Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection by microscopy and its determinants among residents of Ido-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic malaria infections have received less attention than symptomatic malaria infections in major studies. Few epidemiological studies on asymptomatic malaria infections have often focused on pregnant women and children under-five years of age as the most vulnerable groups. However, there is limitation on data regarding asymptomatic infections among the old adult populations, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection by microscopy and its determinants among residents of Ido- Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2021 among 232 consenting apparently healthy individuals aged 40 years and above who were recruited during a free health screening program using a standardised interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on respondents' socio-demographics, presence and types of co-morbidity, and the prevention methods being adopted against malaria infection. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for asymptomatic infections using Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with asymptomatic infections. RESULTS: Of the total 232 respondents, 19.0% (48/232) were confirmed to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.1% - 24.6%). Lack of formal education (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.298, 95% (CI): 2.184-13.997), being diabetic (AOR: 4.681, 95% CI: 1.669-16.105), and not sleeping under Long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLINs) (AOR: 4.594, 95% CI: 1.194-14.091), were the determinants of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum was 19%. Lack of formal education, being diabetic, and not sleeping under LLINs were the determinants of asymptomatic infections.

Malaria infection and its association with socio-demographics, preventive measures, and co-morbid ailments among adult febrile patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The study determined the prevalence of malaria infection and its association with socio-demographics, environmental, housing, and co-morbid ailment factors. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional of 330 consented adult febrile patients who were recruited at a tertiary health facility in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire sought information on their socio-demographics, environmental, housing, and co-morbid ailment factors. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for malaria parasite detection, retroviral screening, glycated hemoglobin, and hemoglobinopathy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The strength of the association between independent and dependent variables was measured using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval with a significant level (p value <0.05). Results: The prevalence of malaria parasitemia was 63.3% (95% confidence interval: 57.9%-68.5%). Being a farmer (p = 0.002), lack of formal education (p = 0.043), low-income earners (p = 0.031), presence of bushes (p = 0.048), stagnant water (p = 0.042), not sleeping under long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (p < 0.001), and sickle cell disease (p = 0.041) were significantly associated with malaria infection. Conclusion: The study revealed that there is a high prevalence of malaria infection in rural Southwestern Nigeria. There may be a need to pay greater attention to adult populations in rural areas for malaria intervention and control programs.

Family support and medication adherence among adult type 2 diabetes: Any meeting point?

Background: Serious disability diabetes mellitus (DM) cause for patients and their support system-family and friends are enormous. It remains an important public health challenge, despite effective medical therapies for its management; patients' poor adherence remains a global problem. Objective: The study assessed the relationship between family support and medication adherence among adult Type 2 DM (T2DM) attending family medicine clinic of a rural tertiary hospital. Methodology: This was an analytic cross-sectional hospital-based study carried out among 367 patients selected by systematic random sampling method. Relevant data collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and clinical data recorded and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were utilized for the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of respondents was 61.7 ± 11.4 years. Those with strong family support that achieved medium/high (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 > 6) level of medication adherence (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1 6.4 [9.1-29.6], P < 0.001) constituted 69.5% of respondents. Family support was also found to have a direct relationship to glycemic control (FPG < 7.1 mmol/l), 65.7% of those with strong family support achieved good glycemic control, P < 0.001, OR (95% CI) = 17.4 (9.2-37.2). The level of medication adherence was noted to be directly related to glycemic control, 79.4% of those with medium/high medication adherence had good glycemic control, OR (95% CI) = 25.0 (14.4-43.6), P < 0.001. Strong family support leads to higher medication adherence level which resulted into better glycemic control. Conclusion: Family support improves medication adherence and glycemic control. Physicians should explore patients' family support system to improve medication adherence level and better management outcome of chronic diseases especially T2DM.

RésuméContexte: La cause du diabète sucré d'invalidité grave pour les patients et leur système de soutien - famille et amis est énorme. Il reste un défi de santé publique important, malgré des thérapies médicales efficaces pour sa gestion; La mauvaise observance des patients reste un problème mondial. Objectif: L'étude a évalué la relation entre le soutien familial et l'observance des médicaments chez les adultes atteints de diabète sucré de type 2 (DT2) fréquentant la clinique de médecine familiale d'un hôpital tertiaire rural. Méthode: Il s'agissait d'une étude analytique transversale en milieu hospitalier menée auprès de 367 patients sélectionnés par la méthode d'échantillonnage aléatoire systématique. Les données pertinentes collectées à travers un questionnaire semi-structuré et les données cliniques enregistrées et la glycémie à jeun ont été utilisées pour l'étude. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de la version 16 de SPSS. Résultat: l'âge moyen (ET) des répondants était de 61,7 ± 11,4 ans. Les personnes bénéficiant d'un fort soutien familial et ayant atteint un niveau d'observance médiatique moyen / élevé (MMAS-8> 6) {OR (IC 95%) = 16,4 (9,1 - 29,6), p <0,001} constituaient 69,5% des répondants. Le soutien familial a également une relation directe avec le contrôle glycémique (FPG <7,1 mmol / l), 65,7% des personnes bénéficiant d'un soutien familial solide ont obtenu un bon contrôle glycémique, p <0,001, OR (IC à 95%) = 17,4 (9,2 - 37.2). On a noté que le niveau d'observance du médicament était directement lié au contrôle glycémique, 79,4% des personnes ayant une observance moyenne / élevée du médicament avaient un bon contrôle glycémique, OR (IC à 95%) = 25,0 (14,4 - 43,6), p <0,001. Un fort soutien familial conduit à un niveau d'adhésion aux médicaments plus élevé, ce qui se traduit par un meilleur contrôle glycémique. Conclusion: le soutien familial améliore l'observance des médicaments et le contrôle glycémique. Les médecins devraient explorer le système de soutien familial des patients afin d'améliorer le niveau d'observance des médicaments et de mieux gérer les résultats des maladies chroniques, en particulier le DT2. Mots clés: soutien familial, adhésion aux médicaments, DT2, contrôle glycémique.

Oculoplastic training and its role in eye care services in a Nigeria tertiary hospital

Background: Oculoplasty subspecialty in Ophthalmology was barely 7 years in Nigeria. National statistics shows increased number of cases that should have benefitted from this expertise that is rare. As a result of this deficit, a consultant ophthalmologist was sent to Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai, India for 3 months oculoplastic training with the help of International Council Ophthalmology (ICO). Aim: To evaluate the role of oculoplasty training in eye-service care in our hospital. Methods: All patients seen at our oculoplasty unit during the 8 months period from April to November 2017, had information extracted from their medical record. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of 53 patients seen 30 (56.65) were males and 23 (43.4%) were females. Majority 10 (18.9%) were diagnosed with traumatic irreparable ruptured globe, while 10 (18.9%) had congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Thirty-six (67.9%) patients had surgery and 10 (18.9%) were successfully managed with lacrimal sac massage for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. Majority 10(18.9%) of the surgery were evisceration with primary ocular implants. One patient with clinically significant orbital floor fracture was referred. Four cases of congenital ptosis declined surgery. This expertise resulted in increased patient turnout by 30% and income to the department, while it saves cost to patients who need not to be referred. Conclusion: The skills acquired from oculoplasty training have help in rendering oculoplasty services to the people of Kebbi State and its environs at a reduced cost. Also, there is improved internally generated revenue to the hospital. The importance of skill transfer and subspecialty training is underscored