The Value of Mobile Ultrasound Services in Rural Communities in South-South Nigeria

AIM: This paper examines the activities of mobile services units including ultrasound services in rural and urban communities in the Calabar region of South-South, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consenting individuals were invited and attended five medical outreach activities in rural and urban areas of the Calabar region between January and June 2016. Abdomino-pelvic scans were done. Subsequently the results were analyzed. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventy-four (574) individuals had Abdomino-pelvic scans done, using a curvilinear probe to assess the abdomino-pelvic organs. The female to male ratio was 1.46:1. The age ranged from 1-78 years with a mean of 40.63 (standard deviation of 17.5). The commonest sonographic finding was uterine fibroids, 21 (8.1%). Fifty-four percent of the scans were normal. The commonest sonographic finding in men was prostatic enlargement. CONCLUSION: Medical outreach activities provided by mobile units provide much needed ultrasound services in poor resource settings in Nigeria. Significant clinical pathologies were identified at fairly high rates.