P253 Knowledge of electromyography (EMG) among sub-Saharan African patients - A pilot survey

Document Type

Article

Department

Internal Medicine (East Africa)

Abstract

Background Electromyography (EMG) is one of the common diagnostic procedure in neurology but still scarce in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Objective This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge of EMG among patients undergoing this procedure with a view to ascertain the type, quality and reliability of the information they have.

Methodology Consecutive patients who underwent EMG for the first time between 2014 and 2016, at the WFN/Blossom Medical Centre Ibadan, Nigeria were interviewed prior to their test. Data on patients demography,type of referring physicians and knowledge of the nature and execution of EMG were collated. The source of information was also assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to know the determinants of EMG knowledge.

Results 55 patients, 32 males and 23 females; mean ages 48.69(18.32) and 43.30(14.88) respectively were interviewed. 23(41.8%) patients were adjudged informed about the nature of EMG while 32(58.2%) were uninformed. 21(38.2%) were informed about the procedure by their doctors while 4(7.3%) got information from friends. 4(7.3%) got information from the internet. Level of education was associated with being informed (p = 0.039).

Conclusion Knowledge of EMG is poor and could be improved upon. More patient education needs to be done to prepare the patients, and allay their fears about the procedure.

Significance Electrodiagnostic education and practise need to be reinforced in SSA.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Clinical Neurophysiology

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