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Objectives: This study assessed the risk perception of COVID-19 and the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with chronic illnesses in a tertiary health facility. Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study. Setting: The outpatient clinics in a tertiary health facility in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria Participants: Patients with chronic diseases attending outpatient clinics in UITH, Ilorin from November-December 2022, excluding patients under 18 years of age, using simple random sampling by balloting for outpatient clinics, proportional allocation for participants from each clinic, and systematic sampling method for eligible respondents. Main outcome measure: Risk perception of COVID-19 and vaccine uptake among patients with chronic illnesses in Nigeria Results: Respondents believed that older people were most at risk of COVID-19. Over two-thirds, 278 (69.5%) of the respondents had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Fear of the unknown (36.0%) and fear of side effects 30 (24.6%) were the most common reasons for not taking the vaccine. Those married were more likely to have received at least one dose of the vaccine (p=0.007). Conclusion: COVID-19 risk perception and COVID-19 vaccine uptake were relatively above average. Fear of the unknown and side effects were significant reasons for not taking the vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution is a major problem with increasing human population and correspondingly increasing industrial activities. Chemical industrial dyes can cause allergies, cancers, etc., in humans and adversely affect aquatic life when dye rich effluents are released into water bodies. Though natural and safe dyes are being explored yet the bulk of industrial dyes is chemical based. The current study explores cheap lignocellulosics for dye decolorization and use of resulting dye-adsorbed biomaterials as substrate in microbial fermentation (SSF). Further, we evaluated a reuse of such dye-laden lignocelluloses for 2nd dye adsorption-microbial fermentation cycle to potentially enhance economic viability of the process. Rice husk and Wheat bran showed above 90% dye adsorption while the others gave 85-90% dye removal. All the dye adsorbed substrates were successfully fermented by Phanerochaete chryosporium to produce significant laccase activity. A 2nd cycle of dye adsorption yielded improved dye decolorization for some substrates while some loss (not more than ∼23%), was reported for other substrates. The findings are very encouraging as the comparative evaluation of various lignocellulosics as adsorbents and fermentation substrates provide promising alternative to dye pollution mitigation. The reuse of such agri-residues highlights eco-friendliness & economic efficiency of the process for removing dyes from wastewater.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HBV/HIV) co-infection is a global health concern due to its significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Reports of HBV/HIV co-infections are increasing in Nigeria, but information on the disease burden in pregnant women and its implications on the fetus is scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection in pregnant women. In addition, the study identified the risk factors for the disease in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Osun State, Nigeria. Methodology: We collected plasma samples from 303 consenting pregnant women and used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to test for HBV (HBsAg) and HIV I/II antigens. We obtained demographic and risk factor data on HBV and HIV transmission using a structured questionnaire. Results: Our analysis revealed a prevalence of 3.96% for HBV/HIV co-infection in pregnant women. Bivariate analysis indicated a history of blood transfusion, oral or anal sex, and multiple sexual partners may be associated with an increased likelihood of HBV/HIV co-infection in pregnant women. After adjusting for other variables in multivariate analysis, none of these risk factors were significant at the 5% level. In contrast, formal education was a potential preventive factor in this population. Conclusions: Our study provides valuable information on the disease burden of HBV/HIV co-infection in pregnant women in Osun State, Nigeria, highlighting the importance of routine screening for HBV and HIV during antenatal care and emphasizing the importance of implementing preventive measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with HBV/HIV co-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaerosols, a significant yet underexplored component of atmospheric particulate matter, pose substantial public health risks, particularly in regions with poor air quality. This study investigates the composition of bioaerosols in public spaces, specifically two interstate motor parks and two marketplaces in Osun State, Nigeria, over six months. Air samples were collected, and bacterial and fungal species were identified, focusing on pathogenic organisms. The results revealed the presence of well-known pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus sp ., and Fusarium sp ., which are associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as antimicrobial resistance. Site-specific differences in microbial diversity were observed, with higher bacterial diversity in motor parks and greater fungal occurrence in marketplaces influenced by environmental factors such as waste management. The findings highlight the urgent need for microbial air quality monitoring in public spaces, alongside improved sanitation practices. This study provides critical insights into the public health risks posed by bioaerosols and calls for local and global interventions to mitigate the impact of airborne pathogens in urban environments., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.)