The Role of Meteorological Variables and Aerosols in the Transmission of COVID-19 During Harmattan Season.

The role of atmospheric parameters and aerosols in the transmission of COVID-19 within tropical Africa, especially during the harmattan season, has been under-investigated in published papers. The harmattan season within the West African region is associated with significant dust incursion from the Bodele depression and biomass burning. In this study, the correlation between atmospheric parameters (temperature and humidity) and aerosols with COVID-19 cases and fatalities within seven locations in tropical Nigeria during the harmattan period was investigated. COVID-19 infection cases were found to be significantly positively correlated with atmospheric parameters (temperature and humidity) in the southern part of the country while the number of fatalities showed weaker significant correlation with particulate matters only in three locations. The significant correlation values were found to be between 0.22 and 0.48 for particulate matter and -0.19 to -0.32 for atmospheric parameters. Although, temperature and humidity showed negative correlations in some locations, the impact is smaller compared to particulate matter. In December, COVID-19 cases in all locations showed strong correlation with particulate matter except in Kano State. It is suggested that a reduction in atmospheric particulate matter can be used as a control measure for the spread of COVID-19.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Odontogenic Tumors in Nigeria: An African Oral Pathology Research Consortium Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the burden of odontogenic tumor (OT) in Nigeria; however, the true burden and prevalence of these lesions are not known because these studies are based on a center/region. AIMS: Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the true burden of OTs in Nigeria, using a multicenter approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study of OT seen in eight tertiary health institutions in different geographic locations in Nigeria. RESULTS: A total of 990 cases were included in this study. The highest prevalence of OT was in the third decade of life (n = 274, 27.7%). Most lesions were benign (n = 961, 97.1%), with a slight male preponderance; and the mandible was the commonest site (n = 814, 82.2%). There were a significant association between the diagnosed OTs and the age group and site (P = 0.002 and 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: OTs showed a slightly higher preponderance in males, occurring mostly in the third decade. Benign lesions were frequent and ameloblastoma was the commonest OT. Variations exist in the occurrence of OTs from the different geographic locations in Nigeria. This study essentially sheds a broader light on the clinicopathological distribution of OTs across Nigeria, using a large multicenter approach.

Ebola haemorrhagic fever and Nigerian dental healthcare providers - knowledge of the disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Ebola Haemorrhagic fever (EHF) among the University of Benin clinical dental students. Methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study among consenting clinical (4th, 5th and 6th year) dental students of the University of Benin. The data collection tool was a 17-item self-administered validated questionnaire with a Chronbach's alpha value of 0.84. Data from the questionnaires were scored and graded, coded and finally entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for data analysis. All data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics to generate frequencies, percentages and Chi-square values at a significance of P < 0.05. Results: Out of the 79 questionnaires distributed, 76 were returned duly filled, giving a response rate of 96.2%. The sample consisted of 67.1% male and 32.9% female clinical dental students, with a male to female ratio of approximately 2:1. About 89.5% of the respondents were in the 3rd decade of life. The average score for the participants was 11.34 ± 2.20 which was above the average category. More than half (55.3%) of the clinical dental students had good knowledge. Over 98% of the students knew that EHF outbreaks occur primarily in Central and West Africa, however, only 16.7% of the students were aware that infected persons spread virus to others up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness. Conclusion: The clinical dental students easily identified EHF as a viral infection with the fruit bats as the natural host of the Ebola organisms. However, their knowledge of communicability and diagnostics was on the average. Proper knowledge regarding EHF and infection preventive measures can be the key to safety of the dentists and patients in the event of an EHF epidemic.

A Three-Year Review of the Pattern of HIV Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital; Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: The HIV prevalence rate in Rivers State was low at onset; but increased progressively; often exceeding the National average since 2001. However; there has been a reported decline in the prevalence in Nigeria and elsewhere with wide local and zonal differences. Aim: To assess the HIV sero-prevalence among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt; Rivers State. Methods: Hospital records of all pregnant women who registered and attended the antenatal clinic from 2nd January 2005 to 31st December 2007 and were screened for HIV infection at the Haematology laboratory were retrieved and analysed using Epi-Info version 6.04d. Results: A total of 9;869 ANC attendees were screened for HIV infection at the Hospital. The prevalence rates were 4.8in 2005; 5.4in 2006 and 5.3in 2007. The pattern of infection showed that the highest prevalence rate of 5.6was found among the youngest age group (15- 24 years); clients with only primary education (8.5); and skilled workers (7.3) (p= 0.000). Conclusion: HIV infection is still in its epidemic phase in Rivers State unlike in other areas in the country where declines have set in. Caution is therefore required in extending the emerging declines in prevalence rates elsewhere to Rivers State; so that the existing political will and commitment in control efforts in the State are not weakened; if the State wishes to experience a sustained decline in prevalence rate in the foreseeable future

Splenic changes in sickle cell anaemia.

BACKGROUND: The spleen is one of the most frequently affected organ in Sickle cell anaemia (SCA). This has been attributed to its complex anatomy and prominent reticuloendothelial functions which include clearance of unwanted particulate matter in blood ( culling), defense against infection and reservoir for blood cells. This paper aims to highlight the current information on the changes that occur in the spleen of Sickle Cell Disease patients in this environment. METHOD: A review of relevant literature on the subject of splenic changes in Sickle Cell Disease sourced by manual library and medline search. RESULTS: The essential splenic change in SCA is splenomegaly and subsequent shrinkage in size (autosplenectomy), which maybe due to several factors. These include: high levels of irreversible sickle cells, decreased HbF associated with increased intravascular sickling and chronic Malaria infection secondary to hyperplasia of the reticulo-endothelial system and increased antibody production especially IgG and IgM. Finally, the clinical complications of these splenic changes such as increased susceptibility to infection, acute splenic sequestration and hypersplenism are also reviewed in this paper. CONCLUSION: In view of the above changes, it is important to ensure regular monitoring and follow-up in order to prevent complications, recurrent crisis and death.