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Modified: Avian pox, a highly contagious disease affecting chickens, turkeys, and other birds, is caused by the Pox virus and presents as nodular lesions on the skin and diphtheritic lesions on mucous membranes. A seven-year retrospective study (2016-2022) was conducted on clinical cases of Avian pox presented at Aliyu Jodi Veterinary Clinic (AJVC) and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (VTH-UDUS). During this period, 7,014 cases of poultry infectious diseases were recorded, with 2,066 (28.34%) identified as Avian pox. Specifically, VTH-UDUS documented 1,269 infectious cases, with 622 (49.02%) being Avian pox, while AJVC recorded 6,020 cases, with 1,444 (23.99%) attributed to Avian pox. The highest annual occurrence of Avian pox was in 2016 (38.43%), with the lowest in 2020 (12.61%). Seasonally, the disease was more prevalent during the wet season (61.42%) compared to the dry season (38.58%). Among the affected birds, turkeys showed the highest incidence (60.60%), followed by chickens (23.09%), and pigeons (16.31%). The study concludes that Avian pox was the most prevalent infectious disease during this period, particularly in 2016, during the wet season, and among turkeys. The study recommends increased efforts in disease prevention through vector control and vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Otitis externa is the inflammation of the external auditory canal (EAC); it may be acute, subacute, or chronic in nature and the causative agents are usually bacteria, though occasionally fungi. Aim This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial acute otitis externa (AOE) and the pattern of bacterial isolates in AOE. Material and Methods This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study involving 100 patients with otitis externa. Patients were recruited from ear, nose, and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic using consecutive sampling technique until the required sample size was achieved. The discharge from discharging ears was taken with ear swabs and evaluated for microbial agents. Data analysis was done using SPSS-IBM version 25. Results A total of 100 patients were recruited; the patients aged from 4 to 57 years (mean age is 18.78 ± 10.67) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. One hundred and twenty-four external ear discharge samples were cultured among 100 study groups, of which bacteria was isolated in 77 (62.1%) and no bacterial agent was isolated in 47 (37.1%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa 32 (41.6%) was the most common bacteria isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus – 13 (16.9%); others include Proteus mirabilis – 7 (9.0%), Escherichia coli – 4 (5.2%), Streptococcus pneumonia – 4 (5.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae – 3 (3.9%), Streptococcus pyogenes – 3 (3.9%), and Enterobacter aerogenes – 2 (2.6%). Conclusion Otitis externa affects all age groups and genders; bacteria are a more prevalent causative agent. The common predisposing factors are the use of objects in scratching or cleaning EAC, use of earpiece, and swimming. The prevalence of bacterial otitis externa was 7.1%, and Gram-negative aerobes are the most prevalent.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that mostly affects children less than 5years. Occasionally, it may presents with renal involvement of varying severity. In Nigeria and most of Africa, only a few cases of KD have been reported and these were among children within the typical age group. We report an unusual case of Kawasaki disease with renal manifestation in a 14 year old adolescent. Apart from the principal features of KD comprising of high grade fever, non purulent conjunctivitis, polymorphous rash, right sided cervical lymphadenitis and symmetrical desquamative lesions of the digits of the hands and feet; our patient also had renal involvement. The renal manifestations included mild periorbital edema, oliguria, hypertension (140/90mmHg), hematuria(++), proteinuria(++) and elevated serum urea and creatinine (8.3mmol/L and 1.9mg/dl respectively). He was managed with high dose aspirin at 80mg/kg/day. The dose was reduced (5mg/Kg/day) and subsequently stopped after serial echocardiography showed normal coronary arteries. Intravenous immune globuline (IVIG) could not be started due to non availability. Nevertheless, clinical signs resolved, renal function normalised after 6 weeks and echocardiographic picture did not deteriorate. Patient is currently on follow up at the paediatric cardiology clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria.. Conclusion: Kawasaki disease can occur even in older children and renal manifestation may be self limiting. This report highlights the need for high index of suspicion in all cases.

Background: Under nutrition and overweight in children co-exist in developing countries and may persist into adulthood. Interpretation of body mass index (BMI), a useful measure of nutritional status in children requires age related reference standards, many of which were developed from different international sources. It is necessary to determine which of these reference standards is most suitable for use in the assessment of BMI distribution among adolescents in Nigeria. Objective: To determine the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity using the World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reference standards and assess their level of agreement amongst adolescents in Sokoto metropolis. Methods: 800 students were selected through multi-stage sampling technique from secondary schools. BMI was classified according to three reference standards (WHO, CDC, IOTF). Data was analysed with SPSS version 22. The level of agreement between the reference standards in diagnosing nutritional status was assessed using Kappa statistics. Level of significance was put at p< 0.05. Results: The prevalence rate of thinness was highest with the IOTF at 22.6% compared to 19.4%, and 19.6% by the WHO and CDC respectively. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were highest with the WHO reference standards at 7.0% and 1.3% followed by the IOTF (6.1%and 0.6%) and lowest with the CDC (5.8% and 0.3%). Substantial agreement was observed between WHO and IOTF (Kappa = 0.77), while the level of agreement was 0.68 for IOTF/CDC and 0.64 for WHO/CDC. All agreement statistics were significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The WHO and IOTF reference charts may be more suitable for our population.

Background: Noma is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries with dire far-reaching consequences on the precarious health system and socioeconomic situation of the vulnerable population of the region. Aim: This study aimed to describe the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of noma patients and proffer workable strategies to check the trend. Materials and Methods: Relevant clinical data of the subjects such as demographics, socioeconomic factors, clinical outcome, and length of hospital stay were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 178 case records of patients managed with noma were included and there were 76 (42.7%) males and 102 (57.3%) females. The age range of the study subjects was 1-33 years with mean±SD of 6.23±4.63. The majority of the subjects 172 (96.6%) were from rural communities, farming 126 (70.8%) was the main source of income of the study subjects. All the subjects were from poor households with low socioeconomic status and most of the subjects 175 (8.3%) were not enrolled in formal education. Measles 81 (45.5%) and malnutrition 78 (43.8%) were the most common risk factors identified. Good clinical outcome was recorded with 23 days average length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Demographic and socioeconomic determinants play a crucial role in the occurrence of noma and attention to vulnerable age groups by removing health inequities, fair distribution of resources, and poverty alleviation and improving the living conditions of the affected people would lead to the eradication of the scourge.

Background / Aims: Functional constipation (FC) is an emerging global health problem that could be associated with psychological maladjustments in childhood. The objectives were to determine the prevalence, associated factors and predictors of FC among in-school adolescents in Sokoto. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey of apparently healthy secondary school students in Sokoto metropolis selected via multistage random sampling, using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of FC were adopted in determining FC among the subjects. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25. Results: Six hundred and three (603) adolescents were studied, majority 327 (54.2%) were males, their ages ranged between 10 and 19 years with mean (±SD) of 15.2 ± 2.6 years, with majority 246 (40.8%) belonging to age category 10-14 years. Most 383(63.5%) of the respondents attended public schools and 326(54.1%) were CC –BY 4.0 senior secondary class category. Their parents were mainly 483 (80.1%) Hausa by tribe, graduates of tertiary institution 227 (37.6%),civil servants 268 (44.4%), and majority 272(45.1%) belonged to the middle social class. There was family history of constipation among 64(10.6%) of the subjects. Of the 603 adolescents that were studied, 123 of them had FC giving a prevalence of 20.4%. Gender (p=0.001), school type (p

Background: In most developing countries, the health of the children is strongly dependent on maternal health-care-seeking behavior. The ability of caregivers to recognize and seek appropriate care for childhood illnesses is instrumental in reducing childhood deaths and preventing significant number of complications. The study aimed to determine the health-care-seeking behavior and associated factors among the mothers of under-five (U5) children in Sokoto Metropolis. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among 386 mothers of U5 children in Sokoto metropolis from August 1 to September 30, 2021. The study participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24. The level of significance for Chi-square was set at a P < 0.05. Results: Majority 312 (80.8%) of the respondents U5 children had fallen sick in the last 6 months, most of which 238 (61.7%) were not taken to a health facility. The major reasons why respondents do not take their U5 children to a health facility when sick are because they bought drugs from patent medicine vendor and perceiving the illness of the U5 as not serious to warrant taking the child to a health facility in 93 (24.1%) and 63 (16.3%), respectively. There was association (P ≤ 0.05) between health-care-seeking behavior and respondents' level of education, occupation, monthly income, as well as distance taken to reach a health facility within 30 min' walk. Conclusions: The health-seeking behavior of the mothers for their U5 was poor. Maternal level of education, occupation, income, and lesser number of children in the family were the factors that were significantly associated with seeking health facility care for a sick U5. This study recommends girl child education, women empowerment, and increase access to family planning by the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is one of the products with huge benefits to mankind for medication and, a source of income and also serves as a food in many parts of the world, however, they had been affected by many pests. Therefore, the present research aimed to identify the honeybees’ visitors to modern apiaries in Sokoto State, Nigeria. A mixed design methodology involving experimental and ethnographic research methods was employed for the study, samples were collected using snowball purposive sampling techniques were employed, meanwhile 30 hives were used as a sample size from Madorawa, Kware and Duhuwa Locations. The hives were divided into two to detect the level of occurrences of the visitors to the colony. Both the hives were given proper inspection every two weeks to detect the condition of the colonies. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Chi-Square was used to identify significant association at P < 0.05. The results indicate that, the total pest frequency in the study area is 574, Duhuwa had the highest percentage (39.89%), significant associations of 0.002 and 0.000 were observed between the frequency of the pest at Madorawa and More sites respectively. In conclusion, it was observed that three (3) different classes of pests namely insects, mammals, and reptiles were the visitors of honeybees in modern apiaries of Sokoto State, therefore, it was recommended that, appropriate control and preventive measures should be considered for better production of honey in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt • This study assesses HIV/HCV coinfection and associated risk factors among patients at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, highlighting the seroprevalence of HCV among HIV/AIDS reactive individuals. • The novelty lies in its detailed demographic analysis, revealing significant age, gender, tribal, educational, and occupational disparities, with a notably high seropositivity among people who inject drugs. • These findings underscore the necessity for targeted HCV screening and intervention strategies in HIV/AIDS patients, particularly in demographic subgroups identified as having higher seroprevalence, to improve early diagnosis and management. Full Abstract The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a large healthcare burden. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and HCV coinfection are major global health concerns worldwide. This study aimed to assess the HIV/HCV coinfection and the potential risk factors among people attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto. A cross-sectional seroprevalence survey of HCV infection was carried out on 77 HIV/AIDS reactive subjects attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, from 30th March 2021 to 4th May 2021. Serum samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using immunochromatographic test. Of the 77 study participants, the overall anti-HCV antibody prevalence was 5.2%. The 36-40 age group revealed the highest seropositivity of 18.18%, followed by 51-55 years (14.29%) and the least (11.11%) among 26-30 years. Females had the highest seropositivity of 6.25% and males least (3.45%). The highest seropositivity was seen among the Hausa tribe (7.14%), while the least in Fulani (5.56%). The highest seropositivity was recorded among people with no formal education (6.82%), while people with formal education had the least (5.88%). The highest seropositivity was seen in self-employed individuals (6.52%) regarding occupational status, while employed individuals had the least (4.17%). Married individuals had the highest seropositivity of 7.69%, while the divorced and widow/widower had 5.26% and 4.76% respectively. People who injected drugs recorded the highest seropositivity of 33.33%, with multiple sex partners at 6.90%, while people who shared sharp objects had the least (6.67%). There were no significant differences statistically in HCV seroprevalence among the different age categories, gender, tribe, education, occupation, marital and risk factors (p>0.05). The HCV prevalence rate (5.8%) observed in this study underscored the need to intensify HCV screening among people living with HIV/AIDS for early diagnosis and management of cases.

Introduction: Otomycosis is a superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal (EAC). The hot, humid, and dusty environment of the tropics and subtropics makes otomycosis more prevalent in these regions. It can be acute or chronic, and usually manifest by aural pruritus, aural fullness, otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Aim/Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of etiological agents of otomycosis in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross‑sectional tertiary hospital‑based study. One hundred patients with symptoms of otomycosis were recruited from the ENT outpatient clinic of UDUTH Sokoto. Swabs from the ears were taken and evaluated for fungal agents, sociodemographic factors, symptomatology, and risk factors were analyzed. Data analysis was performed with IBM‑SPSS 25.0. Results: The patient’s age range of 4–57 years (mean of 18.78 ± 10.67) years, with a male‑to‑female ratio of 1:1.1; about 124 ear exudates were analyzed, in 75 (60.5%) of ear discharge, 7 different varieties of fungi were isolated, while in 49 (39.5%), there was no fungal growth on culture. The etiological agents found in our study were Aspergillus niger 30 (40.0%) was the most commonly isolated fungi in this study, followed by Candida albicans 25 (33.3%), Aspergillus fumigatus 5 (6.7%), Mucor 5 (6.7%), Penicillium 4 (5.3%), Aspergillus flavus 3 (4.0%), and Rhizopus 3 (4.0%) with A. niger as the most predominant. Conclusion: Otomycosis affects all age groups and both sexes, could be asymptomatic and if left untreated may result to morbidity. Mycological studies should be carried out on all patients with symptoms Otomycosis, this guide to proper management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in Sub Saharan Africa where Nigeria bears the bulk of the disease. In Nigeria, though Anopheles gambiae is the most dominant species across the country, Anopheles arabiences is the most prevalent in the northern part of Nigeria like Sokoto, while the Anopheles males are predominant in mangrove coastal zones of the country. There are now known five different species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria havoc in the globe; Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), P. ovale, P. malaria, P. vivax and P. knowlesi but, out of these species, P. falciparum is the most prevalent and virulent that accounts for about 95 % of all malaria infections in Nigeria. The significance of P.malaria , P. ovale and P. vivax are neglected as non- P. falciparum parasites, which are currently invisible to most public health authorities in Sokoto and Nigeria at large. Aim: Based on those challenges, this study aims to determine this existing Plasmodium species in Sokoto and establish the gold standard malaria diagnosis. In our knowledge, this is the first cross sectional laboratory based descriptive study of plasmodium species in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria. Result: Our result showed that P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. malaria, and P. vivax are present in Sokoto. Conclusion: Based on our finding, we recommend malaria microscopy as the gold standard of malaria evidence based diagnosis.

Background: For effective control of Monkey pox (Mpox), clinicians need to have adequate knowledge of the disease and adopt appropriate practices to contain it. This study sought to assess the knowledge and practices of medical doctors regarding Monkey pox. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized for the study and using a two stage sampling method, 210 medical doctors working in Sokoto metropolis were recruited into the study. A set of structured, pretested and self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from the study participants. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS computer software version 23 with level of statistical significance set at p

W XIX wieku w północnej Nigerii Fulbe umiejętnie wykorzystywali islam jako siłę motywującą i usprawiedliwiającą walkę z lokalnymi muzułmańskimi władcami. W ten sposób udało im się ustanowić regionalną potęgę - kalifat (sułtanat) Sokoto, który na długi czas podporządkował sobie feudalne struktury Fulanów w północnym Kamerunie. Do upadku potęgi i jedności kalifatu Sokoto przyczyniła się Wielka Brytania, a następnie Niemcy. Jednak w północnym Kamerunie ani Niemcom, ani później Francji nie udało się wyeliminować dominacji Fulbe nad innymi ludami (Kirdi). Przyczynił się do tego przyjęty pośredni system rządów. Nie zmieniło się to w latach niepodległości Kamerunu. Fulbe nadal pozostawali u władzy w administracji państwowej i poza nią. Jednak na przełomie XIX i XX wieku ich władza została zakwestionowana przez nowe radykalne grupy muzułmańskie. Te nowe grupy muzułmańskie de facto odwoływały się do niektórych idei i praktyk, których Fulbe używali wcześniej jako własnej broni.

Introduction: Female sand flies are hematophagous, feeding on animals and in the process serve as vectors for Leishmania, the parasites that cause leishmaniasis in humans. Leishmaniasis are a group of parasitic neglected tropical diseases in 98 countries including Nigeria and kills ~60,000 people/year. In Nigeria, Sokoto State is endemic to leishmaniasis but there is a knowledge gap on the identity of the prevalent sand flies and the Leishmania species they transmit. Hence, this cross-sectional study was designed to take inventory of the species of sand flies in Sokoto using genetic methods. Methods: 1,260 (310 females) sand flies were collected from three Local Government Areas (L.G.A) of Sokoto State-Wamakko, Sokoto South and Kware. Genomic DNA was extracted from each fly and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on the DNA samples using primers targeting the arthropods mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (mt-coI) gene, and nested PCR with primers targeting the gene for Leishmania internal transcribed spacer-1 (its-1) of ribosomal RNA its-1rRNA. The PCR products were sequenced. Results: Gene sequence analysis revealed five species of sand flies belonging to the old-world genera namely Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. The identified species were P. papatasi (6.45%), S. adleri (6.45%), S. affinis (9.7%), S. distincta (9.7%), S. schwetzi (67.7%). Within the sampling period, sand flies were most abundant in the rainy months of August (104/33.5%) and September (116/37.4%) with all the five identified species occurring. Sequence analysis of its-1 gene identified Leishmania infantum in two sand flies (2/310)- P. papatasi (from Sokoto South) and S. affinis (from Wamakko). BLAST search in NCBI and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sand fly species are related to the species reported in different parts of Africa, while the L. infantum is identical to strain reported in Brazil (KY379083.1). Discussion: Phlebotomus papatasi and four species belonging to the genus Sergentomyia are the most prevalent sand flies in Sokoto State, Nigeria and they harbor L. infantum solely. The results shed light on why visceral leishmaniasis is the most predominant form of the disease. Therefore, we recommend that adequate care for dogs must be instituted as dogs are the major animal reservoir for L. infantum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradual rise in human population, an increasing demand for poultry meat/egg as a source of protein is expected in the nearest future. This and increasing cost of antibiotics and other drugs in addition to their residual effects when used as feed additives have necessitated need to research into natural herbal plants that could serve as cheap and good alternative to commercial (synthetic) antibiotics. The study aimed to determine if there is any beneficial effect in hematological profile of broilers fed low levels of turmeric (Curcuma longa). One hundred and twenty (120) one-day-old broiler birds (Cobb 500) were raised for seven (7) weeks at the Aliyu Jodi Veterinary Clinic farm in Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The birds were randomly assigned to four (4) treatments groups (TC, T1, T2, and T3) of thirty (30) birds each and were fed turmeric powder at levels of 0g per 25 kg of feed, 50g per 25 kg of feed, 100 g per 25 kg of feed, and 150 g per 25kg feed respectively. Each of the four (4) treatment-groups was further sub-grouped into three (3) replicas of ten (10) birds each. At seven (7) weeks old, one (1) bird was randomly selected from each of the replicas for hematological profile. The results indicated that, turmeric powder had no significant (P> 0.05) effect on hematological profile (RBC, PVC, and WBC) of the broilers. Feeding broiler birds with low levels of turmeric powder had no statistical significance on hematology parameters evaluated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in Sub Saharan Africa where Nigeria bears the bulk of the disease. In Nigeria, though Anopheles gambiae is the most dominant species across the country, Anopheles arabiences is the most prevalent in the northern part of Nigeria like Sokoto, while the Anopheles males are predominant in mangrove coastal zones of the country. There are now known five different species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria havoc in the globe; Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), P. ovale, P. malaria, P. vivax and P. knowlesi but, out of these species, P. falciparum is the most prevalent and virulent that accounts for about 95 % of all malaria infections in Nigeria. The significance of P.malaria, P. ovale and P. vivax are neglected as non-P. falciparum parasites, which are currently invisible to most public health authorities in Sokoto and Nigeria at large. Aim: Based on those challenges, this study aims to determine this existing Plasmodium species in Sokoto and establish the gold standard malaria diagnosis. In our knowledge, this is the first cross sectional laboratory based descriptive study of plasmodium species in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria. Result: Our result showed that P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. malaria, and P. vivax are present in Sokoto. Conclusion: Based on our finding, we recommend malaria microscopy as the gold standard of malaria evidence based diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic education and literacy were present in Hausaland long before the jihad of Usman ɗan Fodio, which culminated in the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1804. While ʿAjamī made its way into Hausaland with the spread of Islam, its use today is not limited to sacred or religious texts. In fact, it serves as a medium for the diffusion of information through newspapers, personal correspondence, political and advertising signage, poetry, and even currency notes. At the same time, the Islamic values that inform Hausa culture are an integral aspect of these materials. Over time, Hausa scholars adapted the Warsh-based Arabic script to the particularities of the Hausa language, resulting in Hausa ʿAjamī's enriched inventory of characters and diacritics. The ʿAjamī tradition remains strong and widespread, as shown in our collection of 20 manuscripts, most from the 20th century, that highlight a range of personal qualities valued by the Hausa people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry products (meat and egg) are some of the common/cheap sources of protein in Africa but the issue of Antimicrobial Resistance due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in birds is threatening the poultry production subsector and causing serious public health concerns. As such, there is a need to find alternatives (phytogenic) to antibiotics that can improve animal health and reduce antibiotic use by farmers. The study aimed to determine the effect of the graded level of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the liver enzymes of broilers. The study was conducted with 120 one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) fed turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder as supplement were used for the experiment (7 weeks). The birds were reared on deep litter system and were randomly allotted to four (4) equal dietary groups (TC, T1, T2, and T3) fed turmeric powder levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/25kg feed for seven (7) weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for laboratory (serum biochemical) analysis; each dietary group contained three replicates with 10 birds each. The results showed that the concentration of total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not affected statistically (P> 0.05) in groups treated with turmeric powder when compared with the control group. In contrast, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was affected statistically (P< 0.05) across the group. The study concludes that turmeric positively affected some serum biochemical parameters; although further research is required to elucidate its effect at different inclusion levels on other biochemical parameters.

IntroductionFemale sand flies are hematophagous, feeding on animals and in the process serve as vectors for Leishmania, the parasites that cause leishmaniasis in humans. Leishmaniasis are a group of parasitic neglected tropical diseases in 98 countries including Nigeria and kills ~60,000 people/year. In Nigeria, Sokoto State is endemic to leishmaniasis but there is a knowledge gap on the identity of the prevalent sand flies and the Leishmania species they transmit. Hence, this cross-sectional study was designed to take inventory of the species of sand flies in Sokoto using genetic methods.Methods1,260 (310 females) sand flies were collected from three Local Government Areas (L.G.A) of Sokoto State- Wamakko, Sokoto South and Kware. Genomic DNA was extracted from each fly and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on the DNA samples using primers targeting the arthropods mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (mt-coI) gene, and nested PCR with primers targeting the gene for Leishmania internal transcribed spacer-1 (its-1) of ribosomal RNA its-1rRNA. The PCR products were sequenced.ResultsGene sequence analysis revealed five species of sand flies belonging to the old-world genera namely Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. The identified species were P. papatasi (6.45%), S. adleri (6.45%), S. affinis (9.7%), S. distincta (9.7%), S. schwetzi (67.7%). Within the sampling period, sand flies were most abundant in the rainy months of August (104/33.5%) and September (116/37.4%) with all the five identified species occurring. Sequence analysis of its-1 gene identified Leishmania infantum in two sand flies (2/310)- P. papatasi (from Sokoto South) and S. affinis (from Wamakko). BLAST search in NCBI and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sand fly species are related to the species reported in different parts of Africa, while the L. infantum is identical to strain reported in Brazil (KY379083.1).DiscussionPhlebotomus papatasi and four species belonging to the genus Sergentomyia are the most prevalent sand flies in Sokoto State, Nigeria and they harbor L. infantum solely. The results shed light on why visceral leishmaniasis is the most predominant form of the disease. Therefore, we recommend that adequate care for dogs must be instituted as dogs are the major animal reservoir for L. infantum.

Infection with intestinal parasites is one of the main health issues in poor nations. It is estimated to affect 3.5 billion people worldwide, and 450 million people are thought to be ill as a result of such illnesses, with children making up the majority of those who are ill. By using several stool concentration techniques, this study was aimed at identifying parasite ova in the stool of Almajiri school children in Sokoto. The Formol-ether concentration technique, which is regarded as the gold-standard, Sheather's sugar floating technique, and saline floatation technique were employed to detect parasite ova in stool samples taken from Almajiri school children. A total of 137 stool samples were collected from Almajiri school children and each sample was examined by these concentration techniques. A prevalence of 37.9% of intestinal helminthiasis was observed by Formol-ether concentration technique. The sensitivity and specificity of Formol-Ether concentration technique were 96.2% and 97.8% respectively, followed by Sheather’s sugar floating technique 88.5% and 93.8% and the lowest sensitivity and specificity of 76.9% and 90% respectively were obtained in the saline floatation technique. There was a high prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among Al-majiri school children, sheather’s sugar floatation technique was as sensitive as the Formol-ether concentration technique and more sensitive than the Saline floatation technique. Therefore, Sheather’s sugar floatation technique is recommended as a better alternative in the diagnosis of intestinal helminthiasis.

The study investigated the awareness, perceptions and reactions on the Science Hub (Sci-Hub) website use among the postgraduate students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The objectives of the study were to find out the postgraduate students' level of awareness, perceptions and contributions of Science Hub website use for research and to ascertain their reactions and extent of satisfaction with it. The study adopted the survey research design. The population for the study comprised of postgraduate students of the university. Four faculties namely: Science, Health, Veterinary and Agriculture were purposively selected for the study. This is due to the fact that about 98.5% of the information resources in Science Hub are science, health and biomedical based. Simple random sampling was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) PG students that is thirty (30) each from the faculties under study. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed descriptively using tables, frequency and simple percentage statistic tool. The study found out that only few postgraduate students are aware of the existence of Science Hub website for research, majority of the postgraduate students who are aware of the Si-Hub website are making use of it because it provide free access to expensive online articles and books, majority of the respondents who are aware of the Sci-Hub website make use of it after few hours and majority of the respondents who are aware of the Sci-Hub website make use of it after few hours, among others. The study concluded that Science Hub website renders significant information services delivery to the users. Hence it provides free access to expensive online articles and books that ordinarily would have been out of reach of many students and researchers. The study recommended that based on the significance of this site to academia, the university library may communicate its value as well as its copyright status quo to the students especially during orientation programmes and the postgraduate students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto should take advantage of free access offered by Science Hub website and utilize it in addition to the proprietary databases provided by the university library, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer of the cervix uteri is the most common gynaecological cancer and a leading cause of cancer mortality among women in the developing countries, including Nigeria, with high-risk HPV being the major aetiological factor. Aims: This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Relevant information social and demographic information were obtained through personal interviews using structured questionnaire. Two Samples (LBC and HPV) were collected from 84 consenting participants who visited the gynaecological clinic during the study period. LBC smear was obtained, and smear results were classified using The Bethesda System of classification, 2014. Hybribio 21 HPV Geno array test kit with polymerase Chain Reaction for the HPV DNA detection was used. Results: Out of 84 sample tested for HR-HPV, 72 (88.9.%) cases were negative, while 12 cases were positive for HR-HPV constituting 14.3 % of the cases. The HR-HPV were seen more among the age group of 25-30yrs (33.3%) and the HPV genotype identified include 13, 16, 31, 33, 39, 45, 51, 52 and 58 respectively. Out of the 12 positive cases, three of the cases shows co-infections with other HR-HPV genotypes (16 & 52, 31 &33, and 39 & 51 respectively) and single infection by the 13,31,45,52, and 58 respectively. Three cases each were infected by HR-HPV 13 and 58 being the most common infections, followed by HR-HPV 31 and 52 infecting two cases each and the remaining (16,33,39,45,51), one case each. Conclusion: This study shows that HR- HPV 13 and 58 are the most common HPV subtype, follow by HPV 31 and 52 in our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the only preventable cardiovascular disease that still causes significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria where it is classified as a neglected disease. The inciting agent causes pharyngitis often not properly treated. Aim and Objectives: To study the knowledge and preventive practices of RHD amongst primary healthcare workers who are in contact with larger ratio of populace in order to recommend appropriate interventions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among health workers in primary health centres in Sokoto metropolis. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guide was used to collect the information. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results: Majority (109/182; 59.8%) had RHD inadequate knowledge of causes, risk factors and treatment of pharyngitis which predisposes to RHD. Only 49 (26.9%) of the respondents knew the name of the causative agent. The knowledge gap was related to length of training and attendance at a training (ꭓ2 = 8.38; P=0.015 & ꭓ2 = 7.92; P=0.004). Majority of the respondents with 168 out of 182 (92.3%) had positive attitude. Practice grading was adequate in only less than half of the respondents (88/182; 48.4%). Male gender and negative attitude were predictors of adequacy of preventive practices (aOR= 0.49; 95% C.I =0.267-0.929; P=0.03 & aOR= 3.87; 95% C.I =1.027-14.586; P=0.046). Conclusion: The health workers had inadequate knowledge and poor practice on prevention of rheumatic heart disease. It is necessary to upscale information available to them by medical specialists and upgrade their curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry products (meat and egg) are some of the common/cheap sources of protein in Africa but the issue of Antimicrobial Resistance due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in birds is threatening the poultry production subsector and causing serious public health concerns. As such, there is a need to find alternatives (phytogenic) to antibiotics that can improve animal health and reduce antibiotic use by farmers. The study aimed to determine the effect of the graded level of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the liver enzymes of broilers. The study was conducted with 120 one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) fed turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder as supplement were used for the experiment (7 weeks). The birds were reared on deep litter system and were randomly allotted to four (4) equal dietary groups (TC, T1, T2, and T3) fed turmeric powder levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/25kg feed for seven (7) weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for laboratory (serum biochemical) analysis; each dietary group contained three replicates with 10 birds each. The results showed that the concentration of total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not affected statistically (P> 0.05) in groups treated with turmeric powder when compared with the control group. In contrast, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was affected statistically (P< 0.05) across the group. The study concludes that turmeric positively affected some serum biochemical parameters; although further research is required to elucidate its effect at different inclusion levels on other biochemical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important zoonotic pathogen capable of causing life threatening disease conditions in humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the presence of MRSA in both pet and stray dogs within the Sokoto metropolis. A total of 100 oral swabs comprising 50 each from pet and stray dogs were collected and analyzed using routine bacteriological cultures and molecular identifications. Out of the 100 samples examined, 15 % (15/100) were positive for MRSA with varying detection rates of 9/50 (18 %) and 6/50 (12 %) for the pet and stray dogs respectively. The statistical analysis showed no significant association between the occurrence of MRSA and the dogs (P = 0.401). The study revealed the presence of MRSA in dogs within the Sokoto metropolis, which presents health risks to pet dog owners, veterinarians, dog catchers and other individuals who may come into close contact with these dogs.

The study assessed how adequately prepared serving Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto (SSCOE), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) graduates were by their Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) to teach at Basic Education level. It was Mixed method that involved Descriptive Survey and Case Study research design and the population of the study are all the 7, 246 NCE graduates teaching in primary schools across the 23 LGEAs in Sokoto state represented in the multi-stage sampling procedure by 357 serving SSCOE Sokoto NCE graduates as recommended by Research Advisor (2006). Triangulation was used in data collection; the instruments were two Researcher-designed questionnaires for the teachers and Head-teachers of primary schools they teach, Researcher-designed Classroom Observation Checklist for teachers and In-depth Interview guide. All the instruments were validated by team of experts and supervisors from the Department of Educational Foundations, Usmanu Danfodiyo, University, Sokoto. While reliability index (.61, .68 and .63) of Questionnaires and Checklist were obtained through Test-re-test method using Spearman Rank Order Correlation. For the Qualitative interview, a technique of repeating question in a slightly different form during the interview was used. Data was analysed using frequency and mean score as well as thematic analysis. Among the findings of the study were serving SSCOE Sokoto NCE graduates perceived themselves inadequately prepared by their ITP in some pedagogical areas namely Classroom management, application of instructional materials and management of school records and thus one of the recommendations was that Colleges of Education, SSCOE in particular should give extensive ITP to the NCE pre-service teachers on pedagogical aspects of training especially those considered inadequate by the College’s serving graduates.

Introduction: Access to quality antenatal care (ANC) is essential in reducing high maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in resource-poor countries. One way of ensuring financial accessibility to high-quality ANC services is through health insurance. This study assessed the perceived quality of services among insured and uninsured pregnant women attending the ANC at a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Nigeria., Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 118 pregnant women selected via systematic sampling technique. Data were sought using a validated structured questionnaire and IBM SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05., Result: Key socio-demographic variables (age, marital status, educational status) of the respondents were comparable concerning their health insurance status (p>0.05). Duration of registration time was significantly longer among the insured than the uninsured clients (p<0.001), however, time spent in waiting was comparable in both groups (p=0.936). Similarly, the ease of getting prescribed drugs and investigations was higher among uninsured compared to their insured counterparts (p<0.001). Clients in both groups were generally satisfied with the services received at the clinic, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). No factor was found to be significantly associated with clients' satisfaction in both groups (p>0.05)., Conclusion: Insured clients spent considerably longer time in registration, laboratory, and in waiting to get their drugs after prescription. To reduce delay in obtaining investigation and prescribed drugs, a dedicated laboratory and pharmacy need to be provided within the antenatal clinic complex., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Cryptosporidium species are one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal infection in humans around the world. This study aimed at the characterization of Cryptosporidium species in humans using the 18S rRNA gene. Among the 368 human faecal samples screened using Cryptosporidium antigen Copro-ELISA kit, 61 (16.6%) were positive. The positive faecal samples were subjected to Nested PCR for the amplification of 830 bp fragments of small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and followed by nucleotide sequencing. Out of the 61 copro-ELISA positive samples, 5 (8.2%) were PCR positive for Cryptosporidium species (3 (4.9%) of C. parvum and 2 (3.3%) of C. hominis). Two HIV patients were found to be harbouring C. parvum and C. hominis, so also as hypertensive and diarrheic patients harbouring C. parvum and C. hominis, respectively. Higher prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium was found in young children (11.1%), males (8.7%), loose faeces (42.9%) than older age groups (8.7%), females (7.9%) and wellformed (3.1%) or mucoid/pasty faeces (0%) based on the data gathered from the closeended questionnaire also used on each human subject. This study was the first to report C. parvum and C. hominis infecting humans in Sokoto state, Northwestern Nigeria. It is suggested that a multi-locus study of Cryptosporidium species in developing countries would be necessary to determine the extent of transmission of Cryptosporidium in the populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality in the emergency pediatric unit (EPU). It is the usual presentation of many structural cardiac and non cardiac diseases. An audit of the causes of heart failure is necessary to ensure adequate management and prevention. Aim: We describe the pattern and outcome of children with HF admitted to an EPU of a tertiary hospital in Sokoto. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the EPU over 24 months (May 2019 to April 2021). Children aged 1 month to 15 years admitted with heart failure were recruited consecutively. The demographic characteristics, cause of heart failure, and outcome were entered into a proforma. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results: One hundred and fifty-five out of 7158 children (2.2%) had HF. Majority of these 103 (66.5%) were aged 1 month to 5 years. The age range was 1–180 months with a mean of 55.4 (±53.7) months and a median of 36 (IQR: 86 months). Males accounted for 84 (54.2%) with a ratio of 1.18:1. The commonest causes of heart failure were congenital heart disease (CHD) 40: 25.8%; severe anemia 34: 21.9%; bronchopneumonia 30: 19.4%; rheumatic heart disease (RHD) 18: 11.6%; and dilated cardiomyopathy 16: 10.3%. There were 45(29.0%) deaths, of which CHD, RHD and severe anaemia accounted for the highest mortality. Conclusion: Structural heart diseases like CHD and RHD, in addition to severe anemia and bronchopneumonia, are significant causes of heart failure and mortality in this environment. A holistic approach to prevention is necessary to reduce the burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a key to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), but its practice has remained low in Nigeria, despite the strong evidences in support of EBF for the first six months of life. Setting and Design: This was a nine months descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among nursing mothers with children 6–24 months attending pediatric follow-up clinic and family health clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Materials and Methods: Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the sociodemographic characteristics and EBF practices of mothers. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 240 mothers were interviewed. The mean age of the mothers was 29.7 ± 6 years. All the respondents breastfed their children, 82 (34.2%) practiced EBF for six months. Higher level of maternal education (P = 0.001), ANC attendance (P = 0.001), maternal occupation (P = 0.007), hospital delivery (P = 0.007) significantly influence the practice of EBF for six months. Conclusion: EBF practice was sub optimal. Thus, improving utilization of antenatal care, female education, and hospital delivery are crucial interventions to increase EBF practice toward achieving SDG-2 and 3 in Sokoto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection and identification of fungal DNA from clinical samples is one of the fundamental approaches in biomedicine. The incidence, distribution, and control of dermatophytes has progress significantly and the use of phylogenetic species concepts based on rRNA regions have enhanced the taxonomy of dermatophyte species; however, the use of 28S rDNA genes has certain limitations. This gene has been used in dermatophyte taxonomy with limited enumeration; we appraised the sequence disparity within and among groups of the species, the gene ranking in identification, phylogenetic analysis, and taxonomy of 32 strains of eight dermatophyte species. In this study, a set of primers was adopted to amplify the target followed by a partial sequencing of the rDNA. The utilization of a pairwise nucleotide differentiation, an affinity was observed among eight dermatophyte species, with disparity among species ranging from 0 to 197 base pair (bp). Intra-species bp differences were found within strains of Trichophyton eriotrephon, Trichophyton bullosum, Trichophyton simii (Trichophyton genus), Microsporum audouinii, and Trichophyton tonsurans (Microsporum and Trichophyton genus, respectively); however, only some strains of Trichophyton eriotrephon were found to be invariant having three genotypes. Trichophyton tonsurans exhibited most intra-species variability. The characterization and construction of a phylogenetic tree of 28S rDNA gene on dermatophyte species provide a bedrock of an additional finding of connections between species. However, 28S rRNA capture provides a novel method of effective and sensitive detection of dermatophytes lodged in human skin scale. We report for the first time the emergence of T. eriotrephon, T. bullosum, T. simii, T. benhamiae, and Ctenomyces serratus dermatophytes from Tinea capitis in Nigeria.

Abstract Background Nigeria, the last endemic country in the WHO African Region, was certified free of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in 2020. However, due to low immunity in some communities in Sokoto, outbreaks of the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance indicators in Sokoto state, Nigeria. Methods This retrospective study was an analysis of routinely collected AFP surveillance data between 2012 and 2019 by the Sokoto state surveillance network. We assessed the Sokoto state AFP surveillance system using the AFP surveillance performance indicators. We performed all analyses using Microsoft Excel 2019. Results Cumulatively, 3001 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases were reported over the evaluation period, out of which 1692 (56.4%) were males, and 2478 (82.4%) were below five years. More than half, 1773 (59.1%), had a fever at the beginning of the disease, and 1911 (63.7%) had asymmetric paralysis. The non-polio AFP rate (9.1 to 23.5% per 100,000 children

Introduction: Dengue fever (DF) has become a disease of public health concern. It is a mosquito-borne virus infection caused by one of the four serotypes of the dengue virus, and the disease is prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with a global burden in the Americas. Yearly, about 390 million cases of new infection are estimated to occur. Aims of the Study: This study was aimed atdetermining the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding dengue fever amongst health workers in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto state , Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, among 367 health-care workers who had worked in the hospital for at least 1 year before the study were selected using a systematic sampling method. Data were collected by trained resident doctors using a standardized, pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20 with a significance set at P > 0.05. Results: There was high awareness (95.1%) among the respondents, with seminars and lectures in school as the most familiar information sources. A more significant proportion, 87.8%, 93.2%, and 76.6%, of the respondents had adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate DF practice, respectively. Nurses and laboratory scientists had higher practice scores compared to other health-care workers (P = 0.016). Conclusion: Capacity building of health-care workers, especially the primary care physicians on surveillance, proper diagnosis, and treatment, is needed to avoid missing cases or misdiagnosis of cases, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries with limited health resources care service delivery.

Introduction: psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. Results: knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father's use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1). Conclusion: knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection and identification of fungal DNA from clinical samples is one of the fundamental approaches in biomedicine. The incidence, distribution, and control of dermatophytes has progress significantly and the use of phylogenetic species concepts based on rRNA regions have enhanced the taxonomy of dermatophyte species; however, the use of 28S rDNA genes has certain limitations. This gene has been used in dermatophyte taxonomy with limited enumeration; we appraised the sequence disparity within and among groups of the species, the gene ranking in identification, phylogenetic analysis, and taxonomy of 32 strains of eight dermatophyte species. In this study, a set of primers was adopted to amplify the target followed by a partial sequencing of the rDNA. The utilization of a pairwise nucleotide differentiation, an affinity was observed among eight dermatophyte species, with disparity among species ranging from 0 to 197 base pair (bp). Intra-species bp differences were found within strains of Trichophyton eriotrephon, Trichophyton bullosum, Trichophyton simii (Trichophyton genus), Microsporum audouinii, and Trichophyton tonsurans (Microsporum and Trichophyton genus, respectively); however, only some strains of Trichophyton eriotrephon were found to be invariant having three genotypes. Trichophyton tonsurans exhibited most intra-species variability. The characterization and construction of a phylogenetic tree of 28S rDNA gene on dermatophyte species provide a bedrock of an additional finding of connections between species. However, 28S rRNA capture provides a novel method of effective and sensitive detection of dermatophytes lodged in human skin scale. We report for the first time the emergence of T. eriotrephon, T. bullosum, T. simii, T. benhamiae, and Ctenomyces serratus dermatophytes from Tinea capitis in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Cytopathology offers a rapid diagnosis of suspicious lesions, aiding prompt clinical judgment. The extent of the cytopathologic practice is variable, thus justifying the need to assess the frequency of its use in health care centres in resource-challenged settings. Objectives:To assess the frequency of use of cytopathology services, the demographic features of the patients and the various diagnostic outcomes. Methods:The study was a retrospective analysis of 17 years’ records; including parameters like the basic demographics and cytomorphologic diagnoses in paediatric practice. Data was sought from histopathology department registers and cytopathologic request forms for patients in the age range of 0-15 years. Results:The total number of the paediatric cytologic specimen was 930 constituting 12.3% of all cytologic specimens received in the study period. The mean age was 8.0 years with a range of 1 day to 15 years. There were 537/930(57.7%) males and 378/930(40.6%) females with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. The specimens were obtained by fine-needle aspiration cytology in 596/930(64.1%) cases or smears of exfoliative specimens in 334/930(35.9%) cases. Most of the samples were obtained from children in 6 - 10 years age group. The commonest clinical indication for the cytology was “suspected malignancy” comprising 370/930(39.8%) cases. The most frequent cytopathological diagnosis was “positive for malignancy”, accounting for 232/930(24.9%) cases. Conclusion: Cytopathology practice in a resource-poor setting remains a useful tool in the preliminary evaluation of lesions.

Aim: This research project investigates the effect of mastitis on some hematological and biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto goats (RSGs). Materials and Methods: In this investigation, 16 clinically and subclinically diagnosed mastitic and 20 non-mastitic RSGs, within Sokoto metropolis, were sampled. Blood samples were collected both in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and anticoagulant free sample bottles for hematology and biochemical analysis, respectively. Results: A statistical analysis of the results revealed no significant difference in all the hematological parameters analyzed for both the mastitic and non-mastitic goats except mean corpuscular hemoglobin where significant difference (p

Abstract Background A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Four hundred terminal urine samples were collected from primary school pupils and analysed using standard filtration technique. Results Out of the 400 urine samples examined, 192 (48%) were found to be infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Males had a higher prevalence (49.49%) than females (43.93%), although statistical analysis indicated no significant association of S. haematobium infection with gender. The highest infection rate was recorded among pupils aged 4–6 years (62.82%) while the least was found among pupils aged 7–9 years; this did not attend significant level (p > 0.05). The occurrence of S. haematobium infection did not significantly associate with a source of drinking water and water contact activity (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates the presence of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area and that all pupils in the study area are equally exposed to the source of infection. Therefore, prompt intervention is highly advocated.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections in the world. The organism causes silent infection in women and could remain unnoticed for a very long time. Nearly 80% of women are asymptomatic. It is an established and recognized cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility among women. In most parts of Nigeria, including the study area, the organism is not routinely screened for, hence the paucity of information about its prevalence. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with genital C. trachomatis infection among women attending the Gynaecological Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out among new patients attending the Gynaecological Clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto. The women were consecutively recruited as they presented to the clinic until the desired sample size was achieved. A structured questionnaire was administered, and related information and consent were obtained. Endocervical swab was collected and tested using Eugene Chlamydia Rapid Test Device following manufacturer's instructions. Results: Samples were collected from a total of 400 women aged between 15 and 49 years. The prevalence of genital C. trachomatis among gynecological patients was 3.5%. The risk factors identified include age of patients below 29 years, early age of onset of sexual activity, and marital status. Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of genital C. trachomatis was low. The rate was higher among respondents with infertility. There is a need for routine screening of patients with infertility.

Introduction: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening necrotising bacterial infection of the kidneys. It is rare among children and can be fatal if not promptly identified and treated. Case presentation: A 7-month-old male infant presented to the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, on 12 November 2019 with a 5-day history of fever and vomiting, and a 3-day history of a progressively enlarging, left-side abdominal mass. There was associated excessive crying on micturition, refusal to feed and weight loss. He looked ill and was in respiratory distress, irritable, febrile (38.8 °C), moderately dehydrated and pale. His weight and length were 5.5 kg and 64 cm. He had a tender, firm and ballotable abdominal mass on the left flank measuring 8 cm × 10 cm. His pulse rate was 140 beats/min, blood pressure 60/40 millimetres of mercury and respiratory rate was 65 cycles/min. He had widespread coarse crepitations and normal heart sounds on chest auscultation. Management and outcome: An initial diagnosis of sepsis was made. Other considerations were nephroblastoma and neuroblastoma. Ceftriaxone and blood transfusion were commenced with subsequent administration of intravenous fluids. Further radiologic investigations revealed emphysematous pyelonephritis. The patient had percutaneous drainage and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (sensitive to meropenem) which was isolated from the aspirate culture after 48 h of incubation. Meropenem could not be commenced because of non-availability and high cost. The patient subsequently deteriorated and died from septic shock. Conclusion: Emphysematous pyelonephritis has a fulminant course when not diagnosed promptly and treated adequately.

Background: Nigeria, the last endemic country in the WHO African Region, was certified free of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in 2020. However, due to low immunity in some communities in Sokoto, outbreaks of the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance indicators in Sokoto state, Nigeria.Methods: This retrospective study was an analysis of routinely collected AFP surveillance data between 2012 and 2019 by the Sokoto state surveillance network. We assessed the Sokoto state AFP surveillance system using the AFP surveillance performance indicators. We performed all analyses using Microsoft Excel 2019.Results: Cumulatively, 3001 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases were reported over the evaluation period, out of which 1692 (56.4%) were males, and 2478 (82.4%) were below five years. More than half, 1773 (59.1%), had a fever at the beginning of the disease, and 1911 (63.7%) had asymmetric paralysis. The non-polio AFP rate (9.1 to 23.5% per 100,000 children < 15 years old) and stool adequacy rate (92.5 to 100%) indicate high sensitivity. The proportion of cases that had stool samples collected early, timely transported to the laboratory and arrived at the laboratory in optimal condition were all above the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum standard of 80%. There was inadequate profile documentation of some suspected cases.Conclusions: Sokoto State has exceeded the WHO minimum standards in most of the AFP surveillance indicators. The performance of the system is sufficient enough to detect any reintroduction of WPV into the state. However, there is a need for improvement in data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: bullying affects up to 85% of in-school adolescents in Nigeria. It presents a potentially serious threat to healthy adolescent development. Bullying has not been extensively studied in Nigeria and more so in northern Nigeria. Therefore, we investigated the types and predictors of bullying perpetration among adolescents in secondary schools. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study between January and March 2019. Using a multistage sampling technique, we recruited 390 adolescents. We estimated the prevalence and types of bullying perpetration, and we examined the predictors of bullying among the participants using chi-square and binary logistic regression at a 5% level of significance. Results: the mean age of adolescents was 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Majority of the participants 234 (60.0%) were in late adolescence (15-19 years), and 205 (52.6%) were males. The most prevalent type of bullying perpetrated was verbal [69.7%; 95% CI = 64.9-74.3%]. Overall, 307 [78.7%; 95% CI = 74.3-82.6%] had perpetrated at least one type of bullying. Male gender (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.70; 95%CI = 1.43 - 5.10), attending a boarding school (aOR: 7.93, 95% CI = 2.91 - 21.58) and frequent parental conflicts (aOR: 5.23, 95% CI = 2.15 - 12.71) were independent predictors of bullying perpetration. Conclusion: there is a high prevalence of bullying perpetration among adolescents in Sokoto metropolis, especially among males, those in boarding schools and those who experience frequent parental conflicts. We recommend that school principals should pay close attention to this behaviour and parents should be sensitized on the consequences of their domestic actions on their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Road traffic accident (RTA) is the eighth leading cause of death worldwide. Motorcycle-associated head injury is the leading cause of road traffic associated morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Even though the incidence and mortality of head injury from motor cycle crash is on the increase in developing countries, especially in the African continent, most of the studies published in the literature on this subject matter took place in the developed Western countries. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of data from patients managed in our institution between December 2014 and November 2016. Results One hundred and eighty-four patients were analyzed. None of the patients used safety helmet for protection. The mean age was 27.6 ± 17.2 years with male female ratio of 6.7:1. Lone crash by cyclists and collisions accounted for 66.8% and 33.1% of the cases, respectively. Passengers and riders comprised 75% of the patients, while 25% were vulnerable pedestrians. The most frequently abused substance by the patients was tramadol (65.52%). Severe head injury and pupillary abnormality were found in 23.9% and 45.5% of the patients, respectively. Cranial CT scan showed abnormalities in 40.2% of the patients. Surgery was done in 28.3% of the patients with mortality rate of 20.7%. Conclusions The use of motorcycle as a mean of transportation has caused significant negative impact on the society. Young people, who constitute the workforce, are majorly affected, and this invariably leads to a serious economic burden on the concerned families and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Pneumonia is the world’s leading infectious killer of children, particularly under- fives. Practical, achievable and affordable key interventions have been identified to reduce morbidity and mortality from Pneumonia. Despite these measures, it still remains a disease that has significant impact on child’s survival. Objectives: To determine the sociodemographic and clinical features of Pneumonia in hospitalized children at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of records of children admitted for Pneumonia over a 30-month period and relevant information eg. age, gender, symptoms and signs were documented. Results: Of the189 children reviewed, 114(60.3%) were below 1 year of age, males were 108(57.1%) with a M:F ratio of 1.3:1. One hundred and twenty three (65.0%) belonged to the low socio-economic class (SEC) and only 95(50.3%) were fully immunized. Cough and fever were the commonest presenting symptoms while crepitations, chest in drawing and tachypnoea were the commonest signs. Majority 178(94.2%) had Bronchopneumonia while 11(5.8%) had Lobar Pneumonia. 151(79.9%) were discharged, 1(0.5%) absconded and 37(19.6%) died. Cough and fever were seen in more children that died, however it was not significant. Similarly, more children that had crepitations, tachypnoea, chest indrawing and hypoxaemia died, only chest in drawing was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.020). Conclusion: Pneumonia is still a common cause of mortality, socio-demographic and clinical features remain similar to other reports. Despite the availability of preventive measures and treatment guidelines, mortality remains high. We recommend and advocate for equitable access to quality primary health care in order to prevent, diagnose and treat pneumonia.

In Muslim West Africa it is common practice for scholars to make a note of their teachers and the books they studied with them. Such bibliographical records both certify academic credentials and, in the nineteenth century, were a vital part of political legitimacy as a series of scholar-warriors took power across the Sahel region. Muhammad Bello, who ruled Sokoto between 1817 and his death in 1837, is one such example. However, a precise record of Bello's education is not widely known. This article features the first English translation and critical edition of Bello's own bibliography, Ḥāshiya ʿalā muqaddimat Īdāʿ al-nusūkh (A Commentary to the Preface of the Repository of Texts), as well a second, later account he gave in a text entitled Shifāʾ al-asqām. These documents add to our understanding of educational practices in nineteenth century West Africa, while shedding light on several important events in Sokoto's early history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening necrotising bacterial infection of the kidneys. It is rare among children and can be fatal if not promptly identified and treated. Case presentation: A 7-month-old male infant presented to the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, on 12 November 2019 with a 5-day history of fever and vomiting, and a 3-day history of a progressively enlarging, left-side abdominal mass. There was associated excessive crying on micturition, refusal to feed and weight loss. He looked ill and was in respiratory distress, irritable, febrile (38.8 °C), moderately dehydrated and pale. His weight and length were 5.5 kg and 64 cm. He had a tender, firm and ballotable abdominal mass on the left flank measuring 8 cm × 10 cm. His pulse rate was 140 beats/min, blood pressure 60/40 millimetres of mercury and respiratory rate was 65 cycles/min. He had widespread coarse crepitations and normal heart sounds on chest auscultation. Management and outcome: An initial diagnosis of sepsis was made. Other considerations were nephroblastoma and neuroblastoma. Ceftriaxone and blood transfusion were commenced with subsequent administration of intravenous fluids. Further radiologic investigations revealed emphysematous pyelonephritis. The patient had percutaneous drainage and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (sensitive to meropenem) which was isolated from the aspirate culture after 48 h of incubation. Meropenem could not be commenced because of non-availability and high cost. The patient subsequently deteriorated and died from septic shock. Conclusion: Emphysematous pyelonephritis has a fulminant course when not diagnosed promptly and treated adequately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the role of dressed chicken in the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and methods: 190 chicken carcass rinsates were subjected to culture and biochemical analyses to isolate and identify MRSA. PCR was used to amplify mecA gene that is responsible for methicillin resistance. Results & conclusion: Culture and molecular analysis showed 19.5% (37/190) of the rinse had MRSA on oxacillin-resistance screening agar base (ORSAB) with 7.9% (15/190) possessing the mecA gene. Significant association (p = 0.044) exist between local-chicken and presence of MRSA, being twice more likely to have MRSA compared to exotic-chickens (odds ratio [OR] = 2.132). Results indicate possible role of dressed-chicken in the spread of MRSA. Authorities should regulate the sale and use of antibiotics by farmers, and enhance hygienic practices at slaughterhouses.

The epidemiology of MRSA has evolved considerably. In the past, MRSA strains could be traced back to a hospital or clinic source, but over the years there appear to be a decrease in hospital acquired MRSA and an upsurge in the occurrence in community acquired strains. Even-though in Nigeria there are studies that have reported on the molecular characterization of MRSA, Sadly, not much effort has been put into analysis and submission of sequenced data to Gene repositories. Based on information available to us, this is the first study to have successfully deposited nucleotide sequences of MRSA strains from Sokoto state owned Hospital into the Genbank database. Sequence reads of Molecular characterization should be deposited into Gene repositories database by researchers to further populate the database and improve the efficiency of local phylogenetic analysis to foster better bioinformatics as paucity of local data exists in these databases.

Ticks transmit different tick-borne diseases (TBD) in cattle and humans while their bites predispose the cattle to dermatophilosis which result in down-grade of hides and other production loses. Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) Crosses found in 5 Local Government Areas of Sokoto State were sampled for ticks between February and July 2013. Body surfaces of the 498 cattle were visually examined and any tick found was manually detached and preserved in 70% ethanol and subsequently identified using the Keys to African Ticks. A total of 1528 hard ticks infested 288 cattle [infestation rate IR (%) = 57.3; mean tick burden, MTB (tick/cattle) = 5.44±1.21]. Generally, Bulls were more infested (IR=63.9; MTB=5.75±1.12) than cows (IR=54.4%; MTB=5.17±1.56). Among Zebu crosses, infestation was in the order Friesian-X (IR=61.2; MTB=6.1±1.1), Red Bororo (IR=60.0; MTB=5.0±9.56), Sokoto Gudali (IR=59.5; MTB=5.3±1.27), and White Fulani (IR=52.1; MTB=5.6±2.6). Genera of ticks identified were Hyalomma (60.9%), Boophilus (22.6%), Rhipicephalus (10.1%) and Amblyomma (6.4%) but percentage distributions by species were Hyalomma truncatum (18.4), H. dromedarii (15.4), H. impeltatum (9.4), H. rufipes (9.3), H. impressum (8.4), Boophilus decoloratus (8.2), B. geigyi (7.5), B. annulatus (6.9), Amblyomma variegatum (6.4), Rhipicephalus evertsi (5.5), and Rh. Sanguineus (4.5). Sokoto is at risk of TBD out-break. In man, TBDs are difficult to treat because they are often misdiagnosed as malaria or other febrile conditions. Effective tick-control strategies should be adopted by cattle owners, herdsmen and veterinary personnel to prevent wide-spread potential outbreak of TBDs considering the present activities of nomadic herdsmen in the country