Prevalence of non-communicable diseases among HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy at a tertiary health facility in Makurdi, north-central, Nigeria

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.

Knowledge; Attitude and Practice of Family Planning Methods among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Jos; North-Central Nigeria

Background:Family planning is regarded as an important preventive measure against maternal and child morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the knowledge; attitude and use of family planning methods among women attending antenatal clinic in Jos; factors that militates against use of contraceptive methods and their contraceptive intentions following the index pregnancy. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study involving 420 women who attended the antenatal clinic .The respondents were interviewed by the use of structured interviewer administered questionnaire.Knowledge (88.1) and acceptability (75.4) of family planning methods were high; while modern family planning methods use was 44.0. More women 39.3were aware of oral contraceptive pills. Common methods used were male condom (59.5); oral contraceptive pills (47.0) and injectables (27.1) among others. Most of the women (60.0) received their family planning information in the hospital. Seventy five percent of the women agreed that both husband and wife should jointly decide for a family planning method. Sixty eight percent of women would like to use contraceptive methods after delivery of the index pregnancy. The desire for more children accounted for 36.5among those that refused use of contraceptive method after delivery. Conclusion: Despite the high educational status