Distinct pattern and prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase gene mutations in children with sickle cell anaemia and haemoglobin AA in Benin City, Nigeria: the impact of HbAA.

Introduction: specific mutations on the Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) gene mediate sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) resistance and thus, pose a threat to the efficacy of SP-Intermittent Preventive Therapy (SP-IPT) in malaria chemoprevention in children, including those with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). This study determined the distinct pattern and prevalence of Pfdhps mutations in children with SCA and in those with homozygous haemoglobin A (HbAA) in Benin City, Nigeria; showing the impact of haemoglobin phenotype.

Methods: this was a cross-sectional study involving children with SCA and HbAA.

An Audit of Tuberculin Skin Testing among Nigerian Children in a Tertiary Health Facility in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: This study objective was to describe the indications for the use of Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) and the results in order to provide information that may be useful in defining the role of TST in the investigation and control of childhood tuberculosis.

Methodology: Through a Prospective cross-sectional study an audit of TSTs carried out over a one year period (2015-2016)in a tertiary hospital was done. The indications for the TST were extracted as well as the TST readings.

Improving knowledge about breast cancer and breast self examination in female Nigerian adolescents using peer education: a pre-post interventional study.

Background: Prevention of BC of which the cornerstone is creating awareness and early detection is important in adolescents and young women because of their worse outcomes. Early detection strategies such as mammography are currently beyond the reach of most women in sub-Saharan Africa..

Effect of health seeking behaviour of caregivers on severe malaria outcome in under-fives seen in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

Background: Recognition of the symptoms and seeking prompt treatment in a health facility is a major means of reducing morbidity and prevention of mortality from severe malaria in under-fives.

Objectives: To document the effect of health-seeking behaviour of caregivers and severe malaria outcome in underfives seen in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from July 2012 - June 2013.

Assessment of Use of National Guidelines for Malaria Case Management among Pediatric Resident Doctors Attending an Update Course in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: The National Malaria Guideline is a veritable tool for appropriate case management of malaria. Whether the pediatric residents who are the primary caregivers of children know and make use of this guideline in their routine practice is not yet assessed.

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness of the Nigerian pediatric residents of the national guidelines for malaria case management (including antimalarial prescription for uncomplicated and severe malaria).

Effect of Peer Education on Knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer among Female Adolescent Students in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: It is well documented that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the cause of cervical cancer which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially in low- and middle-income countries. Vaccines against HPV are available. In developed countries where the vaccines have been deployed, lack of information among the target population (adolescents) is a major contributor to suboptimal uptake.

Evaluation of Predictors of Mortality Associated With Childhood Heart Failure in Nigeria: A 2-Center Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of mortality in childhood heart failure (HF) in 2 tertiary hospitals.

Methods: A 51-month retrospective review of case notes of children with HF admitted into children's emergency rooms of 2 tertiary centers in Southern Nigeria was done. Bio-data and certain sociodemographic variables including mortality were abstracted.

Comparison of adverse events following pentavalent and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines among Nigerian children.

Introduction: Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) may follow the use of any vaccine. There is thus a need for documentation of the types and prevalence of AEFIs for each vaccine and early identification of new events or those occurring at rates higher than expected. When one vaccine replaces another, it is important to document the safety of the new vaccine as well as compare to that of the old.

Physical activity, body mass index and blood pressure in primary school pupils attending private schools.

Background: Lack of physical activity contributes to overweight and obesity. It is recommended that children accumulate at least one hour of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily.

Objective: The level of physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were evaluated in pupils attending private primary schools.

Impact of home-based management on malaria outcome in under-fives presenting in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

Background: Home-based management of malaria involves prompt delivery of effective malaria treatment at the community by untrained caregiver. The aim of this study was to document home-based treatment of suspected malaria by non-medical caregivers and to identify its health impact on malaria outcome (severe malaria prevalence, parasite load and mortality) in children (6-59 months).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from June 2012-July 2013.

A meta-analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles for pneumococcal pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Pneumonia causes an enormous burden of childhood disease globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Pneumococcus is the most common bacterial aetiology of pneumonia; however, antimicrobials are limited and may not adequately address the local epidemiology of the region.

Aim: To undertake a review and meta-analysis of pneumonia studies in sub-Saharan Africa to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in childhood pneumonia.

Prevalence of congenital malaria in newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria in Benin city.

Background: HIV and Plasmodium falciparum malaria co-infection annually complicates about one million pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa. Congenital malaria (CM) has deleterious effects on newborns. Little is known about the effect of co-infections on the prevalence of CM in infants born by these women.

Effect of introduction of pentavalent vaccine as replacement for Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Hepatitis B vaccines on vaccination uptake in a health facility in Nigeria.

Background: The introduction of a new vaccine into an immunization programme may affect the immunization system negatively or positively. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the introduction of the pentavalent vaccine as replacement for DTP and Hepatitis B vaccines on timeliness, completion of the schedule and dropout rates among children attending a health facility.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study which involved extracting immunization records of children attending the Institute of Child Health Child Welfare Clinic between June 2011 and May 2013.

Hepatitis B infection among Nigerian children admitted to a children's emergency room.

Background: Nigeria commenced her hepatitis B immunization programme in 2004 but there have been few evaluations of the programme in different parts of the country given the fact that prevalence in different regions of the country varies. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and the hepatitis B immunization status among children admitted to the children's emergency room (CHER) in Benin Teaching Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 150 consecutively recruited children aged 2 months to 15 years admitted to the CHER of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Anti-diphtheria immunity in Nigerian mothers and their newborns.

Background: Immunity to diphtheria has been noted to wane with age such that previous studies have shown that a significant proportion of females with characteristics comparable to those of Nigerian women of reproductive age have inadequate levels of immunity to diphtheria. Thus, it is envisaged that Nigerian newborns may inherit inadequate levels of immunity to diphtheria from their mothers.

Methods: Cord blood and peripheral maternal blood samples were collected from 231 mother-infant pairs at delivery.

The diagnostic value of both troponin T and creatinine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in detecting combined renal and myocardial injuries in asphyxiated infants.

Background: Troponin T (cTnT) and Creatinine Kinase Isoenzyme (CK-MB) are both markers of myocardial injuries. However, CK-MB is also elevated in acute kidney injury.

Objective: The diagnostic value of both cTnT and cardiac CK-MB in combined myocardial and acute kidney injuries (AKI) in asphyxiated neonates was evaluated.

Prevalence of renal disease in Nigerian children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and on highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

Access to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has improved the prognosis of Nigerian children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); thus, more children are surviving. Long-term exposure to HAART is potentially nephrotoxic. We therefore aimed at assessing the prevalence of renal disease in Nigerian children infected with HIV, who are on HAART.

Intestinal helminthiasis in children with chronic neurological disorders in Benin City, Nigeria: intensity and behavioral risk factors.

Background: Behavioral aberrations such as nail biting, finger sucking, and pica have been postulated as risk factors that enhance helminths ova transmission. These aberrations may present commonly in children with chronic neurological disorders and predispose them to heavy intensity of intestinal helminthiasis. This comparative cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, intensity, and behavioral risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in children with chronic neurological disorders and apparently healthy controls.

Timeliness and completion rate of immunization among Nigerian children attending a clinic-based immunization service.

To achieve maximal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, a child should receive all immunizations within recommended intervals. Clinic records of 512 Nigerian children were evaluated for timeliness in receiving vaccines and the completion rates of the schedule. About 30% of the children presented after four weeks of age for their first immunization; 18.

Multiple fractures and iatrogenic burns in a newborn due to unskilled delivery: a case report.

High neonatal mortality is the hallmark of developing countries. Most of the deaths are preventable by good antenatal care with risk identification and access to safe delivery. However, only about a third of births are attended by skilled personnel in Nigeria.

Experiences of HIV positive mothers who chose not to breastfeed their babies in Nigeria.

HIV positive mothers, who choose not to breastfeed their babies in a predominantly breastfeeding community would face a number of barriers. This study looked at the experiences of HIV positive mothers who chose the no breastfeeding option. Consecutive HIV positive mothers who opted not to breastfeed their infants after infant feeding counselling and whose infants were attending the HIV programme at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria were recruited for the study.

Infant-feeding practices among HIV-infected mothers in an HIV-treatment programme.

The transmission of HIV via breastmilk has led to various recommendations for HIV-infected mothers. In this study, the feeding practices of HIV-infected mothers in the first six months of their infants' lives were evaluated. In total, 103 consecutive mothers of children, aged 6-24 months, were evaluated for their feeding practices in the first six months of their infants' lives.

Practice of universal precautions among healthcare workers.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to bloodborne infections by pathogens, such as HIV, and hepatitis B and C viruses, as they perform their clinical activities in the hospital. Compliance with universal precautions has been shown to reduce the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids. This study was aimed at assessing the observance of universal precautions by HCWs in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.