Background Hepatitis B vaccination is the most important preventive measure against Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. Vaccination against HBV infection among healthcare workers is important because of their daily exposure to patients’ body fluids and the possible risk of transmission to other patients. Hence, this study assessed the risk of hepatitis B infection, vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare workers in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2021 using electronic data capture techniques to enroll 857 healthcare workers (HCWs) in regular contact with patients and their samples through a multi-stage sampling method. Results The participants’ mean (SD) age was 38.7 (8.0) years, and 453 (52.9%) were female. Each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria had a fair representation, with a range of 15.3 to 17.7% of the study population. The majority (83.8%) of healthcare workers in Nigeria knew that they were at an increased risk of being infected by their work. Also, 72.2% knew that if infected, there was a high risk of liver cancer in later life. Many participants (642 [74.9%]) responded that they consistently applied standard precautions, such as hand washing, gloves, and face masks while attending to patients. Three hundred and sixty (42.0%) participants were fully vaccinated. Of the 857 respondents, 248 (28.9%) did not receive any dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Factors that were associated with not being vaccinated included age less than 25 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.796, 95% CI 1.119 to 20.547, p = 0.035], being a nurse (AOR 2.346, 95% CI 1.446 to 3.808, p = 0.010), being a health attendant (AOR 9.225, 95% CI 4.532 to 18.778, p = 0.010), and being a healthcare worker from the Southeast (AOR 2.152, 95% CI 1.186 to 3.904, p = 0.012) in Nigeria. Conclusion This study showed a high level of awareness of the risks associated with hepatitis B infection and suboptimal uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the current impact of health insurance coverage on medication adherence and blood pressure control of patients being managed for hypertension in Ghana and Nigeria. Methods: The study was a prospective study among 109 patients with hypertension in two health facilities with similar population dynamics in Ghana and Nigeria. Patients were systematically selected, categorized as having health insurance coverage or not, and followed up monthly for 6 months. The outcome variables (medication adherence and blood pressure control) were then measured and compared at 6 months. Analysis was done using Stata with level of significance set at p ⩽ 0.05. Results: There was a 90% insurance coverage among participants from Ghana compared to 15% from Nigeria. National Health Insurance Authority enrolees in both countries had better blood pressure control and medication adherence compared to non-enrolees (adjusted odds ratio = 2.6 and 4.5, respectively). Conclusion: National Health Insurance Authority enrolment was found to be poor among respondents in Nigeria compared to Ghana. Enrolment into the National health financing schemes in both countries led to better blood pressure control and medication adherence among patients with hypertension at primary health facilities. There is therefore the need for system strengthening to improve their sustainability.

Introduction: The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is rising worldwide with a projected increase of more than 50% in next three decades. Family History of Diabetes (FHD) is a recognised risk factor for DM, but development of DM in relatives of people with the disease, who carry susceptible genes, is dependent on interaction with other factors such as nutrition, physical activity and environment. Aim: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and impact of lifestyle on the CVD risk factors among adult Nigerian with FHD. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among staff and students of Ekiti State University and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Eighty-six participants with FHD were age and sex-matched with 86 participants who had no FHD. Relevant demographic and lifestyle information were obtained, and clinical measurements of Body Mass Index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences and blood pressures were obtained by standard protocols. Fasting plasma glucose and lipid panel were determined. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria (IDF). The clinical, laboratory and other variables of the people with FHD and those without FHD were compared with Pearson’s Chi-Square and Student’s t-test. Results: The age, clinical, anthropometric and laboratory parameters were similar between the two groups. Participants with FHD consume more poultry (17.6% vs 3.5%) and less red meat (27.1% vs 37.2%) than those without FHD (p=0.036), but the level of physical activity and consumption of fruits/vegetables, and smoking did not differ between the two groups. Metabolic syndrome was equally prevalent between the people with or without FHD (p=0.846). There was no significant difference (p>0.05), in the prevalence of CVD risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and obesity between the two groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was similar among people with or without FHD. Healthy lifestyle may explain the lack of excess CVD risk factors among people with FHD.

No abstract

Background: Several observational reports from different parts of the world have shown that systemic hypertension (hypertension) was the single commonest comorbid condition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hypertension is also the most prevalent comorbidity reported among patients who developed severe disease, were admitted to Intensive Care Unit, needed mechanical ventilatory support, or who died on admission. The objective of this systematic review is to study the association between hypertension and specific clinical outcomes of COVID-19 disease which are- development of severe COVID-19 disease, need foradmission in the intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU), need for mechanical ventilation or death Methods: We searched the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases up till June 28, 2020 for original research articles that documented the risk factors of mortality in patients with COVID-19 using the PRISMA guideline. Results: One hundred and eighty-two articles were identified using pre-specified search criteria, of which 33 met the study inclusion criteria. Only three were prospective studies. Most studies documented hypertension as the most prevalent comorbidity. The association of hypertension with development of severe COVID-19 disease was not conclusive, majority of studies however found an associated with mortality. Conclusion: Hypertension affects the clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 disease in many cohorts. Prospective studies are needed to further understand this relationship. Keywords: Hypertension and COVID-19; SARS –Cov-2; severity; mortality; ICU care; mechanical ventilation.