existing English literatures on Sakkiya till August 31, 2017, was done. No relevant literature was seen on this form of traditional treatment (i.e. Sakkiya). This finding suggests that Sakkiya practice is an overlooked area of healthcare in Nigeria.

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]]> The Sakkiya doctor and the Sakkiya clinic: Findings from a field work https://cephashri.org/publication/the-sakkiya-doctor-and-the-sakkiya-clinic-findings-from-a-field-work/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:19:01 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1146 Sakkiya treatment is a form of traditional care in northern Nigeria. The description of the place, where, and how Sakkiya is done has yet to be unraveled. Objectives: To investigate where Sakkiya is done. To also interview who does Sakkiya and how the Sakkiya is done. Methods: This study was a qualitative field research work which was done in a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This study involved a face-to-face oral interview with the head of the blacksmiths in the village visited. Data was obtained on the biodata of the interviewee, his experience on Sakkiya treatments, and a description of the Sakkiya procedure. Photographs were also taken for proper illustration. The identity of the interviewee was anonymous and his participation was totally voluntary. Results: The blacksmiths are one of the Sakkiya care providers. The interviewee had done Sakkiya on over 1,500 body swellings, and no case of Sakkiya-associated death had been recorded in his entire practice...

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]]> Sakkiya treatment is a form of traditional care in northern Nigeria. The description of the place, where, and how Sakkiya is done has yet to be unraveled. Objectives: To investigate where Sakkiya is done. To also interview who does Sakkiya and how the Sakkiya is done. Methods: This study was a qualitative field research work which was done in a village in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This study involved a face-to-face oral interview with the head of the blacksmiths in the village visited. Data was obtained on the biodata of the interviewee, his experience on Sakkiya treatments, and a description of the Sakkiya procedure. Photographs were also taken for proper illustration. The identity of the interviewee was anonymous and his participation was totally voluntary. Results: The blacksmiths are one of the Sakkiya care providers. The interviewee had done Sakkiya on over 1,500 body swellings, and no case of Sakkiya-associated death had been recorded in his entire practice...

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]]> Cause for concern on the negative health implications of the traditional Sakkiya treatment: Evidence from a survey of clinicians domiciled in a northern Nigerian academic hospital https://cephashri.org/publication/cause-for-concern-on-the-negative-health-implications-of-the-traditional-sakkiya-treatment-evidence-from-a-survey-of-clinicians-domiciled-in-a-northern-nigerian-academic-hospital/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:15:37 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1144 The traditional medicine men are one of the commonly patronized healthcare service providers in Nigeria. In the northern Nigeria, there is a popular traditional treatment for body swellings called Sakkiya in Hausa language. This treatment involves the use of a hot pointed metallic tip to puncture a body swelling. This study aims to explore the clinical experience of clinicians domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto, North-western Nigeria, on the Sakkiya cases they have seen in their practice. Methods: This study surveyed a cross-section of 120 nurses, dentists, medical doctors, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their clinical experience on the cases of patients with history of Sakkiya treatment using an anonymous paper questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (78.3%) of the respondents were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were CHEWs, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Most (83.3%) of them had also seen at least one case of Sakkiya in their clinical practice.

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]]> The traditional medicine men are one of the commonly patronized healthcare service providers in Nigeria. In the northern Nigeria, there is a popular traditional treatment for body swellings called Sakkiya in Hausa language. This treatment involves the use of a hot pointed metallic tip to puncture a body swelling. This study aims to explore the clinical experience of clinicians domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto, North-western Nigeria, on the Sakkiya cases they have seen in their practice. Methods: This study surveyed a cross-section of 120 nurses, dentists, medical doctors, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their clinical experience on the cases of patients with history of Sakkiya treatment using an anonymous paper questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (78.3%) of the respondents were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were CHEWs, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Most (83.3%) of them had also seen at least one case of Sakkiya in their clinical practice.

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]]> Many hours of watching medical TV shows is associated with greater medical knowledge https://cephashri.org/publication/many-hours-of-watching-medical-tv-shows-is-associated-with-greater-medical-knowledge/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:57 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1141 Television (TV) is a popular and effective media in the formation of behaviours, beliefs and emotions. Watching TV is a main hobby in people's lives, and has become an increasingly more common hobby for children nowadays as opposed to several decades ago. However, while many studies have reported the negative effects, there have been little to no studies investigating whether a positive effect may exist. The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals who watch medical dramas are generally more knowledgeable about medicine than those who do not watch medical dramas. This was a cross-sectional survey of adolescents and young adults using an e-questionnaire. The questionnaire had four sections - a consent form, demographics of respondents, TV show(s) respondents watched and assessment of medical knowledge. Questionnaires were circulated to the international community, with a focus on respondents in Canada, the US and Nigeria. Responses were analysed using statistical analysis software. Between August and December 2017, a total of 746...

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]]> Television (TV) is a popular and effective media in the formation of behaviours, beliefs and emotions. Watching TV is a main hobby in people's lives, and has become an increasingly more common hobby for children nowadays as opposed to several decades ago. However, while many studies have reported the negative effects, there have been little to no studies investigating whether a positive effect may exist. The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals who watch medical dramas are generally more knowledgeable about medicine than those who do not watch medical dramas. This was a cross-sectional survey of adolescents and young adults using an e-questionnaire. The questionnaire had four sections - a consent form, demographics of respondents, TV show(s) respondents watched and assessment of medical knowledge. Questionnaires were circulated to the international community, with a focus on respondents in Canada, the US and Nigeria. Responses were analysed using statistical analysis software. Between August and December 2017, a total of 746...

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]]> Sakkiya Research: A call for multidisciplinary collaborations https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-research-a-call-for-multidisciplinary-collaborations/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:52:09 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1138 Research, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, can be defined as the investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. Research is a scientific process, through it many discoveries had been made and many human problems had been solved. In fact, the importance of the roles scientific research in the sustenance of human existence cannot be overemphasized...
As a scientific researcher, with background
training in medical sciences, education, and political
science, I have experienced how hidden information
are unraveled to

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]]> Research, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, can be defined as the investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. Research is a scientific process, through it many discoveries had been made and many human problems had been solved. In fact, the importance of the roles scientific research in the sustenance of human existence cannot be overemphasized...
As a scientific researcher, with background
training in medical sciences, education, and political
science, I have experienced how hidden information
are unraveled to

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]]> Sakkiya and orthodox medicine in Nigeria: A compared narrative https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-and-orthodox-medicine-in-nigeria-a-compared-narrative/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:48:01 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1136 History forms the bedrock of everything. Everything has its own history. In fact, Nigeria has its own history. Interestingly, there exists comprehensive historical documentation on the evolution of Orthodox and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria. On the other hand, virtually no comprehensive literature had ever been written on the history of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria despite the old long age of this traditional practice in this region of Nigeria. This paper thereby gave a compared narrative on the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial evolution of Orthodox medicine and traditional medicine (with focus on Sakkiya care in northern Nigeria) in Nigeria; this paper also provided evidence on the lack of historical evidence on the old traditional Sakkiya practice and thereafter urged the archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and historians of our present day to investigate into the historical evolution of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

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]]> History forms the bedrock of everything. Everything has its own history. In fact, Nigeria has its own history. Interestingly, there exists comprehensive historical documentation on the evolution of Orthodox and traditional healthcare services in Nigeria. On the other hand, virtually no comprehensive literature had ever been written on the history of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria despite the old long age of this traditional practice in this region of Nigeria. This paper thereby gave a compared narrative on the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial evolution of Orthodox medicine and traditional medicine (with focus on Sakkiya care in northern Nigeria) in Nigeria; this paper also provided evidence on the lack of historical evidence on the old traditional Sakkiya practice and thereafter urged the archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and historians of our present day to investigate into the historical evolution of Sakkiya practice in northern Nigeria.

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]]> Sakkiya practice in the ‘north’: A gaze into the past, the present, and the future https://cephashri.org/publication/sakkiya-practice-in-the-north-a-gaze-into-the-past-the-present-and-the-future/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:06:43 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1119 Since the time a clarion call was made on the need to research into the traditional Sakkiya practice in northwestern Nigeria no study had been conducted to review the existing research works that had been done thereafter. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the literatures written on Sakkiya practice so far. Methods: This study involved a literature review of all available online relevant literatures on Sakkiya practice up till June 30, 2018. Papers on Sakkiya practice were obtained from online research databases. Results: Only six relevant literatures were obtained for this study...

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]]> Since the time a clarion call was made on the need to research into the traditional Sakkiya practice in northwestern Nigeria no study had been conducted to review the existing research works that had been done thereafter. This study was conducted with the aim of reviewing the literatures written on Sakkiya practice so far. Methods: This study involved a literature review of all available online relevant literatures on Sakkiya practice up till June 30, 2018. Papers on Sakkiya practice were obtained from online research databases. Results: Only six relevant literatures were obtained for this study...

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]]> Caregiver reports on the socio-economic and safety issues associated with Sakkiya treatment: a survey of a neglected area in Nigerian healthcare https://cephashri.org/publication/caregiver-reports-on-the-socio-economic-and-safety-issues-associated-with-sakkiya-treatment-a-survey-of-a-neglected-area-in-nigerian-healthcare/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 22:47:43 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1114 Sakkiya treatment involves puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip. Objective: To survey the clinicians’ awareness on sakkiya treatment, the mode of payment for this kind of treatment, as well as its safety profile. Study Group: Dentists, medical doctors, nurses, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: Data obtained from 120 surveyed participants were used for this study. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (60.9%) of respondents were within the age range of 26 to 35 years, 73.3% of them were males, and 56.7% were CHEWs. The majority (86.7%) of them had heard of the term sakkiya before, 83.3% of them had also seen at least one case of sakkiya in their clinical practice. On further enquiry from those respondents (n=104) that had prior knowledge of sakkiya treatment, 59.6% and 25.1% of them gave a report that the traditional healers and the blacksmith were the top two providers of sakkiya services respectively. Also, 74.0% of these 104 respondents indicated that the fees paid for sakkiya service is relatively cheaper that the fees charged in the hospitals for similar swelling. Most of the patronisers of the sakkiya treatment providers are predominantly rural dwellers. Usually, this sakkiya treatment is done in septic conditions and without local anaesthetic cover. Conclusions: Sakkiya treatment is popularly known among the surveyed clinicians. There is a need for public education on the dangers associated with sakkiya treatments.

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]]> Sakkiya treatment involves puncturing a body swelling with a hot pointed metallic tip. Objective: To survey the clinicians’ awareness on sakkiya treatment, the mode of payment for this kind of treatment, as well as its safety profile. Study Group: Dentists, medical doctors, nurses, and community health extension workers (CHEWs) domiciled in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: Data obtained from 120 surveyed participants were used for this study. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The majority (60.9%) of respondents were within the age range of 26 to 35 years, 73.3% of them were males, and 56.7% were CHEWs. The majority (86.7%) of them had heard of the term sakkiya before, 83.3% of them had also seen at least one case of sakkiya in their clinical practice. On further enquiry from those respondents (n=104) that had prior knowledge of sakkiya treatment, 59.6% and 25.1% of them gave a report that the traditional healers and the blacksmith were the top two providers of sakkiya services respectively. Also, 74.0% of these 104 respondents indicated that the fees paid for sakkiya service is relatively cheaper that the fees charged in the hospitals for similar swelling. Most of the patronisers of the sakkiya treatment providers are predominantly rural dwellers. Usually, this sakkiya treatment is done in septic conditions and without local anaesthetic cover. Conclusions: Sakkiya treatment is popularly known among the surveyed clinicians. There is a need for public education on the dangers associated with sakkiya treatments.

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]]> Are caregivers doing enough on Sakkiya education? Evidence from a hospital survey https://cephashri.org/publication/are-caregivers-doing-enough-on-sakkiya-education-evidence-from-a-hospital-survey/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 20:04:29 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1065 Sakkiya is popular traditional treatment for body swelling in northern Nigeria. This treatment has been reported to have lethal health risks associated with it. Objectives: To explore the level of participation of clinicians in a northern Nigerian hospital in patient and community education on Sakkiya treatment. Methods: This study surveyed a sample of 120 clinicians domiciled in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their level of participation in patient and public education on the dangers associated with Sakkiya treatment. The survey instrument was a self-administered paper questionnaire. Results: More than three-fourth (78.3%) of the subjects were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were community health extension workers, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Majority (84.2%) of the subjects perceived Sakkiya practice to be a problem of public health importance. Only 35.8% of the subjects did educate their patients with body swelling on the dangers of Sakkiya treatment always. Also, close to four-tenth (39.2%) of the subjects had never engaged themselves in community education on the problems associated with Sakkiya treatment. Conclusion: Public education on Sakkiya is a highly neglected area in the Nigerian public health. Caregivers need to pay more attention to educating their patients as well as the people in the communities on the health risks associated with Sakkiya treatment.

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]]> Sakkiya is popular traditional treatment for body swelling in northern Nigeria. This treatment has been reported to have lethal health risks associated with it. Objectives: To explore the level of participation of clinicians in a northern Nigerian hospital in patient and community education on Sakkiya treatment. Methods: This study surveyed a sample of 120 clinicians domiciled in UDUTH, Sokoto, on their level of participation in patient and public education on the dangers associated with Sakkiya treatment. The survey instrument was a self-administered paper questionnaire. Results: More than three-fourth (78.3%) of the subjects were within the age range of 26 to 40 years, 73.3% of them were males, 56.7% were community health extension workers, and 34.2% of them had been working as clinicians for 6 to 10 years. Majority (84.2%) of the subjects perceived Sakkiya practice to be a problem of public health importance. Only 35.8% of the subjects did educate their patients with body swelling on the dangers of Sakkiya treatment always. Also, close to four-tenth (39.2%) of the subjects had never engaged themselves in community education on the problems associated with Sakkiya treatment. Conclusion: Public education on Sakkiya is a highly neglected area in the Nigerian public health. Caregivers need to pay more attention to educating their patients as well as the people in the communities on the health risks associated with Sakkiya treatment.

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]]> After medical school; what next? A survey on graduating medical students’ choice of a postgraduate study program. https://cephashri.org/publication/after-medical-school-what-next-a-survey-on-graduating-medical-students-choice-of-a-postgraduate-study-program/ Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:52:12 +0000 https://cephashri.org/?post_type=publication&p=1062 Not all medical students want to further their education after bagging a medical degree. Even among those who want to further, not all of them want to pursue postgraduate disciplines in clinical medicine. This study aims to explore the postgraduate disciplines desired by the graduating medical students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, Nigeria, and also explore the factors that influenced their choice of a postgraduate study program. Methods: This study surveyed a cross section of 63 graduating medical students of the UDU using a well-structured anonymous questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the 63 respondents was 24.87 (±2.17) years, with the majority (73.0%) of them being males. Only 44 (69.8%), out of a total of 63, respondents desired to go for postgraduate studies after finishing medical school, of which the majority (89.2%) of them desired to pursue a medical residency program. Also, not up to half (39.5%) of those respondents who desired postgraduate study intended to have it done in an institution within Africa. The disciplines chosen by those respondents who desired postgraduate studies were diverse, however the majority (70.5%) of them prefer postgraduate programs in clinical sciences. Personal interest (75.0%) and research opportunities were the top two factors influencing the respondents’ choice of a postgraduate study program. Conclusions: Not all medical students desired to further their education after medical school. Also, the choices of postgraduate study programs among the surveyed students were diverse.

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]]> Not all medical students want to further their education after bagging a medical degree. Even among those who want to further, not all of them want to pursue postgraduate disciplines in clinical medicine. This study aims to explore the postgraduate disciplines desired by the graduating medical students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, Nigeria, and also explore the factors that influenced their choice of a postgraduate study program. Methods: This study surveyed a cross section of 63 graduating medical students of the UDU using a well-structured anonymous questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the 63 respondents was 24.87 (±2.17) years, with the majority (73.0%) of them being males. Only 44 (69.8%), out of a total of 63, respondents desired to go for postgraduate studies after finishing medical school, of which the majority (89.2%) of them desired to pursue a medical residency program. Also, not up to half (39.5%) of those respondents who desired postgraduate study intended to have it done in an institution within Africa. The disciplines chosen by those respondents who desired postgraduate studies were diverse, however the majority (70.5%) of them prefer postgraduate programs in clinical sciences. Personal interest (75.0%) and research opportunities were the top two factors influencing the respondents’ choice of a postgraduate study program. Conclusions: Not all medical students desired to further their education after medical school. Also, the choices of postgraduate study programs among the surveyed students were diverse.

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