No abstract

Introduction: Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is a serious public health concern and it constitute a major risk factor for transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and human immune deficiency virus. Therefore, regular adherence to standard precautions remains the best strategy advocated by World Health Organization and Centres of Disease Control for controlling occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of HCWs, as it relates to exposure to BBFs and adherence to standard precautions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out within 8 months among primary health care workers. Information on knowledge of exposure to BBFs, standard precaution practices and post-exposure management were collected using interviewers’ administered questionnaire and observational checklist. The study was conducted among two hundred and thirteen health care workers in Ekpoma, Edo State. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS for window, version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical package software. Results: Sixty eight (41.7%) of cleaners and 29(17.8%) of nurses/community health extension workers were aware of blood borne infections associated with occupational exposure to BBFs compared to doctors, 3(1.8%) and laboratory workers, 4(2.5%). It was also found out that majority (74.2%) of the participants had poor knowledge of infection control practices. Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of standard precautions was found to be generally poor. Hence, all health care workers should be trained on the principles of infection control and exposure prevention. Also, relevant authorities need to formulate new strategies to create a favorable working environment that will ensure HCWs adherence to standard precautions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease that was first reported in China in 2019. Since it was reported, it has resulted to close to nine hundred thousand deaths globally. The symptoms and signs of COVID-19 continue to evolve on a daily basis, therefore a knowledge of the common symptoms and other new symptoms is key to early diagnosis and control of this disease. In this report, we present a 30 year-old COVID-19 female patient, who presented with acute unprovoked epistaxis, a week after onset of symptoms (cough, malaise, fatigue) of COVID-19. Considering the evolving symptoms of COVID-19, health care personnel are advised to consider the possibility of COVID-19 in patients presenting with atypical symptoms like sudden unprovoked epistaxis especially during the pandemic period. This report further strengthens the need for more large inter-country studies to be done to completely highlight and harmonize the varying and evolving symptoms of COVID-19.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) potentially affects health-related Quality of Life, Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and is a strong prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in elderly population. PAD commonly affects the elderly but may go undiagnosed in them, probably due to the presence of other morbidities like osteoarthritis and associated muscle spasm. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of PAD in elderly by evaluating the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in elderly patients. Methods. A cross sectional hospital based study was carried out among 370 patients aged 60 years and above attending a Tertiary Hospital from September to November 2017. A systematic random sampling technique was utilized. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, and medical history. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) was used to assess for PAD. Analysis was done using Chi-square test and logistic regression.  Results. The mean age was 69.3±7 years comprising of 76.5% females, 50% of the respondents were married while 47% were widowed. After adjusting for other variables, the result of the multi-logistic regression indicated that only patients with abnormal pedal pulse were more likely to present with PAD than those with normal pedal pulse (OR=10.634, 95% CI=2.4-47.121, p=0.002). Conclusion. The study reveals that abnormal pedal pulses were significant predictors of PAD, therefore it is recommended that regular screening (clinical foot examination and ABI) should be done for elderly to achieve early detection of PAD and facilitate prompt treatment.

COVID-19 vaccination is an effective method for reducing COVID-19 infection rates. Several clinical publications, however, have linked the use of this vaccination to a variety of untoward events.Here we present the case of an 18-year-old adult who developed tetraplegia or quadriplegia, a day after taking the first dose of his Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, despite the absence of any other known triggers or predisposing factors. This finding suggests a link between the Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine and quadriplegia/Acute transverse myelitis.Adults who experience any sort of paresthesia or minor weakness in their limbs after receiving COVD-19 vaccine should seek medical attention right away, and health care providers should be on the lookout for indicators of paralysis.Sufficient evidence is needed to better understand the potential link between COVID-19 immunizations and quadriplegia, and if one is found, the risk must be weighed against the millions of people who have been safely vaccinated, as well as the known morbidity and death associated with COVID-19 infection.As vaccines become more widely available, its critical that all potential adverse reactions be reported so that we can keep an eye out for relatively uncommon but potentially dangerous side effects that were not found in vaccine studies.