BackgroundAchieving accreditation in laboratories is a challenge in Nigeria like in most African countries. Nigeria adopted the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Stepwise Laboratory (Quality) Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (WHO/AFRO– SLIPTA) in 2010. We report on FHI360 effort and progress in piloting WHO-AFRO recognition and accreditation preparedness in six health facility laboratories in five different states of Nigeria.MethodLaboratory assessments were conducted at baseline, follow up and exit using the WHO/AFRO– SLIPTA checklist. From the total percentage score obtained, the quality status of laboratories were classified using a zero to five star rating, based on the WHO/AFRO quality improvement stepwise approach. Major interventions include advocacy, capacity building, mentorship and quality improvement projects.ResultsAt baseline audit, two of the laboratories attained 1- star while the remaining four were at 0- star. At follow up audit one lab was at 1- star, two at 3-star and three at 4-star. At exit audit, four labs were at 4- star, one at 3-star and one at 2-star rating. One laboratory dropped a ‘star’ at exit audit, while others consistently improved. The two weakest elements at baseline; internal audit (4%) and occurrence/incidence management (15%) improved significantly, with an exit score of 76% and 81% respectively. The elements facility and safety was the major strength across board throughout the audit exercise.ConclusionThis effort resulted in measurable and positive impact on the laboratories. We recommend further improvement towards a formal international accreditation status and scale up of WHO/AFRO– SLIPTA implementation in Nigeria.

Ocular infections have been associated with bacterial contamination of eyeglasses. This study assessed bacterial contaminants associated with the eyeglasses of staffs and students of Babcock University, Ilishan–Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: A few studies have demonstrated the medicinal benefits of Bio-Clean II herbal remedy. The aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and microbiological quality of Bio-Clean II. Materials and Methods: Samples of the herbal remedy were procured from the manufacturer and were analyzed using standard procedure of analysis including sterility test, Spectrophotometry, Atomic Absorption spectroscopy, and gravimetric method. All the batches of Bio-Clean II examined pass sterility test. Physicochemical characterization of the herbal remedy was as follows: pH (6.86), temperature (25oC), relative density (1.08), conductivity (272 uS/cm) and total dissolved solid (163 mg/L). Phytochemical screening of the herbal remedy revealed the presence of the following bioactive secondary metabolites in varied quantity: resin (+), Flavonoids (+++), Saponins (+), Anthraquinones (+++), Tannin (++), Alkaloids (++) and Cardiac Glycoside (++); except for Steroids which was absent (-). Trace elements analysis revealed the presence of the following in varied quantity: Iron (2.526 mg/L), Zinc (0.033 mg/L) and Iodine (0.025 mg/L), except for Copper and Cobalt which were absent. The results of the proximate analysis were as follows: % Moisture (54.25), % Carbohydrate (11.23), % Crude Protein (12.41), % Crude Fat (9.25), % Crude Fibre (10.65) and % Ash Content (2.21). The outcome of the study shows that all the samples of Bio-Clean II examined were of high microbiological quality and therefore poses no microbial threat to the safety of potential consumers; while the presence of appreciable quantities of some important phytochemical compounds and trace elements in the herbal remedy further underscores its medicinal benefits as earlier reported.

Background: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are major causes of diarrhoeal diseases of humans worldwide and are included in the World Health Organization’s ‘Neglected Diseases Initiative’. Aim: This research was designed to assess the prevalence of G. lamblia and C. parvum co-infections among undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: An aggregate of 120 faecal specimens were obtained from 120 partakers (60 females and 60 males) who met the inclusion criteria. The clinical and demographic data of the participants were compiled with the use of patterned survey. Diagnosis was carried out using standard laboratory methods for the detection of these parasites. Results: The outcome of this study shows that there was no record of G. lamblia and C. parvum co-infections among the study participants; however, G. lamblia and C. parvum mono-infection exist among the examined participants with a preponderance of 10% and 4.2%, respectively. There were no substantial differences (P>0.05) in the percentage occurrences of the two parasites established on the individual-level characteristics of the partakers. All participants who tested positive for mono-infection by each parasite had a history of diarrhoea (14.2%). Meanwhile, the 12(10%) participants who tested positive for G. lamblia mono-infection indicated abdominal pain (10), nausea and bloating (2.5%), presence of foul smelling watery stool (0.8%), presence of blood and mucus in stool (0.8%) and weight loss (0.8%). While all the 5 participants who tested positive for C. parvum indicated that they had only abdominal pain (4.2%). Significant risk factors associated with the occurrence of these parasitic infections include: lack of awareness, history of diarrhea, poor toilet hygiene, poor toilet-student ratio, as well as infrequent visits to the hospital for medical check-ups/laboratory tests. Conclusion: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum co-infection does .......

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in newborns is one of the leading causes of infant mortality globally and accounted for about 1.8million childhood deaths in 2010. Despite international interventions aimed at reducing pediatric infections at antenatal clinic entry points, however, there is still limited access and utilization of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services resulting in low target coverage due to obstacles existing at facility, community and state levels. Anambra State still records a low patronage of PMTCT interventions by pregnant mothers. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the factors affecting prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs in university teaching hospitals in Anambra state, Nigeria qualitatively. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 128 randomly selected HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics and service providers of two purposively selected teaching hospitals in Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions and key in-depth informant interviews. Data analysis was carried out using NVivo version 9 qualitative data analysis Software. Results: The findings of this work show that ninety-nine percent (99%) of the study participants knew that HIV was a deadly virus transmitted through sex and other blood contact routes. Seventy six percent (76%) of the participants knew that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child, while about 53% of them knew the major ways of MTCT of HIV. The participants that did not know how HIV could be passed from mother to child were 41%. Others factors are lack of awareness and knowledge about HCT, late presentation at ANC clinics, low numbers of PMTCT centers within locality of respondents, poor involvement of male partners/spouses and stigma were the main reasons cited for poor utilization of PMTCT programs in the state. Conclusion: The study highlights a referral linkage of traditional birth attendants to health facilities for PMTCT interventions in the state to have profound impact on the health of the mother, child and nation at large.