Effect of HIV-1 infection and increasing immunosuppression on menstrual function.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern and determinants of menstrual abnormalities in HIV-positive Nigerian women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 3473 (2549 HIV-seropositive and 924 seronegative) consecutive and consenting women seen at the HIV treatment centers at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos and the Federal Medical Centre, Markurdi.

Results: The sociodemographic characteristics of the two groups were comparable, except for body mass index (BMI): the HIV-negative women (28.

Haematological and biochemical response to treatment of HIV-1 infection with a combination of nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine in Lagos Nigeria.

To evaluate the effect of a combination of nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine on Haematological and Biochemical values of HIV-1 positive patients in Lagos. Fifty patients who met the enrollment criteria for accelerated clinical trial were studied. Ten millimeters of blood was taken from each patient at first visit for basic haematological and biochemical values.

Management of HIV-1 infection with a combination of nevirapine, stavudine, and lamivudine: a preliminary report on the Nigerian antiretroviral program.

Objective: To evaluate treatment outcome in the first 12 months among HIV-positive patients managed with a combination of nevirapine + stavudine + lamivudine under the current national antiretroviral (ARV) program in Nigeria.

Design: This was a prospective observational, cohort study on 50 ARV-naive patients who met the inclusion criteria for the program and had given informed consent. All patients were in stage 2 or stage 3 periods of infection based on World Health Organization clinical classification.

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).

Prevalence of HIV among women with vaginal discharge in a gynecological clinic.

Objective: Vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Nigeria. Given the association between STDs and HIV and the alarming rise in the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria, we performed this study to determine the prevalence of HIV in patients with vaginal discharge.

Study Design: Between April 2000 and August 2000, women who attended the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and complained of vaginal discharge were adequately counseled for HIV serotest.