ABSTRACT
Background: This study, undertaken in a major tertiary hospital in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, was designed to examine the incidence of lower lung field tuberculosis in HIV infected and uninfected patients, and in diabetic patients as well as their AFB status and outcome of treatment. Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2013, admission records, HIV status, chest radiographs findings, blood glucose levels and AFB status of all pulmonary tuberculosis patients seen in our hospital were retrieved and retrospectively analyzed according to HIV status, AFB status, chest radiographs findings and blood glucose levels. All the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who had lesions below an arbitrary line across the hila region in their chest PA radiograph were included in the study as cases of lower lung field tuberculosis. Results: Of the 596 pulmonary tuberculosis patients reviewed, 76 (12.8%) had lower lung field tuberculosis. It was more common in females (14.1%) than in males (10.9%). Majority of the patients (57.9%) were in the 24-34 years age groups. HIV infected cases had significantly higher occurrence at 46.4%. Diabetic patients had an incidence of 15.0%. Bilateral disease was more common (74.6%) and when unilateral the right side was more affected (51.4%). The main radiological findings were cavitation (44.7%), fibrosis (30.6%) and nodular opacities (22.3%). Conclusion: HIV infection and diabetes mellitus increase the risk of lower lung field pulmonary tuberculosis.
ABSTRACT
Background: In order to advance the extent of self-disclosure of HIV sero-status in Nigeria, we evaluated the prevalence, pattern and determinants of disclosure of HIV status amongst adult patients in a hospital in the Niger Delta. Materials and Methods: In a three month cross sectional study undertaken in March 2012, the demographic and clinical data as well as HIV sero-status disclosure frequency and pattern were obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire from consenting HIV infected adults attending the Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic in the Niger Delta. Independent determinants of HIV disclosure to current sexual partner were determined using an unconditional logistic model. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 260 patients were studied out of which 184(71%) were females. Disclosure to current sexual partner was found to be 62.0% and students had the least disclosure rate. Majority of study participants preferred to disclose to family members (57%) than past sexual partner (2.5%) or friend (4.9%). Although HIV disclosure was significantly associated with male sex, living with sexual partner, partner being HIV positive; the only independent determinants of HIV disclosure were partner being on ART (OR-12.7,95% CI 1.2-132.7)and being currently married (OR-8.8,95% CI 2.1-36.8). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest low rate of HIV status disclosure among HIV infected patients in the Niger Delta. We found that receiving ART and being currently married promoted disclosure. There is need for clinicians and policy makers to foster disclosure of HIV sero-status in Nigeria especially among HIV infected students and unmarried sexual partners
Subject(s)
HIV Seroprevalence , Niger , Nigeria , Self DisclosureABSTRACT
The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a validated, simple,and inexpensive instrument to assess control among patients with bronchial asthma. However, its relationship with lung function parameters is yet to be demonstrated among Nigerian asthma patients. Our study aimed at assessing asthma control using ACT scores and determining its relationship with lung function parameters among persons with asthma in a university respiratory clinic.The cross-sectional study included 65 patients with bronchial asthma who underwent routine check-ups in respiratory clinics at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria between October 2009 and January 2011. The ACT was administered to assess for asthma control. Lung function testing was done using the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).The mean pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) was 1.97±0.87L and mean ACT score was 18.2+4.28; 24 (37%) of the study subjects had well-controlled asthma. The ACT scores were weakly correlated with percentage of predicted,FEV1(r=0.220, p=<0.078) and PEF (peak expiratoryflow), (r=0.168,p=0.18).In this study, most of the patients had poor asthma control and lung function parameters correlated poorly with ACT scores. It is important that the ACT complements other physiological measures of assessing asthma control in our environment