Practice of food hygiene among nursing mothers attending under-five clinics in a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria

Children under the age of five are prone to foodborne diseases, resulting from poor food hygiene because of their less effective immune systems. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of food hygiene among nursing mothers attending under-five clinics.Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, involving 330 nursing mothers attending the under-five clinic in health care facilities. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.A p-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.Result: Eighty-two percent of the respondents had good knowledge of food hygiene; 95.2% had a good attitude and 82.7% demonstrated good practice. Knowledge on food hygiene was significantly associated with the age of the respondents (P=0.008) and their educational status (P=0.001), those with tertiary education doing better. Similarly, respondents with tertiary education had significantly better attitude (P=0.001 and practice (P=0.001). The predictors of knowledge on food hygiene were education status (odds ratio [OR] =0.249, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.126, 0.492) and occupation of the respondents (OR = 2.158, 95% CI: 1.156, 4.026). Educational status was also the predictor for positive attitude (OR =0.143, 95% CI: 0.031, 0.667) and practice of food hygiene (OR =0.394, 95% CI: 0.210, 0.738).Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practice of food hygiene among the respondents was good. Predictors of knowledge included level of education and occupation. Government at the State and Local Government levels should organize regular health promotion on food hygiene.

Profil clinique, immunologique et virologique des personnes vivant avec le VIH suivies au CHUD Oueme-Plateau / NA

Introduction : L'infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine au (VIH) est une infection chronique caractérisée par la destruction progressive du système immunitaire par le virus. L'objectif de cette étude était de décrire le profil clinique, immunologique et virologique des personnes vivant avec le VIH et suivies au CHU Départemental Ouémé-Plateau de Porto-Novo. Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale et descriptive couvrant la période du 1er février 2016 au 1er mai 2016. Il a été procédé à un recrutement exhaustif de toutes les personnes vivant avec le VIH suivies en ambulatoire ou hospitalisées dans le Service de Médecine Interne du CHUD-OP, âgées d'au moins 15 ans et ayant donné leur consentement éclairé. Résultats : Au total 301 patients ont été inclus. L'âge moyen était de 42 ans ± 10,3 ans, avec des extrêmes de 19 ans et 74 ans. Les tranches d'âge les plus représentées étaient celle des 35 à 45 ans (118 patients soit 39,2%) et celle des 25 à 35 ans (72 patients soit 23,9%). Cette population était majoritairement féminine (73,1 %), soit une sex-ratio de 0,37. Les enquêtés, dans 79,4 %, étaient en couple. Le stade clinique 3 de l'OMS était prédominant (47,8%). Parmi les pathologies associées, l'hypertension artérielle était la plus fréquente (18.6%). Parmi ces patients, 300 (99,7 %) étaient porteurs de VIH 1. La charge virale a été réalisée chez 177 (58,8 %) patients et s'est révélée indétectable chez 117 patients soit 66,1 % des cas. La numération des CD4 a été réalisée chez 298 (99 %). Le nombre médian des CD4 était de 350 (Q1=206 ; Q3=504). Parmi les 301 PVVIH, 291 (96,68 %) étaient sous traitement antirétroviral. Conclusion : Cette population de personnes vivant avec le VIH est jeune et consulte tardivement

Introduction : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a chronic infection characterized by the progressive destruction of the immune system by the virus. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, immunological and virological profile of people living with HIV and monitored at the Ouémé-Plateau Departmental University Hospital in Porto-Novo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study covering the period from February 1, 2016 to May 1, 2016. An exhaustive recruitment was carried out of all people living with HIV followed on an outpatient basis or hospitalized in the Service of Internal Medicine of the CHUD-OP, at least 15 years old and having given their informed consent. Results: A total of 301 patients were included. The mean age was 42 ± 10.3 years, with extremes of 19 and 74 years. The most represented age groups were that of 35 to 45 years (118 patients or 39.2%) and that of 25 to 35 years (72 patients or 23.9%). This population was predominantly female (73.1%), i.e. a sex ratio of 0.37. The respondents, in 79.4%, were in a relationship. WHO clinical stage 3 was predominant (47.8%). Among the associated pathologies, arterial hypertension was the most common (18.6%). Of these patients, 300 (99.7%) were carriers of HIV 1. Viral load was achieved in 177 (58.8%) patients and was undetectable in 117 patients, or 66.1% of cases. CD4 counts were performed in 298 (99%). The median CD4 count was 350 (Q1 = 206; Q3 = 504). Among the 301 PLHIV, 291 (96.68%) were on antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion: This population of people living with HIV is young and consults late.

The role of nutrition in strengthening immune system against newly emerging viral diseases: case of SARS-CoV-2

The immune system is involved in the protection of host against environmental agents such as pathogenic micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and chemicals, thereby preserving the integrity of the body. To preserve organism defense mechanisms, adequate nutritional status should be maintained with appropriate intakes of calories, vitamins, minerals and water that should be continuously provided by a healthy diet. The emergence of new infectious diseases with new pathogenic properties constitutes a serious health issue worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) represents one of the most recent emerging infectious diseases, caused by a novel coronavirus member called (SARS-CoV-2), identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019, and recognized as pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The nutritional status of each COVID-19-infected patient should be assessed prior undertaking treatments. Nutritional support should be the basis of management of any infected individual. However, prevention measures remain the first priority and strategy to develop throughout proper hygiene, healthy diet and staying home

Role of Eosinophilsin parasitic Infections

Eosinophilia; a pronounced increase of eosinophils in the blood or tissues; occurs in numerous important circumstances; like allergic diseases; parasitic infections; and cancer. Helminthic parasites are usually the common parasitic infections witch cause eosinophilia apart from two enteric protozoans; Isospora belli and Dientamoeba fragilis. Infection with helminthes parasites produces immune effector responses and in a reaction to various stimuli; eosinophils are recruited from the circulation into inflammatory foci; where they modulate immune responses via sequences of mechanisms. The defence against organisms that are too large to be phagocytosed; particularly parasitic helminthes seems to be the primary role of eosinophils. In this article; we will discuss some of the biological features of eosinophils and their role in parasitic infections