Clinical correlates of helicobacter pylori infection in children seen at a Tertiary Hospital in Uyo, Southern Nigeria

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is the commonest global chronic human bacterial infection. Data from developed countries show that acquisition occurs in childhood but manifestation of chronic gastroduodenal diseases occur more commonly in adulthood. H. pylori infection has however been associated with paediatric primary peptic ulcer disease, though data is rather scanty. There is virtually no data on the clinical correlates of the seropositive Nigerian paediatric subjects though the little data available shows higher prevalence rates compared to that ofchildren from developed countries.Objectives: A prospective observational survey was carried out to determine the clinical correlates of H. pylori infection in ill children admittedin the emergency unit of our department.Methods: H. pylori Immunoglobulin G antibody was determined fromserum samples stored at -200C using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, VicTorch. Data was analysed with using SPSS and correlates determined as appropriate.Results: The subjects were 132 (57.4%) males and 98(42.6%) females(male: female ratio= 1.3:1.0) with an age range of 0.5-15 yearsand a mean age of 5.0 (SD±4.0) years. The overall seroprevalencerate was 30.9%. Clinical features including abdominal pains, (p=0.001), fetor oris, (p=0.0001), diarrhoea (0.041) and family history of dyspepsia (p=0.002), showed significant association with seropositivity.Conclusion: Seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in Nigerian childrenis high and is associated with common gastroduodenal symptoms

The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in plasmodium falciparum malaria in children at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Thrombocytopenia occurring in falciparum malaria infection has been documented worldwide. However, its prevalence varies from place to place, and among different population groups studied. There is paucity of data on this in Nigerian children.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in children presenting with falciparum malaria at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.Method: A prospective crosssectional study from October 2010 to March 2011 on one hundred and eighty children with microscopically confirmed malaria aged six months to fifteen years, compared with 180 healthy children without malaria parasitaemia matched for age and gender. Their platelet counts were evaluated using the auto-analyser Sysmex KX-21N.Results: The overall prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 5.0%, but it was higher in children with severe malaria. None of the children in the control group had thrombocytopenia.Conclusion: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in falciparum malaria is low in our setting, but higher in children with severe manifestations of malaria.Keywords: Malaria, Thrombocytopenia, Prevalence, children

Teachers’ knowledge and attitudes towards seizure disorder: A comparative study of urban and rural school teachers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Knowledge and attitude of school teachers with regard to seizure disorder has an important impact on continuation of schooling of children with seizure disorder. Though school teachers in both rural and urban settings are exposed to the same training, their perception of seizure disorder could be influenced by the environment in which they reside.Objectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of school teachers towards children with seizure disorder, and the influence of urban residence on perception of seizure disorder by the teachers.Materials and Methods: A self‑administered questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes to seizure disorder were filled by school teachers drawn from both urban and rural settings in Akwa‑Ibom State, Nigeria.Results: One‑hundred and thirty‑two urban school teachers and an equal number of their rural counterparts completed the questionnaire. There were significantly more female teachers in the urban schools whereas the rural schools were dominated by male teachers with male to female ratio of 1:5.6 and 1.2:1, respectively. Majority of the urban (60.6%) and rural (57.6%) school teachers were National Certificate of Education holders. Thirty‑eight (28.8%) of urban respondents versus eight (6.1%) of rural respondents thought seizure disorder was caused by evil spirits whereas 60 (45.5%) urban respondents compared to 80 (60.6%) of rural respondents felt seizure disorder was infectious. Majority of the respondents from both urban and rural schools (68.2% and 63.6% respectively) believed that the foam from the mouth of a convulsing child with seizure disorder is the infecting agent. However, 62.1% of urban respondents as well as 45.5% of rural respondents would advise that children with seizure disorder be admitted into special schools. There was no significant difference in the mean overall knowledge and attitudes of school teachers to seizure disorder in the two settings (P = 0.33 for knowledge and 0.28 for attitudes). Teachers’ high level of education however, had a positive influence on their knowledge and attitudes towards children with seizure disorder.Conclusion: School teachers in both urban and rural schools exhibited poor knowledge and negative attitudes towards children with seizure disorder. Residing in the urban setting did not have a positive impact on teachers’ perception of seizure disorder. Massive health education on seizure disorder is therefore advocated for teachers in both urban and rural schools.Key words: Attitude, knowledge, perception school teacher

Nutrient Composition, Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Bread Nutrified with Abattoir Waste

Objective: The study was designed to determine nutrient composition, evaluate physical and organoleptic properties of bread incorporated with abattoir waste (blood meal) as protein and micronutrient fortifier. Methods: Fresh abattoir blood meal was collected from Anyigba abattoir, divided into two equal parts, one part kept frozen until used and the other prepared into powder (6.5% moisture content, 180 micron particle size) and packaged into heat sealed HDPE bag for use. Both liquid and powdered abattoir wastes were each incorporated into bread recipe at four (4) different levels: 5.0%, 7.5%, 10.0% and 12.5% of flour, and then baked into bread loaves, making eight experimental samples plus the control, using standard methods and procedures. The physical characteristics and chemical composition of the bread loaves were determined. Their sensory qualities as well as acceptability were also evaluated. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Protein contents of experimental bread loaves increased with increase in abattoir waste levels from 8.98% - 13.31%, showing appreciable increase above 6.89% obtainable in conventional bread. Similarly, the range of values for micronutrients content of the experimental bread were: Fe (14.5-23.1 mg /100g), P (24.8-37.8mg/100g) and I2 (0.100-0.261 mg/100g).They also showed significant increases over and above the respective micronutrient contents of traditional bread. There were little or no variations in physical characteristics, except the weight of bread loaves. The crust and crumb colours of bread loaves containing liquid abattoir waste (at 5.0 – 12.5% levels) and powder (at 5.0% level) were more cherished, though significantly different (P<0.05) from the conventional loaf of bread. The taste and detectable flavour of all experimental bread samples were similar, with characteristic meat flavour, significantly different (P<0.05) from the control. Samples containing both liquid and dried abattoir waste at 5% and 7.5% levels had firm and brittle crumb similar to the conventional bread. Conclusion: It is possible to use liquid/dried abattoir blood meal to improve the protein and micronutrient (Fe, P, I2) contents of bread, also give acceptable novel bread product

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of yoghurt produce from ewe milk, goat milk and a mixture of ewe and goat milk

Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical and sensory acceptability of yoghurt produced from ewe, goat and a mixture of ewe milk and goat milk in Nigeria in order for the populace to harness the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of the milks. Methods: Samples of whole cow milk (WCM) as standard, goat milk (GM), ewe milk (EM) and mixture of goat milk and ewe milk (GM/EM) in 1:1 (v/v) ratio, obtained from a local dairy farm were used for yoghurt production. The milk samples were each pasteurized, inoculated with 5g/l of mixed cultures of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus, fermented for 4h at 45oC, homogenized, before sugar and gelatin were added. The yoghurt samples were packed into sterile 200ml air tight plastic container, stored at 0oC for 24h and assayed for pH, titratable acidity, proximate composition, zinc, mg, Fe, Cu and sensory characteristics. Results: The yoghurt samples produced from GM, EM, and GM/EM had significantly (

Prevalence of Sexual Activity and Outcome among Female Secondary School Students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Sexual activity among 534 Nigerian female secondary school students was studied using self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence of sexual intercourse was 25.7%. There was no significant difference between the junior (48.2%) and senior (51.8%) students (p > 0.05). Seventeen (12.4%) students had initiated sexual intercourse before 11 years. The frequency of sexual exposure was high, with 34.3% of the students having intercourse more than once in a week. Pregnancy rate among sexually active females was 27.0%, with 24.8% rate of induced abortion. Early sexual health education starting from primary school would be helpful in influencing the reproductive decisions and sexual behaviour of the students, including contraceptive acceptance and usage, to avoid teenage pregnancy. Education of parents is also recommended in order to overcome the cultural barriers that discourage parents from providing sex education to their children at home. (Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5[2]:63-67) RÉSUMÉ Prévalence de l'activité sexuelle et ses conséquences chez les étudiantes du secondaire à Port Harcourt, Nigeria. L'activité sexuelle chez 534 étudiantes du secondaire a été étudiée à l'aide des auto-questionnaires. La prévalence de l'acte sexuel était de 25,7%. Il n'y avait pas de différence importante entre les étudiantes des petites classes (48,2%) et celles des grandes classes (51,8%) (p < 0,05). Dix-sept étudiantes s'étaient initiées à l'acte sexuel avant l'âge de 11 ans. La fréquence de l'acte sexuel était élevée. 34,4% des étudiantes avaient des rapports sexuels plus d'une fois par semaine. Le taux de grossesse chez les filles sexuellement actives était de 27% alors que le taux de l'avortement provoqué était de 24,8%. Les initiations à l'éducation de la santé à partir de l'école primaire seront utiles pour influencer les décisions sur la santé reproductive et le comportement sexuel des étudiants y compris l'acceptation et l'utilisation de la contraceptive pour éviter la grossesse chez les adolescentes. Nous préconisons le renseignment de parents comme moyen de maîtriser les obstacles culturels qui découragent les parents d'assurer l'éducation sexuelle à leurs enfants à la maison. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2001; 5[2]: 63-67) KEY WORDS: Female, secondary students, sexual activity, pregnancy, abortion, Port Harcourt, Nigeri

Paediatric renal diseases in Uyo, Nigeria: A 10-year review

No Abstrac

Malaria acute kidney injury in a child with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient child: A case report

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Motorcycle Related Abdominal Trauma in Children in Calabar – Nigeria

Between January 1998 and December 2001, 38 children aged between 1-15 years were admitted to the UCTH with the history of motorcycle related abdominal trauma. A male preponderance was observed and incidence of trauma increases with age. It was lowest at preschool age under five years (16%) but peaked at post elementary school age of 11-14 years (45%). Children were injured as passengers (61%) and as pedestrians (38%). Majority of the children presented with blunt abdominal injury (79%) while 21% sustained penetrating abdominal injury. Laporatomy was carried out in all cases of penetrating injury while increasing abdominal tenderness; haemodynamic instability or a positive abdominal paracentesis was considered in blunt abdominal injuries. With blunt injuries, the solid viscera were commonly injured, whereas penetrating injuries involve hollow organs. Motorcycle related injuries are preventable conditions and require the enforcement of traffic regulations, provision of basic but necessary footpaths and public enlightenment on the dangers of child abuse as pedestrian child hawker. Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.3(2) 2003: 47-5