A snapshot of the prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase-431V mutation and other sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance markers in Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Nigeria.

Background: Malaria is a major public health issue with substantial risks among vulnerable populations. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends SP-IPTp in the second and third trimesters. However, the efficacy of SP-IPTp is threatened by the emergence of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistant malaria parasites due to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthetase genes.

Effect of Chewing Gum on Duration of Postoperative Ileus Following Laparotomy for Gastroduodenal Perforations: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Prolonged post-operative ileus is associated with increased risk of other complications, length of hospital stays and health care related costs. Chewing gum has been shown to reduce duration of ileus in many elective surgeries, but there is a paucity of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on its effect on duration of ileus among patients undergoing emergency surgery, specifically patients with peritonitis. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of chewing gum on duration of postoperative ileus following laparotomy for gastroduodenal perforations.

Psychological Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Associated Factors Among Nigerian Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We determined the prevalence of psychological distress, and the associations between sociodemographic factors, anxiety, depression, COVID-19-related experiences, and psychological distress, among nurses and doctors in Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted over a month (1st of July-31st of July 2021) among 434 Health Care Workers (HCWs) [225 (51.8%) nurses and 209 (48.

Molecular detection of hepatitis B virus genotype E with immune escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients on long-term antiviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Previous studies in Nigeria have reported the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype E and the availability of immune escape mutants. There is a paucity of data on chronic patients on long-term antiviral therapy for HBV infection.

Objective: This study assessed HBV genotypes and drug resistance variants among patients with chronic HBV infection receiving tenofovir in Jos, Nigeria.

Developing an mHealth Intervention to Reduce COVID-19-Associated Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study.

Background: Globally, COVID-19-related psychological distress is seriously eroding health care workers' mental health and well-being, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria. The use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions is now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that may improve mental health and well-being. This project aims to develop an mHealth psychological intervention (mPsyI) to reduce COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria.

A randomized, open-label trial of combined nitazoxanide and atazanavir/ritonavir for mild to moderate COVID-19.

Background: The nitazoxanide plus atazanavir/ritonavir for COVID-19 (NACOVID) trial investigated the efficacy and safety of repurposed nitazoxanide combined with atazanavir/ritonavir for COVID-19.

Methods: This is a pilot, randomized, open-label multicenter trial conducted in Nigeria. Mild to moderate COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned to receive standard of care (SoC) or SoC plus a 14-day course of nitazoxanide (1,000 mg b.

Are Fear of COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake? A Population-Based Online Survey in Nigeria.

This study examined the association between COVID-19 and fear of contracting COVID-19 and reasons for vaccination refusal. A population-based online survey was conducted via social media in Nigeria using the Fear of COVID-19 scale and items related to vaccination refusal/hesitancy items. Individuals aged 13 years and older were invited to participate.

Pre-and-post-operative aversion among men whose partners had caesarean delivery in a patriarchal setting.

Objectives: The study evaluated pre and post-operative perception and aversion to caesarean delivery (CD) among men whose partners underwent the procedure.

Design: A multicentre cross-sectional study.

Setting: Two tertiary and two secondary health facilities.

Anxiety, depression and stress among internally displaced persons and host community in an armed conflict region: A comparative study.

This study compares the psychological profile of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and individuals living in host communities in the war-affected setting. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October-November 2019. Subjects were recruited from six IDPs camps and the surrounding host communities within the metropolis of Maiduguri, Nigeria by convenience sampling.

Associated Psychological Factors of Viral Load among Self-Isolating Nigerian COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has affected millions of people worldwide. The aim of this study was to explore the psychological factors of viral load among COVID-19 patients who were on self-isolation in Nigeria.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving five hundred and nine self-isolating COVID-19 patients in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin B Deficiency among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes. However, data on vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnant Bangladeshi women are limited. This study examines vitamin B12 deficiency and marginal deficiency in rural Bangladeshi women during early and late pregnancies.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Hausa version of the Insomnia Severity Index among internally displaced persons in Africa.

Background: Although sleep disturbances and insomnia are common among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), these disorders remain largely understudied among victims fleeing ethnoreligious genocide. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), though a widely used measure of insomnia, has not been translated, cross-culturally adapted, nor validated in common African languages. This paper aimed to translate, adapt and validate the ISI scale into Hausa, the most widely spoken non-Indo-European language in African continent.

Sacrococcygeal Agenesis with Sacral Lipoma in a Child of a Non-Diabetic Mother.

Sacrococcygeal agenesis or caudal regression syndrome is an uncommon disorder in which there is partial or total agenesis of the sacrum with or without lumbar involvement. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 7-year-old child of a non-diabetic mother who presented with complaints of urinary and faecal incontinence since birth.

Adverse birth outcomes among women exposed to intimate partner violence in pregnancy in Ikere-Ekiti, South-west Nigeria: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Studies on birth outcomes associated with intimate partner violence in pregnancy in Nigeria are scarce. We aimed to evaluate adverse birth outcomes among women exposed to intimate partner violence in pregnancy in a Nigerian population.

Study Design: We performed a prospective cohort study involving 363 women with singleton pregnancies presenting for antenatal care between March 2019 and September 2019.

The patterns and occupational distribution of hormonal abnormalities among men investigated for infertility in some centers in the southwest, Nigeria.

Background And Aim: Male factor infertility results from dysfunction at various levels of spermatogenesis, sex hormone abnormalities, and occupation or workplace exposure to toxins are involved. This study was designed to determine the frequency of occupational distribution of men who were evaluated for infertility, the patterns of hormonal abnormalities, and to associate hormonal abnormalities with occupational categories in some centers in Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Semen and 5 mL of whole blood were collected from the infertile men (n=319) who were referred to the laboratories for fertility investigation after physical and medical examination.

Herbal supplement (Combi-5) in the management of COVID 19 individual with mild to moderate symptoms: a case report.

Objective: To explore repurposing known natural products for managing patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

Case Presentation: We present a case report of a middle aged woman, who was positive to COVID 19, with mild to moderate symptoms; who self -managed at home using well formulated herbal supplement (Combi-5) taken along with vitamin C and Zinc supplements. She recovered within a short time.

Predictors of postpartum depression among an obstetric population in South-Western Nigeria.

Background: Perinatal maternal depression is the most common mood disturbance associated with pregnancy. It has grave consequences on both maternal health and wellbeing of offsprings, albeit usually neglected in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between antenatal depression(APD) and postpartum depression(PPD) and predictors of postpartum depression among an obstetric population in South-western Nigeria.

Indications for Removal of Orthopaedic Implants in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Review of 128 Cases.

Background: With expanding indications for operative fracture treatment, removal of orthopaedic implants has become a frequent elective orthopaedic procedure in developing countries. The clinical indications for implant removal are not well established and there are no specific indications despite the morbidity associated with implant removal operations.

Objective: To determine the frequency, indications and complications of removal of orthopaedic implants with a view to guiding implant removal protocol among surgeons.

Efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide plus atazanavir/ritonavir for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 (NACOVID): A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of repurposed antiprotozoal and antiretroviral drugs, nitazoxanide and atazanavir/ritonavir, in shortening the time to clinical improvement and achievement of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negativity in patients diagnosed with moderate to severe COVID-19.

Trial Design: This is a pilot phase 2, multicentre 2-arm (1:1 ratio) open-label randomised controlled trial.

Participants: Patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (defined as SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive nasopharyngeal swab) will be recruited from four participating isolation and treatment centres in Nigeria: two secondary care facilities (Infectious Diseases Hospital, Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State and Specialist State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Osun State) and two tertiary care facilities (Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State and Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State).

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women with and without HIV in Jos, Nigeria.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Jos, Nigeria.

Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study of pregnant women was undertaken between 1 November 2017 and 30 April 2018. Informed consent was obtained, demographic data and predictors for HBV were collected, and all women were screened for HIV and HBV.

A Single-Blind, Parallel Design RCT to Assess the Effectiveness of SMS Reminders in Improving ART Adherence Among Adolescents Living with HIV (STARTA Trial).

Purpose: The study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of interactive and tailored short message reminders on antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescents (15-19 years) living with HIV in southwest Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a single-blind, parallel-design (ratio 1:1), and multicenter RCT of 209 medication-non-adherent adolescents living with HIV at HIV clinics in two states in southwest Nigeria. The research assessed ART adherence using the visual analog scale, viral suppression, pill count, and ACTG scores; the feasibility of the intervention by the SMS delivery and response (overall and individual) rates; and acceptability using self-report, willingness to continue receiving the intervention, and desire for its scale-up.