ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop and validate a symptom prediction tool for COVID-19 test positivity in Nigeria.DesignPredictive modelling study.SettingAll Nigeria States and the Federal Capital Territory.ParticipantsA cohort of 43 221 individuals within the national COVID-19 surveillance dataset from 27 February to 27 August 2020. Complete dataset was randomly split into two equal halves: derivation and validation datasets. Using the derivation dataset (n=21 477), backward multivariable logistic regression approach was used to identify symptoms positively associated with COVID-19 positivity (by real-time PCR) in children (≤17 years), adults (18–64 years) and elderly (≥65 years) patients separately.Outcome measuresWeighted statistical and clinical scores based on beta regression coefficients and clinicians’ judgements, respectively. Using the validation dataset (n=21 744), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) values were used to assess the predictive capacity of individual symptoms, unweighted score and the two weighted scores.ResultsOverall, 27.6% of children (4415/15 988), 34.6% of adults (9154/26 441) and 40.0% of elderly (317/792) that had been tested were positive for COVID-19. Best individual symptom predictor of COVID-19 positivity was loss of smell in children (AUROC 0.56, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.56), either fever or cough in adults (AUROC 0.57, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.58) and difficulty in breathing in the elderly (AUROC 0.53, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.58) patients. In children, adults and the elderly patients, all scoring approaches showed similar predictive performance.ConclusionsThe predictive capacity of various symptom scores for COVID-19 positivity was poor overall. However, the findings could serve as an advocacy tool for more investments in resources for capacity strengthening of molecular testing for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background Previous studies have reported that general anxiety disorder manifestations differ in diverse settings. Objective To determine and compare the prevalence of anxiety disorders among in-school adolescents in urban and rural areas of Anambra State. Methods A total of 1187 in-school adolescents were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. The study instrument was an interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire adopted from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Data were analyzed with the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Result One hundred and twenty of the participants out of the 1187 (10.1%) were found to have generalized anxiety disorders using GAD-7 as screening tool. The prevalence of anxiety revealed that urban participants had a higher prevalence compared to their rural counterparts (11% vs 8.8%), while females had a higher prevalence compared to the males in the ratio of 3:2 (or 12% vs 8%). The prevalence of anxiety disorders among females was higher than that of males even when compared based on a rural and urban settings. When all other variables are held constant, urban participants were found to have a 50% higher chance of being identified with anxiety disorders compared to their rural participants (OR = 1.500, C.I.:1.002–2.246, p = 0.049). Conclusion Anxiety disorder was found in 10% of the participants. The females have a higher propensity to exhibit anxiety disorder than the males. Anxiety status affects how adolescents view their general health.

Background: Previous studies have reported that anxiety disorder manifestations differ in diverse settings. Objective: To determine and compare the prevalence of anxiety disorders among in-school adolescents in urban and rural areas of Anambra State. Methods: A total of 1187 in-school adolescents were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. The study instrument was an interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire adopted from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Data were analyzed with the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Result: One hundred and twenty of the participants out of the 1187 (10.1%) were found to be with anxiety disorders. The prevalence of anxiety revealed that urban participants had a higher prevalence compared to their rural counterparts (11% vs 8.8%), while females had a higher prevalence compared to the males in the ratio of 3:2 (or 12% vs 8%). The prevalence of anxiety disorders among females was higher than that of males even when compared based on a rural and urban settings. When all other variables are held constant, urban participants were found to have a 50% higher chance of being identified with anxiety disorders compared to their rural participants (OR=1.500, C.I.:1.002-2.246, p=0.049). Conclusion: Anxiety disorder was found in 10% of the participants. The females have a higher propensity to exhibit anxiety disorder than the males. Anxiety status affects how adolescents view their general health.

Aim: To assess the outcome of haematological and haemostatic indices in hospitalized Yellow Fever Positive patients treated using levels of full blood count, platelet count and other red cell indices at the Centre for Communicable Disease and Research (CCDCR) Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Study Design:  Retrospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Communicable Disease Control and Research (CCDCR), Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Nigeria, between August and December 2020. Methodology: Descriptive data was collected from the records of fifty-six (56) patients aged 16 – 65 years who were hospitalized and treated at the CCDCR FMC Asaba, within the months of August to December, 2020 and 56 non-Yellow Fever subjects as control subjects. The patients’ samples were previously collected and analyzed for haematological parameters (neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelet count, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), using an automated haematology analyzer. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and P values less than .05 were considered statistically significant.  Results: There were higher levels of total white blood cell count, eosinophil and MCH in hospitalized yellow fever patients when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was a lower level in platelet count of hospitalized yellow fever patients when compared with non-yellow fever control subjects (P < 0.05).  There was no significant difference in other haematological indices assayed which appeared normal (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be inferred that yellow fever can be associated with several haematological derangements which this study has succeeded to lay bare. Understanding these characteristics aids in planning therapy, management of patients as well as monitoring outcome.

Background: Yellow fever is transmitted primarily to humans and non-human primates through the bite of an infected female mosquito Aedes Spp. It is prevented mainly by vaccination. Method: This retrospective observational study at the Center for Communicable Disease Control and Research (CCDCR) Federal Medical Center Asaba (F.M.C) was conducted on all patients diagnosed and managed with yellow fever in the year 2020. We studied a total number of 57 patients' case files seen within the period. A chi-square test was done to test the null and alternative hypotheses. Result: About 48 (84.2%) males and female 9 (15.8%) females were mostly affected and gender was significant with a chi-squared value of 26.6 and p-value of 0.00. Conclusion: To eradicate this virus, vaccination and health promotions should be encouraged by the health care workers supported by the government. This is to ensure that a greater proportion of the affected community can be immunized.