Prevalence

Cardio Vascular Diseases(CVD) are the leading cause of death and its incidence is rapidly increasing in every region of the world and it remains the major threat to modern society. At present, CVD prevention becomes a major issue for world health and burden on risk factor remains alarmingly high. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and drug utilization in CVD. A prospective observational study was carried out in 186 inpatients for a duration of 6 months (October-17 to March-18) in the Medicine Department of AH&RC, B.G.Nagara. The data was collected after obtaining consent from inpatients. Ethical clearance from Institutional Ethical Committee AIMS, B.G.Nagara was obtained. The data was analyzed by using  MS-Excel. Among 186 CVD patients more of males(62.4%) than females(37.6%) were seen, most of them fell in age group of 61-90 years(52.7%). 22% were alcoholics, 32.8% were smokers, 15.6% used tobacco, 39.8% had raised blood-pressure and 21.5% had raised blood-glucose. Among CVD patients hypertension was more prevalent(31.2%) followed by heart failure(15.1%), cardiovascular accident(13.4%), and most prescribed drugs include diuretics (56.3%), Calcium Channel Blockers(CCB)(49%) and anti-coagulants(50.2%). This study can benefit patients in early detection, high risk patients deserving immediate attention and intervention. It was observed that more males suffered from CVD than females; the most common CVD was found to be Hypertension. Major risk factors were alcohol, smoking, raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose. Most prescribed drugs include diuretics, CCB, and anticoagulants.

The aim of this study was to determine the ABO and Rhesus D Blood group and CMV Status of blood donors in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Two hundred and ninety (290) consecutively –recruited blood donors, consisting of 287 males and 3 females aged 19 – 55 years with mean age 39 ± 21 years were screened for their ABO and Rh D blood group and CMV antibodies status using the Lorne Laboratories (UK) antisera and CTK Biotech (U.S.A.) Onsite CMV IgG/IgM Duo rapid test for CMV-IgG and IgM detection. The result shows that 57.9% of the donors were CMV positive for IgM only, 3.1% were positive for both IgM and IgG and 4.82% were positive for IgG only while the remaining 34.18% were negative. The prevalence of CMV positivity was higher among blood group O donors (30.7%) compared to blood group A (16.2%), B (15.5%) and AB (0.34%). CMV positivity was higher among blood donors  in the 25-29 years age group (16.6%) compared to those in the 19-24 years (16.2%), 30-35 years (12.1%), 36-40 years (10.3%), 41-45 years (8.7%), 46- 50 years (1.40%) and 51-55 years age group (0.70%). This present study indicates mild endemicity of CMV infection among blood donors in Sokoto, Nigeria. There is need to routinely screen blood donors for CMV particularly for donor units intended for use in neonates, pregnant women, AIDS patients, immunosuppressed and transplant patients. The use of leucocyte- rich whole blood transfusion should be discouraged in Nigeria. Effort should be made to implement universal leucodepletion of donated units. There is also the need to educate clinical staff to ensure that CMV negative units are requested for patients in whom CMV negative units are indicated.

Cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases are currently responsible for two thirds of global mortality. Hypertension is a consistent and independent risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases and stroke. The prevalence of hypertension has increased in urban communities as well as in rural people. There is a strong correlation between changing lifestyle factors and increase in hypertension. Accurate and decisive data about hypertension prevalence and its risk factors is essential for scheming strategies for its effective regulation and prevention. A Community based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural community to monitor prevalence, risk factors, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in rural population. A total of 627 subjects (males n=369 and females n=258) participated in the study (age > 18 years). The participant’s blood pressure was measured and they were asked to answer a pretested questionnaire. As per the JNC VII report, hypertension was defined. Analysis of data was done using chi square test. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 49.12% (males: 57.18% and female: 37.50%). About 1/4th of the hypertensive population did not knew about their health status. 60-79 year age group had the highest prevalence of hypertension (49.02%). Bivariate analysis of data was indicative of significant relationship between hypertension with that of age, gender, literacy, body mass index (BMI), physical inactivity, and smoking and alcohol consumption. Hence the prevalence of hypertension was found to be highly prevalent in rural community. We also realized the importance of clinical pharmacist and other health care professional’s involvement in monitoring of health problems reporting possible drug related problems, measuring therapeutic compliance and counselling on lifestyle modification in rural populations.

Extended spectrum -lactamases are plasmid mediated. These plasmids produce enzymes that hydrolyze broad spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. They acquire resistance prevalently through plasmid encoded. Study determines plasmids and their correlation with drug resistance against many antibiotics that limits their therapeutic implications. Bacteriological analysis of 50 samples susceptible for ESBL was conducted. The samples subjected to susceptibility tests and detection of ESBL. Plasmid DNA isolation of all the ESBL positive strains of E. coli was done by alkali-lysis method. Finally the presence of plasmid was correlated with susceptibility to beta lactam drugs. ESBL was detected in 56% (28 out of 50 isolates). Maximum ESBL incidence recorded of E. coli (30 %) followed by Klebseilla pnemoniae (18%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 %). ESBL exhibited high-level resistance to beta lactam antimicrobial agents like  Amoxiclave (56%), Cefuroxime (54%), Cephotaxime (54%), Ceftriaxon (50%), Ceftazidime (46%) and Cefixime (36%). During plasmid profiling of eight isolates of ESBL E. coli showed one to four definite bands indicating the presence of different plasmids. ESBL’s constitute a growing class of plasmid-mediated -lactamases which confer resistance to broad spectrum β-lactam antibiotics. Incidence of ESBL is continuously increasing globally with limited treatment alternatives and formulates treatment policy. Moreover, restricted use of the third generation cephalosporins lead to withdrawal of selective pressure and use of lactam and -lactamase inhibitor combinations may exert reverse mutation on these enzymes. There is a strong correlation between the number of plasmids harbored by an isolate and drug resistance.