Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes a self-limiting viral infection, transmitted by feco-oral route. These infections are major health problem worldwide, with a higher incidence in developing countries. Exposure rate of HAV and HEV over a period are different in different parts of country. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HAV and HEV, its seasonal trend and their correlation with serological markers of liver damage at a tertiary care hospital Jaipur Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: A total of 3093 serum samples were tested for IgM HAV and IgM HEV. Relevant data were also collected. Results: A total of 3093 patients were included in the study. Of the 3093, 1654 and 1439 serum samples were tested for IgM HAV and IgM HEV, respectively. Of these, 7.67% and 14.9% were positive for IgM HAV and IgM HEV, respectively. Range of elevated bilirubin in both type of acute hepatitis varied from 1.4 mg% to 37 mg%. In IgM HEV positive patients, bilirubin level was increased in 70.69% cases, whereas aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were elevated in 68.37%, 58.13%, and 31.16% cases, respectively and in IgM HAV positive patients bilirubin level was increased in 57.48% of patients whereas AST (or serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), ALT (or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and ALP levels were elevated in 55.11%, 59.84%, and 42.51% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: The best means of reducing the spread of infection is by promoting simple measures of personal and community hygiene. However, these data will be useful for planning of future vaccination strategies and for better sanitation program in country.

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Background: Alcohol abuse is a global health problem, resulting in a spectrum of biopsychosocial and medical consequences. In recent times, there has been a surge in the number of adolescents who have been exposed to alcohol abuse and its attending consequences. This study aimed at identifying the reasons for alcohol abuse and assessed the knowledge of students about the harmful effects of alcohol. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study involving 384 students who were selected by convenience sampling after ethical approval and consent was granted. A pretested questionnaire was administered to get basic biodata. This questionnaire also had five-scale questions to elicit other variables of interest. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Results: 66% of respondents reported to have taken alcohol before, at ceremonies or while hanging out with friends. Alcohol caused problems with the law and family problems in about half of the respondents. Assault and high-risk sexual behaviors were not uncommon (5% and 12%, respectively). Most respondents knew of the consequences of alcohol abuse but gave reasons for taking alcohol; social media (96.2%), fun (94.8%), coping with stress of school (73.9%), and adolescence (93.8%) were common among other reasons. Conclusion: Alcohol problems are common in our secondary schools, stakeholders should be aware of this. We recommend expert support for students, especially in secondary schools, so that we can save the next generation from self-destructing.

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Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) complicate an estimated 5%–10% of pregnancies globally. Studies have linked non-O blood group with the development of HDP, especially preeclampsia (PE). However, these reports have not been consistent. This study aimed to determine the relationship between ABO blood group and HDP among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and ten pregnant women with clinically diagnosed HDP and an equal number of age-matched normotensive controls were recruited for the study. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer and a Littman's stethoscope which was positioned on the medial aspect of the right arm at sitting position. Urinalysis was performed using a urine dipstick (Medi-Test Combi 9^®). ABO blood groups were determined by tile agglutination method using potent monoclonal anti-A, anti-B, and anti-D reagents (Plasmatec Lab., Bridport, UK). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. Chi-square test of association, Student's t-test, and logistic regression were used as statistical tools, and results were presented as frequencies, percentages, mean ± standard, odds ratio (OR), and confidence interval (CI); P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the cases and controls was 26.20 ± 6.96 and 25.90 ± 6.37, P = 0.65, respectively. The mean gestational age of the cases and controls was 32.30 ± 4.15 and 29.06 ± 4.25, P = 0.01, respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the cases and controls in mmHg were 176.62 ± 32.62 and 123.08 ± 6.40, P = 0.01, and 114.20 ± 20.08 and 76.43 ± 5.07, P = 0.01, respectively. Of the 210 individuals in the HDP group (cases), 90 (42.86%) had gestational hypertension (GH), 50 (23.81%) had PE, and 70 (33.33%) had eclampsia. Type O blood group was the most common group in both cases (93 [44.3%]) and controls (98 [46.7%]). This was followed by groups A (40 [19.0%] and 45 [21.45]), B (58 [27.6%] and 53 [25.2%]), and AB (19 [9.0%] and 14 [6.7%]) for cases and controls, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of ABO blood group between the cases and controls (χ² = 1.41, P = 0.70, df = 3). Compared to type O blood group individuals, non-O blood group individuals had 1.106 times odd of developing HDP than the controls (OR: 1.106, 95% CI: 0.753–1.625, P = 0.61). Similarly, types A, B, and AB blood group individuals had 1.292, 1.492, and 1.882 times odds of developing GH compared to blood Group O and controls (OR: 1.292, 95% CI: 0.670–2.490, P = 0.45; OR: 1.492, 95% CI: 0.813–2.740, P = 0.20; and OR: 1.882, 95% CI: 0.746–4.748, P = 0.18), respectively. Equally, types A, B, and AB blood group individuals had 1.243, 0.990, and 1.699 times odds of developing PE compared to blood group O individuals and controls (OR: 1.243, 95% CI: 0.561–2.754, P = 0.59; OR; 0.990, 95% CI: 0.442–2.217, P = 0.98; and OR: 1.699, 95% CI: 0.546–5.281, P = 0.36), respectively. Compared to type O blood group individuals, types A, B, and AB blood group individuals had 0.463, 0.690, and 0.901 times odds of developing eclampsia compared to controls (OR: 0.463, 95% CI: 0.199–1.079, P = 0.74; OR: 0.960, 95% CI: 0.505–1.825, P = 0.90; and OR; 0.901, 95% CI: 0.301–2.695, P = 0.85), respectively. Primiparity (OR: 2.320, 95% CI: 1.451 – 3.711, P = 0.01, for HDP) and gestational age (OR: 1.078, 95% CI: 1.013 – 1.148, P = 0.02 – gestational hypertension; OR: 1.328, 95% CI: 1.212 – 1.456, P = 0.01 – preeclampsia; OR: 1.467, 95% CI: 1.333 – 1.614, P = 0.01 – eclampsia) were identified as pregnancy related risk factors for HDP. Conclusion: The frequencies of ABO phenotypes in women with HDP are similar to that of normotensive pregnant women. There is no relationship between ABO phenotypes and HDP as observed in this study. However, nulliparity and gestational age were identified as risk factors for HDP. Similar hospital-based and population-based studies should be conducted to further evaluate this phenomenon in this environment.

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Background: Peripheral neuropathy has implications for drug adherence and quality of life including the physical and emotional functioning in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. The debilitating impact on the ability to carry out their daily tasks is considerable and may sometimes become longstanding. The study assessed the frequency and determinants of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria, with a view to provide optimal care. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey where the brief peripheral neuropathy screening (BPNS) benign familial neonatal seizures tool was administered to 380 HIV-positive clinic attendees using systematic random sampling was carried out. Potential risk variables were subjected to multivariate analysis modeling using logistic regression statistics to determine if they are independent predictors of the HIV-SN. Results: Of the 380 study participants, 263 (69.2%) were females, with a mean age of 37.4 ± 9.9 years. The mean CD4 count and duration of the diagnosis of HIV infection of the participants were 484.5 ± 254.9 cells/mm³ and 60.9 ± 43.5 months, respectively. Using the BPNS screening (BPNS) tool, 29.2% (111/380) of the participants had HIV-SN. Independent determinants of HIV-SN in our included age >40 years (odd ratio [OR] 5.86, 95% confidential interval [CI] = 2.48–13.88, P < 0.001) and type of highly active antiretroviral therapy combination used (OR 0.36, 95% CI = 0.17–0.73, P = 0.005). Conclusion: The frequency and determinants of HIV-SN prompt the need to strengthen early screening and treatment of HIV-infected patients by physicians managing them, to improve their overall quality of life.

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