Surrogates for Identifying Pre-School Children with Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Is Red cell indices useful?

There are difficulties in determining children with iron deficiency anaemia in developing countries due to cost of serum ferritin estimation. We sought to determine the relationship between red cell indices and serum ferritin among pre-school children. A random sample of 89 apparently healthy children was recruited. Serum ferritin was measured by ELIZA while red cell indices were determined by auto-analysis.Correlations analysis was performed to test the relationship between serum ferritin and the red cell indices. Also validity testing of red cell indices as screening tools was performed using the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Weak significant positive correlations were seen between serum ferritin and MCV, and MCH irrespective of the anaemic status of study subjects anaemia status (p = 0.020, and 0.040 respectively). Following stratification according to presence or absence of anaemia, a significant positive correlation was seen between serum ferritin and MCV among subjects with anaemia. None of the red cell indices were found to reach significant correlation levels with the red cell indices in non-anaemic study subjects. There were notable difference between sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values using MCV compared with MCH in the anaemic children. MCV was observed to be a useful surrogate for predicting iron deficiency state in pre-school children with anaemia where serum ferritin is not readily available

Awareness and Knowledge of HIV Counselling and Testing among Undergraduate University Students in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: HIV counselling and testing (HCT) is a key strategic entry point to prevention, treatment, care and support services. Aim: The study aimed at determining the awareness of HIV counselling and testing among undergraduate university students in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one conducted in May 2010 among students recruited from seven faculties within two of the campuses of Lagos State University, Ojo and Ikeja campuses. Results: The level of awareness of HIV counselling and testing before the survey was high among both male and female respondents. The knowledge about HIV counselling and testing was poor irrespective of their Faculty of study. Conclusion: Level of awareness of HIV counselling and testing seems to be high among undergraduate students in Lagos. However, the knowledge about HIV counselling and testing is still poor, even among medical students.