Hepatitis B Vaccination Status and Needle stick Injuries among Medical Students in a Nigerian University

Background: Hepatits B virus (HBV) is the most common blood borne pathogen that poses an occupational risk to Health-care workers. The incidence of infection following needle stick injury has been reported to be high among medical students. Effective vaccines against HBV are available. The aim of this study was to determine the vaccination status and prevalence of needlestick injury among medical students in a tertiary institution in a developing country (Nigeria). Method: Information regarding hepatitis B status, history of needlestick injury and awareness of risk factors for HBV were obtained from clinical medical students using a self administered questionnaire. Three hundred and forty six students responded. Results: Three hundred and five (88.7%) agreed that medical education exposes one to HBV infection and 315 (91.6%) were aware of the availability of vaccine against HBV. Only 42 (47.7%) were vaccinated against HBV. Majority (57.4%) gave lack of opportunity as reason for non immunization while 34.7% had never given it a thought. One hundred and sixty-six (48%) of the respondents admitted to a previous needlestick injury and only 17 (10.2%) of those who reported history of needlestick injury had post-exposure prophylaxis against HBV infection. Conclusion: HBV vaccination status is very low among medical students in Nigeria and the prevalence of needle stick injuries is high. Universities must not only provide HBV vaccination free of charge but also enforce its use by these students. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (3) 2008: pp. 330-33

Research partnerships between high and low-income countries: are international partnerships always a good thing?

© 2015 Chetwood et al.; licensee BioMed Central.Background: International partnerships in research are receiving ever greater attention, given that technology has diminished the restriction of geographical barriers with the effects of globalisation becoming more evident, and populations increasingly more mobile. Discussion: In this article, we examine the merits and risks of such collaboration even when strict universal ethical guidelines are maintained. There has been widespread examples of outcomes beneficial and detrimental for both high and low -income countries which are often initially unintended. Summary: The authors feel that extreme care and forethought should be exercised by all involved parties, despite the fact that many implications from such international work can be extremely hard to predict. However ultimately the benefits gained by enhancing medical research and philanthropy are too extensive to be ignored

Parasitic Infestations of the Liver and Biliary System in Nigeria

Objective: To review available data on hepatobiliary parasitic infestations management in Nigeria. Methods: Electronic literature, including: Pubmed, Medscape and Google search as well as index medicus search were embarked upon so as to enable in-depth review on the state of hepatic and biliary parasitic infestations in Nigeria. Standard textbooks were also consulted for any additional information. The findings, mostly from some other parts of the world are presented as there were almost no existing accessible data from Nigeria. Conclusion: Hepatobiliary parasitic infestations are such significant causes of morbidity and sometimes, mortality in Nigeria that they require attention by gastroenterologists. This may lead to the practice of modern diagnostic techniques and advancement in training the doctors of tomorrow in our country. IFEMED Journal Vol. 14 (1) 2008: pp. 35-3

Hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes a spectrum of acute and chronic liver disease, ranging from inactive chronic carrier status to progressive chronic hepatitis, leading to end-stage cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 8% of the population has chronic HBV carriage with a high risk for progressive liver disease. HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common cancer among men and third most common among women. HBV therefore represents a critical threat to health in the African continent

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: A community survey in an African population

Background : Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been reported to be common in the West. Community surveys are lacking in the African setting. We determined the prevalence of IBS in a rural community setting in Nigeria. Method : Questionnaires were administered to consenting individuals. Subjects satisfying the Rome II criteria for IBS were invited for physical examination at a health center to identify the presence of "alarm factors." Results : One hundred forty (31.6%) of the 443 evaluated individuals fulfilled the Rome II criteria for IBS, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.37:1 (P= .11). The prevalence of IBS was highest (39.3%) in the third decade, followed by 25% in the fourth decade (P= .009). Ninety-six (67%) IBS individuals had the alternating pattern of diarrhea and constipation, whereas 28 (20%) and 19 (13%) had constipation and diarrhea subtypes, respectively. Conclusion : IBS as diagnosed by the Rome II criteria has a high prevalence in the African rural population, as obtained elsewhere

Early virologic responce to pegylated interferon in chronic Hepatitis B infection

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