Prevalence and predictors of Kaposi’s sarcoma among HIV patients receiving care at a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria

# Background Kaposi’s sarcoma became prevalent with the appearance of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) in the 1980s. However, the widespread use of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduced its prevalence in communities with good access to the antiretroviral drugs. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of Kaposi’s sarcoma among persons receiving HIV care at a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria. # Methods The study used a cross-sectional study design, based on secondary data related to patients who had received HIV care between January 2004 and December 2017. Logistic regression was then used to determine the variables that were predictors of Kaposi’s sarcoma risk. # Results The prevalence of Kaposi’s sarcoma among the patients was 1.2% (95% confidence interval, CI=1.06-1.34). Patients whose baseline viral loads were higher than 10,000 copies/mm^3^ were three times more likely to develop Kaposi’s sarcoma than those with lesser viral load (OR: 3.13, CI: 2.19-4.47). Gender, duration of HAART and education had modifying effect on the Kaposi’s sarcoma risk. # Conclusions Kaposi’s sarcoma is a substantial public health problem among the HIV population in Jos. Universal access to HAART by the Federal Government of Nigeria and its partners is recommended to reduce its prevalence. In addition, education, skill acquisition and income generating programs should be targeted at girls and women by governments and other stakeholders in order to reduce the inequality that worsens their vulnerability to HIV infection and Kaposi’s sarcoma

Referral System: An Assessment of Primary Health Care Centres in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Background: An effective referral system ensures a close relationship between all levels of the health system and helps to ensure patients receive the best possible care close to home. There appears to be a weak link of referral system in chain of continuity of care across the levels of health care in Nigeria placing huge demands on secondary and tertiary levels of care for health care service provision. In view of this, this study was conducted to assess the level of practice of referral and factors influencing it among health workers in PHCs in Plateau state North central Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 228 frontline health care workers in PHCs. SPSSS version 20 was used for data analysis, adjusted odds ratio as well as 95% confidence interval were used in this study with a p-value of le 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The respondentsrsquo mean age was 38.0 plusmn 9 years with slight above half 116 (54.2%) having good understanding of the concept of referral and mostnbsp 77.6% had referred at least a case within the last one month. nbspFactors such as good understanding of the concept of referral (AOR = 6.2 95% Cl = 1.4556 ndash 8.7991) and availability of referral system (AOR = 8.4 95% Cl = 2.1168 ndash 15.5450) were predictors of the practice of referral. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the level of practice of referral among cadres of health care workers at PHCs level with significant need for improvement

Current knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Jos, Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 16 (3) 2007: pp. 256-26

Impact Of Health Education On Secondary School Students\' Knowledge Of Hiv/Aids And Their Attitude Towards People Living With Hiv/Aids In Jos, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the students\' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and their attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS as well as the impact of health education intervention on these. METHOD: A school-based interventional study using experimental and control design was carried out between May 2004 and January 2005 in Jos. A multi-staged sampling technique was used to select the study subjects in two Local Government Areas (L.G.A.s). One LGA was used as the experimental site while the other was used as the control site. A semi-structured self administered questionnaire was then used to determine the students\' knowledge and attitude to HIV/AIDS prior to the health education intervention. A total of 1246 students were recruited for the study at baseline and 1238 of them completed the study. RESULT: The male: female ratio was 1.1:1 in the experimental group and 1:1 in the control group. The mean ages of the students were 17.6  2.0 years in the experimental and 17.8  2.2 years in the control groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the students\' HIV/AIDS knowledge after the intervention in the experimental group (

Utilization of Maternal Health Services: A Study of Two Rural Communities in North-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Utilization of Maternal Health services in sub Saharan Africa is low and has direct bearing on maternal morbidity and mortality. This study examined utilization and factors affecting the utilization of maternal health services in two rural communities in North Eastern Nigeria.Methodology: Data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 390 women within the reproductive age group were selected to participate in the study using multistage sampling method. Qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews with Household heads, men and women of reproductive age, health care workers, traditional birth attendants as well as religious and community leaders.Results: Knowledge of components and benefits of Maternal Health service was found to be high. However, utilization of these services, especially delivery 40(10.3%) and post natal 101 (26.2%) services was low; 31(8%) of the respondents have ever used any form of modern contraceptives. Knowledge of Maternal Health services and husbands' educational attainment were found to be statistically significantly associated (P value= <0.001)with The likelihood of having a skilled attendant at birth.Conclusion: Males who were the final decision makers at a household level, perceived pregnancy and delivery as a normal event with little or no risk associated. They could not mention the danger signs in pregnancy and delivery. Glaring is the need to find innovative ways of improving female education, involving males and communities in maternal health