Parallel and overlapping Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and C virus Infections among pregnant women in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Risk factors that are associated with HIV infection are also associated with HBV and HCV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV-infected pregnant cohort represents a unique population and infection with the hepatitis virus is considered a public health problem worldwide. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and C virus parallel and overlapping infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Method: Five hundred (500) blood samples were collected from three district hospitals in the FCT and tested at Wuse General Hospital, Abuja for the presence of antibodies to HIV and Hepatitis C virus, and HBsAg by ELISA technique in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. HIV seropositive sera were confirmed by Western blot. Result: Of the 500 pregnant women, those detected with HIV antibodies, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were 42 (8.4%), 19 (3.8%) and 8 (1.6%) respectively. The overall seroprevalence of HIV and HBV or HCV co-infection was 9.5% while 7.1% and 2.4% HIV positive pregnant women were specifically co-infected with HBV and HCV respectively. Those within the age bracket of 15-20 years had the highest prevalence of HIV (13.4%), HBV (5.1%) and HCV (1.9%) infections. Among the occupation characteristics of the women, those of them involved in trading recorded the highest prevalence of HIV (60.6%), HBV (30.3) and HCV (6.1%). HIV was higher among the married women than the singles ((8.6% vs 6.5%); with HBV infection the reverse was the case (3.0% vs 9.8%) while HCV was same for both groups. History of blood transfusion did not reflect a higher rate of HIV and HBV (1.4% vs 9.6%; 2.8% vs 4.0% respectively) unlike HCV infection with 0.5% recorded only among those that had transfusion experience. Conclusion: When monitoring the risk of hepatotoxicity to antiretroviral drugs among these group of patients caution should be maintained. Moreover, evidence of parallel and overlapping HIV, HBsAg and HCV infections among this cohort should motivate inclusion of HBV and HCV among the diseases of surveillance in the national sentinel survey in order to ascertain the bigger picture of these infections in Nigeria

The Impact of Immunization Control Activities on Measles Outbreaks in Akwa Ibom State, South-South, Nigeria

Background: The increase of vaccination rates means that fewer children will be vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, which will invariably result in a drop in the infant mortality and morbidity rates. Objective: To assess the impact of the implementation of measles reduction strategies from 2006 to 2008 using the quarterly national program for immunization (NPI) in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Method: Following informed consent, individuals presenting with febrile rash illnesses were routinely bled and tested for measles specific IgM using commercially available ELISA kit-MV-ELISA (Enzygnost; Behring Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: A total of four hundred and four individuals comprising of 216 vaccinated and 188 unvaccinated, presenting with febrile rash illness were screened for measles specific IgM antibodies as indication of active infection between January 2006 and December 2008 out of which 122 (30.2%) had detectable levels of measles antibodies. Among the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, 32 (14.8%) and 90 (47.9%) respectively were detected with measles IgM antibodies. The highest and lowest antibody levels were detected in 2006 (vaccinated: 54.7%; unvaccinated: 78.4%) and 2008 (vaccinated: 1.2%; unvaccinated: 12%) respectively. The distribution of measles burden by year show an overall decline in prevalence from 70% in 2006, 8.9% in 2007 to 3.7% in 2008. While, children under the age of 5 similarly had a decline in measles incidence of 73.3%, 10.7% and 3.3% respectively. Sex distribution of infection within the 3-year period shows that more females (37.4%) than males (21.2%) expressed measles IgM antibodies, and active infection was detected more in the rural (31.4%) than urban area (27.7%). However, findings indicate a tremendous decline in active infection in the rural areas from 67% in 2006 to 0% in 2008, and in the urban areas from 78% in 2006 to 9.3% in 2008 among both vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. A highly significant reduction in measles infection was observed more among males than females (P=0.009). Infection distribution by location did not show any significant difference (P=0.65) even though more individuals in the rural areas were noted with active infection. Conclusion: The study shows a highly significant reduction in measles burden among vaccinated individuals (P=0.0001) and invariably increases protective coverage of measles vaccination most especially among children under 5 years of age (P=0.0066) in the state. Findings justify effort by government and WHO in carrying immunization campaigns in children, 5-years and below irrespective of vaccination status and experience

Childhood cancers in a tertiary facility in Southern Nigeria: a four-year update

Background: Cancer is a global epidemic and leading cause of death for children and adolescents worldwide. Developing countries contribute an estimated 60-80% of the total burden of all new cancer cases worldwide. Data on the burden of childhood cancers across Nigeria varies from centre to centre and may well even vary in periodic reviews done in the same areas over a time lag. It was therefore important to have periodic reviews of the various cancer types seen or evolving in various geographical areas.Methods: A prospective hospital-based study, over a period of four years, from January 2016 to December 2019. Children admitted and diagnosed with cancers in the paediatric medical ward of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were reviewed. This teaching hospital was one of the two tertiary health care facilities in the state and caters for children from different parts of the state and its environs.Results: The frequency distribution of each childhood cancer showed nephroblastoma as the predominant cancer seen, 12 (23.1%), followed by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 6 (11.5%). Retinoblastoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma were 5 (9.1%) and ranked third respectively. Leukaemia ranked 4th in frequency; 4 (7.7%), children less than five years of age formed a greater percentage of those presenting with various cancers.Conclusions: Nephroblastoma was the predominant childhood cancer now seen in this geographical area of south-South Nigeria, with a decline in the incidence of Burkitt’s lymphoma, which was most frequent in erstwhile years

Histiocytosis in Nigerian children: A report of two variants

Histiocytoses are a rare group of proliferative disorders with very similar clinical and histological pictures. We present a case report of two variants seen in an eight-month-old female and five-month-old male in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. They both presented with painless neck swellings and fever, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Initial histologic examinations of the cervical lymph nodes biopsy posed a diagnostic conundrum. However, Immuno-histochemical analysis done on both sample showed CD1a, positive S100 in keeping with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the former. While, that of the latter showed strongly positive CD68, positive S-100 in 30% cells in keeping with Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SLMH) in the latter. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for histiocytosis in children presenting with generalised lymphadenopathy. Also, apart from the routine histology, immunohistochemistry analysis is recommended for all case

Arma-Arch Modeling Of The Returns Of First Bank Of Nigeria

This study looks at a possible combination of both the ARMA and ARCH-types models to form a single model such as ARMA-ARCH that will completely model the linear and non-linear features of financial data. The data used for this study are daily closing share prices of First Bank of Nigeria plc from January 4, 2000 to December 31, 2013 and were obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The share price series was found to be nonstationary while the returns series which is the first difference of log of the share price series was found to be stationary. This study provides evidence to show that ARMA(2,2) model is found to be adequate in the modeling the linear dependence in the returns of First Bank of Nigeria while the ARCH(1) model is adequate in modeling the changing conditional variance in the returns of First Bank of Nigeria. Therefore, combining the two models results in a single ARMA(2,2)-ARCH(1) model that completely models the returns series of First Bank of Nigeria

Self-Medication: potential risks and hazards among pregnant women in Uyo, Nigeria

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The objective of this study was to assess the level of self-medication amongst Nigerian pregnant women in order to determine possible harmful effects on fetus. Methods: Five hundred and eighteen 518 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 40 years, drawn from three General hospitals in Akwa Ibom State were assessed for self-medication and substance abuse using an instrument, adapted from a modified form of 117-item self-report questionnaire based on the WHO guidelines for students’ substance use survey. Results: Of the 518 pregnant women assessed, 375 (72.4%) indulged in one form of self-medication or the other; 143 (27.6%) used only drugs prescribed from the antenatal clinic. A total of 157 (41.9%) pregnant women self-medicate fever/pain relievers; 47 (9.1%) mixture of herbs and other drugs; 15 (4.0%) sedatives; 13 (3.5%) alcohol; while 5 (1.3%) used kolanuts. Reasons for using these substances range from protection from witches and witchcrafts, preventing pregnancy from coming out, for blood; poor sleep, fever and vomiting and infections. There was a significant difference in the rate of using analgesics (X2=9.43, p=0.001); and antibiotic (X2=4.43, p=0.001) among pregnant women who were highly educated compared to those with little or no education. However, the level of education has no impact in the usage of native herbs. Conclusion: This study shows that self-medication is common among pregnant women in our environment. There is need for adequate education of pregnant women during antenatal clinics on the potential danger of self-medication so as to prevent child and maternal morbidity and mortality.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 13:1

Development of palm kernel nut cracking machine for rural use

Common traditional techniques of breaking palm kernel nuts in rural areas where it is produced involved a lots of drudgery and hazard. The goal of this research work was to design, construct and test the performance of a palm kernel nut cracking machine for local use at affordable cost. Samples were test-ran, cracked and replicated at different shaft speeds (r/min). with developed machine. The results showed that the un-cracked nuts were 2.50%, 2.00%, 1.50%, 1.25% and 1.00 %, the partially cracked were 2.75%, 2.75%, 2.25%, 2.00% and 1.75 %, the un-broken kernels were 93%, 94%, 95%, 94.5% and 94 %, that of broken kernels were 1.75%, 1.50%, 1.50%, 2.50% and 3.25 % at set speeds of 800, 1200, 1600, 2000 and 2400 r/min respectively. The throughput of the machine increased from 10.91 to 38.00 g/s as the speed of the machine increased from 800 to 2400 r/min. Also the performance efficiencies of the developed machine were 93%, 94%, 95%, 94.5% and 94% while the overall efficiencies were 90.86%, 92.12%, 93.58%, 93.08% and 93.06 % for the set speeds. The cost of the developed palm nut cracker was N150,000 (US$909), while the imported machines of similar capacity had market price range between N250,000 (US$ 1,515) to N300,000 (US$ 1,818). Conclusively, the locally-made machine performed well and was found cheaper and more economical for the establishment of small scale industry especially in the developing countries than imported types

Beliefs And Practice Concerning Pregnancy Delivery And Puerperium In Rural Akwa Ibom State

Focus group discussions involving 100 rural women in five communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were carried out over a six-month period. The aim was to determine if the beliefs and practices of our rural dwellers are such that contribute to maternal morbidity. The discussions revealed that the participants had a shallow knowledge of the causes of complications in pregnancy. Complications were largely attributed to spirits and other harmless events. Reducing physically demanding activities in pregnancy was ascribed to laziness and sexual intercourse was largely to be avoided. There was no food taboos specific to pregnancy, but food restrictions were described. Antenatal and intrapartum care by spiritual and traditional midwives was considered superior to orthodox care. Practices by the midwives include turning a baby in an abnormal lie, massaging the vagina with oil in labour; conducting delivery without gloves, pulling on the cord, manually removing or squeezing out the placenta if delivery is not spontaneous. Management of complications involves divinations, use of herbs and other concoctions, anointing oil, prayers and fasting. Puerperal seclusion practiced to varying degrees and maybe beneficial. Most beliefs and practices of our rural women are potential contributors to maternal morbidity. A few are harmless or even beneficial. Public enlightenment and education of our rural dwellers while incorporating the harmless/beneficial practices into modern obstetric care services will help reduce maternal morbidity. KEYWORDS: Pregnancy, Beliefs and Practice

Prevalence of Hypertension in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria: Rural versus Urban Communities Study

Recent studies have shown an increasing trend in the prevalence of hypertension in rural communities compared to that of the urban communities. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its predictors (if any) in both urban and rural communities of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Subjects and Method. This was a cross-sectional study of urban and rural communities of Akwa Ibom State for the prevalence of hypertension and its predictors. Two urban cities and two rural communities were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of the state. Hypertension was defined based on the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hypertension. Results. Nine hundred and seventy-eight (978) participants were recruited from rural areas and five hundred and ninety (590) from urban centers. The rural populace had higher systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure than the urban populace (P<0.001, < 0.002, < 0.001, resp.). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in the rural populace than in the urban populace [44.3% (95% CI 41.1–47.4%) versus 28.6% (95% CI 24.9–32.3%)]. Age, BMI, and proteinuria were independent predictors of hypertension occurrence. Conclusion. There is an epidemiologic change in the prevalence of hypertension in the rural communities of Nigeria

Prevalence of Hypertension in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria: Rural versus Urban Communities Study

Recent studies have shown an increasing trend in the prevalence of hypertension in rural communities compared to that of the urban communities. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its predictors (if any) in both urban and rural communities of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Subjects and Method. This was a cross-sectional study of urban and rural communities of Akwa Ibom State for the prevalence of hypertension and its predictors. Two urban cities and two rural communities were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of the state. Hypertension was defined based on the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hypertension. Results. Nine hundred and seventy-eight (978) participants were recruited from rural areas and five hundred and ninety (590) from urban centers. The rural populace had higher systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure than the urban populace ( &lt; 0.001, &lt; 0.002, &lt; 0.001, resp.). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in the rural populace than in the urban populace [44.3% (95% CI 41.1-47.4%) versus 28.6% (95% CI 24.9-32.3%)]. Age, BMI, and proteinuria were independent predictors of hypertension occurrence. Conclusion. There is an epidemiologic change in the prevalence of hypertension in the rural communities of Nigeria