Background:Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) in blood donors increase the risk of acquisition of these infections in blood and blood products recipients. Sensitive screening methods reduce the risk of transmission of TTIs to blood and products recipients.Objectives:The study sought to determine the prevalence of TTIs among voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBDs) and examine the need for the use of advanced donor screening methods to ensure blood infection safety.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). Consenting VNRBD aged 18–65 years, were consecutively recruited during routine blood drives organized by the NBTS, between August and October 2016 after completing a structured questionnaire. Samples from donated blood units were screened for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis using the fourth-generation ELISA.Results:The data obtained from 865 participants were analyzed. One hundred and eighty-two (21%) participants tested positive for TTIs. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis among the participants was 14.7%, 4.6%, 1.8%, and 1.6%, respectively. Coinfection was found in 8.7% of the study participants. A statistically significant association was established between the sex of the participants and TTIs (χ2=6.217,P= 0.0013).Conclusion:The prevalence of TTIs among VNRBD was high. Due to its attendant consequences on blood infection safety and implication on donor retention, there is a need for adoption of sensitive screening assays to ensure blood safety.

Background: Offspring of hypertensive parents have been reported to have alteration on their sympathovagal balance and have exaggerated response to stressful conditions. Many Christians observe a period of fasting at the beginning of every year, which imposes some stress on their bodies. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of 21-day intermittent fasting on some cardiovascular parameters in offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. Materials and Methods: Eighty young adults (20–28 years) were divided into equal number of male and female offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents based on questionnaire. Their body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded 1 week before the fasting period began and then weekly for 3 weeks, in which they fasted. Results: The weight, BMI, and WC reduced during fasting, but the reductions were not significant (P > 0.05). The SBP and DBP were higher in male offspring of hypertensive parents than all other groups. SBP was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in males than females before fast and during fast. Fasting significantly reduced the SBP in the male offspring of both hypertensive and normotensive parents. The HR reduced in the females during fast but increased from a lower level in males to a value not significantly different from prefasting level. Conclusion: Fasting reduces the high SBP and DBP in male offspring of hypertensive parents, which is beneficial to their cardiovascular system.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has broad characteristics and various complications. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate PAD in T2DM and their association with age, gender, and the duration of T2DM. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective cross-sectional one conducted at the radiology department in Royal Care International Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, over 3 years. A total of one hundred and ten patients, 69 males and 41 females, were examined using MDCT. A binary logistic regression test was applied to identify independent predictors of PAD. Results: PAD in T2DM is found to be 50.91% atherosclerosis, 43.64% plaques, 29.09% stenosis, and 14.55% thrombosis (mean age 65.84 ± 9.57 years; mean duration of T2DM 29.37 ± 6.7 years). The prevalence of PAD was common in patients over 60-year-old. Atherosclerosis is significantly higher in males than females (59.4% vs. 36.6%, 95% confidence interval = 1.092–5.600, P = 0.03%). Plaques and stenosis of lower-extremity arteries were higher in males than females 44.9% vs. 41.5% and 29.0% vs. 29.3%) respectively. The incidence of thrombosis was higher in femoral arteries than lower distal arteries, and the prevalence was higher in females than males (22% vs. 10.1%, odds ratio = 2.228), respectively. Conclusion: Atherosclerosis, plaques, stenosis, and thrombosis were the most common PAD findings in patients affected with T2DM. Age, gender, and duration of diabetes, relatively risk factors associated with PAD. Thrombosis is more prevalent in the femoral artery than lower distal arteries.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), a cheap screening technique, has helped reduce the diagnostic turnaround time of palpable swellings from different anatomical sites. In light of the technique increasingly being used as a definitive diagnostic tool, it is thus important to evaluate its accuracy in making specific diagnosis beyond just being a screening tool. Objective: To determine the concordance rate between cytological and histological diagnosis Materials and Methods: Cytology and corresponding histology reports for lesions from patients with maxillofacial, lymph node, and abdominal swellings, where both were available, were compared for the concordance of specific cytological diagnosis with final histological diagnosis. Results: In the 10-year (2006–2015) studied, there were 177 complete cases in which specific diagnoses were made on cytology; of these, 135 (75.3%) were in concordance with histological diagnoses. Concordance for intra-abdominal, maxillofacial, and lymph node aspirates was 90.2%, 85.5%, and 62.9%, respectively. Cytological concordance of specific diagnosis for benign and malignant lesions was 70.7% and 79.5%, respectively. Concordances for lymphomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas were 84.1%, 68.2%, and 66.7%, respectively. The specific cytologic diagnosis was enhanced by preaspirate ultrasound scan while the absence of immunocytochemistry hampered accuracy in specific diagnosis of nodal non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma (66.7% and 42.9%), respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes that FNAC is a simple technique with fairly reliable utility in proffering specific diagnosis on suitable lesions. However, in developing countries where repertoire of antibodies for immunocytochemistry may be limited, the accuracy will be improved by good clinical history and preaspirate ultrasound where necessary.

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by a potent neurotoxin released following infection with the obligate anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium tetani. Of the four clinical forms of the disease, generalized tetanus accounts for the most common form of the disease. This is a case report of localized tetanus involving the thigh muscles in a 12-year unimmunized girl following a wound sustained around the right groin area initially thought to be an acetabular fracture. The child had antibiotics, antitetanus serum, sedatives, and wound care. She was unable to have full treatment because of parental decision to seek traditional treatment at home. The case is reported because of the rarity of localized tetanus, the diagnostic dilemma presented by the case, and the cultural interplay and understanding of the disease process by the patient/caregivers. It is also reported to highlight the gap in routine immunization and the need for booster doses in this age group.

Background: Foreign bodies (FBs) in the ear, nose, and throat are frequently encountered clinical entities among the children. These ear, nose, and throat FBs are often seen by pediatricians, primary care physicians, and otolaryngologists. Aim of the Study: The objective of this study is to analyze various types of FBs in the ear, nose, and throat among children and its clinical profile with its treatment in the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital. During 10-year period from April 2010 to May 2020, 452 pediatric patients with FB in the ear, nose, and throat were managed. The clinical profile and management of these children were analyzed. The clinical data were collected from the admission charts and clinic tickets. Results: In this study, the majority of the FBs were found in the nasal cavity, which constitutes 30.53%, whereas 28.31% found in the external auditory canal, 11.72% in the pharynx, 13.49% in the esophagus and 15.72% in laryngotracheobronchial (LTB) tract. The age ranges from 0 to 16 years, with a mean age was 7.21 years. The majority of the ear, nose, and throat FBs were found in the age group of 0–5 years. Out of the 452 cases, 243 (53.76%) were removed under general anesthesia. Vegetable seed was the most common FB in the nose. Coin was the most common FB in the esophagus, whereas vegetable seeds were the most common FB found in the bronchus. The open safety pin is a hazardous LTB FB. Conclusion: FBs in the ear, nose, and throat of children are common. The accurate diagnosis and treatment of the FBs in the pediatric age is often challenging. These FBs can be associated with significant morbidity and complications if not removed immediately.

Background: Feeding a newborn infant with his or her mother's breast milk only or from a wet nurse without giving other liquids up to the age of 6 months is called exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The promotion of EBF for the first 6 months of infant's life is the most effective way to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and medium-income countries. Despite several efforts to promote EBF, its practice has remained poor in many Sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria. EBF practice is to a large extent influenced by the maternal knowledge and attitudes as well as sociodemographic and cultural factors. Objective: To determine the knowledge, acceptance, and practice of EBF among caregivers in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving mothers who were currently breastfeeding at the time of the study or who had stopped breastfeeding not later than 2 years. Questionnaires were administered to breastfeeding mothers or fathers who knew the breastfeeding attitude of their wives during visits to the outpatient unit or immunization clinic. The age, sex, educational status, occupation, awareness, understanding of EBF, acceptance, practice, and benefits of EBF, and distance from health facility were explored from the caregivers. Results: Two hundred and seventy caregivers were studied of which 30 (11.1%) were male and 240 (88.9%) were female. The male-to-female ratio was 1:8 and the age ranges from 19 to 60 years with a mean of 29.4 and standard deviation of ±7.36. Majority of the caregivers (134, 49.6%) had tertiary level of education, while 79 (29.3%) had secondary education. Majority of the caregivers had good awareness and perception of EBF (77% and 51.5%, respectively). The EBF practice rate among the respondents was 68.52%. Caregivers with tertiary and secondary levels of education had good awareness and perception of EBF (χ 2 = 48.628, P = 0.000; and χ2 = 49.106, P = 0.000, respectively). They also had good acceptance and practice of EBF (χ 2 = 35.897, P = 0.000; and (χ 2 = 17.999, P = 0.001, respectively). There were more awareness and perception of EBF among health workers and teachers (χ 2 = 33.972, P = 0.000; and (χ 2 = 12.925, P = 0.005, respectively). They also accepted and practiced EBF significantly (χ 2 = 16.867, P = 0.001; and χ2 = 16.736, P = 0.001). Proximity to health facility had a significant impact on awareness, acceptance, and practice of EBF by the caregivers (χ 2 = 17.391, P = 0.002; χ 2 = 14.263, P = 0.007; and χ 2 = 9.802, P = 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Educational level, occupation, and proximity to health facility have positive impact on awareness, perception, acceptance, and practice of EBF among caregivers in Kano. Therefore, there is need to educate and empower women and make health facilities accessible to them to support, promote, and protect EBF in our communities.

Background: Neonatal period is the first 28 days after birth. It carries high risk of morbidity and mortality. This risk is higher in developing countries. Nigeria, where about 700 babies die daily, contributes about 8% of the world's annual neonatal deaths. There is a paucity of published study of neonatal morbidity and mortality in this part of Nigeria. Objectives: We determined the pattern of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and neonatal mortality rate in a public tertiary health facility in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of all babies admitted during the neonatal period between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017. Data on the patients' age, weight, diagnosis, and outcome were extracted from their file and analyzed. Ethical clearance was obtained before the commencement of the study. Results: Records of 522 newborns were analyzed. Common morbidities were neonatal sepsis, prematurity, and birth asphyxia. The mortality rate was 13.2%. Highest mortality (44.8%) occurred within 24 h of admission, and neonatal tetanus had the highest case fatality rate of 42.8%. Conclusions: Neonatal sepsis, prematurity, and birth asphyxia were the major causes of morbidity. Mortality rate was high (13.2%), and tetanus had the highest case fatality rate. These can be prevented.

Background: Hematological disorder has been shown to be one of the leading manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This could be from the virus itself or the accompanying opportunistic infections including malignancies. The manifestations include among others, anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia as well as assessing the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen and anemia. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective study among HIV-infected children and adolescents aged 2 years to <18 years receiving ART at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia Nasarawa State. A total of 263 clients were recruited consecutively. Known sickle-cell disease patients, those with ongoing sepsis and or those recently transfused were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 through a univariate and multivariate analysis, and reporting was done in tables and figure. Results: There are slightly more males than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.02:1. Children aged between 2 and 9 years accounted for over two-third of the study population. The prevalence of anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia was 32.7%, 11.4%, and 3.04%, respectively. More than two-third of the participants was on zidovudine-based regimen, and there is a statistically significant association between anemia and the use of zidovudine-based ART regimen. Conclusion: Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality among HIV-infected children and adolescents. There is an association between the use of zidovudine and occurrence of anemia. The use of alternative drug to zidovudine is advocated.