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

Knowledge of Malaria and Utilization of Insecticide-Treated Nets amongst Mothers of Under-five Children in selected Rural Communities of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by the plasmodium parasite and women and under-five children are more prone to its adverse consequences. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is recommended to reduce malaria burden in endemic communities. The study aimed to determine knowledge of malaria and utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) amongst mothers of under-five children in rural communities of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, and the predictors.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional design was used. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select 160 mothers of under-five children in two rural communities. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software version 22.0 and level of statistical significance was determined by a p value of < 0.05.Results: Mean age of respondents was 29.0±5.4 years, and majority 144 (90%) of the women were married. Lower proportion of respondents had good knowledge of malaria 33 (20.6%). Ninety-four (58.8%) of respondents owned ITNs, but less than half 45 (47.9%) utilized the nets. Predictors of good knowledge of malaria were having attained tertiary education [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR); 2.7, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.1–8.1], p=0.042, and being self-employed, (AOR; 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-13.1), p=0.043). Predictor of utilization of ITNs was being aged 30 years and above (AOR; 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-6.1, p=0.031).Conclusion: Lower proportions of respondents had good knowledge of malaria and utilization of ITNs. Health education of mothers on malaria and benefits of ITNs use should be intensified in the study area

Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors

Objective: Substance use continues to be major risk behaviour among youth, with consequent physical and /or mental health complications. The current study aimed to establish the prevalence and associated factors of substance use among selected secondary school students in Lagos. Method: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study among selected secondary school students in Lagos. Permission was obtained from appropriate school authorities; as well as consent from each participant. The WHO Students’ Drug Use Questionnaire which had been previously validated in the country was used to obtain the drug use information from the subjects. Analysis of the data was conducted using Epi-info version 5. Results: A total of 402 students were studied - of whom 43.5% (n=175)were males and 56.5% (n=227) females. The mean age was 15.9 years. 83.1% (n=334) lived with their parents, 7.6% (n=31) with their relatives and 7.2% (n=29) with friends. The commonest substances used by the subjects were caffeine (kolanut and coffee), mild analgesics (paracetamol and aspirin) and the antimalarials, most especially chloroquine with lifetime use prevalence rates of 85.7%, 73.8% and 65.7% respectively. Generally, the prevalence rates for lifetime use of the substances varied from 3.8% (n=14) for Heroin and Cocaine to 85.7% (n=344) for psychostimulants; and for current use varying from 2% (n=8)to 56.5% (n= 213). For the so called “gateway drugs”: alcohol and tobacco, their lifetime use prevalence rates were 9.2% (n=34) and 5.2% (n=19) while the lifetime use prevalence rate for cannabis was 4.4% (n=16). In terms of gender, the prevalence rates for males were generally higher than for their female counterparts except for antibiotics, analgesics, heroin and cocaine. Reasons for using substances included relief from stress, 43.5% (n=175), self medication to treat illness, 23.8% (n=96), and to stay awake at night to study, 14.9% (n=60). Conclusion: Substance use was found to be prevalent among students in this study involving over-the-counter and socially acceptable substances as well as the abuse of illicit substances. It is advocated that there is a need to review existing health educational programmes.Key words: Substance use; School; Prevalence; Nigeri

Lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors among hypertensives and the use of antihypertensive medication in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors among hypertensives and the use of antihypertensive medication in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: Two hundred and fifty consecutive patients who were attending the outpatients' clinic cardiology unit of the medical department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria were recruited into the study. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 53.9 +12.1 years. Forty-six percent were males and 54% females. Some of the participants indulged in unhealthy lifestyle such as daily smoking of cigarettes (5.0%) and alcohol consumption (10.8%). Some of the participants (45.3%) carry out physical exercises such as walking (71.0%). A large number of the participants (84.0%) believed that hypertension can be controlled. Half of the respondents (50%) had used medication for one to five years. Close to half of the participants (48.2%) stopped taking their medication because they experienced side effects in the past while 24.8% claimed they stopped their use of medication because they could not afford the drugs.Conclusion: There is a need for public health experts to carry out educational campaigns to increase awareness on the implications of negative lifestyle and cardiovascular risks factors of hypertension, compliance and complications of hypertension. Clinicians should also consider the financial status of their patients in prescribing antihypertensive drugs to enable affordability.Keywords: Lifestyle, cardiovascular, risk factors, hypertension, antihypertensive Lagos, Nigeria

Nutritional Status of Under-five Children living in Orphanages compared with their Counterparts living with their Families in Host Communities in Lagos State

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in Nigerian orphanages is not clearly defined despite the high burden. This study was conducted to determine and compare the nutritional status of children living in orphanages and children living in the host communities.Methods: It was a comparative cross-sectional study. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 under-five children each from orphanages and host communities. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics and nutrient intake. Weight, height, mid-upper-arm circumference and nutrient intake were assessed following standard procedures. SPSS (version 20.0) was used for data entry and analysis. Association between variables was determined using Chi-square, t-test or Fisher’s exact tests and level of significance was set at p < 0.05.Result: The mean age of the children in orphanages was 38.5 months while that of the children in the host communities was 38.3 months. Wasting and over-nutrition were significantly lower among children living in orphanages compared with those living in the host communities, (5.6% versus 14.4%, p=0.006) and (5.6% versus 13.9%, p=0.008), respectively. The proportion of children living in orphanages who met the Recommended Dietary Allowance for proteins (95%) was significantly higher than those in the host communities (88.9%), (p=0.033).Conclusion: The nutritional status of children living in the orphanages was better than that of the children living in their host communities. More interventions on feeding infant and young children are needed in communities in Lagos State to ensure better nutritional status

Physicians’ compliance with malaria treatment guidelines of under-five children in a secondary maternal and child care centre in Lagos State

Background: The global malaria agenda has the ultimate goal of eliminating malaria in all countries of the world by 2030 through universal access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Presumptive treatment of malaria with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) has been associated with the development of resistance, therefore parasitological confirmation of all fevers is crucial in the context of eliminating malaria. This study assessed physicians’ compliance with the national guidelines in the treatment of malaria among under-five (U-5) children and their prescription pattern in a Maternal and Child Care (MCC) centre in Lagos State.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted as an exit interview among 427 mothers/caregivers of febrile U-5 children who were consecutively sampled.The data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and a proforma. Epi-info version 7.2.1 was used to analyze the data and the level of significance was set as p<0.05.Results: Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) was done for 75 17.6%) of the children and 37 (49.3%) was positive. Anti-malarial drugs were prescribed at consultation to 400 (93.7%) of the febrile children. Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) was prescribed for 364 (91.0%) of the children. The most prescribed ACT was Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) in 222 (60.9%).Conclusion: The physician’s compliance with malaria treatment guidelines for febrile illnesses in U-5 children was poor with regards to parasitological confirmation before treatment. However, the use of ACTs was adhered to in almost all cases. Regular training workshops are recommended for health workers to improve adherence to parasitological confirmation before treatment.Keywords: Malaria, Under-fives, Compliance, mRDT, ACTs, Guideline

Contraceptive methods awareness and use among women of reproductive age in an urban district of Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Contraceptive use can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and improves the socio-economic status of families, communities and the nation. The objectives of this study are to assess contraceptive awareness, attitude and pattern of use among women aged 15-49 years in a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, Nigeria.Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A community survey was done using multi-staged sampling technique to select 220 women of reproductive age from the LCDA. Information on the awareness of contraceptive methods and use was obtained using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Epi InfoTM statistical software.Result: Most respondents were educated up to secondary school (85.5%), married (57.3%), and less than half had no children (42.7%) and still in school (36.4%). Majority of respondents are aware of contracepetive methods (86.0%), Condoms and injectables are the most known. Few respondents are currently using any form of contraceptive method (31.8%), and had ever used them before (36.4%). The commonest contraceptive method used are condoms ([24.3% for currently using]; [47.5% for ever used]); oral pills ([28.6% for currently using]; [41.3% for ever used]) and injectables ([18.6% for currently using]; [26.35% for ever used]). The commonest side effect reported is irregular menstruation (31.4%). There was no positive association between contraceptive use and marital status, education and occupation of respondents (p > 0.05 in all).Conclusion: The study concludes that despite the high level of awareness of contraceptive methods, the level of use is low among women studied.Keywords: Contraceptives methods, awareness, use, maternal mortality, women, reproductive age, Urban District, Lag

Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking pattern among brothelbased female sex workers in two local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria

Background: Alcohol and tobacco use are known risk factors for non communicable diseases especially among women. Brothel based female sex workers may be at increased risk of exposure to these two substances.Objective: To assess the pattern of alcohol and tobacco use among female sex workers in two selected local government areas in Lagos state, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 323 brothel-based female sex workers in 39 consenting brothels. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a pretested structured  questionnaire.Results: Majority (67.8%) were current drinkers with 89.5% of these having their most recent drink less than a week ago. Most of them (89%)  consumed more than the reference limits for alcohol use among women. Up to 20.7% were current smokers with (92.5%) having their most recent cigarette less than a week ago. More than a third (37.4%) were heavy smokers while 19% were dual users. Current drinking was associated with current smoking. Smokers consumed significantly more units of alcohol than non-smokers.Conclusion: The prevalence of harmful alcohol use and cigarette smoking are very high among this group of female sex workers. Programs that address the use of these substances should be made available for these women

N-(Adamantan-1-yl)-2-chloro­acetamide

In the title compound, C12H18ClNO, which was synthesized as part of a study into potential anti­tuberculosis agents, the adamantine skeleton displays shorter than normal C—C bond lengths ranging between 1.5293 (18) and 1.5366 (15) Å. The structure also displays inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, which forms an infinite chain in the a-axis direction