Knowledge of tuberculosis management using directly observed treatment short course therapy among final year medical students in South Western Nigeria

Introduction: Equipping medical graduates with the competence to manage tuberculosis is not just  imperative but also urgent as the diseases have been consistently listed as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. However, there were no baseline studies done on knowledge of final year medical students on various aspects of TB diagnosis and management under directly observed treatment short course therapy (DOTS) which forms the basis of this study. Methods: A total of 241 final year medical students from three medical colleges in Nigeria were  interviewed. The questions assessed their knowledge about various modes of transmission, symptoms  and management of tuberculosis under DOTS. Results: More than half of the respondents (i.e. 69%) had poor knowledge on TB disease. Only 33.6%  mentioned sputum smear as the best tool of diagnosing TB according to guideline. Poor knowledge was  also exhibited when asked of various categories under DOTS treatment regimen, as 46.1% correctly  mentioned cat 1 and 2. Minority 18.7% and 6.7% had complete knowledge of 6 months duration for new  TB cases and 8 months for re-treatment cases respectively. Less than one tenth, i.e. 4.6% and 2.9%   could correctly defined what is called a new TB case and re-treatment cases according to standard  guideline. Conclusion: The study reveals gross inadequacies in TB knowledge and management practices among Nigerian final year medical students. There is urgent need for incorporation of National TB guideline into existing undergraduate medical education curriculum as well as students rotation through activities in DOTS clinic.Key words: Tuberculosis, Directly observed treatment short course therapy (DOTS)

Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices about Ebola Viral Disease among Journalists in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria

The West African subregion presently faces the Ebola viral disease (EVD) epidemic. In order to control this epidemic, journalists need to inform the public. This study assessed their knowledge, attitude and preventive practices. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 93 journalists working in Osun State who completed a self administered questionnaire. Data collected was analysed. Mean (SD) age was 26.4±8.2 years ranging 18 to 49 years. Mean (SD) duration in practising journalism was 7.6±6.7 years (range, 1-20 years). Most had tertiary education (87.1%), were singles (74.2%), Christians (51%) and Yoruba (92.5%).  Despite good knowledge (58.1%) of EVD, most had low risk perception (46.2%). The only statistical significant predictor of good knowledge was religion. In conclusion, most journalists have good knowledge but low risk perception. Efforts to improve the risk

SURVEY OF INTESTINAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS AMONG PUPILS IN IFELODUN, KWARA STATENIGERIA

Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are among the mainly prevalent suffering of human who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The diseases caused by STHs and Schistosoma mansoniare most commonly associated with poor hygiene practice and improper excreta disposal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of infections with STHs, Schistosoma mansoniand the associated risk factors among school children in Ifelodun, Kwara State. It was a cross sectional study that recruited school children from 3 randomly selected primary schools in the Local Government Area aged from 3 to 18 years. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic data and possible associated risk factors. A single stool sample was processed using Kato Katz thick smear technique and examined for eggs of geohelminths and S. mansoniinfections.The only prevalent helminth seen wasAscaris lumbricoides6.3% (n=160). In all, female pupils had more infestation with prevalence of 4.4%(7/160) than their male counterpart 1.9% (3/160). Eighty percent of the infected pupils had heavy infection while 20% had light infection (P< 0.05). Thus, none of the infected pupils had moderateinfection. The study confirmed absence of Intestinal Schistosomiasis among pupils in the study are

Case Report Triplet Delivery following Unilateral Twin Salpingocyesis

We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with primary infertility of six-year duration who had IVF/ICSI on account of male factor infertility. Transvaginal scanning done on the 30th day following embryo transfer revealed an empty uterine cavity with two gestational sacs containing active fetal echoes in the right adnexum. Patient reluctantly had right salpingectomy via open laparatomy. The patient had repeat embryo transfer eleven months afterwards that culminated in the delivery of living twins with a fetal papyraceous

Triplet Delivery following Unilateral Twin Salpingocyesis

We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with primary infertility of six-year duration who had IVF/ICSI on account of male factor infertility. Transvaginal scanning done on the 30th day following embryo transfer revealed an empty uterine cavity with two gestational sacs containing active fetal echoes in the right adnexum. Patient reluctantly had right salpingectomy via open laparatomy. The patient had repeat embryo transfer eleven months afterwards that culminated in the delivery of living twins with a fetal papyraceous

Co-endemicity of Loiasis and Onchocerciasis in Rain Forest Communities in Southwestern Nigeria

<div><p>Background</p><p>Loiasis is currently receiving attention as a disease of public health importance because of the possibility of increased risk of developing neurologic serious adverse event following mass ivermectin treatment against onchocerciasis in individual co-infected with <i>Onchocerca volvulus</i> and <i>Loa loa</i>.</p><p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>Rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) was conducted in 12 communities covering the 3 senatorial districts of Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 960 people were interviewed for history of eye worm using the WHO guidelines for rapid assessment. The survey confirmed the presence of loiasis in all the 12 communities with 4 in Osun East/Ife south senatorial district being at high risk with a prevalence of over 40%. Based on the RAPLOA results, communities within Osun East/Ife south senatorial district were selected for microfilaraemic assessment of <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> and <i>O</i>. <i>volvulus</i>. A total of 1115 and 1091 individuals were screened for <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> and <i>O</i>. <i>volvulus</i> microfilaria worms respectively. 160 (14.3%) had <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> microfilaria detected in their blood with 8 (5.0%) individuals having <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> loads above 8000 mf/ml. 166 (15.2%) subjects had <i>O</i>. <i>volvulus</i> microfilaria (range 4-504 mf/ml) detected in their skin snip. 30 (2.69%) subjects were co-infected with both <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> and <i>O</i>. <i>volvulus</i>. There was a significant variation in the prevalence (2.1% to 33.3%) of onchocerciasis in the communities studied (p = 0.001). Five (41.7%) of the studied communities had a prevalence that is equal to or greater than 20%.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>Low prevalence of onchocerciasis and loiasis co-infection in this study suggests that loiasis may not pose a serious epidemiological threat to the continuous distribution and sustainability of ivermectin for the treatment of onchocerciasis. Evaluation of the interruption of onchocerciasis transmissions in this region using all the indicators set forth by WHO is therefore suggested.</p></div

Distribution of <i>Loa loa</i> microfilaraemia and <i>O</i>.<i>volvulus</i> by age and sex.

<p>Distribution of <i>Loa loa</i> microfilaraemia and <i>O</i>.<i>volvulus</i> by age and sex.</p

Map of Osun State showing the three senatorial districts and the communities within the districts that were selected for the study.

<p>Map of Osun State showing the three senatorial districts and the communities within the districts that were selected for the study.</p

Number of villages surveyed and number of people interviewed in 12 villages of Osun State for RAPLOA.

<p>Number of villages surveyed and number of people interviewed in 12 villages of Osun State for RAPLOA.</p

Clinical spectrum observed from filarial infected members of the surveyed population.

<p>Clinical spectrum observed from filarial infected members of the surveyed population.</p