ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate lipid profile and some renal parameters in some selected ethnic population with fat-mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) variants in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Study Design: Case-controlled observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State and Safety Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Enugu, Nigeria, between March 2020 and February 2022. Methodology: Changes in lipid profile and some renal parameters in FTO gene was studied in ninety-eight (98) type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects (78 cases and 20 controls) from four different tribes in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Multistage sampling method was employed in the subject selection. The subjects were first separated into two groups – new cases (less than a year of diagnosis as Diabetic) and old cases (one year & above). Equal number of samples was then randomly collected from each of the cluster groups. 10mls of blood was collected into plain bottles for the assay of the above-named markers, and were assayed using spectrophotometric and ELISA methods. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism, version 8.0.2 and p values less than .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the Ijaw tribe had the highest mean total cholesterol (TCHOL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), Castelli Risk Ratio (CRR), atherogenic coefficient (AC) values (5.36 ± 0.99, 3.36 ± 0.87 mmol/l,3.76 ± 1.18 and 2.86 ± 1.16) respectively, which were significantly higher (P<.05) than those of the control group, while the Urhobo tribe had the highest mean TG and AIP values (1.47 ± 0.51 mmo/l and 0.08 ± 0.01), The control subjects had the highest mean HDL values (1.51 ± 0.49mmo/l), which were significantly higher(P<.05) than that of the control subjects. Mean creatinine level was highest in the control group (101.1 ± 21.24 µmol/L), while the Urhobo tribe had the highest mean MDRD levels (94.15 ±36.17 ml/min). Special diets did not contribute to any significant difference in the biochemical indices of the subjects apart from significant changes in the levels of triglyceride. Conclusion: From the results, we conclude that the levels of lipid profile varied with the tribe for subjects with FTO variants and control subjects and only triglyceride levels are affected by specific diets.
ABSTRACT
Soil Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) are a group of chronic infections, typically very common or endemic in low income countries and are classified as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) laid down control strategies and goal to eradicate these infections by the year 2020, these infections continue to dominate in Sub-Saharan countries; this problem necessitated the need for this study. The primary objective of this study was to assess prevalence of, and risk factorsof STH among primary school children in Rarieda, a sub-county in Siaya County of Kenya. The study contributed to the overall theme of “Research for Better Health in East African Region”. The study population comprised of primary school children, aged between seven and fifteen years. A total sample size of 300 pupils was randomly sampled from five primary schools across Rarieda. Data were collected between September and October 2018 and crosssectional study design was used. Ethical approvals were obtained from all the relevant authorities and pre-testing was done at Ruma primary school. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, Key Performance Indicators (KII) and Focused Group Discussions (FGD). The study established that there was high prevalence of STH among the primary school children in Rarieda, with prevalence rate of 27.3 percent. The prevalence rate varied with socio-demographic characteristics of the pupils. Knowledge level of the pupils on STH was 38.9, and the pupils were 45.9 percent atrisk of STH with a great variance noted between health practices at schools verses at homes. Integrated STH control approach, which would incorporate regular deworming, health education and promotion, hygiene and sanitation, and appropriate health policies formulation and implementations, was therefore seen to be very necessary in controlling and prevention of STH in Rarieda