Clinical symptoms and outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel strain of coronavirus, which is the cause of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ravaging many countries of the world. The objective of this study is to assess the symptomatology and case management outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria.Methodology: This was a longitudinal study carried out on randomly selected patients with COVID-19, confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure, from March to July 2020. Clinical and outcome data obtained from the patients were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software, and variables were compared using the Chi square (χ²) test and Odds ratio (OR).Results: A total of 215 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly recruited, with 103 males and 112 females (M:F ratio of 1:1.1), and mean age of 37.24 ± 16.83 years. The most common symptoms were shortness of breath (22.8%), cough (18.6%), fatigue (17.2%), runny nose (16.7%), fever (16.3%), and sneezing (14.0%). Mortality rate among the patients was 4.7% (10/215). Statistical analysis showed that fever [χ² = 8.75, OR 2.17 (95% CI: 0.29-16.63), p=0.003] and sneezing [χ²=11.35, OR 2.75 (95% CI: 0.34-18.27), p=0.001] were clinical presentations with significant impact on the final outcome of the patients.Conclusion: This study showed that the most common symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients were shortness of breath, cough, running nose, fever and sneezing, which underscores the importance of monitoring of patients for these symptoms. Keywords: COVID-19; symptoms; management; hospitalized; outcome; Nigeria   French Title: Symptômes cliniques et résultats chez les patients hospitalisés COVID-19 dans l'État d'Ondo, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria Contexte: Le coronavirus-2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SRAS-CoV-2) est une nouvelle souche de coronavirus, qui est à l'origine de la pandémie actuelle de coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), ravageant de nombreux pays du monde. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les résultats de la symptomatologie et de la prise en charge des cas de patients hospitalisés COVID-19 dans l'État d'Ondo, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria. Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude longitudinale réalisée sur des patients sélectionnés au hasard atteints de COVID-19, confirmée par réaction en chaîne par transcriptase-polymérase inverse en temps réel (rRT-PCR), admis à l'hôpital des maladies infectieuses d'Akure de mars à juillet 2020. Les données cliniques et les résultats obtenus des patients ont été analysés à l'aide du logiciel Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0, et les variables ont été comparées à l'aide du test du Chi carré (χ²) et du rapport de cotes (OR). Résultats: Un total de 215 patients hospitalisés COVID-19 ont été recrutés au hasard, avec 103 hommes et 112 femmes (rapport H: F de 1: 1,1), et un âge moyen de 37,24±16,83 ans. Les symptômes les plus courants étaient l'essoufflement (22,8%), la toux (18,6%), la fatigue (17,2%), l'écoulement nasal (16,7%), la fièvre (16,3%) et les éternuements (14,0%). Le taux de mortalité parmi les patients était de 4,7% (10/215). L'analyse statistique a montré que la fièvre [χ²=8,75, OR 2,17 (IC à 95%: 0,29 à 16,63), p=0,003] et les éternuements [χ²=11,35, OR 2,75 (IC à 95%: 0,34 à 18,27), p=0,001] étaient présentations cliniques avec un impact significatif sur le résultat final des patients. Conclusion: Cette étude a montré que les symptômes les plus courants chez les patients hospitalisés sous COVID-19 étaient l'essoufflement, la toux, le nez qui coule, la fièvre et les éternuements, ce qui souligne l'importance de la surveillance des patients pour ces symptômes. Mots clés: COVID-19; symptômes; la gestion; hospitalisé; résultat; Nigeri

The identity of Schilbe intermedius in Jebba Lake, Nigeria

This study attempts to ascertain the identity of Schilbe intermedius (Family: Schilbeidae) in Jebba Lake using quantitative (mophometric and meristic) and qualitative (colour and shape) parameters that makes identification easier. One hundred (100) specimens were collected and used for the study. There was relationship between body weight and length of fish (a=0.039, b=2.332, r=5.96). The parameters are similar to description of other authors. There is also absence of adipose fin found in the species, which is due to the geographical location

Life Satisfaction Assessment of Elderly Living in Geriatric Homes: Case Study of a Geriatric Home in Ibadan, Nigeria

Due to the gradual extinction of the extended family system, many Nigerian elderly now live in geriatric homes. The main objective of the study was to assess the level of life satisfaction of the elderly living in a geriatric home; while the specific ones were to identify the factors responsible for their level of satisfaction, the antecedents of being residents of the home, and their perception of living in a geriatric home. This study was conducted in a geriatric home at Akobo, Ibadan North Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria. An exploratory, descriptive design was used to elicit data from thirteen participants using In-depth Interview. Out of the twenty-two elderly persons in the home: fifteen met the inclusion criteria and two declined to participate. Hence, only thirteen were interviewed. The mean level of life satisfaction of the participants was 23.60 + 4.09, which meant majority of them were generally satisfied; Illness, childlessness and loneliness were found to affect their life satisfaction. All the participants said either chronic illness or loneliness was the major reason for them residing in the home; and 53.8% of the participants had poor perception about the home, mainly due to movement restriction in the home and lack of a private life. In conclusion, all participants hope to leave the home to re-unite and live with their loved ones. It is therefore imperative for all stakeholders to put necessary measures in place, to strengthen family institution, monitor operation of geriatric homes and elaborate the training of health professionals in geriatric care

Knowledge and Attitude of Men towards Factors influencing Childhood Mortality in a Semi-Urban Community in Northwestern Nigeria

Background: In spite of concerted global efforts to reduce childhood mortality, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are still being plagued with incomparably high mortality rates; thereby contributing majorly to the global burden. These deaths occur from causes which are preventable. Men play a pivotal role in sustained efforts to reduce childhood mortality, however, they are usually overlooked in favour of the mothers. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of men towards factors influencing childhood mortality in a semi-urban community, North-Western Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 174 married men were sampled using a multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 21. Results were presented in tables and bar charts. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The mean age (±SD) of the respondents was 38 (±11.2) years. One hundred and ten (64.7%) of the respondents had lost a child under the age of five years. Majority 142 (83.5%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of risk factors influencing childhood mortality and 141 (82.9%) of the respondents had a positive attitude towards prevention of childhood mortality.Conclusion: The study has highlighted the need for increased male involvement in child health issues. Interventions such as health education and community mobilization that aims to educate men on risk factors and danger signs associated with poor childhood health outcomes should be carried out in this area

Knowledge, attitude and practice of safety measures among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Cooking gas refill attendants play important role in the use of gas in Zaria. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and safety measure practices among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted in January, 2019 among cooking gas refill attendants using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and checklist. It was a whole-population study of 121 participants. The data was collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) software version 1.21.1 installed in an android device and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results were summarized and presented in tables and charts; p value was set at < 0.05 for statistical significance. Majority (79.6%) of the respondents were within the productive age group of 25 to 44 years with median age 36 years, married (57.9%) and more than half (52.1%) of the respondents had secondary education and all respondents were males. The overall scores for knowledge, attitudes and safety practices were 81.0%, 90.1% and 75.2% respectively but with various deficiencies. Those that attended training were 78.0%. Finding from the checklist showed that 5.8% of the inspected fire extinguishers were expired. The respondents’ knowledge, attitude and safety measures practices were associated with level of education, age and ethnicity. Majority of the gas refill attendants had good knowledge, attitude and safety measure practice, however, with some deficiencies. There is need for training and supervision to ensure use of personal protective equipment and replacement of the expired fire extinguishers

A Comparison of Knowledge of Puerperal and Newborn Care amongst Rural and Urban Women in Kano State, Nigeria

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The Effect of Training on The Knowledge and Practice of Occupational Health and Safety Measures among Poultry Farm Workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

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Occupational Safety Practices among Butchers in Selected Abattoirsin Igabi LGA, North-Western Nigeria

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