ABSTRACT
Introduction: Establishing risk factors for a disease enables early identification of those with the disease (through screening) as well as targeted prevention and control measures. The significance and relative importance of such risk factors may differ based on geographic location and they may change over time with the institution of control measures. In this study we examined the association between HBsAg seropositivity; some risk factors and clinical features.Methodology: Consecutive children aged 2 months to 16 years who were admitted to a Children's Emergency Room were recruited. Data on the presence / absence of risk factors such as previous blood transfusion; scarifications; receipt of unsafe injections and previous surgery were obtained. History to ascertain previous or present history of jaundice and pale coloured stool was obtained. Examination to detect hepatomegaly and spenomegaly was carried out. Blood samples were assayed for HBsAg.Results: Of the 150 children recruited 84(56%) were male. The mean (SD) age of the children was 33.0(39.1) months. HBsAg seropositivity was 13.9%. Circumcision; scarification; ear piercing; history of blood transfusion; receipt of unsafe injections; present/ past history of jaundice and malnutrition were not significantly associated with being seropositive (p0.05).Conclusion: This study did not identify any pathognomonic clinical feature of hepatitis b seroprevalence. The lack of association between HBsAg seropositivity and the studied risk factors may represent a real improvement in infection control measures. Further research is required to ascertain if there are still some unidentified risk factors for hepatitis B transmission in Nigerian children
Subject(s)
Hepatitis B virus , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children below five years of age in Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the uptake of services for preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Benin City. Methods: A review of the National PMTCT registers was conducted across seven health facilities in Benin City that provide comprehensive services for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The period of review was from 1st January, 2010-31st December, 2010. A data form was used to collect data on the National PMTCT service indicators from the different registers at the sites. Results: 13, 907 pregnant women registered for antenatal care across the seven sites during the period reviewed. Of these, the proportion of pregnant women counselled for HIV was 89.1%, the proportion of pregnant women who accepted HIV testing was 87.9% and the proportion of women, counselled, tested and who received results was 87.2%. 569 of the new antenatal care attendees (4.66%) tested positive for HIV. Of these, 520 (91.4%) received antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Three hundred and seventy-six babies were delivered by HIV positive women across the sites during the period reviewed. Of these, 367 (97.6%) were delivered alive and 339 (92.4%) received Nevirapine prophylaxis. Four of the seven sites had records of HIV testing for HIV-exposed infants. The records from these sites indicated 672 HIV-exposed infants were tested for HIV of which 46 (6.84%) tested positive for HIV using DNA polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: The uptake of most PMTCT services across the seven PMTCT sites in Benin City was above 80.0%. The uptake of partner counselling among partners of HIV positive women in this study was 15.1%. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in this study was 6.84%.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Neonatal Jaundice (NNJ) is a common disorder worldwide and one of the important contributors to the high neonatal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Severe neonatal jaundice leads to brain damage or even death in otherwise healthy newborns. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge; attitude and practice of expectant mothers about neonatal jaundice and its management. Materials and Methods: The study was descriptive cross-sectional; carried out among 389 expectant mothers who were attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. A structured; Pre-tested; researcher administered questionnaire was used to interview the respondents. Data was analysed using SPSS version 15. Results: The mean age of the expectant mothers was 30.5 (SD 4.9) years. Fifty-five (14.1) of respondents had previous experience with NNJ; 8 (2.1) lost babies due to NNJ. 334 (85.9) were aware of the condition; 381 (77.4) knew how to recognize the symptoms of NNJ; 279 (71.7) knew a correct method of treatment of NNJ. A large proportion of the expectant mothers 261 (67) knew some complications of NNJ. Two hundred and five (52.7) did not know any danger sign of complications of NNJ. Three hundred and fifty five (91.3) had good attitude towards its management. Majority of expectant mothers whose previous babies had NNJ took the babies to the hospital for treatment. A large proportion also expressed their willingness to seek medical attention if their babies were to develop the condition. Their knowledge of neonatal jaundice was significantly influenced by their level of education and the number of their previous babies who had NNJ. Conclusion: This study revealed that expectant mothers attending antenatal clinic at UBTH had good knowledge of the treatment and complications of NNJ but inadequate knowledge of the causes and danger signs of the condition. Their attitude and practice towards the management of NNJ was good. It is therefore recommended that Health care providers should give more health education on NNJ to the expectant mothers during antenatal visits