Willingness to accept malaria vaccines amongst women presenting at outpatient and immunization clinics in Enugu state, Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There are giant steps taken in the introduction of the novel malaria vaccine poised towards reducing mortality and morbidity associated with malaria. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the knowledge of malaria vaccine and factors militating against willingness to accept the vaccine among mothers presenting in nine hospitals in Enugu metropolis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 491 mothers who presented with their children in nine hospitals in Enugu metropolis, South-East Nigeria. A pre-tested and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used in this study. RESULTS: A majority of the respondents, 72.1% were aware of malaria vaccine. A majority of the respondents, 83.1% were willing to receive malaria vaccine. Similarly, a majority of the mothers, 92.9%, were willing to vaccinate baby with the malaria vaccine, while 81.1% were willing to vaccinate self and baby with the malaria vaccine. The subjects who belong to the low socio-economic class were five times less likely to vaccinate self and baby with malaria vaccine when compared with those who were in the high socio-economic class (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5). Mothers who had good knowledge of malaria vaccination were 3.3 times more likely to vaccinate self and baby with malaria vaccine when compared with those who had poor knowledge of malaria vaccination (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI 1-6-6.8). CONCLUSION: Although the study documented a high vaccine acceptance among the mothers, there exists a poor knowledge of the malaria vaccine among them.

Willingness of college students aged 10 to 24 years to get vaccinated against COVID-19 disease: a cross-sectional study in South-East Nigeria.

Background: Willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is a topical issue that may change the course and distribution of the pandemic in the country. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among college adolescents and associated factors. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among one thousand college adolescents in six secondary schools in Enugu from April to August 2021. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe college adolescents' characteristics. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Predictors of willingness to vaccinate were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: A minor proportion of the respondents, 13.2% (153) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The respondents who were males were 1.6 times more willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination when compared with those who were females. (AOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1- 2.3). The respondents who were aware they could be infected with COVID-19 were twice more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination when compared with those who felt they could not be infected. (AOR=2.0, 95%CI: 1.1-3.1). The respondents who had good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination were 2.2 times more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination when compared with those who had poor knowledge. (AOR=2.2, 955CI: 1.5-3.3). Conclusion: A small fraction of college adolescents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Male gender, knowledge of vaccine and possibility of transmitting infection are predictors of willingness to receive the vaccination.

Problem gambling among secondary school adolescents in Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Adolescent problem gambling is a common behavioural issue and could be associated with internet addiction. Objectives: To determine the pattern of problem gambling and factors that predict gambling among adolescents that attended secondary schools in southeast Nigeria. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study design. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 796 secondary school adolescents from eight secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria. Results: The highest proportion of the respondents, 38.3% had problem gambling with negative consequences. There was a weak positive correlation between gambling severity index and internet addiction. (n=796, r=0.254, p<0.001). There is a very weak negative correlation between gambling severity index and age in years. (n=796, r= -0.034, p=0.331).The male respondents were 1.5 times more likely to have problem gambling when compared with the females, (AOR=1.5; (95%CI: 1.1-2.0). The respondents who have internet addiction were 3.5 times more likely to have problem gambling when compared with those who do not have an internet addiction, (AOR=3.5; 95%CI: 2.6-4.8). Conclusion: The prevalence of gambling among adolescents is high. Adolescents who had problem gambling also had internet addiction. The male respondents were more likely to have problem gambling than their female folk.

Evaluation of maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Although circumcision in male neonates is one of the most common procedures performed in neonatal surgery, mothers' preferences concerning the aspects of circumcision are not well-known. Since mother is the likely parent to present child for circumcision, her preferences should be given adequate consideration. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study where questionnaire was distributed by the researchers to consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two teaching hospitals in Enugu. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS. The results presented as means, percentages and tables. Test for significance was done using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-one pregnant women participated in the study. Ninety-five percent (438/461) wanted circumcision and 83.5% (385/461) wanted it on or before the 8th day of life. The reasons were cultural/religious in 69% (302/447). Fifty-four percent (250/461) had no preferences as to methods, but for those who had, Plastibell was most preferred method in 28% (129/461) while 76% (235/309) preferred circumcision to be done in hospital. In 49.2% (227/461) preferred personnel were nurses but 79.6% (367/461) wanted doctors to attend to post-circumcision complications. In 79.2% (365/461), mothers will not insist on the use of anaesthesia for circumcision. Mothers with circumcised husbands were significantly more willing to circumcise a male child (P = 0.0018). Higher educational status of mother was significantly related to willingness to insist on the use of anaesthesia (P = 0.046) and use of analgesics after circumcision (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most mothers prefer neonatal male circumcision by nurses, while preferring doctors for post-circumcision complications. These choices are not affected by parents' educational status. Mothers with circumcised husbands accepted circumcision more than those with uncircumcised husbands. Higher maternal education encourages anaesthesia during circumcision and post-circumcision analgesia.

Predictors of pulmonary hypertension among children with atrial septal defects (ASD).

INTRODUCTION: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease in children that uncommonly presents with pulmonary hypertension. Much is not known about the exact predictor of PAH in children with ASD. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the predictors of pulmonary hypertension in children with ASD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive analysis of children with ASD carried out in three different institutions over a five-year period. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software, version 25. RESULTS: The majority of the participants, 52.2%, had pulmonary hypertension and 62.5% of them occurred as mild pulmonary hypertension. There was a very weak positive correlation between pulmonary hypertension and the size of atrial septal defect, increases in size of atrial septal defect correlate with increases in pulmonary hypertension and this was found not to be statistically significant (n = 67, r = 0.193, p = 0.118). There was a positive correlation between the size of atrial septal defect and the age of participants in months, increases in age correlate with increases in size of atrial septal defect and this was found to be statistically significant (n = 67, r = 0.357, p = 0.003).The highest proportion of respondents who had pulmonary hypertension, 64.7%, was seen among children less than 1 year old while the least proportion, 27.3%, was within 1-5 years, and the difference in proportions was found to be statistically significant (χ2 = 8.187, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hypertension in children with ASD occur usually in the mild form. Age is the only strong predictor of PAH in children with isolated ASD.

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Children With Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparative Study.

Background: Malnutrition poses a great burden to children in the tropics. However, this seems to be accentuated in children with congenital heart disease. Objectives: The present study is therefore aimed at determining the nutritional status of children with congenital heart disease and to compare them with those without congenital heart disease. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, where congenital heart disease was diagnosed by means of echocardiograph. Anthro software was used to calculate Z scores for weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ), and weight for height (WHZ). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by the formula BMI = Weight (Kg)/height (M2). Results: The body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) and height/length-for-age z-score (HAZ) were calculated for both subjects and controls to determine their nutritional status. It was observed that 38.5% (112/291) of the subjects were wasted (BAZ < -2SD) compared to 6.25% (16/256) of the controls and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 81.2, p < 0.001). Stunting (height/length-for-age z-score < -2SD) was also observed in a greater proportion of subjects than controls as 37.8% (107/291) of subjects were stunted compared with 7.0% (18/256) of the controls (χ2 = 69.9, p < 0.001). The under-five subjects had more cases of malnutrition than the controls of same age group as illustrated in Table 6. Whereas 42.9% (96/224) of the under-five subjects were wasted, only 6.2% (12/192) of the controls were wasted. On the other hand, 4.2% (8/192) of the under-five controls were obese compared to 0.9% (2/224) of the subjects of similar age group. Conclusion: Children with congenital heart disease present with varying degrees of malnutrition that is worse compared with children without congenital heart disease. The impact of malnutrition is worse among children under the age of five. Wasting is more prevalent in children with cyanotic heart disease compared with those with acyanotic congenital heart disease. Overweight and obesity were notable features of malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease, but this is worse in children without congenital heart disease.

Maternal level of awareness and predictors of willingness to vaccinate children against COVID 19; A multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Several controversies surround mothers' willingness to vaccinate against the COVID-19 pandemic especially when mortality is not frequently reported in children.Objectives: This study aimed to ascertain the willingness of mothers of children attending two institutions in Southeast Nigeria to accept the COVID-19 vaccine and factors that may be associated with their choices. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 577 mothers who presented with their children in two tertiary health institutions in southeast Nigeria. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents (93.9%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of the respondents, 89.4%, noted that children were not in high priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria. Only 6.9% of the respondents intend to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Also, a minor proportion of the respondents (4.9%) were willing to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine. The odds of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine were four times greater in those who believed that they could be infected than in those who believed that they could not be infected (AOR = 4.0. 95% CI:1.8-8.7). The odds of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine were six times greater in those who were aware of someone that died from COVID-19 than in those who did not know anyone who died from COVID-19 (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 2.1-15.8). CONCLUSION: A high level of awareness but low acceptance level for COVID-19 vaccination for mothers and their children was noted. Socioeconomic class, maternal age, and level of education did not influence the willingness of the mother to receive COVID vaccination. Having a belief of possibility of infection with the COVID-19 as well as being aware of someone who died from the disease were important positive variables that could predict vaccine acceptance from this study.

Compendium of cardiac diseases among children presenting in tertiary institutions in southern Nigeria: a rising trend.

The burdenofchildren with cardiovascular disease is on a rising trend. These rising trends are enhanced by the development of new technology in the diagnosis of cardiac lesions.This article is aimed at documenting the current trends in the occurrence of cardiac disease among children attending tertiary hospitals in Sothern Nigeria.This is a descriptive study which involved four hundred and thirty-nine (439) children who had cardiac disease confirmed with echocardiography from four health institutions, namely; Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Nigeria; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; Triple care hospital, Enugu, Nigeria and; Blessed children hospital, Enugu, Nigeria over a -five -year period from July 2016- July 2020.The prevalence of congenital heart disease was 83.6% and only 16.4% being acquired heart disease. Many of the children with congenital cardiac defects have associated features of Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and the frequency was related to the type of defect; 6.4% (28/439). These features of Down syndrome are seen mainly in children with AV canal defect 33.3% (14/42) and least in children with TOF 2.0% (1/51). Zero-point two nine percent (1/439) had dextro-cardia and 0.2% (1/340) had VACTERAL (ano-rectal malformation) association, 0.2 % (1/439) had cleft lip, 1.8% (8/439) had dysmorphism other than down syndrome. Five 62.5% (5/8) of such dysmorphic features were associated with VSD.The majority of the children with cardiac disease were from the middle class 63.6% followed by the higher class 21.9% and the least is from the lower class 14.5%. The prevalence values of heart disease were quite higher than that documented in previous studiesThe is a rising prevalence of congenital heart disease (83.6%) and acquired heart disease (16.4%) among children with cardiac disease in southern Nigeria. Extracardiac anomalies were also associated with these trends.

The effects of ductal size on the severity of pulmonary hypertension in children with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): a multi-center study.

INTRODUCTION: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common acyanotic heart disease that presents with variable symptoms. OBJECTIVES: This study is therefore aimed at determining the relationship between gender, age, and size of PDA and pulmonary hypertension. This study also seeks to determine the prevalence of elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure in children with PDA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive study of children with patent ductus arteriosus was carried out from 2016 to 2020 in three institutions. The data were analysed with the IBM SPSS statistics for windows, version 20 (IBM Corp, Chicago) RESULT: The mean ductal size was 3.78 (2.39) mm, with a minimum of 1.0 mm and a maximum size of 10.0 mm. The mean ductal size for males, 4.02 (2.53) mm was comparable with that of the females, 3.61 (2.28) mm (Student T-test = 0.8, 0.4). The mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) of the patients was 43.36 (24.46) mmHg. Also the mean PASP was comparable among the males and the females, 48.37 (26.69) mmHg versus 39.63 (22.16) mmHg (Student T-test = 1.81, p = 0.07). There was no correlation between age and PASP (correlation coefficient = 0.009, p = 0.92). Sixty point two percent (60.2%) (62/103) of children with PDA had pulmonary hypertension. The proportion of males with pulmonary hypertension, 48.39% (30/62) was comparable with that of the females, 51.61% (32/62) (Chi2 = 2.05, p = 0.15) and females are 1.8 times more likely to have pulmonary hypertension as males (odds ratio 1.81, 95% CI 0.8-4.1). There was a positive correlation between ductal size and PASP (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.26, p value = 0.007). Those with moderate and large sized duct tend to have moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension respectively and this is statistically significant. Chi2 = 17.85, p = 0.007 CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with PDA is 60.2%. Moderate and large size duct presents with moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension respectively. Females are 1.8 times more likely to have pulmonary hypertension than the males.

COVID-19: Knowledge of Mode of Spread and Preventive Practices among College Adolescents in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Corona virus pandemic (COVID 19) has emerged as the single most important topical issue and poses a challenge to medicine. Adolescent school children are exposed to a varying degree. OBJECTIVES: The study is aimed to determine the knowledge of the mode of spread and preventive practices among college adolescents attending six secondary schools in Enugu metropolis. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 6 secondary schools among 500 college adolescents. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents, 98.4% were aware of COVID-19. Although, a higher proportion of the respondents, 52.0% were aware COVID-19 could be transmitted through contact with infected persons, only a minor proportion of them, 42.4% had a good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19. However, a high proportion of the respondents, 69.2% practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. Also, respondents whose parents were self-employed were 1.4 times more likely to have good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19 when compared with those whose parents were on paid employment [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9-2.0]. The respondents whose fathers have attained tertiary education were 1.6 times more likely to have good preventive practices against COVID-19 when compared with those who had secondary school and below (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.04-2.5). CONCLUSION: Though college adolescents were aware of COVID-19, not a significant proportion practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. Knowledge of mode of spread and preventive practices were significantly enhanced by fathers' educational status and being a female adolescent child.

Pattern of Female Genital Mutilation among Adolescents Attending Secondary Schools' in Enugu Metropolis.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a public health menace and it study among adolescents is not exhaustive. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to study the prevalence, pattern, cultural values, health implications and consequences of FGM among adolescent females attending secondary schools in Enugu metropolis. METHODS: A descriptive study involving female adolescents aged 13-21 years recruited by multistage sampling in three Girls Secondary Schools in Enugu Metropolis. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty (450) questionnaires were distributed and four hundred and fourteen (414) were retrieved. The parents with moderate value for culture and tradition had the highest circumcised respondents (7.8%) (p = 0.056). Majority of the respondents, 93.7% were aware of female circumcision. The major complications of female circumcision according to the respondents were painful urination and menstrual problems. The prevalence of female circumcision among the respondents was 9.4%. A minor proportion of the respondents, 5.8% were of the opinion that all females should be circumcised. Respondents whose fathers attained tertiary education were three times less likely to be circumcised when compared with those whose fathers attained secondary education and less (adjusted odds ratio = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.3-1.5). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of FGM among adolescents aged 13-21 years in Enugu metropolis was 9.4%. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of FGM, and major complications noted were painful urination and menstrual problems. Fathers education level is a very strong reason for this high awareness of FGM among female adolescents.

Maternal perception of masking in children as a preventive strategy for COVID-19 in Nigeria: A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: The use of face masks by children for the prevention of COVID 19 is still controversial, especially with regards to who should wear the face mask and at what age. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to ascertain the perception of mothers on masking in children as a preventive strategy for COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in two health institutions among 387 mothers who presented with their children for the first time in the hospital during the COVID 19 pandemic. A pretested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire which was designed by the researchers was used for data collection. RESULTS: Minority (44.7%) of the mothers perceived masking in children as an appropriate measure for the prevention of COVID-19. The frequent reasons given by majority (55.3%) of the mothers for the inappropriateness of face mask in children included perceived difficulty in breathing (38.5%) and the child's readiness to pull it off (29.3%). A significantly higher proportion of the children whose mothers were 35 years and above, 64.2% would wear face masks when compared with 31.7% of those whose mothers were < 30 years of age (χ2 = 28.632, p<0.001). Similarly, a significantly higher proportion (51.0%) of the children who were more than one year of age would wear a face mask when compared with 20.5% of those aged eight days to one year (χ2 = 19.441, p<0.001). The children whose mothers were <30 years were about four times less likely to wear a face mask when compared with those whose mothers were aged 35 years and above. (AOR = 0.273; 95%CI: 0.155-0.478). The children whose fathers have attained tertiary education were about twice less likely to wear face masks when compared with those whose fathers have attained secondary education and less. (AOR = 0.554; 95%CI: 0.334-0.919). Mothers' perception of COVID-19 had no significant influence on children's use of face mask (χ2 = 2.337, p = 0.127). CONCLUSION: Maternal perception of masking in children as an appropriate strategy for preventing COVID-19 is adjudged low in this study. Right perception is significantly enhanced by maternal educational status, employment and marital status.

Right ventricular function among South East Nigeria children with sickle cell anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is characterized by attendant ischemia-reperfusion injury especially to the heart. METHODS: The aim of this work is to compare the right ventricular function of children with SCA in steady state (subjects) with those with haemoglobin AA genotype (controls), using echocardiography. It is a cross-sectional study, which echocardiographic measurements to assess right ventricular function among children with SCA and their controls. RESULTS: The mean trans annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in subjects, 28.24 ± 5.23 (Z score: 0.258 ± 1.10) was higher than that in control, 25.82 ± 3.59 (Z score: - 0.263 ± 0.80), and the difference in mean was statistically significant, (t = 2.703, p = 0.008). Significantly higher proportion of subjects with sickle cell anaemia had right ventricular dysfunction (Abnormal TAPSE), 25 (50.0%) when compared with those in control, 11 (22.0%), {χ2 = 8.5, p = 0.0035}. A higher proportion of subjects with sickle cell anaemia (25.5%) had Pulmonary hypertension (RVP) when compared with control (2.0%) and the difference in proportions was found to be statistically significant, (χ2 = 11.668, p = 0.001). The prevalence of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in subjects was 9.8% while control was 0%. CONCLUSION: Children with sickle cell anaemia present with right ventricular dysfunction. Prevalence of right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction were higher in subjects. More of the subjects in this study (25.5%) had pulmonary hypertension.

Correlates for psycho-active substance use among boarding secondary school adolescents in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Psycho-active substance use among adolescents is a national and global problem and its attendant effects on adolescents cannot be overemphasized. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among adolescents; the substances involved and the extent of the problem in this locale. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that assesses the pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school adolescents in Enugu, south East, Nigeria. The study was carried out among adolescents attending six secondary boarding schools in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State of Nigeria. The WHO Student Drug Use Questionnaire was adapted for this study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS), version 17. Chi-square and multivariate regression were used as a test of significance for qualitative variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were accepted as significant for each statistical test. RESULTS: Out of 900, a total of 896 respondents, comprising 400 and 82 boys (482) (53.8 %) and 400 and 14 girls (414) (46.2 %) completed the questionnaires. This gave a response rate of 99.6 %. The study revealed that the prevalence of current use for psychoactive substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 % while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to 63.5 %. The least being cannabis and the most being kola nuts. Kola nut is the most widely used psychoactive substance both for current use, past year use and the respondents' life time use. It shows a lifetime prevalence of 63.5 % and a current use prevalence of 34.9 %. More than half of the users of each of the psychoactive substances take it occasionally, using them on 1-5 days in a month. On the other hand, almost one-quarter of the users of each of the substances take it on 20 or more days in a month. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the prevalence of current use for psychoactive substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 % while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to 63.5 %. The least being cannabis and the most being kola nuts.

Prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in south east Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). The study was carried out between June and October, 2014. The schools were selected by listing all the mixed schools in the urban and semi- urban areas by simple random sampling. RESULTS: A total of 721 subjects completed the questionnaire. The age of respondents ranged between 3 and 18 years, with mean age of 12.71 and standard deviation of 3.03 years. Twenty one children fulfilled the criteria for autism giving a prevalence of 2.9%. There is a significant association between age in categories (fishers exact test, p = 0.013) and social class (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of autism was 2.9%; and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood autism in South East Nigeria are similar to those in other parts of the world.

Depression among adolescents attending secondary schools in South East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Depression among adolescents is an uncommon and frequently unrecognized issue in pediatrics. Children and adolescents however suffer from both depression and associated symptoms. METHODS: The study was carried out among adolescents in secondary schools from two states; Enugu and Ebonyi metropolises within the age range of 9-18 in Enugu metropolis. The instrument employed for data collection was a structured self-administered questionnaire developed from the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire, a Screening Test for Depression. It is particularly suited for students in this age group. The families were assigned socio-economic classes using the recommended method (modified) by Oyedeji. OBJECTIVES: The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of several levels of depression among adolescents attending secondary schools in two states. RESULTS: A total of 453 adolescents who are attending secondary schools from two states were recruited in this study. Depression is non-existent before the age of 10 years according to this study. The prevalence of moderate depression was lowest (2.3%) at the age of 10 and highest at (6.2%) the age of 13. The prevalence of severe depression was lowest (1.9%) at the age of 11 and highest (7.4%) at the age of 12. Female gender is a risk factor for depression. Children whose parents are separated showed higher incidences of depression in all the spectra studied. CONCLUSION: Adolescents exhibit different levels of depression with a female preponderance.

Prevalence of malnutrition among pre-school children in South-east Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition can be defined as a state of nutrition where the weight for age, height for age and weight for height indices are below -2 Z-score of the NCHS reference. It has posed a great economic burden to the developing world. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among pre-school children in Abakiliki in Ebonyi state of Nigeria. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional studies that assess the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 1-5 years attending nursery and primary schools. Nutritional assessment was done using anthropometry and clinical examination. RESULTS: A total of 616 children aged one to 5 years were enrolled into this study. Three hundred and sixty-seven (59.6%) were males while 249 (40.4%) were females. Sixty of the 616 children (9.7%) had acute malnutrition based on WHZ-score. Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) was present in 33 children (5.3%) while 27 (4.4%) had severe acute malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of global and severe acute malnutrition using z-score is 9.7% and 4.4% respectively while that of stunting is 9.9% with a male preponderance.