ABSTRACT
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the associated acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have remained a serious scourge and a major public health concern, affecting millions in sub-Saharan Africa despite awareness campaigns, preventive measures and promotion of antiretroviral regimens. This study determined the prevalence of HIV among newly admitted students of Ebonyi State University as a measure of the impact of awareness campaign towards prevention of HIV transmission. Methods: Newly admitted students of Ebonyi State University totalling 2,736 who voluntarily enrolled for the study were screened for HIV infection using the national HIV testing algorithm after information relating to their personal lifestyle, knowledge of safer sex and preventive measures have been obtained with the use of a client intake form. Results: Of the 2,736 subjects screened, 6 were positive for HIV, giving a prevalence rate of 0.22%, with prevalence rate of 0.29% (4 of 1344) in females and 0.14% (2 of 1392) in males (X2=0.2041, p=0.6514). The positive subjects were spread across age groups 15-19 years (1), 20-24 years (4) and 25-29 years (1). Males and females who have had sex were 801 and 579 out of which 239 and 209 respectively acknowledged to have had unprotected sex within three months of the study. Conclusion: The low HIV prevalence rate of 0.22% among school age and young adults in this study may indicate that awareness and safe sex campaigns in Ebonyi State have positive impact in HIV prevention amongst these groups of people
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Nigeria , Prevalence , StudentsABSTRACT
Pathogenic microorganisms resistant to commonly used antibiotics are of worldwide concern. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been reported worldwide and causes both hospital and community-associated infections in humans. Sixty-five (65) Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical samples were screened for methicillin resistance in order to evaluate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital; Abakaliki and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of MRSA strains. Susceptibility testing of the isolates to oxacillin and to some other conventional antimicrobial sensitivity discs commonly used in the study area was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Of the 65 Staphylococcus aureus isolates screened; 15 (23) were susceptible to methicillin while 50 (77) were resistant to methicillin. The Methicillin-resistant isolates showed 100resistance to ciprofloxacin; ceftriaxone; nitrofurantoin and erythromycin. The percentage resistance recorded for other antibiotics were ofloxacin (88); ampicillin (76); gentamicin (72); while the lowest resistance; (40) was recorded for vancomycin. It was noted that vancomycin is still the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of MRSA infections. It was concluded that the prevalence of MRSA is high in the study area; and this should necessitate caution in the prescription of antibiotics without proper indication