Knowledge and Attitude of Healthcare Workers towards Kidney Transplantation in Nigeria

Background: The knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers towards kidney transplantation are fundamental in the development and sustainability of transplant programs. Healthcare workers caninfluence the willingness to donate kidneys.Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Nigerian healthcare workers regarding kidney transplantation.Methods: A prospective study of doctors and nurses at the 43rd Paediatric Association of Nigeria Conference in Ile-Ife, in January 2012 was carried out. Selfadministered questionnaires on the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers towards kidney transplantation were given to participants practising in Nigeria to complete.Results: The questionnaire completion rate was 93.6% (n = 217). Majority (45.2%) of the respondents were aged 35 – 44 years; 59.0% had been in practice for more than 10 years and 83.9% were Christians. On the average, the healthcare workers responded correctly to 63.9% of the questions testing on knowledge and 50.7% were willing to donate kidneys. There was significant relationship between willingness to donate and profession (p = 0.001) but not with age, gender, tribe, religion or duration of practice.Conclusion: Nigerian healthcare workers have good knowledge and favourable attitude towards kidney transplantation. We recommend training of health workers to further improve their knowledge on renal transplantation.Key words: Kidney Transplantation, Healthcare workers, Nigeri

Mothers’ knowledge and practice of infant sleep position

Background: Prone sleeping by infants has been associated with increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Many child caregivers continue to be unaware of the association of SIDS and infant  sleep position and/or are misinformed as to the risks and benefits of the various sleep positions.Objectives: To explore mothers’ knowledge and practice of infant sleep position and SIDS.Methods: The study was conducted in April – August 2012 amongst mothers of infants attending the Paediatric Outpatient Clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on biodata andknowledge and practice of infant sleep position and SIDS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.Results: A total of 282 mothers participated in the study; 167 (59.2%) of them had tertiary education while 265 (94.0%) were married. The  commonest sleep position was prone position (44.3%).Baby’s comfort was the commonest reason for choice of position. There was no significantrelationship between mother’s age and education and choice of infant sleep position (p > 0.05).A total of 229(81.2%) respondents were unawareof any medically recommended sleep position. Of those who were aware, the commonest source of knowledge was grandmothers. A total of 99 (35.1%) respondents had heard of SIDS but over 80% of them did not know the cause.Conclusion: Mothers in Port Harcourt have poor knowledge of infant sleep position. Doctors should take more active part in educating mothers on safe child care practices.Key words: Infant sleep position, mothers, sudden infant death syndrome,Nigeri

Central Diabetes insipidus in a Nigerian child : A case report

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is rare in children. About 30 - 50% of cases are idiopathic. Early and accurate diagnosis are crucial for safe and effective treatment. This is the first report of Central diabetes insipidus in a child in Nigeria.Case report: We report a case of central diabetes insipidus in a female toddler who presented at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with polydipsia and polyuria with a urine specific gravity of 1.000 and normal blood sugar. The diagnosis of CDI was confirmed by her inability toconcentrate urine after a water deprivation test followed by an increase in urine osmolality from 59mOsm/kg to 158mOsm/kg and serum osmolality from 286mOsm/kg to 321Osm/kg following intravenous administration of desmopressin. The patient responded well to oral desmopressin.Conclusion: Central diabetes insipidus occurs in Nigerian children and responds to oral desmopressin. We recommended high index of suspicion in children with polyuria and polydipsia.Key words: Central diabetes insipidus, polyuria, polydipsia, desmopressin, Nigerian chil

Evaluation of microalbuminuria in obese adolescents

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance. Its effect on renal and cardiovascular diseases is reported in developed countries, but rarely established among adolescents in developing countries.Subjects and methods: A crosssectional study of 846 adolescents selected from 12 secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Obese subjects with Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex on the United States CDC growth chart were selected and studied. Urine samples of subjects without overt proteinuria were tested for microalbuminuria using the micral test strips.Results: Seventy-three of the subjects were obese giving the prevalence of obesity to be 8.6%. Microalbuminuria was present in 23 (35.4%) of the 65 obese subjects without overt proteinuria. The proportional prevalence was higher in females (42.9%), in age group 10-14years (42.2%), in subjects with hypertension (57.1%), and family history of hypertension (50.0%) and diabetes mellitus (37.5%) [p > 0.05].Conclusion: There is high prevalence of adolescent obesity, and a high prevalence of microalbuminuria among obese adolescents in Port Harcourt. We recommend efforts at reducing obesity as a means of preventing renal disease in adolescents

Childhood idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in Southern Nigeria

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Risk factors of chronic kidney disease in secondary school girls in Port Harcourt: a world kidney day activity

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality.  Screening for its risk factors will enhance early detection of renal impairment so that appropriate interventions can be commenced early to prevent further deterioration in renal function. Aim: To determine the prevalence of risk factors for CKD in secondary school children. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in March 2011 in an all girls secondary school as part of the World Kidney Day activity in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The weight and height of the students were measured, and body mass index calculated. Blood pressure was measured using mercury sphygmomanometer. Dipstick urinalysis was done on spot urine samples of the subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass equal to or index greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex. Hypertension was defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age, sex and height. Results: There were 317 females aged 9 -17 years.  Majority (44.8%) were aged 12-14 years. Seventy-two (22.7%) of the subjects were obese and six (1.9%) had hypertension. Urinary abnormalities were detected in 156 (49.2%) of the subjects; proteinuria in 136 (42.9%); haematuria in 20 (6.3%) and positive nitrite  in 6 (1.9%).  Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity, hypertension and proteinuria in secondary school girls is high. We recommend routine screening of all secondary school children to enhance early detection of risk factors for CKD.Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Risk factors, Children, World kidney day, Nigeri