HIV infections averted at PEPFAR-APIN clinics in Nigeria: a ten-year retrospective evaluation of the clinical outcomes of post-exposure prophylaxis services.

Introduction: Nigeria contributes a high fraction to the global burden of HIV infections. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a proven strategy to prevent transmission of the virus. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of PEP in Nigeria at four clinics funded by United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (PEPFAR-APIN): Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and University College Hospital (UCH).Methods: This study adopted a multisite retrospective design using the site's databases (2006-2016). Retrieved data was exported into SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. Outcomes were measured as a proportion of HIV infections averted after PEP. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the findings, while binary logistic regression was used to determine the sociodemographic predictors of clinical outcomes.Results: The average age of the 575 PEP patients whose data were retrieved was 30.45 (SD ±9.50 years), with 344 (59.8%) being females. Out of 545 patients,157 (28.8%) indicated their job status as students. Out of 273 patients, 198 (72.5%) reported their exposure type was non-occupational. The HIV status of 129 (22.4%) patients was negative after completing PEP. Prescribed regimen (ß = -0.048, 95% CI -0.095 to -0.001, p = 0.045) and type of exposure (ß = 0.351, 95% CI 0.042-0.660, p = 0.027) were predictors of post-PEP HIV status in JUTH and ABUTH respectively.Conclusion: There was a high rate of lost-to-follow-up among the PEP patients, but the incidence of seroconversion was low in those who were tested after PEP. The right choice of regimen and presenting with non-occupational exposure affected the outcome of the service.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of undergraduate students from health-based faculties on kidney health

Factors of kidney diseases, kidney health has become an issue of public health concern and priority, especially in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 34-item paper-based questionnaire. Three health-based faculties were conveniently selected from which three departments were purposely chosen in a Nigerian university. A total of 773 responses were obtained and a mean percent knowledge score of the entire study population was 74.60±12.38. The mean attitude score of the entire study population was 27.28±3.00 (possible maximum score = 36) and a mean practice score of 4.74±0.72 (possible maximum score = 5) was obtained for the entire respondents. Moderate number of students demonstrated high knowledge level and positive attitude towards kidney health. Among the three sub-themes assessed, the students demonstrated the highest percentages in good practices towards kidney health. There is need to enhance practical exposures to disease-settings and improve teaching curricula

The participation of community pharmacists in the case management of malaria in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Nigeria accounts for approximately 25% of the global malaria burden. Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children and pregnant women. Pharmacists play vital roles in the fight against malaria. However, in Nigeria, the role of the community pharmacist in managing cases of malaria has received very little research attention. This study aimed to evaluate the level of participation of community pharmacists in the management of malaria cases in Enugu metropolis and to explore factors associated with such participation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Enugu metropolis using a modified and re-validated 16-item self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to participants in selected pharmacies for completion. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of the 103 participants, more than half (55.3%) were male. More than half of the pharmacists satisfactorily provided preventive (57.3%), pharmaceutical (62.1%), and curative (51.1%) services for patients with malaria. Overall, 57% of the pharmacists satisfactorily participated in the management of malaria cases. The number of years of practice was significantly associated with the pharmacists level of involvement in preventive (P=0.003) and curative (P=0.018) services. However, the provision of pharmaceutical care services for malaria patients was significantly associated with the sex of the respondents (P=0.023). Conclusions: Our results suggest that more than half of the community pharmacists in Enugu metropolis were satisfactorily involved in the management of malaria cases. However, the number of years of practice and sex were factors associated with the extent of pharmacist involvement in the management of malaria cases.

Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) demonstrated construct validity in a Nigerian population with hypertension.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to establish the construct validity of Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3)--a health state utility measure--in a Nigerian population of hypertensive patients. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of hypertensive patients in two tertiary hospitals located in South-Eastern Nigeria. A priori hypotheses were tested to establish construct validity. RESULTS: A total of 384 participants were interviewed. Hypertensive patients with stroke or coronary heart disease (CHD) had a lower overall utility value compared to those with hypertension alone. There was a significant difference in group means of 0.53 (95 % confidence interval of 0.44-0.62); t = 11.8, p < 0.01, between participants that had hypertension alone and participants with hypertension and stroke. Also, there was a significant difference in group means of 0.44 (95 % confidence interval of 0.34-0.56); t = 8.2, p < 0.01, between participants that had hypertension alone and participants with hypertension and CHD. Generally, there was a significant health-related quality of life deficit among patients with severe clinical variables compared to those with milder clinical variables. CONCLUSION: HUI3 demonstrated constructed validity among a population of Nigerian patients with high blood pressure.