Lifetime prevalence and knowledge of snakebite among graduates in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Given the lack of studies on snakebite envenoming knowledge in the general population, we examined the lifetime prevalence of snakebite and knowledge of snakebite and its prevention and first aid among recent Nigerian graduates in national service. METHODS: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study involved 351 consenting national youth corps members at a rural orientation camp in Kano, Nigeria. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 25.3±2.4 y. There were slightly more males (50.7%). Most attended universities (77.8%) and were mainly from the southwest (24.5%) and northeast (24.5%) geopolitical regions and the Yoruba tribe (24.7%). Their lifetime prevalence of snakebite was 4%. Their mean overall knowledge score was 6.8±3.1 out of 20. Only 0.9% had adequate knowledge. Gender (male; 7.2±3.1, t=2.83, p=0.0049), tribe (Yoruba; 7.5±2.9, F=2.968, p=0.0320), region (Southwest; 7.6±3.0, F=2.5289, p=0.0289) and nearly bitten by snake (7.8 ± 2.7, t=3.60, p=0.0004) were significantly associated with a higher mean knowledge score. CONCLUSIONS: Their lifetime prevalence of snakebites is significant, while knowledge of snakebite is very inadequate. However, the national service camp activities period provides an opportunity for educational intervention needed to raise their knowledge to optimal levels that will enable them serve as better snakebite prevention agents, as they will be working in rural communities where snakebite might be prevalent.

Relationship between anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and dietary lifestyle of the older adults attending a primary care clinic in Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and severity of anaemia and assess the relationship between dietary lifestyle, hypoalbuminaemia, and anaemia of older persons. Design: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. Setting: This study was conducted in the General Outpatient Clinic, the primary care unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Participants: A total of 378 patients aged ≥ 60 years who presented to the General Out-patient Clinic. Main outcome measures: Prevalence and severity of anaemia, relationship between anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia, and dietary lifestyle of the participants. Results: A total of 348 respondents completed the study. The mean age of respondents was 67.83 ±7.53 years, with female (60.9%) predominance. The prevalence of anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were 42.2% and 17.8%, respectively. Hypoalbuminaemia (ß=0.335, 95%CI=0.131-0.229, P<0.001), long duration of comorbidities (ß= -0.179, 95%CI= -0.165-0.047, P<0.001), one full meal/day (ß=0.130, 95%CI=0.224-1.879, P=0.013), and low monthly income (ß=0.122, 95%CI=0.179-1.543, P=0.026) were the predictors of anaemia among the older persons in this study. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of anaemia among older adults. The identified predictors, such as hypoalbuminaemia, long duration of comorbidities, reduced food intake and low monthly income, will be useful in developing guidelines and strategies for managing the condition in primary care settings and other similar sites. Funding: None declared.