Prevalence and risk factors for high-risk human papillomavirus infection among women from three southern geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Introduction: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Its burden is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 90% mortality. Interventions may fail without evidence-based data on stratified prevalence and risk factors among most at-risk women across Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study, with participants recruited from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research's Clinics, NGO outreaches, a cancer screening centre and a university teaching hospital. Questionnaires were self-administered. Trained medics performed sampling at healthcare facilities, and self-sampling was used at outreaches. Results: Nine hundred eighty-five study participants were recruited. About 37% and 27% of the women knew about HPV and its vaccines, respectively, but only 6% confirmed vaccination with HPV vaccines. HPV prevalence was highest among women with unknown marital status (35.9%), single women (33.8%), widowed/divorced/separated women (30.3%), and married/cohabiting women (19.6%). HPV infection was significantly higher among women who take alcohol (odds=1.7 [95% CI: 1.2-2.4]) and women who smoke (odds=2.6 [95% CI: 1.4 - 4.6]. HPV strains detected included HPV16 (1.3%), HPV18 (1.5%), Low Risk (0.2%) and Other High-Risk groups (19.7%). Conclusion: The inverse relationship between prevalence and education suggests interventions improving awareness and prevention would be impactful. Such interventions could also target HIV-positive women, women presenting with sexually-transmitted infections, who smoke and frequently drink alcohol.

Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: adolescents living with HIV [ALHIV] face the dual challenges of adolescence and coping with HIV infection. This study aims to evaluate health-related quality of life [HRQoL] of children and adolescents aged 8 - 18 years living with HIV in an HIV treatment centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among children and adolescents living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy. HRQoL was assessed using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedQoL™]. Socio-demographic data and HIV related clinical and laboratory characteristics were also obtained and tested based on HRQoL scores in order to determine if there were possible associations. Results: the study included 113 participants with a mean age of 14 (± 2.9) years. There was male predominance, with a male: female sex ratio of 1.1: 1. The mean duration of ART was 102.9 (±36.9) months and CD4 lymphocyte count was and 741.2 (±335.7) cell/mm3. The majority of participants (62%) were also virally suppressed. Based on self-reported data, the mean physical, psychosocial and total HRQoL scores were 85.0 [± 22.4], 78.5 [±17.5] and 81.6 [±18.4] respectively. Adolescents aged 13-18 years had significantly higher scores than children aged 8-12 years. Male patients who had been on ART for ≥60 months were also significantly associated with higher HRQoL scores (OR=5.46 [CI= 2.24-13.29], p = 0.0009) and OR= 4.80, [CI= 1.58 - 14.56] p = 0.0032). Conclusion: the majority of participants in the study had good HRQoL scores, attesting to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection and the ease of access and availability to a comprehensive care.

Prevalence and Presentation of Paediatric Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children (≤18 years) evaluated for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at a testing centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Methodology. This was a retrospective study. Data on the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and SARS-CoV-2 results of participants at a modified drive-through centre for COVID-19 test sample collection over four months were retrieved from the electronic medical records (EMR). Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: A total of 307 children (≤18 years) were evaluated in this review. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the paediatric population was 16.3%. The median age (interquartile range (IQR)) was 9 (4-14) years. Common symptoms reported by the positive cases were fever (40.0%), cough (32.9%), sore throat (17.1%), and runny nose (15.7%). The majority of the positive cases had mild symptoms. Fever and sore throat were associated with the positive cases. CONCLUSION: Fever and sore throat were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among our cohort which buttresses the need for a high level of suspicion and clinical acumen in the management of common febrile diseases in paediatric settings.