EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BACTERIA COLONIZATION AND ICU-ACQUIRED INFECTION IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Background: Health care associated infection (HCAI) or Hospital acquired infection is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and cost. The incidence is about 6% and disproportionately higher in critically ill patients who may have been immune-compromised with many invasive procedures already performed. Prevention of HCAI and appropriate management of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires knowledge on the pattern of microbial colonization and infections. The aim of this preliminary study was to provide current data on the pattern of ICU acquired infections in our hospital. Patients and Methods: It was a cross sectional study of patients admitted into the ICU who were expected to stay longer than 48hrs between July 2011 and September 2012. Urine, blood, and tracheal aspirate were collected on days 1, 3 and 5 for microbiological studies. All patients involved in the study had urethral catheter in-situ and received mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Results: Fifty-nine patients were recruited into the study. The mean age of the patients was 30.08 + 19.9yr; while the reasons for admissions were respiratory failure (59.3%), cardiovascular instability, trauma and neurological diseases. About 30% of the samples taken from the study sites on arrival in the ICU had positive culture yields. Organisms cultured included Klebsiella oxytoca, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The urinary tract had the highest number of isolated organisms- 9(60%), followed by equal number of isolated organisms-3(20%) in the blood and respiratory tract. Eleven (73.3%) of the organisms isolated were Gram-negative bacteria, and 4 (26.7%) were Gram-positive cocci. The commonest bacteria isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (4/26.7%) and Klebsiella oxytoca (4/ 26.7%). A total of 15 ICU- acquired infections were detected in 9 of 59 patients. Conclusion: The HCIA infection rate was 15%, and urinary tract infections (UTI) was the commonest hospital acquired infection in our ICU. Klebsiella oxytoca and Staphylococcus aureus were the commonest organisms

Predictors of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Introduction: Soil‑transmitted helminth infection is a major contributor to anemia which is associated with morbidity and mortality during  pregnancy in endemic regions like Nigeria. This study assessed the predictors of helminthic infections among pregnant women attending Antenatal clinics in the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State. Methodology: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending the Antenatal (ANC) of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, FMC, Abeokuta. Systematic random sampling was used for selecting study participants and semi‑structured self‑administered questionnaire was employed for data collection. Stool samples were collected from the participants and formol‑ether concentration technique was used for stool examination. Besides, eggs of helminths were identified and quantified. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Associations were tested using the Chi‑square test. Predictors of helminths infection were determined using the logisticregression analysis. Level of significance was set at 5%. Result: One hundred and seventy-four (174) women participated in the study. The mean age (SD) of the pregnant women was 30.44 (4.87) years.  The majority (81.6%) had a tertiary level of education. The prevalence of intestinal helminth infection among the respondents was 21.8%. Ascaris lumbricoides (9.2%) was the most prevalent helminth, followed by hookworm infestation (7.5%) and Trichuris trichuria infestation (3.4%). The predictors for helminthic infestation among the respondents were aged 30 years and below (1.000; 0.23–1.20), pregnant women who had primary education and below (1.74; 0.72–3.06), and use of pit latrine and bush as waste disposal method (2.31; 0.86–6.21. Respondents who practiced handwash were less likely to have a helminthic infection (0.98; 0.11–9.08). Conclusion: Ascaris lumbricoides is the most commonly found helminth among the study population. Low education and poor hygiene were  significant risk factors for helminthic infection among pregnant women. Key words: Antenatal clinic; helminthic infection; pregnancy