Pattern of admissions and needs assessment for palliative care services among in-patients in a tertiary health facility in South-Western Nigeria.

Background: Palliative care evolution focuses on education and medication accessibility. As little as 12% of palliative care needs are met. Assessment of the domains of Palliative care and patients' and families' experience are essential in life-limiting conditions.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Given the synergistic relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, knowledge of the genotypic prevalence and associated factors of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) among HIV-infected women is crucial for developing targeted interventions such as appropriate screening tests and effective genotype-specific vaccination.

Objectives: We determined the prevalence of any HR-HPV and multiple HR-HPV infections and identified associated factors among a cohort of women living with HIV infections (WLHIV) in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study analysed the data of 516 WLHIV who underwent cervical cancer screening as part of the at the HIV treatment centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital from July 2023 to March 2024.

Challenges of consolidating evidence collected during a pandemic and lessons for the future.

Objective: To illustrate the challenges encountered when gathering rapidly synthesized evidence in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: In this article, we describe the challenges encountered when we performed a systematic literature review (SLR) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of treatments for severe COVID-19. The methods of the SLR are described in full, to show the context of our objectives.

Detection of hepatitis viruses in suspected cases of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers in Nigeria.

There have been several Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) outbreaks in Nigeria which remains a public health concern. Despite the increasing number of suspected cases of VHF due to heightened surveillance activities and growing awareness, only a few cases are laboratory-confirmed to be VHF. Routinely, these samples are only tested for Lassa virus and Yellow fever virus with occasional testing for Dengue virus when indicated.

Renal denervation ameliorated salt-induced hypertension by improving cardiac work, cardiac enzyme and oxidative balance in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Hypertension is associated with cardiovascular dysfunction, dysregulation of the antioxidant system and alteration of the level of some enzymes in the metabolic pathway. The possible modulatory effect of acute renal denervation (ARD) on cardiovascular function and the antioxidant system is still a subject of intense debate. This study sought to ascertain the ameliorative effects of ARD on cardiovascular parameters, antioxidant system, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels.

Association between dopamine receptor D2 IA gene polymorphism (rs1800497) and personality traits.

Objective: This study aimed to find a potential association between the 1A gene polymorphism (rs1800497 C32806T) and personality traits.

Methods: In all, 249 youths were recruited for this study. The Short-form Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was administered to assess personality traits.

Geographical accessibility to functional emergency obstetric care facilities in urban Nigeria using closer-to-reality travel time estimates: a population-based spatial analysis.

Background: Better accessibility for emergency obstetric care facilities can substantially reduce maternal and perinatal deaths. However, pregnant women and girls living in urban settings face additional complex challenges travelling to facilities. We aimed to assess the geographical accessibility of the three nearest functional public and private comprehensive emergency obstetric care facilities in the 15 largest Nigerian cities via a novel approach that uses closer-to-reality travel time estimates than traditional model-based approaches.

COVID-19 and Activities of Daily Living Among Primary Health Care Workers in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria.

Background And Objectives: Globally, COVID-19 has greatly impacted humans physically, socially, mentally, and economically. No doubt, healthcare workers seemed to bear the greatest impact. The study therefore assessed the impact of COVID- 19 on the primary healthcare workers' daily activities in Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria.

The Burden of Urologic Diseases in a Tertiary Hospital in South-eastern Nigeria: A Three-Year Review.

Background: Urological diseases are an integral part of the surgical burden of diseases. There are national, regional, and global variations. Characterisation of the burden of disease in this specialty is important for the registry and in allocation of the already scarce resource in this sub-region.

Socio-spatial equity analysis of relative wealth index and emergency obstetric care accessibility in urban Nigeria.

Background: Better geographical accessibility to comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) facilities can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes. However, with other factors, such as affordability critical for care access, it is important to explore accessibility across groups. We assessed CEmOC geographical accessibility by wealth status in the 15 most-populated Nigerian cities.

Compliance With Guidelines on Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Kwara State, Northcentral Nigeria.

Background: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is an effective strategy for reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in children aged 3-59 months in areas with seasonal malaria transmission. Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine is given to an eligible child at monthly intervals during the peak malaria transmission season. The aim of this study was to determine the level of compliance with SMC guidelines by community drug distributors during SMC implementation in Kwara State.

Specific plasma microRNAs are associated with CD4 + T-cell recovery during suppressive antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1.

Objective: This study investigated the association of plasma microRNAs before and during antiretroviral therapy (ART) with poor CD4 + T-cell recovery during the first year of ART.

Design: MicroRNAs were retrospectively measured in stored plasma samples from people with HIV (PWH) in sub-Saharan Africa who were enrolled in a longitudinal multicountry cohort and who had plasma viral-load less than 50 copies/ml after 12 months of ART.

Methods: First, the levels of 179 microRNAs were screened in a subset of participants from the lowest and highest tertiles of CD4 + T-cell recovery (ΔCD4) ( N  = 12 each).

Spice-Induced Metal Contamination and Microbiological Risk Assessment of Instant Noodles Prepared for Human Consumption.

With the rising worries of potential metal contamination in cooked noodles, this study aimed at unravelling, for the first time, the possible source of metal contamination in cooked noodles. Noodles cooked with full spices (CWFS), cooked with half spices (CWHS), cooked with quarter spices (CWQS), and cooked with no spices (CWNS: control) and their spices were analysed for metals using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The microbiological quality of the noodles was also evaluated.

Low-Value Surgical Procedures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Importance: Overuse of surgical procedures is increasing around the world and harms both individuals and health care systems by using resources that could otherwise be allocated to addressing the underuse of effective health care interventions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is some limited country-specific evidence showing that overuse of surgical procedures is increasing, at least for certain procedures.

Objectives: To assess factors associated with, extent and consequences of, and potential solutions for low-value surgical procedures in LMICs.

Preliminary Study on Open Labelled Randomized Controlled Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Phosphate for the Treatment of Persons Infected with 2019 Coronavirus Disease in Nigeria.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of COVID-19 is a leading cause of ill-health and deaths worldwide. Currently, COVID-19 has no known widely approved therapeutics. Thus, the need for effective treatment.

A geospatial database of close-to-reality travel times to obstetric emergency care in 15 Nigerian conurbations.

Travel time estimation accounting for on-the-ground realities between the location where a need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) arises and the health facility capable of providing EmOC is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes. Current understanding of travel time to care is inadequate in many urban areas of Africa, where short distances obscure long travel times and travel times can vary by time of day and road conditions. Here, we describe a database of travel times to comprehensive EmOC facilities in the 15 most populated extended urban areas of Nigeria.

Childhood traumatic cataract in Nigeria; a multicentre study: 2017-2021.

Objective: To determine the frequency, demography, aetiology and mechanisms of ocular injuries associated with childhood traumatic cataract in Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective multicentre study conducted across ten child eye health tertiary facilities in Nigeria between January 2017 and December 2021. Clinic records of all children aged 0-17 years who had been diagnosed with cataract at the various participating centres were reviewed.

Nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and nutritional status of adults living in urban Communities in Lagos State.

Background: Malnutrition is a major threat to the world's public health. While under-nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies persist, obesity is increasing worldwide. Although malnutrition has been extensively researched among children, it has become of increasing concern among adults because of the relative increase in the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Relationship between testosterone-estradiol ratio and some anthropometric and metabolic parameters among Nigerian men.

Background: Alterations in sex hormone levels are implicated in the regulation of metabolic processes in men. In recent years, the prevalence of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, has risen in Nigeria. In men, these disorders may be associated with the ratio of serum testosterone to estradiol levels.

Urinary Catheter Documentation in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: Are We Recording Enough?

Background: Urinary catheters are an important armamentarium of urologic practice. Several indications for their use exist. A good knowledge of the details surrounding every urinary catheter inserted is necessary for the proper management of the patients.

Association of Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) 40 bp 3' UTR VNTR Polymorphism (rs28363170) and Cannabis Use Disorder.

Introduction: Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug among Nigerians, often associated with psychiatric disorders. Since genetic predisposition has been implicated in substance use disorders, we, therefore, aimed at finding out the relationship between dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) polymorphism and cannabis use disorder.

Methods: We recruited 104 patients from a tertiary psychiatric facility in Lagos, Nigeria, who were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder according to ICD-10 and 96 non-smokers as a comparative group.

Clients' Perception of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services received before and during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Nigeria's Epicenter.

Background: Since the emergence of COVID-19, countries have implemented measures to limit spread, which include movement restrictions. These measures led to poor or inadequate delivery of many health services, including maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services. This study assessed clients' perception of routine MNCH services received from government health care facilities before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria's epicenter.