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Aims: Despite all efforts made globally by governments of various nations and all concerned agencies through preventative measures, quick testing, isolation, shutting down of societies and economy, the virus still succeeded in spreading through communities perhaps due to the wrong perspective, in addition to surveillance, prevention and management challenges. This study evaluated the perception and practices of covid-19 in rural areas of southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: The study adopted a community-based cross-sectional survey design that investigated awareness, perspective, surveillance challenges, prevention, management and economic impact in rural settlement areas of south-east, Nigeria. Place and duration of study: This study was be conducted in rural settlement areas of south-east Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states). February � April, 2021. Methodology: Data was collected by the use of the questionnaire. Five hundred copies were administered per state. Results: Most participants (2464, 98.6%) heard first of COVID-19 through radio/television (1409, 56.3%), social media (539, 21.5%) and their friends/relatives (418, 16.7%); 1896 (75.8%) believed in the existence of COVID-19 infection. However, the majority in Ebonyi state (309, 61.8%) had their disbelief on the existence of COVID-19. Participants confirmed having knowledge of COVID-19 testing (2319, 92.8%) and isolation centers (2299, 92.0%), however, a major challenge was lack of (1698, 67.9%) or no awareness (550, 22.0%) of masses testing centre in their areas. A few individuals (392, 15.7%) reported having experienced one or two COVID-19 symptoms about 3 months ago. Knowledge on how to prevent contracting COVID-19 is relatively high (66.7%) among the respondents. COVID-19 induced economic burden amongst residents were mainly as a result of the imposition of lockdown to movements and businesses (1098, 43.9%), disruption of studies (959, 38.4%), increased hunger (950, 38.0%), high expenditure (894, 35.8%) and loss of job/income (816, 32.6%). Conclusion: It is concluded that the majority of the people in southeast Nigeria are aware of the possible existence of Covid-19 in their area.
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im: Vegetables form a major component of the human diet; however, some agricultural practices may put consumers at risk of parasitic infections. There is high consumption of bitter leaf (Onugbu) in the rural part of Nigeria. They are eaten raw as medicinal herbs by some people. The culture of inadequate or poor washing of vegetables could pose significant and major health threats to the consumers. The aim of the study was to identify some of the parasites that may be attached to the locally consumed edible vegetable Vernonia amygdalina called Onugbu amongst Igbo speaking dialect in south eastern Nigeria. Study Design: This study is a survey that evaluated the parasitic contamination of bitter leaf grown in selected farms in Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Duration: The study lasted for six months. Methodology: V. amygdalina leaf samples were bought directly from the farmers at 300 Naira per rap. The examination of sample was carried out using sedimentation method. Samples weighing 50g were gently washed in normal saline water. The water used in washing was filtered and centrifuged at 300g to concentrate the parasitic stages and also to avoid damages. The sediments obtained were transferred unto labelled clean slides and examined under the light microscope at x 40 objective lens. Results: Parasites were detected in all samples collected from the farm. The commonest parasite was Entamoeba histolytica (cyst 45.5%); other parasites seen are Entamoeba coli (cyst 13.6%), B. coli (trophozoite 27.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (ova 9.1%) and Strongyloides stercolaris (larva 4. 6%). Conclusion and Recommendations: The results provide evidence of contamination of bitter leaves from farms in Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria with parasites of public health importance. To avoid infection, humans should wash the leaves of this vegetable with running water or salt and water before it is eating raw.
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Introduction:Heterogeneity in sickle cell anaemia manifestations ranges from near asymptomatic cases to severe illness. Objective:This study determined the relationship between foetal haemoglobin F level, other haematological parameters and acute painful episode score of sickle cell disease patients in FCT Abuja Nigeria. Methods:60 Sickle cell patients were selected for the study. 20 severe crises, 20 non-severe crisis SS were enrolled in the study. Control group comprised 20 apparently healthy haemoglobin AA individuals. Data were analysed descriptively.Results:Hb F level increased significantly innon-severe crisis sickle cell anaemia (7.12%± 3.6) and severe crisis (5.30%±2.3) groups, compared to the control group (0.32±1.8). This trend wasalso observed in RDW, MCHC and MCV.The mean Hb concentration and haematocrit (Hct) wersignificantly lower for both non-severe crisis and severe crisis SCA groups.There was no significant correlation between HbF and any of the haematological parameters in both non severe crisis and severe crisis groups.Patients with SCA had higher levels of HbF than matched controls. HbF had no correlationwith any of the haematological parameters in both severe and non-severe SCA groups studied.Conclusion:Further studies should focus on environmental factors contributing to this variability
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OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to identify co-morbidities associated with acute myocardial infarction in Tobago. METHODS: This was a longitudinal retrospective study of myocardial infarction at the Tobago Regional Hospital in two selected periods: January 2007 to April 2007 and January 2008 to April 2008. Data were retrieved from the patients' medical records. These included co-morbid conditions eg hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, ESRD, whether history of smoking or cocaine use and if any prior care. In the former period, 11 cases were confirmed as having myocardial infarction and 27 cases in the latter period. RESULTS: In 2007 and 2008, all cases had dyslipidaemia (LDL > 100 mg/dL) and were hypertensive. There were 36.4% of cases in 2007 that had diabetes mellitus, compared to 33.3% cases in 2008 and 9.1% had chronic kidney disease in 2007, compared to 25.9% in 2008. CONCLUSION: The most common co-morbidities associated with acute myocardial infarction in Tobago are dyslipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, with ESRD, smoking and cocaine use less so. Many of these patients had never received prior care.
OBJETIVOS: El objeto de este estudio fue identificar las comorbilidades asociadas con el infarto agudo del miocardio en Tobago. METÓDOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo longitudinal del infarto del miocardio en el Hospital Regional de Tobago, en dos períodos: enero de 2007 a abril de 2007, y enero de 2008 a abril de 2008. Los datos fueron obtenidos a partir de las historias clínicas de los pacientes. Estos datos incluyeron condiciones co-mórbidas, por ejemplo, hipertensión, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia, ERFT, historia de hábito de fumar o uso de cocaína, y cualquier atención previa del caso, si la hubiese. En el primero de estos períodos, se confirmó que 11 casos tenían infarto del miocardio, en tanto en el último caso se confirmaron 27 casos. RESULTADOS: En 2007 y 2008, todos los casos padecían de dislipidemia (LDL > 100 mg/dL) y eran hipertensos. El 36.4% de los casos en 2007 sufría de diabetes mellitus, en comparación con el 33.3% de los casos en 2008. El 9.1% tenía la enfermedad renal crónica en 2007, en comparación con el 25.9% en 2008. CONCLUSIÓN: Las comorbilidades más comunes asociadas con el infarto agudo del miocardio en Tobago son la dislipidemia, la hipertensión y la diabetes mellitus, y en menor grado la ERET, el hábito de fumar, y el consumo de cocaína. Muchos de estos pacientes no habían recibido nunca atención con anterioridad.