Search

Background: Diseases of the liver contribute to childhood morbidities and mortality. Early recognition and proper management of liver diseases can limit the progression to irreparable damage which requires liver transplant. However, there is scarcity of data in the pattern of liver disease in Nigerian children. Objective: To describe the pattern of paediatric liver diseases among children seen at the National Hospital, Abuja. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study conducted at the Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (PGHAN) clinic and the Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) of National Hospital Abuja, over a 5- year period (2009 – 2014). The diagnosis of liver diseases was made from clinical and laboratory features. The data extracted from the retrieved hospital records were analyzed. Results: Forty-two out of 52 documented cases were analyzed. The children were aged 2 months to 15 years ith the mean of 7.24 ± 4.77 years. Twenty-six (62.0%) were aged >5 years (p>0.05). They comprised 31 (73.8%) males and11 (26.2%) females; 28 (66.7%) belonged to the lower socioeconomic classes while 23 (54.8%) had various forms malnutrition. Common symptoms included jaundice (30; 71.4%), abdominal pain (17; 40.5%), fever (15; 35.7%), abdominal swelling (12; 28.6%) and bleeding (8;19.0%). The signs included jaundice (30; 71.4%), hepatomegaly (16; 38.1%) and splenomegaly (8; 19.0%). Twenty-four (57.1%) had chronic viral infections while the others included neonatal hepatitis syndrome and biliary atresia (6; 14.3%), acute hepatitis (6; 14.3%) and chronic hepatitis of unidentified aetiology (4; 9.5%). Overall, the mean values of the liver enzymes and serum bilirubin were elevated while the mean values of total serum proteins and albumin levels were reduced. Five (11.9%) children improved and were discharged, 15 (35.7%) were lost to follow up with three deaths. Conclusion: Risk factors associated with liver diseases in this study included age over 5 years and lower socio-economic classes. Jaundice was the commonest clinical presentation while the most common aetiology was chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.

Local government throughout Nigeria was reconstituted on a uniform basis in 1976. The 1979 Constitution then empowered state governments to create new local governments. This article describes how the state governments have used their authority to proliferate the number of local governments; it explains the reasons for doing this both on the part of state governments and on that of local communities. The drive to create additional local governments has derived in part from a desire to promote local level development, yet enquiries into the managerial capacity of existing local governments suggest that this expectation will be frustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and context: Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer affecting Nigerian men, with worse outcome compared with men from the developed world. There is limited public awareness about prostate cancer in Nigeria. Oga Blue 4 Prostate Awareness (OB4PA) was created by a consortium of Nigerian nonprofits for prostate cancer advocacy (PCA). Aims: -Design PCA using videos, printed brochure and social media -Implement PCA in five Nigerian states -Evaluate the reach and impact of PCA campaign Program/Policy process : Community-based participatory process, involving the medical community, prostate cancer survivor, and the public was used. Multimedia teaching was used to enhance learning and retention; social media was used to engage groups and individuals. Content development involved iterative consultation among project leaders, medical experts and target audience, often on social media. High-quality teaching videos were recorded in English and Nigerian Pidgin languages. Videos ensured consistency and ease of broadcast. Videos were accessed by OB4PA partners through cloud computing (OneDrive). Facebook was used to promote the campaign, engage local audience, and for Facebook Live presentation. Local health professionals projected the video in appropriate language to audiences in religious and community groups. Brochure detailing clinical features and local service providers was distributed. Audience evaluation was obtained following each interaction. Outcomes: In 6 weeks, 20 presentations were made to 1800 persons. The Facebook Live presentation had 1500 views, reached 9302 people and was shared 107 times. A total of 25 Facebook posts were made, resulting in 628 like, 1908 video views, 160 shares, and reached 14,222 people. Almost all participants had positive feedback on the free and detailed advocacy. Most questions focused on the causes and prevention of prostate cancer, especially on the use of nutritional supplements. What was learned: Cloud computing enabled us to have one presenter; this eliminated the need to find a presenter for each organization. Audience appreciated simplified videos used in explaining the disease process and need for personalized early detection. Facebook live presentation attracted the most reactions on social media, with most comments showing that people liked the intervention. Audience feedback showed that adding advocacy cellphone video by a survivor helped demystify prostate cancer. Having the main presentation video in different file formats and sizes enhanced sharing on social media, as most Nigerians access the Internet on cell phones. Reliable access to projectors was challenging, especially in remote areas. Overall, use of cloud computing and social media were crucial in the success of the PCA project. Lessons from OB4PA informed the design of the current We Can, I Can Conquer Cervical Cancer Awareness project in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]