ABSTRACT
The aim is to ascertain the pattern and frequency of vulval tumours as seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Forty (40) vulval tumours were used for the study. Twenty nine (72.5) were benign and eleven (27.5) were malignant. Patients of age 50 years and above were most affected 24(60). The most common clinical presentation was elevated and ulcerated plaques9 (22.5). Condyloma accummatum was the most common benign tumour while squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant tumour. It is concluded that vulval tumours are rare in this environment and that the malignant variants present at advanced stage of the disease in later ages. They constitute a remarkable morbidity and mortality especially in the obese and chronically ill menopausal women
Subject(s)
Signs and Symptoms , Vulvar Neoplasms/classification , Vulvar Neoplasms/etiologyABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now a pandemic; with most of those infected thought to be in developing countries; including sub-Saharan Africa. HCV has emerged as the most important cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and an important cause of acute hepatitis and jaundice in pregnancy; with its attendant serious complications. Aim: To provide some preliminary data on HCV epidemiology in pregnant women in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: Serial recruitment of 600 patients attending the ante-natal clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; Port Harcourt; Nigeria was carried out. HCV testing was done using a rapid ELISA kit. The results are reported as percentages of the total study population. Differences between the groups were compared using the chi-squared test and p0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Of the 600 subjects; 26 (4.3) tested positive to anti-HCV. Previous histories of blood transfusion; dental manipulations; tattooing and circumcision did not appear to be important modes of transmission of HCV in this locality. Conclusion: HCV infection is fairly common among pregnant women in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. It is sug- gested that in addition to improved compliance with universal safety precautions; ante-natal patients and healthcare staff should be routinely screened for their HCV status in order to reduce vertical transmission of HCV and transmission between patients and health staff
Subject(s)
Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
Background: The concentration of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) in the saliva of a carrier is low. As a result; human bite is not considered the traditional route of HIV infection transmission.Aim: To report a case of HIV sero-positivity following a human bite. Setting: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; Port Harcourt.Case report: A 30-year-old HIV sero-negative woman who became sero-positive following a bite by a known HIV infected commercial sex worker is presented. Both were engaged in a physical fight over a disagreement.Conclusion: This case highlights the possibility of HIV infection through human bite
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings , HIV Infections/transmission , Humans , SalivaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the Sero-Prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.METHOD:Serial recruitment of 600 women who attended the antenatal clinic. HIV screening was done by rapid ELISA technique. Positive samples were re-tested with a second rapid ELISA kit, with only samples sero-positive with both kits being taken as trulysero-positive.RESULTS:The sero-positivity rate was 7.3%, sixty-nine point seven percent (69.7%) of all sero-positive cases were primiparae, with 84% in advanced stages of pregnancy (2nd and 31rd trimesters). History of blood transfusion, dental manipulations, tattooing and circumcision did not contribute significantly to increased HIV sero-positivity.CONCLUSION:There is high HIV sero-positivity rate among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Port Harcourt. The implications of this finding in relation to vertical transmission, transmission of nosocomial infection and increased occupational exposure of laboratory and hospital staff to HIV infection is discussed. Compulsory routine screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa is advocated
ABSTRACT
Background: Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection is endemic globally, more so in developing countries like Nigeria and is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Objective: This study was undertaken to document the sero-prevalence of HIV infection among young adults (10 24 years). Method: HIV screening was performed on all (n = 673) young adults referred to the retrovirology unit of the Haematology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 2003 to December 2003 comprising of 205 males and 432 females were screened for HIV using a double ELISA confirmatory of Immunocomb and Genscreen HIV 1 & 2 kits. Result: A total of 637 young adults were screened for HIV. Two hundred and seventy-two (42.7%) were found positive to HIV. The highest infection burden occurred among the 20-24 years group 242 (50%) and lowest among the 10-14years group 4(12.1%). Infection rate was significantly higher among females 217 (50.2%), and in less educated adolescent with no formal education 56 (80%). History of alcoholism 262 (99.2%), drug use 146(60.6), number of sexual partners and age at first sexual debut were independent risk factors in adolescents for infection with HIV (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed a high prevalence of HIV among adolescents and describes the groups more at risk as seen in other parts of Nigeria. This calls for urgent health education of the young adult population with emphasis on a combination of behavioural and social changes to curb the spread of HIV