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Background: Malaria is a major public health problem and cause of much suffering and premature death in the poorer areas of tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America. This study investigated the incidence of malaria parasites among symptomatic patients in 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna State. Method: 100 blood samples were collected from patients attending 44NARHK. A thick and thin film were made using these samples and then stained using the 10% giemsa solution and then viewed under the microscope. Questionnaires were distributed to patients in order to identify the risk factors that makes the plasmodium specie thrive in the human body. Results: A total number of 100 blood samples were collected from patients who showed symptoms of malaria and was tested using the microscopic examination of blood. Of the 100 samples that were examined, 23 were positive giving an incidence rate of 23%. The incidence of malaria parasites among the patients was significantly associated with gender; females had the highest incidence of 56.5%, the age group of 19-30years had an incidence rate of 43% and the genotype AA also had the highest incidence of 73.9%. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the incidence of malaria parasite in patient who showed symptoms like fever/headache, also the geographical location and environmental condition of patients contributes to breeding of the malaria vector. Hence, the study recommends that more work be done on the vector and the parasites.

World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 241 million malaria cases with nearly half of the world’s population at risk in 2020. Since time immemorial, malaria has been one of the most endemic parasitic diseases, which has caused a great menace to public health. This infectious disease has spread worldwide, with a cumulative mortality rate. Despite the significant developments in the healthcare sector, parasitic infectious diseases still exist, causing life-threatening diseases and leading to high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. This review article discussed malaria as a public health endemic infection in general while exposing the associated past and present issues. This is done using articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The endemic nature of malaria was investigated through the past and present issues in its prevalence, multiple causative agents and epidemiological survey. Its morbidity and mortality rate, especially in Africa, where poverty and many other favorable conditions have proven it life-threatening and a serious public health concern. Investigation on the report of various drug resistance to malaria treatment, wide association with other infectious diseases which could aggravate malaria pathogenicity and pose a threat on diagnosis; culminate into a more threat. However, the investigation into various management, prevention and control practices in many African countries has given a glimpse of hope in mitigating endemic malaria.

Abstract Background Testicular cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer but curable. In Nigeria, late presentation hinders treatment due to limited resources for diagnosis and treatment. Testicular self-examination enables men to identify the presence of lumps and any abnormality in their testes. This can facilitate early detection and presentation at hospitals. The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness and practice of testicular self-examination by students at a College of Health Sciences in a Nigerian university. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. The target population were second-sixth year students in the College of Health Sciences. The respondents were conveniently selected to complete a 38-item, self-administered questionnaire. The paper-based questionnaire was distributed to 280 respondents in classrooms and dormitories. Descriptive statistics (such as percentages and frequencies) were used to summarize the frequency of categorical data. Results Of the 277 respondents, only 53.4% (n = 148) have heard about testicular self-examination. The mean age was 20.6 (± 4.51) years. Out of the 148 respondents, only 11.6% practiced it regularly. For majority of the respondents, the barriers mitigating the practice of testicular self-examination are the fear of discovering a lump and lack of knowledge. Conclusion It is necessary for the importance of testicular self-examination to be emphasized in the training of nurses, medical doctors, and other healthcare professionals and its practice should be encouraged among health science students. This will equip these students with the knowledge and skills for their health and to educate their patients and the society on the relevance of testicular self-examination.

Background and Objectives Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with recurrent acute inflammatory processes. These inflammatory processes could lead to elevation of Factor VIII and Von Willebrand Factor levels, thereby increasing the risk of stroke in SCA children. This study aims to determine vWF/FVIII levels in children with SCA and their association with abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD). Subjects and Methods This study enrolled 75 children, including 24 SCA cases with normal TCD, 27 SCA cases with abnormal TCD, and 24 Hb AA controls, all aged between 2 and 16 years. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound was performed to measure the cerebral blood velocity. Venous blood drawn from each participant was used to determine the levels of von Willebrand Factor Antigen (vWF: Ag) and Factor VIII (FVIII) and the complete blood count (CBC). Relationships among the measured parameters were determined using SPSS version 25. Statistical significance was set at P .05). There was a moderate negative correlation between the left middle cerebral artery and FVIII, (r = −0.332; P = .017). Children with SCA showing an abnormal TCD velocity had significantly higher platelet count compared to those with normal TCD ( P = .018). Conclusion Children with SCA have elevated levels of FVIII and vWF, and an abnormal TCD velocity is associated with elevated platelet count.

Live bird markets (LBM) remain a critical link from farm to fork in the poultry value chain, which oftentimes promotes indiscriminate antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance (AMR). In this study, we assessed biosecurity practices, AMU, and associated these with multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli in LBMs in Abeokuta, Ogun State. A cross-sectional survey among live bird sellers (LBS) in eight LBMs was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Also, cloacal samples (n = 200) were randomly collected and pooled for bacteriological detection of MDR E. coli in live chickens of consenting LBS. Susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials belonging to 6 different classes was determined using the disk diffusion method. Biosecurity level and AMU were generally low. LBS less than 46 years were 6.8- fold more likely to fall within the poor biosecurity level (Crudes odds ratio = 6.8; 95% CI; 1.20–38.56; p = 0.03) than others. An informal or primary school education increased the odds of having a poor practice of AMU by 15.1 folds (Crudes odds ratio = 15.1; 95% CI; 2.73–84.18; p = 0.002) than those with secondary or tertiary. The prevalence of E. coli and MDR E. coli at the LBM level were 80% and 56.3%, respectively. Extremely high resistance rates were observed for ceftazidime (96.9%) and imipenem (90.6%). The odds of MDR E. coli increased eight-fold in poultry kept by LBS who use AMs as prophylaxis. This current data could be useful for the development of targeted behavioral risk communication and mitigation strategies for AMR to impede the potential horizontal transfer of AMR genes to humans through animal-sourced food.

Objectives: Organizations recommend providing confidential adolescent health care to reduce the consequences of high-risk health behaviors such as substance use, unhealthy eating patterns, and high-risk sexual behaviors. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to provide confidential counseling and care to this vulnerable population but must be trained to provide such care. This study describes the impact of formal and informal training on the knowledge of and comfort level in providing confidential adolescent healthcare among a sample of US Family Medicine residents., Methods: Electronic surveys were distributed to all Family Medicine residents throughout the United States. We used descriptive statistics and χ 2 analysis where appropriate to determine the association between resident-reported receipt of training, confidence, and frequency in providing confidential adolescent health care., Results: A total of 714 Family Medicine residents completed the survey. The majority reported no formal training in residency (50.3%). The receipt of formal and informal training in both medical school and residency was associated with a greater degree of comfort in providing confidential adolescent care and a higher likelihood of providing confidential time alone. Those reporting formal training were more likely to always provide confidential care ( P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Training focused on confidential adolescent health care in medical school or residency was associated with a greater degree of comfort and a higher likelihood of providing confidential adolescent health care.

Objectives: Cases of child maltreatment (CM) in the United States remain high, and primary care providers lack the confidence and training to diagnose these cases. This study provides recommendations to improve family medicine physicians' confidence in diagnosing CM., Methods: We e-mailed an electronic survey to family medicine residents and physicians practicing in the United States. Responses were collected during August and September 2015. Respondents were asked about their familiarity and competence level regarding the diagnosis of CM. They also were asked about the frequency of their correctly diagnosing CM, timeliness of diagnosis, barriers to a diagnosis or early diagnosis of CM, and receipt of adequate CM training., Results: Of the 420 surveys emailed, 258 (61%) were completed. The majority of respondents stated their self-reported level of competence in diagnosing CM as average or below average, with few (8%) indicating a competence level of above average. A timely diagnosis of child maltreatment was reported by 46% of respondents, whereas 54% were either late (19.2%) in diagnosing or could not recall (34.6%). The barriers to diagnosis cited by responders were inexperience (58%), lack of confidence and certainty (50%), lack of diagnosis protocol (43.3%), lack of confidence in communicating with parents (38.3%), and inadequate training (34.9%)., Conclusions: The introduction of CM training into the family medicine residency training curriculum, coupled with the development of a standardized CM diagnosis protocol, may improve self-reported family medicine physicians' confidence and competence levels in diagnosing CM.

While bright light therapy already has a place in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, a recent trial spotlights its utility beyond the winter months.