ISSN 2167-0404
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 10, No. 10, October 2020 | pp. 74–82
DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100074
Original Research Article
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Routine Immunization Coverage and Child Health Services
Evelyn N. Kamau¹, Tunde O. Adebayo², Sarah M. Touré¹*
¹Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
²Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Public health restrictions and virus transmission fears during pandemic lockdowns present significant barriers to essential pediatric medical care. This descriptive, health facility-based interrupted time-series study quantified the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on routine childhood immunization coverage and pediatric emergency admissions. Routine health management information system (HMIS) records across 15 regional primary healthcare centers were analyzed, comparing a six-month pandemic lockdown period (March to August 2020) against the corresponding pre-pandemic period in 2019. Primary endpoints included delivery rates of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Pentavalent-3, and Measles-1 vaccines. Data synthesis revealed a sharp, significant decline in overall immunization clinic attendance by 41.5% (p < 0.001) during the lockdown months. Specifically, monthly BCG vaccination rates fell by 34.8%, Pentavalent-3 dropped by 38.2%, and Measles-1 doses administered decreased by 46.5% relative to 2019 baseline markers. Pediatric emergency department presentations for non-COVID illnesses decreased by 52.4%, while the proportion of children presenting with severe, advanced dehydration or severe acute malnutrition increased significantly (p < 0.01). The primary self-reported reasons for missed clinic appointments were public transit closures (54.0%) and fear of hospital-acquired infection (36.0%). Pandemic mitigation parameters generated a substantial secondary disruption in childhood immunization coverage and pediatric care access. Proactive catch-up immunization campaigns, mobile community clinics, and public reassurance strategies are urgently needed to avert large-scale outbreaks of vaccine-preventable pediatric diseases.
Keywords: COVID-19, Immunization Coverage, Child Health, Lockdown, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Public Health Disruption
Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 04, 2020; Revised: August 11, 2020; Accepted: September 02, 2020; Published: October 14, 2020.
Citation: Kamau EN, Adebayo TO, Touré SM. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Routine Immunization Coverage and Child Health Services. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2020, 10(10): 74–82. DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100074
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 10, No. 9, September 2020 | pp. 66–73
DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100066
Original Research Article
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Frontline Healthcare Workers in an Urban Tertiary Care Center
Fatima Z. Bello¹, Kwaku A. Mensah², Grace N. Ojo¹*
¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
²Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Abstract:
Healthcare workers (HCWs) face extreme occupational hazards during respiratory pandemics, often suffering subclinical transmissions. This cross-sectional seroprevalence survey determined the rate of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and asymptomatic infection among frontline clinical and non-clinical healthcare personnel. Blood samples were collected from 500 HCWs (including doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and hospital cleaners) who had no prior laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Serum samples were assayed for total antibodies (IgG and IgM) against the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein using a high-affinity chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Structured questionnaires tracked PPE compliance, job descriptions, and previous exposure details. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was found to be 12.4% (62/500). Stratified by job role, hospital ward cleaners had the highest seropositivity rate (18.6%), followed by nursing staff (14.2%) and medical doctors (9.5%). Notably, 67.7% (42/62) of the seropositive personnel reported no history of respiratory symptoms in the preceding 6 months, confirming a high rate of asymptomatic transmission. Logistic regression analysis identified inadequate supply of N95 respirators (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8–6.4, p < 0.01) and working in dedicated COVID-19 treatment wards (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3–5.2, p < 0.01) as major operational risk factors. The high prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among hospital workers underlines the limitations of symptom-based screening alone. Regular active surveillance through molecular or serological tools, continuous PPE auditing, and enhanced infection prevention training for supporting staff are critical to reducing hospital-acquired clusters.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Seroprevalence, Healthcare Workers, Asymptomatic Infection, Occupational Exposure, Personal Protective Equipment
Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 15, 2020; Revised: July 22, 2020; Accepted: August 10, 2020; Published: September 11, 2020.
Citation: Bello FZ, Mensah KA, Ojo GN. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Frontline Healthcare Workers in an Urban Tertiary Care Center. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2020, 10(9): 66–73. DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100066
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 10, No. 8, August 2020 | pp. 58–65
DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100058
Original Research Article
Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Pre-existing Cardiovascular Disease
Chidi O. Okafor¹, Amina J. Hassan², Samuel K. Appiah¹*
¹Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Department of Cardiology, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Abstract:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes severe multi-organ dysfunction, with high vulnerability seen in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This prospective cohort study evaluated the clinical characteristics and distinct predictors of in-hospital mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with underlying CVD. We enrolled 180 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 adult patients with documented CVD (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, or systemic hypertension) admitted to isolation centers. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory profiles were captured at admission, and outcomes were tracked until discharge or death. The mean age of the cohort was 62.4 ± 8.5 years, and 58.3% were male. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 22.2% (40/180). Deceased patients presented with significantly higher baseline levels of serum D-dimer (mean = 2.4 ± 0.6 μg/mL vs. 0.8 ± 0.2 μg/mL in survivors, p < 0.01), High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I (hs-cTnI) (mean = 45.8 ± 12.4 ng/L vs. 12.3 ± 3.1 ng/L, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (mean = 84.2 ± 15.6 mg/L vs. 24.5 ± 5.2 mg/L, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression modeling demonstrated that advanced age ≥ 65 years (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.5–6.8, p < 0.01), hs-cTnI elevation > 28 ng/L (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 2.0–8.4, p < 0.001), and severe lymphopenia < 0.8 × 10⁹/L (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.2–6.1, p < 0.05) were independent predictors of mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities worsen the prognosis of COVID-19. Elevated biomarkers of cardiac injury and hypercoagulability at admission serve as crucial tools for risk stratification, necessitating aggressive early therapeutic intervention.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Cardiovascular Disease, Biomarkers, Troponin I, Mortality Predictors
Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 20, 2020; Revised: June 28, 2020; Accepted: July 15, 2020; Published: August 14, 2020.
Citation: Okafor CO, Hassan AJ, Appiah SK. Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Pre-existing Cardiovascular Disease. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2020, 10(8): 58–65. DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJMMS/100058
Research Article
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A comparative study on the atheroprotective potential of heparin and atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemic rats
Vijayabaskar, P.1, Sethupathy, S.2 and Somasundaram, S. T.1*
1Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai –608 502, Tamilnadu, India.
2Division of Biochemistry, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar -608 002, Tamilnadu, India.
Accepted 01 May, 2020
Abstract
The present study is to evaluate the effect of standard drug heparin and atorvastatin on the atherogenic disturbances in hypercholesterolemic atherogenic animals. Six groups of male Wistar rats were employed in this study, of which three groups received atherogenic CCT diet (rat chow supplemented with 4% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid and 0.5% thiouracil) for 17 days. Two groups were treated with standard heparin (200 units/kg/day, s.c) and atorvastatin (1.34 mg/kg/day, oral gavage) respectively commencing from 10th day of the experimental period with the remaining group served as control. Another 3 groups received normal rat chow diet during the entire experimental period. One group received only CCT diet while the other two groups received heparin and atorvastatin respectively. Increase in the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein induced by CCT diets were normalized by heparin and statin treatment. The CCT diet induced abnormal rise with the plasma hepatic marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminases and aspartate transaminases, plasma urea, glucose and creatinine levels were restored to normal with the treated groups. The CCT diet induced lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities were restored to normal in the treated groups. Standard heparin and atorvastatin intervention minimized the atherogenic diet induced histopathological lesions in liver, kidney and aortic tissues.
Key words: CCT diet, Atherosclerosis, standard heparin, atorvastatin, LCAT, LPL.
Vijayabaskar , P. , Sethupathy , S. and Somasundaram, S. T.*
Page: 1 - 8
Research Article
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-009, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of aerobic pre-treatment on production of hydrolases and volatile fatty acids during anaerobic digestion of solid sisal leaf decortications residues
Anthony Manoni Mshandete1*, Lovisa Björnsson2, Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi1, Mugassa Steven Thomas Rubindamayugi1 and Bo Mattiasson2
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dares, Salaam. P.O. Box 35179, Dares Salaam. Tanzania.
2Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden.
Accepted 22 July, 2020
Abstract
The effect of aerobic pretreatment on the production of hydrolases and volatile fatty acids during anaerobic digestion of solid sisal decortications leaf residue (SLDR) was investigated. Batch solid waste bioreactors with working volume of 2 litres were used in this study. Batch loads of aerobically treated or untreated sisal leaf residue inoculated with activated sludge mixed culture were packed into the bioreactors and operated anaerobically for 400 h. The fermentation products were mainly (mg/g total volatile fatty acids, VFAs): acetic acid (287), n-butyric acid (201), n-valeric acid (96) and caproic acid (62) as well as with low amounts of propionic acid and iso-butyric acid for aerobic pre-treated sisal leaf waste solids. Contrarily, for the untreated system, the fermentation products were chiefly (mg/g total volatile fatty acids): propionic acid (317), iso-butyric acid (276), n-butyric acid (96), acetic acid (84) and insignificant amounts of n-valeric acid, iso-valeric acid and caproic acid. Although the activities of hydrolytic enzymes found were similar for both treated and untreated SLDR, proportions of VFAs obtained with the former residues appeared to be better substrates for biomethanantion than those obtained from the latter substrates. These results indicated the potential of aerobic pre- treatment for enhanced bioconversion of SLDR. The present study, reports for the first time the types and levels of VFAs and hydrolases produced during anaerobic digestion of aerobic pre-treated SLDR and could be used as a basis for designing a pilot scale process.
Key words: Aerobic pre-treatment, hydrolases, volatile fatty acids, anaerobic digestion, sisal leaf decortications residues.
Lovisa Björnsson, Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi, Mugassa Steven Thomas Rubindamayugi and Bo Mattiasson, Anthony Manoni Mshandete*
Page: 1 - 9
Research Article
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN 2167-0404 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Hepatotoxic and hemolytic effects of acute exposure of rats to artesunate overdose
Omotuyi, I. O. 1, Nwangwu S. C.2, Okugbo, O. T.1, Okoye, O. T.2, Ojieh, G. C.3 and Wogu, D. M.1
1Department of Basic and Applied Science, Benson Idahosa University, Benin Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, Igbinedion University, Okada Nigeria
3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
Accepted 13 April, 2020
Abstract
Hepatotoxic and hemolytic effects of artesunate overdose were examined in rats. Forty (40) rats were grouped randomly into four designated as A, B, C, and D. and were given oral administration of artesunate as follows: 0 mg/kg (control), 1 mg/kg (Under-dose), 2 mg/kg (Normal dose) and 4 mg/kg (Overdose) respectively. The administration was continued for 5 days. Hepatotoxicity was monitored in the rats as a function of changes in serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total serum albumin and malondiadehyde (MDA) level. The hemolytic effect of this drug was monitored by changes in the packed cell volume (PCV), total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and malondiadehyde (MDA) levels of erythrocyte. For group D (overdose group) subjects when compared with the control (group A), there was significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum albumin and hematocrit, but significant increase in serum levels of total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin. An increased hepatocyte and erythrocyte malondiadehyde level was also observed in group D. The result also shows increased activities for the serum enzymes in all the groups when compared with control group but significant increase was recorded for groups C and D. There is a clear indication that hepatotoxicity and hemotoxicity are associated with artesunate administration at both required and overdose conditions however these effects are magnified in overdose conditions.
Key words: Artesunate, hepatotoxicity, hemotoxicity, serum enzymes, bilirubin, malondialdehyde.
Okoye , G. C and Wogu, D. M, Omotuyi , Nwangwu S. C, O. T, Okugbo , O. T, Ojieh , I. O.
Page: 1 - 4