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The COVID-19 pandemic challenged health systems globally. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 have been widely used in Nigeria. This has greatly improved test turnover rates and significantly decreased the high technical demands of RT-PCR. However, there is currently no nationally representative evaluation of the performance characteristics and reliability of these kits. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ten RDT kits used for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria. This large multi-centred cross-sectional study was conducted across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria over four months. Ten antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) RDT kits were evaluated, and the results were compared with RT-PCR. One thousand, three hundred and ten (1,310) consenting adults comprising 767 (58.5%) males and 543 (41.5%) females participated in the study. The highest proportion, 757 (57.7%), were in the 20-39 years' age group. In terms of diagnostic performance, Lumira Dx (61.4, 95% CI: 52.4-69.9) had the highest sensitivity while MP SARS and Panbio (98.5, 95% CI: 96.6-99.5) had the highest specificity. For predictive values, Panbio (90.7, 95% CI: 79.7-96.9) and Lumira Dx (81.2, 95% CI: 75.9-85.7) recorded the highest PPV and NPV respectively. Ag-RDTs had better performance characteristics compared with Ab-RDTs; however, the sensitivities of all RDTs in this study were generally low. The relatively high specificity of Ag-RDTs makes them useful for the diagnosis of infection in COVID-19 suspected cases where positive RDT may not require confirmation by molecular testing. There is therefore the need to develop RDTs in-country that will take into consideration the unique environmental factors, interactions with other infectious agents, and strains of the virus circulating locally. This may enhance the precision of rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background: Hypothermia on admission in neonatal units is a well-recognized contributor of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to identify risk factors for hypothermia on admission in a resource-poor setting which will help provide targeted preventive interventions. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from July 1, 2020 to January 31, 2022. A total of 567 neonates were included in the study, data were collected from the unit electronic database. The axillary temperature of each neonate was measured using a digital thermometer at the point of admission. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to assess associated risk factors. Results: The prevalence of admission hypothermia (AH) in the study population was 42.4% with mild and moderate hypothermia accounting for 46.3% and 53.7%, respectively. Maternal ages 20–29 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–0.93) and 30–39 years (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.88) and primary education (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.92) were associated with reduced risk of AH. Age <24 h (aOR 3.61, 95% CI 1.70–7.66), gestational age 28–32 weeks (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.41–10.79) and 33–36 weeks (aOR 2.835, 95% CI 1.52–5.28), admission weight <2.5 kg (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.18–3.43), and cold season (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.06–3.14) were associated with increased risk of AH. Mortality in those with AH was 3 folds (crude odds ratio 3.38, 95% CI 1.6–6.82). Conclusion: Hypothermia on admission is common in neonates in resource-poor settings. Training of newborn care-providers in maintaining thermoneutral environment and temperature at delivery and postnatal periods will be a cost-effective intervention in reducing neonatal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locally fabricated phototherapy devices (LFPDs) are widely used in Nigeria for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Ours was a cross-sectional observational study of all LFPDs in major hospitals in Jos between January and March 2015. We evaluated a total of 24 LFPDs. The irradiance at the level of the baby was in the range of 2-23.9 µW/cm2/nm. Fourteen devices had the recommended irradiance of ≥10 µW/cm2/nm and none had irradiance in the intensive range. Decreasing distance from the baby, presence of reflectors and increasing number of flourecent tubes significantly contributed to higher irradiance. A combination of six tubes, presence of reflectors and a distance of 10 cm from the baby produced a mean irradiance of 23.40 µW/cm2/nm. The irradiance of LFPDs varies widely and can be improved by simple modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interrupting anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for any number of reasons is an indication of a compromised adherence to ART. Several factors, including the pill burden from other drugs used in treating co-infections in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), may influence ART adherence. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with ART interruption in HIV-1-infected children. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study analysing data on 580 children consecutively enrolled on ART between February 2006 and December 2010 at the paediatric HIV clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos. Subjects were children aged 2 months -- 15 years diagnosed with HIV-1 infection and on first-line ART. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis was usually commenced at diagnosis while awaiting ART commencement. Children diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) were also placed on multiple individual anti-TB drugs. Statistical analysis used: A comparison of the data on children with and without ART interruption was made. Variables associated with ART interruption in a univariate analysis were fit in a multivariate logistic model to determine the factors that were associated with ART interruption. Results: Children on anti-TB drugs were twice more likely to interrupt ART compared to those who were not, (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.84 (1.03-3.28); P = 0.04). But children on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis had a 57% reduction in the odds of interrupting ART compared to those who were not, (AOR = 0.43 (0.20- 0.93); P = 0.03). Conclusion: Children on ART and also taking multiple individual anti-TB drugs should be monitored closely for ART adherence. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be encouraged in children diagnosed with HIV while awaiting ART commencement as this may prime them for a better ART adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss is the third leading cause of years lived with disability. Approximately 1.4 billion people have hearing loss, of which 80% reside in low- and middle-income countries with limited audiology and otolaryngology care available to them. The objective of this study was to estimate period prevalence of hearing loss and audiogram patterns of patients attending an otolaryngology clinic in North Central Nigeria. A 10-year retrospective cohort study was carried out analyzing 1507 patient records of pure tone audiograms of patients at the otolaryngology clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria. Prevalence of hearing loss of moderate or higher grade increased significantly and steadily after age 60. Compared to other studies, there was a higher prevalence of overall sensorineural hearing loss (24-28% in our study compared to 1.7-8.4% globally) and higher proportions of the flat audiogram configuration among the younger age patients (40% in younger patients compared to 20% in patients older than 60 years). The higher prevalence of the flat audiogram configuration compared to other parts of the world may be suggestive of an etiology specific to this region, such as the endemic Lassa Fever and Lassa virus infection in addition to cytomegalovirus or other viral infections associated with hearing loss., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Ma’an et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)