Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Healthcare Seekers at a Tertiary Health Facility in North-Central Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B and C viral infections are among the common infectious diseases with global public health importance. Nigeria is among the countries identified to be hyper-endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among healthcare seekers at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria, to increase awareness among the populace and sensitize public health stakeholders.

METHODS

A retrospective study that involved data abstraction from the medical laboratory records of patients seeking care at Bingham University Teaching Hospital. The information collected included screening results for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.

RESULTS

A total of 186 patients were screened for HBV infection and 96 were screened for HCV infection. The mean ages and standard deviations were 36.2 ± 15.05 years and 37.2 ± 14.48 years for those screened for HBV and HCV, respectively. The seroprevalence rate of HBV infection was 14.0% while the rate for HCV infection was 10.4%. Males had a higher HBV seroprevalence of 9.1% than females with 4.9%. For HCV seroprevalence, females recorded a higher prevalence of 6.2% compared to their male counterparts who had 4.2%. Among those screened for HBV, the young adult age group had the highest prevalence rate of 10.2%, while for the HCV screen the middle-aged group had the highest prevalence rate of 6.2%. These were, however, not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that both HBV and HCV infections are hyper-endemic. There is a need to intensify awareness campaigns and improve the implementation of preventive and management strategies for HBV and HCV infections.

Quality of life of hypertensive men with erectile dysfunction in a tertiary health centre in southern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common disorder of sexual health seen in men in community studies. A man's sexual health has been found to be a key factor in determining the capacity for maintaining a healthy relationship.

AIM

This study sought to determine the quality of life of hypertensive men with ED attending the out-patient clinics of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, South-South, Nigeria.

SETTING

This study was conducted in the Out Patients Clinics (OPC) of FMC, Asaba, Delta state, Nigeria.

METHODS

After obtaining approval from the ethics and research committees in Asaba, 184 consenting hypertensive men who met the eligibility criteria were selected by systematic random sampling to participate in the study from October 2015 to January 2016. This study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected with a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adopted from the international index of Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The study complied with the principles of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.

RESULTS

The results showed the mean score for physical domain (58.78 ± 24.37), the psychological domain (62.68 ± 25.93), the social domain (50.47 ± 29.09), and the environmental domain (62.25 ± 18.52). Over a fifth, 11 (22.0%), of the respondents with severe ED had poor quality of life.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that ED is common in hypertensive men and their quality of life was more impaired than those with normal erectile function.Contribution: This study contributes to holistic approaches to patient care.

Burden of COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents' Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study among Secondary School Students in North-Central Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused millions of mortalities globally. Although the prevalence and fatality rates of COVID-19 among adolescents is low, its impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not adequately known. This study was carried out to determine the burden COVID-19 pandemic has on the HRQoL of adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among adolescents in public and private secondary schools in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the schools and recruit the participants in April/May 2021. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, questions on being burdened by COVID-19 pandemic, and the KIDSCREEN-10 tool for assessing the HRQoL. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and a p-value of < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

RESULTS

A total of 405 adolescents participated in the study with a mean age of 14.6 ± 2.06 years. Majority (52.8%) of the participants were girls. More than half (53.3%) of the participants reported being burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, 45.7% of the participants experienced a lower HRQoL. There was a statistically significant association between being burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic and their HRQoL (χ2 = 7.108, p = 0.01). In addition, the participants' HRQoL was significantly associated with their age (χ2= 5.112, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant burden of COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' wellbeing. Therefore, there is the need to intensify health intervention strategies among adolescents to reduce the physical, emotional, and mental burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to optimize their quality of life.

Human Monkey Pox Virus Infection in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria: A Report of Two Cases

BACKGROUND

Human Monkey Pox Virus (HMPV) infection is a zoonotic infection that is endemic in the Congo basin and West Africa. Its similarity to smallpox infection, increased susceptibility infection in human populations, lack of a definitive therapy and its potential for use as a bioterrorism tool underscores its public health importance.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of HMPV infection in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a case study of HMPV infection occurring in two Nigerian adults, seen in 2018, at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The cases involved two siblings, and these were the first reported cases in Plateau State of Nigeria, which has an estimated population of 3.5 million persons. The diagnosis was based on a combination of clinical features and positive PCR tests on samples from the skin lesions and blood.

RESULTS

The first case, a 20-year-old male, presented with a one week history of fever, headache, pain on swallowing and micturition, and generalised skin lesions. The second case is a 20 year old step brother of the first case, and the primary care provider to first case when he took ill. He also presented with a one-week history of fever, headache, pain on swallowing, and skin lesions which were less intense than in the first case. PCR assays of samples from the skin lesions and blood were positive in both cases. The other comorbidity in both cases was pharyngotonsillitis. Blood, throat, stool, and urine cultures for suspected sepsis and urinary tract infection were all negative. Both cases were admitted and discharged after receiving a course of antibiotics, antihistamine, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and multivitamins. Universal precautions were observed.

CONCLUSION

HMPV infection in our environment underscores the need to strengthen preventive health strategies against this infection.

Risk Factors Associated with Adolescent Obesity in an Urban Area, North-West Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a vulnerable period of transition and a time for establishing healthy or risky behaviours. Adolescents constitute the strategic link between a nation's past and the future. Adolescent obesity is an epidemic of global proportions which has affected both industrialized and developing countries. Identifying factors that influence adolescent obesity in our environment would help to strengthen preventive measures, reduce the disease burden, and ultimately improve adult health.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study conducted in secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis, North-West Nigeria. The participants were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty adolescents were recruited into the study. This consisted of 85(56.7%) girls and 65(43.3%) boys. The mean age of the participants was 14.1 ± 2.3 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.3% and 14.0% respectively. Factors identified to be associated with the development of obesity included lack of sporting activities (c2 = 8.18, p= 0.04) and the number of hours of sleep daily (c2 = 17.91, p= 0.01). All except one of the obese adolescents consumed snacks/soft drinks, though the relationship between adolescent obesity and consumption of snacks/soft drinks was not statistically significant (c2 = 5.58, p= 0.13).

CONCLUSION

Addressing the risk factors associated with adolescent obesity is a key to reversing this global epidemic. Health education on appropriate sleep pattern and engaging in sporting activities should be emphasized in secondary schools.

Impact of Epilepsy on Adolescents in a Rural Nigerian Community: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy is associated with impaired physical, psychological and social functioning. Assessing its impact on these parameters is important to improving the wellbeing of those with the disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of epilepsy on the physical, psychological and social status of adolescents in a rural community.

METHODS

Adolescents with epilepsy (Subjects) were identified in a community house to house survey. Controls (adolescents without epilepsy) matched for age and sex were randomly selected from the community. Information obtained from the subjects, controls and their care givers using a structured questionnaire included: Age, Sex, Social Class, Knowledge of epilepsy, Characteristics of epilepsy, Treatment options utilized, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), Body Mass Index (BMI), Academic performance and Epilepsy related problems.

RESULTS

Eighteen subjects, 10.5/1000 of the adolescent (10-19 years) population, had epilepsy. The mean age was 16.7± 2.6 years and 16.3± 2.6 years for the subjects and controls respectively. Most of the subjects were males (83.3%). All the subjects had generalized epilepsy, were on traditional medication and none was on orthodox medical therapy. Occurrence of seizures, cost of accessing orthodox medical treatment and stigma were the major problems identified. Ingestion of traditional medication was the commonest modality for overcoming the major problems identified. Seven (38.8%) were underweight but it was not significant (p>0.05). Epilepsy was significantly associated with impaired HRQOL, academic performance and social relationships (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Epilepsy had a negative impact on the psychosocial and academic status of adolescents. It highlights the need to provide comprehensive adolescent health and social services in epilepsy management.

Correlation between central obesity and blood pressure in an adult Nigerian population

Background: Obesity has been recognised as a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of central obesity [using waist–hip ratio (WHR) as an indicator] and the correlation between central obesity and blood pressure (BP) in adults seen in a Nigerian tertiary health facility.Materials and methods: The study was a cross-sectional design carried out between February and November 2015 at the General Outpatient Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria. A total of 482 consenting adults aged 16–40 years formed the study population. Consecutive sampling was used in the recruitment of subjects, whereas data were collected by the use of an interviewer-administered questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the study population was 25.37 ± 5.49, whereas the mean WHR for men and women was 0.83 ± 0.04 and 0.82 ± 0.05, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity in the study population was 39.4% (n = 190). Female respondents had a higher prevalence (59.2%) than male respondents (8.5%), and the relationship between central obesity and sex was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between WHR and BP (diastolic BP: r = 0.122, p = 0.008; systolic BP: r = 0.015, p = 0.742) in both sexes. Obese respondents were observed to be more likely to develop hypertension than the non-obese respondents.Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between central obesity and BP in adults aged 16–40 years.

Natal tooth and cultural impact on its management in a tropical neonatal unit: a case report

The incidence of natal tooth is uncommon and its management could be fraught with challenges. A 3 day old female presented with features of sepsis and a natal tooth. Treatment for sepsis was permitted and successfully instituted but definitive management of the natal tooth was deferred, for cultural reasons, by the parents. The case documents the occurrence of natal tooth and highlights the impact of cultural beliefs on management of some medical conditions. It underscores the need to develop the relationship between orthodox medical care and cultural beliefs, in susceptible communities, with a view to achieving optimal health care delivery.

Febrile seizures in Kaduna, north western Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Febrile seizure is the most common seizure of childhood and has a good prognosis. However its presentation is fraught with poor management, with grave consequences, in our environment. Thus a review of its current status is important.

OBJECTIVE

To review the status of febrile seizures in Kaduna metropolis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of cases seen in the Department of Paediatrics, 44 Nigeria Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna between June 2008 and June 2010.

RESULTS

Out of the 635 cases admitted in the department 17 (2.7%) fulfilled the criteria for febrile seizures. There were 11 Males and 6 Females (M: F, 1.8:1). Age range was from 9 months to 5 years with a mean of 2.2 years ± 1.1 and peak age of 3 years. Twelve (70.6%) were in the upper social classes (I-III). Fever, convulsion, catarrh and cough were major presenting symptoms. Incidence of convulsion was least on the 1st day of complaint. Fourteen (82.4%) of the cases were simple febrile seizures while 3 were complex. There was a positive family history in 5 (29.4%) of the cases. Eleven (64.7%) had orthodox medication at home, before presentation, 5 (29.4%) consulted patient medicine sellers and 7 (41.7%) received traditional medication as part of home management. Malaria and acute respiratory infections were the identifiable causes. Standard anti-malaria and anti-biotic therapy were instituted, where indicated. All recovered and were discharged.

CONCLUSION

There was a low prevalence of febrile seizures among the hospitalized children and a poor pre-hospitalization management of cases. It highlighted the need for improved community awareness on the prevention and management of febrile seizures.