Contribution of Corneal Blindness to Visual Disability among Street Blind beggars in a Local Government Area of a State in Northern Nigeria

Aim: To determine the contribution of corneal blindness to visual disability among Blind Street Beggars (bsb) with a view to draw the implications to blindness prevention programme in Sokoto North Local government area (LGA) . Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted in Sokoto North Local LGA in Sokoto State. The study was conducted over a period of six weeks between May and June; 2009. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Committee of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The list of blind persons in these areas was obtained from the traditional head of the blind (Sarkin Makafi) who assisted in mobilizing the subjects. Blind subjects who consented were included in the study. Data obtained were entered and analyzed in form of frequency tables using Epi-info 2000 statistical software package . Results: A total of 202 of the registered persons were found to be blind on ophthalmic examination and were therefore included in the analysis. There were 107 (53) males and 95 (47) females with a mean age of 49 years. One hundred and sixty four (81.2) blind beggars became blind during childhood period while 38 subjects (18.8) became blind during adulthood. Trachoma corneal opacity was responsible for 12.8 of the blindness while other corneal opacity accounted for 60.8. Conclusion: Majority of the subjects had preventable blindness. We recommend a comprehensive eye care programme with a strong emphasis on health education and prompt treatment of these causes as a means of reducing the population of street blind beggars in Sokoto North LGA

Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent during pregnancy and may have adverse sequalae in both mother and fetus. Interactions between these infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) synergize and may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes and reverse the gains of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of candidiasis; trichomoniasis; gonococcal infection; syphilis; and bacterial vaginosis in HIV pregnant women and compare with HIV negative controls. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted during the period from April to December 2010 at the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and three Primary Health Centers in Ilorin. A total of 160 HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were recruited; along with the same number of HIV negative matched controls. A structured proforma was used to collect information from patients; vaginal examination was performed and samples were taken from the endocervix and the posterior vaginal fornix with swab sticks. Results: STIs were recovered from 142 women; giving overall prevalence of 44.4. HIV infected women had a higher prevalence (60) compared to uninfected (28.8). The most prevalent STI was vaginal candidiasis (29.1); followed by bacterial vaginosis (9.7); and trichomoniasis (5.6). The prevalence of candidiasis; bacterial vaginosis; and trichomoniasis was higher among HIV positive pregnant women compared to HIV negative controls (P 0.05). No woman had syphilis or gonorrhea. Conclusion: The prevalence of candidiasis; bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis was higher in HIV infected pregnant women compared to uninfected. Routine screening of HIV infected pregnant women for these organisms is advocated

Behavioral Pattern of Menopausal Nigeria Women

Context : Menopause is one area that has been shrouded in myths and taboos and the way women perceive menopause depends largely on the social belief about menopause in their society. Objective : The aims of this study are to assess how women perceived the physical changes during menopause; what the social as well as the individual adjustment practice to menopausal changes might be. Materials and Methods : Qualitative focal group study among women aged 40 years and above where eight to ten volunteers formed a group. Six sessions were held for different focal group; each lasting 1-2 h. A tape recorder and a notepad were used to record the discussions. Opinions of the women were sought on socio-cultural differences in the perception of aging; perception of menstruation; perceived causes and consequences of menopause; sexual intercourse after menopause; social support networks for menopausal women; and types of care and treatment for women in menopause. Results: The participants in the FGDs used various phrases to describe menopause in local term; while some of the participants attributed disease to be a cause of menopause; others believed that it be could be caused by witchcraft or sorcery. However; younger and old women whose menstrual flow stops prematurely seek assistance; often from traditional or spiritual healers. Conclusion: This study reveals the poor menopausal knowledge among the study group with more than half of the respondents having negative attitude towards menopause in addition to mixed feelings about religious obligation and cohabitation