Prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among primary school children in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal parasites are among the most common infection of school age-children worldwide and remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Thus the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminth infections was investigated among children in four primary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, Nigeria.Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study of one hundred and twenty children, selected using a multistage sampling method. Fecal samples were collected from the pupils and examined microscopically using direct smear and Formol- ether concentration technique. Each child was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed with Epi Info 6.Results: Their ages ranged from 5-19 years and most 63 (52.5%) were female. Thirteen (11%) of the samples were found positive. The two major intestinal helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (76.9%) and Hookworm (15.4%) with a mixed infection of both accounting for 7.7% of the samples. Females (69.2%) were more infected. The socioeconomic status (lower education and having a skilled job)of the parents, female gender, being in a higher class, use of pit latrines and use of well water were found to contribute to the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection, although showed no statistical significant association with the presence of parasites in their stool samples (P > 0.05).Conclusion: There is need to improve sanitation and peoples' living conditions, provide clean water, health education, chemotherapy and encourage good hygiene and healthy habits.Keywords: Prevalence, Helminths, School Children, Lagos, Nigeri

Evaluation of the chemical constituents and the antimicrobial activity of the volatile oil of Citrus reticulata fruit(Tangerine fruit peel) from South West Nigeria

The volatile oil of tangerine fruit (Citrus reticulata) was extracted by steam distillation and assessed for antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The volatile oil was tested against some Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter spp); Gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and a fungus (Candida albicans). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined with concentrations of oil extract ranging from 0.87 to 445 mg/ml. Result of the study showed that the oil has a broad spectrum antibacterial activity. MIC recorded were S. aureus (0.74 mg/ml), S. aureus ATTC 25923 (2.46 mg/ml), E. faecalis (1.26 mg/ml), S. typhi (2.07 mg/ml), K. pneumoniae (0.56 mg/ml), E. coli ATTC 35218 (0.19 mg/ml), E. coli (1.95 mg/ml), P. aeruginosa (0.97 mg/ml), C. albicans (0.68 mg/ml). Antioxidant screening with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was negative. Analysis of the chemical constituent by GC-MS showed the presence of D-limonene as the major constituent. Other constituents found were a-pinene and β-pinene

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020: A systematic analysis of current evidence

Improved understanding of the current burden of hypertension, including awareness, treatment, and control, is needed to guide relevant preventative measures in Nigeria. A systematic search of studies on the epidemiology of hypertension in Nigeria, published on or after January 1990, was conducted. The authors employed randomeffects meta-analysis on extracted crude hypertension prevalence, and awareness, treatment, and control rates. Using a meta-regression model, overall hypertension cases in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020 were estimated. Fifty-three studies (n = 78 949) met our selection criteria. Estimated crude prevalence of pre-hypertension (120-139/80-89 mmHg) in Nigeria was 30.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.0%-39.7%), and the crude prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) was 30.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-34.0%). When adjusted for age, study period, and sample, absolute cases of hypertension increased by 540% among individuals aged ≥20 years from approximately 4.3 million individuals in 1995 (age-adjusted prevalence 8.6%, 95% CI: 6.5-10.7) to 27.5 million individuals with hypertension in 2020 (age-adjusted prevalence 32.5%, 95% CI: 29.8-35.3). The age-adjusted prevalence was only significantly higher among men in 1995, with the gap between both sexes considerably narrowed in 2020. Only 29.0% of cases (95% CI: 19.7-38.3) were aware of their hypertension, 12.0% (95% CI: 2.7-21.2) were on treatment, and 2.8% (95% CI: 0.1-5.7) had at-goal blood pressure in 2020. Our study suggests that hypertension prevalence has substantially increased in Nigeria over the last two decades. Although more persons are aware of their hypertension status, clinical treatment and control rates, however, remain low. These estimates are relevant for clinical care, population, and policy response in Nigeria and across Africa

Estimating the burden of selected non-communicable diseases in Africa: a systematic review of the evidence

Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and particularly in Africa, where the health focus, until recently, has been on infectious diseases. The response to this growing burden of NCDs in Africa has been affected owing to a poor understanding of the burden of NCDs, and the relative lack of data and low level of research on NCDs in the continent. Recent estimates on the burden of NCDs in Africa have been mostly derived from modelling based on data from other countries imputed into African countries, and not usually based on data originating from Africa itself. In instances where few data were available, estimates have been characterized by extrapolation and over-modelling of the scarce data. It is therefore believed that underestimation of NCDs burden in many parts of Africa cannot be unexpected. With a gradual increase in average life expectancy across Africa, the region now experiencing the fastest rate of urbanization globally, and an increase adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, the burden of NCDs is expected to rise. This thesis will, therefore, be focussing on understanding the prevalence, and/or where there are available data, the incidence, of four major NCDs in Africa, which have contributed highly to the burden of NCDs, not only in Africa, but also globally. Methods I conducted a systematic search of the literature on three main databases (Medline, EMBASE and Global Health) for epidemiological studies on NCDs conducted in Africa. I retained and extracted data from original population-based (cohort or cross sectional), and/or health service records (hospital or registry-based studies) on prevalence and/or incidence rates of four major NCDs in Africa. These include: cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types (cervical, breast, prostate, ovary, oesophagus, bladder, Kaposi, liver, stomach, colorectal, lung and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma). From extracted crude prevalence and incidence rates, a random effect meta-analysis was conducted and reported for each NCD. An epidemiological model was applied on all extracted data points. The fitted curve explaining the largest proportion of variance (best fit) from the model was further applied. The equation generated from the fitted curve was used to determine the prevalence and cases of the specific NCD in Africa at midpoints of the United Nations (UN) population 5-year age-group population estimates for Africa. Results From the literature search, studies on hypertension had the highest publication output at 7680, 92 of which were selected, spreading across 31 African countries. Cancer had 9762 publications and 39 were selected across 20 countries; diabetes had 3701 publications and 48 were selected across 28 countries; stroke had 1227 publications and 19 were selected across 10 countries; asthma had 790 publications and 45 were selected across 24 countries; and COPD had the lowest output with 243 publications and 13 were selected across 8 countries. From studies reporting prevalence rates, hypertension, with a total sample size of 197734, accounted for 130.2 million cases and a prevalence of 25.9% (23.5, 34.0) in Africa in 2010. This is followed by asthma, with a sample size of 187904, accounting for 58.2 million cases and a prevalence of 6.6% (2.4, 7.9); COPD, with a sample size of 24747, accounting for 26.3 million cases and a prevalence of 13.4% (9.4, 22.1); diabetes, with a sample size of 102517, accounting for 24.5 million cases and a prevalence of 4.0% (2.7, 6.4); and stroke, with a sample size of about 6.3 million, accounting for 1.94 million cases and a prevalence of 317.3 per 100000 population (314.0, 748.2). From studies reporting incidence rates, stroke accounted for 496 thousand new cases in Africa in 2010, with a prevalence of 81.3 per 100000 person years (13.2, 94.9). For the 12 cancer types reviewed, a total of 775 thousand new cases were estimated in Africa in 2010 from registry-based data covering a total population of about 33 million. Among women, cervical cancer and breast cancer had 129 thousand and 81 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 28.2 (22.1, 34.3) and 17.7 (13.0, 22.4) per 100000 person years, respectively. Among men, prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma closely follows with 75 thousand and 74 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 14.5 (10.9, 18.0) and 14.3 (11.9, 16.7) per 100000 person years, respectively. Conclusion This study suggests the prevalence rates of the four major NCDs reviewed (cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types, and chronic respiratory diseases (COPD and asthma) in Africa are high relative to global estimates. Due to the lack of data on many NCDs across the continent, there are still doubts on the true prevalence of these diseases relative to the current African population. There is need for improvement in health information system and overall data management, especially at country level in Africa. Governments of African nations, international organizations, experts and other stakeholders need to invest more on NCDs research, particularly mortality, risk factors, and health determinants to have evidenced-based facts on the drivers of this epidemic in the continent, and prompt better, effective and overall public health response to NCDs in Africa

An Evaluation of the Bacteriological Quality of Water Consumed by the Inhabitants of Some Rural Areas of Lagos State

Water as a route of transmission of waterborne diseases is recognized worldwide, especially among the poorer urban and rural households because of the uneven distribution of potable water supply. Communities without potable water supply depend on traditional sources which have often been reported to be contaminated with faecal coliforms. Efforts to reduce the wide effects that poor quality water has on the health and survival of children and women through monitoring and evaluation informed this study. Twelve water sources serving six communities in three local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos state and a total of 308 households' water samples were evaluated using the most probable number method. Water purification methods practiced by the inhabitants were documented. The disease patterns of children under 5 years in the preceding year were obtained from the health statistics office of each LGA. Ten out of twelve water sources tested (83.3%) were contaminated with faecal bacteria. The two potable water sources were bore holes. Most households (93.5%) in the study area did not purify their water. A positive association was established between water quality and the proportionate morbidity ratio for diarrhoeal diseases in the different LGAs studied. The study recommends the provision of boreholes in rural areas. Health education on improving domestic and personal hygiene should be intensified. KEY WORDS: Evaluation, water quality, rural, bacterial pathogens. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 61-6

Patterns of physical activity and anthropometric indices among doctors in public health sector in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Research has reported low levels of physical activity among healthcare personnel despite the importance of diet and exercise as keys to maintaining health.Objective: This study determined the practice of physical activity among doctors and correlated the patterns of physical activity to the body mass indices and waist-hip ratios.Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of405 medical doctors employed in the public health sector of Lagos State, selected using a multistage sampling and interviewed using an adapted International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine the body mass indices (BMI) and waist-hip ratios (WHR). Data was analysed with Epi-info 2007 version (7.0.9.7). Chi-square test was used to test association sat p-value <0.05.Results: Respondents had a mean age of 35.3 + 5.3 years, were largely male (65.8%)and (61.7%) had postgraduate training. Over 80% of doctors spent 8 or less hours a week at work, and 51.4% reported that the job-related activity most frequently done was stair-climbing, walking, jogging or aerobics. Two-thirds(68.2%) reportedly walked over 10 minutesdaily,4.5%reportedno moderate physical activity as a daily habit, 71.4% were overweight or obeseand were in the risk category for WHR and BMI(P<0.0001).Conclusion: Majority of the respondents were physically inactive and higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower BMI and WHR.Doctors should find time to engage in more days of moderate physical exercise as recommended.Key words: Physical activity, doctors, body mass indices, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio

Knowledge and Practice of Medical Waste Management among staff of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos.

Background: Waste generated in hospitals have potential to transmit infections and other hazards to hospital staff and nearby community if not managed adequately. This has become a major concern in many developing countries including Nigeria due to its increasing generation, unsafe storage and poor disposal. The level of knowledge on waste handling, attitude and practices of healthcare workers regarding medical waste disposal is crucial to prevent these hazards.Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, practice and identified the factors influencing medical waste management (MWM) among staff of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 258 medical and non-medical staff selected by Simple random sampling between May to July, 2013. Data was collected using a quantitative and qualitative questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi info-7 version 3.1.5 and SPSS version 20.Results: More than half 148 (57.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge and 164 (63.6%) had positive attitude concerning medical waste management. Majority 181(70.2%) had good MWM practices although, about half (50.4%) of the respondents often put waste in the wrong bin. Factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of MWM among the staff were level of education, profession and gender. Males had a more positive attitude than females and also a better waste management practice.Conclusion: The level of knowledge, attitude and practices of MWM among staff of the health facility were above average. It is then recommended that all newly employed staff be trained on Medical Waste Management and that the old staff should have refresher trainings.Keywords: Medical Waste, Waste Management, Healthcare workers

Comparative evaluation of direct stool smear and Formol-ether Concentration Methods in the identification of Cryptosporidium species

Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhoea in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Unfortunately this pathogen is not often checked for in Microbiology laboratories because the formol-ether stool concentration method for identification of Cryptosporidium is cumbersome and may not be routinely undertaken in very busy laboratories and in laboratories with inadequate personnel. This study was therefore carried out to compare the outcome of direct stool examination and formol-ether concentration method with the aim of finding a non-cumbersome method of examining for Cryptosporidiumspecies routinely in stools when it is indicated. Fresh stool specimens of 193 HIV positive and 200 HIV negative patients (control) attending clinic at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) were processed within two hours of collection using direct stool smear and formol-ether concentration methods. Permanently stained slides were prepared using Kinyoun acid-fast stains. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 35 (18.1%) of HIV seropositive patients using direct stool smear method and in 36 (18.7%) using formol-ether concentration method. There was no statistical difference between the two methods (p > 0.05, xz = 0.012, df = 1 at 95% confidence limit critical ratio = 3.841). No Cryptosporidiumwas identified in the control (HIV negative) patients using either method. Cryptosporidium oocysts can be routinely checked for in the Microbiology laboratories using either direct stool smear or formol-ether concentration stool method with comparable sensitivity. KEY WORDS: Cryptosporidium identification, direct stool smear, concentration method. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 5-

Medicinal Plants Useful For Malaria Therapy In Okeigbo, Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria

There is increasing resistance of malaria parasites to chloroquine, the cheapest and commonly used drug for malaria in Nigeria. Artemisin, a product from medicinal plant indigenous to China, based on active principle of Artemisia annua, has been introduced into the Nigerian market. However not much has been done to project antimalaria properties of indigenous medicinal plants. This study thus, has the main objective of presenting medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Okeigbo, Ondo State, South west Nigeria. Focus group discussions and interview were held about plants often found useful for malaria therapy in the community. Fifty species (local names) including for example: Morinda lucida (Oruwo), Enantia chlorantha (Awopa), Alstonia boonei (Ahun), Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro) and Khaya grandifoliola (Oganwo) plants were found to be in use for malaria therapy at Okeigbo, Southwest, Nigeria . The parts of plants used could either be the barks, roots, leaves or whole plants. The recipes also, could be a combination of various species of plants or plant parts. This study highlights potential sources for the development of new antimalarial drugs from indigenous medicinal plants found in Okeigbo, Nigeria. Keywords: Malaria, Medicinal plants, antimalarial drugs, Okeigbo, Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 191-19