In the eye of the storm: the domestic and sexual violence epidemic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

The global pandemic of the coronavirus has resulted in a disruption in life as we know it, with massive effects on tourism, the healthcare system, and the global economy at large. Many countries, initiated measures to curtail the spread of the virus with non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown, quarantine, social distancing, and movement restrictions. These measures while preventing the spread of the virus may have triggered another pandemic, albeit a silent one. This article reviews the burden of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence in Nigeria highlighting the factors that may have interplayed with the lockdown to worsen the situation in Nigeria. This article also focuses on measures to strengthen medical, legal, and supportive responses to survivors

Functional mutations in spike glycoprotein of Zaire ebolavirus associated with an increase in infection efficiency

Ebola virus (EBOV) is extremely virulent, and its glycoprotein is necessary for viral entry. EBOV may adapt to its new host humans during outbreaks by acquiring mutations especially in glycoprotein, which allows EBOV to spread more efficiently. To identify these evolutionary selected mutations and examine their effects on viral infectivity, we used experimental–phylogenetic–structural interdisciplinary approaches. In evolutionary analysis of all available Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein sequences, we detected two codon sites under positive selection, which are located near/within the region critical for the host‐viral membrane fusion, namely alanine‐to‐valine and threonine‐to‐isoleucine mutations at 82 (A82V) and 544 (T544I), respectively. The fine‐scale transmission dynamics of EBOV Makona variants that caused the 2014–2015 outbreak showed that A82V mutant was fixed in the population, whereas T544I was not. Furthermore, pseudotype assays for the Makona glycoprotein showed that the A82V mutation caused a small increase in viral infectivity compared with the T544I mutation. These findings suggest that mutation fixation in EBOV glycoprotein may be associated with their increased infectivity levels; the mutant with a moderate increase in infectivity will fix. Our findings showed that a driving force for Ebola virus evolution via glycoprotein may be a balance between costs and benefits of its virulence

Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (11.8%) compared to men (6.1% and 0.8% respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs

Life events and psychosis: case-control study from India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago

BACKGROUND: There is evidence of an association between life events and psychosis in Europe, North America and Australasia, but few studies have examined this association in the rest of the world. AIMS: To test the association between exposure to life events and psychosis in catchment areas in India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: We conducted a population-based, matched case-control study of 194 participants in India, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago. Cases were recruited through comprehensive population-based, case-finding strategies. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to measure life events. The Screening Schedule for Psychosis was used to screen for psychotic symptoms. The association between psychosis and having experienced life events (experienced or witnessed) was estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: There was no overall evidence of an association between psychosis and having experienced or witnessed life events (adjusted odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI 0.62-2.28). We found evidence of effect modification by site (P = 0.002), with stronger evidence of an association in India (adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95% CI 1.03-2.34), inconclusive evidence in Nigeria (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 0.95-1.45) and evidence of an inverse association in Trinidad and Tobago (adjusted odds ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: This study found no overall evidence of an association between witnessing or experiencing life events and psychotic disorder across three culturally and economically diverse countries. There was preliminary evidence that the association varies between settings

The current landscape of nucleic acid tests for filovirus detection.

Nucleic acid testing (NAT) for pathogenic filoviruses plays a key role in surveillance and to control the spread of infection. As they share clinical features with other pathogens, the initial spread of these viruses can be misdiagnosed. Tests that can identify a pathogen in the initial stages of infection are essential to control outbreaks. Since the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in 2014-2016 several tests have been developed that are faster than previous tests and more suited for field use. Furthermore, the ability to test for a range of pathogens simultaneously has been expanded to improve clinical pathway management of febrile syndromes. This review provides an overview of these novel diagnostic tests

Ultrapotent antibodies against diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants

IC80 1.5 to 34.5 nanograms per milliliter). We define the structural and functional determinants of binding for all four VOC-targeting antibodies and show that combinations of two antibodies decrease the in vitro generation of escape mutants, suggesting their potential in mitigating resistance development.The emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) that are resistant to therapeutic antibodies highlights the need for continuing discovery of broadly reactive antibodies. We identified four receptor binding domain-targeting antibodies from three early-outbreak convalescent donors with potent neutralizing activity against 23 variants, including the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.429, B.1.526, and B.1.617 VOCs. Two antibodies are ultrapotent, with subnanomolar neutralization titers [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 0.3 to 11.1 nanograms per millilite

Homicide and Psychoactive Substance use among Offenders in a Nigerian Prison.

Background: Information from previous reports tend to suggest that drug use is associated with crime, particularly with homicide offences. Data on drug use among homicide offenders are scarce in Nigeria. Aim: The study was carried out to determine the relationship between psychoactive substance use and homicide. Method: All the 66 homicide offenders in a Nigerian prison and 66 matched control prisoners, charged for nonviolent offences were studied. Information on socio-demographic variables and drug use was obtained from all the respondents by interview. Results: Before imprisonment, the homicide offenders reported the use of alcohol, cannabis and stimulants with rates of 34.6%, 15.2% and 1.5% respectively. During imprisonment, lower rates of use were reported forthese substances. These were 6.1% 1.5% and 6.1% respectively. The consolidated drug use rate among the non-violent prisoners (74.2%) wassignificantly higher than for the homicide defendants (53.0%), before imprisonment (

Whose rights are being violated when receiving HIV and sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria?

Background: In Nigeria, vulnerability status may increase the risk for the violation of human rights while receiving health care. The present study determined the proportion and profile of people who reported rights violation while accessing HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Methods: This was a cross sectional study with data collected between February and March 2021. The dependent variables were patients’ rights to autonomy: right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records; right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, allegations of crime, disability or economic circumstances; right to decline or consent to participation in medical research, experimental procedures or clinical trials; right to quality care in accordance to prevailing standards; and right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received. The independent variables were sexual identity (heterosexual/straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer), HIV status (positive, negative, do not know), living with disability (yes/no), and access point to HIV services (public or donor funded/private). Five multivariate regression models were developed to determine associations between the dependent and independent variable after adjusting for age, education level (no formal education, primary, secondary, tertiary), sex (male, female, intersex), marital status (single, married, separated/divorced, cohabiting) and gender identity (male, female, transgender). Results: Complete data from 2119 study participants were analysed. Transgender individuals had significantly higher odds of experiencing violation of their rights to privacy and confidentiality of medical records (AOR:1.70), right to be treated with respect (AOR:1.71), right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received (AOR:1.57) and right to decline consent to participate in medical research, experimental research, experimental procedures or clinical trials (AOR:1.81) compared to individuals who were males. Conclusion: A high proportion of recipients of HIV and SRH services in Nigeria reported rights violations. Transgender individuals appear to have higher risk and those in spousal relationships have lower risk for rights violations. Studies are needed to learn how to improve rights-based HIV and SRH service delivery in Nigeria especially for transgender individuals