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Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among children and adolescents living with HIV in the Mbita Sub-County Hospital, Homa Bay- Kenya
Get PDFBackground: Adequate adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is key
to the successful treatment of children and adolescents living with
HIV. Continuous ART Adherence is the key factor for virologic
suppression and stability of the immune system and prevents the
occurrence of opportunistic infections. Children and adolescents
struggle with adherence to ART for various reasons, including a poor
psychosocial support system and clinic attendance. Objectives: To
describe the uptake of HIV treatment services among children and
adolescents in the Mbita Sub-County Hospital, Homa Bay and determine
how schooling, clinic attendance, and type of pill/regimen affect
adherence to ART and viral suppression. Methods: This retrospective
study was conducted at the Mbita Sub-County Hospital. Medical chart
data was abstracted from the hospital files of children and adolescents
between the ages of 0-19 years on antiretroviral therapy, between the
periods of October 2016 and September, 2017. Data was analyzed using
measures of central tendency, and cross-tabulations were done to
compare schooling, clinic attendance, type of pill/regimen and viral
suppression. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses
were conducted to determine associations between groups. Results:
According to patient files reviewed, majority of patients, 244(91.4%)
were enrolled into care within 2 weeks of HIV diagnosis according to
guidelines, and 193(73.1 %) remained enrolled in care at end of study
period. An overall viral suppression of 74.2 %( 132) was recorded. Of
all the files reviewed, 121(74.7%) of patients attending school
suppressed against 11(68.8 %) out of school, p=0.280. Suppression among
Day and boarding reported at 78.6 %( 11) and 74.8 %( 113) of those out
of school, respectively, p=0.533. Participants in primary school,
17(85.0%) suppressed better than those in secondary school, 102(73.4%),
p=0.263. Keeping clinic appointments among eligible patient files
reviewed decreased from 83.1% at 3 months, p=0.016, to 76.6%, p=0.526
at 6 months and to 52.9% at 12 months, p=0.278. Only 3- month clinic
appointment return rates and Enhanced Adherence Counseling (EAC) were
significant predictors of viral supression \u3c72 (2) = 0.280, p =
0.869 (> 0.05). Conclusion: The clinic attendance rate within the
first 3 months, and Enhanced Adherence Counseling (EAC) were
significant predictors of viral suppression, and therefore adherence to
antiretroviral therapy
Covid-19 pandemic: chronicle of responses and experiences of the infection prevention and control committee at a tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria
Get PDFSince the advent of 2019-Corona virus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria in
February 2020, the number of confirmed cases has risen astronomically
to over 61,307 cases within 8 months with more than 812 healthcare
workers infected and some recorded deaths within their ranks. Infection
prevention and control is a key component in ensuring safety of
healthcare workers in the hospital as healthcare-associated infection
is one of the most common complications of healthcare management.
Unbridled transmission of infection can lead to shortage of healthcare
personnel, reduced system efficiency, increased morbidity and mortality
among patients and in some instances, total collapse of healthcare
delivery services. The Infection Prevention and Control Committee is a
recognised group by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention with
their core programmes including drawing up activities, procedures and
policies designed to achieve above-stated objectives before, during and
after any disease outbreak, especially emerging and re-emerging ones
such as the 2019 Coronavirus Disease. In this report, we highlight the
roles played by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee of the
University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital to prevent the spread
of COVID-19 within and outside the hospital community and the lessons
learned to date
Assessment of hepatitis B surface antigen negative blood units for HBV DNA among replacement blood donors in a hospital based blood bank in Nigeria
Get PDFBackground: Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the greatest threats
to blood safety all over the world. The laboratory algorithm based on
only the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) leaves a gap
for infected HBsAg negative donors to donate blood during the
\u201cwindow period\u201d (WP) and late stages of infection.
Objective: To estimate the frequency of the presence of HBV
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in HBsAg negative blood units screened
using two different assays for HBsAg in a high endemic region. Methods:
Frozen serum aliquot of 100 replacement blood donors who donated blood
units that were HBsAg negative were retrieved and tested for HBV DNA.
Sample positive for HBV DNA was sequenced by Sanger\u2019s method,
genotyped and the viral load was determined. Results: One sample (1%)
was positive for HBV DNA. The HBV viral load of the sample was 768,000
IU/ml. The partial S-gene of the Hepatitis B virus isolated was
genotype E using the NCBI viral genotyping tool. Conclusions: There is
still a risk of HBV infected blood unit escaping detection when donor
testing is limited to HBsAg screening. The use of NAT which can
substantially reduce HBV infected blood donors from the donor pool
should be considered
Systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the knowledge and use of the female condom among Nigerians
No full textBackground: The female condom (FC) is a critical component in a
comprehensive and sustainable approach to prevent HIV, other sexually
transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Objectives: This
review provides comprehensive information about Nigerian\u2019s
knowledge and use of FC. Methods: We screened search output, evaluated
study eligibility, and extracted data in duplicate. Data from similar
studies were combined in a meta-analysis. Results: There was a
significantly (p < 0.0001) high-level of awareness amongst the
respondents. However, the use of the FC was very low at 5.5% among
female respondents. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) difference
between FC awareness and use. The main reasons for FC use were
prevention of unintended pregnancy (55%) and STIs/HIV (31%). We
observed a significant difference between reasons of non-use of the FC
[F (5, 13) = 5.195, P = 0.0077]. Furthermore, there were significant
differences between the sources of information on FC [F (3, 8) = 32.89,
P < 0.0001]. Conclusion: Despite the high levels of awareness,
especially among the female respondents, the use of the FC has remained
extremely low even among the young, educated undergraduate students.
There is a need for robust and consistent advocacy to make the FC
available and affordable
Synthesis, Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Co (II) and Ni (II) metal complexes of the Schiff base of isatin and 4-methylaniline
No full textSchiff bases derived from isatin are of great importance due to their
wide applications as synthetic precursors and biological applications.
The Schiff base of isatin and 4-methylaniline (C15H12N2O; L) was
prepared by stirring at room temperature (using ratio 1:1) in methanol.
Co (CH3COO)2.4H20 and Ni(CH3COO)2.4H2O were separately refluxed with
the Schiff base (Metal:Ligand = 1:3) in toluene to give their
respective metal complexes. Physicochemical properties of the prepared
compounds were determined using Infra-red and Electronic Spectra
analyses, as well as melting point determinations. Thein-vitro
antimicrobial activities of L and its metal complexes were evaluated
against three Gram positive bacteria ( Enterococcus faecalis ,
Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus ) and three Gram
negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ). They showed more activities against the
tested Gram positive bacteria than the Gram negative bacteria. The
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Co (II) and Ni(II) complexes
was 5\u3bcg/mL, while that of L was 2.5\u3bcg/mL. All the test
bacteria were susceptible to the compounds except S. aureus and E.
coli. The synthesized compounds also had antifungal potentials
Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels of Agodi Reservoir in Ibadan, Nigeria
No full textThe quality of water discharged into Agodi Reservoir was determined by
the levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Water samples were
collected from the inlet, centre and outlet locations of the reservoir
and their heavy metal contents were determined by standard methods
using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) over a period of twelve
(12) months covering both rainy and dry seasons. Test location
differences and seasonal variations were examined using ANOVA at
P<0.05 to establish any gradient effect associated with pollution
dynamics. Results showed no seasonal variations in all the heavy metals
except for Co. Also, there is no significant variation in heavy metal
concentration between the test locations. The heavy metal profile in
Agodi Reservoir, measured in mg/L, was as follows: Mn (64.81) > Fe
(43.75) > Zn (23.13) > Cu (12.44) > Co (0.19) > Ni (0.17)
> Cd (0.12). Concentrations of Cr and Pb were below detectable
level. Compared to WHO recommended limits, Co fell below while others
were higher than thresholds. It is concluded that Agodi Reservoir water
has a potential environmental hazard unless treated before use
Assessment of Some Water Quality of Obuburu River, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria
No full textThe quality of water is very important and it determines the extent to
which it can be used. The water for drinking should be potable and
various parameter are always use for the assessment of water quality.
The study was carried with the aim to assess the quality of Obubur
river water, Okene town that serve as source of water to many
inhabitants of the town. A total of 36 surface water samples were
collected. The samples were analyzed for some physicochemical
parameters and heavy metals such as pH, turbidity, total solids, total
dissolved solids, suspended solids, alkalinity, total hardness,
sulphate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen using standard chemical
methods. Nitrate was determined by phenoldisulphonic acid method. Heavy
metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry. The water is hard and with a high chloride
concentration. Studied level of Cd and Pb in water samples exceeded the
safe limits of drinking water. The average level of Zn is also of
concern. The range of heavy metals observed were 0.011-0.023,
0.008-0.011, 0.001-0.014, 0.001-2.2, 2.80-7.20 for Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb
and Zn respectively. The results indicated that the water is probably
not safe for drinking by human and other animals as well as for
cooking
Production and Evaluation of Biodegradable Plastic Films and their Resistance to Organic solvents
No full textThe character of gelatinized cassava starch was studied with a view to
deciphering its rate of organic solvent absorption. Solution casting
method was employed in fabricating the cast films. Cassava starch (CS)
was initially modified to produce thermoplastic starch (TPS) and
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) added to the matix. Absorption test was also
carried out by introducing glycerol into the mixture to completely
gelatinize the blend. Each blended sample was dried in a closed vessel
for 12hours and then cured in the oven for half an hour at 800C.
Finally, the film was peeled off from the glass plate and sealed for
experimental use. Results revealed that increase in polyvinyl alcohol
content produced a corresponding increase in organic solvent uptake
rate. However, this results implies that the cast films could absorb
more water (hydrophilic) and microorganisms in a soil water environment
increasingly over time with an increasing starch content, thus leading
to a greater biodegradation
Utilization of Sanitized Human Excreta and Wood Ash for Establishing Multipurpose Ficus Thonningii Blume in a Degraded Tantalum Technosol
No full textThe inclusion of native trees in mine land reclamation has been
promoted over the years yet that of high-value multipurpose species for
people\u2019s livelihoods has been overlooked. Also, studies utilizing
human excreta (HE), i.e. fecal matter, (FM) and human urine fertilizer
HUF), and wood ash (WA) in land reclamation are scarce. Yet, these are
indispensable in areas with a limited supply of organic materials and
high demand for natural resources. This study evaluated the effects of
HE and WA on the growth and establishment of Ficus thonningii Blume
(ficus) in a pegmatite-rich tantalum Technosol. Hardwood cuttings of
ficus from homesteads in Western Rwanda were planted in 20.4
7 19
cm diameter pots containing 5 kg forest soil (FS) and 6 kg Technosol.
Five treatments including No amendment; HUF alone (100 mL/pot); HUF+WA
(100 mL + 60 g/pot); FM (200 g/pot); and FM+WA (200 g + 60 g/pot) were
prepared in ten replicates each. Plant height, number of leaves, shoot
and root biomass were determined after five and seven months after
planting. The HE and WA treatments significantly increased (P = 0.003)
ficus height (FS = 39 \u2013 42 cm and Technosol = 31 \u2013 34 cm)
after seven months. Shoot biomass weights ranged from 17 \u2013 21 g
in the FS and 10 \u2013 16 g in the Technosol. Ficus exhibited an
efficient rooting system that stabilized the loose particles of the
Technosol, suggesting the potential of using ficus, HE, and WA in
degraded mine soil reclamation in future research
Developing a Model for Foot Anthropometric Descriptors for the Design of Prosthesis and Footwear in Nigeria
No full textFoot structure has been known to vary, consequently, there is need for
anthropometric data update. The objective of this study is to develop a
model of foot anthropometric descriptors for the design of prosthesis
and footwear in Nigeria using craft questionnaires structured with
Likert\u2019s 5-point attitudinal scale which was administered to 100
respondents and the corresponding data analyzed with Kendall\u2019s
Coefficient of Concordance (KCC) and Principal Component Analysis
(PCA). Thirteen judges ranked the 36 foot anthropometric descriptors in
descending order of importance. The data revealed footwear safety
(0.811), technology enhancement (0.811), footwear fitness (0.810),
Joint girth (0.794) and change in lifestyle (0.768) as dominant
descriptors based on their factor loadings. This study showed that foot
anthropometry is an important science for designing prosthetic and foot
wears that can achieve the desired fit and comfort