Cross-sectional prevalence and pattern of non-anaemia severe malaria among 2-10 year olds in Sokoto in Northwestern Nigeria.

Malaria is highly prevalent in Nigeria and accounts for approximately 40% of global malaria mortality. However, most reports on severe malaria in Nigeria are from hospital-based studies without accurate information from communities; thus, malaria-related deaths in the community are left untracked. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and pattern of severe malaria in a community in Northwestern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2-10-year-old children in Sokoto, in August and December 2016, to determine the endemicity of malaria based on Plasmodium falciparum prevalence rate (PfPR2-10) and to describe the disease pattern. Severe malaria was diagnosed according to the World Health Organisation criteria. Data were described using Stata version 15. The prevalence of non-anaemia severe malaria was higher than expected (2.6%), considering the endemicity pattern which was mesoendemic based on a PfPR2-10 of 34.8%. The mean age of children with severe malaria was 3.73 years, and the male-female ratio was 2:1. However, 54.0% of the patients had hyperparasitaemia. A relatively high prevalence of non-anaemia severe malaria was found in Wamakko. This finding suggests the need to identify and treat cases in the community using modifications of current strategies, particularly seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in six geopolitical zones in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: the high expectations that heralded the development of COVID-19 vaccines has been plagued with vaccine hesitancy (VH). The prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 VH in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria are explored. Methods: using a cross sectional survey, a pre-tested and validated questionnaire on a "Google form" was distributed via social media platforms and hard copies in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Included, using a chain-reference sampling technique, were healthcare workers (HCW), university students and adults in the general population. Participants who expressed unwillingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine in the event of an available vaccine were considered to have vaccine hesitancy. Frequency and percentage were used to describe categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess for factors associated with VH. Level of significance was set at 5% on two-sided tails test. Results: among 1615 respondents, mean (standard deviation) age was 36.7 (11.3) years, and 847 (52.4%) were males. More than half were healthcare workers (943; 58.4%), 97.4% had at least secondary level of education, and majority 60.5% belonged to the upper social class. The prevalence of VH was 68.5% (1107/1615), and 67.2% preferred foreign manufactured COVID-19 vaccines. On multivariable regression analysis, residence in Northeast (AOR 6.01, 95% CI 2.24, 16.10) and Northwest (AOR 3.33, 95% CI 1, 48, 7.48) geopolitical zones, the Igbo ethnic group (AOR 1.88, 95% 1.10, 3.22), Christians (AOR 1.86, 95% 1.10, 3.14), nurses (AOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.25, 9.80), pharmacist (AOR 5.82, 95% CI 2.12, 16.32) and participants without confidence in foreign vaccines (AOR 4.13, 95% CI 2.99, 5.72) were at higher likelihood of VH. Conclusion: vaccine hesitancy is high among adults in Nigeria, with higher likelihood among the Igbo ethnic group, Christian faith, residence in Northeast and Northwest geopolitical zones and those with an aversion to foreign-made vaccines. Targeted interventions are required for the desired COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate and herd immunity.

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and its awareness among inhabitants of Sokoto metropolis: outcome of a screening program for hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and overt proteinuria.

INTRODUCTION: Developing countries confront double jeopardy of prevalent infectious disease and increasing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) with imminent projected epidemic proportions. Nigeria has witnessed tremendous socio-economic changes and rural to urban migration culminating in emergence of NCD. The impact of these diseases on the lives of people is enormous when measured in terms of outcomes. We initiated a screening program among inhabitants of Sokoto metropolis in an attempt to unravel the prevalence and pattern of NCD. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross sectional study involving 535 participants who were randomlyselected during World Kidney Day Screening in Sokoto. Health promotion talk was organized for the participants before commencing the screening. We took anthropometric measurements and calculated body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio for all individuals. We also checked blood pressure and blood glucose levels and performed urinalysis for all participants. RESULTS: There were 535 participants including 332 males and 203 females with a mean age of 37 ± 17 years. Overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were found in 12.3%, 6.7% and 0.9% of participants respectively. About 11% had waist/hip ratio greater than 1. The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was 8.5% and 30.2% respectively. Elevated random blood glucose levels were found in 6% of participants while 17.9% had at least 1+ of proteinuria in urinalysis. CONCLUSION: Non-communicable diseases are common in our environment and the level of awareness is low. Regular health education and screening programs are necessary in order to reduce the menace.