Comparative Assessment of Some Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits for Malaria Diagnosis in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background:  Deployment of sound diagnostic deliverables remains a crucial component of malaria control and prevention programme in Africa. This study aims to make a comparative assessment of the efficacy of three famous brands of rapid diagnostic kits (RDT) available in Nigerian market, with the traditional Giemsa staining (microscopic) method, in testing for malaria in endemic zones, also to provide relevant information and guidance to individuals, health care service providers, test kit manufacturers as well as health corporate organizations. Methods: Giemsa microscopy along with RDT kits (Acon, Paracheck and SD Bioline) were carried out on 525 patient samples presumed to present with acute uncomplicated malaria by clinical diagnosis. In addition, the total WBC count and haematocrit were conducted on the blood samples. Results: Out of the 525 samples recruited, three hundred (300) 57.1% were found positive by Giemsa microscopy. SD Bioline had a positivity rate of 260 (49.5%) while Acon and Paracheck trailed behind with 200 (38.1%) and 150 (28.6%) samples respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of the three RDT kits were as follows: SD Bioline (86.3%, 99.6%, 92%); Paracheck (50%, 97.7%, 70.4%) and Acon (66.7%, 100%, 80.9%) respectively. Children within the age bracket 0-10 years had the highest malaria positivity rate (F=5.29; p< 0.05). 115 (38.3%) of children in this age group were positive for malaria with Mean PCV of 30.65 ± 0.52 compare to non-malaria control. The dominant malaria species was P. falciparum with 280 (93.3%) cases. However, an appreciable cases of P. falciparum & P. vivax 15 (5.0%) along with P. falciparum & P. malariae 5 (1.7%) co-infections were confirmed. It was also observed that the haematocrit value for individuals correlated inversely with the parasite density (r = -0.78; p< 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation: Giemsa microscopy method still remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis in limited resources endemic zones and recommends that imported RDT kits for malaria should be validated before use in developing countries. Keywords: Giemsa Microscopy; Rapid Diagnostic Kits; Parasite Density; Co-Infection; Malaria Contro

Patterns of User-Initiated Transformation of Dwelling Units in Selected Public Housing Estates in Lagos, Nigeria

This study examined User-Initiated Transformation (UIT) in selected low-income public housing estates in Lagos, Nigeria with a view to providing information that could assist policy makers in more effective housing delivery. It employed a systematic sampling method to select 315 housing units out of 8938 units from 3 purposively selected estates for questionnaire administration, namely: Abesan (156 units), Isolo (128 units) and Iponri estates (31 units). The findings showed that 79.0% (233 out of 295 retrieved questionnaires) of respondents have transformed their houses one way or the other. The majority of residents (78.40%) engaged in transformation by slight adjustment, such as: painting, re-tiling, and installation of shading devices, burglar proof to openings, and fixtures and fittings. It was also observed that 5.28% transformed by addition of more spaces, 1.42 % by addition of doors and windows, 13.21% by addition of services, and 1.68% by total conversion; but there was no indication of transformation by total reconstruction. The study found that 48.3% and 76.0 % of the respondents were not satisfied with the original plan and level of adequacy of spaces of their houses respectively. These findings implied that the predominant patterns of UIT of dwelling units in the study area were due mainly to residents’ dissatisfaction with the level of adequacy of spaces, and with the original plan. The study concluded that greater attention needs to be given to users’ preferences through their participation in the decision-making process relating to the design and delivery of public housing. Keywords: dwelling units, physical transformation, user-initiated transformation (UIT), public housing, Lagos

Resources, Process and Challenges of User-Initiated Transformation of Public Housing Units in Lagos, Nigeria

The literature on user-initiated transformation (UIT) of housing suggests the actuality of the phenomenon as an apparent trend in public housing estates in developing countries, despite the legal and planning implications, and the often negative official attitude towards it. Studies also highlight the significance of economic motivation in UIT. This paper therefore examines the resources for UIT in terms of the sources of finance, cost, and duration, as well as the process and challenges encountered. Systematic sampling method was employed to select 315 housing units from 8938 units in 3 purposively selected low-income estates (the largest) for questionnaire administration. Findings revealed that the main sources of finance for UIT were individual savings (36.8%) and Cooperative societies’ loans (35.8%); while 49.5% of respondents expended N400,000-600,000 to transform to their housing. There was also a significant relationship between cost of UIT and income level. More than 64% of the transformations were completed within 1 year and 34% within the second year. Much of the UIT (65.3%) was by direct labour and 32.3% using contractors. Respondents’ perception of desired spaces not provided emphasized the need for shops, storage, guest room and visitor’s toilet. Insufficient finances and unavailable materials were the key challenges encountered in the transformation process. The study concluded on the need to review the legal, planning, policy and financial frameworks for public housing, to encourage users’ participation and incorporate design guidelines that are sensitive to residents’ socio-economic realities and aspirations as reflected in UIT, through a more acceptable and coordinated approach. Keywords: challenges, process, public housing, resources, user-initiated transformatio

Variations in modern contraceptive uptake and its correlates in South West and North East Nigeria: a comparative analysis

Background: Family planning programs are implemented specifically to address the sexual and reproductive health challenges of women of childbearing age but these interventions are yet to address regional differences in modern contraceptive usage in Nigeria. Hence, this study aimed to examine correlates of modern contraceptive uptake in South West and North Eastern, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey data for women aged 15-49 years was extracted from Nigeria demographic and health surveys 2018 (NDHS). Data analyses were based on a weighted sample of 10,907 (North East= 5406 and South West = 5501) women of reproductive age. The outcome variable was modern contraceptive use. The main explanatory variables were age, employment status, religion, Number of living children, education, and marital status. Frequency distribution, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis (α=0.05).Results: The result showed the mean age of women of reproductive age in South West and North East to be 32years and 30 years respectively. More women in South West used modern contraceptive than women in North East. About 91.5% and 75.8% of women in North East and South West respectively did not used any modern method. The result showed that, in the South West, number of living children (OR:4.06, CI: 2.794-5.921), education (OR:1.35, CI: 1.045-1.754) and wealth index (OR:1.77, CI: 1.053-2.973) increased the odds of contraceptive uptake, while maternal age (OR:0.52, CI: 0.282-0.965), religion (OR:0.25, CI: 0.184-0.347) and place of residence (OR:0.68, CI: 0.504-0.916) significantly reduced the odds of modern contraceptive uptake in North East.Conclusions: This study concludes that there are regional variations in uptake and predictors of modern contraceptives use in Nigeria. Therefore, sexual and reproductive health interventions that considers the study’s significant variables should be put in place to increase uptake

The Effect of Groundnut Sucking Bug (Rhyparochromus littoralis Dist.) on the Oil Content of Groundnut Kernels on Two Groundnut Cultivars in Northern Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted in Kano and Yola in order to expose two (2) groundnut cultivars (Kampala(V1) and KwachambaV2) to the ravaging groundnut sucking bug (Rhyparochromus littoralis Dist.).  The experiments were laid in a split plot design.  This was done in order to determine how long it takes the bug to cause damage on the groundnut pods.  Groundnuts were left on the field for 3, 7, 9, 14, 21 and 35 days before it was decorted.  It was observed that the higher the numbers of days the pods were left on the field, the higher the level of infestation.  To determine the effect of the suck on the oil content of the infested groundnuts, the Soxhlet Fat Extraction Method was used to extract oil from both infested and non infested groundnut in order to compare the oil content percentage based on the number of days each sample was exposed to the pest on the field. Results showed that percentage reduction in the oil content increases with increasing number of days the pods were exposed to the pest.  Overall, the average of results obtained revealed that up to 90% loss in oil content occurred due to the effect of R. littoralis which occurred on the 21 and 35 days the groundnuts were left on the field in both cultivars, as obtained in both locations where the field experiments were conducted. Key Words: Groundnut, Infestation, Decorted, Damage, Oil content, Cultivars

Selection of Mass Transfer Models for Competitive Adsorption of Antibiotics Mixture from Aqueous Solution on Delonix regia Pod Activated Carbon

The selection of suitable mass transfer models that fit the adsorption of a mixture of antibiotics in aqueous solution onto activated carbon derived from Delonix Regia Pods (DRPs) was examined in this study. The ripe DRPs were cleaned, activated with KOH and then carbonised at 350 °C. The surface chemistry of the raw and the modified DRPs were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), before being subjected to batch adsorption of a mixture of Amoxicillin (AMO), Tetracycline (TETRA) and Ampicillin (AMP)  under the effect of time (0-240 mins), and concentration (20-100 mg/l). The adsorption diffusion mechanisms of the process were analyzed. The spectra of the raw and modified DRP indicate the existence of hydroxyl groups alkanes, unconjugated ketone, carbonyl, and ester groups.  McKay has the highest  (0.9445) for the mass transfer diffusion model. This indicates that the adsorption rate of the selected antibiotics in the wastewater is regulated and monitored by the internal mass transport processes in accordance with a pore diffusion mechanism

Health Problems and Health Seeking Behaviour of Hospital Cleaners in a Tertiary Health Facility in South West Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the prevalent health problems and also investigate the health seeking behavior among hospital cleaners of Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State. Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 249 hospital cleaning staff was conducted. Semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information. Descriptive statistics were done and associations were explored with the chi square test at 5% level of significance. The mean age of respondent was 34 ±7 years, 142(57.0%) attended secondary school. The workplace health problems of the cleaning staff in the month preceding the study included low back pains 63.1%, muscular and joint pains 38.6% and skin rashes 14.9%, 15.7% had eye problems. The chronic health problems reported among the cleaners were hypertension 5.6%, asthma (0.8%) and epilepsy (0.4%). Some ( 3.2%) of the respondents did not seek healthcare at FMC, Owo because they felt they were not being cared for while 3.6% believed they were healthy and others 4.4% believed the services were too expensive. Like other health workers, hospital cleaners as shown in this study, also have health needs which must be met. Services of the hospital can be made available to the cleaners at subsidized costs. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p18

Pulmonary involvement in Lassa fever: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION: Lassa fever (LF) affects all body systems, however, inadequate knowledge exists on the involvement of the pulmonary system in LF infections. This scoping review, therefore, aimed to describe the pulmonary involvement of LF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an extensive search of the literature on two databases, namely PubMed and Google Scholar. Overall, 5,217 articles were retrieved from a database search, out of which 107 duplicates were removed. Overall, 12 articles were included: four review articles, three case reports, three experimental inoculation studies, one retrospective study, and a prospective case-control study. RESULTS: Symptoms experienced included fever, pharyngitis, retrosternal pain, respiratory distress, and proteinuria. Complications included unique pulmonary arteritis, pulmonary embolization, mucosal bleeding, pleural or pericardial effusion, pulmonary edema, and interstitial pneumonitis. Consequences of the effect of Lassa virus infection were impairment of the immune system alongside continual replication of Lassa virus infection in affected tissues and death of affected individuals. LF has varied but serious effects on the pulmonary system. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms, particularly in areas where LF is known to be endemic, should prompt clinicians to request LF polymerase chain reaction for confirmatory diagnosis. These features should promote the provision of respiratory support for patients in need of such

Incidence of and socio-biologic risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth in HIV positive Nigerian women

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified HIV as a leading contributor to preterm delivery and its associated morbidity and mortality. However little or no information exists in our sub-region on this subject. Identifying the factors associated with preterm delivery in HIV positive women in our country and sub-region will not only prevent mother to child transmission of HIV virus but will also reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with prematurity and low birth weight. This study was designed to determine the incidence and risk factors for preterm delivery in HIV positive Nigerians. METHOD: The required data for this retrospective study was extracted from the data base of a cohort study of the outcome of prevention of mother to child transmission at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos. Only data of women that met the eligibility of spontaneous delivery after 20 weeks of gestation were included. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institution’s Ethical Review Board. RESULTS: 181 women out of the 1626 eligible for inclusion into the study had spontaneous preterm delivery (11.1%). The mean birth weight was 3.1 ± 0.4 kg, with 10.3% having LBW. Spontaneous preterm delivery was found to be significantly associated with unmarried status (cOR: 1.7;1.52-2.57), baseline CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3)(cOR: 1.8; 1.16-2.99), presence of opportunistic infection at delivery (cOR: 2.2;1.23-3.57), multiple pregnancy (cOR 10.4; 4.24 – 26.17), use of PI based triple ARV therapy (eOR 10.2; 5.52 – 18.8) in the first trimester (cOR 2.5; 1.77 – 3.52) on univariate analysis. However after multivariate analysis controlling for potential confounding variables including low birth weight, only multiple pregnancy (aOR: 8.6; CI: 6.73 – 12.9), presence of opportunistic infection at delivery (aOR: 1.9; CI: 1.1 – 5.7), and 1st trimester exposure to PI based triple therapy (aOR: 5.4; CI: 3.4 – 7.8) retained their significant association with preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: The spontaneous preterm delivery rate among our cohort was 11.1%. HIV positive women with multiple pregnancies, symptomatic HIV infection at delivery and first trimester fetal exposure to PI based triple therapy were found to be at risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. Early booking and non-use of PI based triple therapy in the first trimester will significantly reduce the risk of preterm delivery