ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an infection characterized as one of the major public health problems in the globe, particularly in Nigeria. This may be because of unguided sexual intercourse and inadequate knowledge of the disease. The study examined prevalence and incidence of HBV among expectant mothers in Lagos Island general hospital, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Hat and draw sampling technique was adopted for study location while volunteer sampling method was used to draw a hundred subjects. Instrument used was a revalidated questionnaire using test-retest method of reliability coefficient and the result yielded 0.89. The instrument was factor loaded using exploratory factor analysis setting nunnally criterion at 0.6. Hypotheses were tested using X2 statistics at 0.05 alpha level. Findings showed significant relationships in incidence of HBV based on unsafe sexual activity (X2= 62.8,p<0.05) and inadequate knowledge (X2=53.6,p<0.0). The practice of safe sex and being knowledgeable about HBV may prevent its incidence among expectant mothers. A significant relationship also exists in terms of managing the occurrence of HBV among expectant mothers (X2=47.6, p<0.05). This indicates that though there exist HBV, it can still be managed. The study concluded that inadequate knowledge, unsafe sexual activity may lead to HBV infection.
ABSTRACT
Background: The role of Computed Tomography (CT) in the medical diagnosis of diseases has greatly expanded, despite the potential risk of cancer following exposures to ionising radiation (X-Ray) from this modality. This risk is particularly of great concern in children, who are more radiosensitive and have many years to manifest radiation effect than adults. Aims: To estimate risk of cancer induction from Pediatric cranial CT. Materials and Methods: A total of 203 patients, who were referred from various pediatric clinics and wards for cranial CT in a teaching hospital in the South Western Nigeria between the year 2011 and 2013 were considered. All patients were grouped into four age (year) groups: less than 1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15. A mathematical method was used to estimate the risk of cancer from the effective dose(ED) calculated from volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and standard conversion factor. Results: The range of CTDIvol (mGy) received by all patients was 10–250 mGy while majority of the patients received 50–100. The range of DLP (mGy.cm) received by all patients and majority of patients was 500–5000 and 2001–2500 respectively. The range of ED (mSv) received by all patients and majority of the patients was 1–25 and 5–10 respectively. The risk estimated with respect to patients’ age showed that patient in the age group 1–5 years have the highest risk of cancer induction while the risk based on gender showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Over 60% of pediatric patients received more than the recommended values of CTDIvol, DLP and ED from cranial CT. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure compliant with international recommended precautions for dose reduction in pediatric medical imaging.