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Tetanus toxoid immunization coverage among mothers of below one year of age in difficult-to-reach area of Lagos Metropolis

A Adeiga, SA Omilabu, RA Audu, F Sanni, GP Lakehinde, O Balogun, O Olagbaju

 

Abstract

A retrospective survey of tetanus toxoid immunization coverage was conducted among 196 mothers of children less than one year of age in a difficult-to-reach area of Lagos metropolis. This was to ascertain the status of coverage among the women presumed to have been immunized with minimum of two doses of tetanus toxoid during pregnancy, estimate drop out rates, and investigate reasons for failure to be immunized and determine missed opportunities to get immunized. An interview was conducted by administering questionnaires using WHO cluster form for tetanus toxoid immunization. Recall history and immunization card review were taken as response. The results showed that with card/history criterion, 109 (55.6%) women received first dose of tetanus toxoid (TT), 80 (40.8%) received second dose and 22 (11.2%) received third dose while 87 (44.4%) were not immunized. Using the card criterion that only established valid immunization, 20 (10.2%) women received first dose and 14 (7.2%) received the second dose. With the card criterion analysis, 14 (7.2%) mothers were protected against tetanus and only 4 (2%) babies born of these mothers were protected against tetanus. A decline was observed in compliance with the regimen of vaccination. Thirty three (16.8%) of women studied missed the opportunity of getting vaccinated and 87 (79.8%) of 109 who started vaccination dropped out. Reasons advanced for failure to be immunized included lack of information accounting for 65.85%, lack of motivation was 20.4% and 13.8% as environmental factors. Poverty and lack of health facilities also contributed to the low level of immunization coverage. For TT immunization to improve in the area studied, factors impeding immunization must be addressed.

Keywords: tetanus, immunization, coverage

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 233-237

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Opportunistic infections and clinico-epidemiological factors in HIV/AIDS casesseen in a tertiary care hospital in Nepal

RN Das, HS Joshi, R Biswas, HS Joshi

 

Abstract

Opportunistic infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients. The spectrum of opportunistic pathogens involved in such infections in Nepal is not well documented. A cross sectional (hospital-based) study was carried out at the AIDS clinic of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. A total of 404 clinically suspected cases of HIV/AIDS seen at the clinic between July 2001 and December 2002, were screened for HIV. Seventy four (18.3%) were sero-positive for HIV. Fever was the commonest presenting symptoms 48.6% followed by cough and dyspnoea 36.5%, weight loss 36.5% and pulmonary tuberculosis 21.6%. Fifty five of the 74 (74.3%) HIV positive cases were in the age group 20-39 years. Heterosexual mode of acquisition/transmission was seen in 60.8% and 21.6% were intravenous drug abusers (IVDA). A total of 45 opportunistic pathogenic isolates were recovered from the 74 patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was the commonest pathogen 60%, followed by Cryptosporidium spp 13.3% and Candida spp 11.1%. Four patients died during the period of study giving a mortality rate of 5.4%. This study shows that HIV/AIDS is rapidly becoming a grave concern in the Pokhara valley of Nepal. Intensive and effective health education programmes among the target population may be a cost effective method to curb the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS in a developing country like Nepal. Also, further regional studies are required to establish more detailed epidemiological database of opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Nepal.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infections, Nepal

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 239-245

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AIDS knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns among high school students in southwestern Nigeria

OO Opaleye, OA Olowe, SS Taiwo, O Ojurongbe, OG Ayelagbe

 

Abstract

An evaluation of knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns of high school students in Oyo and Osun States, Southwestern Nigeria, towards HIV/AIDS was undertaken. A structured questionnaire was administered to respondents from six secondary schools that were selected by systematic random sampling method from the two States. The questionnaire focused on specific aspects of knowledge, attitude and behavioural patterns related to HIV/AIDS, its mode of transmission and preventive measures. Results from the study showed that 362 (73%) of the 496 respondents had correct knowledge of the causative agent of AIDS, 69% had correct knowledge of the mode of transmission, 83.2% had correct knowledge of the people at risk and 80.2% had good knowledge of methods of prevention. Attitude toward AIDS victims was however relatively poor with 21% believing that AIDS patients should be isolated and avoided and additional 7% believing that people should not eat or share utensils with AIDS patients. Only 57.7% believed that people should relate freely with AIDS patients. This study showed an improvement in the knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS over a previous one carried out over a decade ago in the same locality, highlighting the importance of mass media campaign programme embarked upon by the States over the years. However, there is need to further increase the awareness campaign especially as it relates to attitude towards AIDS patients and also on information dissemination, which should be more detailed and formal. Incorporating sex education into the curriculum of secondary schools will be a welcome development in stemming the tide of this dreaded disease.

Keywords: knowledge, attitude, sexual behaviour, HIV, AIDS

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 247-252

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Leishmaniasis presenting as severe anaemia in an adult female Nigerian

OD Kazeem, AA Oyekunle, LL Salawu, IA Adediran, NO Akinola, KB Badmos, OS Ojo, MA Durosinmi

 

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a rare cause of anaemia. We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis presenting as severe anaemia and pyrexia of unknown origin in an adult female Nigerian. The objective was to highlight the importance of exhaustive investigations in the diagnosis of anaemia and pyrexia of unknown origin in our environment.

Keywords: visceral leishmaniasis, chronic anaemia, pyrexia of unknown origin, Nigeria

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 253-255

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Cryptococcal meningitis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: report of three cases

JO Ashiru, K Aleong

 

Abstract

Although cryptococcus is an infrequent pathogen in patients without AIDS, it is known to be a major cause of meningitis in those with the disease. In recent times, the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis in patients infected with HIV has increased worldwide mainly because of the increased awareness by both the physicians and clinical microbiologists. We report here three cases of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV patients treated at the Port-of Spain General Hospital in one year. The clinical manifestations in these patients included prolonged and severe headache, neck stiffness and blurring of vision. The patients were treated with amphotericin B. Two patients died a few days after receiving the drug while one patient survived. We suggest that any HIV patient with prolonged headache should be promptly investigated for cryptococcal meningitis.

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 257-260