Background: Visual impairment (VI) is a major public health problem globally, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. Understanding age- and sex-specific patterns of VI is essential for targeted interventions. This study aimed to describe the distribution of VI by age and sex among patients attending an ophthalmology clinic in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 9,200 patients attending the ophthalmology clinic at Specialist Hospital Gombe. Diagnoses were categorized into blinding conditions, moderate visual impairment, and no/minor impairment. Age- and sex-specific frequencies were calculated. Chi-square tests assessed associations between demographics and VI. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of 9,200 patients, 982 (10.7%) had blinding conditions, 990 (10.8%) had moderate VI, and 7228 (66.3%) had no/minor impairment. The leading causes of blindness were Cataract (78.2%), Corneal Ulcer (17.3%), and Corneal Opacity (4.5%). Age-specific analysis showed the highest blinding rate in 61+ years (46.1%). The age-VI association was highly significant (p < 0.001) (χ² = 1333.42). Sex-specific analysis revealed 10.3% of males and 10.9% of females had blinding conditions (M:F ratio 0.69:1). The sex-VI association was not statistically significant (p = 0.3809) (χ² = 0.77). Moderate VI (refractive errors/presbyopia) peaked in 51-60 years (22.4%). Notably, 8.6% of visual impairment was potentially preventable and 89.1% was treatable, indicating that 97.8% of VI in this population is avoidable with existing interventions. Conclusion: Visual impairment is highly age-dependent, with older adults bearing the greatest burden. Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness, highlighting the need for expanded surgical services. The high proportion of avoidable VI (97.8%) underscores the potential for public health interventions.

Background: Ophthalmic diseases cause significant morbidity globally, but comprehensive data from Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria, remains limited. Understanding local disease patterns is essential for evidence-based healthcare planning and resource allocation. Objective: To describe the pattern, distribution, and demographic associations of ophthalmic diseases among patients presenting to Specialist Hospital Gombe (SSHG). Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 9,200 patients attending the ophthalmology clinic at SSHG. Data on age, sex, primary diagnosis, presenting complaints, and treatment were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests. Results: The mean age was 28.4±20.2 years (median: 25.0). 42.3% were male and 57.7% female (M:F ratio 0.73:1). The five most common diagnoses were: Allergic Conjunctivitis (46.4%), Bacterial Conjunctivitis (11.8%), Refractive Error (9.7%), Cataract (8.3%), and Vernal Conjunctivitis (5.6%). There was a statistically significant association between age group and diagnosis (χ² = 3085.06, df = 168, p = 0.0000e+00). The most common presenting complaints were Itching (27.2%), Discharge (12.6%), and Redness (12.1%). Antibiotic eye drops were the most frequently prescribed treatment (27.7%). Conclusion: Allergic Conjunctivitis is the leading diagnosis at SSHG (46.4%), followed by Bacterial Conjunctivitis and Refractive Error. Disease patterns vary significantly by age, supporting age-targeted interventions. The high rate of antibiotic prescriptions (27.7%) indicates a need for antimicrobial stewardship programs. These findings provide essential baseline data for eye care planning in Gombe State.

The importance of patient participation in designing and delivering services for persons affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has gained increasing recognition. Responding to this, persons affected by NTDs urged NTD-focused non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take action. These NGOs are pivotal in addressing healthcare disparities and reaching marginalised communities. To address the insufficient progress on participation, a participatory initiative was launched to develop a tool designed to support NGOs in fostering inclusion and ensuring the meaningful engagement of affected persons in their organisational decision-making processes. This research used an iterative, mixed-methods approach involving stakeholder input, semi-structured interviews, and surveys across two phases. Phase 1 included exploratory workshops with persons affected by NTDs and NTD NGO employees which led to the development of a first draft of a self-assessment tool. Phase 2 involved piloting the tool in NTD NGOs. Data were gathered via pre- and post-pilot interviews and surveys. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data and descriptive analysis for the quantitative data. In phase 1, exploratory workshops revealed that meaningful participation involves creating environments where affected persons can openly share priorities and build their capacity. Workshop participants emphasised the need of inclusion at all stages of NGO activities. These insights informed the draft NTD Inclusion Scorecard (NISC), covering six domains. In phase 2, ten pilot sessions were conducted, feedback was gathered from 22 interviewees and 43 survey participants, focusing on the NISC’s usability and relevance. While feedback on the NISC was positive, participants highlighted the need for contextualisation, organisational commitment, and adding a communication domain to the NISC. The NISC is a self-assessment tool for NTD organisations, designed to enhance internal decision-making by fostering awareness of the importance of including the perspectives of persons affected by NTDs. By using the NISC, NGOs can identify gaps in inclusion and participation, improve their decision-making processes and provide services that are relevant and impactful for persons affected by NTDs. This tool provides insights that can guide NGOs in strengthening their role in promoting inclusion and increasing the effectiveness of their programmes.

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease in sub-tropical Africa, heavily affects Nigeria. Intestinal and urogenital are the two main types of schistosomiasis. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a chronic stage of urogenital schistosomiasis, faces elimination challenges due to limited awareness, especially in rural areas. A notable gap exists in the utilization of mathematical modeling approach to address FGS. Previous research efforts have predominantly focused on other aspects of schistosomiasis despite the significant health burden posed by FGS, particularly in Nigeria. This study developed age-structured deterministic compartmental model governed by a system of non-linear differential equations to study FGS dynamics among Nigerian females. The basic reproduction number, ℛ_0 , was computed using the next generation method to assess the potential for disease persistence in female population. Boundedness and positivity of solutions were carried out to ensure the model remains epidemiologically and mathematically meaningful over time. Sensitivity analysis and numerical simulations were carried out using R software, sensitivity analysis results show that without timely diagnosis and treatment, urinary schistosomiasis may progress to FGS, increasing cercariae and miracidia populations in water bodies and thus enhancing transmission. Numerical analysis show that if appropriate actions are not taken, such as timely diagnosis and treatment, urinary schistosomiasis might lead to FGS for affected women and girls. Targeted interventions such as treatment with praziquantel for infected female children can effectively reduce FGS.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) remains a neglected sexual and reproductive health (SRH) condition, predominantly affecting women and girls in sub‐Saharan Africa. Infection with Schistosoma haematobium , resulting in trapped parasite eggs in the genital tract, causes lesions that mimic sexually transmitted infections and cervical neoplasia, often leading to misdiagnosis, stigma and delayed treatment. This review summarises current developments on FGS burden, prevention, diagnostics, integration, policy, community engagement and identifies critical threats to progress. Ongoing surveys show promise in ensuring robust burden estimates and age‐related risk data. Diagnostic advances include portable colposcopy, digital image analysis techniques and molecular assays, although limitations persist in resource‐limited settings. Praziquantel remains the cornerstone of treatment, yet single‐dose regimens inadequately reverse established lesions; repeated dosing shows improved parasite clearance but limited lesion regression, highlighting the necessity for early, life‐course preventive chemotherapy including access to paediatric praziquantel. Successful programmatic pilots have developed training curricula, minimum service packages, community engagement tools and have integrated FGS care into SRH platforms. Policy momentum is building through World Health Organization taskforces and national strategies, yet sustainable financing remains a challenge. Key threats include bilateral aid reductions, climate change, emerging infections, rising healthcare costs and persistent gender inequities. To address these challenges, we propose seven priority actions, encompassing all health system building blocks, for the global community. Nationally coordinated, multisectoral efforts are urgently required to embed FGS prevention, diagnosis and management within broader health systems, thereby improving outcomes for affected women and girls.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are gender-specific manifestations of urogenital schistosomiasis. Morbidity is a consequence of prolonged inflammation in the human genital tract caused by the entrapped eggs of the waterborne parasite, Schistosoma (S.) haematobium. Both diseases affect the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of millions of people globally, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Awareness and knowledge of these diseases is largely absent among affected communities and healthcare workers in endemic countries. Accurate burden of FGS and MGS disease estimates, single and combined, are absent, mostly due to lack of awareness of both diseases and absence of standardized methods for individual or population-based screening and diagnosis. In addition, there are disparities in country-specific FGS and MGS knowledge, research and implementation approaches, and diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no WHO guidelines to inform practice. The BILGENSA (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) Research Network aimed to create a collaborative multidisciplinary network to advance clinical research of FGS and MGS across Southern African endemic countries. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia over two days in November 2022. Over 150 researchers and stakeholders from different schistosomiasis endemic settings attended. Attendees identified challenges and research priorities around FGS and MGS from their respective countries. Key research themes identified across settings included: 1) To increase the knowledge about the local burden of FGS and MGS; 2) To raise awareness among local communities and healthcare workers; 3) To develop effective and scalable guidelines for disease diagnosis and management; 4) To understand the effect of treatment interventions on disease progression, and 5) To integrate FGS and MGS within other existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In its first meeting, the BILGENSA Network set forth a common research agenda across S. haematobium endemic countries for the control of FGS and MGS.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are gender-specific manifestations of urogenital schistosomiasis. Morbidity is a consequence of prolonged inflammation in the human genital tract caused by the entrapped eggs of the waterborne parasite, Schistosoma (S.) haematobium. Both diseases affect the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of millions of people globally, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Awareness and knowledge of these diseases is largely absent among affected communities and healthcare workers in endemic countries. Accurate burden of FGS and MGS disease estimates, single and combined, are absent, mostly due to lack of awareness of both diseases and absence of standardized methods for individual or population-based screening and diagnosis. In addition, there are disparities in country-specific FGS and MGS knowledge, research and implementation approaches, and diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no WHO guidelines to inform practice. The BILGENSA (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) Research Network aimed to create a collaborative multidisciplinary network to advance clinical research of FGS and MGS across Southern African endemic countries. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia over two days in November 2022. Over 150 researchers and stakeholders from different schistosomiasis endemic settings attended. Attendees identified challenges and research priorities around FGS and MGS from their respective countries. Key research themes identified across settings included: 1) To increase the knowledge about the local burden of FGS and MGS; 2) To raise awareness among local communities and healthcare workers; 3) To develop effective and scalable guidelines for disease diagnosis and management; 4) To understand the effect of treatment interventions on disease progression, and 5) To integrate FGS and MGS within other existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In its first meeting, the BILGENSA Network set forth a common research agenda across S. haematobium endemic countries for the control of FGS and MGS.

ObjectiveA case description of a rare occurrence of female genital schistosomiasis affecting the upper genital tract that presented with features mimicking an ovarian neoplasm.Case reportFemale genital schistosomiasis is a neglected clinical manifestation of the water-born parasitic disease which occurs due to the presence of schistosome eggs in the genitalia of women. A 23-year-old nulliparous woman presented with progressive abdominal distension. An abdominopelvic CT scan revealed a multilobulated right adnexal mass with gross ascites. Diagnosis of schistosomiasis was made by histology of biopsied specimens following laparotomy. Cervical colposcopic findings were consistent with female genital schistosomiasis. She was successfully treated with praziquantel.ConclusionFemale genital schistosomiasis of the upper genital tract can mimic an ovarian malignancy. Hence there is a need for its consideration as a differential diagnosis in patients with non-classical presentations of pelvic tumours in schistosomiasis-endemic areas.

Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic infection that affects more than 220 million people worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). One of the complications of urogenital Schistosomiasis is female genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) which is associated with the presence of S. haematobium eggs and related pathologies in the genitals of women living in or visiting schistosomiasis-endemic areas. FGS is a neglected and misdiagnosed gynaecological disease with un-specific clinical symptoms and signs. It adversely affects the quality of sexual and reproductive health of women and is a risk factor for HIV and HPV infections in affected women. Diagnosis of upper genital tracts FGS is mostly accidental from histological examination of excised tissues. This is a case description of a rare incidence of female genital Schistosomiasis of the upper genital tract in a 29-year-old, single woman from a Schistosomiasis-endemic area of Adamawa State, Nigeria who presented with a history of lower abdominal pain of a month duration and abdominal swelling. Physical examination revealed a pelvic mass of 16 weeks' gestation size and histological examination confirmed the presence of Schistosome ova in the excised ovarian cyst. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion of female genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in women and girls in Schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Deliberate programs for healthcare workers and outreach programs for the communities must be designed and implemented to raise awareness about genital Schistosomiasis.

INTRODUCTION: A case description of a rare incidence of female genital schistosomiasis related to vulva squamous cell carcinoma in a 76-year-old woman from the schistosomiasis-endemic region of Gombe State, Nigeria. Physicians should be aware of the high incidence rate of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in women and girls in schistosomiasis-endemic areas, which is often related to gynecological morbidity and the risk of HIV infection to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment remain the main effort to reduce breast cancer mortality. Breast self-examination (BSE), professional breast examination (PBE) and mammography are the most effective ways recommended worldwide to detect breast cancer at an early stage when chances of survival are the highest. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the awareness of breast cancer, awareness and practice of breast self-examination among rural women of Kwami Local Government Area in Gombe State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 420 women was conducted. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data that were analyzed at the univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels using SPSS version 23.0 and the p-value of 0.05 was set to be statistically significant. Results: The mean ±SD age of respondents was 37 ± 16.1 years. Only 59.3% of respondents were aware of breast cancer. Of all the participants studied, 83.5% knew about breast self-examination and only 13.7% practiced it. Age, religion, marital status, occupation, education level and tribe were found to have a statistically significant association with breast cancer awareness (p <0.05). Awareness of breast self-examination had a statistically significant association with religion, marital status, occupation, and level of education (p<0.05). Religion, marital status, occupation, level of education, awareness of breast cancer and awareness of breast self-examination had a statistically significant association with the practice of breast self-examination. After adjusting for the confounding effects of each significant variable using logistic regression analysis, religion, occupation, level of education, knowledge of breast cancer, and breast self-examination remained significant predictors of the practice of breast self-examination among respondents. Conclusion: The knowledge of breast cancer is low amongst the rural women. However, majority of the women were aware of breast self-examination, but only a few practiced it. Religion, occupation, level of education, awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination of the respondents were predictive of the practice of BSE.

Aims: Despite control measures adopted to check the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, healthcare workers still face a serious threat to infection due to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Adherence to control measures by healthcare workers depends on their knowledge. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of COVID-19 and related infection control practices among healthcare professionals in Gombe State. Mythology: A cross sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals in Gombe. Relying on our network with the healthcare professionals, 500 participants were recruited into the study using simple random sampling method. The data were collected using online questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic questions and 17questions based on knowledge and infection control practices related to COVID-19 disease in the healthcare setting adapted from a study in India. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 at uni-variate and bivariate levels with p value at < 0.05. Results: Close to three-fourth (72.1%) of the participants reported correct answer about knowledge of COVID-19, thus overall knowledge was found to be adequate for all subgroups. About four-fifth (78.9%) of doctors’ responses were correct. and the lowest (65.5%) was from CHOs, Laboratory assistants and health recorders. 43.7% of the participants could correctly define “close contact.” More than three-fourths of the participants knew the various infection control measures like rapid triage, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette and having a separate, well ventilated waiting area for suspected COVID-19 patients. However, less than half (47.8) of the participants were aware of the correct sequence for the application of a mask/respirator, and 62.2% of them knew the preferred hand hygiene method for visibly soiled hands. Conclusion: Regular health educational programs aimed at improving COVID-19 knowledge and infection control are needed.

Background: Global spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic constitute a public health threat requiring strict infection prevention practice for every individual in the community. Control measures have been prescribed to check the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Whether populations in these communities adhere optimally to these control measures depends on a number of factors. This study aimed to assess health knowledge and attitude, and preventive practices regarding Infection by SARS-Cov-2 among residents of Kogi State during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of Kogi State. Using the authors’ internal connections with the Kogi residents, 865 residents were recruited into the study via simple random sampling method. The data were collected by an online questionnaire designed by Google form which was adapted from a study in China. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 at various levels with p value at < 0.05. Results: Among 865 questionnaires sent out, 639 were filled completely and returned given a respondent rate of 73.9%. Of the 12 questions on knowledge, the mean overall correct answers was 9.9 given overall correct rate of the participants’ knowledge of 82.5%. 88.4% of the respondents had confidence that Nigeria can win the battle against COVID-19. Just about 52.6% of the participants wore masks when going out in recent days. In multiple binary logistic regression analyses, there was significant statistical association between the COVID-19 knowledge score, and a lower likelihood of negative attitudes (OR: 0.87-3.98, P<0.001) and preventive practices towards COVID-19(OR: 0.53-0.67, P<0.001). Conclusion: Health education training to improving COVID-19 knowledge is needed for Kogi residents to have optimistic attitudes and maintain appropriate preventive practices.

Background of the study: Snakebite is one of the devastating NTDs, the outcome of its management depends on the health-seeking behavior of the victims. There are many factors that influence healthcare seeking behavior in general, which of these factors that influence the healthseeking behavior of snakebite victims in communities of Kaltungo local government area is not clearly known. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess predisposing factors to snakebite, and the health-seeking behavior of the snakebite victims in kaltungo LGA, Gombe. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 participants in a community of Kaltungo local government area. Pre-tested and standardized questionnaires were used to obtain relevant information by trained research assistants. Result: Visits to traditional healers (48%) was most common source of healthcare sought after snakebite. This was followed by visits to hospital (41.7%), spiritual healers (4.8%) and Chemist (5.5%). About a third (33.2%) of the respondents considered treatment effectiveness as the most important factor affecting health-seeking behaviour. This was followed by affordability (20.9%), proximity (11.8%), relative cost of treatment (10.8%) and service availability (6.0%). Educational level (X = 7.584, p=0.05) is significantly associated with seeking healthcare from formal source Conclusion: Appropriate health-seeking behaviour among snakebite victims was found to be high among the educated. Thus, those with lower levels of education need to be targeted during health education program to improve health-seeking behaviour among snakebite victims. In addition, health insurance schemes should be extended to cover more of the population.

If many women in rural Kano are not using family planning, it is not due to a lack of knowledge. Knowledge of contraception is nearly universal; 98 percent of currently married women know at least one modern family planning method. About two out of every five women (43 percent) have knowledge of at least one traditional method. Yet only 45 percent of married women in Kano are currently using some method of contraception, but less than the national average (48 percent). Contraceptive prevalence in Kano is considerably higher in urban areas (59 percent) than in rural areas (42 percent).