ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program has grown exponentially in Nigeria largely due to improved Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen which has changed the course of HIV/AIDs by enabling patients to live longer, raising concern of the co-existence of HIV with other chronic illnesses, notably non communicable diseases (NCDs). This study determined the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among HIV positive patients in a tertiary institution in Makurdi, North-central Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART clinic among clients ≥ aged 21 years old living with HIV /or enrolled between October 2022, and March 30, 2023. The clients' information was extracted from the register using a Proforma and all the clients who had attended their follow up clinic visit within the study period were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the 491 patients, 404 (82.3%) had HIV only and 87 (17.7%) had HIV and at least one comorbidity, namely DM and/or HTN. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity affecting 15.5% of the patients while 1.0% of them were diabetic. The middle aged (30-49) patients, females (63.2%) had the highest prevalence of comorbidities and some of those with normal weight (35.6%) also had the highest prevalence of NCDs.Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are common among people living with HIV. There is need to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases in HIV positive patients in Nigeria.
Subject(s)
Humans , Tertiary Healthcare , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Diabetes Mellitus , Prevalence , HIV , Noncommunicable Diseases , HypertensionABSTRACT
Background: To determine the magnitude of maternal mortality and its major causes including the trend and social demographic factors associated with the problem in our environment.Methods: A retrospective institutional review of all the case notes of maternal mortality at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi over a six-year study period, from July, 2012 to June, 2018 were computed and analyzed.Results: A total of 2,442 deliveries took place within the period under review, out of which 2,325 were live births. Total maternal deaths were 26, giving a total maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 1,118 deaths per 100, 000. The major causes of maternal mortality during this period were unsafe abortion and its complications, hypertensive diseases in pregnancy, puerperal sepsis and obstetric hemorrhage.Conclusions: Maternal mortality remains very high at our facility y, although with a declining trend. This may be a reflection of the situation in the general population. Increased coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme, blood availability and utilization of antenatal services will further reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Veterinary medicine is the medical science that is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of diseases, disorders and injuries of animals. A questionnaire-based study was conducted to investigate the perception of Nigerians resident in Makurdi city about the veterinary profession. Makurdi city, located in Central Nigeria, was divided into 10 sub-study areas for the purpose of the survey. Exactly 965 questionnaires were administered randomly to respondents in the study areas and collected immediately they were completed. Data obtained from the study was collated and analyzed using Chi square (statistical package for social sciences, SPSS) and values of P<0.05 were significant. Majority of the respondents (n=936 or 96.99 %) confirmed they had prior knowledge about the identity of a veterinary doctor before the study. Most respondents (P<0.05) strongly agreed that veterinary doctors usually receive more standard professional training than animal scientists. Half of the respondents (n=485 or 50.2%) (P<0.05) strongly agreed that veterinary and human medicine are complimentary in the disease control strategy plan of any nation. Majority of the respondents (P<0.05) either strongly agreed or agreed that ranches should be established for rearing livestock in Nigeria to prevent frequent farmer-herdsmen clashes that have been on the increase in recent times. The significance of these findings and the implication on the development of the livestock industry in Nigeria are discussed.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To determine the abnormalities in total cholesterol (TC) levels and the potential risk factors in ART–naive, HIV-infected Nigerian children. Study Design: A retrospective and cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, between June 2010 and June 2012. Methods: Electronic data of 429 HIV-infected ART-naive children, aged 1–15 years, including 223 males and 206 females, were analysed to get the relevant information for the study. Abnormal un-fasted TC levels and the association with potential risk factors were tested in bivariate regression analyses. Abnormal lipid level was defined as hypercholestrolaemia when the TC was>200mg/dL and hypocholesterolaemia when TC was ˂160mg/dl. Normal TC was value between 160 and 200mg/dl. P-value less than 0.05 was significant. Results: The median age was 5.00 years with an interquartile range of 3.0 to 8.0 years. The TC ranged from 32 to 196 mg/dl with a mean value of 116±34.98mg/dl. Hypocholesterolaemia was the prominent finding in 88.3% (379/429) of the children. Hypercholestrolaemia was not found (0%). In bivariate analyses, no factor was found to significantly impact on hypocholesterolaemia, although a greater proportion of hypocholesterolaemia was seen in children: within 2-15 years age group (92.1%, 349/379); male gender (52.0%): HIV/AIDS stages 1&2 (82.6%); CD4 count>200 cell/mm3(81.5%); viral load>10,000 copies/ml (69.1%); hemoglobin˂10g/dl (61.7%); stunting (55.4%, 102/207) and undernourishment with body mass index (BMI)˂18.5 (83.7%, 164/222). Multivariate analysis was not done. Conclusion: A high prevalence of hypocholesterolaemia was found among the ARTnaive, HIV-infected Children, in Makurdi. The study could serve as a stimulus for our centre and other paediatric ART programmes in Nigeria to undertake an elaborate lipid profile of HIV infected children at diagnosis and on follow-up on ART.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the prevalence, the pattern of usage and the predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Study Design: Prospective, Cross-sectional and quantitative. Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric antiretroviral clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, February 2012 to December 2012. Methodology: Researchers administered structured questionnaire to 409 (102 men and 307 women) consecutively consented caregivers (CGs) whose children had been on HAART for not less than 6 months in order to fulfill the objectives of the study. Results: 79.2% (324/409) of children used CAM as reported by their CGs. The three most commonly used CAM products were herbal concoctions containing majorly Bitter leaves (317/324, 97.8%), Ugu leaves/roots (282, 87.0%) and Neem tree leaves/bark (270, 83.3%). CGs also largely administered CAM whose contents were unknown (250, 77.2%). The use of Anointed water (255, 78.7%) and Anointed Oil (245, 75.6%) were also common. Animal products including Elephant skin (12, 3.7%), Elephant bone (10, 3.1%) and Snake bone (8, 2.5%) were also acknowledged. Spiritual healing was the most sought-for practice, seen among 252 (77.8%) CGs. 3.7% (12/324) of the CGs had disclosed the use of CAM to their primary physicians. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that: the use of CAM by CGs (AOR; 33.79, 95%CI; 8.049-141.856, P=.000); when the child on HAART is of a male gender (AOR; 2.142, 95%CI; 1.230-3.730, P=.007); fathers as CGs compared to mothers (AOR; 1.698, 95%CI;1.180-2.443, P=.004); CGs with no formal education compared to when CG attained a post-secondary level of education (AOR; 1.498, 95%CI; 1.127-1.990, P=.005), remained independently associated with the use of CAM in children. Conclusions: CAM use is common in Nigerian children on HAART. Concerted efforts should be put in place to encourage disclosure among CGs. Identified harmful CAMs should be discouraged.
ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis is an important opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. Benue state is the highest HIV endemic state in Nigeria and investigation of tuberculosis cases and Mycobacterial resistance patterns are needed. A retrospective study with a review of reports of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the rifampicin resistance was detected by the Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF system was carried out from July, 2012 to September, 2013 in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi and Nigeria Airforce Hospital, Makurdi. Pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in 21.5% (n=303/1407) of the total sample. Rifampicin resistance of 13.5% (31/230) and 15.1% (11/73) of the pulmonary tuberculosis positive cases was detected in Federal Medical Centre and Nigeria Airforce Base Hospital respectively, with an average prevalence of 13.9% (42/303). Re-treatment cases comprised 81% (34/42) whereas new cases constituted 19% (8/42) of all Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive cases (X 2 = 6.51; p<0.05). Mean age was 30 years and there was no significant statistical difference in gender. Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is prevalent in Benue state, Nigeria especially, in the young adults. Therefore, laboratory facilities for rapid diagnosis of the drug resistant M. tuberculosis should be scaled up across the country. This remains an important step to achieve maximal impact in managing drug resistance in Nigeria.