Improving TB Case Detection Through Active Case-Finding: Results of Multiple Intervention Strategies in Hard-to-Reach Riverine Areas of Southern Nigeria.

Background: A major challenge to TB control globally is low case detection, largely due to routine health facility-based passive case-finding employed by national TB control programs. Active case-finding is a risk-population-based screening approach that has been established to be effective in TB control. This intervention aimed to increase TB case detection in hard-to-reach areas in southern Nigeria.

Effectiveness of self-care interventions for integrated morbidity management of skin neglected tropical diseases in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF), Buruli ulcer (BU) and leprosy are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of the skin co-endemic in some communities in Nigeria. Not enough is known about the effectiveness of integrated morbidity management and disability prevention in people with these conditions. An integrated self-care intervention was carried out for people with these skin NTDs in two endemic communities of Anambra state, Nigeria.

Investigating barriers and challenges to the integrated management of neglected tropical skin diseases in an endemic setting in Nigeria.

Background: There is a dearth of experience in and evidence for cost-effective integrated community-based management of skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and care-seeking practices including self-care with a view to introducing appropriate community-based interventions for skin NTDs in an endemic setting in Southern Nigeria.

Methods/principal Findings: This exploratory study adopted a mixed-methods design consisting of cross-sectional surveys of community members and health workers using interviewer-administered questionnaires; and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members, health care workers and patients with NTDs in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Screening diabetes mellitus patients for tuberculosis in Southern Nigeria: A pilot study.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) are of great public health importance globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tuberculosis is the third cause of death among subjects with non-communicable diseases. DM increases risk of progressing from latent to active tuberculosis.

Assessment of community knowledge, attitude, and stigma of Buruli ulcer disease in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Poor knowledge can influence timely care-seeking among persons with Buruli ulcer disease (BUD).

Objectives: To assess community knowledge, attitude and stigma towards persons with BUD in endemic settings of Southern Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among adult community members in four States of Southern Nigeria.

Worsening of the disability grade during leprosy treatment: prevalence and its determinants in Southern Nigeria.

Background: In Nigeria, little is known about the development of new or additional physical disability during leprosy treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and evaluate factors associated with worsening of physical disability during leprosy treatment in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted among leprosy patients treated in six referral facilities in six States in Nigeria between January 2011 and December 2015.

Assessment of health care workers' knowledge, attitude and risk perception of Buruli ulcer disease in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Poor knowledge of health care workers may be responsible for the under-diagnosis and low notification of Buruli ulcer (BU) in high-burden settings. This study assessed health care workers' knowledge, attitude and risk perception of BU in Southern Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 186 health care workers recruited from 58 health facilities in four states of Southern Nigeria.

Screening for diabetes mellitus among tuberculosis patients in Southern Nigeria: a multi-centre implementation study under programme settings.

Implementation studies are recommended to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of programmes. In Nigeria, little is known about the burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) patients. The objective of this study was to determine screening efficacy, prevalence of DM and determinants of DM among TB patients.

Secondary bacterial isolates from previously untreated Buruli ulcer lesions and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in Southern Nigeria.

Introduction:: Mycolactones, secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, were previously believed to prevent super infection in Buruli ulcer lesions. However, little is known about secondary bacterial infections in these lesions. This study evaluated contaminating bacterial flora and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in cases of previously untreated Buruli ulcer disease from three states in Southern Nigeria.

Financial burden of health care for Buruli ulcer patients in Nigeria: the patients' perspective.

Background: The economic burden of Buruli ulcer for patients has not been well-documented. This study assessed the costs of Buruli ulcer care to patients from the onset of illness to diagnosis and to the end of treatment.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional cost of illness study conducted among patients with Buruli ulcer in four States in Nigeria between July and September 2015.

Diagnosis delay and duration of hospitalisation of patients with Buruli ulcer in Nigeria.

Background: Delayed diagnosis of Buruli ulcer can worsen clinical presentation of the disease, prolong duration of management, and impose avoidable additional costs on patients and health providers. We investigated the profile, delays in diagnosis, duration of hospitalisation, and associated factors among patients with Buruli ulcer in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients with Buruli ulcer who were identified from a community-based survey.

Buruli ulcer in Nigeria: results of a pilot case study in three rural districts.

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU), also known as Mycobacterium ulcerans disease, is the third most common mycobacterial disease worldwide. Although BU disease has been diagnosed among Nigerians in neighbouring West African countries, data on the burden of the disease in Nigeria itself are scanty. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and epidemiology of BU in the South South region of Nigeria.