COVID-19 in children: a case series from Nigeria

Introduction: the global spread of COVID-19 remains unabated in the past few months with a rise in the number of available literature on the novel virus. There are very few paediatric studies and are mainly from developed countries with a paucity of information on the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 disease in African children, including Nigeria. Methods: we described the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome in a group of five Nigerian children managed at a COVID-19 isolation and treatment centre in Nigeria. Results: we managed a total of five children with an age range of 3 months to 8 years in the last four weeks (16th April to 15th May 2020). Three of the five children were males. All the children had close contact with family members that tested positive for COVID-19. Out of the five children, one had moderate disease, three had mild symptomatic disease, and one was asymptomatic. Two out of the five children had lymphocytosis. Out of the four children who had chest radiograph, two had features of pneumonia. Conclusion: COVID-19 is not uncommon in Nigerian children, and all had a confirmed family member with COVID-19. Besides, contrary to leucopaenia with lymphopaenia observed in the adult's population, we found lymphocytosis in this cohort and about 50.0% had pneumonic changes on chest radiograph

Prevalence and Predictors of Bullying Victimization among in-School Adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, North-Western Nigeria

Introduction: Bullying victimization is a common experienceamong adolescents. Victimization is associated with negativeconsequences including negative mental outcomes, pooracademic results, and poor social relationships. We describethe various forms of bullying victimization and the predictorsof victimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis.Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectionalstudy among in-school adolescents in Sokoto metropolis.Using a multistage sampling technique, 450 respondents wereselected from public and private schools We used an adapted,validated, pretested and interviewer-administered peervictimization scale questionnaire to collect information fromrespondents. We conducted a descriptive statistic, bivariateand multivariate analysis at 5% level of significance.Results: Of the 450 respondents, 182 (40.4%) were in earlyadolescence and 220 (48.9%) were females. The mean ageof respondents was 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Two hundred and thirty(51.1%), 102 (22.7%), 38 (8.4%), 161 (35.8) respondentshad experienced physical, verbal, relational and damage-toproperty victimization respectively. Overall, 295 (65.6%) hadexperienced at least one type of bullying victimization. Beingin junior class (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.5) being in a boarding school (aOR: 3.4, 95% CI= 1.7-6.8),having friends that influence decisions (aOR: 2.5 (1.1-5.6),not smoking (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI = 1.1-10.0) and not knowingschool policy on bullying (aOR: 2.1, 95% CI= 1.2-3.8) wereindependent predictors of bullying victimization.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of bullyingvictimization among in-school adolescents in Sokotometropolis. We recommend that school policy shouldprotect junior students and those in boarding schools fromvictimization.