Knowledge and preventive practices related to Monkey pox among medical doctors in Sokoto metropolis of Sokoto State, Nigeria

Background: For effective control of Monkey pox (Mpox), clinicians need to have adequate knowledge of the disease and adopt appropriate practices to contain it. This study sought to assess the knowledge and practices of medical doctors regarding Monkey pox. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized for the study and using a two stage sampling method, 210 medical doctors working in Sokoto metropolis were recruited into the study. Aset of structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from the study participants. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS computer software version 23 with level of statistical significance set at p<0.05 Results: All the respondents were aware of Mpox with more than half (52.3%) having the internet as their commonest source of information. The majority, ((72%) of the clinicians had good knowledge and only years of working experience was significantly associated with knowledge of the disease. Preventive practices were well exhibited by all the respondents with the majority (73%) having appropriate preventive practices. Conclusion and recommendation: This study has demonstrated good knowledge towards Mpox by clinicians in Sokoto metropolis, with a greater majority exhibiting appropriate preventive practices. Sustained awareness and retraining of health care workers in general is necessary to maintain the tempo of high index of suspicion for outbreaks of Mpox and other potential epidemics and also regular use of personal protective equipment

Glomerular filtration rate in homozygous sickle cell disease children in steady state and healthy Nigerian children: a comparative study in north-eastern Nigeria

Background: Homozygous sickle cell disease (HSCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder of public health importance worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for a third of the global burden. The effect of HbS on the kidneys results in sickle cell nephropathy, which contributes to increased mortality among HbSS patients beyond third decade of life. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important renal function test for evaluating progress of sickle cell nephropathy, however, this is seldom done to HbSS patients especially in the insurgency that devastated the North-eastern part of Nigeria, where displacement of people has led to increase in diarrhoeal diseases with its complications which also contributes to renal diseases, hence the need for this study. Objective: To determine the baseline glomerular filtration rate of homozygous SCD in steady state and compare same with normal controls. Methods: This is a prospective comparative study conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). The study population consisted of age and sex matched HbSS subjects in steady state and children with haemoglobin AA genotypeaged 3-14 years. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months. Anthropometry and serum creatinine of the subjects were determined and GFR calculated using Schwartz formula. Results: Two hundred and twenty children consisting 110 HbSS and 110 controls were enrolled. This consist of 106 males and 114 females with M:F ratio of 0.9:1. Mean ages of HbSS patients and HbAA subjects were 8.2years and 7.9 years respectively. The mean GFR (SD) was 125.9 (31.9) ml/min/1.73m2 and 93.0 (16.1) ml/min/1.73m2 for the HbSS and HbAA controls, the difference between the means was significant (P<0.001). The normal GFR range for the controls was 77 to 109 ml/min/1.73m2. Sixty-seven (61%) casesand 86 (78%) controls had GFRs within normal range. There was statistically significant difference for GFRs above and below the normal range (Z-score=6.2 & -2.9, p<0.001 & p<0.004). Conclusion: About a third of HbSS children in steady state have elevated GFR, this suggests the presence of moderate renal pathology. Regular monitoring of these children will lead to improvements in management of sickle cell nephropathy and their quality of life

Reconstruction of Secondary Type Congenital Hallux Varus with Modification of the Farmer Technique for Cover of Skin Defect: Report of Three Cases

@#The reconstruction of hallux varus deformity involves the release of contracted medial structure and realignment of the phalange, leaving a significant skin defect which requires cover. Farmer described proximal based rotational skin flap from the first web space to cover the defect. This technique may compromise the circulation to the flap and risk to the lateral digital vessels. We modified his technique to address these issues. We report a successful reconstruction using the Farmer’s technique on one patient and a modified technique on three patients. We used the excess skin from the extra digit to cover the medial defect. We found this modified technique of skin cover safe without risk of injuring the neurovascular bundle. There was no recurrence of deformity at last foolow-up. All patients were able to wear normal shoes.

Toxicological Evaluation of Euphorbia hirta on Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK-21) Cells and in Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo exposure effects of Euphorbia hirta decoction on Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK-21) cells and in albino rats, respectively. Materials and Methods: Extract of the plant was obtained after boiling and the filtrate dried. In vitro cytotoxic effect was evaluated on Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK-21) cells by examination of cell morphology under the microscope after exposure to 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml concentrations of extract while the in vivo toxicity on some biochemical; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total protein, Albumin, Urea, Creatinine and electrolytes), haematological (Full Blood Count) and histological (Liver and Kidney) indices were evaluated after daily oral administration of the extract to four groups (n =8) of albino rats at dose of 0, 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight, respectively for 14 days. Results: In vitro evaluation showed a concentration dependent increase in cytopathic effect (CPE) in BHK-21 cells ranging from dark single particles indicative of early sign CPE at 25 µg/ml to severe CPE and apoptosis at 200 µg/ml. The in vivo evaluation revealed significant increases (p<0.05) in the activities of ALT, AST and ALP with values ranging from 11-15, 22-35 and 168-308 iu/l respectively in serum when compared to the control group. The concentrations of urea (243.71-270.60 mmol/lit) and creatinine (168.07-280.71 µmol/lit) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the test groups compared to the control group. Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney revealed varying degrees of alterations (sinusoidal dilatation, congestion, haemorrhage, centrilobular degeneration, tubular necrosis and tubular degeneration). Conclusion: The decoction of Euphorbia hirta is cytotoxic to BHK-21 cells and toxic to the liver and kidney of albino rats at the tested concentrations and dosages respectively. Until safe doses are determined, its uncontrolled consumption should be discouraged.

Effect of Counselling and Reminder Text Messages Follow-Up on Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

Poor adherence is a major challenge to antiretroviral therapy. It is now recommended that patients have 95% adherence in order to maintain sufficient suppression of viral replication and prevent the emergence of resistance. It is therefore of paramount importance device methods to improve patient adherence. The use of mobile phone calls and text messages are being explored in improving adherence. In this study, the effect of counselling plus reminder text messages were determined. A total of 132 patients was allocated into an intervention and control groups. Both groups were given additional adherence counselling at the beginning of the study and at every clinic visit. The intervention group was also sent reminder text messages for a period of 24 weeks. The CD4 count of all patients was recorded at the start of the study, then the final reading after the follow-up period. The difference in the increase in the CD4 counts between the two groups was compared to find out the difference. Additionally, patients’ self-report of adherence was compared between the two groups. Patients with 95% and above adherence were classified as adherent, while those with less than 95% non-adherent. It was found that the patients who received reminder text messages in addition to counselling had significantly higher mean percentage increase in CD4 count (36.7%) compared to the control group (19.12%), which received counselling only (p=0.007) However, using self-report form, there was no statistical significant difference in the level of adherence between intervention group and control group. It was therefore concluded that regular counselling and reminder text messages have improved adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Effects of Allium sativum Bulb Extract, Diminazene Aceturate and Their Combination on Parasitaemia, and Biochemical Indices in Rats Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei.

Thirty five clinically healthy albino rats of both sexes weighing between 100 – 120grams were used to study the effects of Allium sativum bulb extract in combination with diminazene aceturate on parsitemia and biochemical indices in trypanosome brucei brucei infection. The rats were divided in to seven groups (A-G) of five rats each. All the infected rats developed Parasitemia five days post infection. Weakness, increase respiratory rate, rough hair coat Biochemical changes at interval and possible deaths were the major parameters which were carefully observed. All the treatment commenced at the onset of parasitemia by day five post infection. Sub therapeutic dose of Allium sativum at 20mg/kg/bw in combination with 1.7mg/kg/bw of diminazene aceturate (Group C),diminazene aceturate at single standard dose of 3.5mg/kg/bw (Group B) caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in parasitemia. The liver function enzymes ALT AST level in rats infected and not treated showed significant increase liver function enzymes (Group A) while those treated with standard and sub therapeutic dose (Group BCD) respectively. Had their liver function enzymes towards normal, compare with control (Group G).Its trypanocidal activity was assessed through daily examination of blood parasite, sub therapeutic doses of Allium sativum bulb extracts and its combination appear to be more effective in reducing severity of trypanosome brucei brucei infection and provide alternative in reducing the toxicity of existing trypanocide.

Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection among Primary School Children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in the three geopolitical zone of Kaduna State; comprising Makarfi (Kaduna North) Kagarko (Kaduna South) and Igabi (Kaduna Central). A total of 353 serum samples collected; were tested VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a commercial IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence rate was 66.3. Seroprevalence was 51.4in the age group of 4-6 years; 64.7in 7-9 years; 68.4in 10-12 years and 70.0in 13-15 years. The seroprevalence rate of VZV increased with age. There was significant relation between the presence of VZV antibodies and age (P = 0.000). There was no significance difference between the presence of VZV antibodies and sex (P = 0.48). This data show that the younger age group could be considered as a target group for prevention programs against VZV infection

Estimation of Water Balance of Oyan Lake in the North West Region of Abeokuta, Nigeria.

The paper presents results related to water balance of the Oyan Lake in the North West in Nigeria. The catchment covering an area of 9000 km2 includes a small dam called Oyan dam having an effective watershed area of 40 km2 with a gross storage of 270 million cubic meters. Hydrology of the area was characterized on the basis of land use, rainfall, temperature, evaporation, evapotranspiration, and runoff using meteorological data. Different methods like rainfall coefficient method is used to determine monthly distribution of rainfall including rainy and dry months; Penman method to calculate evaporation from the reservoir; Thornthwaite method and Thornthwaite water balance model to determine potential and actual evapotranspiration; and runoff coefficient method to estimate runoff. The catchment is characterized by one rainy season and two dry seasons during the year. The rainy season has five months duration and dry season seven months. The mean annual rainfall of the catchment is 1015.09 mm, out of which rainy season accounts for 96.1% and the dry season for 3.9%. The total annual water loss by evaporation from the reservoir is 1178.5 mm. The mean annual actual evapotranspiration for the catchment is 899.3 mm. The mean annual runoff generated from the catchment is estimated to be 822.2 million cubic meters. The amount of water that percolates into the ground in the catchment as groundwater is estimated to be about 219.9 million cubic meters, and the same at the reservoir site is 826.9 million cubic meters. The total amount of water which is actually available to recharge the groundwater within the catchment is 1046.8 million m3.

Iodine deficiency disorders in Bangladesh.

An extensive iodine deficiency disorders survey was conducted in Bangladesh in 1993 to assess the latest iodine nutriture status of the country. The clinical variables of the survey were goitre and cretinism, and the biochemical variable was urinary iodine. The "EPI-30 cluster" sampling methodology was followed for selecting the survey sites. In each survey site, the study population consisted of boys and girls, aged 5-11 years, and men and women, aged 15-44 years, in about equal populations. The total number of survey sites was 78 and the total number of respondents was 30,072. The total number of urine samples was 4512 (15% sub-sample). The current total goitre rate (grade 1 + grade 2) in Bangladesh is 47.1% (hilly, 44.4%; flood-prone, 50.7%; and plains, 45.6%). The prevalence of cretinism in the country is 0.5% (hilly, 0.8%; flood-prone, 0.5%; and plains, 0.3%). Nearly 69% of Bangladeshi population have biochemical iodine deficiency (urinary iodine excretion [UIE] < 10 mg/dl) (hilly, 84.4; flood-prone, 67.1%; and plains 60.4%). Women and children are more affected that men, in terms of both goitre prevalence and UIE. The widespread severe iodine deficiency in all ecological zones indicates that the country as a whole is an iodine-deficient region. Important recommendations of global interest are made from the experience of the survey.