Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Women of Reproductive Age on Human Papillomavirus Infection, Cervical Cancer and Vaccination in Otukpo, Nigeria.

Background: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of human papilloma virus (HPV) is a necessary measure in curtailing delayed diagnosis and poor control practices. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices vis-à-vis HPV infection, cervical cancer and vaccination among women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 15 selected health-care facilities in Otukpo metropolis and it involved 168 pregnant women. The data were collected using structured questionnaire, and analysed for descriptive and analytical statistics using Epi Data Version 3.1 and SPSS statistical package Version 21. Results: Most of the respondents (75.0%) have heard of human papilloma virus and their information source were mostly the health-care providers. In total, 132(78.6%) agreed to take the vaccine if offered for free but 152(90.5%) stated that it is imperative to seek the opinion of health providers before vaccine uptake. However, only 27(16.1%) have undergone recommended checkup for human papilloma virus/cervical cancer and 23(13.7%) have taken at least a vaccine dose. Some respondents 66(39.3%) had good knowledge while 95(56.6%) demonstrated positive attitude. However, most respondents 161(95.8%) demonstrated poor practices. Conclusions: There is enormous need to improve HPV sensitization especially in women due to cervical cancer associated risks. Healthcare personnel are therefore encouraged to create more awareness on HPV infection and screening of cervical cancer (CC) via counseling sessions and communications tool like the new media. KAP approach is a critical tool towards successful CC screening and HPV control.

Molecular detection of hepatitis B virus genotype E with immune escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients on long-term antiviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Previous studies in Nigeria have reported the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype E and the availability of immune escape mutants. There is a paucity of data on chronic patients on long-term antiviral therapy for HBV infection. Objective: This study assessed HBV genotypes and drug resistance variants among patients with chronic HBV infection receiving tenofovir in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 101 patients (51 with HIV/HBV co-infection and 50 with HBV infection only) on antiviral therapy from February 2018 to May 2019 at four hospitals in Jos, Nigeria. DNA quantification of HBV was performed on all samples; 30 samples with detectable viral load were selected for genotyping using Sanger sequencing by targeting the full-length sequences of reverse transcriptase gene of the HBV genome. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with reference sequences from GenBank. Escape mutant and drug resistance analysis were performed using HBV drug resistance interpretation and Geno2pheno. Results: Only 30 (29.7%) of the 101 study participants had detectable HBV DNA. Of these, six (20.0%) isolates were successfully amplified and sequenced. The identified genotype was E, including escape mutations L127R (16.7%) and G145A (16.7%). Conclusion: This study revealed exclusive dominance of genotype E in Nigeria. The S gene mutations G145A and L271R are known to be associated with modified antigenicity and impaired serologic assays, which may cause false negatives in the detection of anti-HBV surface antigen. The presence of mutants that are associated with vaccine immune escape may also have diagnostic and vaccine immune response implications.

Molecular characterization of cryptosporidium in children aged 0- 5 years with diarrhea in Jos, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptosporidium is an important cause of diarrhea in children and immune-compromised individuals. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have led to the discovery of subtype families that are thought to be more commonly associated with diarrhea. We aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptosporidium spp among children with diarrhea in Jos, Nigeria. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from165 children aged 0-5 years with diarrhea. Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined by wet mount preparation, using formalin ether and a modified acid fast staining method. DNA was extracted from positive samples using QIAamp DNA stool mini kit and PCR-RFLP assay was carried out after quantification. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis were done to determine the subtype families and their relatedness. RESULTS: From the 165 children studied, 8 (4.8%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. PCR-RFLP assay and genotype characterization found the following Cryptosporidium species: C. hominis 6 (75%) and C. parvum 2 (25.0%), with family subtypes Id-5, Ie-1 and IIa-1, IId-1 respectively.The most common species was C. hominis and the frequent subtype was C. hominis-Id 5 (62.5%). CONCLUSION: Cryptosporidium is not an uncommon cause of diarrhea in children, with C. hominis being the dominant species. Also C. hominis Id is the commonest sub-family subtype. Put together, zoonotic species may be an important cause of diarrhea in children aged 0-5 years in Jos, Nigeria.

Risk Taking Sexual Behaviors among Antiretroviral Therapy Patients in Lafia, Nigeria; A Cross Sectional Survey

The HIV Prevalence in Nasarawa State, Nigeria is 7.5% which is above the national average of 4.1%. HIV prevention efforts have however not sufficiently targeted HIV-positive individuals partly due to inadequate data on their risk taking behaviours. The objective of the study was to determine sexual behaviours of Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey among PLHIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. Structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected 320 Patients on antiretroviral therapy at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviours such as use of condom and sex with non spousal partners. About eighty seven percent (87.2%) of men and 34.4% of women were sexually active. Almost two third of the male participants (65.5%) and 6.7% of female participants reported having sex with a non regular partner in the previous six months. Participants who were males (P< 0.001), younger age (P< 0.001), who had primary education or lower (P< 0.001), who did not disclose their HIV status (P< 0.001) and who were unmarried (P< 0.001) were more likely to engage in sex with non-regular partners. Among the sexually active participants, 60.7% of females and 17.5% of males had unprotected sex at last sexual intercourse with their regular sexual partners. Sexual risk taking behaviours are high among persons receiving antiretroviral therapy in Lafia, Nigeria. Age, gender, level of education and disclosure of HIV positive status are associated with risk taking behaviours of PLHIV. People living with HIV need to be targeted for prevention interventions including peer education and interpersonal communication.