The prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression amongst essential workers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Background: Essential workers are imperative in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Setting: This study was set in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving essential workers in Ekiti State Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A total of 588 essential workers were sampled. Online socio-demographic variables and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a 14 item self-reported questionnaire were used. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the respondents was 93.4% (CI = 91.2-95.2) and 64.3% (CI = 60.4-68.4) respectively. Among the health workers, the prevalence of anxiety and depression were 96.5% (CI =94.8-98.1) and 66.5% (CI = 60.5-69.8) respectively while the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among non- health workers were 84.6% (CI = 78.7-90.1) and 61.5% (CI = 54.2-69.4) respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of depressive symptoms was increased among, respondents who were not satisfied with the support they received from the government during the pandemic (AOR = 2.071, CI = 1.350-2.213), respondents that were 35 years and younger (AOR = 1.512, CI = 1.033-2.213) and reduced amongst Christians (AOR = 0.501, CI = 0.286-0.879). The odd of anxiety was increased among health workers compared to non-health workers (AOR = 3.700, CI = 1.744-7.851) and the odds of anxiety was reduced among respondents with previous history of mental illness (AOR = 0.215, CI = 0.049-0.943). Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common mental illness among essential workers working during the COVID-19 lockdown, therefore their mental health should be adequately considered to sustain the fight against the virus.

Blood pressure and electrocardiographic profile of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady-state and vaso-occlusive crisis.

Objective: To compare the cardiovascular features of patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in steady-state with those in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) at the Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH). Design: A descriptive cross-sectional, matched, case-control study among children with SCA at the WGH, a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Setting: The participants were recruited from the children's emergency unit and paediatric haematology clinic of the WGH. Participants: Consisted of 93 children with VOC (cases) and 93 age and sex-matched in steady state (controls), aged 5 - 15 years. Main outcome measures: Cardiovascular parameters, including pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic profile, were assessed and compared using the appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean (SD) age of the cases and controls were 8.8 (3.2) years and 9.0 (3.1) years, respectively (p= 0.106). There was no significant difference in the mean height of the groups. The mean pulse rate, diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in the cases than in the controls. A significantly higher proportion of the cases than the controls also had a higher frequency of heart blocks, prolonged QTc interval, ST elevation or depression, and T wave abnormality (p = 0.018, 0.039, 0.041, 0.009, respectively). The prevalence of chamber enlargements was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Cardiovascular dysfunction is worse during VOC when compared with steady state. Physicians should look for these dysfunctions in SCA children with VOC to reduce mortality from the disease. Funding: None declared.

Uncovering the Burden of Diabetes in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Insights From a Statewide, Household-Based, Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important global public health challenge, and the burden of the disease is huge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the majority of people with this condition reside. Undiagnosed DM is more prevalent in LMICs. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors for DM in Ekiti State. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, household-based survey using a four-stage multistage sampling design and the World Health Organization (WHO)-STEPS survey manual was conducted from July to September 2020 as a part of the Ekiti State coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survey. Of the 5,145 sampled households, 4,726 individuals gave consent to participate in the survey. Out of these, 3043 had fasting plasma glucose results available and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: There were 2257 (74.2%) women and 786 (25.8%) men. The prevalence of DM was 6.5% (6.5% in males and 6.6% in females, P = 0.946). Diabetes was found to be more prevalent among those with a secondary school education or higher (10.9%); employed in the formal sector (13.4%); separated, divorced, or widowed (8.5%); with raised blood pressure (9.3%); and who were aged 30-59 years (all P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that age, education, occupation, and hypertension were all positively and significantly associated with an increased risk of DM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DM in Ekiti State is high, and its predictors include advancing age, hypertension, education, and occupation. This calls for scaling up public health interventions for controlling DM, targeting the identified risk factors among the people of Ekiti.

Addressing antimicrobial resistance in Nigerian hospitals: exploring physicians prescribing behavior, knowledge, and perception of antimicrobial resistance and stewardship programs.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the knowledge of, attitude toward antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and practice of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among physicians in Nigeria to provide future guidance to the Nigerian National Action Plan for AMR. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study explored the physicians' self-reported practice of antibiotic prescribing, knowledge, attitude, and practice of AMR and components of ASPs. RESULTS: The majority (217; 67.2%) of respondents prescribed antibiotics daily in their clinical practice AMR was recognized as a global and local problem by 308 (95.4%) and 262 (81.1%) respondents, respectively. Only 91 (28.2%) of respondents have ever heard of antibiotic stewardship. The median AMR knowledge score was 40 (19-45)out of 45while that for ASP was 46.0(32-57) out of 60. There was significant statistical difference between the ASP median scores among the medical specialties category (P value <0.0001) More respondents had good knowledge of AMR than ASPs (82.7% versus 36.5%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Respondents in this study were more knowledgeable about AMR than AMS and its core components.

Seroprevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a Tertiary Hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among under-five children in the South West Nigeria remains largely understudied. There is no data on the subject from the study area. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among under-five children at a tertiary hospital in the South Western, Nigeria and to determine its associated socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Sera of 360 children were analyzed for anti H. pylori Ig G using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test kit (BQ ELISA Ig G KIT) and H. pylori infection risk factors were determined. Determinants of H. pylori infection was determined using binary logistic regression analysis and p-values < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: H. pylori infection seroprevalence rate was 32.8% and increased with age. Living in one room accommodation, large families, playing with soil, family history of dyspepsia, practice of premastication, sharing of plates and cutlery, and water closet toilet were associated with H. pylori Ig G seropositivity (p<0.05) on binary regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in under -five children is high, increasing as the age of the children increased. This may suggest that instituting preventive measures at young age, targeting identified factors may be effective in reducing the burden of H. pylori infection.