Atherogenic indices and smoking habits in cigarette smokers

Background and Objective: Dyslipidemia is a mechanistic factor between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Normolipidemic smokers may still be at risk of CVD, hence the need to better characterize serum lipids with atherogenic indices. This study aimed at determining atherogenic indices in relation to smoking habits in cigarette smokers. Materials and Methods: The case–control study compared lipid indices of sixty male smokers with six anthropometrically matched non-smokers. Three comparable subgroups of smoking habits were statistically tested. Associations of serum lipids, atherogenic indices, and smoking habits were also determined. Results: Significant high (P < 0.001) atherogenic indices, proatherogenic lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very LDL-c, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c]), and significant low (P < 0.001) HDL-c were observed in smokers compared to controls. Significant differences (P < 0.002) in serum lipids and atherogenic indices were observed within the subgroups of cigarette sticks smoked per day. Significant positive (P < 0.002) correlation of cigarette sticks smoked per day with proatherogenic lipids and atherogenic indices was observed in smokers, whereas significant inverse (P < 0.001) correlation was observed with HDL-c. Conclusion: Atherogenic indices proved to be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk, especially in settings of seeming normal lipid profile

Knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practices pertaining to human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among secondary school adolescents in makurdi, Nigeria

Background: Adolescents knowledge with their safe practices pertaining to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a critical impact on the prevention of contracting and spreading HIV. Reports have shown that adolescents in the general setting engage in activities that enhance the spread of the virus. Aim: The study assessed school adolescent's HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, with its impact on their behaviors and attitudes regarding the infection. Materials and Methods: Two hundred randomly selected adolescent students from 10 different schools in the city metropolis were involved in the cross-sectional study. Primary data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire on students HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and safe practices preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Results: The study observed that majority of the students had good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, had good attitude toward PLWHA, and engaged in safe practices that prevent the spread of HIV. The sources of HIV/AIDS information were hospital, school, home, electronic, and print media. The study also found that HIV/AIDS knowledge instilled good attitudes and behavioral practices in the students. Conclusion: The study shows that school sex education, as well as health promotion campaigns through media platforms, could impact positively on the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practices of adolescents in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS

Lipid profile pattern in chronic viral hepatitis C in Makurdi, Nigeria

Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with a worldwide distribution causes liver disease. The liver is the principal site for formation and clearance of lipoproteins. Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of HCV on lipid metabolism and the effect of the stages of this disease on lipid pattern in infected patients. Materials and Methods: The study involved the selection of 36 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients attending the clinic at a tertiary hospital in Makurdi, Nigeria. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 36 anthropometrically matched apparently healthy individuals were selected as a control to the CHC group. CHC is defined as patients, who continuously tested positive for anti-HCV antibody for up to 1 year during their periodic visit to the clinic. Results: There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between the mean systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, age, waist circumference, body mass index of chronic HCV, (CHCV) and controls. There was a significantly lowered total cholesterol (P = 0.029) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.000) in CHCV patients compared to the matched controls. There was a significantly lowered total cholesterol (P = 0.004) and HDL-C (P = 0.000) in asymptomatic CHC compared to the matched controls. Conclusion: Lipid profile monitoring may help in the diagnosis of hepatic infection severity and may also act as a good prognostic sign, so it must be analyzed in all advanced hepatic infection cases

Serum lipids in chronic viral hepatitis B patients in Makurdi, Nigeria

Background: One of the major causes of liver disease in the world is hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The liver as a homeostatic organ plays a pivotal role in maintaining the relative balance of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in the body. Aim: The study aimed at determining the impact of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disease on serum lipids and the effect of the stages of this disease on lipid pattern in infected patients. Methodology: The study involved the selection of 70 CHB patients attending clinic at a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, Nigeria. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 65 anthropometrically matched apparently healthy individuals were selected as control to the CHB group. CHB is defined in the study as persistent infection evidenced by seropositivity for hepatitis B surface antigen without remission for up to 1-year. Results: There was a significantly reduced (P = 0.001) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and raised (P = 0.044) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in chronic HBV compared to seronegative controls. There was a significantly lowered HDL-C (P = 0.017), very LDL-C (P = 0.005), and triglyceride (P = 0.034) in asymptomatic CHB compared to the matched controls. There was a significantly lowered total cholesterol (P = 0.019) and HDL-C (P = 0.017) in symptomatic CHB compared to the matched controls. Conclusion: Lowered serum lipids are associated with CHB disease and likely to be mediated altered liver metabolism. However, reasons for the low levels of lipids in this viral disease still remains unclear

Insulin resistance and tumor necrosis factor-α in chronic viral hepatitis C in Makurdi, Nigeria

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported by studies as an extrahepatic manifestation of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Aim: The present study aimed at determining the impact of CHC disease on insulin resistance (IR) and its correlation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in this infection. Materials and Methods: The present case–control study adopted purposive sampling technique in selecting 36 CHC and 36 anthropometrically matched apparently healthy individuals, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. CHC was defined as persistent infection without remission for a period up to 1 year. Results: A statistically significant (P < 0.02) elevated TNF-α, fasting serum insulin (FSI), fasting plasma glucose, and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed in CHC compared with the controls. The liver function profile of CHC group showed that plasma total protein and albumin were significantly low when compared to controls, whereas significant high aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were observed in the CHC group compared to controls. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation between TNF-α and HOMA-IR (r = 0.751) and TNF-α and FSI (r = 0.694) in CHC patients. Conclusion: CHC disease could induce increased IR, partly mediated by TNF-α. We recommend metabolic profiling of chronic viral hepatitis C patients during disease management

Human immunodeficiency virus infection among male prison inmates in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Prisons are penal institutions, where most often human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of inmates is neglected. The prison could serve as a source of HIV spread during reintegration of the inmates back into the society upon release. The study is designed to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection among male inmates in Birnin Kebbi prison, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 290 counseled and consenting inmates aged 15–55 years were enrolled in a “cross-sectional” study. Serum samples prepared from venous whole blood obtained from inmates were screened for HIV infection by a parallel testing algorithm using two commercial HIV-1 and 2 antigen testing kits. Results and Analyses: The results from the study showed that 8 (2.76%) out of the 290 inmates enrolled in the study had detectable HIV antibodies. The prevalence rate among the age groups was as follows; 15–24 years (2.78%), 25–34 years (2.74%), 35–44 years (5%), and 4–55 years (0.00%). Among the ethnic groups, the prevalence rates recorded were Tiv (14.29%), Nigeriens (7.69%), Igbo (4.55%), Yoruba (2.7%), and Hausa/Fulani (1.92%). Conclusion: Our study observes a high prevalence rate of HIV, across age grades, and ethnicities among inmates. Considering the non-HIV testing of inmates in prisons, we recommend the establishment of preventive and management measures of HIV in penal institutions throughout the country