Umbilical cord serum zinc in neonates delivered at the university of Nigeria teaching hospital, Enugu: Variation with gestational age.

Background: Zinc is particularly involved in cellular growth, neurodevelopment, and immune function, which is critical for child survival. To reduce neonatal mortality in developing countries, cost-effective and evidence-based interventions that can enhance growth, development, and immunity, need to be considered. Determining the zinc levels of neonates and how it relates to both gestational age is therefore imperative. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, aimed at determining the umbilical cord serum zinc levels among neonates and their relationship with their gestational age. Two hundred and seventy-five neonates of gestational ages 28 to 42 weeks were enrolled in the study. Serum zinc levels were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS model no. FS 240 AA.USA, Agilent Technology Ltd.). Results: Among the 275 neonates, there were 27 (9.82%), 28 (10.18%), and 220 (80%) preterms, moderate-to-late preterms, and term neonates, respectively. The mean serum zinc level of all neonates was 87 ± 16.07 µg/dL and within the normal limit of serum zinc. Their mean serum zinc level increased with increasing gestational age (F = 90.424, P < 0.001). Very preterm and moderate-to-late preterm neonates had mean serum zinc levels of 65.13 µg/dL ± 6.15 and 69.85 µg/dL ± 9.63 µg/dL, respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that though the overall mean serum zinc of neonates was normal, preterms (especially those of lower gestational ages) were zinc deficient. Routine zinc supplementation at birth should be considered in preterm neonates to reduce the untoward effects of zinc deficiency.

Epidemiology and pattern of superficial fungal infections among primary school children in Enugu, south-east Nigeria.

Background: Superficial fungal infections (SFIs) are prevalent among schoolchildren and result in significant morbidities that may lead to school absenteeism or school drop-out and hence setback in the education of the child. Differences exist in the epidemiology and pattern of SFIs among children in various geographical locations. Community-based studies on diseases are a true reflection of their pattern in that locality. There are no recent studies on this regard in south-east Nigeria despite the high prevalence reported in the country. Aim: This study aimed to determine the epidemiology and pattern of SFIs among children in rural and urban communities in Enugu, south-east Nigeria, for evidence-based effective interventions in this region. Methods: A comparative and descriptive cross-sectional study of primary school children from three randomly selected urban communities and three randomly selected rural communities was conducted. The sample size was determined with use of the formula for comparison of two proportions. A total of 1662 pupils were recruited through a multistage sampling method, with 831 from urban primary school populations and 831 from rural primary school populations. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. Results: Of the 1662 children recruited, 748 had SFIs, with 502 (60.4%) seen in urban communities and 246 (29.6%) seen in rural communities. Tinea capitis was the most prevalent SFI (73.7%), and there was a statistically significant difference between urban (40.3%) and rural (26.1%) communities (P<0.001). The prevalence of SFIs was higher among urban female and rural male pupils. Children aged 9-12 years and 5-8 years were most commonly affected in the urban and rural communities, respectively. The personal hygiene of the children was poor in both communities. Conclusion: Emphasis on health education for SFIs and good personal hygiene will reduce the incidence of SFIs in the communities, especially among urban dwellers, which will encourage school attendance, concentration in class and child education.

Assessment of gross malnutrition among primary school children using body mass index as an assessment tool in abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight are emerging major health problems in developing countries in the background of undernutrition. These have been linked to a substantial increase in mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional survey was aimed at determining the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity using body mass index (BMI) in primary school pupils in Abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi State, south-east Nigeria. METHOD: Eight hundred and four participants aged 6-12 years, from four public and four private primary schools had their weights and heights measured using standard methods. BMI value was calculated for each subject and compared with BMI for age and sex from World Health Organisation (WHO 2007) reference standard. Socioeconomic status was determined using method proposed by Oyedeji. RESULTS: Out of 804 subjects, 426 (53.0%) were from public schools, whereas 378 (47%) were from private schools (P ≤ 0.01). Four hundred and fifteen (51.6%) were males and 389 (48.4%) were female (P = 0.88). The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity using BMI were 4.5% and 1.2%, 0% in public schools and 1.1%, 5.0%, and 3.0% in private schools, (P < 0.001). The socioeconomic class significantly affected the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity as more subjects with overweight and obesity belonged to upper social class, whereas more underweight subjects belonged to lower social class. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity are emerging in a background of undernutrition, showing ''double burden'' of nutritional disorder.

Community-Acquired acute kidney injury in critically Ill children as seen in the emergency unit of a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been shown to be common in critically ill patients with associated very poor outcome. There is paucity of data regarding its epidemiology, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to assess the presence of AKI among critically ill children to determine its prevalence, outcome, and outcome determinants in children suffering from AKI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study of critically ill children admitted to the children emergency unit of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu. Critically ill children suffering from AKI were identified and classified using the pediatric RIFLE criteria. RESULT: A total of 300 children were studied. One hundred and eighty (60%) were males. The prevalence of AKI in the study population was 56%. Factors associated with AKI included age <5 years (OR = 3.618; 95% CI = 2.100-6.235; P < 0.001), inability to drink (OR = 2.866; 95% CI = 1.723-4.766; P < 0.001), tachycardia (OR = 2.111; 95% CI = 1.071-4.163; P = 0.031), unconsciousness (OR = 3.128, 95% CI = 1.303-7.511; P = 0.011), and hypotension (OR = 2.619; 95% CI = 1.008-6.804; P = 0.048). The odds of death increased with increasing severity of AKI among those who had pRIFLE-F, who were 24 times more likely to die than those with no AKI (OR = 24.38; 95% CI = 5.702-104.194; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AKI in the study population was unacceptably high. The risk factors to its occurrence can be determined from epidemiologic and clinical data, and therefore, clinicians attending to critically ill patients should identify those with AKI for early intervention to reduce the expected poor outcomes associated with its occurrence.

Physical growth and nutritional status assessment of school children in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Physical growth of a child is a reflection of its state of nutrition. In some developing countries such as Nigeria with changing economy and rapidly growing population, the nutritional status of the children is a reflection of the general well-being of the society. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which participants were selected using a multistage sampling method. Heights and weights of randomly selected school children aged 6-12 years were measured using standard protocols. Weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age expressed as Z-scores were used to characterize the nutritional status. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the frequency and standard deviations (SDs) of the anthropometric measurements. Age and gender differences in the mean body weight, height, and BMI were evaluated using an independent samples t-test. Significant levels were set at P< 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1305 males and 1311 females were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 8.9 ± 1.9 years. Their mean height, weight, and BMI were 136.6 ± 10.2 cm, 29.7 ± 7.7 kg, 15.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2, respectively. Their mean ± SD scores of the WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ were 0.33 ± 1.20, 0.78 ± 1.17, and - 0.51 ± 1.27, respectively. A majority (78.9%, 2090/2616) were in the normal growth category. Wasting, overweight, obesity, underweight, and stunting were noted in 9.3% (243/2616), 6.3% (166/2616), 4.4% (117/2616), 0.9% (26/2616), and 0.4% (13/2616) of the children, respectively. Wasting was more in males (P = 0.069), and overweight was more in females (P = 0.138). CONCLUSION: A majority of the children have normal growth with the remainder in both extremes of malnutrition. Institution of school-feeding programs in all Nigerian schools as well as nutrition education/campaign directed at parents and their children will help forestall the double burden of under- and over-nutrition among our children.

Serum selenium status of HIV-infected children on care and treatment in Enugu, Nigeria

Objective. To compare the selenium status of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children. Methods. This was a hospital-based comparative study using a structured questionnaire in the quantitative research domain at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. Seventy-four HIV-infected children were compared with 74 non-HIV-infected children (35 males and 39 females in each group). The outcome measure was the selenium status of the study participants. Results. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) weight-for-height z-score among the subjects was ­0.18 (1.53) compared with 0.05 (1.68) among the controls (p=0.457). The mean (SD) height-for-age z-score among the subjects was ­1.16 (1.44) compared with 0.06 (1.06) among the controls (p<0.001). Eighteen subjects (24.3%) compared with eight controls (11.4%) were selenium deficient (odds ratio 2.49; 95% confidence interval 1.00 - 6.18; p=0.044). Median CD4 counts of selenium-deficient and non-deficient subjects were 765.5 (range 409 - 1 489) and 694.0 (range 85 - 2 196) cells/µL, respectively (p=0.321). The proportions of selenium deficiency were 26.4% and 22.2% in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and pre-HAART groups, respectively (p=0.565). Conclusion. There was a significant difference in the proportion of HIV-infected children who were selenium deficient compared with their uninfected counterparts

Human rabies: still a neglected preventable disease in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adequate surveillance and monitoring of dog bite incidents are veritable tools in the determination of the epidemiology of human rabies infections. There is a paucity of data with regards to rabies in Nigeria. Hence, this study was aimed at describing the pattern and outcomes of dog bites and rabies infections among patients presenting to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a 10-year (January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013) observational retrospective study. Case definition of rabies was based on ICD 10 criteria, while relevant clinical data were retrieved from individual folders of registered victims using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 while the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 149 cases of dog bites were reported during the period under review, of which 6 (4.0%) had confirmed rabies. Ninety-six (64.4%) cases presented more than 24 h after the bites. Majority of the offending dogs were stray dogs 86 (57.7%), which attacked their victims unprovoked, in 54.6% of cases. Furthermore, most of the bites were from dogs with unknown history of rabies vaccination 72 (52.3%), while the case fatality rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: All the cases of rabies reported were as a result of bites from stray dogs with unknown history of rabies vaccinations, and the outcome was 100% fatality in all cases. Efforts should be made to create and strengthen awareness campaigns on control of rabies infections through responsible dog ownership including their regular vaccinations as well as provision and use of prompt postexposure prophylaxis in human cases of dog bites at all levels of health care.

Factors Associated with Missed Immunization Opportunities in Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determined the extent and sociodemographic factors associated with missed opportunities to NPI-scheduled childhood immunizations Methods: The exit interview method of the World Health Organization was used. RESULTS: Only 41.6% of the children were fully immunized. Missed opportunities for immunization occurred in 277 (55.4%) children and were responsible for 94.9% of the non-fully immunized children. The most common reason for missed opportunities in this study was the unavailability of vaccines (78.3%). Missed opportunities occurred more in the age group of 0-11 months (92.4%) compared to those aged 12-23 months (7.6%), P<0.05. The social class of the parents was statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of missed opportunities in this study (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Missed opportunities to immunization (MO) remained high in EBSUTH, Abakaliki because immunization is conducted once a week in the preventive department only.MO is more common among children whose parents were in the lower social class.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia in Paediatric Patients in South-East Nigeria

Background. The causes of anaemia have regional variations; and further variation is expected among paediatric hospital patients. However; the prevalence of anaemia and its contributing risk factors among paediatric patients remain understudied in South-East Nigeria.Methods. The study involved 286 anaemic (haemoglobin (Hb) ?10 g/dL) and 295 non-anaemic preschool children attending a hospital outpatient department. A clinical research form was used to document demographic data; anthropometric measurements; disease details and packed cell volume. Common anaemia risk factors previously documented were studied. The prevalence rates of the independent variables were calculated and level of significance was determined; using ?2.Results. The prevalence of anaemia was 49.2; with the highest prevalence among children 12 months old (p

Asthma control and quality of life in school- age children in Enugu south east, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study set out to assess the quality-of-life of school-age children in relation to their level of asthma control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study of children with asthma using the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life questionnaire (PAQLQ) and the Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ) to respectively assess the health-related quality of life and the level of asthma control. RESULTS: Ninety children with mean age of 11.8(SD, 2.8; 95% CI, 11.2 to 12.4) years, were enrolled. Fifteen children (16.7%) were well-controlled, 17 (18.9%) were partly-controlled while 58 (64.4%) had uncontrolled asthma. The mean asthma control score for all participants was 3.2 (95% CI, 2.8 to 3.7). The mean quality-of-life score was 5.3 (SD, 1.2; 95% CI, 4.9 to 5.5). The lowest score was in the symptom domain: 5.1 (SD, 1.4; 95% CI, 4.9 to 5.5), and among the 14-17 year age group (4.5 SD, 1.5; MD=1.1; p=0.002). The emotional domain was the least affected 5.4 (SD, 1.3; 95% CI, 5.1 to 5.7). Children with well-controlled asthma had the best quality-of-life scores in symptom domains: 5.6 (SD, 1.3; 95% CI, MD=0.6, p=0.63). Quality of life scores were not significant in determining asthma control (MD=0.1, p=0.98). Age was noted as the strongest quality-of-life predictor (B=-0.2, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: QOL scores are better in children with well-controlled asthma. Adolescent age group marks a period of both poor asthma control and quality of life in children with asthma.

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old girl: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a rare fungal infection and most documented cases are in immune-compromised individuals such as those with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an adolescent girl. METHOD: We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old adolescent girl. She was admitted for 16 days because of neck masses of 3 years duration, generalized body swelling of 3 months and reduction in urinary output of 2 months. She tested negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. RESULT: An autopsy was performed because a definitive diagnosis could not be made while the patient was still alive. The autopsy revealed central caseating areas in the lymph nodes and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The periodic acid-Schiff staining technique for tissues showed viable yeast cells suggestive of histoplasmosis. Zeihl-Neelsen's staining for mycobacteria tuberculosis was negative. CONCLUSION: Undiagnosed case of disseminated histoplasmosis while the patient was alive is being reported in a 13-year-old girl. Disseminated histoplasmosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of childhood chronic infections and malignancies as in Nigeria.

RhoA-Rho kinase and platelet-activating factor stimulation of ovine foetal pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is produced by pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMC). We studied effects of Rho kinase on PAF stimulation of PVSMC proliferation in an attempt to understand the role of RhoA/Rho kinase on PAF-induced ovine foetal pulmonary vascular remodelling. Our hypothesis is that PAF acts through Rho kinase, as one of its downstream signals, to induce arterial (SMC-PA) and venous (SMC-PV) cell proliferation in the hypoxic lung environment of the foetus, in utero. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rho kinase and MAPK effects on PAF receptor (PAFR)-mediated cell population expansion, and PAFR expression, were studied by DNA synthesis, western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Effects of constructs T19N and G14V on PAF-induced cell proliferation were also investigated. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased PVSMC proliferation and Rho kinase inhibitors, Y-27632 and Fasudil (HA-1077) as well as MAPK inhibitors PD 98059 and SB 203580 attenuated PAF stimulation of cell proliferation. RhoA T19N and G14V stimulated cell proliferation, but co-incubation with PAF did not affect proliferative effects of the constructs. PAFR protein expression was significantly downregulated in both cell types by both Y-27632 and HA-1077, with comparable profiles. Also, cells treated with Y-27632 had less PAF receptor fluorescence with significant disruption of cell morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that Rho kinase non-specifically modulated PAFR-mediated responses by a translational modification of PAFR protein, and suggest that, in vivo, activation of Rho kinase by PAF may be a further pathway to sustain PAFR-mediated PVSMC proliferation.

Platelet-activating factor synthesis and receptor-mediated signaling are downregulated in ovine newborn lungs: relevance in postnatal pulmonary adaptation and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with a wide range of biological activities. We studied PAF metabolism and PAF receptor (PAFR) signaling in perinatal ovine lungs to understand PAF's role in transition of the perinatal pulmonary hemodynamics and pathophysiology of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. We hypothesized that downregulation of PAF synthesis with upregulation of PAF catabolism by acetylhydrolase (PAF-Ah) in the newborn lung is needed for fetus-to-newborn pulmonary adaptation. Studies were conducted on fetal and newborn lamb pulmonary arteries (PA), veins (PV) and smooth muscle cells (SMC). PAF metabolism, PAFR binding and cell proliferation were studied by cell culture; gene expression was studied by qPCR. Fetal lungs synthesized 60% more PAF than newborn lungs. Compared with the fetal PVs and SMCs, PAF-Ah activity in newborn was 40-60% greater. PAF-Ah mRNA expression in newborn vessels was different from the expression by fetal PA. PAF-Ah gene clone activity confirmed deletion of hypoxia-sensitive site. PAFR mRNA expression by the PVs and SMC-PV of the fetus and newborn was greater than by corresponding PAs and SMC-PA. Q-PCR study of PAFR expression by the SMC-PV of both groups was greater than SMC-PA. Fetal SMCs bound more PAF than the newborn SMCs. PAFR antagonist, CV-3988, inhibited PAFR binding and DNA synthesis by the fetal SMCs, but augmented binding and DNA synthesis by newborn cells. We show different PAF-PAFR mediated effects in perinatal lungs, suggesting both transcriptional and translational regulation of PAF-Ah and PAFR expression in the perinatal lamb lungs. These indicate that the downregulation of PAF-mediated effects postnatally protects against persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN UNDER FIVE CHILDREN WITH ACUTE DIARRHOEA IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-demographic factors in under five children with acute diarrhoea. DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Children's Emergency Room and Children's Outpatient Clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. SUBJECTS: One hundred and seventy-four children below five years of age. RESULTS: Between June 2005 and May 2006, one hundred and seventy-four children aged below five years with diarrhoea were recruited for the study. They were examined. Their socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, breastfeeding status, parents' occupation/education, were obtained. The following variables did not significantly affect the prevalence of diarrhoea: age (p>0.05), sex (p=0.233), breastfeeding (p=0.590), nutritional status (p=0.060), and socio-economic status (p=0.955). CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors did not appear to influence the prevalence of acute diarrhoea among under five children in Enugu, Nigeria.

Non-traumatic childhood coma in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, South Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Coma is a medical emergency, and optimal management, especially in a resource-poor setting, would depend on the knowledge of its etiology and predictors of outcome. This communication reviews the etiology and outcome of non-traumatic childhood coma in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, etiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in children seen at the EBSUTH, Abakaliki. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of records of all children admitted to the children emergency ward of EBSUTH in coma of a non-traumatic origin between 1 st of January and 31 st of December, 2007. RESULTS: Forty children presented with coma out of 673 children admitted during the study period, giving an incidence rate of 5.9%. The majority of the children (62.5%) were aged between 1 and 5 years of age, and 79.5% of them were deeply comatose on admission. Most of the cases (85%) of non-traumatic coma were due to infective causes, mainly cerebral malaria (47.5%), pyogenic meningitis (17.5%) and septicemia (10%). Twenty-four (60%) children recovered while 13 (32.5%) died. CONCLUSION: Infections were the predominant causes of non-traumatic coma in EBSUTH. In view of the high mortality among this group of patients, efforts at the control of malaria and other infections would significantly reduce the incidence of non-traumatic coma in this study site.

Non-Traumatic Childhood Coma in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital; Abakaliki; South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Coma is a medical emergency; and optimal management; especially in a resource-poor setting; would depend on the knowledge of its etiology and predictors of outcome. This communication reviews the etiology and outcome of non-traumatic childhood coma in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH); Abakaliki. Objective: To determine the incidence; etiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in children seen at the EBSUTH; Abakaliki. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of records of all children admitted to the children emergency ward of EBSUTH in coma of a non-traumatic origin between 1 st of January and 31 st of December; 2007. Results: Forty children presented with coma out of 673 children admitted during the study period; giving an incidence rate of 5.9. The majority of the children (62.5) were aged between 1 and 5 years of age; and 79.5of them were deeply comatose on admission. Most of the cases (85) of non-traumatic coma were due to infective causes; mainly cerebral malaria (47.5); pyogenic meningitis (17.5) and septicemia (10). Twenty-four (60) children recovered while 13 (32.5) died. Conclusion : Infections were the predominant causes of non-traumatic coma in EBSUTH. In view of the high mortality among this group of patients; efforts at the control of malaria and other infections would significantly reduce the incidence of non-traumatic coma in this study site

Some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu, south eastern Nigeria.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to determine some common behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey on 460 children attending nursery and primary schools in Enugu was carried out in 2003 with a view to determine some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis. SETTING: This study was carried out in the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health, National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre, Enugu. METHOD: Intestinal helminthiasis was diagnosed using the kato-katz method in analysing fresh stool samples collected from nursery and primary school children in Enugu. These fresh stool samples were collected into appropriately labeled clean containers. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and their parents or guardians as regards some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis. RESULTS: The results from this study showed that the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was significantly affected by various behavioural risk factors. The rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with hand washing habits after defeacation (chi2 = 75.77; df= 2; p = 0.001) and with different habits of washing fruits before eating (chi2 = 52.79; df=2; p = 0.001) among the pupils. Also, the rate ofhelminthic infection varied significantly with the source of drinking water (chi2 = 55.12; df = 3; p = 0.01), water boiling habits (chi2 = 40.89; df = 2; p = 0.001), use of footwear after school hours (chi2 = 30.72; df = 2; p = 0.001). Sites utilized for defeacation by the pupils (chi2 = 80.25; df=3; p = 0.001) also significantly influenced the rate ofhelminthic infection. CONCLUSION: Various behavioural factors which significantly affect the rate of helminthic infection abound in children living in Enugu. The government should give attention to the control of these behavioural risk factors. A lot of health education will be needed to curb the poor personal hygienic habits which are obvious risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis.

Some Behavioural Risk Factors for Intestinal Helminthiasis in Nursery and Primary School Children in Enugu; South Eastern Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine some common behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Design: A cross-sectional survey on 460 children attending nursery and primary schools in Enugu was carried out in 2003 with a view to determine some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis. Setting: This study was carried out in the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health; National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre; Enugu. Method: Intestinal helminthiasis was diagnosed using the kato-katz method in analysing fresh stool samples collected from nursery and primary school children in Enugu. These fresh stool samples were collected into appropriately labeled clean containers. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and their parents or guardians as regards some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis . Results: The results from this study showed that the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was significantly affected by various behavioural risk factors. The rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with hand washing habits after defeacation (X2 = 75.77; df = 2; p = 0.001) and with different habits of washing fruits before eating ( X2 = 52.79; df = 2; p = 0.001) among the pupils. Also; the rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with the source of drinking water (X2 = 55.12; df = 3; p = 0.01); water boiling habits (X2 = 40.89; df = 2; p = 0.001); use of footwear after school hours (X2 = 30.72; df = 2; p = 0.001). Sites utilized for defeacation by the pupils (X2 = 80.25; df = 3; p = 0.001) also significantly influenced the rate of helminthic infection. Conclusion: Various behavioural factors which significantly affect the rate of helminthic infection abound in children living in Enugu. The government should give attention to the control of these behavioural risk factors. A lot of health education will be needed to curb the poor personal hygienic habits which are obvious risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis