Infection In Nigeria Research Articles

Prophylactic and Curative Potency of Alchornea laxiflora Extract on Plasmodium berghei Infected Swiss Albino Mice

Background: Malaria is one of the most important infectious diseases in Nigeria and in Africa at large as everyone is at risk of the infection.
 Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of Alchornea laxiflora leaf extracts against Plasmodium berghei infected mice.
 Materials and Methods: In vivo antimalarial assay on chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei-infected mice was carried out by oral administration of graded doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) of methanolic and chloroform extracts using chloroquine and distilled water as positive and negative control respectively. Prophylactic potential in residual infection and curative assay against established infection were tested in P. berghei-infected mice. The assay was performed using 4-day suppressive standard test.
 Results: The prophylactic efficacy of methanolic and chloroform leaf extacts showed percentage chemosuppression of 72.37% and 66.32% respectively at oral dose of 600 mg/kg. The methanol leaf extract of A. laxiflora displayed the highest curative activity of percentage chemosuppression of 98.36% at oral dose of 600 mg/kg. The extracts displayed dose-dependent significant (p ≤ 0.05) antiplasmodial activity as compared to the control. Haematological analysis revealed an increase in packed cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin and white blood cell counts on dose-dependent manner in the treated mice compared to the negative control mice.
 Conclusion: The high suppressive values obtained in this study show that the tested leaf extracts of Alchornea laxiflora might be a good alternative drug for the treatment of malaria infection in Nigeria.

Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Nigeria.

Background:The World Health Organisation recently launched a campaign to reduce Hepatitis B Viral Infections by 80% globally. Achieving this goal is partly predicated on proper awareness of persons in regions of high transmission.Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection knowledge status of persons across three states in Nigeria.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study among 758 persons selected by convenience sampling was conducted from March to July 2016. Structured questionnaires were administered to consenting participants and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS V20.Findings:Respondents showed average knowledge with a mean knowledge score of 4.85 ± 2.69 out of a max score of 9.00. Respondents belonging to the working class had significantly better knowledge (5.59 ± 2.34 p < 0.001) than respondents in other categories. High-risk behaviour such as having multiple partners was predominant among respondents belonging to a public institution. A total of 242 (31.96%) of study respondents were aware of the existence of a vaccine for HBV, whereas only 161 (21.2%) had received at least one dose of vaccination against HBV. Previous knowledge of HBV infection, previous HBV testing, and knowing someone who had HBV infection were predictors of HBV infection knowledge as well as vaccination.Conclusion:This study has shown the urgent need for intervention targeted at raising awareness about HBV infection and the existence of a vaccine.

Emergence and Associated Risk Factors of Vector Borne West Nile Virus In¬fection in Ilorin, Nigeria

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen that is the causative agent of West Nile fever and encephalitis. Diagnostic tools for WNV infection in Nigeria are not well established hence the current prevalence rate of WNV infection in Nigeria is unknown. We aimed to establish the serological prevalence of WNV infection in febrile patients in Ilorin, Nigeria in 2016, and to assess the risk factors associated with the acquisition of the virus. This was a cross-sectional study involving the screening of subjects presenting with febrile illnesses. While specific IgM ELISA was used to determine the seroprevalence, a closed-ended questionnaire was used to ascertain the risk factors associated with this viral infection. Fifteen (7.5%) of the respondents were positive for WNV infection. Subjects living in areas in close proximity to trees and bushes (P= 0.011) and stagnant water (P= 0.001) were at a higher risk of having WNV infection. Other risk factors associated with WNV among the respondents include the none use of insecticide (P= 0.001), sitting out at night (P= 0.044), HIV positivity (P= 0.003) and having an organ transplant (P= 0.002). This study clearly shows a considerable WNV infection in Ilorin, with the presence of factors that can promulgate an outbreak, hence a need for further surveillance in the study area.

Helicobacter pylori Prevalence by Urea Breath Test in a Southwestern Nigerian Population

Background: There is no ambiguity about the fact that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is strongly associated with several upper gastrointestinal conditions including gastric cancer which manifest clinically as dyspepsia. Nigeria is believed to have one of highest prevalence of H. pylori globally but the prevalence obtained from different Nigerian studies varies widely (35.7% to 94.5%) depending on the diagnostic method utilized. We observed that few studies have utilized the urea breath test, considered to be the gold standard noninvasive test, to determine the prevalence rate of the infection among Nigerians. Considering the role H. pylori infection plays in the etiopathogenesis of dyspepsia and the reliability of the urea breath test, it is desirable that more prevalence studies are conducted with the test in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Gastroenterology Unit of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, (BUTH), Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria. The study population consisted of male and female dyspeptic aged 18 and above referred to the unit for urea breath test from February 2015 to December 2018. Patients’ demographic information and H. pylori status were extracted from the test logbook and analyzed with IBM-SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Results: A total of 203 patients who had pre-eradication test within the period considered were included. The mean age was 44.6 (±16.4) while the age range was 18- 83 years. Eighty-two (40.4%) were males while 121 (59.6%) were females. A total of 106 (52.2%) tested positive for H. pylori among all the subjects. There was no significant age-related difference in the prevalence (P= 0.333). The female gender was observed to have a higher prevalence (56.2%) than the male gender (46.3%) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.198). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in Nigeria is high but the prevalence rate varies widely from one study to another depending on the diagnostic method used. A nationwide population-based study utilizing a user-friendly and reliable diagnostic method like the urea breath test is highly desirable.

A review of the monkeypox virus and a recent outbreak of skin rash disease in Nigeria.

Since the eradication of smallpox approximately 39 years ago, monkeypox virus remains the most pathogenic poxvirus, being mainly restricted to Central and West Africa. Before 1970, there were no reports of human monkeypox in Nigeria, while between 1971 and 1978 there were three cases, with none having been reported thereafter. However, in September 2017, a case of contagious skin rash disease, typical of monkeypox, was observed in an 11-year-old boy from the southern part of the country and confirmed to be associated with the monkeypox virus. This large outbreak consisted of 262 suspected, 115 confirmed cases, and 7 mortalities across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an updated, comprehensive, and timely review of monkeypox, an important emerging infection in Nigeria. Monkeypox is now a major threat to global health security, requiring an urgent multidisciplinary approach involving veterinarians, physicians, virologists, and public health experts to fast-track the development of diagnostic assays, vaccines, antivirals, and other control strategies.

Healthcare associated infections caused by plasmid-encoded blaKPC and blaNDM strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction: Carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) has recently emerged as major cause of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). These strains are now classified by the US Center for Disease Control as superbugs of urgent concern. This study investigated the occurrence of CPKP in HAIs among hospitalized patients in University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Methods: Non-duplicate specimens obtained from 250 patients with clinical HAIs were cultured by standard microbiological methods over a period of 6 months. K. pneumoniae was identified using GNB 24E Microbact kit and invitro susceptibility to selected antibiotics was performed by the disk diffusion test. Carbapenemase production was tested by Modified Hodge technique. K pneumoniae carbapenemase (blaKPC) and New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (blaNDM) genes were detected by conventional PCR assay. Data were analyzed for the 50 (20%) patients who were culture positive for K pneumoniae infections. Results: Isolates were resistant to ampicillin (100%), cefuroxime (96%), amoxicillin (92%), gentamicin (86%), nitrofurantoin (80%), ciprofloxacin (80%), ceftazidime (78%) and ofloxacin (72%) but 76% were sensitive to meropenem. No carbapenemase enzyme was detected but 8 of 12 iso-lates resistant to meropenem carried blaKPC while 2 carried both blaKPC and blaNDM genes. The study shows that blaKPC and blaNDM K pneumoniae are involved in clinical infections in Ibadan. Conclusion: This study reports the second case of K pneumoniae NDM clinical infection in Nigeria. There is need to strengthen the infection control programme of Nigerian hospitals to prevent nationwide spread of these organisms.

A primal incrimination of&lt;i&gt; Cedecea davisae&lt;/i&gt; with post-prostatectomy urinary tract infection in Nigeria

Cedecea species are recent members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and are rarely incriminated in human infections. A patient with protracted urinary tract infection, post-prostatectomy, was referred to Lahor Research Laboratories, Benin City, Nigeria for routine culture and susceptibility testing. Three consecutive mid-stream urine samples from him yielded pure, heavy, growths of an apparently same Gram negative, non-spore forming, non-capsulated, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, which was lipase, citrate, methyl red, KCN, ONPG, arginine and ornithine decarboxylase positive. It was oxidase, urease, H 2 S, indole, gelatinase, deoxyribonuclease and phenylalanine deaminase negative. It fermented glucose, xylose, sucrose, salicin, maltose mannitol, and lactose but was negative arabinose, inositol, dulcitol, raffinose, rhamnose and melibiose. It exhibited multiple antibiotic resistances to augmentin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and cefuroxime but was very sensitive to imipenem and moderately susceptible to nitrofurantoin. The isolate was identified phylogenetically as Cedecea davisae . It possessed plasmid at 48.5 kb and harboured SHV, TEM, and gyrA antibiotic-resistance genes, which were either plasmid-mediated, chromosomal-mediated or both. To the best of knowledge, this is the first report on the incrimination of this organism with human infection in Nigeria. It was concluded that the paucity of reports on Cedecea species as aetiologic agents of human infections could be as a result of the difficulty in recognizing and characterizing this recently described pathogen, particularly in low resource laboratories, coupled with the fact that Laboratorians and Physicians are yet to be fully aware of the emerging clinical significance of this “relatively new” organism. Keywords : Cedecea davisae , Difficult-To-Treat, UTI, Nigeria.

Re-emergence of monkeypox in Nigeria: a cause for concern and public enlightenment

Monkey pox infection is a zoonotic infection transmitted by direct or indirect contact with blood, body fluids and lesions of an infected animal. Human to human spread of Monkey pox has been described and infection is usually self-limiting, with an incubation period of 6-16 days. In Nigeria, the last case of monkey pox infection was recorded over 46 years ago. The recent emergence in Nigeria occurred in the year 2017 and was reported to have spread to 24 states with 228 suspected individuals affected. Laboratory diagnosis, as well as management and prevention of monkey pox infection in Nigeria, remain challenging as Nigeria is a resource-poor country with limited infrastructure, technical skill and training which is required in making a diagnosis. The ability of the monkey pox virus to evolve, its potential bioterrorism potential, as well as its recent emergence in Nigeria further justifies the need for improving the understanding of the presentation and prevention of monkey pox infection. Keywords: monkey pox, emerging virus, Nigeria, rash, zoonosis, orthopox

Oral Human Papilloma Virus Infection among Dental Clinics

Background: Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are small non-enveloped viruses belonging to the Papovaviridae family. HPV types found in the mouth and throat are known as oral HPV. Some types of oral HPV have been implicated in oropharyngeal cancers where they play a major role. HPV infection of the mouth and of the oropharynx like HPV infection of the uterine cervix is associated with high- risk sexual behaviour, in particular oro-genital sex. High-risk HPV genotypes especially HPV-16 is present in many oral and oropharyngeal SCC. This study provides information on prevalence and associated genotypes of oral HPV infection in Nigeria. Methods & Materials: Patients attending dental clinics in Ibadan who consented were recruited for the study. Oral swabs and demographical information were collected from each participant. DNA was extracted from the oral swab samples using commercially available extraction kit by Jena Bioscience (Germany) according to the manufacturer's instruction. The DNA was tested for the presence of HPV by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using consensus and genotype specific primers targeting both the L1 and E6/7 gene regions of HPV genome in multiplex PCR assay. Results: Twenty one (9.1%) of the 231 swab samples tested had HPV gene fragment, out of which ten were positive for HPV 16 genotype, 4 for HPV 18 while three were 31 and 33, and one was genotype 39. None of the participants had any sign of oropharyngeal cancer. Conclusion: The result showed that diverse types of HPV genotypes are found in the oral mucosal of patients attending dental clinics in Ibadan, and particularly are types that the available vaccine are not protective against.

Prevalence, trend and antimicrobial susceptibility of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Nigeria: a systematic review.

Evidence to demonstrate the prevalence and trend of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in Nigeria is scarce. This review evaluates the prevalence, trend and antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical MRSA isolates reported in published studies. Electronic search (PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar) was conducted using the following search terms: "MRSA OR Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus AND Nigeria." Reference list of selected studies was scanned to identify more studies. Studies published between 2007 and 2017 that tested at least 30 non-duplicate S. aureus isolates were selected. An independent reviewer extracted data from the studies using a standardized form. Twelve studies were included in this review. Overall, prevalence of MRSA infection increased from 18.3% (2009) to 42.3% (2013). The prevalence of MRSA infection was less than 50% in all the regions during the period under review. There was a decline in the prevalence of MRSA infection in the North-East (from 12.5% to 8.0%) between 2007 and 2012, and an increase in the South-West (from 20.2% to 47.4%) between 2006 and 2010. Wound, blood and urine specimens had the highest proportion of MRSA isolates. Non-susceptibility of MRSA strains to cotrimoxazole and tetracycline was greater than 85%. Prevalence of MRSA infection in Nigeria is rising, albeit regional variations. Non-susceptibility to commonly prescribed, orally available and inexpensive antibiotics was high. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance system, infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship interventions are recommended.

Spatial Distribution and Modelling of Soil Transmitted Helminthes Infection in Nigeria

Spatial Distribution and Modelling of Soil Transmitted Helminthes Infection in Nigeria

Clinical and Socio- Demographic Risk Factors for Acquisition of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Nigeria

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess clinical and socio-demographic characteristics as well as prior drug usage as risk factors for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Nigeria.MethodsA total of 347 respondents were surveyed by assessing their clinical and socio-demographic characteristics in comparison with the non-invasive gold standard for H. pylori diagnosis, the urea breath test (UBT). Chi-square test and odds ratio analyses were conducted in order to assess if variables such as socio-demographic factors, drug intake, and history of ulcer/gastritis/gastric cancer within the family significantly predicted test results.ResultsA total of 130 (37.5%) respondents were positive for H. pylori by the UBT. Living with more than three people in an apartment and a history of ulcer/gastritis within the family were significantly associated with H. pylori (p ≤0.05), as well as current antibiotic intake (p ≤0.05). Nationality, stay outside Nigeria, level of education, main occupation, smoking and drinking habits, sources of drinking water, number of children and history of gastric cancer had no significant association with H. pylori infection (p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionThe results of the questionnaire revealed that most socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents had no significant association with H. pylori. Overcrowding, having siblings/parents with history of ulcer/gastritis as well as prior antibiotic usage had a significant association.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection: Vulnerability of doctors in surgical subspecialties of a tertiary health-care setting in Nigeria

Introduction: Anxieties about the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Nigeria are present both in general public and the surgical communities. Research on its effect on occupational health and safety is still evolving in Sub-Saharan Africa. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital from October to December 2016. Doctors working in all surgical subspecialties area were included in the study. Data were stored and analyzed using Analyze-it version 2.25 Excel 12+ (2013). Multivariate analysis to determine predictors of vulnerability toward HIV infection was carried out. P = 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 95 questionnaires returned, 74 were fully completed making a response rate of 77.9%. Males preponderance was observed (66 [89.2%)]), while there were only 8 (10.8%) females (male:female = 8.3:1). The age ranged from 24 to 53 years (mean age = 36.9 years ± 8.2 standard deviation). More than half of the doctors, i.e. 49 (66.2%) had operated on a known HIV/AIDS-infected patient. There was no correlation between perception of HIV occupational hazard with age, gender, specialty, practice years, and cadre (χ2 = 15.73, df = 17, P = 0.543). Twenty-three surgeons (31.1%) sustained needlestick injuries in the past 1 year and 19 (82.6%) confirmed having at least two episodes. Four (17.4%) had received free postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: The findings from this series suggested that the hospital adherence to universal cross infection control measures is suboptimal. It is necessary for hospital to promote minimal invasive surgery.

Spatial Distribution and Modeling of Soil Transmitted Helminthes Infection in Nigeria

Background and Objective: Soil transmitted helminthes (STH) infection affects more than two billion people worldwide with Nigeria having the highest burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the spatial and potential distribution of STHs in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Secondary data were assessed from 98 journals and the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms were extracted from them. The spatial distribution of the parasites was performed using DIVA-GIS software. The climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) and elevation variable (altitude) were used in the modeling of the parasites using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling tool. Results: The average prevalence of A. lumbricoides, Hookworms and T. trichiura in Nigeria is 25.17%, 16.86% and 9.74% respectively. Delta State (62.08%) had the highest infection of A. lumbricoides followed by Oyo (55.50%) and Kano (44.40%) while 14 states had prevalence of below 20.0%. Akwa Ibom and Kano States had the highest average prevalence of 55.80% for hookworm infections. Delta, Oyo and Benue States had prevalence of 38.08%, 35.80%, and 35.40% respectively while 22 states had prevalence of hookworm below 20.0%. T. trichiura had the least average prevalence among the three STHs. Akwa Ibom State had the highest prevalence for this parasite with 40.40% followed by Lagos, Delta and Kwara States with prevalence values of 24.85%, 24.05% and 23.37% respectively. Other states in the Federation had prevalence values of less than 12% with Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and Borno States having the least prevalence of 0.80 and 0.90% respectively. The potential distribution that reveals than southern Nigeria has been at high risk of infections. Precipitations of the wettest month, altitude, precipitation of the warmest quarter are the major environmental variables that affect the distribution of STH. Conclusion: Nigeria is characterized by varying prevalence of STHs. All states in Nigeria are endemic for STHs. Southern Nigeria was observed to have higher prevalence of STHs due to the high level of precipitation and low altitude of these regions. “The higher the altitude, the lower the prevalence of STH infections. The higher the temperature and precipitation, the higher the prevalence of STH infections.

Antioxidant Potential of Methanol Extract of Xylopia aethiopica Leaves

Background: Plants possess an array of phytochemicals and are mostly used in the treatment of diseases associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Xylopia aethiopica is a plant widely found in tropical Africa and used traditionally as spices in food and for the treatment of skin infection in Nigeria. The leaves are used in the management of boils, wounds, cough and menstrual pain in women. Objective: This study assessed the phytochemicals and antioxidant potentials of the methanol extract of X. aethiopica (MEXA) leaves. Methods: The leaves of X. aethiopica were extracted with methanol. Qualitative phytochemical screening, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined. In vitro antioxidant potential of the methanol extract of X. aethiopica leaves was assessed by evaluating its reducing power, the extent of inhibition of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1, Diphenyl 2, picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH), nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation. Results: The result of the phytochemical screening of the MEXA leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides and polyphenols. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were 49.42±2.7 mg/GAE/100 g and 28.3±1.8 mg/QE/100 g, respectively. Also, the reducing power of MEXA leaves increased with increasing concentration of the extract. Furthermore, MEXA leaves significantly (p&lt; 0.05) inhibited ABTS, DPPH, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract also significantly (p&lt;0.05) inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the methanol extract of Xylopia aethiopica leaves possesses potent phytochemicals which could significantly scavenge free radicals and may be useful in treatment of diseases associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Children in Enugu Metropolis

Background:Though measures are being put in place for the management of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Nigeria, children remain the most vulnerable to develop chronic hepatitis. Routine screening in children is therefore necessary for effective control. However, the performance of the commonly used immunochromatographic test (ICT) strips has been challenging. Also, identifying the risk factors of transmission in this age group is of importance for the implementation of preventive measures. Hence, the goal of this study was to assess the test performance of the routinely used ICT strip and identify the associated clinical manifestations and risk factors of HBV.Methods:A cross sectional study involving 270 children below six years of age was conducted at ESUTH and Favor Child Pediatrics Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. The subjects were screened for HBV by ICT and ELISA assays and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain participants data including demographic, socioeconomic, signs and symptoms, risk factors and vaccination.Results:BBased on ELISA, 31 out of 270 children were positive for HBV with an infection rate of 11.5%. ICT kit showed a low sensitivity of 51.6% in diagnosing HBV but was highly specific (100%) and accurate (94.4%). HBV infection was not associated with sex (χ2: 0.209; p = 0.401). The prevalence of HBV infection was similar in all the age group and HBV infection was not associated (χ2: 2.099; p = 0.914) with age group. All the clinical manifestations were not associated (p > 0.05) with HBV infection. Blood transfusion, shared items, tattoo marks and history of surgery associated significantly (p < 0.05) with HBV infections having odd ratios of 4.247, 4.224, 3.134 and 3.195 respectively. The vaccination rate was 55.2% (159/270) and only 3 (1.1%) out of 159 vaccinated subjected contracted the infection (OR: 0.068, p < 0.0001).Conclusions:HBV was prevalent (11.5%) in children below six years old in Enugu metropolis. Moreover, the routinely used ICT test was less reliable than ELISA in diagnosis HBV infection. More so, shared items, blood transfusion, tattooing and history of surgery were potential risk factors while vaccination served as a protective factor against the infection.

Delineation of potential urban urogenital schistosomiasis transmission areas in Osogbo, south-west Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is ranked second to malaria among parasitic diseases of socio-economic and public health importance. One of the crucial factors in monitoring the current and future status and distribution of S. haematobium infection in Nigeria is to improve the knowledge on the freshwater snails that play an indispensable role in its transmission. The present study was undertaken to delineate potential transmission areas of urogenital schistosomiasis in Osogbo Metropolis using snail intermediate hosts and human-water contact as indicators. The major rivers/streams were visited bimonthly at various locations between April and July, 2016 and snail samples were collected using scoopers. The snails were identified morphologically and exposed to artificial light for cercaria shedding. Human water contact activities were observed at the sites where snails were recovered and relative index of exposure was calculated for each activity. Of the nine locations visited, only four were positive, namely; Gbodofon (Osun River), Isale Osun (Osun River), area 264 (Oniti Stream) and Gbonmi (Okoko Stream). Even though, none of the exposed snails shed cercaria, the human activities were observed at the sites. The results showed that 49.7% of the human contacts were for swimming followed by Fishing (32.2%), cloth-washing (10.1%) and spiritual/ritual bath (8.0%). Swimming has the highest relative index of exposure (RIE=30231) while spiritual/ritual bath has the least (RIE=96). The presence of the snail intermediate hosts at the four sites coupled with human water activities as observed in the present study suggest the risk of urogenital schistosomiasis at the study-area. Keywords: Bulinus species; schistosome; human water contact; Osogbo; Nigeria

The Role of Drinking Places in Enhancing Risky Sexual Behaviours and the Spread of HIV/AIDS amongst the Tiv People of Benue State, Central Nigeria

In 2013, the prevalence and incidence rates of HIV/AIDS infection in Nigeria were 3,229,757 and 220,394 respectively. Despite the fact that the influence of alcohol consumption on unsafe sexual behaviours and HIV risk in Nigeria has been documented, gaps still exist in knowledge on the roles of drinking places. This paper examines the roles of drinking places in enhancing illicit, risky sexual behaviours (irregular condom use and having sex while drunk) and the spread of HIV. A sample of 1,621 (864 women; 757 men; 815 HIV seropositive; 806 HIV seronegative) respondents who participated in survey and in-depth interviews were selected from 2 clinics and 2 other locations using multi-stage and purposive sampling methods. SPSS (version 21) software was used for quantitative data analysis. Drinking places are meeting points for lovers, alcohol consumption, verbal pornography and negotiations for illicit sexual activities with high risk of HIV infection. Understanding, and then addressing the impact of drinking places on risky sexual behaviours would assist in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst the Tiv people. Consequently, there likely would be an improvement in the sexual wellbeing of individuals and the public in Nigeria more generally.

Knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Mode of Transmission among Women of Reproductive Age in Work and Study Programme of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus is the most serious type of viral hepatitis and can cause both acute and chronic infections. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection and its mode of transmission among women of reproductive age in Work and Study programme of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria&#x0D; Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 326 respondents. Information was obtained using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 22 was used in the analysis.&#x0D; Results: Majority (77.6%) of the respondents were aware of hepatitis B virus infection and the major (50%) source of information was health workers. Knowledge on method of transmission of the virus included blood transfusion, 62.3%; unprotected sexual intercourse, 54.0%; mother to child transmission, 40.5% while for prevention, screening of blood before transfusion had 62.6%; vaccination, 48.8% and use of condom, 42.6%. A minor proportion (32.5%) had been vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine and only 39.6% had received the recommended three doses. The major (50%) reason for non-vaccination was ignorance. Out of 27.0% who had been screened for the virus 1.5% knew they tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.&#x0D; Conclusions: Majority of the respondents were aware of hepatitis B virus infection. Though most of the respondents had good knowledge of the transmission of the virus, their understanding of the methods of prevention was poor. There is need for public enlightenment on the burden of hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria and the availability and importance of the hepatitis B vaccine.

Playing the Catch-Up Game: Accelerating the Scale-Up of Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Services to Eliminate New Pediatric HIV Infection in Nigeria.

IntroductionAs the world is making progress towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, poor coverage of PMTCT services in Nigeria remains a major challenge. In order to address this, scale-up was planned with activities organized into 3 phases. This paper describes the process undertaken in eight high burden Nigerian states to rapidly close PMTCT coverage gaps at facility and population levels between February 2013 and March 2014.MethodsActivities were grouped into three phases–pre-assessment phase (engagement of a wide range of stakeholders), assessment (rapid health facility assessment, a cross sectional survey using mixed methods conducted in the various states between Feb and May 2013 and impact modelling), and post-assessment (drawing up costed state operational plans to achieve eMTCT by 2015, data-driven smart scale-up).ResultsOver a period of 10 months starting June 2013, 2044 facilities were supported to begin provision of PMTCT services. This increased facility coverage from 8% to 50%. A 246% increase was also recorded in the number of pregnant women and their families who have access to HIV testing and counselling in the context of PMTCT. Similarly, access to antiretrovirals for PMTCT has witnessed a 152% increase in these eight states between October 2013 and October 2014.ConclusionA data-driven and participatory approach can be used to rapidly scale-up PMTCT services at community and facility levels in this region. These results present us with hope for real progress in Nigeria. We are confident that the efforts described here will contribute significantly to eliminating new pediatric HIV infection in Nigeria.