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Background: Congenital abnormalities are defects present at birth and are increasingly becoming an important cause of neonatal mortality. They can also result in disability in majority of the survivors. Objective: To describe the pattern and outcome of major congenital abnormalities (MCA) in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The labour ward and labour ward theatre delivery records and admission records of the in-born ward of the neonatal unit of a tertiary hospital were reviewed retrospectively from January 2007 to December 2014. The MCA were classified according to the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, (ICD-10). Multiple abnormalities were counted once by the system with the most major anomaly. Abnormalities were grouped according to organ systems, sex and yearly distribution. Statistical analysis was based on systemic type, and neonatal outcome. Results: Out of 14581 deliveries during the study period, 167 had MCA, giving an incidence of 11.5 per 1000 total births; 71 (42.5%) were females, 91 (54.5%) were male and 5(3.0%) had indeterminate sex. There was an increase in the yearly incidence from 2007-2014 The most frequent abnormalities were in the central nervous system (31.7%), musculoskeletal system (18.6%), complex congenital abnormalities group (15.5%) and urogenital system (11.4%). Fifty six (31.8%) infants died in the first week of life contributing 12.6% to the overall early neonatal mortality during the study period. Overall case fatality rate was 42.0%; case fatality was highest in the other abnormalities group, followed by chromosomal, cardiovascular and genitourinary system abnormalities respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of MCA in this study is high especially in the central nervous system. There was a steady increase in the yearly incidence during the study period. The overall case fatality rate was also very high with a high contribution to early neonatal deaths

Uterine rupture in pregnancy is an obstetric emergency especially in developing countries associated with a significant increase in maternal plus perinatal mortality and morbidity. There is a need to identify the prevalence together with underlining factors which could guide effective intervention. Hence, the study aimed at determining the prevalence of uterine rupture, predisposing factors, management options plus clinical presentation at Secondary Health Facility in Okitipupa, South West Nigeria. This was a retrospective study of patients with a uterine rupture from January 2009 to December 2012 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology State Specialist Hospital Okitipupa. The case records of patients in this period were retrieved from the medical health records department and relevant data of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, management as well as maternal and perinatal outcome were collated using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel version 10. Of the 11,377 deliveries during the study period a total of 52 uterine ruptures were recorded during the same period making an incidence of 0.46% or a ratio of 1:219 deliveries. Most of the patients 28 (60.9%) were 20–30 years of age. Uterine rupture was more common amongst multiparous women 36 (78.3%). None was a primigravida. The majority of the patients 34 (73.9%) were nonattendants at the antenatal clinic. The commonest single predisposing factor was the presence of a previous scar being present in 12 (26.1%) of the patients. The most common surgery performed for uterine rupture in the series was repair only 24 (52.2%). There is an absence of uterine rupture in primigravida supports the belief that primigravida is somehow immune to rupture. Rupture of the gravid uterus is a major contributor to maternal and perinatal mortality in Okitipupa Southwest Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the association between HIV infection and anthropometric measures (weight, height, midupper arm circumference and head circumference) of children aged one to five years. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study using structured questionnaire and measurement of weight, height, head and midupper arm circumference of 846 infected children and matched controls. Results: The mean weights of the controls were significantly higher than those of the infected children at all age groups (p

Worm and parasitic infestation is a common problem in children with most occurring in school age . Low socio-conomic status and poor sanitary hygiene has been associated with worm infesetation. Though it is rare in infancy, there had been reports in these group of children. However there has been no documented case of multiple infestation in infancy. We hereby report an infant with recurrent anemia and melena and bloody stools caused by anklylostomaduodenale and entamoebahistolytica

Poor air quality is one of the renowned issues instigating health complications in urban areas today due to man's exposure to various gases. The paper assessed the ambient air along New Ife Road (NIR) and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Headquarters (FRIN), Ibadan, Oyo State using Biochemical changes and computed the air pollution tolerance indices from fresh leaf samples of ten (10) similar plant species selected randomly in triplicates in both study locations. Monoon longifolium, Chrysophyllum albidum, Terminalia catappa, Dacryodes edulis and Terminalia ivorensis had tolerant APTI values; Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia catappa and Cocos nucifera were intermediate APTI while Mangifera indica, Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica were found to be sensitive to air pollution. The APTI values at both locations are not significantly different; therefore NIR and FRIN are rated as areas of high anthropogenic activities. Terminalia ivorensis, (31.58 in NIR) Terminalia catappa (30.56 in FRIN) Dacryodes edulis, (31.15 in NIR and 34.76 in FRIN) (Chrysophyllum albidum (34.78 in NIR and 39.78 in FRIN) and Monoon longifolium (49.83 in NIR and 57.50 in FRIN) were classified as sink of air pollution based on their APTI values which ranged from 30>100 obtained in both locations of study. It is however suggested that these plants identified as sink of air pollutants, should be used for landscaping and planted 50m from the roadside for bio-filtration of the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a progressive and destructive disease of the lung parenchyma. We report a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with CPA with a positive Aspergillus IgG and chest imaging of cavitary lung lesions. He was treated with oral Itraconazole with significant improvement. This shows that an index of suspicion should be heightened in the paediatric population with cavitary lung lesions because not all cavitary lung lesions are caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low protocol adherence hinders sepsis care in Nigeria. This study assessed the knowledge, strategy, and perceived barriers of physicians to prompt detection and treatment of sepsis. Methods: The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of physicians at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Participation was open to all LUTH physicians. Between June and December 2022, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to the platforms of physicians. Participants' mean scores on knowledge, approach, and barriers to sepsis care were calculated. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean scores between physician cadres. A 0.05 two-sided P value was deemed statistically significant. Results: The study included 165 physicians. The mean age (standard deviation) was 38.25 (9.7), with 92 (55.8%) males. Only eight (4.8%) physicians had a 75% comprehension of sepsis. Only three respondents (1.8%) achieved 75% on sepsis care per surviving sepsis campaign standards. One hundred and thirty-eight (83.6%) respondents indicated significant barriers to sepsis treatment. Senior registrars had higher knowledge scores, while interns scored lowest (F = 3.508, P = 0.009). The mean scores of approaches to sepsis care among cadres were not significant (F = 1.692, P = 0.154). Conclusion: This study revealed that clinicians in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, had inadequate knowledge, especially among lower cadre doctors, and a suboptimal approach to the management of sepsis patients, as well as substantial barriers to their care. There is a need to provide physicians with tailored training on the diagnosis and correct approach to the care of patients with sepsis, as well as provide job aids to help with decision-making in the emergency rooms.

Background: The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in controlling Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease has been quite effective in ensuring that infected people can enjoy healthy, long, and productive lives. Medication adherence is an essential part of patient care, especially among patients with HIV, as it greatly determines the effectiveness of treatment. Few studies have explored factors influencing medication adherence and treatment satisfaction among adults, with little focus on adolescents. Objectives: To assess medication adherence, treatment satisfaction and factors influencing adherence to ART medication among adolescents living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among diagnosed and registered adolescents aged 10-19 years living with HIV and receiving treatment at eight selected antiretroviral centres in Lagos state, Nigeria. A total of 203 adolescents were recruited in stages, and data were collected using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Results: There was a low level of adherence as only 59/203 (29.1%) of the respondents adhered to ART. Depression, perceived stigma, being away from home, side effects of drugs, pill burden, and forgetfulness were some factors identified as barriers to adherence. The respondents were most satisfied with the effectiveness of the medication and least satisfied with the side effects. Conclusions: Medication adherence among adolescents was relatively low; the level of satisfaction with ART medication is an entity that significantly impacts adherence.

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Due to scarcity of potable water in most rural and urban settings in Ekiti State, rainwater harvesting from rooftop has been favoured as an alternative source of water supply. This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics of rainwater harvested from four different rooftop sheets in Ikole-Ekiti and its environs. Samples were collected three times from the month of June to August, 2018. Parameters investigated include pH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe, Pb, Zn, Al, and Cu. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics to determine the mean and standard deviation and water quality index measured. The result shows that the physicochemical parameters ranges from 8.03-9.17 (pH), 0.47-3.17 NTU (Turbidity), 56.20 -170.43 μs/cm (EC), 30.2-50.53 mg/L (TDS), 18.56-27.58 mg/L (Alkalinity), 19.94-24.08 mg/L (Total Hardness), 8.67-14.93mg/L (SO4 2+), 4.11-11.67mg/L (Cl-), 0 - 4.62 mg/L (Zn2+), 7.11-11.13 mg/L (Calcium), 0.07-1.56 mg/L (Al2+), 0.01-0.02 mg/L (Cu2+), 9.41-21.33 mg/L (Mg2+), 29.04-40.35 mg/L (Na2+) and (Fe2+) 0.1-0.29 mg/L . Most of the measured parameters were all within permissible water quality standard as recommended by World Health Organizations (WHO) except for the slightly basic character of the rainwater. All measured parameters were high in aluminum sheets and coated rooftops but did not exceed the World Health Organization permissible limit followed by Galvanized zinc rooftop and Panted rooftop. Water Quality Index (WQI) for painted rooftop, aluminum rooftop, galvanized zinc rooftop, and coated rooftop were 3.296, 1.335, 6.078 and 2.629 respectively indicating excellent water quality. The study found that harvested rainwater in the area could be used for domestic purpose with minimum treatment to enhance drinkability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Neonatal jaundice remains a leading cause of preventable brain damage, mental handicap, physical disabilities and early death among infants. The high mortality and morbidity from neonatal jaundice is exacerbated by the poor understanding and mismanagement of this common neonatal problem by the general populace, leading to dangerous delays and complications. Objective. To assess the knowledge of pregnant women on the causative factors, treatment modalities and sequelae of neonatal jaundice. Methods. Data were obtained from all consecutive women who attended the antenatal clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, from January 2013 to April 2013, using a pretested questionnaire focusing on knowledge of neonatal jaundice and its causes, treatment and complications. Results. The study participants numbered 395, of whom 213 (53.9%) were within the age range of 30 - 39 years. Only 101 (25.6%) participants gave a correct definition of neonatal jaundice. The highest proportion of those who did not give a correct definition were from the lower socioeconomic groups V and IV (χ2=12.08, p=0.017). Participants who did not know the causes numbered 313 (79.2%), while 325 (82.2%) participants chose ineffective treatment options. Furthermore, 296 (74.9%) respondents, especially those with a low level of education, did not identify the complications correctly (χ2=12.61, p=0.006). Conclusion. Women in the study showed inadequate knowledge of and misconceptions regarding neonatal jaundice, which must be addressed in order to reduce significantly the devastating consequences of this common condition. We advocate for improved female literacy and mass health enlightenment programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured group education program on non-glycemic endpoints of diabetes knowledge, compliance with treatment and medical advice, use of monitoring devices, and treatment satisfaction. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed. Study participants were members of the local Diabetes Association (DAN) who had participated in a structured group education program and comparison subjects were outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had not registered as members of DAN and do not attend DAN activities. Self- and interviewer-administered structured questionnaires were used to determine study endpoints. The responses of study participants were analyzed and then compared. Seventy-five patients were studied in each group comprising 78 males and 72 females. DAN members had good knowledge of their disease, complied satisfactorily with their medications and physician's advice, knew and used at least one monitoring device and had better knowledge of hypoglycemia than control subjects. Treatment Satisfaction scores were also higher among DAN members. Diabetes associations and clubs provide a practical and acceptable means of disseminating diabetes related information and should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]