Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Coverage and Seropositivity amongst Nigerians 18 Years Old and Above.

BACKGROUND: This was a cross-sectional community-based survey to study the prevalence of serum antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-COV-1) and determine possible source of antibodies as to whether from vaccination or from natural infection as well as attempt to compare antibody levels in response to the different four types of vaccines administered in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study of the prevalence of serum antibodies against all four vaccine types used in Nigeria amongst a representative sample of people aged 18 years and above in the six geopolitical zones of the country using a multistage sampling technique covering 12 states of the country with two states being randomly selected from each geopolitical zone. High-throughput Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay system (Elecsys Anti-SARS-COV-1 Cobas) was used for qualitative and quantitative detection of antibodies to SARS-COV-1 in human plasma. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the proportions with seropositivity for both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated (P = 0.95). The nucleocapsid antibody (anti-Nc) titres were similar in both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, whereas the Spike protein antibody (anti-S) titres were significantly higher amongst the vaccinated than amongst the unvaccinated. Antibody levels in subjects who received different vaccines were compared to provide information for policy. CONCLUSION: While only 45.9% of the subjects were reported to have been vaccinated, 98.7% of the subjects had had contact with the SARS-COV-1 as evidenced by the presence of nucleocapsid (NC) antibodies in their plasma. The 1.3% who had not been exposed to the virus, had spike protein antibodies which most likely resulted from vaccination in the absence of NC antibodies. Successive vaccination and booster doses either through heterogeneous or homologous vaccines increased antibody titres, and this stimulation of immune memory may offer greater protection against coronavirus disease 2019.

Quality of life of hypertensive men with erectile dysfunction in a tertiary health centre in southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common disorder of sexual health seen in men in community studies. A man's sexual health has been found to be a key factor in determining the capacity for maintaining a healthy relationship. AIM: This study sought to determine the quality of life of hypertensive men with ED attending the out-patient clinics of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, South-South, Nigeria. SETTING: This study was conducted in the Out Patients Clinics (OPC) of FMC, Asaba, Delta state, Nigeria. METHODS: After obtaining approval from the ethics and research committees in Asaba, 184 consenting hypertensive men who met the eligibility criteria were selected by systematic random sampling to participate in the study from October 2015 to January 2016. This study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected with a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adopted from the international index of Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The study complied with the principles of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice. RESULTS: The results showed the mean score for physical domain (58.78 ± 24.37), the psychological domain (62.68 ± 25.93), the social domain (50.47 ± 29.09), and the environmental domain (62.25 ± 18.52). Over a fifth, 11 (22.0%), of the respondents with severe ED had poor quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study showed that ED is common in hypertensive men and their quality of life was more impaired than those with normal erectile function.Contribution: This study contributes to holistic approaches to patient care.

Erectile dysfunction predictors in hypertensives at a primary care clinic in Southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:  Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been described as an important public health problem by the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Panel. It causes significant distress in men and dysfunctional family dynamics. AIM:  This study sought to identify the relationship between level of education and ED amongst hypertensive men (aged 30-89 years) attending outpatient clinics (OPCs) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba. SETTING:  This study was conducted in the OPCs at FMC, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. METHODS:  After obtaining approval from the ethics and research committees in Asaba, 184 consenting hypertensive men who met the eligibility criteria were selected by systematic random sampling to participate in the study from October 2015 to January 2016. This study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected with a semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire adopted from the International Index of Sexual Health Inventory for Men. The study complied with the principles of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice. RESULTS:  The mean age ± standard deviation and range of the respondents were 55.1 (±12.4) and 30-89 years, respectively. On logistic regression, higher level of education (secondary school and above) (odds ratio [OR] = 15.943, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.517-167.502) was found to be a predictor of ED amongst the study participants. CONCLUSION:  This study showed that formal education up to secondary level and use of diuretics were significantly associated with ED amongst adults with hypertension.

Household Air Pollution and Respiratory Symptoms of Women and Children in a Suburban Community in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, the morbidity and mortality caused by exposure to household air pollution from the use of solid fuels remain a significant public health burden. This study assessed the levels of PM2.5 in households using clean and unclean fuels and their associations with the respiratory health of women and children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Daytime PM2.5 sampling was done in 62 households (31 in each group) in Isiohor, a suburban community in southern Nigeria using Casella CEL-712 Microdust Pro Real-time Dust Monitor. Validated American Thoracic Society questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: PM2.5 levels exceeded World Health Organization-recommended limits in most households. The median (range) concentration of PM2.5 was lower in households using clean fuels (26 (14 to 358) µg/m3) than those using unclean fuels (29 (14 to 650) µg/m3). This difference was not statistically significant (P = .272). At least 1 respiratory symptom was reported by women (25.8% vs. 22.6%) and children (64.5% vs. 77.4%) in household using clean and unclean fuels, respectively. The most commonly reported respiratory symptoms were being woken up by an attack of cough (41.9% vs. 51.6% ) and cough first thing in the morning (16.1% vs 38.7%) for clean and unclean fuels, respectively (P = .046). More children in household using unclean fuel missed school for up to a week because of respiratory illness when compared to those in households using clean fuel, 61.3% vs. 29.0% (P = .011). In the sample as a whole, burning of candles in the house (22.6%) was associated with respiratory symptoms (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 14.81, 95% CI 1.79 to 122.51) among the women. CONCLUSION: The use of unclean fuel was associated with higher levels of PM2.5. The household air pollution resulting from the use of unclean fuels and activities like burning of candles in the home may compromise the respiratory health of women and children.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Workers in the quarry industries are exposed to hazards resulting from the inhalation of air borne particulates. The study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assessed ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria. METHODS: Quarry workers (site workers and office workers) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR were measured using a KoKo Legend spirometer. RESULTS: A total of 113 quarry workers (76 exposure and 37 controls) were studied. The exposure group had significantly higher occurrence of chest tightness (35.5%) compared with 16.2% of the controls (p < 0.05). The occurrence of cough (23.7% versus 13.5%), sputum (21.1% versus 16.2%), and dyspnoea (7.9% versus 5.4%), were higher in exposure groups while wheeze (10.8% versus 10.5%) and nasal congestion (27.0% and 25.0%) were higher in the control groups. The mean (SD) FEV1, and FVC were significantly lower among the exposure compared with the control group; 2.77L (0.73) versus 3.14L (0.78), p < 0.05, and 3.48L (0.84) versus 3.89L (0.92), p < 0.05. In both groups, smokers had significantly lower mean (SD) FEV1, FVC and PEFR compared with non-smokers; 2.91L (0.77) versus 3.39L (0.69), p = 0.01, 3.61L (0.91) versus 4.26L (0.74), p < 0.05 and 6.56L (2.43) versus 7.98L (1.67), p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to quarry dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function indices among quarry workers. The enforcement of the use of PPEs and periodic evaluation the lung function status of quarry workers is advocated.

Household Cooking Fuel Use among Residents of a Sub-Urban Community in Nigeria: Implications for Indoor Air Pollution.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the types of household cooking fuel used by residents of Isiohor community in Edo State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 household heads or their representatives in Isiohor Community in Edo State, Nigeria. Data collection was by means of a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Half (50.3%) of the households studied were made up of 4-6 persons living in them. Sixty-two (46.6%) respondents had tertiary level of education and a third 44 (33.1%) earned between 21,000 and 30,000 naira (150-200 dollars) monthly. Forty six (34.6%) and 27 (20.3%) respondents live in passage houses and flats respectively. Two thirds (68.4%) of the respondents cook their food indoors. The predominant household cooking fuels used by the respondents were cooking gas (51.1%), Kerosene (45.9%), vegetables (25.6%) and firewood (14.3%). Majority 106 (79.7%) had poor knowledge of the health effects of prolonged exposure to smoke arising from indoor cooking. There was a statistically significant association between the occupation of the respondents and the type of household cooking fuel used (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The use of unclean indoor cooking fuel was high among the residents of Isiohor community in Edo State, Nigeria. Also, there was poor knowledge of the health effects of prolonged exposure to smoke from unclean cooking fuel among the respondents and this has serious implications for indoor air pollution. There is an urgent need for health/hygiene education on the health effects of use of unclean indoor cooking fuel among these residents. There is also need for use of clean/green cooking stoves and construction of exhaust ventilation pipes in these households.