A 6-year review of post-neonatal tetanus at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Background: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease but its incidence has remained unacceptably high in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and outcome of post-neonatal tetanus at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. Children aged 1 month to 15 years diagnosed with post-neonatal tetanus were studied. Information from the admission files was extracted. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Total admissions during the study period were 14,458; 61 had post-neonatal tetanus, giving a prevalence of 0.4%. The M: F ratio was 1.5:1. The mean age was 7.4±3.2 years. Fifty-nine (96.7%) were not immunised against tetanus. Portal of entry for the organism was trauma injuries to the foot in 33(54.1%). Thirty-one (50.8%) were discharged, 5(8.2%) DAMA, while 25(41.0%) died, and case fatality was 41.0%. Conclusion: Post-neonatal tetanus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sokoto. There is need for improved health education, sustainability of immunisation programmes and coverage to eradicate this scourge

Blood pressure pattern and the relationship with body mass index among apparently healthy secondaryschool students in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

Background. Childhood obesity may result in the premature onset of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension, hence the need for proper screening. However, blood pressure (BP) is measured only once in most studies in Nigeria, probably because of difficulties in returning to the study areas for repeat measurement.Objective. To determine the BP pattern and assess its relationship with body mass index (BMI) in apparently healthy secondary-school students aged 10 - 18 years in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria.Methods. This study was descriptive and cross-sectional, and carried out between 13 October 2014 and 30 January 2015. In total, 800students from 6 schools were selected through multistage sampling. BP was measured on three separate days according to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program charts. BMI was categorised according to the Centers for Disease Control charts. The relationship of BP level with BMI was determined.Results. There were 424 (53.0%) males and 376 (47.0%) females, with a ratio of approximately 1:1. BP increased with age. The mean systolic and diastolic BP was significantly higher in females than males (systolic 113.1 mmHg v. 110.5 mmHg, and diastolic 69.0 mmHg v. 66.5 mmHg, respectively; p=0.01). Females had a higher mean BMI than males (18.7 kg/m2 v. 17.9 kg/m2, respectively; p<0.01). BP increased as the BMI percentile increased (p<0.001). The prevalence rates of hypertension were 6.1%, 3.5% and 3.1% at the first, second and third screenings, respectively, while the corresponding prevalence rates of prehypertension were 14.3%, 8.4% and 7.1%. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 0.3% and 5.9%, respectively.Conclusion. The prevalence rate of prehypertension and hypertension reduced with subsequent measurements, and the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were low. However, higher BP levels were associated with higher BMI, supporting its predictive significance for elevated BP

Prevalence of Uncomplicated Malaria in a Paediatrics Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Health Institution in Sokoto; Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains one of the major tropical health challenges in the world today. It accounts for more than 80of estimated 1.5 - 3 million deaths of children annually especially those aged 5 years and below. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of uncomplicated malaria in children in Sokoto. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of uncomplicated malaria in children aged 0 - 15 years. Methods: The health registers and outpatient cards of children aged 0 - 15 years that presented to the Paediatrics Outpatient Department/Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto; Nigeria; between 1st June 2007 and 31st May 2009 were studied retrospectively. Information of the patients with regards to their age; gender; presenting features; date of presentation at the clinic; and diagnosis of malaria (clinical and parasitological) were extracted from the registers and case records and analyzed. Results: During the study period; a total of 15;909 children aged 0 - 15 years were seen in our clinic. Of this number; 7;224 had clinical and parasitological diagnosis of uncomplicated malaria giving a prevalence rate of 45.4.those aged 5 years and below were 5;782 (49.6) while the remaining 1;442 (34.0) were aged above 5 years. Males were 4;068 (56.3) while the females were 3;156 (43.7) with M: F ratio of 1.3:1. The main presenting symptoms were fever (100); reduced appetite (80.5); reduced activity (75) and chills (74). The main presenting signs were pyrexia (84.5); splenomegaly (38) and hepatomegaly (14). Malaria was the leading cause of paediatrics outpatient clinic attendance followed by acute respiratory infection and diarrhoeal disease. Though malaria occurred throughout the year; majority of the cases were seen during the raining and early dry reasons. Conclusion: Malaria is partly meso-endemic and hyper endemic in the studied area and children aged 5-years and below are the most susceptible. It is therefore; recommended that more efforts should be put in place towards malaria control and prevention particularly in this age group