<strong>Introduction:</strong> The evaluation of COVID-19 prevalence among healthcare workers (HCW) within the general population of COVID-19 cases is an important epidemiologic variable. The objective of ...<strong>Introduction:</strong> The evaluation of COVID-19 prevalence among healthcare workers (HCW) within the general population of COVID-19 cases is an important epidemiologic variable. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence and patterns of COVID-19 infection in HCWs amongst a group of patients receiving care for COVID-19 in Rivers state, Nigeria. <strong>Methods:</strong> This study was a prospective descriptive study of all consenting patients who received care through hospitals, designated for COVID-19 treatment in Rivers state either as in-patient or out-patient following a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 based on a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR from April to September 2020. <strong>Results:</strong> A total number of 646 COVID-19 patients were enrolled over the study period with 98 (15.2%) HCWs in the patient population. The HCWs with COVID-19 consisted largely of Doctors 47 (47.9%), Nurses 30 (30.6%), and socio-sanitary and hygiene workers 10 (10.2%). There were 46 (46.9%) female HCWs, compared to Non-HCWs with 112 (21.1%), females, p = 0.000. Sixty-eight (69.4%) HCWs had a source of contact for infection established compared to Non-HCWs with an established source of contact in 181 (34.2%), p = 0.000. Eight (8.2%) HCWs had Severe disease compared to 52 (9.8%) Non-HCWs with severe disease, p = 0.670. The case fatality in HCWs was 1% compared to 1.9% in Non-HCWs, p = 0.554. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The prevalence of COVID-19 among HCWs in the study location is high with clinical and clinical support staff particularly, doctors and nurses are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. This calls for action to improve and prevent HCWs infections in hospital settings in addition to improving HCW infection prevention behaviour in the community. The intensification of risk communication, provision of protective equipment (PPE), and training on the appropriate use of PPE;in addition to routine surveillance for infection is recommended.展开更多
Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify mitigating effects of the antioxidants α tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) on lead induced renal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: A total...Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify mitigating effects of the antioxidants α tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) on lead induced renal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 36 mature male Wistar rats separated into 1 control group fed with rat feeds and water only and 3 study groups fed with 10 mg/ml of lead acetate, 10 mg/ml of lead acetate + 200 mg/2ml of vitamin C and 10 mg/ml of lead acetate + 100 mg/2ml of vitamin E respectively in addition to feds and water for 28 days were used. Blood samples were obtained for renal indices and the kidneys of all rats were harvested, weighed and prepared for histological examination. Result: The percentage weight gain was highest among control rats (20.70%), followed by lead + vitamin E group (18.42%), lead + vitamin C group (17.00%) and the least amongst the lead group (9.50%). The mean serum uric acid of 419.20 ± 35.80 μmol/L in the lead treatment group was significantly higher than 395.50 ± 15.35 μmol/L, 393.30 ± 14.16 μmol/L and 387.67 ± 14.56 μmol/L in the lead + vitamin C group, lead + vitamin E group and controls respectively. The extent and proportion of renal tissue damage was higher in the lead-treated group and the commonest renal abnormalities observed were tubular and interstitial damage seen in 90.00% of rats in the lead-treated group compared to 75.00% and 60.00% in the lead + vitamin C and the lead + vitamin E groups respectively while the control rats had a normal histological appearance. Conclusions: The sub-acute administration of lead acetate may have inhibitory effect on growth of animals, and adversely affect renal function and histology with uric acid as a more reliable marker of lead induced renal toxicity compared to urea and creatinine. The histologic parameters of tubulointerstitial abnormalities were also consistent with lead toxicity. Antioxidants were useful in reducing lead induced renal damage and growth inhibition with vitamin E producing a more potent effect compared to Vitamin C.展开更多
Objective: There is a paucity of evidence on the lead exposure and blood pressure association in Nigeria where lead exposure is still prevalent and poorly regulated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ass...Objective: There is a paucity of evidence on the lead exposure and blood pressure association in Nigeria where lead exposure is still prevalent and poorly regulated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between lead exposure using blood lead level and blood pressure in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional comparative study of adult subjects with occupational lead exposure and controls, performed in Port Harcourt, South-south Nigeria. Blood lead measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used as the biomarker of lead exposure while systolic and diastolic blood pressures and other relevant variables were measured and analysed. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in lead exposed subjects 118.49 (14.67) mmHg compared to controls 113.62 (11.31) mmHg (p = 0.008). No difference was observed in the mean diastolic blood pressure. A higher proportion of subjects had systolic and diastolic pressure > 140 mmHg and >90 mmHg compared to controls 9.47% vs. 1.25% and 10.51% vs. 2.54%, with (p = 0.016), OR = 8.27 , RR = 1.38 and (p = 0.028), OR = 4.59 , RR = 1.33 respectively. There was no significant statistical correlation between blood lead and blood pressure. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a significant systolic blood pressure elevation and prevalence of hypertension among lead exposed workers in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Lager longitudinal research is needed to evaluate lead exposure and elevated blood pressure association in Nigeria. The findings call for better regulation of occupational lead exposure in Nigeria.展开更多
文摘<strong>Introduction:</strong> The evaluation of COVID-19 prevalence among healthcare workers (HCW) within the general population of COVID-19 cases is an important epidemiologic variable. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence and patterns of COVID-19 infection in HCWs amongst a group of patients receiving care for COVID-19 in Rivers state, Nigeria. <strong>Methods:</strong> This study was a prospective descriptive study of all consenting patients who received care through hospitals, designated for COVID-19 treatment in Rivers state either as in-patient or out-patient following a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 based on a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR from April to September 2020. <strong>Results:</strong> A total number of 646 COVID-19 patients were enrolled over the study period with 98 (15.2%) HCWs in the patient population. The HCWs with COVID-19 consisted largely of Doctors 47 (47.9%), Nurses 30 (30.6%), and socio-sanitary and hygiene workers 10 (10.2%). There were 46 (46.9%) female HCWs, compared to Non-HCWs with 112 (21.1%), females, p = 0.000. Sixty-eight (69.4%) HCWs had a source of contact for infection established compared to Non-HCWs with an established source of contact in 181 (34.2%), p = 0.000. Eight (8.2%) HCWs had Severe disease compared to 52 (9.8%) Non-HCWs with severe disease, p = 0.670. The case fatality in HCWs was 1% compared to 1.9% in Non-HCWs, p = 0.554. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The prevalence of COVID-19 among HCWs in the study location is high with clinical and clinical support staff particularly, doctors and nurses are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. This calls for action to improve and prevent HCWs infections in hospital settings in addition to improving HCW infection prevention behaviour in the community. The intensification of risk communication, provision of protective equipment (PPE), and training on the appropriate use of PPE;in addition to routine surveillance for infection is recommended.
文摘Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify mitigating effects of the antioxidants α tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) on lead induced renal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 36 mature male Wistar rats separated into 1 control group fed with rat feeds and water only and 3 study groups fed with 10 mg/ml of lead acetate, 10 mg/ml of lead acetate + 200 mg/2ml of vitamin C and 10 mg/ml of lead acetate + 100 mg/2ml of vitamin E respectively in addition to feds and water for 28 days were used. Blood samples were obtained for renal indices and the kidneys of all rats were harvested, weighed and prepared for histological examination. Result: The percentage weight gain was highest among control rats (20.70%), followed by lead + vitamin E group (18.42%), lead + vitamin C group (17.00%) and the least amongst the lead group (9.50%). The mean serum uric acid of 419.20 ± 35.80 μmol/L in the lead treatment group was significantly higher than 395.50 ± 15.35 μmol/L, 393.30 ± 14.16 μmol/L and 387.67 ± 14.56 μmol/L in the lead + vitamin C group, lead + vitamin E group and controls respectively. The extent and proportion of renal tissue damage was higher in the lead-treated group and the commonest renal abnormalities observed were tubular and interstitial damage seen in 90.00% of rats in the lead-treated group compared to 75.00% and 60.00% in the lead + vitamin C and the lead + vitamin E groups respectively while the control rats had a normal histological appearance. Conclusions: The sub-acute administration of lead acetate may have inhibitory effect on growth of animals, and adversely affect renal function and histology with uric acid as a more reliable marker of lead induced renal toxicity compared to urea and creatinine. The histologic parameters of tubulointerstitial abnormalities were also consistent with lead toxicity. Antioxidants were useful in reducing lead induced renal damage and growth inhibition with vitamin E producing a more potent effect compared to Vitamin C.
文摘Objective: There is a paucity of evidence on the lead exposure and blood pressure association in Nigeria where lead exposure is still prevalent and poorly regulated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between lead exposure using blood lead level and blood pressure in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional comparative study of adult subjects with occupational lead exposure and controls, performed in Port Harcourt, South-south Nigeria. Blood lead measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used as the biomarker of lead exposure while systolic and diastolic blood pressures and other relevant variables were measured and analysed. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in lead exposed subjects 118.49 (14.67) mmHg compared to controls 113.62 (11.31) mmHg (p = 0.008). No difference was observed in the mean diastolic blood pressure. A higher proportion of subjects had systolic and diastolic pressure > 140 mmHg and >90 mmHg compared to controls 9.47% vs. 1.25% and 10.51% vs. 2.54%, with (p = 0.016), OR = 8.27 , RR = 1.38 and (p = 0.028), OR = 4.59 , RR = 1.33 respectively. There was no significant statistical correlation between blood lead and blood pressure. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a significant systolic blood pressure elevation and prevalence of hypertension among lead exposed workers in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Lager longitudinal research is needed to evaluate lead exposure and elevated blood pressure association in Nigeria. The findings call for better regulation of occupational lead exposure in Nigeria.
