Introduction: The COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has infected over 74 million people, killing more than 1,600,000 million people around the world as of 17th December 2020. Accumulation of free radicals coupled by weakened antioxidant system leads to oxidative stress, which will further worsen respiratory diseases, COVID-19 inclusive. This study aimed to examine the levels of some antioxidants and oxidative stress markers in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study in which 50 COVID-19 symptomatic patients who were on admission at the COVID-19 isolation center in Jigawa, Northwestern Nigeria, were recruited. Twenty one (21) apparently healthy individuals were included as controls. Levels of antioxidant trace elements (Se, Zn, Mg, Cu and Cr), 8-isoprostaglandin F2 alpha and malondialdehyde in the plasma and erythrocytes activity of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were determined. Results: The plasma concentrations of vitamins A, C and E were significantly lower ( p < 0.001) in COVID-19 patients than controls. Activities of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were lower in COVID-19 subjects than controls ( p < 0.001). The concentrations of Se, Zn, Mg and Cu were significantly lower ( p < 0.001; p = 0.039; p < 0.001; and p < 0.001), respectively, in COVID-19 patients than controls, while chromium showed no significant difference ( p = 0.605). Oxidative stress marker, 8-isoprostaglandin F2 alpha, was significantly higher ( p = 0.049), while malondialdehyde was lower ( p < 0.001) in COVID-19 patients than controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, COVID-19 patients are prone to depleted levels of antioxidant substances due to their increase utilization in counterbalancing the negative effect of free radicals. Furthermore, COVID-19 infection with other comorbidities, such as malaria, hypertension and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing oxidative stress.

Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix-the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of human papilloma virus and sexual transmitted infections play major roles in the development of cancer. A systematic review on cervical cancer incidence and mortality rate shows that the scarcity of information reveals a substantial need for further studies on cervical cancer prevalence and mortality with associated risk factors. The present study aimed at investigating the prevalence and of cervical cancer among women in Jigawa, Northwestern Nigeria. This was a retrospective analytical study conducted at Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria. Data of590 subjects retrieved from histopathology laboratory and the subjects’ case files were retrospectively analyzed. Out of the 590 participants, apart from those with precancerous lesion, 80 (13.6%) - tested positive for cervical cancer, of the 80 positive patients, age group 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and above 65 represent 25%, 16.3%, 23.7% and 12.5% of the population respectively. Of the 80 cervical cancer patients, 70% had Squamous cell carcinoma, 18.8% had Adenocarcinoma, while 11.2% constituted the mixed cell carcinoma i.e. adenosquamous carcinoma. Conclusively, the current study revealed 13.6% prevalence of cervical cancer in Jigawa, Northwestern Nigeria. This is alarming and calls for urgent intervention and more studies on the condition.

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