Objective: This study aimed to assess the respiratory muscle strength in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, via measuring maximal respiratory mouth pressures [maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax)] to determine its association with disease severity and quality of life.Material and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional comparative study. A hundred and forty subjects (70 COPD patients and 70 controls) were recruited. Measurements of PImax, PEmax and spirometry were then performed. The health-related quality of life, severity of obstruction and dyspnea in the COPD patients were assessed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV 1) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 25.0 (SPSS IL USA.).Results: The mean (±S.D.) PImax and PEmax of the COPD patients (31.78±14.40 cmH2O and 54.80±18.89 cmH2O, respectively) were significantly lower (p<0.001) than the controls (80.40±7.50 cmH2O and 95.44±12.52 cmH2O, respectively). Both the PImax and PEmax correlated positively with the FEV1 of the COPD patients (r=0.658 and 0.534, respectively, p<0.001). The PImax and PEmax decreased as the mMRC dyspnea grade worsened (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between PImax; PEmax and the CAT score of the COPD patients (r=-0.704 and–0.583, respectively, p<0.001).Conclusion: There was significant respiratory muscle weakness in the COPD patients compared with the controls. The respiratory muscle weakness worsened as the airflow obstruction and dyspnea worsened. Respiratory muscle weakness may also add to the negative impact COPD has on the health status of COPD patients.

INTRODUCTION:Previous studies have been conducted on medication adherence in Southwest Nigeria, but none of these has reported the relationship between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) adherence, spirituality and viral load (VL) amongst people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, especially in rural settings of Southwestern Nigeria. This study assessed the pattern of medication adherence, spirituality and VL and ascertained the association of socio-demographics and spirituality on medication adherence amongst patients on HAART in rural Southwestern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 321 consented patients on HAART who were recruited by systematic sampling technique at the adult HIV clinic. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire that assessed participants' socio-demographic profiles, medication adherence and spirituality. Their blood samples were collected and their VLs were determined. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was done to identify the independent predictors of medication adherence. RESULTS:The majority of the respondents reported a medium level of medication adherence (66.4%), a high level of spirituality (68.8%) and a low level of VL (67.3%). Amongst variables that had a statistically significant association with medication adherence were being educated, married, divorced, separated or widowed (P < 0.05). Furthermore, persons with high spirituality were 2.6 times more likely to be adherent to antiretroviral drugs when compared to persons with low spirituality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:It was shown that high spirituality is a positive predictor of medication adherence amongst patients on HAART. It, therefore, suggests that efforts deployed to improve the spirituality of these patients would most likely improve their medication adherence.

Background: Research on breast cancer risk factors and mortality is gaining recognition and attention globally; there is need to add more information on its determinants among patients admitted in hospital. Some studies on risk factors and mortality of breast cancer in Nigeria hospitals conducted in the urban and suburban areas have been documented. Therefore, an addition of a study conducted in the setting of a rural health institution is necessary. This study assessed the risk factors and determinants of mortality among patients admitted for breast cancer in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 260 patients who were admitted for breast cancer between January 2010 and December 2023 using a data form and a standardized information form. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The risk factors and the determinants of mortality of patients with breast cancer were identified using multivariate regression model. Results: The breast cancer risk factors were old age, family history, tobacco smoking, combined oral contraceptives, and hormonal therapy use. The case fatality rate was 38.1%, and its determinants of mortality were patients who were older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.956; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.341-4.333), obese (AOR, 2.635; 95% CI: 1.485-6.778), stage IV (AOR, 1.895; 95% CI: 1.146-8.9742), mastectomy (AOR, 2.512; 95% CI: 1.003-6.569), discontinued adjuvant chemotherapy (AOR, 1.785; 95% CI: 1.092-4.6311), and yet to commence adjuvant chemotherapy (AOR, 2.568; 95% CI: 1.367-5.002). Conclusion: The study revealed that patients with breast cancer were associated with high mortality. Sustained health education to promote early diagnosis, managed co-morbidities, and access to treatment may contribute to reduction in breast cancer mortality in rural Nigeria.

Objectives We aimed to identify the prevalence, bacterial isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and factors associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rural southwestern Nigeria.Methods We performed a hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients with T2DM and ASB. Demographic and clinical data were collected using questionnaires. Urine samples were cultured using standard laboratory procedures, and bacterial colonies were isolated and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed using the disc diffusion technique. Relationships between variables were assessed using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results Of the 280 participants, 73 (26.1%) had ASB (95% CI: 20.9%-31.2%). The most commonly identified isolate was E. coli (45/73; 61.7%), 100.0% of which were sensitive to cefuroxime but resistant to ciprofloxacin. Female sex (AOR, 6.132; 95% CI: 2.327-16.157), living below the poverty line (AOR, 2.066; 95% CI: 1.059-4.029), uncontrolled blood glucose (AOR, 2.097; 95% CI: 1.000-4.404), and a history of indwelling urethral catheterization (AOR, 14.521; 95% CI: 4.914-42.908) were associated with ASB.Conclusion The findings suggest that cefuroxime should be used as an empirical treatment, pending urine culture and sensitivity, and that efforts should be made to prevent ASB in rural southwestern Nigeria.

Objectives: Health hazards such as adverse drug reactions and prolonged morbidity are fallouts of self-medication among young people in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, practice, determinants, and adverse effects of self-medication among young people living in a suburban community of Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: This survey was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 602 young people aged 16–24 years., who were randomly selected in the community. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The study was conducted from 1st March to 31st May 2023. The independent variables measured include the sociodemographic characteristics, while the dependent variables are the practice of self-medication and factors that predisposes to self-medication. The general characteristics of the participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The categorical variables were reported as frequency distribution and proportions with 95% confidence intervals and were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. A p -value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Over 30% (31.7%) of the participants engage in self-medication. A larger proportion of the people who practiced self-medication lived a trekking distance of less than 1 km from the nearest health facility with a doctor ( p = 0.044). The practice of self-medication was statistically related with being a student when compared with gainfully employed and unemployed people ( p = 0.006). Fever (39.8%), abdominal pain (17.3%) and headaches (16.2%) were the topmost three ailments that necessitated self-medication. Antimalarials (44.0%), antibiotics (25.1%), and antipyretics (16.8%) were high on the list of drugs used for self-medication. Headache (34.0%) was the most common adverse reaction from self-medication among the participants studied. Conclusion: Adverse reactions and drug addiction were negative fallouts of self-medication, which can affect the health of young people as they grow into adulthood. Therefore, monitoring of drug outlets must be taken seriously by government agencies to prevent the worsening of the negative effects of self-medication.

Context and objective: Hepatitis B infection is a universal public health concern with efforts made to improve the level of awareness and reduction in its spread. Few studies are targeted towards youths with whom risk factors are predominant. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, associated factors and perceived beliefs on the infection. Methods: A study based on a series of randomly selected cases was conducted from May to July, 2023 at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and blood samples from respondents were screened for hepatitis B. Results: Two hundred twenty-three youths were enrolled. The sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B was 1.8% The majority of selected youths were within the 20 to 24-year age group and predominantly female with male to female sex-ratio of 0,25. None of the elements tested were associated with sero-positivity of HBV while perceived susceptibility was associated with mother’s highest education (p=0.023) and family’s socioeconomic status (p=0.044). Perceived benefit of screening (p=0.034) and threat of getting infected from partner (p=0.032) were associated with the status of being a student. Self-efficacy (p=0.027) and their cue to action (p=0.003) were associated with highest educational level of respondents and their age group, respectively. Conclusion: The sero-prevalence of HBV among the youths in the study area seems low when compared to the general population. However, their attitude and perceived beliefs about hepatitis B exposes them to continual risk of contracting the disease if no urgent intervention is deployed French title: Séro-prévalence, facteurs associés et croyances perçues sur le virus de l'hépatite B chez les jeunes dans un centre de santé tertiaire du Sud-Ouest du Nigeria Contexte et objectifs: L'infection par l'hépatite B demeure une préoccupation de santé publique universelle malgré les efforts déployés pour améliorer le niveau de sensibilisation et la réduction de sa propagation. Très peu d'études sur l'hépatite virale B (HVB) ont ciblées les jeunes. La présente étude visait à déterminer la séro-prévalence, les facteurs associés, et les croyances perçues sur l'HVB. Méthodes: Il s’agissait d’une série des sujets jeunes sélectionnés à l'Hôpital Universitaire d'État d'Ekiti au Nigeria entre mai et juillet 2023. Les données ont été collectées à l’aide d’un questionnaire structuré prétesté avec leurs échantillons de sang dépistés pour l’hépatite B. Résultats: Deux cent vingt trois jeunes ont été enrollés. La séro-prévalence de l'Hépatite B était de 1,8 % avec une majorité d'entre eux âgés de 20 à 24 ans. Le sexe féminin était prépondérant avec un sex-ratio H/F de 1/4. Aucun facteur testé n'était associé à une séropositivité du VHB, alors que la susceptibilité perçue était associée à la plus haute éducation de la mère (p=0,023) et au statut socioéconomique de la famille (p=0,044) ; le bénéfice perçu du dépistage (p=0,034) et la menace d'être infecté par un partenaire (p=0,032) étaient associés au statut d'étudiant. L'auto-efficacité (p=0,027) et son indice d'action (p=0,003) étaient associés respectivement, au niveau d'éducation le plus élevé des répondants et à leur groupe d'âge. Conclusion: La séroprévalence du VHB chez les jeunes de la zone d'étude semble faible par rapport à la population générale. Cependant, leur attitude et leurs croyances perçues sur l’hépatite B les exposent à un risque continu de contracter la maladie si aucune intervention urgente n’est déployée.

Aim: This work was conducted between the period of April 2022 and March 2023 to investigate the prevalence and predisposing factors of enteric parasites among children accessing medical healthcare at the Federal Medical Center keffi, Nasarawa State. Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. Methodology: Fresh stool specimens were collected into sterile bottles from children aged 1-15 (246 males and 194 females) who accessed medical healthcare at the Federal Medical Center keffi, Nasarawa State between the period of April 2022 and March 2023. Information such as age, gender, and drinking water sources were obtained from the subjects through a structured questionnaire. The stool specimens were observed visually for colour, consistency, and presence of blood, pus, and adult worms while the concentration of the eggs, cysts, and larvae of the intestinal parasites was carried out using the formol ether method and viewed with X10 and X40 magnifications of the binocular microscope. Data obtained from this study were analyzed using the chi-square test by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version (21.0). Values obtained were considered significant at 95% probability. Results: An overall prevalence of 27.26% was obtained in the study participants with a total of five species of intestinal parasites identified. The parasites include; Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichomonas hominis. Entamoeba. histolytica was the most prevalent (15.45%) while S. stercoralis was the least prevalent (1.36%). In this study, males recorded a higher prevalence of Entamoeba. histolytica (16.49%) than females (14.63%) likewise for E. coli (5.14%) and (4.07%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.55%) and (1.22%) respectively. In contrast, females recorded a higher prevalence of Giardia lamblia (2.85%) than males (2.58%) and Trichomonas hominis (3.25%) and (1.03%) respectively. The prevalence of intestinal parasites varied significantly among the age groups, with the age group 1-5 years being the most susceptible to E. histolytica (45.71%). Children who drank river water had the highest prevalence of parasitic infection (57.14%) while those who drank borehole water had the lowest majority (14.29%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of intestinal parasites observed in this study in relation to the sources of drinking water of the subjects suggests a major predisposing factor to intestinal parasitic infections. Therefore, the provision of potable drinking water and public enlightenment on proper hygiene practices in the study area is of great importance.

BackgroundAsymptomatic malaria infections have received less attention than symptomatic malaria infections in major studies. Few epidemiological studies on asymptomatic malaria infections have often focused on pregnant women and children under-five years of age as the most vulnerable groups. However, there is limitation on data regarding asymptomatic infections among the old adult populations, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection by microscopy and its determinants among residents of Ido- Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2021 among 232 consenting apparently healthy individuals aged 40 years and above who were recruited during a free health screening program using a standardised interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on respondents' socio-demographics, presence and types of co-morbidity, and the prevention methods being adopted against malaria infection. Venous blood samples were collected and processed for asymptomatic infections using Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with asymptomatic infections.ResultsOf the total 232 respondents, 19.0% (48/232) were confirmed to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.1% - 24.6%). Lack of formal education (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.298, 95% (CI): 2.184-13.997), being diabetic (AOR: 4.681, 95% CI: 1.669-16.105), and not sleeping under Long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLINs) (AOR: 4.594, 95% CI: 1.194-14.091), were the determinants of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection.ConclusionThe prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum was 19%. Lack of formal education, being diabetic, and not sleeping under LLINs were the determinants of asymptomatic infections.

Objective: The level of immunity against pathogens decreases with old age. As a result, the elderly may be regarded to be at increased risk of malaria morbidity and fatality. There is paucity of studies on malaria among the elderly population in Osun East district, Southwest Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria and its association with medical comorbidities among the elderly. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, which involved 972 adult residents of five communities in Osun State, who were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data was collected with aid of a structured questionnaire. The medical history of respondents and anthropometric measures were obtained. The presence of malaria parasitaemia in the respondents was determined by rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Appropriate descriptive and inferential analyses were done. Results: Out of the 972 respondents, 504 (51.9%) were 60 years and above. The overall prevalence of malaria RDT positivity was 4%. The positivity rate was higher among the elderly (4.6%) compared to those less than 60 years (3.4%), albeit not statistically significant ( p = 0.36). Among these elderlies, 52.6% and 16.1% used insecticide-treated nets and insecticide sprays, respectively. There was no association between the prevalence of malaria positivity and comorbid conditions, such as hypertension ( p = 0.37), overweight/obesity ( p = 0.77), or diabetes ( p = 0.15). Malaria positivity rate was also not significantly associated with the use of insecticide-treated nets ( p = 0.64) or insecticide sprays ( p = 0.45). Conclusion: The malaria positivity rate was higher among the elderly in the study area, although not statistically significant. The prevalence was not associated with comorbid medical conditions.

Objectives There is an observed paucity of data regarding the predictors of asthma mortality in Nigeria. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical presentations and predictors of acute severe asthma mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Methods A retrospective observational study using a data form and a standardized questionnaire was used to review the 124 patients admitted at Emergency Department between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of asthma mortality and a p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 124 patients were studied. The acute severe asthma mortality was 4.8% and its predictors were older age (Crude odds Ratio (COR), 14.857; 95% CI: 2.489–88.696, p < .001), Tobacco smoking (COR, 6.741; 95% CI: 1.170–38.826, p = .016), more than three co-morbidities (COR, 2.750; 95% CI: 1.147–26.454, p = 0.012), diabetes mellitus (COR, 13.750; 95% CI: 2.380–79.433, p < .001), Human Immunodeficiency virus (COR, 117.000; 95% CI: 9.257–1479.756, p < .001), ≥2 days before presentation (COR, 7.440; 95% CI: 1.288–42.980, p = .039), and Short-acting-B2-agonists overuse (COR, 7.041; 95% CI: 1.005–62.165, p = .044). Conclusion The mortality rate was 4.8% and its predictors were older age patients, tobacco smoking, multiple co-morbidities, diabetes mellitus, HIV, SP02 <90%, delay presentation, and Short-acting-B2-agonists over use, The study showed that there is high prevalence of asthma mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. The findings may be used to plan for asthma preventions and control programs in rural settings, and may also provide an impetus for prospective research on these outcomes.

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disease of public health importance globally with an increasing burden of undiagnosed pre-diabetes and diabetes in low- and middle-income countries, Nigeria in particular. Pre-diabetes and diabetes are established risk factors for cardiovascular complications. However, data are scanty on the current prevalence of these conditions in Nigeria, based on haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) diagnosis as recommended by the WHO in 2009. We aimed to determine the prevalence of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and undiagnosed diabetes among the adult population of Nigeria using HbA1c.MethodologyA cross-sectional, multi-site population study was carried out in selected states in Nigeria (namely, Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, and Kwara states) involving 2,708 adults (≥18 years) in rural and urban community dwellers, without prior diagnosis of pre-diabetes or diabetes. Participants with ongoing acute or debilitating illnesses were excluded. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic, clinical (weight, height, blood pressure, etc.), and laboratory characteristics of participants including HbA1c were obtained. Data were analysed using STATA version 16.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 48.1 ± 15.8 years, and 65.5% were female. The overall prevalence of pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes was 40.5% and 10.7%, respectively, while the prevalence of high blood pressure was 36.7%. The prevalence of pre-diabetes was the highest in Lagos (48.1%) and the lowest in Ekiti (36.7%), while the prevalence of diabetes was the highest in Kwara (14.2%) and the lowest in Ekiti (10%). There was a significant association between age of the participants (p< 0.001), gender (p = 0.009), educational status (p = 0.008), occupation (p< 0.001), tribe (p = 0.004), marital status (p< 0.001), blood pressure (p< 0.001), and their diabetic or pre-diabetic status. Independent predictors of diabetes and pre-diabetes include excess weight gain, sedentary living, and ageing. Participants within the age group 45–54 years had the highest total prevalence (26.6%) of pre-diabetes and diabetes.ConclusionOver half of the respondents had pre-diabetes and diabetes, with a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes. A nationwide screening campaign will promote early detection of pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes among adult Nigerians. Health education campaigns could be an effective tool in community settings to improve knowledge of the risk factors for diabetes to reduce the prevalence of dysglycaemia.

BACKGROUND:The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with hypertension is of particular concern to stakeholders because hypertension is a chronic disease.OBJECTIVES:To determine the pattern of HRQOL and its determinants among hypertensive patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria.SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS:Ahospital-based crosssectional survey was conducted between June and October 2019 on 390 consented adult patients with hypertension on follow-up using systematic sampling technique. Respondents'blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (W-HR) and other measurements were taken. Relevant data on socio-demographics and lifestyle behaviours were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which incorporated validated instrument for assessment of HRQOL score using SF-12 survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 21). Binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of HRQOL.RESULTS:The mean physical component summary (42.0 ± 8.44), mental component summary (40.6 ± 8.11), and mean overall quality of life score (41.3 ± 8.17) were all below the normal score of 50 ±10. However, of all the eight domains, the role emotional was the highest (47.61 ± 14.97). The odds of having overall good HRQOL were better with respondents with female gender (AOR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.05-3.88), tertiary education (AOR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.63-7.20), and controlled BP (AOR=3.01,95% CI: 1.04-15.79).CONCLUSION:The mean HRQOLscore of the respondents was below the mean score. The findings of this study would assist stakeholders in decision-making towards improved management of patients with hypertension.

Background: Spirituality has been strongly associated with good blood pressure control as it forms a strong coping mechanism in hypertensive patients. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was done to determine the relationship between spirituality and blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients in rural Southwestern Nigeria to achieve good blood pressure control. Method: The selection was done by systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic and clinical information were obtained through semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The level of spirituality was assessed using the Spiritual Perspective Scale. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 61.1 ± 11.1 years. More than half (52.6%) had a high level of spirituality and more than two-thirds (67.1%) of respondents had controlled blood pressure. Respondents with a high level of spirituality were 4.76 times more likely to have good blood pressure control {p < 0.001, 95% CI (1.05-14.99)} than those with a low level of spirituality. Conclusion: Proper understanding and effective utilization of this relationship will assist health professionals and researchers in the appropriate integration of this concept into patients’ holistic care with the aim of achieving better blood pressure control among hypertensive patients.

Aim of the Study: To compare the efficacy of H&E and PAS staining techniques in the demonstration of TIP among patients attending Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa state. Study Design: The study is a retrospective study, a total of 129 paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients who were diagnosed of TIP between January 1st 2013 and December 31st 2022 were retrieved from the archives of Histopathology laboratory and examined. Ten patients (10) with incomplete data were excluded. Methodology: A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. The tissue blocks were sectioned at 4um and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining technique and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) technique. The microscopic examination was done using x10 and x40 objectives of the Olympus light microscope. Results: The study showed that males were more affected with TIP than females with ratio 1.6: 1. Ages of patients ranged between 6 months-77 years with mean age of 24.8+1.87 years. The highest number of TIP cases was recorded in December. The ileal segment was the most perforated among the intestinal segments. The socioeconomic status of patients, availability of potable water supply as well as hygiene and sanitary practices were discovered to be key factors in typhoid fever infection and treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Although, both PAS and H&E staining techniques showed favorable features, the PAS technique gave better contrast and also revealed the perforation sites better than H&E at P<0.001. Hence, the PAS technique should be done alongside the H&E in the laboratory investigation of intestinal tissues.

Background: Cataract is characterized by lens opacity, making images look blurred and hazy. It causes increased light sensitivity, decreased vision at night, and seeing double images, leading to total blindness. The WHO also estimates that cataract blindness will reach 40 million by 2025 due to ageing population and longer life expectancy. Developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest number of people who are blind due to cataract. This study aims to determine the awareness, prevalence and risk burden of cataract among adults in Ido/Osi LGA, a rural community of Ekiti State. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The estimated sample size is 361 and a multi stage sampling technique was used. Data collection was through ophthalmic examinations and questionnaires which were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean age of respondents was 54.94±11.17. Most respondents, 287 (79.5%), had a good awareness of cataracts. The prevalence of cataract in this study is 3.9%. Cataract significant Visual Acuity was found in 49 (13.5%) of the respondents. Age (<0.001), visual impairment (<0.001), hypertension (<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (0.003) were the factors associated with having cataracts. Conclusions: Intersectorial collaboration, health education through the mass media, evidenced based policies and research will help reduce the prevalence of cataract.

Background: The aging process increases the risks of contracting a disease among elderly people. Health-seeking behaviour is poor among the aged in sub-Saharan countries like Nigeria, escalating the burden of noncommunicable diseases and the cost of health care which further impact the utilisation of orthodox medicine. Aim: This study aims to assess the health-care-seeking behavioural practices and associated factors among elderly people in Ido-Ekiti. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 elderly respondents in Ido-Ekiti. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and results were presented in the form of tables and bar charts. Chi-square tests were used to test for associations. All data analysis was done at a 5% level of significance. Results: The age range of respondents was between 65 and 95 years, with a mean age of 73.88 ± 6.84 years and 64.0% within the age range of 65–75 years. About 63.3% of the respondents have had an episode of illness in the last year preceding the study and only 35.3% consulted a doctor for treatment (good health-seeking behaviour); however, 57.9% of the respondents admitted utilising any of the following: self-medication, consult spiritualist, and use of herbal medicine (poor health-seeking behaviour). The factors statistically significantly associated with respondents' health-seeking behavioural practices are employment status (P < 0.001), educational level (P < 0.002), cost of health care, access to the health facility, length of time before consultation, beliefs, and lack of support from relations (P < 001). Conclusion: This study shows that the majority of the elderly had poor health-seeking behaviour due to educational and economic factors. Making the free or subsidized cost of health care for the elderly in rural communities and the provision of monthly financial support to the aged by the government will promote and encourage good health-seeking behaviour of old people.

AimHepatitis B is a preventable infection with transmission of the virus through sex, by blood and from mother to child during childbirth. Young adults are prone to some of these risk factors, yet data on awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B among them is still limited in Nigeria and none from our locality. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B among young adults attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria with the aim of giving recommendations based on the findings.MethodsA total of 223 young adults who attended the adolescent and young adult clinic of the Family Medicine Department of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti between 1 March and 31 May 2023 were analyzed using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge of hepatitis B was assessed by asking 12 questions relating to awareness of the disease, basic knowledge, route of transmission, the seriousness of the disease when compared to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), complications from the disease, their vaccination status and the number of doses received by the participants.ResultsThe prevalence of awareness of hepatitis B among respondents was 88 (39.5%). Of the 223 respondents studied, 158 (70.9%) had a poor knowledge score of the disease. There was a significant association between the highest educational background of the respondents and awareness of hepatitis B (p=0.05). Awareness of hepatitis B was also associated with previous participation in any health screening (p=0.04) and vaccine awareness (p=<0.001). The majority of the respondents with good knowledge scores of hepatitis B preferred social media for disseminating information about their health (p=0.03). Out of all the participants studied, only one (0.4%) had completed the three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine with 11 (4.9%) of them yet to get fully vaccinated.ConclusionEfforts are needed to target social media platforms with information about hepatitis B and vaccination. With awareness campaigns of hepatitis B directed at various social media platforms, this population at risk could be educated about the disease and the benefits of vaccination. The low vaccination state among the respondents brought to the fore the urgent need for the government to ensure the provision of appropriate interventions for viral hepatitis among young adults.

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccine have been met with varying perceptions that may have both negative and positive effects on the willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine. The study is set to determine the perception and willingness of the household heads to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in a rural community in Southwestern, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among 409 household heads selected through a multistage sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using the Health Belief model constructs. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.0 and Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine the association between perception and willingness to uptake vaccine. P<0.05 was taken as significant at 95% confidence interval.Results:The majority of the unvaccinated respondents in the study were not willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine (60.1%). There was a poor perception of the susceptibility/severity of unvaccinated respondents to COVID-19 infection and a poor perception of the benefit/barrier to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Perception of susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection were statistically related to the willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine.Conclusion:There should be an increase in awareness campaigns to change the perception of people positively to COVID-19 infection and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Introduction: Pediatrics and adolescents are susceptible to illnesses that often necessitate emergency attention. Morbidity and mortality from illnesses in these ages have attracted much interest globally, particularly in Africa. Knowledge of pattern and outcomes of admissions may guide policy and interventions especially in resource constrained settings. The study aimed to determine the pattern of admissions, outcomes and seasonal variations of conditions that presented at the children emergency of a tertiary health institution over a four-year period. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of children emergency admissions from January 2016 to December 2019. Information obtained included age, diagnosis, month and year of admission, and outcome. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic characteristics and Chi-squared test to assess their associations with the diagnoses made. Results: There were 3,223 admissions. There were more males (1866; 57.9%) and more toddlers (1181; 36.6%). The highest number of admissions were observed in the year 2018 (951; 29.6%) and during the wet season (1962; 60.9%). There was an overall mortality rate of 7%; complicated malaria, gastroenteritis and meningitis were the leading causes of death. Malaria (.. 2 = 135.522, p value < 0.001), and gastroenteritis (..2 = 130.883, p value < 0.001) were predominant among the toddlers while sepsis (..2 = 71.530, p value < 0.001) and pneumonia (.. 2 = 133.739, p value < 0.001) were more among the infants. Typhoid enteritis (..2 = 26.629, p value < 0.001) and HIV (..2 = 16.419, p value = 0.012) were commoner among the early adolescents. Conclusion: The major causes of death in the study area are preventable with more of these amongst the children under the age of 5 years. There are seasonal and age-related patterns to admissions and the need for policy formulations and emergency preparations to be tailored towards these observed patterns through the year