Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Nigeria; 2000-2013: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the West African nation of Nigeria is lower than many Sub-Saharan African countries. In Nigeria; HBV is reported to be the most common cause of liver disease. However; the extent of HBV exposure among Nigerians at average risk is unknown. Our aim; therefore; was to accurately estimate the HBV prevalence for the country and the prevalence for specific subgroups. We used electronic databases to select systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 2000 to 2013. Forty-six studies were included (n = 34;376 persons). We used a random effects meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to generate our estimates. The pooled prevalence of HBV in Nigeria was 13.6 (95 confidence interval [CI]: 11.5; 15.7). The pooled prevalence ( [95 CI]) among subgroups was: 14.0 (11.7; 16.3) for blood donors; 14.1 (9.6; 18.6) for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics; 11.5 (6.0; 17.0) for children; 14.0 (11.6; 16.5) among adults; and 16.0 (11.1; 20.9) for studies evaluating adults and children. HBV prevalence in Nigeria varied by screening method [ (95 CI)]: 12.3 (10.1; 14.4) by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; 17.5 (12.4; 22.7) by immunochromatography; and 13.6 (11.5; 15.7) by HBV DNA polymerase chain reaction. HBV infection is hyperendemic in Nigeria and may be the highest in Sub-Sahara Africa. Our results suggest that large numbers of pregnant women and children were exposed to HBV from 2000 to 2013. Increased efforts to prevent new HBV infections are urgently needed in Nigeria

Profile and Outcome of Non-Traumatic Paraplegia in Kano; Northwestern Nigeria

Aim: This study was aimed to identify the clinical and radiological profile of non-traumatic paraplegia and the various etiologies associated with the condition. Materials and Methods: A review of the clinical and radiological presentations of adult patients presenting with non-traumatic paraplegia managed at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and Murtala Specialist Hospital (MMSH); Kano; from June 2006 to November 2009 was carried out. Patients underwent a detailed clinical evaluation followed by laboratory investigation and neuroimaging studies and were followed up for 9 months to asses outcome and complications. Results: 98 patients with non-traumatic paraplegia consisting of 71 males and 27 females (M:F: 5:2) were seen. The age range of the patients was between 16 and 76 years; with a mean age of 40 years (SD = 15.3) years; 54 (55) of the patients presented after 2 months of the onset of paraplegia. The commonest symptoms were weakness of the lower limbs (100); loss of sensation (55); sphincteric disturbance (50) radicular pain and paresthesia (38.4); back pain (21.4) and erectile dysfunction (40). All the patients had X-ray of the spine; 26.3had Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) spine. The commonest etiological factors were tuberculosis (TB) (44.4); transverse myelitis (13.1); Guillain-Barre syndrome (9.1); metastatic spinal disease (4); and HIV myelopathy (4). However; the cause could not be identified in 14 (14) of the patients. The commonest site of affectation in those with TB spine was lower thoracic (53.8) and upper lumbar (23.1) vertebrae. Conclusion: Clinical profile of non-traumatic paraplegia in Kano; northwestern Nigeria; is similar to that reported elsewhere in Africa; with spinal tuberculosis and transverse myelitis accounting for over half the cases

Cancer in Nigeria: a 10-year analysis of the Kano Cancer registry

Background: Cancer is a major health problem in developed countries and epidemiological evidence shows the emergence of a similar tend in developing countries; particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV/AIDS is predicted to augment the cancer burden. The present study analyses the profile of cancers recorded in the first decade (1995-2004) of establishment of the Kano cancer registry (KCR) a histology/ cytology-based registry in Kano; Nigeria. Methods: Records of cancer cases diagnosed based on histology or cytology and entered into the registry were retrieved and categorized by type/ organ sites affected according to International Classification of Diseases for Oncology.Results: There was a steady rise in frequency of cancer over the period where a total of 1990 cancer cases were recorded comprising of 1001 (50.3) males and 989 (49.7) females. Cancers of the cervix (22.9); Breast (18.9); Ovary (8.2); non-melanoma skin cancer (6.3); and Uterus (6.2) were the most frequent female cancers. In males; cancer of the prostate (16.5); bladder (10.2); non-melanoma skin (9.9); colorectum (9.3) and connective tissue (6.3) were most common.Burkits lymphoma (31.4); other lymphoreticular cancers (23.8) and retinoblastoma (20) predominated in children. Conclusion: The KCR supports existing predictions of an increase in incidence of cancers in developing countries. There is need for establishment of comprehensive cancer control programmes in developing countries for the common cancers of the cervix; breast; prostate; bladder; skin and colorectum which are amenable to prevention; early detection and cure