Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2021
Background: Growth monitoring is one of the most effective measures for the prevention of malnutr... more Background: Growth monitoring is one of the most effective measures for the prevention of malnutrition in childhood. Aim: The aim of this research was to determine caregivers' knowledge and value of growth monitoring in under-five children. Materials & Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and growth charts were given to the caregivers to identify different growth patterns. Results: Under-fives sampled were 323. Males comprised 54.5%(176/323), females 45.2%(146/323). Mothers brought the children to the hospital 78.6%(254/323) of the time, fathers 10.2%(33/323), both parents 5.9%(19/323). Respondents who had heard of growth monitoring were 52.9%(171/323); 30.7%(99/323) had been taught how to use the growth chart; 53.6%(173/323) had seen a growth chart; 63.2%(204/323) were able to identify the growth charts correctly. Of those who had been taught to use the growth chart, 87.9%(87/99) were able to identify the charts correctly while 99.0%(98/99) believed that growth charting in childhood was important (p=0.03). Conclusion: While many parents appreciated the importance of growth monitoring in childhood, a small proportion of them had heard about growth monitoring or had actually been taught how to use the growth chart or were able to correctly identify the growth chart. A similar survey among health care professionals needs to be done in order to properly investigate the root of this problem. The importance of growth monitoring in childhood needs to be reemphasized and will go a long way to improve the health indices of children in Nigeria.
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2022
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly infectious disease caused by a novel corona virus. ... more Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly infectious disease caused by a novel corona virus. Preventive strategies are vital in controlling its spread and the mass media play a central role in disseminating needed information to the public. This study was carried out to determine how mass media has impacted on the health behaviour of individuals globally in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study targeting individuals in all inhabited continents of the world using an online anonymous pre-tested self-administered questionnaire.Results: The data of 485 respondents were analysed. Respondents who had heard of COVID-19 were 98.4% (477) and those who knew it was a disease caused by a new corona virus were 92.4% (448); 81.9% (397) believed COVID-19 had no cure. Information on COVID-19 was from the mass media 77.5% (376); 52.8% (256) was from the internet while 23.5% (114) was from the television. All information on COVID-19 were thought to be authentic a...
British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 2014
Aims: The study was carried out in order to determine the plasmid profile, antibiotic susceptibil... more Aims: The study was carried out in order to determine the plasmid profile, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and the type of antimicrobial resistance (whether it is chromosomal or plasmid mediated) among producers of extended spectrum beta-lactamases of uropathogens in children. Study Design: A cross-sectional study of three hundred children in a hospital. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics (Pediatrics Ward) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January 2009 to September 2010. Methodology: Clean-catch urine samples were collected from 300 children aged 1 month to 16 years with suspected community acquired urinary tract infection. Isolated bacteria were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by disc diffusion method. Extended Spectrum BetaLactamase (ESBL) was determined among the Gram-negative bacteria using double disc synergy test (DDST). The plasmid DNA of the bacterial isolates was extracted using Original Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(5): 1195-1203, 2014 1196 alkalysis method and electrophoresed on 0.8% agarose gel stained with 2μl ethidium bromide (EtBr). Result: The result of the study showed that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest prevalence among gram positive bacteria. Escherichia coli had the highest prevalence among gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus showed cross resistance towards some of the antimicrobial agents. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas showed multiple drug resistance. All the uropathogens isolated were 100% susceptible to imipenem. The study highlights among the ESBL-producers, plasmids of higher molecular weight of 30Kb. Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that appropriate antimicrobial agent be administered to reduce the risk of multi-drug resistance and avert the ineffectiveness of antimicrobial agents.
Background: Malnutrition is an underlying factor in more than 50% of the major cause of infant mo... more Background: Malnutrition is an underlying factor in more than 50% of the major cause of infant mortality-Pneumonia, diarrhoeal disease and measles which account for 70% of infant mortality. Therefore, programs to promote adequate nutrition for age can help reduce mortality from these disease conditions and indispensible to achievement of MDG 4. Aim: To describe the feeding practices of infants below six months of age and determine maternal socio-demographic factors that influences the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers in Nnewi, southeast Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred mother-infant pairs attending the infant welfare clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching hospital (NAUTH) during 2012 were consecutively recruited after meeting the study inclusion criteria. Data on breastfeeding were based on infant feeding practice in the previous 24 hours. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as infant feeding with only breast milk. Results: Awareness (95.3%) and knowledge (82.0%) of EBF was high among surveyed mother but the practice of EBF (33.5%) was very low. Positive attitude towards EBF practice was shown by many (71.0%) of surveyed mothers. EBF practice decreased with increasing infant age, OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.34, 1.51) for 1-2 months, OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.23, 1.44) for 3-4 months and OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.06, 0.73) for 5-6 months compared to infants < 1 month old. Maternal education, socioeconomic class, mode of delivery and infants first feed were retained as important maternal predictors of EBF practice after adjustment for confounders. Decreased likelihood of EBF practice was found among mothers of lower educational attainment, OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.13, 0.81), mothers who delivered through caesarean section, OR 0.38 (95% CI 0.18, 0.84), mothers of higher socioeconomic status [(middle class, OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.22, 0.99) and upper class, OR 0.32 (95% CI 0.14, 0.74)] while increased likelihood of EBF practice was seen in mothers who gave their infants breast milk as their first feed, OR 3.36 (95% CI 1.75, 6.66). Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness does not translate to practice of EBF. More effort by health workers and policy makers should be directed to mothers along the fault lines to encourage the practice of EBF.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2014
The efficacy of 3-day regimens of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine were evaluat... more The efficacy of 3-day regimens of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine were evaluated in 747 children 5 years of age with uncomplicated malaria from six geographical areas of Nigeria. Fever clearance was significantly faster (P = 0.006) and the proportion of children with parasitemia 1 day after treatment began was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in artesunate-amodiaquine-compared with artemether-lumefantrine-treated children. Parasite clearance times were similar with both treatments. Overall efficacy was 96.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.5-97.6%), and was similar for both regimens. Polymerase chain reaction-corrected parasitologic cure rates on Day 28 were 96.9% (95% CI 93.9-98.2%) and 98.3% (95% CI 96.1-99.3%) for artemether-lumefantrine and artesunateamodiaquine, respectively. Gametocyte carriage post treatment was significantly lower than pretreatment (P 0.0001). In anemic children, mean time to recovery from anemia was 10 days (95% CI 9.04-10.9) and was similar for both regimens. Both treatments were well tolerated and are safe and efficacious treatments of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in young Nigerian children.
Background: Undernutrition remains the largest contributor to the global disease burden. Differen... more Background: Undernutrition remains the largest contributor to the global disease burden. Different factors affecting the nutritional status of children need to be studied to determine those to be targeted in a country like Nigeria, characterized by widespread poverty and inequitable distribution of wealth. Objective: This study was aimed at ascertaining the relationship between prevailing socioeconomic and environmental factors, and the nutritional status of children residing in a typical urban slum. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 788 children aged 6-12 years selected by stratified, multistage random sampling method from public primary schools in slum and non-slum areas of Onitsha was carried out. Their nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measures. The socioeconomic and environmental variables of interest were analyzed to determine their relationship with undernutrition in the children. Results: Socioeconomic status was the major determinant of nutritional status in this study. Poor housing also affected the nutritional status of the slum children who were significantly from poorer families than those residing in non-slum areas (χ 2 = 66.69, P = 0.000). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for an effective nutrition program targeted at school children in urban slums surrounded by factors predisposing them to undernutrition.
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2008
The principal objectives of this study are to (a) investigate the prevalence of elevated blood le... more The principal objectives of this study are to (a) investigate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) in children of three major cities of Nigeria with different levels of industrial pollution; (b) identify the environmental, social and behavioral risk factors for the EBLLs in the children; and (c) explore the association between malaria (endemic in the study areas) and EBLLs in the pediatric population. The study involved 653 children aged 2-9 years (average, 3.7 years). The mean blood lead level (BLL) for the children was 8.974.8 mg/dL, the median value was 7.8 mg/ dL, and the range was 1-52 mg/dL. About 25% of the children had BLL greater than 10 mg/dL. There were important differences in BLLs across the three cities, with the average value in Ibadan (9.975.2 mg/dL) and Nnewi (8.373.5 mg/ dL) being higher than that in Port Harcourt (4.772.2 mg/dL). Significant positive associations were found between BLL and a child's town of residence (po0.001), age of the child (p ¼ 0.004), length of time the child played outside (po0.001), presence of pets in a child's home (p ¼ 0.023), but negatively with educational level of caregiver (po0.001). This study is one of the first to find a significant negative association between BLL and malaria in a pediatric population, and this association remained significant after controlling for confounding diseases and symptoms. The shared environmental and socio-demographic risks factors for lead exposure and Plasmodium (most common malaria parasites) infection in urban areas of Nigeria are discussed along with possible ways that lead exposure may influence the host response to infection with malarial parasites.
The factors contributing to anaemia in falciparum malaria were characterized in 1261 prospectivel... more The factors contributing to anaemia in falciparum malaria were characterized in 1261 prospectively studied children in an endemic area of southwestern Nigeria. Of these, 487 (39%) presented with anaemia (haematocrit <30%). The following were found to be independent risk factors for anaemia at presentation: age <5 years, history of illness >3 days before presentation, presence of fever, a palpable liver, >parasitaemia 10,000/l blood, and gametocytaemia. The mean maximum fractional fall in haematocrit (FFH) after treatment was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13-14.6) of the baseline value. This occurred 3 days after treatment began and correlated positively with enrolment haematocrit. In children whose haematocrit was >30% at enrolment, the following were found to be independent risk factors associated with subsequent development of anaemia during follow-up: age <5 years and parasitaemia ≥100,000 parasites/l. Haematological recovery was usually complete by 4-5 weeks, but was slower in children who were anaemic at enrolment and in those with recrudescence of their infections. Half of the children with recrudescence were still anaemic at 4 weeks. These findings have implications for the control of the burden of malarial anaemia in children in sub-Saharan African countries.
Background. Hypoglycaemia is a common presenting feature of illness among children admitted with ... more Background. Hypoglycaemia is a common presenting feature of illness among children admitted with various conditions into the paediatric emergency room. Objective. To determine the prevalence of hypoglycaemia among children admitted into a Nigerian teaching hospital, identify some of its associated factors and assess its relationship to patient outcome. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 388 children were consecutively recruited. Their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features and management outcome were obtained. Plasma glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method and classified as hypoglycaemia (<3.4 mmol/L), low glycaemia (3.4 - <4.4 mmol/L) , normoglycaemia (4.4 - 7.7 mmol/L) and hyperglycaemia (≥7.8 mmol/L). Results. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 50 (12.9%) subjects, while 55 (14.2%) had low glycaemia. At bivariate analysis, hypoglycaemia was associated with age ( p =0.012), ≥6 hours from the last meal ( p =0.004), medication use before presentation ...
The purpose of this study is to measure maternal blood lead level (BLL) and cord BLL in Nigeria a... more The purpose of this study is to measure maternal blood lead level (BLL) and cord BLL in Nigeria and to compare Nigerian data with other data. We investigated the association among maternal and cord BLLs, and some anthropometric parameters of their babies. BLL was measured in the umbilical and maternal blood samples (using inductively coupled plasma / mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)) of 119 women who delivered at three different hospitals in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. Anthropometric variables of the babies (head circumference, abdominal circumference, birth weight, birth length, crown rump length) were measured. Lead was detected at >10 μg/l in 10.9 percent of the maternal and 3.4 percent of the cord blood samples. The maternal BLL was 6.19 ± 2.77(mean ± SD) μg/dl while cord BLL was 4.75 ± 2.59(mean ± SD) μg/dl. With the exception of cord BLL and crown rump length positive correlation (R=0.204, P=0.026), neither the maternal nor the cord BLL showed any significant association with a...
Introduction in the past, the need for regular blood pressure screening in children was doubtful,... more Introduction in the past, the need for regular blood pressure screening in children was doubtful, and the main reason against it is that hypertension is an adult illness and there is no evidence that screening healthy children for hypertension was worthwhile. We did this study to determine the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension as well as some risk factors for hypertension among secondary school adolescents in an urban area of the South-East, Nigeria. Methods this was a cross-sectional study of 984 adolescents aged 10-19 years in secondary schools in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state, South-East, Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling method was used to select the subjects. Data were collected from all eligible subjects with the aid of a questionnaire administered to them. Weight, height, and blood pressure were measured and recorded. Results nine hundred and eighty-four adolescents were recruited for this study, and they comprised 470 (47.8%) males and 514 (5...
Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among HIV- infected under-five children and effe... more Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among HIV- infected under-five children and effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the nutritional status. Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted among under-fives presenting at the Paediatric HIV clinic in a tertiary centre in Nigeria. HIV positive children aged less than five years, who were on HAART and whose parents/caregivers gave consent were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined in a multivariate logistic regression analysis and p-values of
Objectives Use of Psychoactive substances by young people poses an important public health threat... more Objectives Use of Psychoactive substances by young people poses an important public health threat despite mass campaigns and education. There have been documentations of rise in prevalence and use of psychoactive substances by Nigerian adolescents in urban areas of Nigeria. Few reports exist on in-school adolescents in rural areas, and differences in their sociodemographic profile such as public/private school attendance, day/boarding status and socioeconomic status of students. The study determined the rate and sociodemographic profile of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in selected rural communities in Anambra state, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which multistage sampling was used to select 494 students from selected secondary schools in Anambra state. Data on age, gender, socioeconomic status, student status, school category, alcohol, tobacco and intravenous drug use were obtained using pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Ana...
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2021
Background: Growth monitoring is one of the most effective measures for the prevention of malnutr... more Background: Growth monitoring is one of the most effective measures for the prevention of malnutrition in childhood. Aim: The aim of this research was to determine caregivers' knowledge and value of growth monitoring in under-five children. Materials & Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and growth charts were given to the caregivers to identify different growth patterns. Results: Under-fives sampled were 323. Males comprised 54.5%(176/323), females 45.2%(146/323). Mothers brought the children to the hospital 78.6%(254/323) of the time, fathers 10.2%(33/323), both parents 5.9%(19/323). Respondents who had heard of growth monitoring were 52.9%(171/323); 30.7%(99/323) had been taught how to use the growth chart; 53.6%(173/323) had seen a growth chart; 63.2%(204/323) were able to identify the growth charts correctly. Of those who had been taught to use the growth chart, 87.9%(87/99) were able to identify the charts correctly while 99.0%(98/99) believed that growth charting in childhood was important (p=0.03). Conclusion: While many parents appreciated the importance of growth monitoring in childhood, a small proportion of them had heard about growth monitoring or had actually been taught how to use the growth chart or were able to correctly identify the growth chart. A similar survey among health care professionals needs to be done in order to properly investigate the root of this problem. The importance of growth monitoring in childhood needs to be reemphasized and will go a long way to improve the health indices of children in Nigeria.
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2022
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly infectious disease caused by a novel corona virus. ... more Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly infectious disease caused by a novel corona virus. Preventive strategies are vital in controlling its spread and the mass media play a central role in disseminating needed information to the public. This study was carried out to determine how mass media has impacted on the health behaviour of individuals globally in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study targeting individuals in all inhabited continents of the world using an online anonymous pre-tested self-administered questionnaire.Results: The data of 485 respondents were analysed. Respondents who had heard of COVID-19 were 98.4% (477) and those who knew it was a disease caused by a new corona virus were 92.4% (448); 81.9% (397) believed COVID-19 had no cure. Information on COVID-19 was from the mass media 77.5% (376); 52.8% (256) was from the internet while 23.5% (114) was from the television. All information on COVID-19 were thought to be authentic a...
British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 2014
Aims: The study was carried out in order to determine the plasmid profile, antibiotic susceptibil... more Aims: The study was carried out in order to determine the plasmid profile, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and the type of antimicrobial resistance (whether it is chromosomal or plasmid mediated) among producers of extended spectrum beta-lactamases of uropathogens in children. Study Design: A cross-sectional study of three hundred children in a hospital. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics (Pediatrics Ward) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January 2009 to September 2010. Methodology: Clean-catch urine samples were collected from 300 children aged 1 month to 16 years with suspected community acquired urinary tract infection. Isolated bacteria were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by disc diffusion method. Extended Spectrum BetaLactamase (ESBL) was determined among the Gram-negative bacteria using double disc synergy test (DDST). The plasmid DNA of the bacterial isolates was extracted using Original Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(5): 1195-1203, 2014 1196 alkalysis method and electrophoresed on 0.8% agarose gel stained with 2μl ethidium bromide (EtBr). Result: The result of the study showed that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest prevalence among gram positive bacteria. Escherichia coli had the highest prevalence among gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus showed cross resistance towards some of the antimicrobial agents. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas showed multiple drug resistance. All the uropathogens isolated were 100% susceptible to imipenem. The study highlights among the ESBL-producers, plasmids of higher molecular weight of 30Kb. Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that appropriate antimicrobial agent be administered to reduce the risk of multi-drug resistance and avert the ineffectiveness of antimicrobial agents.
Background: Malnutrition is an underlying factor in more than 50% of the major cause of infant mo... more Background: Malnutrition is an underlying factor in more than 50% of the major cause of infant mortality-Pneumonia, diarrhoeal disease and measles which account for 70% of infant mortality. Therefore, programs to promote adequate nutrition for age can help reduce mortality from these disease conditions and indispensible to achievement of MDG 4. Aim: To describe the feeding practices of infants below six months of age and determine maternal socio-demographic factors that influences the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers in Nnewi, southeast Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred mother-infant pairs attending the infant welfare clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching hospital (NAUTH) during 2012 were consecutively recruited after meeting the study inclusion criteria. Data on breastfeeding were based on infant feeding practice in the previous 24 hours. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as infant feeding with only breast milk. Results: Awareness (95.3%) and knowledge (82.0%) of EBF was high among surveyed mother but the practice of EBF (33.5%) was very low. Positive attitude towards EBF practice was shown by many (71.0%) of surveyed mothers. EBF practice decreased with increasing infant age, OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.34, 1.51) for 1-2 months, OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.23, 1.44) for 3-4 months and OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.06, 0.73) for 5-6 months compared to infants < 1 month old. Maternal education, socioeconomic class, mode of delivery and infants first feed were retained as important maternal predictors of EBF practice after adjustment for confounders. Decreased likelihood of EBF practice was found among mothers of lower educational attainment, OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.13, 0.81), mothers who delivered through caesarean section, OR 0.38 (95% CI 0.18, 0.84), mothers of higher socioeconomic status [(middle class, OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.22, 0.99) and upper class, OR 0.32 (95% CI 0.14, 0.74)] while increased likelihood of EBF practice was seen in mothers who gave their infants breast milk as their first feed, OR 3.36 (95% CI 1.75, 6.66). Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness does not translate to practice of EBF. More effort by health workers and policy makers should be directed to mothers along the fault lines to encourage the practice of EBF.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2014
The efficacy of 3-day regimens of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine were evaluat... more The efficacy of 3-day regimens of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine were evaluated in 747 children 5 years of age with uncomplicated malaria from six geographical areas of Nigeria. Fever clearance was significantly faster (P = 0.006) and the proportion of children with parasitemia 1 day after treatment began was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in artesunate-amodiaquine-compared with artemether-lumefantrine-treated children. Parasite clearance times were similar with both treatments. Overall efficacy was 96.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.5-97.6%), and was similar for both regimens. Polymerase chain reaction-corrected parasitologic cure rates on Day 28 were 96.9% (95% CI 93.9-98.2%) and 98.3% (95% CI 96.1-99.3%) for artemether-lumefantrine and artesunateamodiaquine, respectively. Gametocyte carriage post treatment was significantly lower than pretreatment (P 0.0001). In anemic children, mean time to recovery from anemia was 10 days (95% CI 9.04-10.9) and was similar for both regimens. Both treatments were well tolerated and are safe and efficacious treatments of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in young Nigerian children.
Background: Undernutrition remains the largest contributor to the global disease burden. Differen... more Background: Undernutrition remains the largest contributor to the global disease burden. Different factors affecting the nutritional status of children need to be studied to determine those to be targeted in a country like Nigeria, characterized by widespread poverty and inequitable distribution of wealth. Objective: This study was aimed at ascertaining the relationship between prevailing socioeconomic and environmental factors, and the nutritional status of children residing in a typical urban slum. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 788 children aged 6-12 years selected by stratified, multistage random sampling method from public primary schools in slum and non-slum areas of Onitsha was carried out. Their nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measures. The socioeconomic and environmental variables of interest were analyzed to determine their relationship with undernutrition in the children. Results: Socioeconomic status was the major determinant of nutritional status in this study. Poor housing also affected the nutritional status of the slum children who were significantly from poorer families than those residing in non-slum areas (χ 2 = 66.69, P = 0.000). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for an effective nutrition program targeted at school children in urban slums surrounded by factors predisposing them to undernutrition.
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2008
The principal objectives of this study are to (a) investigate the prevalence of elevated blood le... more The principal objectives of this study are to (a) investigate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) in children of three major cities of Nigeria with different levels of industrial pollution; (b) identify the environmental, social and behavioral risk factors for the EBLLs in the children; and (c) explore the association between malaria (endemic in the study areas) and EBLLs in the pediatric population. The study involved 653 children aged 2-9 years (average, 3.7 years). The mean blood lead level (BLL) for the children was 8.974.8 mg/dL, the median value was 7.8 mg/ dL, and the range was 1-52 mg/dL. About 25% of the children had BLL greater than 10 mg/dL. There were important differences in BLLs across the three cities, with the average value in Ibadan (9.975.2 mg/dL) and Nnewi (8.373.5 mg/ dL) being higher than that in Port Harcourt (4.772.2 mg/dL). Significant positive associations were found between BLL and a child's town of residence (po0.001), age of the child (p ¼ 0.004), length of time the child played outside (po0.001), presence of pets in a child's home (p ¼ 0.023), but negatively with educational level of caregiver (po0.001). This study is one of the first to find a significant negative association between BLL and malaria in a pediatric population, and this association remained significant after controlling for confounding diseases and symptoms. The shared environmental and socio-demographic risks factors for lead exposure and Plasmodium (most common malaria parasites) infection in urban areas of Nigeria are discussed along with possible ways that lead exposure may influence the host response to infection with malarial parasites.
The factors contributing to anaemia in falciparum malaria were characterized in 1261 prospectivel... more The factors contributing to anaemia in falciparum malaria were characterized in 1261 prospectively studied children in an endemic area of southwestern Nigeria. Of these, 487 (39%) presented with anaemia (haematocrit <30%). The following were found to be independent risk factors for anaemia at presentation: age <5 years, history of illness >3 days before presentation, presence of fever, a palpable liver, >parasitaemia 10,000/l blood, and gametocytaemia. The mean maximum fractional fall in haematocrit (FFH) after treatment was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13-14.6) of the baseline value. This occurred 3 days after treatment began and correlated positively with enrolment haematocrit. In children whose haematocrit was >30% at enrolment, the following were found to be independent risk factors associated with subsequent development of anaemia during follow-up: age <5 years and parasitaemia ≥100,000 parasites/l. Haematological recovery was usually complete by 4-5 weeks, but was slower in children who were anaemic at enrolment and in those with recrudescence of their infections. Half of the children with recrudescence were still anaemic at 4 weeks. These findings have implications for the control of the burden of malarial anaemia in children in sub-Saharan African countries.
Background. Hypoglycaemia is a common presenting feature of illness among children admitted with ... more Background. Hypoglycaemia is a common presenting feature of illness among children admitted with various conditions into the paediatric emergency room. Objective. To determine the prevalence of hypoglycaemia among children admitted into a Nigerian teaching hospital, identify some of its associated factors and assess its relationship to patient outcome. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 388 children were consecutively recruited. Their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features and management outcome were obtained. Plasma glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method and classified as hypoglycaemia (<3.4 mmol/L), low glycaemia (3.4 - <4.4 mmol/L) , normoglycaemia (4.4 - 7.7 mmol/L) and hyperglycaemia (≥7.8 mmol/L). Results. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 50 (12.9%) subjects, while 55 (14.2%) had low glycaemia. At bivariate analysis, hypoglycaemia was associated with age ( p =0.012), ≥6 hours from the last meal ( p =0.004), medication use before presentation ...
The purpose of this study is to measure maternal blood lead level (BLL) and cord BLL in Nigeria a... more The purpose of this study is to measure maternal blood lead level (BLL) and cord BLL in Nigeria and to compare Nigerian data with other data. We investigated the association among maternal and cord BLLs, and some anthropometric parameters of their babies. BLL was measured in the umbilical and maternal blood samples (using inductively coupled plasma / mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)) of 119 women who delivered at three different hospitals in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. Anthropometric variables of the babies (head circumference, abdominal circumference, birth weight, birth length, crown rump length) were measured. Lead was detected at >10 μg/l in 10.9 percent of the maternal and 3.4 percent of the cord blood samples. The maternal BLL was 6.19 ± 2.77(mean ± SD) μg/dl while cord BLL was 4.75 ± 2.59(mean ± SD) μg/dl. With the exception of cord BLL and crown rump length positive correlation (R=0.204, P=0.026), neither the maternal nor the cord BLL showed any significant association with a...
Introduction in the past, the need for regular blood pressure screening in children was doubtful,... more Introduction in the past, the need for regular blood pressure screening in children was doubtful, and the main reason against it is that hypertension is an adult illness and there is no evidence that screening healthy children for hypertension was worthwhile. We did this study to determine the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension as well as some risk factors for hypertension among secondary school adolescents in an urban area of the South-East, Nigeria. Methods this was a cross-sectional study of 984 adolescents aged 10-19 years in secondary schools in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state, South-East, Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling method was used to select the subjects. Data were collected from all eligible subjects with the aid of a questionnaire administered to them. Weight, height, and blood pressure were measured and recorded. Results nine hundred and eighty-four adolescents were recruited for this study, and they comprised 470 (47.8%) males and 514 (5...
Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among HIV- infected under-five children and effe... more Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among HIV- infected under-five children and effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the nutritional status. Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted among under-fives presenting at the Paediatric HIV clinic in a tertiary centre in Nigeria. HIV positive children aged less than five years, who were on HAART and whose parents/caregivers gave consent were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined in a multivariate logistic regression analysis and p-values of
Objectives Use of Psychoactive substances by young people poses an important public health threat... more Objectives Use of Psychoactive substances by young people poses an important public health threat despite mass campaigns and education. There have been documentations of rise in prevalence and use of psychoactive substances by Nigerian adolescents in urban areas of Nigeria. Few reports exist on in-school adolescents in rural areas, and differences in their sociodemographic profile such as public/private school attendance, day/boarding status and socioeconomic status of students. The study determined the rate and sociodemographic profile of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in selected rural communities in Anambra state, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which multistage sampling was used to select 494 students from selected secondary schools in Anambra state. Data on age, gender, socioeconomic status, student status, school category, alcohol, tobacco and intravenous drug use were obtained using pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Ana...
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