Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of HIV/AIDS among traditional birth attendants and herbal practitioners in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Recognising the widespread role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and herbal practitioners (HPs) in health care at community level in Nigeria, we set out to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to HIV infection and prevention. Questionnaires were administered to a convenience sample of 189 participants in 20 local government areas of Lagos State. We found that knowledge of modes of transmission of HIV was less than adequate and included lack of knowledge of the existence of HIV/AIDS amongst some practitioners, claims for the ability to treat HIV/AIDS, failure to name major avenues of transmission and confusion of HIV/AIDS with other conditions.

Ferritin and haematological values in healthy elderly Nigerians.

Two-hundred Nigerians (65 years and above) were studied and compared with control (18-50 years). Haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, platelets and ferritin were analyzed. Mean ferritin levels were 105 ± 30 μg/L and 72 ± 10 μg/L (males and females respectively).