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Introduction: sequel to the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent spread to all continents of the world, humans have continued to experience severe devastation to their health and economies. To control the spread of this virus, it is important to detect the infection in recently infected and asymptomatic individuals who are capable of infecting others. This study was designed to detect ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Infection among asymptomatic individuals in open markets across three geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Methods: nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 2,158 study participants between December 20th, 2020 and March 20th, 2021 from large open markets across three geo-political zones (Southwest, Northwest and Southeast) of Nigeria. Virus RNA was extracted from these swab samples and real time RT-PCR was carried out for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific genes. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: a total of 163 (7.6%) of the 2,158 participants enrolled for the study tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. The rate of infection was significantly higher in the North-western states of the country when compared to the western and Eastern regions (P=0.000). Similarly, the rate of infection was higher among buyers than sellers (P=0.000) and among males when compared with females, though the difference was not significant (p=0.31). Conclusion: this study shows that there is a continuous spread of SARS-CoV-2, especially among active, asymptomatic individuals across many states in the country. There is therefore need to continuously educate citizens on the need to adhere to both the non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical preventive measures to protect themselves and ultimately curb the spread of the virus.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Diagnosis , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Aims: To define the involvement of sex hormones-estradiol, testosterone, toxic metals and micronutrients in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Study Design: A case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Chemical Pathology and Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Haematology Outpatient Clinic, Ring Road State Hospital, Oyo State, Nigeria between Dec 2007 and Jul 2008. Methodology: One hundred and twenty participants, consisting of 68 with Haemoglobin S (SCD) and 52 with Haemoglobin A aged 17-43 years were recruited for the study. Five ml blood samples were obtained from each participant. Anthropometry and reproductive history were obtained by standard methods. Serum estradiol and testosterone concentrations were estimated using enzyme linked-immunoassay methods, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Lead and Cadmium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and vitamin E by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results: The mean Zinc, Copper, Vitamin E concentrations in SCD were significantly lower, while those of lead and Cadmium were significantly higher when compared with the corresponding control values (P <.001). The mean testosterone in male and estradiol in female (SCD) were significantly lower than the corresponding control values (P <.03). The mean age at menarche in SCD was significantly higher than the value in control participants. In female SCD, the serum estradiol was positively correlated with height and negatively correlated with lead in the control (P =.05). The incidence of priapism in male SCD was significantly higher than the value in male control subjects (P <.007). In both male and female SCD, the mean body mass index and body weight were significantly lower than the corresponding values in the control group (P <.006). Conclusion: A significant number of Nigerians with SCD had priapism and the observed oxidative stress in SCD probably due to hypogonadism, may be amenable to micronutrient supplementation.
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Aims: We aimed at assessing perception and effect of free maternal health services on the utilization of ANC services among women of child bearing age. Study Design: A cross-sectional study involving 460 women aged 15-49 years who were currently pregnant or had their most recent birth within the previous five years prior the survey was conducted using a two-stage sampling technique. Place of Study: Rural and semi-urban communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: We administered semi-structured interviewer questionnaire. Knowledge was classified as good if knowledge score is higher or equal to the mean score obtained from this study and poor if otherwise. A 5-point likert scale was used to measure respondents’ perception. Respondents with scores less than the mean perception score from this study were classified as having negative perception and positive if otherwise. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and logistic regression model were used for data analysis and significance level was set at P = .05. Results: Mean age, knowledge score and perception score of the respondents were 29.8±7.3 years, 6.0±1.2 and 29.6±6.0 respectively. Overall, 95.4% had utilized ANC facilities. Highest proportions (55.0%) of those utilizing ANC were aged 20- 30years.About two fifth (40.8%) reported that free ANC services was the main reason for choosing public ANC facilities. Almost two-third (63.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge of ANC, while about 35.9%had positive perception towards free ANC services. Higher utilization of ANC services was observed among married or cohabiting women than the singles and widows (P = .04). Logistic regression showed that Respondents’ knowledge was significantly influenced by respondents’ occupation, previous pregnancies, and religion. Conclusion: Perception of women on free ANC utilization in the study area was negative although free ANC program instituted by government across the state enhanced ANC utilization. The government should sustain the policy on free maternal health services.
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INTRODUCTION: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are avertable, but the social risks factors connected to these infections are often unnoticed by many, particularly female youths. Previous studies on STDs among youths in Nigeria only focused on its risk factors but failed to model these risk factors as evidenced in this study.METHODOLOGY:The study is retrospective cross-sectional in design which utilized Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008. It focused on female youths aged 15-24 (n=8093) who ever had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral and anal). Data analysis was done using Chi-square and logistic regression models. The logistic regression on the data was performed at two stages. These stages generated three and eight different models respectively.RESULTS:Data analyses revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 20.2 ± 2.5. Female youths who were aged between 20-24 years contacted STDs in the last 12 months (2.5%) than those between the ages of 15-19 months (1.4%). A year prevalence of STDs among female youths in Nigeria was 2.1%. Socio-demographic factors such as age, educational status, wealth index, marital status, toilet shared, place of residence, contraceptive use and total life-time number of sexual partners were found to be associated significant risk factors for contacting STDs (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The data confirmed the considerable impact of wealth index and contraceptive use as important predictors of STDs acquisition. Constant use of condoms, abstinence and having one uninfected sexual partner can help reduce the risk of STDs transmission
Subject(s)
Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Logistic Models , Models, Statistical , Risk Factors , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/etiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Context: Studies have identified that concurrent administration of methionine and acetaminophen (paracetamol) prevents tissue damage and both methionine and acetaminophen at high doses can induce oxidative stress. Antioxidants mediate against oxidative stress. Moreover, folic acid depletion has been identified to cause neural tube defects in neonates of affected female subjects. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of chronic exposure to subtoxic dose of acetaminophen/methionine (ratio 5:1) on female Wistar rats, with emphasis on folic acid and antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Material and Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups with each group consisting of 8 rats and treated with acetaminophen/methionine, acetaminophen or saline daily by gastric gavage. The study lasted 30 days after which blood was obtained through retro-orbital bleeding. Results: Results show that Wistar rats administered with 350 mg/kg BW (sub-toxic dose) of acetaminophen exhibited significant alteration (p<0.05) in levels of all trace elements (except Se) as well as vitamins (except vitamin A). Significant alterations in the levels of all vitamins (except riboflavin) and all minerals (except Cu, Mn, Se) (p<0.05) were also recorded in serum of rats administered with acetaminophen/methionine combination. Discussion and Conclusion: Results of this study therefore suggest that chronic abuse of subtoxic dose of acetaminophen/methionine combination may induce alterations in levels of vital molecules, a situation which may increase an individual’s risk to oxidative stress-induced diseases and her neonate to neural tube defects.