Intimate Partner Violence and Risk Factors among Women during the COVID-19 Movement Restriction in Nigeria: An Online Survey.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of treatment or the presence of vaccines is forcing nations to respond with strong preventive measures ranging from mitigation, containment, and in extreme cases, quarantines. While these measures are a useful measure of infection control, they can lead to significant social, economic, and psychological consequences. This study sought to establish the prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 movement restriction in Nigeria among girls and women. METHODS: An online-based questionnaire survey using Google Forms was conducted over four weeks among girls and women aged 15 years and above. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, and logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for IPV experience during the lockdown. RESULTS: Overall, 32.8% of respondents reported ever experiencing IPV, and 42.5% experienced IPV during the lockdown. Verbal (35.1%) and psychological (24.1%) violence were the commonest forms of violence in the study. There was considerable overlap between the various forms of IPV in the study. Age less than 35 years (aOR = 1.3; CI = 1.2 - 1.4), resident in the northeast region (aOR=1.6; CI=1.41.9), alcohol (aOR=1.3;CI=1.2-1.5) and substance (aOR = 1.5; CI = 1.3 - 1.8) use, average family monthly income < $100 (aOR = 1.4;CI=1.2 - 1.5), daily or weekly income (aOR = 2.7; CI = 2.5-3.1) had an increased association with IPV during the lockdown, residency in the southeast region had lower odds of experiencing IPV (aOR=.0.5; CI = 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSION: The reported lockdown prevalence of IPV was 42.8%, with verbal and psychological violence being the most prevalent form of IPV. Age less than 35 years, resident in northeast and southeast, use of alcohol or substances, average family monthly income < $100, and partner being a daily-weekly earner was associated with IPV experience. Policymakers in the future should consider the consequences, including IPV, before issuing such an order.

CONTEXTE: La propagation rapide de l'infection par le CoV-2 du SRAS en l'absence de traitement ou présence de vaccins oblige les nations à réagir par des mesures préventives fortes allant de l'atténuation à l'endiguement et, dans les cas extrêmes, à la mise en quarantaine. Bien que ces mesures soient utiles pour contrôler l'infection, elles peuvent avoir des conséquences sociales, économiques et psychologiques importantes. Cette étude visait à établir la prévalence et les facteurs de risque de la violence exercée par le partenaire intime au cours de la restriction de mouvement du COVID-19 au Nigeria, chez les filles et les femmes. MÉTHODES: Une enquête par questionnaire en ligne utilisant google form a été menée pendant quatre semaines auprès de filles et de femmes âgées de 15 ans et plus. L'analyse des données a été réalisée à l'aide de la version 20 de SPSS et une régression logistique a été utilisée pour déterminer les facteurs de risque de violence conjugale pendant la période de restriction. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, 32,8 % des personnes interrogées ont déclaré avoir déjà subi des VPI, et 42,5 % ont subi des VPI pendant l'enfermement. La violence verbale (35,1 %) et la violence psychologique (24,1 %) étaient les formes de violence les plus courantes dans l'étude. Il y avait un chevauchement considérable entre les différentes formes de VPI dans l'étude. L'âge inférieur à 35 ans (aOR=1,3 ; CI= 1,2 - 1,4), la résidence dans la région nord-est (aOR=1,6; CI=1,4-1,9), la consommation d'alcool (aOR=1,3; CI=1,2 - 1,5) et de substances (aOR=1,5 ; CI = 1,3 - 1,8), le revenu mensuel moyen de la famille < 100 $ (aOR=1. 4 ; IC = 1,2 - 1,5), le revenu quotidien ou hebdomadaire (aOR = 2,7 ; IC = 2,5-3,1) était davantage associé à la VPI pendant le lockdown, la résidence dans la région du sud-est avait moins de chances d'être victime de VPI (aOR = 0,0,5 ; IC = 0,3-0,8). CONCLUSION: La prévalence de la VPI pendant le lockdown était de 42,8 %, la violence verbale et psychologique étant la forme de VPI la plus répandue. L'âge inférieur à 35 and, le fait de résider dans le nord-est et le sud-est, la consommation d'alcool ou de substances, le revenu mensuel moyen de la famille inférieur à 100 dollars et le fait que le partenaire gagne sa vie toutes les semaines étaient associés à l'expérience de la VPI. À l'avenir, les décideurs politiques devraient prendre en compte les conséquences, y compris la VPI, avant d'émettre un tel ordre. Mots-clés: Violence entre partenaires intimes, COVID-19, Lockdowns, Nigeria, Violence fondée sur le genre.

Trends and risk factors for obesity among HIV positive Nigerians on antiretroviral therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The increased access to antiretroviral therapy has changed the once deadly infection to a chronic medical condition, resulting in a dramatic change in causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV infected individuals. Obesity and its cardiovascular sequelae are increasingly reported in the literature. However, data on the burden, trends and risk factors for obesity are sparse in countries worst hit by the epidemic. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the trend and risk factors for obesity among a cohort of HIV infected adults on antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: We analysed prospectively collected data in an ongoing longitudinal observational study conducted at the HIV treatment centre, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria. Patients who started treatment between June 2004 and December 2009, and completed a five year follow up were included in the analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the risk factors for obesity among the cohort. RESULTS: A total of 12 585 adults were enrolled in the treatment programme during the study period. Of which, 8819 (70.1%) met the inclusion criteria. At the start of treatment, 27.0% were either overweight (19.6%) or obese (7.4%) compared to 62.2% that were either overweight (35.7%) or obese (26.5%) at the end of 5 years. The observed differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). Female gender (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.81-2.67), low baseline BMI less than 20 (aOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) and baseline CD4 count less than 350/µl (aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 2.13 - 3.09) were associated with the development of obesity at multivariate analysis. Type of antiretroviral drug, age, marital status, viral load and haemoglobin level were not associated with obesity after controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is common among HIV infected Nigerians on antiretroviral therapy and is associated with.

Pregnancy, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in HIV positive Nigerian women.

While the effect of HIV infection on some maternal outcomes is well established, for some others there is conflicting information on possible association with HIV. In this study we investigated pregnancy and neonatal outcome of HIV positive women in large HIV treatment centre over a period of 84 months. They were managed according to the Nigerian PMTCT protocol. Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome were observed in 48.3% HIV positives compared 30.3% to the negatives (OR: 2.08; CI: 1.84-2.34). Low birth weight ( OR:2.95; CI:1.95-3.1), preterm delivery (OR:2.05; CI:1.3-3.1), perinatal death (OR:1.9;CI:1.3-3.2), and spontaneous abortion (OR:1.37; CI:1.1-2.3) were factors found to be independently associated with HIV. Low CD4 count (OR: 2.45; CI: 1.34- 4.56) and opportunistic infections (OR: 2.11; CI: 1.56-3.45) were to be associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome. This study confirms the association of HIV, severe immunosuppression and opportunistic infection and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome.

Acid and base catalyzed Davis-Beirut reaction: experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies and synthesis of novel 3-amino-2H-indazoles.

The Davis-Beirut reaction, which provides an efficient synthesis of 2H-indazoles and, subsequently, indazolones, is shown to proceed rapidly from o-nitrosobenzaldehyde and primary amines under both acid or base catalysis. Experimental and theoretical evidence in support of a reaction mechanism is provided in which o-nitrosobenzylidine imine is a pivotal intermediate in this N,N-bond forming heterocyclization reaction. The Davis-Beirut reaction is also shown to effectively synthesize a number of novel 3-amino-2H-indazole derivatives.

College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia position on whole body screening CT scans in healthy asymptomatic individuals (2008).

To date, the College of Radiology (CoR) does not see any clear benefit in performing whole body screening computed tomography (CT) examinations in healthy asymptomatic individuals. There are radiation risk issues in CT and principles of screening should be adhered to. There may be a role for targeted cardiac screening CT that derives calcium score, especially for asymptomatic medium-risk individuals and CT colonography when used as part of a strategic programme for colorectal cancer screening in those 50 years and older. However, population based screening CT examinations may become appropriate when evidence emerges regarding a clear benefit for the patient outweighing the associated radiation risks.

N,N-bond-forming heterocyclization: synthesis of 3-alkoxy-2H-indazoles.

A one-step heterocyclization of o-nitrobenzylamines to 3-alkoxy-2H-indazoles is reported. The electronic nature of the nitrophenyl group, the steric and electronic nature of the R1-functionalized benzylic amine, and the nature of the alcoholic solvent affect the efficiency of this heterocyclization reaction (approximately 40-90%).

Investigations on the structure of 4-methyldihydro-1,3,4-benzotriazepin-5-ones. Tautomer reassignment.

The tautomerism of 4-methyldihydro-1,3,4-benzotriazepin-5-ones (2,3) is re-investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. The data revealed that the model compound (2a) exists in the amidrazone 1,4-dihydro tautomeric form (A), but not in the alternate 3,4-dihydro tautomer (B) as was previously reported.

Long term sequelae of childhood acute bacterial meningitis in a developing country. A study from the Sudan.

35 survivors of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) from a group of 44 Sudanese children--seen during 18 months (April 1985-November 1986)--were prospectively followed to ascertain the long-term sequelae of the disease. 30 (17 with Haemophilus influenzae, 8 Neisseria meningitidis, 4 Streptococcus pneumoniae and one child with Enterobacter cloacae meningitis) could be followed during the surveillance period (3-4 years). Three (10%), including 2 with hemiplegia, died after 11-12 months. The association between motor deficit on discharge from hospital and subsequent death was significant (p = 0.04). Of the remaining 27, neuropsychologic sequelae were recorded in 9 (33%). Sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 6 (22%) patients and improved in one during surveillance. Motor deficits were found to improve with time but were replaced by the development of epilepsy about 3 years later in 11% of the survivors. The mean IQ (+/- SD) score for a subgroup of 19 post-meningitic children (92.3 +/- 13.9) was found to be significantly lower than in their nearest-age sibling controls (100.7 +/- 10.2; p = less than 0.01). Younger age at admission and longer duration of ABM symptoms before treatment were significantly associated with poorer outcome (respectively, r = 0.63, p = less than 0.01, r = 0.67, p = less than 0.01). The potential impact of vaccination against the commonest organisms causing ABM in developing countries is discussed.

Tuberculosis in living related donor renal transplant recipients.

Ten out of 237 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 1975 and October 1986 developed tuberculosis. Most patients presented with vague symptoms, and typical symptoms commonly associated with tuberculosis were not common. Six had positive urine cultures. One patient had positive sputum and urine cultures and one had positive sputum and cerebrospinal fluid cultures for tuberculosis. In this last patient cryptococcus was also cultured from the sputum and CSF. Nine of the 10 patients responded well to antituberculosis therapy and was cured of the infection. The patient with associated cryptococcal infection died 2 months after presentation. Side effects of antituberculous therapy was minimal and easily resolved on stopping the offending drug.