Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Secondary School Children in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Although children comprise a small fraction of the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, which is a major global health challenge, a significant number of them develop chronic HCV infection and are at risk of its complications. Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection in school children in Enugu urban. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional seroepidemiological study involving children aged 10–18 years selected using multistage systematic sampling in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. The anti‑HCV was tested using a 3rd generation enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Four hundred and twenty children were selected and screened comprising 210 (50.0%) males and females. The seroprevalence of anti‑HCV was 4 (1.0%). Three (75%) out of the four positive cases for the anti‑HCV were females while one was a male giving a male to female ratio of 0.3–1. Traditional scarifications/tattoos were the putative riskfactors observed to be significantly associated with anti‑HCV seropositivity. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an anti‑HCV seroprevalence of 1.0% among children aged 10–18 years in Enugu with traditional scarification as the predominant associated risk factor. Proper health education including school health education and promotion of behavioral change among the public on the practice of safe scarifications/tattoos should be encouraged in our setting.Keywords: Anti‑hepatitis C virus, Children, Prevalence, Risk factor

Accidental childhood poisoning in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (Ebsuth). Abakalik, South Eastern Nigeria

This retrospective review of children admitted with accidental poisoning into the children emergency ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki was undertaken to determine its pattern, outcome and contributing factors. There were 22 cases of accidental childhood poisoning. Kerosene was the most common agent, accounting for 45.5% of the cases. Other agents were food iterms(27.3%) , alcohol (13.6%) and household chemicals (13.6%). There was an increasing trend of accidental childhood poisoning during the study period, males (68.2%) and toddlers (59.1%) were the most vulnerable group. In view of the predominate contribution of kerosene in accidental childhood poisoning there is a need to educate the public about the hazard of storage of kerosene at home. Keywords: toddlers, kerosene, accident, vulnerable storage Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 6 (1) 2007 pp. 26-2

Nephrotic syndrome in children: The Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHA) experience

No Abstrac

Clinical and urinary findings in children presenting at the children outpatient clinic (CHOP) in a tertiary hospital in Abakiliki, South-East, Nigeria

Background: Childhood renal diseases have been reported to be on the increase globally in recent times and possible reasons are not fully comprehended. This increasing trend may be related to the late presentation of majority of these patients who often are asymptomatic initially.  This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of urinary abnormalities and hypertension using urinary and clinical findings in children who present at the index Hospital's Children's out-patient clinic.  Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving children who were seen at the hospital with varying symptoms. Relevant history and clinical examinations were obtained on each of the study subjects following standard protocols.  Fresh morning urine samples of subjects were subjected to dipstick urinalysis to assess presence of Protein, Blood and Nitrites. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 (p < 0.05).Results: One hundred subjects out of the 157 patients were studied, 60% of whom were males. The most frequent symptoms were headache (72%), abdominal pains (65%), fever (46%) and increased urinary frequency (43%). Twenty-five (25%) had hypertension. Forty-four (44%) children had abnormal urinary findings existing either alone or in combination, with proteinuria being the most common urinary abnormality, occurring in 23% of them.Conclusion: Abnormal urinary findings were observed to be high among the subjects. It becomes pertinent that urinalysis and routine blood pressure measurement be advocated for all children seen at the CHOP irrespective of their presenting symptoms. Abnormal findings should further be evaluated as part of a nephro-preventive strategy. Keywords: Proteinuria, hematuria ,Nitrituria, Hypertension, Outpatients Clinics, Childre

Perception of childhood anaemia among mothers in Kumasi: a quantitative approach

Abstract Background Anaemia is the world’s second cause of disability and it affects over half of pre-school children in developing countries and at least 30–40% in industrial countries. In poorer malaria-endemic countries, anemia is one of the commonest preventable causes of death in children under 5 years. This study sought to determine the perceived causes, signs and symptoms as well prevention of childhood anaemia among mothers of children under 5 years in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study design with a sample of 228 patients attending the University Hospital, KNUST was used. A simple random sampling technique was applied in sampling and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS statistical tools. Results The study found that anemia was mostly perceived to be caused by poor feeding practices (43%) and fever (37%). The signs and symptoms mentioned mostly were pale conjunctiva (47%) and pale palm (44%). It was suggested that it could be prevented by giving adequate nutrition (23%), regular deworming (19%) as well as exclusive breastfeeding (25%). Mothers education and the number of children were found to be associated with the perception regarding anaemia as respondents who had completed SHS/A level were 5.14 times likely to have a higher knowledge score on Anaemia (AOR = 5.14; 95% CI; 1.01–21.8). Also, mothers who had 5 to 6 children were 1.65 times likely to have higher knowledge score on Anaemia (AOR = 1.65; 95% CI; 0.02–2.32). Conclusion Previous experience with Anaemia and higher educational level results in better understanding of Anaemia. Therefore, extensive health education on anemia should be undertaken by the hospital authorities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to improve knowledge of Anaemia