International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Hepatocellular carcinoma: Risk factors, pattern of presentation and outcome in a tertiary health facility

Akande Oladimeji Ajayi^1*, Ebenezer Adekunle Ajayi ² and Oluwole Akinwumi Komolafe³

¹Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, PMB 201, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

²Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, PMB 201, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

³Department of Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 January, 2022

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in the world. Its incidence is increasing worldwide ranging between 3 and 9% annually. The aim of this study was to see the pattern of clinical presentation, identify the possible risk factors and the clinical outcome among HCC patients presenting at our health facility. The case records of all patients with histopathological diagnosis of HCC within the study period June 2003-May 2008 were scrutinized. Demographic, clinical presentation, investigations, risk factors and outcome data were extracted. Data analysis was done using the SPSS computer soft ware. Logistic regression model was fitted to identify the impact of the various risk factors on HCC. A total number of 53 patients with histopathological diagnosis of HCC were registered. Their ages ranged from 35 to 73 and mean age of 50±21.8 years. Thirty seven (69.8%) were males while sixteen (30.2%) were females giving M: F ratio of 2.31:1. The left lobe was affected in 15.1% (8), right lobe in 22.6% (12) and both lobes in 62.3% (33). 54.7% tested positive for HBsAg, 3.8% were HCV-Ab positive. All the patients in this study presented at an advanced stage of the disease. Aflatoxin exposure, though not proven, because no test was done to incriminate it, was highly suspected and could be a major risk factor in this study; hence efforts need to be doubled up as regards effective awareness campaigns, general health /social education and food perseveration methods.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, aflatoxin, hepatitis B and C.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the surgical unit of a university teaching hospital in north central Nigeria

A. T. Olayinka¹*, B. O. Olayinka² and B. A. Onile³

¹Department of Medical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

³Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 25 February, 2022

Abstract

This study determined the susceptibility pattern and multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of 92 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from clinical samples comprising mainly urine (51.1%) and wounds (41.3%) obtained from the surgical units of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria; over a 24-month period. The strains were susceptible to imipenem (94.6%), ciprofloxacin (90.2%), amikacin (89.1%) and ceftazidime (78.3%) but resistant to ofloxacin (82.6%), perfloxacin (58.7%) and gentamicin (35.8%). Analysis of the MAR index of isolates revealed that 60.9% had MAR index of 0.3 and above, which is an indication of probable origin from the hospital environment where antibiotics are extensively used. A strict management of antibiotic policies and a continuous surveillance programme for multidrug resistant pathogens like P. aeruginosa in specialised units is advocated.

Key words: Antibiotic resistance, plasmid, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 11 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical cases in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria

Adegoke, Anthony Ayodeji^1* and Komolafe, Amos Omoniyi²

¹Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Obafemi Awolowo University Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 26 February, 2021

Abstract

A study to investigate the susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus to conventional antibiotics being frequently prescribed in Ile-Ife, South Western Nigeria was carried out. One hundred and seven samples from various clinical samples were collected from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The isolates of S. aureus were characterized and identified using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates harvested were subjected to in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests using the disc diffusion method and beta-lactamase test was carried out using starch paper hydrolysis. One hundred and five isolates of S. aureus were harvested. The in vitro susceptibility of the bacterial isolates to antibiotics indicated 75.3-92.5% sensitivity to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. However, they were 65% producers of beta lactamase while 45-72% resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. Out of the 56 isolates tested with methicillin, 28 (50%) were resistant while 18 (32.1%) were sensitive. It was observed 70% of the tested isolates were beta lactamase producers. Multiple resistance was observed to 10 frequently prescribed antibiotics in the area. This suggests possible abuse of these drugs, poor hospital attendance and the need for better enlightenment campaign against the use of drug without prescription.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, ciprofloxacin, multiple antibiotic resistant index, beta lactamase test.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Hepatoprotective and some haematological effects of Allium sativum and vitamin C in lead-exposed wistar rats

G. O. Ajayi^1,2, T. T. Adeniyi¹* and D. O. Babayemi¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, P. M. B. 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 February, 2021

Abstract

The hepatoprotective and some haematological effects of Allium sativum (Garlic) and vitamin C were studied on experimental rats that were exposed to lead (Pb) for one week. Twenty – four female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six rats per group. Rats in group A were kept as the control. Rats in groups B, C and D were exposed to 100 µmol/kg body weight of lead acetate intraperitoneally for seven days. Garlic diet (200 g minced garlic/kg diet) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg body weight) were given to rats in groups C and D for additional seven days respectively. Garlic and vitamin C produced significant reduction at p < 0.05 in the levels of ALT, ALP and PCV while the level of AST increases significantly at p < 0.05. The level of Hb increases significantly at p < 0.05 in rats treated with garlic and reduces significantly at p < 0.05 in rats treated with Vitamin C. This study, therefore suggests that garlic and vitamin C have some hepatoprotective and haematological effects.

Key words: Hepatoprotective, haematological, Allium sativum, vitamin C, Lead (Pb).

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 10 (8), pp. 001-016, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of COVID-19 data from African countries

K´et´evi A. Assamagan^1*, Somi´ealo Azote^2*, Simon H. Connell³, Cyrille E. Haliya⁴, Toivo S. Mabote⁵, Kondwani C.C. Mwale⁶, Ebode F. Onyie⁷, George Zimba⁸

¹Brookhaven National Laboratory, Physics Department, Upton, New York, USA.

²Universit´e de Lom´e, D´epartement de Physique, Lom´e, Togo.

³University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

⁴University of Abomey-Calavi, International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications,  Cotonou, Benin.

⁵Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Grupo de Astrof´ısica e Ciˆencias Espaciais, Maputo, Mozambique.

⁶University of Rwanda, African Center of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science, Kigali, Rwanda.

⁷University of Yaounde I, Department of Physics, Yaounde, Cameroon.

⁸University of Jyva¨skyla¨, Department of Physics, Jyva¨skyla¨, Finland.

Accepted 25 August, 2021

Abstract

COVID-19 is a new pandemic disease that is affecting almost every country with a negative impact on social life and economic activities. The number of infected and deceased patients continues to increase globally. Mathematical models can help in developing better strategies to contain a pandemic. Considering multiple measures taken by African governments and challenging socio-economic factors, simple models cannot fit the data. We studied the dynamical evolution of COVID-19 in selected African countries. We estimated a time-dependent reproduction number, R₀ for each country studied to offer further insights into the spread of COVID-19 in Africa. We found that at the beginning the pandemic, R₀ ≤ 4 for all the countries studied; three months later, R₀ ∼ 1 with fluctuations in-between.

Keywords:  COVID-19, SIDARTHE, SARS-CoV-2.