The relationship between psychological distress and self-esteem among nursing mothers attending Immunization clinic of a tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

@#Psychological distress is a state of emotional suffering characterized by symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is an association between maternal psychological distress and reduced caregiving behavior. Reduced maternal care to babies is also associated with the low self-esteem of the mothers. The study assesses the prevalence of psychological distress and its relationship with self-esteem among nursing mothers attending the immunization clinic in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 458 nursing mothers recruited. A pretested, adapted, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used; data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were done using the Chi-square and the Spearman correlation coefficient. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean age of the respondents was 31.7±4.8 years, 398 (86.9%) had tertiary education, 440 (96.0%) were married and 15 (3.3%) were single mothers. Sixty-seven (14.6%), 28 (6.1%), and 24 (5.2%) had mild, moderate, and severe psychological disorders, respectively. Those with low and high self-esteem were 222 (48.5%) and 236 (51.5%) respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between psychological distress and self-esteem with about 29.6% of the variability in psychological distress being explained by self-esteem alone in the nursing mothers (p< 0.01). Stress of child nursing leads to psychological distress for some nursing mothers and this was significantly associated with self-esteem.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Diabetes Mellitus in Public Secondary Schools Teachers in Ekiti State

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a non-communicable disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The estimated prevalence of diabetes in Africa is 1% in rural areas and ranges from 5% to 7% in urban sub-Saharan Africa. 3 Nigeria is the most populous country in African and she contributes about one sixth of the Africa's diabetic population. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and accessing its risk factors among public secondary school teachers in Ekiti State. Methodology: This survey is a cross-sectional study carried out among 357 public school teachers in Ekiti State using a multi stage sampling technique. Data was gathered using a semi structured questionnaire and Accu Check Glucometer machine for Fasting Blood Sugar. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23 and level of significance was taken as P = 0.05. Result: Mean age was 42.9±9.2 years. Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus was 5.6%. Family history (15%), Alcohol intake (14.0%) and smoking (11.2%) were major risk factors in the respondents. Poor vision is the main complication being experienced by the respondents (40.3%). Predictors of Diabetes Mellitus as found by this study include increasing age (starting from above 40years), cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and positive family history. Conclusion: Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is high compared to what it was before. Alcohol intake, smoking and family history were major risk factors while poor vision is the commonest complication. It is recommended that all efforts must be made to put in mechanism that will halt this undesired progression through control of risk factors.

Epidemiology of falciparum malaria among residents of some rural and peri-urban communities in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

@#Malaria which is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium is a devastating parasitic disease of major public health challenge worldwide, particularly Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of falciparum malaria among residents of rural and peri-urban communities in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. Standard parasitological technique of microscopy was employed to determine and identify parasite prevalence and species. A questionnaire was used to collect subject’s information such as age, sex, location, occupation and education. Out of the 300 individuals examined, a total of 283 (93.4%) individuals were infected with malaria parasite. Sex pattern of infection indicated that male had higher malaria prevalence of 95.0% compared to female with the prevalence of 93.3% (P>0.05). The age group 51 to 60 years had the highest malaria parasite prevalence of 100% while age group <10 years has the least malaria parasite prevalence of 86.0% (P>0.05). Similarly, a total mean malaria parasite density of 1455.90 parasite/μL of blood was recorded. The mean malaria parasite density does not significantly vary (P>0.05) among age and sex group. The age group >60 years recorded the highest mean parasite density of 2092.50 parasite/μL of blood while age group <10 has the least mean malaria parasite density of 1044. 42 parasite/μL of blood. In relation to sex, the highest mean malaria parasite density was found among the female (1461.80 parasite/μL of blood) compared to male (1450 parasite/ μL of blood). In the same vein, occupation as a socioeconomic risk factor play a major role with respect to malaria infection. The highest malaria prevalence of 113 (98.26%) was recorded among farmers while the least 34 (85%) was recorded among Civil servants (P<0.05). Thus, it is apparent that falciparum malaria is heavily prevalent in this study area and as such urgent management control measures and interventions should be made available and fully utilized.

Immune Status of Cohort of Children Vaccinated against Hepatitis B Virus in Ekiti State over Ten Years after Incorporation into National Program on Immunization

Background:Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced in Nigeria for over a decade now, yet, data on sero-conversion status of the immunized cohort in the population are scarce. Such data are important for objective evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the HBV vaccination program This study therefore aims at determining the sero-conversion status and the prevalence of HBV infection among immunized cohort of children in Ekiti state, Nigeria.Methodology:This cross-sectional study was conducted across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti state, between October and December, 2017. A total of 441 children consisting of 226 males and 215 females (Male to female ratio= 1.1:1).Immunization was confirmed by immunization cards. Multistage sampling technique was used. Questionaire were administered after caregiver’s consentand assent from subjects, 2 to 5mls of blood samples were then collected and tested for the various hepatitis B viral markers (HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, HBsAb and HBsAg) using Hepatitis B combo kit manufactured by Innovita Biological Technology. Very low levels antibody titres which may not be detectable by qualitative detection method used is a limitation to this study.Results:Subjects were between 5 to 10 years. All subjects had 3 full doses of hepatitis B vaccination before the age of 1 year and all subjects were negative for HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAB and HBcAb. However, only 47 (10.7%) had detectable HBsAb. Among HBsAb positive patients 22 were males while 25 were females. Our findings showed zero prevalence of hepatitis B but minimal seroconversion rate among vaccinated children in Ekiti state, Nigeria.Conclusion:Hepatitis B vaccination protects children against HBV in the study population. However, seroconversion rate showed that majority of the children may be at risk of HBV infection at a later age. We recommend a booster dose of HBV vaccination