Ocular disorders among stroke patients in Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria

Objectives:To determine the pattern of ocular disorders among stroke patients in Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL).Materials and Methods:Consecutive new stroke patients seen at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja over a 3-month period were studied. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire divided into four major sections: bio-data, visual history, results of ocular assessment and NEI VFQ-25 quality of life questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS for Windows, version 23.0. Univariate analyses were presented in the form of frequencies, percentages, means, ranges, and standard deviations, charts and tables.Results:Eighty-three patients were recruited with an age range of 40-71 years, a mean age of 55.3(±7.1) years. Thirty-nine patients (47.0%) were between the ages of 51 and 60 years. Thirty-four (41.0%) patients were females while 49(59.0%) were males. Of 46 (55.4%) patients that had neuro-imaging, stroke was ischaemic in 37(80.4%) and haemorrhagic in 9(19.6%). Of the 63 patients with left sided stroke, 2 (2.4%), 4(4.8%) and 57(68.7%) had severe, moderate and mild and normal visual impairment respectively while of the 20 patients with right sided stroke, 3(3.6%) each had severe and moderate visual impairment and 14(16.9%) had normal or mild visual impairment. Other ocular abnormalities included corneal anaesthesia and macular hole in 2(1.2%).Conclusion:Anterior and posterior segments, together with neuro-ophthalmic disorders were found among stroke patients in this study. Many of the ocular abnormalities are as a result of long-standing uncontrolled hypertension which caused the stroke. It is recommended that awareness should be created among the populace about uncontrolled hypertension. It is also advised that internists should refer hypertensive patients for routine ophthalmic screening.

Care-recipient perspectives on the responsiveness of Orthopedic surgical services in a tertiary center in Nigeria

Responsiveness optimisesthe system-based approach to meeting legitimate demands by healthcare recipients. This study assessed the responsiveness of orthopaedic services at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) from the perspectives of the care recipients. Methods:Descriptive cross-sectional study among 442 consecutively recruited recipients of orthopaedic services at UPTH from March to June 2020. Close-ended questionnaire with responsiveness conceptualised by five constructs: dignity, autonomy, confidentiality, quality of basic amenities and choice of care provider, each measured along 4-point response scale. The internal consistency reliability of the responsiveness scale was determined by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Descriptive (frequency, percentages, bar charts) and inferential (ordinal logistic regression) statistics were conducted and p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Response rate was 97.3% and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the responsiveness scale was 0.83. Participants' mean age was 38.5±14.8years with more being males (55.8%), privately employed (34.9%) and completed secondary education (82.5%). Proportion of respondents who gave excellent ratings across responsiveness domains were dignity (32.8%), autonomy (34.2%), confidentiality (26.3%), amenities (25.8%) and no excellent rating for choice of provider. Marital, employment and visit status were the most consistent factors associated with feedback on autonomy, choice of providers, confidentiality domains.Conclusion: More orthopaedic patients were pleased with the level of autonomy and dignity than choice of providers and quality of basic amenities. There is the need for enhanced responsiveness of orthopedic services to meeting the unique needs of patients and achieving improved quality of care and patient outcomes

Foot-at-Risk among adult outpatients with diabetes mellitus in Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Introduction: the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) around the world has dramatically increased the number of people bearing the complications of this potentially incapacitating disease. One of these complications is foot ulcers that may result in amputation. This study sets out to determine the profiles of the "foot-at-risk" for ulceration and the associated socio-medical factors in DM patients. Methods: this study was conducted at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Southwest, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 299 outpatient adults aged 18 years and above with diabetes mellitus of at least 6 months in duration. Comprehensive Foot Examination and Risk Assessment tool was used to identify the foot-at-risk categories of the participants. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: the prevalence of foot-at-risk among the participants was 64.9% (194). Among the 194 participants with foot-at-risk, 35.1% (105) belonged to the foot-at-risk categories 0, 37.8% (113) in category 1, 16.1% (48) in category 2, and 11.0% (33) in category 3. Other factors that had a statistically significant association with foot-at-risk included; age, religion, level of education, duration of diabetes, history of smoking, and glycemic control. Conclusion: foot-at-risk was found to have an alarming prevalence among the participants. In addition, the level of glycemic control in this group was unacceptably poor. Clinicians need to intensify preventive measures like foot screening and health education to prevent foot ulcerations, which may result in limb amputation in DM patients.

Cardiovascular physical examination as a screening tool for congenital heart disease in newborns at a teaching hospital in Ghana

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of cardiovascular physical examination (CPE) as a screening tool in a lowresource setting for detecting congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns delivered at the Maternity Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with a comparison group component. Setting: Maternity Unit of the KBTH, Accra, Ghana. Participants: Over eight months, newborns aged 1-14 days delivered at ≥ 34 weeks' gestation at the Maternity Unit, KBTH, were recruited into the study. Intervention: Each newborn was examined using a set of CPE parameters for the presence of congenital heart disease. Those with suggestive features of CHD had a confirmatory echocardiogram test. Main Outcome Measure: Abnormal CPE features and their corresponding echocardiogram findings. Results: A total of 1607 were screened, with 52 newborns showing signs of CHD on CPE, of which 20 newborns were proven on echocardiogram to have congenital heart disease. Abnormal CPE parameter that was associated with CHD was murmur (P=0.001), dysmorphism (p=0.01), newborns with chest recessions (p=0.01) and lethargy (p=0.02). CPE's sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 95%, 60.7%, 36.5% and 98,1%, respectively. The most common acyanotic CHD found was isolated atrial septal defect (ASD), followed by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The only cyanotic CHD found was a case of tricuspid atresia. Conclusion: Cardiovascular physical examination at birth is an effective and inexpensive screening tool for detecting CHD in newborns, which can easily be utilised in low-resource settings.

Quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: With the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), life expectancy of HIV-infected persons had increased and the disease is now managed as a chronic one, but the quality of life (QOL) of the patients is now a concern. Social support enhances QOL of patients with chronic illnesses. However, no study has been done to determine the QOL of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in our environment. This study therefore assessed the QOL of PLWHA attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo State of Nigeria Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Two hundred and thirty PLWHA attending the ART clinic of ISTH, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, were systematically selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical profiles of selected participants, and the WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire was used to collect data the QOL of each participant. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 20.0. Results: The overall mean QOL score for the participants was 89.13±1.18 (95% CI=87.95-90.31). The scores in three of the six life domains in the WHOQOL-HIV BREF instrument were similar and high; spirituality/ religion/personal beliefs (16.33±0.36), physical health (15.83±0.28) and psychological health (15.07±0.24). Lower mean QOL scores were observed in the social relationships (13.49±0.28) and environment (13.45±0.20) domains. Clinical HIV stage, marital status, educational status and gender were significantly associated with mean QOL scores in bivariate analysis while only HIV stage 1 and 2 were significantly associated with good QOL in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: It is pertinent that PLWHA are kept in early stages of HIV disease through combination of efforts such as prompt enrolment, commencement and monitoring compliance of HAART, and treatment of opportunistic infections, as well as public health measures including education, de-stigmatization, early diagnosis by extensive accessible screening/testing of at-risk population, social supports and economic empowerment, psychotherapy and social integration of affected individuals especially in a functional home.

Hypertension and associated factors among patients attending HIV clinic at KorleBu Teaching Hospita

Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among patients attending the HIV clinic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at KBTH. The prevalence of hypertension was estimated among study participants, and socio-demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, metabolic and HIV/ART-related factors associated with hypertension were determined by logistic regression modelling. Setting: Study participants were recruited from the HIV clinic at the KBTH. Participants: A total of 311 Persons Living with HIV were recruited as study participants Interventions: Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. A questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance was used to collect study participants' data. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 36.7%, and the factors associated with hypertension were increasing age, positive family history of hypertension, minimal exercising, current BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 , total cholesterol level ≥5.17 mmol/L, exposure to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and increasing duration of ART exposure. Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of hypertension among patients attending the HIV clinic at KBTH,associated with exposure to ART and increasing duration of this exposure. Blood pressure monitoring should move from routine to a more purposeful screening of patients for hypertension. Patients with the identified risk factors should be encouraged to have regular blood pressure measurements at home and not only when they visit the HIV clinic.

Association of socioeconomic status with adverse birth outcomes at the Women and Newborn Hospital of the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Low socioeconomic status has generally been associated with adverse birth outcomes worldwide. Adverse birth outcomes significantly contribute to perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide with some literatures showing conflicting results. At Women and New-born Hospital in Zambia, this relationship had remained unclear among women who experienced poor neonatal outcome; hence the study was done to explore this association between socioeconomic status and adverse birth outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Secondary data from ZAPPS study that had been collected prospectively between August 2015 and September 201 7 was retrieved. Altogether, 1,450 participants' information was retrieved, out of which 1,084 data records were set out for analysis after excluding those not meeting eligibility criteria. Socioeconomic status was an explanatory variable which was estimated using the standardized wealth score derived from principal component analysis of 14 variables. The wealth quintiles were further categorised into poor and not poor. Response variables were low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestation age. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis and p value< 0.05 was significant Results: This study found the incidences of SGA, LBW and preterm births to be 164, 124 and 13 5 per 1000 live births respectively. In survival analysis, the proportion of babies who survived LBW among mothers who were poor was lower (82.9%) compared to babies born to rich mothers (87.5%) (p-value = 0.189). Furthermore, the proportion of babies who survived SGA for the poor was lower (79 .1 % ) compared to babies born to none poor mothers (85.8%) (p-value = 0.032) and preterm birth for the poor (78.4%) compared to babies born to mothers who were rich (83 .6%) (p-value = 0.022). In multiple Cox regression analysis socioeconomic status was not a significant risk factor for SGA ( aHR = 1.08; 95% CI; p=0.099), LBW and preterm birth (aHR = 1.17; 95% CI; p= l.41). However, male babies (aHR = 1.80; 95% CI; p=0.012), domestic violence or abuse during pregnancy (aHR = 3.48; 95% CI [1.59 - 7.34]; p = 0.002) and maternal anaemia (aHR = 2.1; 95% CI; p = 0.019) were risk factors for SGA while prior preterm birth ( aHR = 2.02; 95% CI; p = 0.002), HIV infection (aHR = 1.22; 95% CI; p = 0.040) and anaemia (aHR = 1.37; 95% CI; p = 0.009) were predictors of preterm delivery. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between low socioeconomic status and adverse birth outcomes although being pregnant with a male baby, HIV infection, anaemia and prior preterm birth were significantly associated with SGAand preterm

Luxations temporo-mandibulaires au CHU de Bouaké: Aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques / Temporomandibular Dislocations in Bouake Teaching Hospital: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Introduction. Les luxations temporo-mandiblaires sont peu fréquentes au CHU de Bouaké, mais elles sont invalidantes. Les objectifs étaient de : Distinguer les aspects épidémiologiques, et d'identifi er les formes cliniques et les aspects thérapeutiques. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive qui s'est déroulée du 1er janvier 2018 au 30 décembre 2019 dans le service d'odontostomatologie et de chirurgie maxillo-faciale du Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Bouaké. Résultats. Quarante et un (41) cas ont été colligés soit une fréquence hospitalière de 5%. L'âge moyen était de 40,18 ans avec des extrêmes de 11 ans et 77 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 0,78. Le délai moyen de consultation était de 3 jours. Le bâillement représentait 48,78% des causes et avait pour facteur favorisant l'édentation partielle postérieures dans 90% des cas. Les luxations isolées de l'articulation temporo mandibulaire étaient observées dans 85,37% des cas, et étaient toutes antérieures. Parmi ces luxations isolées, 88,57% étaient bilatérales et 11,43% unilatérales. La luxation supérieure a été retrouvée dans 4,88% de cas, et elle était toujours associée à une fracture de la symphyse mandibulaire. Dans 80,49% des cas, le traitement a été orthopédique. L'évolution a été favorable dans 82,93% des cas. Conclusion. Les luxations temporo-mandibulaires sont des affections très invalidantes. Les absences dentaires constituent le principal facteur prédisposant d'où la nécessité d'une bonne réhabilitation dentaire prothétique afi n d'éviter les récidives.

Assessment of Variation in Clinical Presentation of Visceral Leishmaniasis Among Patients Attending the Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital in Sudan

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (also known as Kala-azar) is a systemic parasitic infection with many clinical presentations. The present study assesses the variation in presentations among patients who attended the Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital (TDTH) in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at the TDTH between November 2019 and September 2020. Medical records of patients who presented at the TDTH were reviewed using a structured data extraction checklist. The Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between sociodemographic and clinical presentations of patients. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 195 patients, 79.5% were male and 48.2% were <31 years old. Fever was the main clinical presentation (90.2%) while 53.3% presented with weight loss and 72.3% and 39% presented, respectively, with splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. HIV was detected in 4.6% of the patients. RK39 was the main diagnostic test. We found a significant association between the abdominal distention and the age of the patients (P < 0.05) ­ age groups 11­20 and 41­50 years were more likely to present with abdominal distention than other age groups. Conclusion: There is no exact clinical presentation or routine laboratory findings that are pathognomonic for visceral leishmaniasis; therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with fever, weight loss, and abdominal distention, and among patients with HIV.

Predictors of anti-glycaemic medication-taking among adults with diabetes mellitus seeking care in a tertiary hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana

Objectives: This study sought to assess the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking and its predictors among adults living with diabetes receiving treatment at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). Design: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among adults living with diabetes and receiving care at CCTH. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anti-glycaemic medication-taking were gathered using a structured questionnaire. A scale consisting of 4 domains (filling prescribed medication; taking medications appropriately according to the instructions of healthcare professionals; practising behavioural modifications and showing up for follow-up appointments) and eight items was used to measure the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test (and Fisher's exact test where appropriate), bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used in analysing the data. Setting: The study was carried out in the diabetes clinic in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Participants: The total enumerative sampling technique was used to select 250 adults living with diabetes and receiving care at CCTH. Main outcome measures: Anti-glycaemic medication-taking Results: Out of 250 participants studied, 42% had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Predictors of anti-glycaemic medication-taking included forgetfulness (aOR=0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.64, p<0.001), patient's involvement in treatment plan (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.64, p=0.014) and having good knowledge about one's medication (aOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.10-4.98, p=0.028). Conclusion: Less than half of the sample population (42%) had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking, with forgetfulness, involvement in the treatment plan and good knowledge about anti-glycaemic medications, predicting medication-taking

Evaluation of patients' compliance to recall visits after tooth extraction at the Dental Centre, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH): A two-year retrospective study

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to evaluate the level of patients' compliance with recall / follow-up visits attending the dental Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).Methods: This study adopted a descriptive retrospective study of case notes retrieved from the medical records department of the dental Centre, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The period under study covers 2019 to 2021. The data was collected by means of 1232 questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages. Results: The result showed that the participants in the age bracket of 18-40 years of age (277) complied better to recall visit in comparison with the study age distributions which are 41-65 years (218) and age above 65 years (188). As per the influence of gender on compliance of patients with post-extraction recall visits, it was observed that the male participants (288) responded better to the recall visits compared to the female participants (251). The Relationship between distance away from the hospital and compliance of patients with post-extraction recall visits was also evaluated, and it was observed that the patients closer to the hospital within 5km (442) complied better to recall revisit in comparison to the participants who were within 10km (224) from the hospital as well as the participants that were 10km & above (17). Finally, the influence of interval between procedure and recall visit was also evaluated, and the result revealed that the participants that were given 7 days of recall revisit (663) complied better compared with the participants who were given 14days duration for recall revisit (478). Conclusion: The data from this study highlighted the possible need for a paradigm shift in patient-doctor interphase especially as it concerns recall visits. Compliance to recall appointment by the patients depends largely on age, gender, distance from hospital and interval between procedures and is mainly responsible for the noncompliance of patients to recall visit

Management and outcome of colorectal cancer in a resource-limited setting: Ahmadu Bello university teaching hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in the Western World. It is increasing in developing countries due to adaptation of the western lifestyle with an incidence of 6% in Nigeria. Treatment options are dependent on the stage of disease at presentation, the performance status of the patient, and increasingly the molecular makeup of the tumor. There is a dearth of data on the treatment options obtainable for the management and outcome of CRC cases in Northwestern, Nigeria. Aim: The study assessed the treatment options and outcome of colorectal cancer patients in a tertiary institution, in Northwestern, Nigeria over a 10-year period. Patients and Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2015, data of one-hundred and twenty-two histologically confirmed colorectal cancer cases seen at the Surgery, Radiotherapy and Oncology Departments, ABUTH Zaria, were retrieved retrospectively from the case files and treatment cards of the patients at the health information unit of the hospital. The stage at disease presentation, treatment received, and outcome were analyzed. Results: Nearly a quarter of the patients fell within the age bracket 31­40 years with the median age being 41 years. While only 41% of the patients had their disease staged, 30.4% of the patients presented with advanced disease (Dukes'C + D). Only 95 cases received a form of surgery or the other. Colostomy however accounted for 28.4%. Eighty-nine of the patients received chemotherapy either as neoadjuvant, adjuvant or with palliative intent. External beam radiotherapy either with radical or palliative intent was received by 60 patients (49.2%). At 1-year follow-up sixty cases had been lost to follow up, and thirty-six cases had defaulted on one form of treatment. Conclusion: The study showed that stage at presentation and the available treatment options in the hospital informed treatment offered to the patients. However, surgery was readily performed due to the pattern of presentation and most patients benefited from just a diverting colostomy. Majority of the patients presented with rectal tumor which required radiotherapy as part of its treatment modality, although this is still a luxury in this part of the world. Chemotherapy is also readily available and often prescribed. Cost and limited facility for biomarker (K-ras) testing restrict the use of targeted therapy. Outcome at 1-year follow-up was poor with whereabouts of nearly half of the patients unknown.

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria using the complete Amsel's diagnostic criteria

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) in pregnant women remains a cause for clinical concern among clinicians and health care professionals. BV has been linked to prenatal, antenatal and postnatal challenges in pregnant women. Information on prevalence of BV across trimesters of pregnancy is expected to give better clinical insight into the pathophysiology of this polymicrobial disorder. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of BV in pregnant women attending the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 120 pregnant women (40 in each trimester of pregnancy) who had symptoms suggestive of BV, selected by systematic random sampling from among the women attending the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O & G) clinic of NAUTH, Nnewi. Each subject participant was examined by the attending clinician, and high vaginal swab (HVS) sample was collected for diagnostic analysis of BV using with complete Amsel's clinical criteria, which consists of three of the four criteria; (i) adherent and homogenous vaginal discharge, (ii) vaginal pH > 4.5, (iii) detection of clue cells on saline wet mount, and (iv) amine odor after the addition of potassium hydroxide (positive Whiff test). Results: The mean age of the 120 selected participants was 27.25±6.09 years. The age groups 25-29 (36.7%) and 20-24 years (33.3%) constituted the largest proportion, while age groups <20 (5.0%) and 40-45 years (5.0%) constituted the least. Of the 120 participants, 26 (21.7%) were positive for BV by the Amsel's criteria. Pregnant women in age group <20 years had the highest prevalence of BV (100%, 6/6), followed by those in the age groups 20-24 (27.5%), 40-45 (16.7%), 25-29 (15.9%), 30-34 (9.1%) and 35-39 years (0%) (X 2=28.063, p=0.0001). Prevalence of BV was significantly higher in single (unmarried) pregnant women (45.5%, X 2=4.038, p=0.045), women with primary school education level (66.7%, X 2=14.530, p=0.001), unemployed women (36.1%, X 2=13.278, p=0.0013), and nulliparous women [36.4%, X 2 (for trend) = 4.805, p=0.0274), while there was no significant difference in the prevalence of BV with relation to trimester of pregnancy (X 2=2.750, p=0.253). Conclusion: This study reveals a relatively high prevalence of BV and significant association with factors such as age group, education and occupational status among pregnant women attending NAUTH Nnewi. Regular screening of women for BV prenatally may enable appropriate interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes

Pattern of chest computerized tomography scan findings in symptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Background: Chest Computerized Tomography (CT) features of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are nonspecific, variable and sensitive in detecting early lung disease. Hence its usefulness in triaging in resource-limited regions. Objectives: To assess the pattern of chest CT scan findings of symptomatic COVID-19 patients confirmed by a positive RTPCR in Ghana. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed chest CT images of 145 symptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients examined at the Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from 8th April to 30th November 2020. Chi-Squared test was used to determine associations among variables. Statistical significance was specified at p≤0.05. Results: Males represent 73(50.3%). The mean age was 54.15±18.09 years. The age range was 5 months-90 years. Consolidation 88(60.7%), ground glass opacities (GGO) 78(53.8%) and crazy paving 43(29.7%) were the most predominant features. These features were most frequent in the elderly (≥65years). Posterobasal, peripheral and multilobe disease were found bilaterally. The most common comorbidities were hypertension 72(49.7%) and diabetes mellitus 42(29.2%) which had significant association with lobar involvement above 50%. Conclusion: The most predominant Chest CT scan features of COVID-19 pneumonia were GGO, consolidation with air bronchograms, crazy paving, and bilateral multilobe lung disease in peripheral and posterior basal distribution

The current use of the artemisinin-based combination therapies in adult patients at a tertiary hospital, South-South Nigeria

Objective:The antimalarial preferences, tolerability, and cost of the Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) among adult patients and caregivers are largely understudied despite being the recommendedtreatment for Plasmodium falciparum.We, therefore, evaluated antimalarial preferences, tolerability, and cost of the ACTs among adult patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted among adult patients and their caregivers atthe University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria,using a semi-structured questionnaire. Their preferred antimalarial medication, previous use of antimalarial monotherapies, current ACT use; cost considerations, and adverse effects profile were sought.Result:Six hundred respondents were recruited with a mean age of 41.4±16.3years and M/F ratio of 1.4. The majority (88.0%), reported that they had between 1-5 episodes of malaria fever in a year. Only 28.2% received doctors' prescriptions while 85.8% purchased their antimalarial medications from a pharmacy. Sixty percent of the respondents used at least one ACT; mainly Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) 312(52.0%). Only 9.3% reported previous adverse effects with the ACTs with 4.0% of respondents discontinuing their medications. The mean (SD) cost of purchasing ACTs was 1,516.47±760.3 (3.65 USD) Naira.Conclusion: This study showed adult patients' preference for the ACTs, especially Artemether-Lumefantrine despite some inclination towards antimalarial monotherapies and parenteral route. There was also a high rate of use of malaria presumptive treatment, but only a few reported adverse effects. There is a need to make ACTs affordable because the cost is still presently high for most Nigerians.

Management protocol of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo,Ogun State, Nigeria

Coronavirus infection became a global pandemic in March 2020. The number of hospitalized cases in Nigeria and Ogun State has been on a steady increase with a concomitant rise in Mortality. This necessitates a coordinated and a more systemic approach in the management of this deadly disease.As a result of the potential effects of the disease on the socio-economic development of Ogun State, the state government granted Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo the permission to diagnose, admit and manage cases in line with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)/World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This led to the establishment of a molecular laboratory and a COVID-19 task force to oversee the treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease.This protocol is developed to serve as a template for the diagnosis, admission, treatment of cases of COVID-19 diseases presenting for care in the hospital and to prevent the spread of the disease among healthcare workers within the hospital environment

Prevalence of carbapenemase production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates causing clinical infections in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been highly associated with carbapenem resistance in which carbapenemases has been suggested to be a major contributory factor. Hence the objective of this study was to phenotypically detect KPC-type carbapenemase, metallo-ß-lactamase and OXA-48 carbapenemase production in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria Methodology: One hundred and seventy-one P. aeruginosa isolates consecutively recovered from clinical specimens of patients with infections at the Medical Microbiology and Parasitology laboratory of the hospital were identified using MicrobactTM 24E kit. Preliminary screening for carbapenem resistance was determined by the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar using single discs of meropenem and imipenem. Phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production among carbapenem-resistant isolates was performed by the combination disc test of meropenem-phenylboronic acid (MRPBO) and meropenem-dipicolinic acid (MRPDP) as recommended by EUCAST 2013 guideline. Results: Out of the 171 P. aeruginosa isolates, 35 (20.5%) were carbapenem non-susceptible (resistant) while carbapenemase production was detected in 27 (77.1%) of these carbapenem resistant isolates, and no enzyme was detected in 8 (22.9%). Of the 27 carbapenemase producing isolates, 22 (81.5%) produced MBL, 1 (3.7%) produced KPC, while 4 (14.8%) produced both KPC and MBL enzymes. Conclusion: This study revealed that carbapenem resistance among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates in our institution is gradually increasing. The mechanism for this rise is associated with carbapenemases, with MBL being the major carbapenemase involved. There is the need to ensure strict compliance with the LUTH infection control guidelines in order to check the rising incidence of infection caused by carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa

Burden and spectrum of paediatric respiratory diseases at a referral hospital in North-Central Nigeria - A five year review

Introduction: Globally respiratory diseases, comprising a broad range of disease conditions due to infectious and non-infectious causes, are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Thus, identification of the burden of respiratory illness will ensure appropriate interventions towards reducing its attendant morbidity and mortality. The study was conducted to identify the burden, spectrum and outcome of respiratory diseases in hospitalized children at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study involving children admitted through the emergency paediatric unit over five years (January 2013-December 2017) was conducted. Data on demography, diagnosis, comorbidities and complications, duration of admission, and outcome were collected and analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the total 7012 children admitted, 1939(27.7%) were due to respiratory diseases with a median age of 16 (interquartile range {IQR} 7-36) months. Males were 994(51.3%) and 945(48.7%) females. Infectious diseases were the most common cause of admission. Pneumonia (50.1%) and aspiration pneumonitis (5.1%) accounted for the highest admissions due to infective and non-infective respiratory diseases respectively. Overall, respiratory diseases accounted for 20.7% (119/574) of the overall mortality among all admissions while the all respiratory disease mortality was 6.1% (119/1939). The major contributors to mortality were pneumonia, aspiration pneumonitis and tuberculosis accounting for 81(68.1%), 12(10.1%) and nine (7.6%) deaths respectively. The median duration of hospital stay was four days [IQR: 2 to 6 days]. A significantly higher proportion of the deaths occurred with four days of admission and 82.4% of the deaths occurred among those aged less than five years. A higher number of females (70, 58.8%) died compared to males (49, 41.2%), p=0.05. Conclusion: Pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis are major contributors to morbidity and mortality due to respiratory diseases for which interventions towards improving childhood health indices should be prioritized

Clinical and demographic profile of end stage kidney disease hemodialysis patients at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali

BACKGROUND: End stage kidney disease (ESKD) has become a major public health problem and is associated with considerable co-morbidity and mortality. In Rwanda, the extent and the distribution of ESKD have not been reported despite provision of dialysis services. This paper describes the clinical and demographic characteristics of ESKD patients in at a tertiary referral hospital in Rwanda. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study of ESKD hemodialysis patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital from January 2014 to December 2017, start of hemodialysis services to date. Demographic and clinical data were obtained regarding all eligible patients treated. Descriptive statistics were reported using frequency and percent for categorical data; median and Interquartile range (IQR) for continuous data. Analysis of survivors versus non-survivors was performed using Chi-square test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous, nonparametric variables. RESULTS: Over a three-year period, there were 64 patients with ESKD. Median age was 48 years (IQR: 35 to 57.5) and 42 (66%) were male. Edema (n=50, 78%) and anuria (n=40, 63%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Underlying comorbidities of ESKD included hypertension (n= 50, 78%), diabetes (n=24, 38%). Urea (n=52, 81%) and creatinine (n=57, 89%) were elevated in most patients. CONCLUSION: ESKD is a the leading cause of hemodialysis in young adults who would otherwise be contributing to the national development. It is a challenging to clearly establish etiologies as the majority present with more than one comorbidity. Hence healthcare providers should be proactive in prevention and prompt management of chronic kidney disease

Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal isolates in children presenting with acute pharyngitis in Lusaka, Zambia

Background. Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS)-associated pharyngitis can complicate into rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).Objectives. To determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of GABHS isolates in children presenting with acute pharyngitis and assess the utility of Zambian Treatment Guideline (ZTG) criteria as a local clinical scoring system.Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the paediatric outpatient department of the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. The study cohort, comprising children aged 3 - 15 years (n=146), were recruited as presenting with symptoms of pharyngitis. The children underwent a clinical assessment that included a detailed case history, presenting symptoms and a throat swab that was subsequently cultured. Microbial isolates were typed and the antibiotic sensitivity of cultured GABHS to penicillin and erythromycin determined.Results. GABHS were cultured from 22 (15.1%) children within this study. All the GABHS isolates (n=22) were susceptible to penicillin G; however, 19% of isolates displayed reduced susceptibility to erythromycin. None of the ZTG criteria, when used individually, was sufficiently sensitive to detect GABHS pharyngitis among this cohort.Conclusion. The prevalence of GABHS pharyngitis is similar that been described elsewhere. While GABHS remains highly susceptible to penicillin, which is used in the local RHD control programmes, concern remains for children treated with erythromycin owing to the resistance noted in some of the isolates. The ZTG clinical criteria displayed poor sensitivity in identifying GABHS pharyngitis. This has significant implications for effective diagnosis and treatment of pharyngitis and associated complications within this high RHD endemic area