Serum brain natriuretic peptide in healthy Nigerian newborn babies

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a sensitive biomarker that is valuable in the management of childhood heart failure. Studies have reported racial differences in the level of BNP, especially in the adult population. The level of BNP in healthy Nigerian newborn babies is unknown. Hence, we determined the level of BNP in healthy term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborn babies. Methods: This was a cross sectional study,85 healthy term AGA newborn babies aged 24 to 72 hours. The babies had relevant demographic parameters documented in a proforma and BNP assay analysed using ELISA method. Results: The median IQR serum BNP level was 341.43 (313.39 to 425.45) pg/ml. The median level in females, was higher than males, {393.86 (296.97- 460.62) pg/ml vs328.05 (313.61-389.39) pg/ml, p >0.05}.There was no significant relationship between serum BNP and birth weight, chronological age, gestational age, or mode of delivery (p>0.05 in each case). Conclusion: The study demonstrated high BNP levels in healthy term Nigerian newborns. There was no relationship between BNP, the chronological age, birth weight, gender, gestational age or mode of delivery in babies between 24 to 72 hours of life

Hepatitis B vaccination status among health workers in Nigeria: a nationwide survey between January to June 2021

Abstract Background Hepatitis B vaccination is the most important preventive measure against Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. Vaccination against HBV infection among healthcare workers is important because of their daily exposure to patients’ body fluids and the possible risk of transmission to other patients. Hence, this study assessed the risk of hepatitis B infection, vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare workers in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2021 using electronic data capture techniques to enroll 857 healthcare workers (HCWs) in regular contact with patients and their samples through a multi-stage sampling method. Results The participants’ mean (SD) age was 38.7 (8.0) years, and 453 (52.9%) were female. Each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria had a fair representation, with a range of 15.3 to 17.7% of the study population. The majority (83.8%) of healthcare workers in Nigeria knew that they were at an increased risk of being infected by their work. Also, 72.2% knew that if infected, there was a high risk of liver cancer in later life. Many participants (642 [74.9%]) responded that they consistently applied standard precautions, such as hand washing, gloves, and face masks while attending to patients. Three hundred and sixty (42.0%) participants were fully vaccinated. Of the 857 respondents, 248 (28.9%) did not receive any dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Factors that were associated with not being vaccinated included age less than 25 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.796, 95% CI 1.119 to 20.547, p = 0.035], being a nurse (AOR 2.346, 95% CI 1.446 to 3.808, p = 0.010), being a health attendant (AOR 9.225, 95% CI 4.532 to 18.778, p = 0.010), and being a healthcare worker from the Southeast (AOR 2.152, 95% CI 1.186 to 3.904, p = 0.012) in Nigeria. Conclusion This study showed a high level of awareness of the risks associated with hepatitis B infection and suboptimal uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in Nigeria