Adolescent malnutrition: Prevalence and pattern in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of malnutrition among adolescents in senior secondary schools in The Abuja Municipal area councilMethods: Study design: this is a cross-sectional study conducted among adolescents (10-19 years) in secondary schools. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 1700 students from classes in selected schools. All schools in the Abuja Municipal Area council (AMAC) were stratified into urban and rural schools. Eight schools were selected by balloting from a list of schools obtained from the Education centre. A school was selected from each of the four major districts of AMAC and four schools were selected from the rural making a total of 8 schools. Although the consent of the school authorities was obtained, individual subject also consented to the study before being enrolled. The study excluded those adolescents who were physically challenged thus limiting physical activity. Information was obtained via the use of questionnaires that were administered by trained personnel. Subject’s height and weight was taken using the floor-type height (H) and weight (W) measuring scale model ZT-120 using Massachusetts department of public health protocol. The nutritional status was determined using the formula: BMI= W/H2 , where W =weight (in kilograms) and H= height (in meters). The age and sex specific height and BMI percentile for each subject was determined using the 2007 WHO Height and BMI growth charts for age 5-19years. The students were then classified into one of the following categories using previously used standards: normal, stunted, wasted, overweight or obese. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical package.Results: The mean age was 14.43±1.94 years; male 688, female 862, M:F ratio 1.1.3. Mean BMI, weight and height were 20.31±3.07kg/m2, 51.07± 10.80 kg, and 157.88±9.33 cm. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity was documented as 1.7% (27/1550), 11.3% (175/1550), 13.2% (205/1550), and 2.6% (41/1550) respectively. Those in urban schools had higher mean BMI (20.91±3.22 kg/m2 versus 19.71±2.78 kg/m2) and height (160.41±9.14 cm versus 155.32±8.81 cm) and p values <0.05.Conclusion: There is a double burden of over-nutrition (overweight and obesity) and under-nutrition (stunting and wasting) among adolescents in Nigeria.Key words: Adolescent, malnutrition, school populatio

Childhood pneumonia at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin Nigeria

Background/Objectives: Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children and thus this study was designed to document the sociodemographic, clinical features as well as the bacterial agents  responsible for pneumonia in children seen at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.Methodology: A descriptive cross -sectional study of children aged one month to 14 years with features of pneumonia admitted between July 1st 2010 and June 31st, 2011 was carried out. Sociodemograpic data, clinical features, complications and outcome were obtained. Chest radiographs and blood samples for culture of bacterial organism and full bloodcounts were obtained in all children.Results: Pneumonia accounted for 13.3% (167 out of 1254) of the all admissions during this period. The male: female ratio was 1.5:1, and 101(60.5%) of the children were infants. Bronchopneumonia was identified in 147(88%) children, lobar pneumonia in 15 (9%) while 5(3%) had a combination of both. Cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, tachypnoea andchest wall recessions were recognised as clinical features in the study population. Bacteraemia was present in 46(27%)children and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured from the blood of children with pneumonia present in 11 (23.9%) out of the 46 (100.0%) isolates. Heart failure was associated complication present in 52 of the 60 children with one or more complications accounting for over 30% of all patients. Eleven out of the 15 children with lobar pneumonia hadpneumonia-related complications which was significantly higher compared to 46 of 157 children with bronchopneumonia, p=0.003. The case fatality was 6.6%. Eight (72.7%) of the children that died were infants while the remaining three (27.3%) were aged between 12 and 60 months. The mean duration of hospitalization among those who survived of 6.5 ±5.0 days was significantly lower than the corresponding value of 10.2 ±12.3 days in those that died, p= 0.042. Conclusion: Pneumonia-related mortality and morbidity is high in under-five children, with the infant age group most affected. Bronchopneumonia is the most prevalent ALRI diagnosis but lobar pneumonia is associated with a higher mortality

Relationship between dietary habits and nutritional status among adolescents in Abuja municipal area council of Nigeria

Background: Dietary intake assessment is essential to understanding the nutritional status. Healthy eating pattern promotes optimal health, growth and intellectual development and prevents diseases, while poor dietary eating choices may cause malnutrition.Aims: To determine the dietary eating patterns and nutritional status among adolescents in secondary schools within Abuja Municipal area council (AMAC).Subjects and Methods: crosssectional among adolescents, 10 – 19years in secondary schools within AMAC, Nigeria. Using a multistage stratified sampling technique, four urban and four rural schools, 1550 students, were enrolled. Subject’s bio data, dietary habits and knowledge of nutrition and general physical examination were obtained. Dietary assessment included intake of main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), skipping meals; methods used to control weight in the previous 30days; knowledge and preference of a balanced diet and food choices. Subject’s height and weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were determined using the 2007 WHO charts. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical package and p value less than 0.05 was significant.Results: 1550 students were recruited, males 688 (44.4%) and females 862 (55.6%); mean age 14.43±1.94 years. Of the 780 urban adolescents, 502 (64.4%) were of upper class and 68 (8.7%) lower class; and of the 770 (49.7%) rural, 206 (26.8%) and 232 (30.1%) belong to upper and lower class respectively, p=.000. Stunting 174(11.2%) and overweight 195(12.6%) were the major forms of malnutrition recorded. Food preferences was based mainly on good taste in 546 (35.2%), balanced diet 530 (34.2%); and 539 (34.8%) had good nutritional knowledge of a balanced diet. Five hundred and forty six (35.2%) admitted to taking carbonated drinks within the previous 7days and 147 (9.5%) missed breakfast, lunch and supper as single meal. Breakfast only was skipped by 71(4.6%) while 160 (10.3%) took lunch outside the home. The methods used to control weight were eating less food or fats, fasting, use of diet pills, inducing vomiting/use of laxatives. Skipping meals and taking meals outside the home was significant for the sex, (p value <0.05), school setting (p value .000) and the infrequent intake of fruits/ vegetables (p value .025). Those that skipped meals showed significant stunting (p value .009), while those who took fruits and vegetables infrequently had significant wasting (p value .049).Conclusion: poor dietary habits were identified among the adolescent. Malnutrition especially stunting and wasting was identified among those that skipped meals and took little fruits and vegetables.Key words: dietary habits, adolescent, urban, rural, prevalence, nutritional status, carbonated drinks

Vaccines and immunization: The past, present and future in Nigeria

Vaccines are arguably the most important public health tools available today. Since the successful eradication of smallpox with the use of the vaccine, many vaccines have become available to man. Of great importance to public and child health are the vaccines against the so-called six killer diseases of childhood-measles, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis. In the last 2 decades, effective vaccines against the major causes of pneumonia, another childhood killer, have become available. Data from many parts of the world including African countries have shown the benefits of the pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines. The scientific world is still searching for appropriate candidate vaccines for malaria and HIV infection. Despite the availability and effectiveness of many vaccines, the benefits to a country is highly dependent on a viable and sustainable health system which include adequate financing, dynamic and motivated workforce, strong partnerships and effective community participation. If well deployed, available vaccines as elucidated in this discourse can accelerate the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria and many other developing countries.Key words: Vaccines, Immunizations, Nigeria

Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a case report in a Nigerian child and literature review

This report of Hereditary anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HAED), a genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities of structures of ectodermal origin, was informed by its rarity, and its import for survival in a tropical environment. The five-year old male was first seen on account of inability to cut the front teeth, and a persistent offensive nasal discharge. He had heat intolerance and inability to perspire from early infancy. Pedigree evaluation revealed that both parents are Nigerians and unrelated, but the maternal front dentition was visibly defective. A 19-year old female sibling needed dentures at 10 years of age, while the father was one of two survivors out of 12 children, eight of whom were males. Findings included hypotrichosis; “saddle-nose” deformity and an offensive nasal discharge; the skin was thin, warm and dry; he had no incisors and canines, but had a single erupted premolar on either side and radiographic evidence of unerupted premolars was found. Genetic counseling and parental anticipatory guidance were offered, as was antimicrobial treatment for the co-morbid atrophic rhinitis. Dentures were deferred on the dentist's advice. This case report of HAED in a Nigerian was aimed at raising the local index of clinical suspicion by highlighting the reality of rarities, even with inadequate diagnostic support. The diagnostic parameters, literature review and the management strategies are discussed.Key words: Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia; hypotrichosis; oligodontia;Nigeri

Serum zinc levels as a predictor of clinical features and outcome of paediatric acute lower respiratory infections in Nigeria

Background: Malnutrition, especially macronutrient deficiency, has been shown to be interrelated with ALRI-related morbidity and mortality. However the import of zinc deficiency has only recently become the focus of research attention.Objective: The current study was carried out in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria to determine the relationship between serum zinc levels, clinical features and outcome in hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory infections(ALRI).Method: A descriptive crosssectional hospital-based study involving 120 children aged two months to five years with ALRI. Socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. The serum zinc was analyzed with a Jenway™ spectrophotometer after initial preparation with theQuantiChrom™ zinc assay kit.Results: Children with tachypnoea and crepitations had significantly lower mean serum zinc levels compared to the corresponding values in those without these features (each p<0.05). Significantly higher mean serum zinc level was recorded in children with grunting respiration compared with thosewithout grunting (p=0.028). Agerelated tachypnoea, grunting, and crepitations remained significant (each p<0.05) following a linear  regression analysis. The mean serum zinc level in children with multiple complications was significantly lower than the corresponding level recorded in children who had one complication, p=0.020. No significant differencewas found between the mean serum zinc level of the children who were discharged compared with the corresponding level recorded in those that died, p=0.589.Conclusion: The presence of crepitations had the strongest clinical association with a low serum zinc level. Children managed for ALRI would benefit from post-treatment zinc supplements and appropriate zinc-rich sources of food at discharge.Keywords: Children zinc respiratory infection

Barriers and facilitators to human immunodeficiency virus sero-status disclosure in a tertiary health facility in Kano, Nigeria

Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) sero-status to sexual partners, family and friends is essential in preventing HIV transmission. An array of benefits has been associated with disclosure; such as early referral to care and treatment, reduced stigma and increased social support. Objectives: We determined the prevalence, barriers and facilitators to HIV sero-status disclosure among clients attending the Antiretroviral (ARV) clinic in AminuKano-Teaching Hospital, Kano. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 HIV positive patients attending ARV clinic at AKTH using a systematic sampling technique. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain respondent's socio-demographic characteristics, disclosure status, barriers and facilitators of HIV sero-status disclosure. We conducted univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis using SPSS version 22, and a p- value ≤0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35 ± 8.64 years with a male to female sex distribution of 53% to 47 % respectively. Majority were not married (74.0%) and two thirds (67%) were Muslims. This study found that 60% of the respondents had disclosed their HIV sero-status and 97% of them had done so voluntarily. The fear of divorce/neglect (p<0.01, aOR=0.017, 95% CI=0.02-0.15) and fear of stigma (p<0.01, aOR=0.03, 95% CI= 0.00-0.03) were found as barriers to HIV sero-status disclosure. Financial difficulties (p<0.01, aOR=3.03, 95% CI=1.16-5.61) and the need for improved access to necessary medical care (p=0.04, aOR=6.52, 95% CI=1.85-23.15) were found to facilitate HIV sero status disclosure. Conclusion: The study found a low HIV sero-status disclosure in Kano. Disclosure being major recommendation by World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention requires strengthening during patients counselling and education sessions

Application of headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography for the analysis of furfural in crude palm oil

Processing of vegetative material containing pentoses has been shown to result in the formation of furfural. Furfural exhibits a spectrophotometric absorption peak at 518 nm when complexed with aniline acetate. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method has been successfully used to confirm the presence of furfural in crude palm oil (CPO). Solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber composed of divinylbenzene/Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/PDMS/CAR) was used to absorb the volatiles in the headspace of the oil. The isolated compounds from the fiber was desorbed and separated on a capillary polar column of a gas chromatograph. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the SPME fiber condition for maximum absorption of furfural from CPO. The optimized temperature and time for furfural extraction onto the SPME fiber are 70 °C for 40 min. Oils obtained from the mill were found to contain between 2 and 13% furfural

A Computational Study of Elongation Factor G (EFG) Duplicated Genes: Diverged Nature Underlying the Innovation on the Same Structural Template

BACKGROUND: Elongation factor G (EFG) is a core translational protein that catalyzes the elongation and recycling phases of translation. A more complex picture of EFG's evolution and function than previously accepted is emerging from analyzes of heterogeneous EFG family members. Whereas the gene duplication is postulated to be a prominent factor creating functional novelty, the striking divergence between EFG paralogs can be interpreted in terms of innovation in gene function. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We present a computational study of the EFG protein family to cover the role of gene duplication in the evolution of protein function. Using phylogenetic methods, genome context conservation and insertion/deletion (indel) analysis we demonstrate that the EFG gene copies form four subfamilies: EFG I, spdEFG1, spdEFG2, and EFG II. These ancient gene families differ by their indispensability, degree of divergence and number of indels. We show the distribution of EFG subfamilies and describe evidences for lateral gene transfer and recent duplications. Extended studies of the EFG II subfamily concern its diverged nature. Remarkably, EFG II appears to be a widely distributed and a much-diversified subfamily whose subdivisions correlate with phylum or class borders. The EFG II subfamily specific characteristics are low conservation of the GTPase domain, domains II and III; absence of the trGTPase specific G2 consensus motif "RGITI"; and twelve conserved positions common to the whole subfamily. The EFG II specific functional changes could be related to changes in the properties of nucleotide binding and hydrolysis and strengthened ionic interactions between EFG II and the ribosome, particularly between parts of the decoding site and loop I of domain IV. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our work, for the first time, comprehensively identifies and describes EFG subfamilies and improves our understanding of the function and evolution of EFG duplicated genes