The relationship between pre-operative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and serum cancer antigen-125 among women with epithelial ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common genital cancer worldwide, and the most lethal of all genital cancers. The role of inflammation and markers of systemic inflammation such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in cancer biology have been investigated and reported in many studies. Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is currently in use as an adjunct to diagnosis, prognostication and monitoring of epithelial OC (EOC).

Risk predictors of early recurrence in women with epithelial ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynaecological cancer with a recurrence rate as high as 85% after an initial treatment. However, there are currently no reliable means of predicting the risk of recurrence after first-line treatment. This study investigated the risk factors that predict early recurrence of EOC after primary treatment among women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Serum vitamin D deficiency and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

The studies that have evaluated the association between vitamin D and risk of ovarian cancer have reported inconsistent findings. Many of these studies were carried out in regions with relatively low sunshine all year round unlike in Africa. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) amongst women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Comparative analysis of serum trace element levels in women with invasive cervical cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Trace elements although present in minute quantities in human blood, they play a vital role in many biochemical enzymatic reactions and have been examined critically as a potential key factor in various human diseases including cancers. This study was aimed to determine the association between serum levels of trace elements and invasive cancer of the cervix.

Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out among women seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Prevalence and risk factors for genital high-risk human papillomavirus infection among women attending the out-patient clinics of a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the developing countries and the seventh commonest cancer in the developed countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now known to be the main factor in the aetiology of cervical cancer with over 99.7% of cases being associated with previous high risk HPV (hrHPV) infection.

High group B streptococcus carriage rates in pregnant women in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.

Introduction: In contrast to industrialized countries, until recently Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was infrequently reported in the developing world. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of GBS maternal colonization and to analyze the serotype distribution among the isolates.

Methods: Vagino-rectal swabs collected from pregnant women were cultured for GBS using conventional media.

Selenium status and infant birth weight among HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: During pregnancy, selenium deficiency and reduced antioxidant activities may result in adverse perinatal outcome such as low birthweight, which is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Many studies have reported conflicting findings on the relationship between maternal selenium status and infant birth weight.

Objective: This study is to determine the relationship between maternal serum selenium concentration and infant birthweight in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women at term.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccines: knowledge, attitude and perception among female students at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

Aim: This study sought to determine knowledge of and attitude towards human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccines among female undergraduate students at the University of Lagos.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered between May and July 2010, to 368 female students aged 16-29years, who were selected from two faculties of the University of Lagos using two-stage sampling method. Data collected included: socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, awareness and knowledge of HPV infection, cervical cancer and genital warts, and HPV vaccine; the perceived risk of acquiring genital HPV infection and developing cervical cancer or genital warts, and the willingness to receive an HPV vaccine.

Knowledge of and attitude toward human papillomavirus infection and vaccines among female nurses at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer. Highly immunogenic HPV vaccines have been developed and licensed for the primary prevention of cervical cancer in some developed and developing countries. This calls for assessment of the knowledge of the HPV infection and the acceptability of the HPV vaccines among health care providers.