No abstract

No abstract

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer and cervical cancer is largely a vaccine-preventable disease. The aim of the study was to document the knowledge of healthcare professionals of the HPV vaccine and its acceptability. It was a cross-sectional study in three of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, carried out between June 2010 and January 2011. The 602 adult Nigerian respondents were made up of 147 (24.4%) males and 455 (75.6%) females aged 20-57 years, with a mean of 34.3 ± 7.9 years; most were under 40 years (70.1%) and married (n = 394; 65.5%). In total, 548 (91%) were aware of HPV; 83.4% knew HPV as an STI; 78.2% knew HPV can cause cervical cancer but only 265 (44.0%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. Among the healthcare professionals studied, nurses were the least aware of the existence of the HPV vaccine (χ(2) = 1.54, p = 0.001). A total of 489 (81.0%) would approve HPV vaccine for their teenage daughters. The men were more likely to accept the vaccination of their daughters than the women (χ(2) = 14.76, p = 0.002). The unmarried were more favourably disposed to vaccination of teenagers than the married (χ(2) = 27.37, p = 0.001). Safety concerns were the commonest reasons expressed by the 7% who were reluctant to accept the vaccination of their teenage daughters. In conclusion, healthcare providers are the custodians of health in a community, yet have low knowledge of a vaccine that can prevent the commonest cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) receiving care at the Federal Medical Center Makurdi, Nigeria.MethodsBetween March and December 2009, a total of 253 women infected with HIV-1 had cervical smears taken for cytology. HIV-1 RNA viral load and CD4 counts were also measured.ResultsOf the 253 women, cervical SIL were present in 45 (17.8%). However, abnormal cervical cytology was noted in 146 (57.7%). Of those with abnormal cervical cytology, 101 (39.9%) women had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 16 (6.3%) had low-grade SIL, and 29 (11.5%) women had high-grade SIL. The median CD4 lymphocyte count was lower in participants with cervical SIL compared with those without (132 versus 184 cells/mm3; P = 0.03). The median HIV-1 RNA viral load was higher in women with cervical SIL (102,705 versus 64,391 copies/mL; P = 0.02). A CD4 lymphocyte count of <200 cells/mm3 and an HIV-1 RNA viral load of <10,000 copies/mL were found to be significantly associated with cervical SIL.ConclusionA high prevalence of cervical SIL was found among HIV-1-infected women in Makurdi, Nigeria. Increased immune suppression and HIV-1 viremia are significantly associated with cervical SIL.

Evidence from the 2005 National HIV Seroprevalence Sentinel Survey showed that Benue state has the highest seroprevalence rate of HIV infection in the country. Seroprevalence rate amongst antenatal women is a reflection of what is happening in the larger society. Knowledge of seroprevalence rate amongst pregnant women would help in targeting intervention strategies for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. The objective of the study is to determine the seroprevalence rate of HIV infection amongst clients attending antenatal clinic at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Cross-sectional study of 262 randomly selected women that booked for antenatal care at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi between 1 January 2007 to 30 April, 2007 was carried out. Information regarding age, parity, gestational age at booking, educational status and HIV sero-status of the clients were looked into. A total of 50 women out of the 262 women studied were positive, giving a seroprevalence rate of 19.1%. The highest seroprevalence rate was amongst 25-29 years age group (40.8%). Women of parity 1-4 constituted the highest group (53.4%). Majority of them (45.5%) had secondary school education while 60 (22.9%) had tertiary education. One hundred and ten (42%) booked in the 3 trimester while only 34 (13%) booked in the 1 trimester.HIV seroprevalence is high amongst antenatal women in Makurdi and intervention strategies should be scaled up for prevention of vertical transmission of the virus.: HIV prevalence,Antenatal Clinic, Makurdi.