Background: Despite the lack of adequate studies on the safety of drugs in pregnancy, surprisingly, available evidence shows that pregnant women still take large number of drugs. Objectives: The study aim was to determine drug utilization pattern and predictors of number of medications used by pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 369 pregnant women attending a secondary health facility. Data were collect- ed using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics using the Chi-Square test were carried out with level of significance set at p<0.05. Results: Three hundred and sixty-nine women were interviewed. Their mean age was 27.7 years (SD± 4.78) and the mean number of pregnancies was 2.46 (SD± 1.34). On average, 2.62 medications were taken, with the lowest being 1 and the highest being 12 different medications during the course of pregnancy. Those who were on more than 2 medications were more likely to be older than 30 years, had lower education and with history of associated medical conditions. All participants were on one form of supplements or the other, nearly half had used antimalarials, 12.8%, 5.8% 2.4% were on antibiotics, anti-hypertensive and anti-retroviral medications respectively. All the medications prescribed were from category A, B, C, N, and none from category D and X. Conclusion: Varieties of medications were used during the course of pregnancy among this population, however, most of these drugs were still within safety profile. Keywords: Medications; pregnancy; pattern; predictors; co-morbidity.

Background With the improvement in the capacity to diagnose multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) patients due to the increased number of GeneXpert machines in Nigeria, the number of patients diagnosed surpassed the bed capacity at MDR-TB treatment centres. Community DR-TB treatment is an important option to improve access to care for MDR/RR-TB patients. However, few studies have determined the outcome of community management of MDR-TB patients, which this study aims to address. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of MDR/RR-TB patients initiated on treatment in the community in Lagos, Nigeria, between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. Data were retrieved from DR-TB treatment cards/registers. The treatment outcomes of these patients were assessed at the end of treatment and categorized according to national TB guidelines. Results A total of 150 DR-TB patients commenced treatment during the study period. Adherence was 64.7%, with the majority of patients experiencing mild (56.5%) adverse drug events. Treatment was successful in 70% of patients. The only predictor of successful treatment was treatment adherence. Conclusions The study shows that community initiation of MDR-TB treatment is feasible and results in a high treatment success rate. Adherence counselling before and during treatment is essential for a favourable treatment outcome.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nigeria. The emergence of multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis poses a threat to global Tuberculosis control and if not effectively addressed, may wipe out the achievements of previous efforts in controlling Tuberculosis. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with rifampicin resistance amongpatients receiving care for TB at the OlabisiOnabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. Methods: A retrospective study of presumptive Tuberculosis cases managed between January 2013 and December 2016 at the Directly Observed Treatment clinic, OlabisiOnabanjoUniversity Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria,was done. One sputum sample was obtained from each patient for the Gene Xpert® test to diagnoseTB and to determine rifampicin resistance among patients with confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. HIV screening  was also  carried out on all the patients using HIV Rapid Test kits. The sociodemographic data were retrieved from the presumptive Tuberculosis register. Results: A total of 1572 presumptive TB patients were screened for TB, out of which 187 (11.8%) were confirmed to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). A total of 20 (10.7%) of the 187 MTB patients had rifampicin resistance using Gene Xpert® method. Rifampicin resistance rate was significantlyassociated with re-treatment TB category but not with age, sex or HIV status. Conclusion: The study showed rifampicin drug resistance among confirmed TB patients. There is a need to decentralizethe use of  Gene Xpert® test for TB to the peripheral facilities and make it a point of care test for presumptive TB patients.

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Background: Nigeria is 4th among 22 tuberculosis high-burden countries. However, TB is not evenly distributed in the country, presumably due to state-specific risk factors. Objectives: This study maps TB and socioeconomic risk factors in Nigeria. Methods: State-level age/sex standardized tuberculosis notification data was utilized in an ecological design to evaluate the spatial distribution of TB in Nigeria and its social and economic consequences between 2012 and 2015. Negative binomial regression analysis examined the relationship between TB and five state-level covariates: HIV, BCG coverage, GDP per capita, percentage underweight, and percentage treatment success rate. Global and Local Moran’s I test statistics in R were used for spatial analysis. Results: The mean age/sex TB CNR was 54.4/100,000. Non-spatial ecological regression analysis found that TB was greater in states with high HIV, low BCG, low GDP per capita, and low TB death rates. Three states—Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba—had high TB rates and spatially auto-correlated TB CNRs. Conclusions: TB case notification differed by age and gender. Economically-disadvantaged states exhibited higher TB case notification, HIV prevalence, lower BCG coverage, and lower mortality rates. The study found three TB hotspots. To reduce the national TB notification rate discrepancy, TB policies should incorporate social variables and target high-risk states with specific initiatives.