Publication Title Evaluation of Some Maternal and Neonatal-Associated Risk Factors in Early On-Set Neonatal Thrombocytopenia in Delta State, Nigeria Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 2021; 31 (1): 1-9
Publication Authors Collins Ohwonigho Adjekuko* 1, Emmanuel Asuquo Etim2, Mathias Abiodun Emokpae3 Humphrey Benedo Osadolor3, Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah4
Year Published 2021-02-02
Abstract The growing prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia at birth in recent times is a source of concern. Hence, the assessment of maternal and neonatal risk factors associated with early on-set neonatal thrombocytopenia to forestall any complications that may lead to lifelong residual defects or even death among new-borns in this locality. Methods: From a total of 374 newborns at birth, 35 (9.4%) newborns developed thrombocytopenia and served as cases while, 339 (90.6%) were non-thrombocytopenic newborns and served as controls for this study between April 2016 and November 2016. Platelet count was determined on cord blood immediately after delivery using Sysmex KX-21N auto-haematology analyzer. Platelet count from the analyzer correlated with the estimated platelet count from the peripheral blood film evaluation. Results: Incidence of twin delivery (33.3%) was higher among the risk factors associated with neonatal thrombocytopenia. Twin gestation was significantly associated with neonatal thrombocytopenia (P = 0.0062). Conclusion: New-borns from mothers with multiple pregnancies should be thoroughly evaluated for any possible complications of thrombocytopenia at birth to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Publication Title Commercial Sex Work During Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Era in the Niger Delta Region: Relationships Between Knowledge, Preventive Practice, and Transmission Potential Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher International Journal of Women’s Health
Publication Authors Godwin Avwioro 1 Andy Egwunyenga 2 Collins Adjekuko 3 Osaro Mgbere 4,5 Ewomazino Odibo 2 Sina Iyiola 6 Seyi Samson Enitan 7 Ekere James Essien 4,5
Year Published 2021-06-01
Abstract Sex workers, like others, are facing economic hardships and anxiety about their health and safety due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Universally, most sex work has largely reduced, moved online, or undertaken covertly because of lockdown measures and need for social distancing to break the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, the ability of sex workers to protect themselves against COVID-19 depends on their individual and interpersonal behaviors and work environment. In this study, we sought to determine the relationships between COVID-19 knowledge, awareness and prevention practice (KAP) among female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to inform the development of prevention interventions for this vulnerable population. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 604 FCSW operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and COVID-19 KAP adopted against the novel coronavirus. Latent class analysis was used to systematically classify participants’ attributes and behaviors into the most likely distinct clusters or risk groups. Results: The majority of the FCSW were singles (86.8%) of childbearing ages, 21–35 years (86.2%), with almost three quarters (73.2%) of them having sex with 3–4 clients per day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, almost three quarters of the participants had both good knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 but less than half of them (41.1%) implemented good practice to prevent the spread of the disease. However, a highly significant and positive relationship was recorded between COVID-19 knowledge (r=0.90, p<0.0001) and awareness (r=0.65, p<0.0001), and preventive practice of FCSW, respectively. About 89.1% of the participants were not very familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19 (p<0.0001). Only 10.9% of the FCSW indicated that they wear facemask at all times, while 45.2% of them do not wear facemask during sexual intercourse with their clients (p<0.0001). Based on the FCSW attributes and behaviors, we identified three distinct clusters or risk groups (p<0.0001), namely, low-risk takers (Cluster 1), high-risk takers (Cluster 2) and very high-risk takers (Cluster 3) with latent class prevalence rates (?c) of 41.13% (95% CI: 37.26–45.10), 33.17% (95% CI: 29.53–37.02) and 25.71% (95% CI: 22.38–29.34), respectively. Conclusion: Sex work has high transmission potentials for SARS-CoV-2 because of its operational nature, which does not permit social distancing, and thus, renders certain preventive measures practically ineffective. This is a major challenge in the fight against COVID-19 in this high-risk group and calls for the development of operational guidelines and targeted intervention strategies to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Niger Delta region.
Publication Title Effects of Vitamin E on Chronic Haematoxicity of Paraquat Exposed Male Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Archives of Current Research International
Publication Authors Okolonkwo Benjamin Nnamdi a*, Jonathan Nyebuchi b, Adjekuko Ohwonigho Collins c and Zebedee Loveday Udu d
Year Published 2022-01-02
Abstract Paraquat is an environmental pollutant that is associated with some disorders including alteration of some harmatological indices and is a concern to public health. Vitamin E has antioxidant property and other characteristic roles that ameliorate toxic effect. 200 male albino rats weighing 0.2±0.02kg on the average were divided into four main groups (A, B, C, and D) with 50 rats in one group. The “A” group was not served paraquat solution and was used as the control group. Group “B”, “C”, “D” being the treatment group were given dose rates of paraquat of 0.02g, 0.04g, and 0.06g, of paraquat per kg rat respectively every two weeks for three months. The main groups further had subgroups. “A”, “A0” and “AVE”; “B”, “B0” and “BVE”; “C” had “C0” and “CVE”; and “D”, “D0” and “DVE” subgroups. Vitamin E was not given to subgroups “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups while “AVE”, “BVE”, “CVE” and “DVE” were fed orally with 500mg of vitamin E therapy every week. Treatment with vitamin E began three months after paraquat treatment. At the end of the weekly treatment with vitamin E for a month, the rats were sacrificed and their blood samples were obtained and analyzed for PCV, Hb, WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte. A0, B0, C0 and D0 intergroup comparison was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in PCV and Hb levels while their WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte had no statistical significance. Ave, Be, Cve and Dve intergroup comparison was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 in PCV and Hb levels while WBC, lymphocyte and neutrophils had no statistical significance among the groups. Intra group comparison showed that only PCV and Hb were significant between groups, p-value<0.05. This study confirms that vitamin E is potent in treating paraquat toxicity in male albino rats on one month of weekly treatment.
Publication Title Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Blood Groups among Selected Tribes in Adamawa State, Nigeria Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Hematology & Transfusion International Journal
Publication Authors Emmanuel A Etim, Adjekuko, C.O., Joseph Akpotuzor, and Francis A.A
Year Published 2017-07-07
Abstract Background/Objective: Prevalence of ABO and Rhesus blood groups varies from tribe to tribe. This study aims to examine the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood group among selected tribes in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: ABO and Rhesus phenotyping was carried out using standard tube technique. Result: Of the 654 subjects tested, 368 (56.2%) were of blood group O, 139 (21.3%) were blood group B, while 116 (17.7%) and 31 (4.7%) were group A and AB respectively. 577 (88.32%) were Rhesus D positive while 77 (11.79%) were Rhesus D negative. When comparing ABO blood group distribution among tribes, O blood group was higher among the Kilba tribe (4.74%) at P<0> B > A > AB indicating high prevalence of ‘O’ blood group and a predominance of allele B over allele A. Information obtained in this study will help in the optimum selection of blood type and blood products in Blood banking as well as facilitate the formulation of relevant blood banking and transfusion policies in this locality.