Victor Umoh | University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria (original) (raw)

Papers by Victor Umoh

IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 2022

Highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAARTs) are used for the management of human immunodefici... more Highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAARTs) are used for the management of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The present study was designed to characterize the neurotoxicity profile of two popular HAARTs on the brains’ antioxidants and hippocampal microanatomical alterations in an in vivo model. Fifteen adults male Wistar rats, were assigned to three groups (n = 5); group I the normal control (NC) received distilled water (5 mL/kg b.wt), groups II administered with oral therapeutic doses of Efavirenz/ Lamivudine/ Tenofovir disproxil fumerate (TLE 17.14 mg/kg b.wt), and group III with Lamivudine/ Nevirapine/ Zidovudine (LNZ 9.28 mg/kg b.wt), respectively which were available for use in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Nigeria at the time of this experiment. After a 30-day administration, biochemical parameters (catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A, C and E) were determined via serum from blood of ketamine (100 mg/kg, i.p) anesthetized rats. Brains were carefully removed and post-fixed for tissue processing employing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), cresyl fast violet (CFV) stains, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody expression. Results revealed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased antioxidant concentrations and increase in oxidative markers in HAART-administered groups. Normal histoarchitecture was shown in NC, but TLE-administered group demonstrated some neuronal atrophy, and degeneration of pyramidal neurons, with milder distortions in LNZ. TLE-administered group demonstrated intense Nissl substances with chromatolysis compared to LNZ and NC, while GFAP was strongly expressed in TLE-administered group compared to LNZ. In conclusion, TLE is more neurotoxic compared with LNZ.

Paper I Background: Case detection for Tuberculosis remains low in high burden communities. Commu... more Paper I Background: Case detection for Tuberculosis remains low in high burden communities. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the first point of contact for many Nigerians in the rural areas and have been found useful in active case finding. This study assessed the effect of cash incentives and training on tuberculosis case detection by CHWs in six Local Government Areas in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A randomised control trial was conducted in three PHC clusters. The intervention Arm (A) received cash incentives for every presumptive case referred. The Training Arm B had no cash incentives and the control had neither training nor cash incentives. Case notification rates from the TB program were used to assess the effect of cash incentives on TB case finding. Data was analyzed using Graph Pad Prism. Descriptive data was presented in tables and bivariate data was analyzed using chi square. Mean increases in case notification rates was calculated Statistical significance was set...

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2021

Background: The onset of COVID-19 disease pandemic worldwide has been associated with a high leve... more Background: The onset of COVID-19 disease pandemic worldwide has been associated with a high level of psychological distress. Health workers are amongst the high-risk groups for contracting COVID-19 and may be particularly vulnerable to a variety of mental health problems. This study was conducted to determine the psychological impact of the pandemic on mental well-being of Nigerian nurses who are among the frontline health workers in the fight against the disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of nurses in two tertiary healthcare setting. A simple random sample of 111 nurses completed the general healthcare questionnaire (GHQ 12). Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.86±8.2 years, consisting of 38.7% males and 61.3% females. The prevalence of psychological distress was 64.9%. Females had significantly higher psychological distress than males (p=0.003). Also, respondents performing duties in COVID-19 ICU hosting institution had significantly ...

F1000Research, 2021

Background: Intensified efforts to improve tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention... more Background: Intensified efforts to improve tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are needed to meet global EndTB targets. Community health workers’ (CHWs) knowledge with respect to case finding is vital in tuberculosis elimination. This study aimed to determine the effect of tuberculosis training on the knowledge of community health workers in Nigeria. Methods: As part of a larger multicomponent intervention study, a randomised control trial was conducted with CHWs in 18 primary health care (PHC) clusters in Nigeria. The clusters were allocated to three arms: training and cash incentive (A), training only (B), and control (C) arms. Arms (A) and (B) received training on tuberculosis symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment while the control arm (C) did not receive training. Participants’ knowledge on tuberculosis was assessed using questionnaires administered pre- and post-intervention. Data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism. Descriptive data was presented in ta...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic with devastating social and economic co... more The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic with devastating social and economic consequences. The extent of the spread of COVID-19 within populations is uncertain since diagnostic tests have not been carried out on all eligible persons and doing such diagnostic tests on everyone is much less feasible in developing countries such as Nigeria. Tests for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are more affordable, readily available, and require minimal training than current diagnostic tests. Employing a seroepidemiological strategy, serological tests were conducted on 66 volunteering staff and patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), a Federal Government owned tertiary healthcare facility, to determine the extent of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, from 17th to 25th June 2020. Using a COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette with emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, it was observed ...

Open Journal of Nephrology, 2020

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is usually progressive, often resulting in end-stage ren... more Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is usually progressive, often resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The two most common causes of renal disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus contribute greatly to the mobility and mortality associated with CKD. It has been found that lowering BP is effective in reducing cardiovascular events in patient with a moderate reduction in GFR and in those with ESRD on dialysis. The aim of this study was to assess blood pressure control among adult African CKD patients. Method: The case notes of chronic kidney patients who assess care in the renal unit of our Teaching Hospital were retrieved for the study after obtaining informed consent from the ethical unit of the hospital. To be eligible for the study, the patient, must have been attending the renal clinic and on anti-hypertensives for a minimum period of 6 months. Results: Eighty-seven CKD patients (46 males and 41 females) with a mean age of 50.9 ± 13.3 years. The proportion of patients who achieved blood pressure control was 13.79% (95% CI 7.34%-22.85%). Among the pre-dialysis patients, BP control was achieved in 13.64% compared to 14.29% among the patients on dialysis. Nineteen (21.84%) of the patients were on one blood pressure lowering agent; 26 (29.89%) on two; 33 (37.93%) on three; 7 (8.05%) on four and 2 (2.30%) on five. Conclusion: Blood pressure control among African adult CKD patients is difficult with many of them requiring more than two antihypertensive drugs.

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 2018

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1.6 million (1 in 53) Nigerian adults have d... more The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1.6 million (1 in 53) Nigerian adults have diabetes mellitus while 60.7% (949,900) of Nigerian adults with diabetes are undiagnosed. In spite of these worrying projections, current nationwide data on diabetes prevalence to aid policy formulation in Nigeria is non-existent. This was a cross-sectional observational study that recruited 1200 adults residing in the Southern Cross River State. Glucometers were used to measure the fasting capillary glucose of participants, and those with readings ≥ 7 mmol/l were asked to come back the following day for another fasting blood glucose check for confirmation. Those who had two fasting blood glucose readings consistently ≥ 7 mmol/l were classed as having diabetes mellitus and referred to the nearest hospital for further evaluation and management. Blood pressure and waist circumference were also measured. There were 683 (56.9%) females and the mean age of the participants was 41.3 ± 15.3. Using body mass index (BMI), 159 (13.3%) participants were found to be obese. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the tested participants was 6.9%. Univariate analysis was carried out to identify associations with diabetes among the participants. Statistically significant associations were identified between blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg (p = 0.013), local government area (p = 0.001), level of education (p = 0.002), and diabetes. The diabetes mellitus prevalence of 6.9% in this community is much higher than internationally reported estimates for Nigeria and makes a compelling case for further epidemiological studies on diabetes in Nigeria and prioritisation of this disease by health policy makers.

PLOS ONE, 2017

Background Diabetes is now a global epidemic, but most cases are now in low-and middle-income cou... more Background Diabetes is now a global epidemic, but most cases are now in low-and middle-income countries. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is key to enabling patients to manage their chronic condition and can reduce the occurrence of costly and devastating complications. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of different DSME programmes in resource limited settings. Methods We conducted an unblinded, parallel-group, individually-randomised controlled trial at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (Nigeria) to evaluate whether an intensive and systematic DSME programme, using structured guidelines, improved glycaemic control compared to the existing ad hoc patient education (clinical practice was unchanged). Eligible patients (!18 years, HbA 1c > 8.5% and physically able to participate) were randomly allocated by permuted block randomisation to participate for six months in either an intensive or conventional education group. The primary outcome was HbA 1c (%) at six-months. Results We randomised 59 participants to each group and obtained six-month HbA1c outcomes from 53 and 51 participants in the intensive and conventional education groups, respectively. Intensive group participants had a mean six-month HbA 1c (%) of 8.4 (95% CI: 8 to 8.9), while participants in the conventional education group had a mean six-month HbA 1c (%) of 10.2 (95% CI: 9.8 to 10.7). The difference was statistically (P < 0.0001) and clinically significant, with intensive group participants having HbA 1c outcomes on average-1.8

IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, 2013

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the systemic diseases with serious ocular complications. ... more Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the systemic diseases with serious ocular complications. Ocular complications from diabetes mellitus could result from the microangiopathy and changes in the lens largely from poor gylcaemic control. Ocular complications also depend on duration of diabetes and presence or absence of other co-morbid conditions like hypertension. Since majority of the complications occur without prior symptoms, there is need for improved level of awareness in the community. This can only occur from a background of knowledge, hence this study. Materials and method: Interviewer administered questionnaire was administered to 218 consenting diabetic patients who were previously diagnosed or diagnosed in the eye clinic between January 2009 and December 2010. Ocular examination was carried out by the investigator. Result so obtained was analysed using SPSS17.0 statistical package. Result obtained presented as simple tables Results: Of the 218 diabetic patients examined, cataract was the commonest anterior segment finding (56.4%), while non proliferative diabetic retinopathy was commonest posterior segment finding (31%).glaucomatous disc cupping was seen in (11.4%). Conclusion: Diabetic eye complications are a public health problem hence the need for improved level of awareness and development of diabetic screening programmes in our community.

International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2009

Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saha... more Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, despite evidence that penile-vaginal sex cannot account for the epidemic in the region. To investigate correlates of incident HIV infection in Calabar, Nigeria, we surveyed clients at voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres. Participating clients who tested multiple times were generally similar to those testing only once in terms of demographic characteristics, sexual and blood exposures and HIV prevalence. Blood exposures were common. Serial testers had a 10% annual incidence of HIV infection. Seroconverters and seronegative serial testers were similar on most demographic characteristics and sexual exposures. However, seroconverters were more likely than seronegatives to report blood exposures during the test interval, both for most specific exposures as well as summary measures of blood exposures. In particular, seroconverters were substantially more likely to report one of a set of blood exposures that cannot be explained as a consequence of unprotected vaginal sex or of health care for symptoms of HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio = 6.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-38). The study design we used is an inexpensive approach for describing the local epidemiology of HIV transmission and can also serve as the foundation for more definitive investigations that employ contact tracing and sequencing of HIV DNA.

Nigerian Medical Journal : Journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 2020

Context: Access to chronic hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease has improved o... more Context: Access to chronic hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease has improved over the years. However, it is unclear if this has resulted in lower cost and improved dialysis vintage. Aim: We aimed to assess the demographics, cost implication, and sustainability of maintenance hemodialysis in our cohort of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of ESKD patients on maintenance HD from 2014 to 2018 using hemodialysis records. Time-to-HD discontinuation and reasons for discontinuation were recorded. Using Kaplan–Meier graphs, the time-to-dialysis discontinuation experience of the cohort was shown. Log-rank test was used to compare the experience between both genders. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were built to identify independent associations with time-to-dialysis discontinuation. Results: Over the 5-year period, 702 individuals initiated HD, males were older than females, the complete cohort c...

European Respiratory Journal, 2015

Lung India, 2014

Burning of biomass is widely used by the rural poor for energy generation. Long term exposure to ... more Burning of biomass is widely used by the rural poor for energy generation. Long term exposure to biomass smoke is believed to affect lung function and cause respiratory symptoms. Women with long term occupational exposure to burning firewood were recruited from a rural fishing community in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on symptoms of chronic bronchitis and spirometery was performed to measure lung function. Data obtained from the subjects was compared with that from healthy controls. Six hundred and eighty six women were recruited for this study made up of 342 subjects and 346 controls. Sixty eight (19.9%) of the subjects had chronic bronchitis compared with eight (2.3%) of the controls (χ(2) = 54.0, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). The subjects had lower values for the lung function as well as the percentage predicted values (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Fish smoking and chronic bronchitis were significantly associated with predicted lung volumes. Chronic exposure to biomass smoke is associated with chronic bronchitis and reduced lung functions in women engaged in fish smoking.

TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 2014

International Journal of Family Medicine, 2013

Background. Biomass smoke exposure is a known risk factor for chronic bronchitis. Psychiatric com... more Background. Biomass smoke exposure is a known risk factor for chronic bronchitis. Psychiatric comorbidities may have significant impact on the quality of life of patients with chronic bronchitis. Methods. Women who engage in fish preservation by drying over burning firewood in a fishing community were recruited for this survey. The British medical research questionnaire was used to determine chronic bronchitis, and psychological distress was determined using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results. A total of 342 women were recruited for this study and 63 of them had chronic bronchitis. 96 women had features suggestive of psychological distress: 57 (16.6%) women with anxiety, 51 (14.9%) women with depression and 12 women (3.5%) had combined features. Psychological distress was more common among women with chronic bronchitis. Anxiety was significantly associated with chronic bronchitis and the level of biomass exposure while depression was significantly associated with chronic bronchitis, level of exposure, and a history of sleeping in the fish smoking room. Conclusion. Anxiety and depression show significant association with chronic bronchitis among women with biomass smoke exposure with the level of exposure having an aggravating effect on the relationship.

Ulcers, 2013

Diabetic foot disease is a major medical, social, and economic problem. This retrospective study ... more Diabetic foot disease is a major medical, social, and economic problem. This retrospective study assessed the profile of diabetes mellitus patients with foot ulcers in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Nigeria. Admission records of all patients admitted unto the medical wards of UCTH over a 5 year period were analysed. The records of diabetic patients were retrieved. Data on patient characteristics and possible risk factors for diabetes mellitus foot ulcers was extracted. Of the 3,882 patients admitted, 297 (7%) were on account of complications of diabetes mellitus. Foot ulcers accounted for 63 (21.2%) of all diabetic admissions. The elderly constituted the majority of patients admitted with foot ulcers. The average duration of stay of diabetics with foot ulcers was 38.5 days. Diabetics admitted for other conditions had average duration of admission of 15.8 days. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism isolated from swabs of foot ulcers. Most of the organisms identified from ulcer swab cultures were sensitive to quinolones and resistant to penicillins. These diabetic foot ulcers were significantly associated with peripheral sensory neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, intermittent claudication, and walking barefoot. An effective diabetes foot programme is required to address these risk factors and reverse the current trend.

International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2009

Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saha... more Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, despite evidence that penile -vaginal sex cannot account for the epidemic in the region. To investigate correlates of incident HIV infection in Calabar, Nigeria, we surveyed clients at voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres. Participating clients who tested multiple times were generally similar to those testing only once in terms of demographic characteristics, sexual and blood exposures and HIV prevalence. Blood exposures were common. Serial testers had a 10% annual incidence of HIV infection. Seroconverters and seronegative serial testers were similar on most demographic characteristics and sexual exposures. However, seroconverters were more likely than seronegatives to report blood exposures during the test interval, both for most specific exposures as well as summary measures of blood exposures. In particular, seroconverters were substantially more likely to report one of a set of blood exposures that cannot be explained as a consequence of unprotected vaginal sex or of health care for symptoms of HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio ¼ 6.6, 95% confidence interval ¼ 1.2 -38). The study design we used is an inexpensive approach for describing the local epidemiology of HIV transmission and can also serve as the foundation for more definitive investigations that employ contact tracing and sequencing of HIV DNA.

IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 2022

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2021

F1000Research, 2021

Open Journal of Nephrology, 2020

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 2018

PLOS ONE, 2017

IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, 2013

International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2009

Nigerian Medical Journal : Journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 2020

European Respiratory Journal, 2015

Lung India, 2014

TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 2014

International Journal of Family Medicine, 2013

Ulcers, 2013

International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2009

Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saha... more Few types of blood exposures have been assessed in relation to incident HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, despite evidence that penile -vaginal sex cannot account for the epidemic in the region. To investigate correlates of incident HIV infection in Calabar, Nigeria, we surveyed clients at voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres. Participating clients who tested multiple times were generally similar to those testing only once in terms of demographic characteristics, sexual and blood exposures and HIV prevalence. Blood exposures were common. Serial testers had a 10% annual incidence of HIV infection. Seroconverters and seronegative serial testers were similar on most demographic characteristics and sexual exposures. However, seroconverters were more likely than seronegatives to report blood exposures during the test interval, both for most specific exposures as well as summary measures of blood exposures. In particular, seroconverters were substantially more likely to report one of a set of blood exposures that cannot be explained as a consequence of unprotected vaginal sex or of health care for symptoms of HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio ¼ 6.6, 95% confidence interval ¼ 1.2 -38). The study design we used is an inexpensive approach for describing the local epidemiology of HIV transmission and can also serve as the foundation for more definitive investigations that employ contact tracing and sequencing of HIV DNA.