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Background: Severe neonatal jaundice (NNJ) remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage, mental handicap, physical disabilities, and early death among infants. Methods : Using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, information was gathered using a structured, pretested questionnaire from 518 pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic at a tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria. Results : Most (77%) of the respondents have heard about NNJ prior the survey. Most respondents (69.5%) demonstrated poor knowledge of the causes of NNJ. The majority, 98.4% had good attitude toward treatment of NNJ. Most respondents (72.1%) demonstrated poor knowledge of the correct treatment of NNJ. A quarter of the respondents knew no danger sign of NNJ. Conclusion : There is serious knowledge gap among the respondents about the causes, treatment, dangers signs and complications of NNJ. There is need for increased awareness campaign using every available means of reaching women of reproductive age group to reduce the consequences of this common neonatal problem.

Background: This was a cross-sectional community-based survey to study the prevalence of serum antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-COV-1) and determine possible source of antibodies as to whether from vaccination or from natural infection as well as attempt to compare antibody levels in response to the different four types of vaccines administered in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study of the prevalence of serum antibodies against all four vaccine types used in Nigeria amongst a representative sample of people aged 18 years and above in the six geopolitical zones of the country using a multistage sampling technique covering 12 states of the country with two states being randomly selected from each geopolitical zone. High-throughput Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay system (Elecsys Anti-SARS-COV-1 Cobas) was used for qualitative and quantitative detection of antibodies to SARS-COV-1 in human plasma. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the proportions with seropositivity for both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated (P = 0.95). The nucleocapsid antibody (anti-Nc) titres were similar in both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, whereas the Spike protein antibody (anti-S) titres were significantly higher amongst the vaccinated than amongst the unvaccinated. Antibody levels in subjects who received different vaccines were compared to provide information for policy. Conclusion: While only 45.9% of the subjects were reported to have been vaccinated, 98.7% of the subjects had had contact with the SARS-COV-1 as evidenced by the presence of nucleocapsid (NC) antibodies in their plasma. The 1.3% who had not been exposed to the virus, had spike protein antibodies which most likely resulted from vaccination in the absence of NC antibodies. Successive vaccination and booster doses either through heterogeneous or homologous vaccines increased antibody titres, and this stimulation of immune memory may offer greater protection against coronavirus disease 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a public health practice that is critical for the survival of infants and young children. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude, and future intention to breastfeed among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 1312 female students of the tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. By convenience sampling, female students were invited to participate in the study after giving verbal consent and those studying medical, nursing, and other courses allied to medicine were excluded. Internal consistency of the data obtained from this research instrument was determined using Cronbach's coefficient Alpha with a reliability value of 0.82. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were computed. Results were summarized as frequencies and percentages. The differences in knowledge, attitude, and intention to practice breastfeeding as well as other responses among the participants were compared among age groups, faculties and the sources of information using Chi-square test. Result: Although 93% of the respondents agreed that breast milk is important for the development of the infant's brain thereby demonstrating good knowledge; 51.6% of the respondents demonstrated poor perception to breastfeeding believing breastfeeding makes the breast to sag while only 34% of the respondents indicated their intention to breastfeed their future babies. Conclusion: The intention to breastfeed among our study participants was poor. This study revealed the need to increase awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits among this huge population of future mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the cardiovascular features of patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in steady-state with those in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) at the Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH). Design: A descriptive cross-sectional, matched, case-control study among children with SCA at the WGH, a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Setting: The participants were recruited from the children's emergency unit and paediatric haematology clinic of the WGH. Participants: Consisted of 93 children with VOC (cases) and 93 age and sex-matched in steady state (controls), aged 5 - 15 years. Main outcome measures: Cardiovascular parameters, including pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic profile, were assessed and compared using the appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean (SD) age of the cases and controls were 8.8 (3.2) years and 9.0 (3.1) years, respectively (p= 0.106). There was no significant difference in the mean height of the groups. The mean pulse rate, diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in the cases than in the controls. A significantly higher proportion of the cases than the controls also had a higher frequency of heart blocks, prolonged QTc interval, ST elevation or depression, and T wave abnormality (p = 0.018, 0.039, 0.041, 0.009, respectively). The prevalence of chamber enlargements was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Cardiovascular dysfunction is worse during VOC when compared with steady state. Physicians should look for these dysfunctions in SCA children with VOC to reduce mortality from the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In many low and middle-income countries (LMIC), drug promotional literature (DPL) remains one of the main sources of drug information for physicians. Studies conducted in many LMICs showed poor compliance to the WHO guidelines for ethical drug promotion especially in the area of information about excipients, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions and contra-indications. These inadequacies in the information provided may mislead the prescriber with potential adverse consequences among patients using the medicines. Nigeria has a big pharmaceutical sector which is poorly regulated and we hypothesize that such unethical drug promotional practices may exist. This study therefore set out to assess compliance to the WHO ethical drug promotion (using DPL) at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in several specialist clinics of EKSUTH, Ado-Ekiti. Printed DPLs (brochures and leaflets) were collected from these clinics, collated using a pre-designed data collection form and analyzed using the WHO ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion. Results: Two hundred seventy-five DPLs were screened A total of out of which 234 DPLs were selected after screening to after removal of duplications. Only 5 (2.1%) DPLs met all the WHO criteria. DPLs promoting antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, and vitamins/nutritional supplements were in the majority (22.2%, 17.1%, and 11.5% respectively. Most of the DPLs had the generic (223; 95.3%) and brand (234; 100%) names, active ingredients (209; 89.3%), excipients (149; 63.7%), and indications (232; 99.1%). Information about adverse drug reactions (76; 32.5%), contra-indications (73; 31.2%), and drug interactions (46; 19.7%) was less represented. Only 59 (25.2%) DPLs had references. Fixed-dose combination drugs made up 34.6% of drugs being promoted. Conclusion: The DPLs assessed in this study had low adherence to WHO ethical drug promotion criteria especially those related to adverse drug reaction, drug interactions, and contra-indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Small intestine volvulus occurs more commonly among younger children. It often poses diagnostic challenges when it occurs in older children and adults. For good clinical outcomes, it is essential to have prompt presentation, diagnosis and early intervention. Anasarca is not a common clinical manifestation of small intestine volvulus. Case Presentation: We report this unusual presentation of small intestine volvulus in an 11- year old Nigerian boy who first presented only with anasarca. While being investigated for the cause of the anasarca, he developed features of acute abdomen thought to be spontaneous bacteria peritonitis initially. He had surgery where the diagnosis of small intestine volvulus was made. Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of both anasarca and small intestine volvulus could be fraught with challenges. It is possible that anasarca can be the first manifestation of small intestine volvulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with recurrent acute inflammatory processes. These inflammatory processes could lead to elevation of Factor VIII and Von Willebrand Factor levels, thereby increasing the risk of stroke in SCA children. This study aims to determine vWF/FVIII levels in children with SCA and their association with abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD). Subjects and Methods: This study enrolled 75 children, including 24 SCA cases with normal TCD, 27 SCA cases with abnormal TCD, and 24 Hb AA controls, all aged between 2 and 16 years. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound was performed to measure the cerebral blood velocity. Venous blood drawn from each participant was used to determine the levels of von Willebrand Factor Antigen (vWF: Ag) and Factor VIII (FVIII) and the complete blood count (CBC). Relationships among the measured parameters were determined using SPSS version 25. Statistical significance was set at P <.05. Results: FVIII and vWF levels were significantly higher among children with SCA compared to the Hb AA controls (P <.001). Although SCA patients with abnormal TCD tended to have higher levels of FVIII and vWF, this result did not attain statistical significance (P >.05). There was a moderate negative correlation between the left middle cerebral artery and FVIII, (r = −0.332; P =.017). Children with SCA showing an abnormal TCD velocity had significantly higher platelet count compared to those with normal TCD (P =.018). Conclusion: Children with SCA have elevated levels of FVIII and vWF, and an abnormal TCD velocity is associated with elevated platelet count. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]