Benue State University Teaching Hospital Research Articles

Development of a PID-Controlled Refrigeration System for Reduced Power Consumption

Refrigerator systems are used for food preservation as well as other applications. However, the cost of running the system is high due to rising fuel and electricity prices. Traditionally, these systems are controlled by On/Off controllers. This study proposes the use of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller algorithm to reduce costs for domestic and industrial refrigeration without negatively affecting the system performance. To accomplish this, a physical model was developed, comprising a domestic refrigerator, microcontroller, and MATLAB computer software for analysis. A mathematical model of second-order lead and second-order lag transfer function was also developed for a typical refrigerator system. The physical model was connected, and open-loop temperature-time response data was collected for system modeling. In addition, Data were collected from industries namely Fan Milk Industry and Benue State University Teaching Hospital Mortuary for a robust system analysis. All data sets were imported into MATLAB's system identification toolbox to estimate model parameters. The ultimate gains, frequency, and period were determined for each feedback closed-loop model, allowing the application of Ziegler-Nichols and Tyreus-Luyben PID tuning settings. The closed-loop models were then simulated in MATLAB to evaluate system performance. Simulation results showed that the Tyreus-Luyben model performed better, and offered better temperature response, less undershoot, and faster settling time than the Zeigler-Nichols method. Both PID models outperformed the traditional On/Off controller, with energy consumption reduced to less than one-third of the conventional method. The study concludes that PID controllers are a better alternative to On/Off systems when properly tuned.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Association between the Prostate Volume and Anthropometric Measurements in a Subset of Adult Nigerian Men with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Background: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a major cause of men`s morbidity, is positively related to obesity, which is assessed using anthropometric measurements. Despite the scarcity of local literature on this relationship, varying associations between prostate volume (PV), age, and anthropometric parameters have been reported. Objectives: To ascertain the average BPH volume, the predominant age at risk for BPH, and any correlations between PV and anthropometric measurements in our community. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted on 125 men aged 40–80years, with normal prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) levels, at the Radiology department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, from May 2023 to May, 2024. PV was calculated by transabdominal ultrasonography. Anthropometric measurements were made using set procedures, from which the body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) were computed. The data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel with P value < 0.05. Results: The mean age and PV of participants was 61.6±9.5years and 74.2±52.5ml, respectively with majority, 41 (32.8%) of men in their seventh decade of life. Age and PV did not statistically significantly correlate (P = 0.159); however, BMI, HC, WC and WHTR did (P = 0.000, 0.002, 0.006, and 0.014). Conclusion: The mean sonographic PV was 74.2±52.5ml, with men in their seventh decade being the most at risk for BPH. PV exhibited a statistically significant correlation with some anthropometric parameters but not with respondents' age. The equations and models generated from this study will benefit future research on prostatic growth and early detection of BPH.

Contrast sensitivity assessment using the Mars letter contrast sensitivity test

Background: Contrast sensitivity (CS) represents an individual’s ability to detect differences in luminance between two areas and is an essential component of vision. Various studies have evaluated the relevance of different charts to assess CS in ophthalmology practice. We evaluated the CS of healthy individuals using the Mars letter CS chart. Methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, we consecutively recruited healthy individuals older than 18 years with unremarkable ocular examinations who attended the general outpatient clinic at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria, between March 2021 and July 2022. Each participant was allocated to one of five groups with 10-year age intervals and 1:1 male-to-female ratios. All participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. We tested visual fields using the 24-2 program on a Humphrey visual field analyzer with appropriate refractive correction. Monocular testing of CS with appropriate spectacle correction was performed using a Mars letter CS chart. The tribe, age, and sex of each individual, along with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, mesopic pupil size, cup-to-disc ratio (C/D ratio), and mean deviation (MD) of the visual field for each eye were recorded. Results: A total of 100 eyes of 50 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 44.6 (12.8) years and a 1:1 male-to-female ratio were enrolled. The mean (SD) CS score for the 100 included eyes was 1.67 (0.09) log units. The mean (SD) CS score was comparable between sex groups and tribes (both P > 0.05) yet differed significantly between age groups (P < 0.001). We found a significant good inverse correlation between CS score and age (r = - 0.60; P = 0.001), a low inverse correlation with BCVA (r = - 0.29; P < 0.003), and a low direct correlation with C/D ratio (r = + 0.23; P = 0.023); however, we observed no significant correlation with tribe (r = + 0.07; P = 0.053), sex (r = + 0.16; P = 0.123), IOP (r = + 0.07; P = 0.481), mesopic pupil size (r = - 0.02; P = 0.861), and mean deviation of visual field (r = + 0.02; P = 0.873). Conclusions: We observed a progressive decline in the mean CS score in healthy eyes with each decade of increase in age. Our findings are similar to those of previous studies and could be used as reference values for the healthy population among various age groups. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to encourage clinicians to incorporate CS into routine examinations. Further studies must compare these normative values with those of disease conditions to further understand the clinical application of the CS test.

Evaluation of the Factors Influencing Needle stick Injury And Bloodborne Pathogens among Healthcare Workers in Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

It is well recognized that the danger of needle stick injuries and the blood-borne diseases they can cause is higher for healthcare professionals. In order to do this, a survey on the variables influencing blood-borne infections and needle stick injuries among medical personnel at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, was carried out. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used as the methodology, and questionnaires were given to medical professionals at BSUTH in Makurdi, Benue State, including doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists. Using a straightforward random sample method, the participants who fulfilled the inclusion requirements were chosen. Findings: The questionnaires were distributed to participants between the ages of 20 and 35. Of those, 190 (68.8%) were female, and 177 (64.10%) were single. The study’s findings also showed that 39% of the respondents were physicians. In addition, 74% of respondents had worked for less than five years, 13% for six to ten years, and a further 13% for ten years or more. The most reliable source of information for blood-borne infections (89.1%) and needle stick injuries (78.4%) was the Teaching Hospital. Of the 109 people who had needle stick injuries at that time, 84.4% had done so fewer than five times in the previous six months, and 4.6% had done so more than ten times. For the last six months, Tin. According to the results, 16.5% of the participants in this category suffered an intravenous insertion needle stick injury, 18.3% during an injection, and 60% while recapping a needle. Males were also found to have a greater frequency of needle stick injuries (66.3%) than females, with medical professionals and those with six to ten years of experience having the highest prevalence. However, medical lab scientists had a greater prevalence of blood-borne infections (20.7%). The outcome demonstrated negative opinions regarding blood-borne infections and needle stick injuries.

ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AND PERFORMANCE OF NURSES IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN BENUE STATE

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) on the performance of nurses in the public health sector in Benue State, Nigeria, with a particular focus on nurses in the tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State. The specific objectives of this study were to examine, evaluate, ascertain, determine, and establish the effect of altruism, civic virtue, conscientiousness, courtesy, and sportsmanship on the task and contextual performance of nurses in tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State, Nigeria. Methodology: This study adopts and uses a descriptive research design using a survey method. The study population comprised 587 nurses from Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi (BSUTH) and Federal Medical Centre Makurdi (FMC). The study used Taro Yamene’s formula to determine a sample size of 238 nurses. 238 questionnaires were issued out to nurses, of which 221 were usable and returned for analysis. Data were statistically analyzed after being collected from the field using Multiple Regression Analysis as the main statistical tool with the aid of SPSS to explain the relationship between variables under study. Findings: The findings from this study indicated that there was actually an established effect of all the dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior on the task and contextual performance of nurses working in tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State, Nigeria. Originality/Value: The study revealed that all the OCB constructs examined significantly positively affect the task and contextual performance of nurses working in tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State, Nigeria. Part of the recommendations made is that the management of tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State should do everything possible to create a working environment that will motivate nurses to engage in citizenship behaviors since it has been scholarly proven that citizenship behaviors positively affect task and contextual performance of nurses working in tertiary healthcare facilities.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is a valuable diagnostic indicator of gestational diabetes mellitus.

To assess the performance of the Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) assay as a diagnostic indicator of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in the study population. Analytical cross-sectional study. Hospital-based, Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Nigeria. Women with singleton pregnancies at 24 to 28 weeks gestational age attending Antenatal care at BSUTH, Makurdi. Serum SHBG levels were assayed by ELISA during a diagnostic 75-gram Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) for assessment of GDM in the cohort of consecutively selected participants who met the inclusion criteria. Serum levels of SHBG and presence of GDM in the participants. Serum SHBG was significantly negatively correlated (rpb = - 0.534, p-value < 0.001) with the presence of GDM. It had an area under the ROC curve of 0.897 (95% Confidence Interval = 0.858-0.935; p-value < 0.001). A cut-off value of 452.0 nmol/L indicative of GDM had a diagnostic odds ratio of 21.4 in the study population. SHBG is a valuable diagnostic indicator for GDM in the study population. None declared.

Malaria Diagnosis at the Pediatric Emergency Unit of a Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria.

Globally, there were 241 million cases of malaria in 2020, with an estimated 627,000 deaths with Nigeria accounting for 27% of the global malaria cases. In sub-Saharan Africa, testing is low with only 28% of children with a fever receiving medical advice or a rapid diagnostic test in 2021. In Nigeria, there are documented reports of over-diagnosis and over-treatment of malaria in children. Therefore, this study examined the diagnosis of malaria at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. A 5-year (2018-2022) retrospective study was carried out at the Emergency Pediatric Unit (EPU). Records of all children presenting to the EPU with an assessment of malaria were retrieved and reviewed. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23. Out of 206 children reviewed, 128 (62.1%) were tested using either malaria RDT or microscopy while 78(37.9%) were not tested. Out of the number tested, 59(46.1%) were negative while 69(53.9%) tested positive, of which 14(20.3%) had uncomplicated malaria while 55(79.7%) had severe malaria. However, while 97.1% (n=67) of the positive cases were treated with IV artesunate, 69.5% (n=41) of those who tested negative and 88.5% (69) of those who were not tested also received IV artesunate. Moreover, while 85.5% (n=59) of those who tested positive received oral artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), 72.9% (n=43) of those who tested negative and 67.9% (53) of those who were not tested also received oral ACT. There was over-diagnosis of malaria, and subsequently, over-treatment. Hence continued emphasis on parasitological confirmation of malaria before treatment is recommended.

Distribution of Helicobacter pylori signal regions of vacA from infected patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi in relation to sex and age

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium which causes chronic bacterial infections such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancers and gastric malt lymphoma. The severity of these diseases may be related to sex and age. The vacuolating cytotoxin A gene is a key virulence factor and exhibits genetic diversity most especially in its signal regions. The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of Helicobacter pylori signal regions of vavA from infected patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi in Relation to Sex and Age. Methods: A total of 80 patients referred for endoscopy were enrolled, and gastric biopsies taken from the antrum of the patients and tested by PCR then genotyped using standard techniques to identify the signal regions of the vacA gene. Demographic information, including age and sex, was recorded for each participant. Results: The frequency of H. pylori alleles of signal regions of vacA detected in biopsies showed that s1 had the highest frequency of 24 (100%) followed by s1c 22 (92%) while the least were s2 s1+s2. s1a was not detected. Presence of subspecie genotypes was not significantly associated with sex (Chi-square=6.511; p=0.089). However, the occurrence of the different subspecie was found to be significantly associated with age (Chi-square=21.343; p=0.011). Conclusion: The findings of this study show a relationship between H. pylori vacA sigma regions and demographic characteristics. The variations may be due to genetic variations, environmental factors, or a combination of both. H. pylori infection in the study was found not to be associated with gender but was significantly associated with age. Understanding this is crucial for discovering the complexity of H. pylori infections and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.

Relationship, association and distribution of Helicobacter pylori infection in endoscopy patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria to the symptoms of nausea and vomiting

The distribution of H. pylori obtained from patients referred for endoscopy at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria in relation to nausea and vomiting was examined in this study. To isolate H. pylori, gastric biopsy samples were obtained from the antrum of 80 consenting patients, and questionnaires were administered to them. The biopsies were placed in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth and were used for isolation. Genomic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (gDNA) was extracted from the biopsies using ReliaPrep spin column method and used for singleplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Out of the 80 patients, 24 (30%) had H. pylori infection as detected by 16S rRNA PCR. There was no significant association between infection and nausea/vomiting (OR = 5.622, 95% CI: 0.683-46.274; p = 0.076), or infection and hematemesis, common symptoms reported by patients (OR = 0.911, 95% CI: 0.304 - 2.729; p = 0.870). The research sheds light on the infection, prevalence and distribution of H. pylori in endoscopy referral patients at BSUTH, with respect to nausea and vomiting, and provides valuable information for both clinicians and researchers.

Distribution of vacA and cagA status of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopy referral patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Distribution of vacA and cagA status of Helicobacter pylori from endoscopy referral patients of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Effect of Occupational Stress on Work Behavior as Perceived by Nurses at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi.

Every work environment, especially in hospital settings must be conducive, friendly, and stress-free in order to promote quality care and the well-being of healthcare workers, whose job demands are increasing by the day. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effect of occupational stress on work behavior among nurses at Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi. From the facility's population of nurses, a quantitative survey randomly chose 150 respondents nurses, for the purpose of gathering information and testing the hypothesis, a well- developed and validated questionnaire was employed to gather data. Using SPSS, the data were descriptively analyzed, and an inferential analysis with a significance level of 5% was performed using Pearson's Chi-square test (0.05). The majority of participants (56.6%) were men with a higher level of education. This study also shows the effect of occupational stress on work behavior as poor work performance 142 (94.7%), counterproductive work behavior 139 (92.7%), increases the incidence of absenteeism 112 (74.7%), high occurrence of medication error 120 (80%), Negative effect on teamwork 98 (65.3%), increases the incidence of Substance use disorders 95 (63.3), and aggressive attitude toward patients during nursing care 137 (91.3). Furthermore, there is a significant association between occupational stress and job satisfaction (x2 = 25.49, df = 8, and p < 0.001), patient safety (x2 = 51.07, df = 8, and P = 0.002), and nurses' attitudes toward their patients (x2 = 86.67, df = 12, and P = 0.012). We discovered that workplace stress can affect how happy nurses are with their jobs and how they behave while providing nursing care. We recommend that hospital administrators implement a plan to create a stress-free working environment for nurses.

The Incidence and Fetal Outcome of Threatened Miscarriage at a Tertiary Health Centre in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Threatened miscarriage or pregnancy-related vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy without cervical dilatation, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and its incidence varies from one centre to another. Objective: The main objective was to determine the incidence and fetal outcome of threatened miscarriage at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 90 consecutive, eligible pregnant women presenting with threatened miscarriage at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit of Benue State University Teaching Hospital over a two-year period. After discharge, they were followed up at the antennal clinic to determine the fetal outcome of their pregnancies. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 Results: There were 504 gynaecological admissions with 90 threatened miscarriages giving an incidence of 17.9%. The mean age of the subjects was 28.8 (±5.93) years. The mean gestational age at presentation was 10.93 (±3.68) weeks. Seventy-five-point six (75.6%) percent of the cases presented in the first trimester. Fever, due to malaria and UTI, was the major risk factor for threatened miscarriage, occurring in 28.9% of the subjects. Fifty (55.6%) of the subjects progressed to the age of viability whereas 44.4% subjects miscarried prior to the age of viability. Forty-eight (96.0%) delivered at term whereas 2(4%) had preterm delivery at 34 and 35 weeks respectively. The main route of delivery was SVD (84%). The mean birth weight was 3.02 (±0.32) kg. There was no neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Conclusion: The incidence of threatened miscarriage (17.9%) in this study was high. Seventy-five point six (75.6%) of the cases occurred in the first trimester. Fifty-five point six (55.6%) progressed to the age of viability and the fetal outcome was favourable. Close follow up is imperative in maximizing a favourable outcome for cases of threatened miscarriage.

Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Employee Caring Behaviour: a Study of Professional Nurses in Tertiary Health Care Institutions in Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of emotional intelligence on caring behaviour of professional nurses in tertiary health care institutions in Benue State, Nigeria. Specifically the study sought to examine the effects of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management on caring behaviour of professional nurses in tertiary health care institutions in Benue State. Anchored on Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the study adopted the survey design. Population of the study consisted of 586 professional nurses working in the two tertiary healthcare facilities in Benue State (312 from the Federal Medical Centre and 274 from the Benue State University Teaching Hospital). A sample size of 245 was arrived at with the aid of Taro Yamene’s sampling formula. Primary data were gathered through questionnaire. The data were coded and analysed with the aid of SPSS. Hypotheses of the study were tested using regression analysis at 5% level of significance. Findings revealed that self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management all have significant effect on caring behaviour of professional nurses in tertiary health care institutions in Benue State, Nigeria. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and caring behaviour of professional nurses in tertiary health care institution in Benue State. The study recommends that in order to ensure quality care to patients, management of tertiary healthcare organisations in Benue State should recognize and develop EI abilities in nurses who constantly struggle to show care since EI can be taught and learnt.

Sonographic assessment of Prostate and Post void Residual Urine Volumes in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy in Makurdi, North-central Nigeria

Background: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a major global public health problem and the most common benign prostatic disease in elderly men. Although rarely life-threatening, the increased morbidity significantly lowers men's quality of life, necessitating significant financial commitment to their annual health budgetary expenditure. We aim at determining the sonographic volumes of the prostate and post void residual urine in adult Nigerian men with BPH in Makurdi and to document any relevant relationship between the two values. Materials and methods: This was a 10-month prospective cross-sectional study conducted from June 2021 to April 2022. Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) was used to measure the prostate and post-void residual urine volumes of 78 men aged 40years and older, with normal levels of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), who were referred to the ultrasound unit of radiology department of Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft excel with P&lt;0.05. Results: Postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) was observed to increase alongside the prostate volume (PV) from the 5th to the 6th decade of life; however, PVR began fluctuating from the 7th to the 8th decade, even though PV continued to increase steadily to its peak value at the 70-79 years of age, or the 8th decade. Overall, the mean prostate and post void residual urine volumes were 64.07±37.00ml and 76.44±110.34ml, respectively. A statistically significant (P=0.017) relationship existed between age and prostate volume but not between PV and PVR (P=0.128), where there was instead a weak, positive correlation. Although the bladder wall thickness (BWT) was greater than 5mm in more than half of the respondents 43(55.10%), there was no statistically significant (P=0.130) relationship between age and BWT. Conclusion: We established 64.07±37.00ml and 76.44±110.34ml respectively, as the overall mean sonographic volumes of the prostate and post void residual urine in adult Nigerian men with BPH in Makurdi. Despite the weak correlation between the two volumes, they can be used as a baseline for monitoring the progression of prostatic hyperplasia, bladder outlet obstruction and deciding on the best treatment option.

Pattern of Head Computed Tomography Requests, Common Indications and Findings at a Tertiary Health Center in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Since its introduction in the early 1970s, Computed tomography (CT) has evolved over time into a useful diagnostic imaging tool with expanding applications, especially in the evaluation of head pathologies Aim: This study aimed at assessing the pattern of head-CT requests, common indications, and findings at a tertiary health center in north-central Nigeria. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 350 case-files, retrieved from the radiology department's head-CT archives at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) between January and December 2022. Using SPSS version 23 and Microsoft Excel 2007, data was entered into a spreadsheet and analysed. The statistical significance level was set at P&lt; 0.05. Tables, figures, and percentages were used to display the data distribution. Results: Men outnumbered women 2:1 in the 350 head-CT requests that were evaluated. 150 (42.9%) of those scanned were in their second to fourth decade of life, when people are more active and energetic, thus more prone to accidents. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), 77(22.0%) was the commonest clinical indication. The findings were entirely normal in 119(34.0%) head-CTs. The abnormalities that physicians suspected before requesting a head-CT were positive in 231 (66.0%) of the patients. The level of confirmation of abnormality was statistically significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: Men had more head-CTs than women. Most of the patients had the abnormalities that the physicians suspected before requesting a head-CT. TBI was the commonest clinical indication, while majority of head-CTs revealed normal findings. This establishes the pattern of head-CT requests, common indications, and findings for future planning and research.

Clinically significant bacteria on doctors stethoscope in Makurdi, Nigeria and their antibacterial susceptibilities

Background: The stethoscope is highly susceptible to contamination, specifically by the diaphragm that comes into contact with the patient’s body. This study aims at determining the presence of, and the most prevalent bacteria on medical interns and doctors’ stethoscopes at the federal medical centre (FMC) and Benue State university teaching hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, assess antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates, and compare the levels of stethoscope contamination between the hospitals. Methods: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study undertaken between December 2020 and May 2021. A total of 99 samples were taken using sterile swab sticks from the diaphragms of the sampled stethoscopes. Standard microbiological and biochemical tests were performed to identify the bacterial diversity. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the numbers of bacteria-contaminated stethoscopes used by doctors and interns in the two hospitals. A p&lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Escherichia coli, and coagulase negative Staphylococci, were found in all of the stethoscopes tested. S. aureus was found to be the most prevalent pathogen in both hospitals (43.43%), followed by CoNS (29.29%), Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli (both 16.16% and 11.11%) respectively. All of isolates were susceptible to the antibiotics tested. There was a significant difference in the numbers of stethoscopes contaminated from FMC (58.75, 19.31) and BSUTH (72.5, 18.52); t (3)=28.72, p=(9.27E-05), with BSUTH showing highest contamination. Conclusions: To reduce number of pathogens and risk of transmission, it is recommended that stethoscopes be sanitized after each patient consultation. Disposable stethoscope heads should also be considered to prevent cross-contamination.

Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Seasonal Blood Pressure Variations in Persons with Hypertension Seen in the Medical Out-Patients Department of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria

Seasonal Blood Pressure Variations in Persons with Hypertension Seen in the Medical Out-Patients Department of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria

Seasonal Blood Pressure Variations in Persons with Hypertension Seen in the Medical Out-Patients Department of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria

Seasonal Blood Pressure Variations in Persons with Hypertension Seen in the Medical Out-Patients Department of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria

Prevalence and risk factors for anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, North-central Nigeria.

In developing countries such as Nigeria, anaemia in pregnancy is thought to be one of the most common complications of pregnancy accounting for a significant level of maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy among women attending the booking Antenatal Clinic (ANC) in Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), North-Central, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2019 to January, 2020 on 299 women. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic, clinical, and nutritional information from pregnant women attending the clinic who consented to participate in the study. Haematocrit levels were stratified according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) classification as follows: <7mg/dL - severe, 7-8.99mg/dL - moderate, 9-10.99mg/dL - mild anaemia and ≧ 11mg/dL - non-anaemic. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi-square test was conducted to determine relationships. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for anaemia among pregnant women. P-value <0.05 and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to assess the association. The mean age of respondents was 29.9, ranging from 18 - 40 years. One hundred and twenty-three (41.1%) women were anaemic (haemoglobin [Hb] < 11.0 g/dL). The majority (95.1%) of these anaemic patients were mildly anaemic, whereas 4.9% were moderately anaemic. There was no case of severe anaemia (Hb < 7.0 g/dL). The prevalence of anaemia was significantly higher in those within the age group of 20-24 years and those with lower levels of education (P < 0.05). The patient's gestational age, number of miscarriages and birth interval had no significant relationship with the haemoglobin concentration among the pregnant women in this study (P > 0.05). However, parity, clinical features such as fever, and practices like use of haematinics and non-consumption of meat, poultry and fish were significantly related to anaemia (P < 0.05). The pregnant women who did not take haematinics were 5.8 times likely to develop anaemia (OR=5.8, 95%CI [2.3, 14.5]) while pregnant women who did not eat meat, poultry or fish were 9 times more likely to become anaemic than pregnant women who ate (OR=9.0, 95%CI [1.0, 79.5]). The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is high among women attending booking antenatal clinic at BSUTH, North-Central, Nigeria, and requires specific intervention that address the identified risk factors.