Malaria Parasitaemia and its Associated Factors among Febrile Children in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a parasitic disease of public health concern especially among children because of their vulnerability. Objective: The study sought to evaluate the prevalence and severity of malaria and to assess the factors associated with malaria parasitaemia among children. METHODS: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional observation study. We enrolled 303 children aged 6 to 59 months who presented with fever. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic characteristics, determinant factors and the use of malaria preventive measures. Microscopic examination of blood film for malaria parasite was done. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. The Pearson's Chi-square was used to determine the association between selected socio-demographic variables, clinical characteristics of participants and presence of malaria parasitaemia. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age was 24.36 ± 16.63 months, 183 (60.4%) were male. Two hundred and thirteen (70.3%) participants tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum. Severe malaria accounted for 21.1% of all malaria cases. Severe anaemia (37.8%) and cerebral malaria (24.4%) were the common complications observed. Malaria was significantly associated with increasing age (p = 0.007). Children who slept regularly under LLIN and those using insecticidal spray were more likely to be protected from developing malaria (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively). The socioeconomic status, maternal education, family size and knowledge of LLIN were not associated with the development of malaria (p= 0.901, 0.136, 0.413, 0.166, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malaria is high; there is a need to increase the coverage of IRS, together with LLINs to reduce the transmission and burden of malaria, particularly among the susceptible population.

CONTEXTE: Le paludisme est une maladie parasitaire de la santé publique inquiètent particulièrement les enfants en raison de leur vulnérabilité. OBJECTIF: L'étude visait à évaluer la prévalence et la gravité du paludisme et d'évaluer les facteurs associés à la parasitémie palustre chez les enfants. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une observation transversale en milieu hospitalier. Nous avons inscrit 303 enfants âgés de 6 à 59 mois qui ont présenté avec de la fièvre. Un questionnaire structuré a été utilisé pour obtenir les caractéristiques démographiques, les facteurs déterminants et l'utilisation du mesures préventives contre le paludisme. Un examen microscopique du film sanguin pour le parasite du paludisme a été fait. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de la version 23.0 du SPSS. Le Chi-carré de Pearson a été utilisé pour déterminer l'association entre certaines variables sociodémographiques, caractéristiques cliniques des participants et présence de parasitémie palustre. Une valeur de p en moins que 0,05 a été jugé significatif. RÉSULTATS: La moyenne ±'âge du DT était de 24,36 ± 16,63 mois, 183(60,4 %) étaient des hommes. Deux cent treize (70,3 %) participants testé positif pour Plasmodium falciparum. Paludisme sévère comptabilisé pour 21,1 % de tous les cas de paludisme. Anémie sévère (37,8 %) et le paludisme cérébrale, (24,4 %) étaient les complications courantes observées. Paludisme était significativement associé à l'augmentation de l'âge (p = 0,007). Enfants qui dormaient régulièrement sous LLIN et ceux qui utilisaient un spray insecticide étaient plus susceptibles d'être protégés contre le développement du paludisme (p = 0,002,p = 0,001, respectivement). Le statut socio économique, l'éducation maternelle, la taille de la famille et la connaissance de LLIN n'étaient pas associées avec le développement du paludisme (p= 0,901, 0,136, 0,413, 0,166,respectivement). CONCLUSION: La prévalence du paludisme est élevée; il y a un besoin pour augmenter la couverture de l'IRS, ainsi que les LLIAN pour réduire le transmission et charge du paludisme, en particulier parmi les personnes population sensibles. Mots-clés: Paludisme, Plasmodium falciparum, enfants de moins de cinq ans.

Pattern of Self-care practices among type 2 diabetes patients in Southwest, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Self-care practices in individuals with diabetes are important skills required to effectively prevent, manage, and limit complications associated with diabetes since patients spend considerably less time with health care providers than spend alone to manage their diabetes condition. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess self-cate practices and their determinants among patients with type 2 diabetes. Hence, this study aimed at assessing self-care practices and their determinants among patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive, multi-center study was conducted among 348 type 2 diabetes patients selected from six tertiary hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed for categorical and continuous variables and multivariable logistic regression assessed association between determinant factors and adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). RESULTS: Of the study participants, 83.1%, 66.9%, 28.4%, and 27.9% adhered to prescribed medications, physical exercise, had meal plans incorporated into their diabetes management and SMBG, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between male gender, duration of diabetes, and previous episode of hypoglycemia with adherence to SMBG practices while lower educational level and use of insulin were associated with less likelihood of adherence to prescribed medications. CONCLUSION: The degree to which individuals with diabetes adhered to recommended self-care practice components were less than satisfactory especially SMBG, physical activity, and having meal plans.

Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea among Adults in a Rural Community in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common medical condition which has long been recognized as a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in developed countries but that remains underdiagnosed, particularly in rural communities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of adults who have a high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea in a sample of adults living in Ejigbo, a rural community in south western Nigeria. METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study done to assess the prevalence of high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea in adult residents of the community using the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Data collected include socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure. A blood sample was also taken for lipid profile. Factors associated with a high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea were identified. RESULTS: The study involved 257 participants out of which 88 (34.2%) had a high risk of OSA. Risk of obstructive sleep apnoea was significantly associated with male sex (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001), neck circumference (p<0.001), cigarette smoking (p=0.039) and low density lipoprotein (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Obstructive sleep apnoea is relatively common in the study area. This calls for urgent preventive measures to stem the tide and mitigate the associated morbidity and mortality.

Mobile Phone Use in the Management of Diabetes in Nigeria: A New Potential Weapon.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the leading chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries globally including Nigeria The morbidities and mortalities associated with diabetes especially in Nigeria, have remained unacceptably high compared to many other nations. It has become one of the leading causes of stroke, blindness, heart attack and end-stage kidney disease. Most deaths occur in those below 60 years of age, the productive segments of the population. Health situation in Nigeria is characterised by double burden of illness, grossly inadequate health spending, and inadequate healthcare personnel especially in the rural areas. Shortage of diabetes care specialist is one of the major barriers to diabetes care in Nigeria. Mobile phone has emerged as one of the potent strategies that can impact positively on diabetes care if properly harnessed. The ubiquitous access and the multitasking nature of mobile phones are great opportunities to improve diabetes prevention, patient care, encourage self-management, support healthy behavioural changes and an ideal way of providing patient-centred care at the frequency and intensity that patient desires. In addition, there is a potential for mobile phones to provide an effective way of giving support to patients in rural and remote areas where health care provider contact may be less accessible. Use of short message services (SMS) phone calls, video calls and the use of social media networking applications are some of the ways a mobile phone can be used in diabetes management.