Prevalence and risk factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Nigeria.

Urogenital schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that is endemic to Nigeria and one which continues to pose a public health problem especially among school-age children in rural communities. This study was carried out in remote areas where most people depend on natural water bodies and rainwater for their daily water needs. The present research investigates the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and the significant risk factors associated with the infection among primary school children in Nigeria. From August 2019 to December 2019, a total of 5514 primary school-age children from twelve sites were diagnosed with the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in their urine. Socio-demographic, sociocultural, and socioeconomic indices and data on behaviors (e.g contact frequency with freshwater bodies) were also collected for each diagnosed individual through the use of a questionnaire. Associations between each of these variables and disease infection were tested using a multivariate logistic regression. A total of 392 of the 5514-urine samples were positive for the infection, the overall prevalence reached 7.1% and ranged from 4.6% (East Nigeria) to 15,9% (West Nigeria). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the significant risk factors associated with S. haematobium infection are frequent contact with freshwater bodies (rivers/steams), with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 4.92; 3.34-7.24, washing/swimming, AOR: 46.49; 27.64-78.19, and fishing, AOR: 11.57; 8.74-15.32. For socioeconomic factors, primary education of fathers which resulted in an AOR of 1.63; 1.01-2.45 was significantly associated with the infection. The socio-demographic factor for the 12-14 year age group had an AOR of 1.68; 1.21-2.33, and was also significantly associated with the disease. Nigeria remains endemic for urogenital schistosomiasis as indicated by the data obtained from all the studied sites, and it is clear that efforts need to be intensified in order to control and eradicate the disease throughout the country.

Prevención de hemorragias en el posoperatorio temprano de cirugía bariátrica: Papel de la vitamina K / Prevention of hemorrhage in the early postoperative period of bariatric surgery: Role of vitamin K

Introducción: la cirugía bariátrica es el tratamiento más eficaz para la obesidad mórbida. La hemorragia se presenta en el 0,5-5% de las pacientes. La preparación prequirúrgica con dieta líquida y el uso de antibióticos para Helicobacter pylori podría alterar el metabolismo de la vitamina K y asociarse a hemorragia. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la concentración de protrombina (basal = B-PT y prequirúrgica = preQ-PT) en estos pacientes. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo donde se comparó la concentración de B-PT (15-180 días previos a la cirugía) y la preQ-PT (24 horas previas a la cirugía). Resultados: se incluyeron 194 pacientes, de los cuales el 72% (n = 139) fueron mujeres, de entre 19 y 69 años, con BMI (IMC) 45 (33 a 58) y pérdida de peso prequirúrgica del 7% (-2 a 17). El promedio de B-PT fue 91,9% (DE 9,529), el promedio de la preQ-PT fue 81,1% (DE 10,760); descendió un 10,8% (p < 0,001). No hubo diferencias significativas cuando se comparó el comportamiento en la preQ-PT entre los diferentes subgrupos (uso de antibióticos para Helicobacter pylori, de acuerdo con la pérdida de peso y en relación con la suplementación de vitamina K); sin embargo, siempre se detectó descenso de la preQ-PT. No hubo ninguna complicación hemorrágica (necesidad de transfusiones o reoperación); tampoco hubo muerte por hemorragias ni eventos tromboembólicos. Conclusión: realizar dosaje de protrombina 24 horas antes de la cirugía bariátrica permite detectar alteraciones iatrogénicas de la coagulación inducidas por la dieta y el uso de antibióticos.

Background: bariatric surgery is the most efficient treatment for morbid obesity. Bleeding occurs in 0.5-5% of patients. Pre-surgical preparation with liquid diet and the use of antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori could alter the metabolism of vitamin K and be associated with hemorrhage. Objective: to describe the behavior of the concentration of Prothrombin (basal = B-PT and pre-surgical = preQ-PT) in these patients. Material and methods: a prospective cohort study comparing B-PT concentration (15-180 days prior to surgery) and preQ-PT (24 h prior to surgery) was performed. Results: a total of 194 patients were included in the study, with 72% (n = 139) women aged 19-69 years, BMI 45 (33 to 58) and preoperative weight loss of 7% (-2 to 17). The media B-PT was 91.9% (SD 9.529), the media pre-PT was 81.1% (SD 10.760); declined 10.8% (p <0.001). There was no significant difference when comparing the behavior in the preQ-PT among different subgroups (use of antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori, according to weight loss and in relation to vitamin K supplementation), however, there was always a decrease of the preQ-PT. There were no bleeding complications (need for transfusions or re-intervetion), nor was there death for bleeding or thromboembolic events. Conclusion: prothrombin measurement 24 hours before bariatric surgery allows the detection of iatrogenic coagulation alterations induced by diet and the use of antibiotics.

Mandatory pre-marital HIV testing in Nigeria: the public health and social implications.

The prevalence of HIV infection among individuals referred from faith-based organizations (FBOs) in south-eastern Nigeria for mandatory pre-marital HIV screening was determined. Of the total of 319 individuals (148 males, 171 females) screened, 25 (7.8%, 95%CI: 4.9-10.7%) were confirmed HIV-positive, comprising 13 (8.8%, 95%CI: 4.2-13.4%) males and 12 (7%, 95%CI: 3.2-10.8%) females. No significant difference was observed in the association between HIV infection and gender (chi2=0.58, df = 1, P < 0.05). The highest prevalence of HIV infection (8.9%) was recorded among individuals in the 21-30 years age category, while the least HIV infection prevalence (5.3%) was observed among persons above 40 years old. There was no significant difference in the association between HIV infection and age (chi2=0.68, df = 3, P < 0.05). Mandatory pre-marital HIV screening could generate social stigmatization and infringement of the fundamental human rights of infected individuals. Voluntary counselling and confidential HIV testing and especially pre- and post-test counselling as the basis of pre-marital HIV testing are more desirable. Guidelines for the management of test-positive individuals and non-concordant couples and the safeguarding of confidentiality should be developed. Training and capacity building for religious leaders, to appropriately manage social issues associated with HIV/AIDS as it affects their organizations, are recommended.