The Pan African medical journal
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Dyslipidemia confers excess atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and this requires prompt identification and management to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in type 2 DM patients in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria. ⋯ The prevalence of dyslipidemia is high in the newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and therefore, initial management should incorporate measures to control dyslipidemia.
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In November 2015 a measles outbreak was detected in several clustered settlements during the Northern Measles Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) campaign in Gwagwalada, Nigeria, a measles outbreak was detected. Six weeks later another outbreak with 17 cases was reported in a different settlement in the same area council in December 2015 and January 2016. An outbreak investigation was initiated to characterize the outbreak in terms of time and person and implement prevention and control measures. ⋯ There had been cases of measles from January 2015 to November 2015 prior to the reported measles outbreak. However there was an unusual increase in the number of measles cases during the measles SIAs in communities where children were missed. Vaccination of all eligible children in the affected wards was carried out. The area council authorities and primary healthcare team need to create awareness on the importance of measles vaccination and ensure that these communities are targeted and covered during subsequent SIAs.
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Pediatric traumatic injury is a major public health concern that is poorly documented in lower and middle-income countries. This study analyzed data on pediatric injuries from a unique hospital trauma registry in Abuja, Nigeria. ⋯ This analysis reveals that motor vehicle accident is a risk factor for traumatic head injury among children in Nigeria. Therefore, efforts should be made to address motor vehicle accidents involving children. These data will help to inform age-related prevention and treatment strategies. The results of this study highlight the importance of collecting pediatric trauma data in developing countries.
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Animal bite injuries are a common public health concern in Uganda. We sought to characterize animal bite injuries among patients presenting to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. ⋯ Dog bites injuries from unrestrained, un-signaled dogs are the commonest source of animal bite injuries especially among children (<18 years). Vaccination against rabies was only confirmed for a very small number of dogs, as majority were unknown and likely stray dogs. Government and public sensitization is urgently required to limit stray dogs, vaccinate dogs and restrain them to prevent a grave probability of a looming canine rabies epidemic.
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We here report the case of a 38-year old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy induced by hypocalcaemia secondary to hypoparathyroidism. The patient had low calcium level (30 mg/L) and echocardiography showed dilated-hypokinetic cardiomyopathy with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31.4%). She received calcitherapy associated with vitamin D3 and her evolution was marked by the normalization of the size of the cardiac cavities and of the left ventricular ejection fraction after normocalcemia.