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Papers by elon isaac

Research paper thumbnail of Dual Carriage of Hepatitis B Surface and Envelope Antigen in Adults in the Poorest Region of Nigeria: 2000-2015

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, Feb 25, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Trends in Bacterial Blood Culture Isolates and Resistance in Children in Two Microbiologic Eras from a Tertiary Health Facility in North East Nigeria

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Research paper thumbnail of Bacterial Blood Isolates in Children: Conventional vs. Bactec Automated Blood Culture System in a Tertiary Health Centre in Gombe, North East Nigeria

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Background/Aim: Blood culture is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of blood stream infectio... more Background/Aim: Blood culture is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of blood stream infections (BSIs) especially in children. BSIs are among the most common cause of morbidity/mortality and blood culture has remained the gold standard for diagnosis. We sought to compare Blood Culture Isolates (BCI) from conventional and Bactec automated blood culture system (ABCS) among paediatric patients at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG) Nigeria. Methods: BCI in children (0-18 years) by conventional method from 2008-2012 and Bactec Automated culture system from 2015-2020 were retrieved from the clinical microbiology laboratory register. Information analyzed included, age, sex, month, and year and blood culture isolates. Results: There were 5276 (56.9% males, 43.1% females) and 1169 (54% males, 46% females) Blood Culture Isolates by CM and ABCS respectively. Overall positive culture isolates were 9.7% (515/5276) in CM and 45.9% (536/1169) in ABCS (p = 0.01). Positivity rate in newborn was 13.3% (282/2114) by CM and 40.9% (219/263) by ABCS p = 0.01; under-5 was 10.5% (448/4253) vs. 37% (359/873) (p = 0.01); Gram positive 32.6% (172) vs. 65% (759) (p = 0.01; Gram negative 55% (2910) vs. 34% (397) (p = 0.01). Staph aureus 22% (114/515) by CM vs. 61.9% (332/536)) by ABCS (p = 0.01); Klebsiella 24.9% (128/515) by CM vs. 7.5% (40/536) p = 0.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 1 of "What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?": a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Additional file 1. Pretested quantitative data collection questionnaire

Research paper thumbnail of Transitioning to Automated Microbiologic Era: Blood Culture Isolates in Children and Adults in Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, North East Nigeria 2016-2020

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Introduction: Automated blood culture systems for incubation and growth monitoring have become th... more Introduction: Automated blood culture systems for incubation and growth monitoring have become the standard in high-income countries (HICs), but are still relatively expensive and not universally available for implementation in most low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). We aimed to report blood culture isolates using Automated technique in children and adults admitted into the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe from 2016 to 2020. Materials and Methods: Blood Culture Isolates in children (0-18 years) and adults (>19 yrs) by Bactec 9050 Automated culture system from 2016-2020 were retrieved from the medical and laboratory register. Information analyzed included, age, sex, month, and year and culture growth and reported antibiotic sensitivity. A Bactec Blood culture tests is 20inthisfacility.InNigeria,theminimummonthlywageis20 in this facility. In Nigeria, the minimum monthly wage is 20inthisfacility.InNigeria,theminimummonthlywageis70 (Official currency exchange rate is N423/US Dollar). Results: Of the 1713 blood cultures performed, children 0-18 years were 1322 (77.2%) and adult (19 years above) (22.8%). Overall positivity was 733 (42.2%) with males 385 (52.5%). Of the 1322 Blood cultures (BC) in children 615 (46.5%) were positive for isolates and adults 118 (30.2)%. Blood culture positivity decreased with increasing age with newborns 251 (34.5%) and adults > 65 years 18 (2.5%). Staphylococcus aureus constituted 61.3% of all isolates and was the leading isolates in all age groups; Alkaligenes (9.1%); Citrobacter

Research paper thumbnail of High Rate of Dual Carriage of Hepatitis B Surface and Envelope Antigen in Gombe in Infants and Young Children, North-East Nigeria: 2000-2015

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children at a Tertiary Hospital in Gombe, North-East Nigeria

Jewel Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Globally, Group A ß-Haemolytic Streptococcus (GAßHS) pharyngitis and its complication... more Background: Globally, Group A ß-Haemolytic Streptococcus (GAßHS) pharyngitis and its complications are major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The diagnosis and treatment of GAßHS pharyngitis in these countries is often empirical resulting in frequent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Determining the local prevalence and clinical presentations of GAßHS pharyngitis will be essential for making informed clinical decision. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and clinical presentations of GAßHS among children with pharyngitis at a tertiary hospital in Gombe, North-eastern Nigeria. Methods: 324 children aged 3-18 years were consecutively recruited at the out-patient clinic between 1st April 2018 to 30th September 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical features were recorded and throat swab samples were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar to diagnose GAßHS.Result: The prevalence of GAßHS pharyngitis w...

Research paper thumbnail of Determinants of discharge against medical advice amongst neonates admitted at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria

Nigerian journal of paediatrics, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Spectrum of Poisoning and Outcome among Children in a Tertiary Hospital, North-East Nigeria: A 20 Years Restrospective Review, 2000-2019

Open Journal of Pediatrics, 2022

Introduction: Acute poisoning in children is cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. It is ... more Introduction: Acute poisoning in children is cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. It is a Paediatrics emergency with significant economic cost. There are epidemiological differences in acute poisonings in children evaluated in Emergency departments across different countries and regions of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of poisoning in children in our health facility during the period 2000-2019. Methodology: Case notes of children 6 months to 18 years managed for acute poisoning from January 2000 to December 2019 at Paediatrics unit, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG), were analysed. The International classification of Disease ICD 10 was used. Ethical Clearance was obtained. Results: 26,716 children were admitted with 76 cases of Acute poisoning giving a prevalence rate of 2.8/1000 children. 56.6% (43) were males. 63.2% (48) of children were <5 years of age. 69.7% (53) were urban dwellers and 59.2% (45) from low socioeconomic class. 52.6% (40) of poisoning occurred in rainy season. 97.3% (74) of children had unintentional poisoning. Organophosphates 22.3% (17) and kerosine 22.3% (17) were the most common substances ingested. Snakebite and corrosive ingestion occurred in 13.1% and 11.8% of children respectively. Ingestion was the route in 84.2% of cases. 75.0% (57) of poisoning occurred at home. ACP occurred in children aged 1-5 years (p-value = 0.025); More in Children from low socioeconomic status (p-value = 0.001) and urban settings (p-value = 0.001). There was no statistically significant relation between type of poisoning and gender p = 0.839, season p = 0.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 1 of Inequities in child survival in Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goal era: insights from analysis of 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Additional file 1: Table S1. Differentials of age-specific childhood mortality rates, 2016/2017 M... more Additional file 1: Table S1. Differentials of age-specific childhood mortality rates, 2016/2017 MICS, Nigeria.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 2 of "What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?": a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Additional file 2. Qualitative interview guide

Research paper thumbnail of Rate, Indications and Outcome of Blood Transfusion in Neonates at Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

West African journal of medicine, 2021

BACKGROUND Blood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure with varying indications. Neonates, especi... more BACKGROUND Blood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure with varying indications. Neonates, especially the extremely preterm are among the most frequent recipients of blood products. The indications could be from anaemia of prematurity or pathological causes such as haemolysis from ABO or rhesus incompatibility, neonatal sepsis and acute haemorrhage, among others. OBJECTIVE To determine the rate, indications and outcome of blood transfusion in neonates at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY The study was retrospective and included 96 neonates who received blood transfusion at the SCBU of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe from January, 2015 to December, 2019. Data was extracted from patients' medical records and analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 24. RESULTS The prevalence of blood transfusion was 3.5% with top up blood transfusion being the most frequent, 63 (65.6%), form. Half of the patients, 48(50%), received fresh whole blood while 45 (46.9%) received ...

Research paper thumbnail of HIV Viral Suppression in Children in a Subnational Antiretroviral Treatment Programme in Nigeria

World Journal of AIDS, 2020

Background: Despite years of Paediatric Antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria, the National implement... more Background: Despite years of Paediatric Antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria, the National implementation plan for the scale up of viral load testing was only rece ntly launched. Viral load determination is the most important indicator of ART response. Material & methods: First viral load samples were collected from 663 children living with HIV between December 2017-Decemb er 2019 aged 0 - 18 years on highly active antiretroviral therapy from 4 states within Nigeria. Samples were analyzed at a Polymerase Chain Reaction laboratory of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Results: Males were 311 (46.9%) and 352 (53.1%) female. Children aged 0 - 9 years constituted 44.9% (298); 55.1% (365) were aged 10 - 18 years. This first viral load was primarily routine in 94 .2% (625); 2.9% (19) of children respectively had suspected clinical or immunological failure. ART combination was AZT/3TC/NVP in 78.1% (518/663) of CLHIV; TDF/3TC/EFV in 21.2% (141); AZT/3TC/LPV/rtv in 4 (0.6%). Prior to initiati...

Research paper thumbnail of Phenotypic Detection of Methicillin and Inducible Clindamycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: An Effort to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance and Improve Patient Safety in Gombe, Nigeria

Annals of Basic and Medical Sciences, 2021

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to patient safety. Methicillin and... more Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to patient safety. Methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus are important multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Timely reporting of MDROs is necessary for rational antibiotic prescription and in combating AMR. We present the prevalence and distribution of Methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistant (iCR) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Gombe Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 260 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG). Isolates identification was done using conventional biochemical methods. Methicillin resistance was detected by cefoxitin disc diffusion method while iCR isolates by erythromycin and clindamycin disc approximation test (D-test). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 178 (68.5%)...

Research paper thumbnail of Spectrum of Congenital Malformations in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe: A Ten-Year Review

BACKGROUND Congenital malformations remain a leading cause of death in the neonatal period. The i... more BACKGROUND Congenital malformations remain a leading cause of death in the neonatal period. The incidences of Congenital Malformations have been reported in other parts of Nigeria but there is paucity of data on Congenital Malformations in North-Eastern Nigeria. This review aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of Congenital Malformations in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria. METHODS A retrospective review of records of all patients admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe who had a diagnosis of Congenital Malformations over a period of ten years (May 29, 2000-May 29, 2010) was carried out. RESULTS Out of the 3,744 admissions during the period, 219 had congenital malformations, but 4 patients did not have complete information and were excluded from analysis. Two hundred and fifteen (215) were analyzed giving a prevalence of 5.7%. Among the subjects, 131(60.9%) were male and 84 (39.1%) female giving a male to female ratio ...

Research paper thumbnail of Changing patterns of gender inequities in childhood mortalities during the Sustainable Development Goals era in Nigeria: findings from an artificial neural network analysis

BMJ Open, 2021

Objectives In line with the child survival and gender equality targets of Sustainable Development... more Objectives In line with the child survival and gender equality targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and 5, we aimed to: (1) estimate the age and sex-specific mortality trends in child-related SDG indicators (ie, neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR)) over the 1960s–2017 period, and (2) estimate the expected annual reduction rates needed to achieve the SDG-3 targets by projecting rates from 2018 to 2030. Design Group method of data handling-type artificial neural network (GMDH-type ANN) time series. Methods This study used an artificial intelligence time series (GMDH-type ANN) to forecast age-specific childhood mortality rates (neonatal and under-five) and sex-specific U5MR from 2018 to 2030. The data sets were the yearly historical mortality rates between 1960s and 2017, obtained from the World Bank website. Two scenarios of mortality trajectories were simulated: (1) status quo scenarios—assuming the current trend continues; and (2) accelerat...

Research paper thumbnail of Low Level of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria 2000-2014: Imperative for Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling for Hepatitis B Virus?

Open Journal of Epidemiology, 2020

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge that requires an urgent response... more Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge that requires an urgent response. Reducing mortality requires major scale-up in prevention, testing and treatment access; coverage in HBV vaccination, testing and treatment is low and must accelerate massively to achieve the 2030 targets. Less than 1% of HBV-infected individuals are diagnosed in Sub-Sahara Africa, despite the availability of rapid tests with good diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: This was retrospective cross sectional study conducted in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, in North East Nigeria. All children and adults who presented to the outpatient departments, and those that were admitted irrespective of their HIV and or Hepatitis C virus status and had Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis B envelope antigen test were conducted between 2000 to 2015. All children and adults were tested using the Hospital standard for Hepatitis B surface antigen test strip. Results: Between 2000 and 2014, 739,456 children and adults were admitted and reviewed in the outpatient units of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe; there were 685,552 adults and 53,904 children. Children constituted 7.3% (53,904/739,456) of admissions and outpatient consultations.

Research paper thumbnail of Inequities in child survival in Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goal era: insights from analysis of 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

BMC Public Health, 2020

Background Child survival is a major concern in Nigeria, as it contributes 13% of the global unde... more Background Child survival is a major concern in Nigeria, as it contributes 13% of the global under-five mortalities. Although studies have examined the determinants of under-five mortality in Nigeria, the comparative roles of social determinants of health at the different stages of early childhood development have not been concurrently investigated. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the social determinants of age-specific childhood (0–59 months) mortalities, which are disaggregated into neonatal mortality (0–27 days), post-neonatal mortality (1–11 months) and child mortality (12–59 months), and estimate the within-and between-community variations of mortality among under-five children in Nigeria. This study provides evidence to guide stakeholders in planning for effective child survival strategies in the Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goals era. Methods Using the 2016/2017 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, we performed multilevel multinomial ...

Research paper thumbnail of “What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?”: a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

BMC Public Health, 2020

Background With increasing access to effective Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), the proportion of c... more Background With increasing access to effective Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), the proportion of children who survive into later childhood with HIV has increased. Consequently, caregivers are constantly being confronted with the dilemma of ‘if’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ to tell their children living with HIV their status. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of disclosure and explore the barriers caregivers face in disclosing HIV status to children living with HIV in Gombe, northeast Nigeria. Methods We conducted a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods study at the specialist Paediatric HIV clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, northeast Nigeria. The quantitative component was a cross sectional, questionnaire-based study that consecutively recruited 120 eligible primary caregivers of children (6–17 years) living with HIV. The qualitative component adopted an in-depth one-on-one interview approach with 17 primary caregivers. Primary caregivers were purposively select...

Research paper thumbnail of Causes and Predictors of Mortality among HIV-Exposed Infants in Rural North-Central Nigeria: Results of a Simple Verbal Autopsy Survey

Background HIV-exposed infants (HEI) who die before diagnosis or treatment initiation, or who die... more Background HIV-exposed infants (HEI) who die before diagnosis or treatment initiation, or who die in spite of being HIV-free constitute missed opportunities for reducing infant mortality. Verbal autopsy (VA) has been successfully applied in the collection of data to determine symptoms and circumstances surrounding death among infants, children and adults among populations that lack vital registration systems. There is little available data on rates and causes of death among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) in Nigeria. We used VA to characterize attributable causes and predictors of mortality among HEI in rural North-Central Nigeria.Methods Pregnant women living with HIV and HEI were enrolled at rural primary healthcare facilities and followed-up for 12 months, post-delivery. A simple 21-item VA instrument was used to collect infant mortality information from mothers, other family members, mentor mothers, and/or healthcare workers. Attributable causes of death were determined by physician c...

Research paper thumbnail of Dual Carriage of Hepatitis B Surface and Envelope Antigen in Adults in the Poorest Region of Nigeria: 2000-2015

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, Feb 25, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Trends in Bacterial Blood Culture Isolates and Resistance in Children in Two Microbiologic Eras from a Tertiary Health Facility in North East Nigeria

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Research paper thumbnail of Bacterial Blood Isolates in Children: Conventional vs. Bactec Automated Blood Culture System in a Tertiary Health Centre in Gombe, North East Nigeria

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Background/Aim: Blood culture is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of blood stream infectio... more Background/Aim: Blood culture is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of blood stream infections (BSIs) especially in children. BSIs are among the most common cause of morbidity/mortality and blood culture has remained the gold standard for diagnosis. We sought to compare Blood Culture Isolates (BCI) from conventional and Bactec automated blood culture system (ABCS) among paediatric patients at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG) Nigeria. Methods: BCI in children (0-18 years) by conventional method from 2008-2012 and Bactec Automated culture system from 2015-2020 were retrieved from the clinical microbiology laboratory register. Information analyzed included, age, sex, month, and year and blood culture isolates. Results: There were 5276 (56.9% males, 43.1% females) and 1169 (54% males, 46% females) Blood Culture Isolates by CM and ABCS respectively. Overall positive culture isolates were 9.7% (515/5276) in CM and 45.9% (536/1169) in ABCS (p = 0.01). Positivity rate in newborn was 13.3% (282/2114) by CM and 40.9% (219/263) by ABCS p = 0.01; under-5 was 10.5% (448/4253) vs. 37% (359/873) (p = 0.01); Gram positive 32.6% (172) vs. 65% (759) (p = 0.01; Gram negative 55% (2910) vs. 34% (397) (p = 0.01). Staph aureus 22% (114/515) by CM vs. 61.9% (332/536)) by ABCS (p = 0.01); Klebsiella 24.9% (128/515) by CM vs. 7.5% (40/536) p = 0.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 1 of "What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?": a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Additional file 1. Pretested quantitative data collection questionnaire

Research paper thumbnail of Transitioning to Automated Microbiologic Era: Blood Culture Isolates in Children and Adults in Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, North East Nigeria 2016-2020

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology

Introduction: Automated blood culture systems for incubation and growth monitoring have become th... more Introduction: Automated blood culture systems for incubation and growth monitoring have become the standard in high-income countries (HICs), but are still relatively expensive and not universally available for implementation in most low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). We aimed to report blood culture isolates using Automated technique in children and adults admitted into the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe from 2016 to 2020. Materials and Methods: Blood Culture Isolates in children (0-18 years) and adults (>19 yrs) by Bactec 9050 Automated culture system from 2016-2020 were retrieved from the medical and laboratory register. Information analyzed included, age, sex, month, and year and culture growth and reported antibiotic sensitivity. A Bactec Blood culture tests is 20inthisfacility.InNigeria,theminimummonthlywageis20 in this facility. In Nigeria, the minimum monthly wage is 20inthisfacility.InNigeria,theminimummonthlywageis70 (Official currency exchange rate is N423/US Dollar). Results: Of the 1713 blood cultures performed, children 0-18 years were 1322 (77.2%) and adult (19 years above) (22.8%). Overall positivity was 733 (42.2%) with males 385 (52.5%). Of the 1322 Blood cultures (BC) in children 615 (46.5%) were positive for isolates and adults 118 (30.2)%. Blood culture positivity decreased with increasing age with newborns 251 (34.5%) and adults > 65 years 18 (2.5%). Staphylococcus aureus constituted 61.3% of all isolates and was the leading isolates in all age groups; Alkaligenes (9.1%); Citrobacter

Research paper thumbnail of High Rate of Dual Carriage of Hepatitis B Surface and Envelope Antigen in Gombe in Infants and Young Children, North-East Nigeria: 2000-2015

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children at a Tertiary Hospital in Gombe, North-East Nigeria

Jewel Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Globally, Group A ß-Haemolytic Streptococcus (GAßHS) pharyngitis and its complication... more Background: Globally, Group A ß-Haemolytic Streptococcus (GAßHS) pharyngitis and its complications are major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The diagnosis and treatment of GAßHS pharyngitis in these countries is often empirical resulting in frequent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Determining the local prevalence and clinical presentations of GAßHS pharyngitis will be essential for making informed clinical decision. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and clinical presentations of GAßHS among children with pharyngitis at a tertiary hospital in Gombe, North-eastern Nigeria. Methods: 324 children aged 3-18 years were consecutively recruited at the out-patient clinic between 1st April 2018 to 30th September 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical features were recorded and throat swab samples were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar to diagnose GAßHS.Result: The prevalence of GAßHS pharyngitis w...

Research paper thumbnail of Determinants of discharge against medical advice amongst neonates admitted at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria

Nigerian journal of paediatrics, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Spectrum of Poisoning and Outcome among Children in a Tertiary Hospital, North-East Nigeria: A 20 Years Restrospective Review, 2000-2019

Open Journal of Pediatrics, 2022

Introduction: Acute poisoning in children is cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. It is ... more Introduction: Acute poisoning in children is cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. It is a Paediatrics emergency with significant economic cost. There are epidemiological differences in acute poisonings in children evaluated in Emergency departments across different countries and regions of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of poisoning in children in our health facility during the period 2000-2019. Methodology: Case notes of children 6 months to 18 years managed for acute poisoning from January 2000 to December 2019 at Paediatrics unit, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG), were analysed. The International classification of Disease ICD 10 was used. Ethical Clearance was obtained. Results: 26,716 children were admitted with 76 cases of Acute poisoning giving a prevalence rate of 2.8/1000 children. 56.6% (43) were males. 63.2% (48) of children were <5 years of age. 69.7% (53) were urban dwellers and 59.2% (45) from low socioeconomic class. 52.6% (40) of poisoning occurred in rainy season. 97.3% (74) of children had unintentional poisoning. Organophosphates 22.3% (17) and kerosine 22.3% (17) were the most common substances ingested. Snakebite and corrosive ingestion occurred in 13.1% and 11.8% of children respectively. Ingestion was the route in 84.2% of cases. 75.0% (57) of poisoning occurred at home. ACP occurred in children aged 1-5 years (p-value = 0.025); More in Children from low socioeconomic status (p-value = 0.001) and urban settings (p-value = 0.001). There was no statistically significant relation between type of poisoning and gender p = 0.839, season p = 0.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 1 of Inequities in child survival in Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goal era: insights from analysis of 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Additional file 1: Table S1. Differentials of age-specific childhood mortality rates, 2016/2017 M... more Additional file 1: Table S1. Differentials of age-specific childhood mortality rates, 2016/2017 MICS, Nigeria.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 2 of "What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?": a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Additional file 2. Qualitative interview guide

Research paper thumbnail of Rate, Indications and Outcome of Blood Transfusion in Neonates at Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

West African journal of medicine, 2021

BACKGROUND Blood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure with varying indications. Neonates, especi... more BACKGROUND Blood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure with varying indications. Neonates, especially the extremely preterm are among the most frequent recipients of blood products. The indications could be from anaemia of prematurity or pathological causes such as haemolysis from ABO or rhesus incompatibility, neonatal sepsis and acute haemorrhage, among others. OBJECTIVE To determine the rate, indications and outcome of blood transfusion in neonates at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY The study was retrospective and included 96 neonates who received blood transfusion at the SCBU of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe from January, 2015 to December, 2019. Data was extracted from patients' medical records and analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 24. RESULTS The prevalence of blood transfusion was 3.5% with top up blood transfusion being the most frequent, 63 (65.6%), form. Half of the patients, 48(50%), received fresh whole blood while 45 (46.9%) received ...

Research paper thumbnail of HIV Viral Suppression in Children in a Subnational Antiretroviral Treatment Programme in Nigeria

World Journal of AIDS, 2020

Background: Despite years of Paediatric Antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria, the National implement... more Background: Despite years of Paediatric Antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria, the National implementation plan for the scale up of viral load testing was only rece ntly launched. Viral load determination is the most important indicator of ART response. Material & methods: First viral load samples were collected from 663 children living with HIV between December 2017-Decemb er 2019 aged 0 - 18 years on highly active antiretroviral therapy from 4 states within Nigeria. Samples were analyzed at a Polymerase Chain Reaction laboratory of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Results: Males were 311 (46.9%) and 352 (53.1%) female. Children aged 0 - 9 years constituted 44.9% (298); 55.1% (365) were aged 10 - 18 years. This first viral load was primarily routine in 94 .2% (625); 2.9% (19) of children respectively had suspected clinical or immunological failure. ART combination was AZT/3TC/NVP in 78.1% (518/663) of CLHIV; TDF/3TC/EFV in 21.2% (141); AZT/3TC/LPV/rtv in 4 (0.6%). Prior to initiati...

Research paper thumbnail of Phenotypic Detection of Methicillin and Inducible Clindamycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: An Effort to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance and Improve Patient Safety in Gombe, Nigeria

Annals of Basic and Medical Sciences, 2021

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to patient safety. Methicillin and... more Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to patient safety. Methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus are important multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Timely reporting of MDROs is necessary for rational antibiotic prescription and in combating AMR. We present the prevalence and distribution of Methicillin and inducible clindamycin resistant (iCR) isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Gombe Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 260 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG). Isolates identification was done using conventional biochemical methods. Methicillin resistance was detected by cefoxitin disc diffusion method while iCR isolates by erythromycin and clindamycin disc approximation test (D-test). Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 178 (68.5%)...

Research paper thumbnail of Spectrum of Congenital Malformations in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe: A Ten-Year Review

BACKGROUND Congenital malformations remain a leading cause of death in the neonatal period. The i... more BACKGROUND Congenital malformations remain a leading cause of death in the neonatal period. The incidences of Congenital Malformations have been reported in other parts of Nigeria but there is paucity of data on Congenital Malformations in North-Eastern Nigeria. This review aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of Congenital Malformations in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria. METHODS A retrospective review of records of all patients admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe who had a diagnosis of Congenital Malformations over a period of ten years (May 29, 2000-May 29, 2010) was carried out. RESULTS Out of the 3,744 admissions during the period, 219 had congenital malformations, but 4 patients did not have complete information and were excluded from analysis. Two hundred and fifteen (215) were analyzed giving a prevalence of 5.7%. Among the subjects, 131(60.9%) were male and 84 (39.1%) female giving a male to female ratio ...

Research paper thumbnail of Changing patterns of gender inequities in childhood mortalities during the Sustainable Development Goals era in Nigeria: findings from an artificial neural network analysis

BMJ Open, 2021

Objectives In line with the child survival and gender equality targets of Sustainable Development... more Objectives In line with the child survival and gender equality targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and 5, we aimed to: (1) estimate the age and sex-specific mortality trends in child-related SDG indicators (ie, neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR)) over the 1960s–2017 period, and (2) estimate the expected annual reduction rates needed to achieve the SDG-3 targets by projecting rates from 2018 to 2030. Design Group method of data handling-type artificial neural network (GMDH-type ANN) time series. Methods This study used an artificial intelligence time series (GMDH-type ANN) to forecast age-specific childhood mortality rates (neonatal and under-five) and sex-specific U5MR from 2018 to 2030. The data sets were the yearly historical mortality rates between 1960s and 2017, obtained from the World Bank website. Two scenarios of mortality trajectories were simulated: (1) status quo scenarios—assuming the current trend continues; and (2) accelerat...

Research paper thumbnail of Low Level of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria 2000-2014: Imperative for Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling for Hepatitis B Virus?

Open Journal of Epidemiology, 2020

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge that requires an urgent response... more Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge that requires an urgent response. Reducing mortality requires major scale-up in prevention, testing and treatment access; coverage in HBV vaccination, testing and treatment is low and must accelerate massively to achieve the 2030 targets. Less than 1% of HBV-infected individuals are diagnosed in Sub-Sahara Africa, despite the availability of rapid tests with good diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: This was retrospective cross sectional study conducted in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, in North East Nigeria. All children and adults who presented to the outpatient departments, and those that were admitted irrespective of their HIV and or Hepatitis C virus status and had Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis B envelope antigen test were conducted between 2000 to 2015. All children and adults were tested using the Hospital standard for Hepatitis B surface antigen test strip. Results: Between 2000 and 2014, 739,456 children and adults were admitted and reviewed in the outpatient units of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe; there were 685,552 adults and 53,904 children. Children constituted 7.3% (53,904/739,456) of admissions and outpatient consultations.

Research paper thumbnail of Inequities in child survival in Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goal era: insights from analysis of 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

BMC Public Health, 2020

Background Child survival is a major concern in Nigeria, as it contributes 13% of the global unde... more Background Child survival is a major concern in Nigeria, as it contributes 13% of the global under-five mortalities. Although studies have examined the determinants of under-five mortality in Nigeria, the comparative roles of social determinants of health at the different stages of early childhood development have not been concurrently investigated. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the social determinants of age-specific childhood (0–59 months) mortalities, which are disaggregated into neonatal mortality (0–27 days), post-neonatal mortality (1–11 months) and child mortality (12–59 months), and estimate the within-and between-community variations of mortality among under-five children in Nigeria. This study provides evidence to guide stakeholders in planning for effective child survival strategies in the Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goals era. Methods Using the 2016/2017 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, we performed multilevel multinomial ...

Research paper thumbnail of “What will my child think of me if he hears I gave him HIV?”: a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods approach on the predictors and experience of caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

BMC Public Health, 2020

Background With increasing access to effective Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), the proportion of c... more Background With increasing access to effective Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), the proportion of children who survive into later childhood with HIV has increased. Consequently, caregivers are constantly being confronted with the dilemma of ‘if’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ to tell their children living with HIV their status. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of disclosure and explore the barriers caregivers face in disclosing HIV status to children living with HIV in Gombe, northeast Nigeria. Methods We conducted a sequential, explanatory, mixed-methods study at the specialist Paediatric HIV clinic of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, northeast Nigeria. The quantitative component was a cross sectional, questionnaire-based study that consecutively recruited 120 eligible primary caregivers of children (6–17 years) living with HIV. The qualitative component adopted an in-depth one-on-one interview approach with 17 primary caregivers. Primary caregivers were purposively select...

Research paper thumbnail of Causes and Predictors of Mortality among HIV-Exposed Infants in Rural North-Central Nigeria: Results of a Simple Verbal Autopsy Survey

Background HIV-exposed infants (HEI) who die before diagnosis or treatment initiation, or who die... more Background HIV-exposed infants (HEI) who die before diagnosis or treatment initiation, or who die in spite of being HIV-free constitute missed opportunities for reducing infant mortality. Verbal autopsy (VA) has been successfully applied in the collection of data to determine symptoms and circumstances surrounding death among infants, children and adults among populations that lack vital registration systems. There is little available data on rates and causes of death among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) in Nigeria. We used VA to characterize attributable causes and predictors of mortality among HEI in rural North-Central Nigeria.Methods Pregnant women living with HIV and HEI were enrolled at rural primary healthcare facilities and followed-up for 12 months, post-delivery. A simple 21-item VA instrument was used to collect infant mortality information from mothers, other family members, mentor mothers, and/or healthcare workers. Attributable causes of death were determined by physician c...