Malaria contributes to high childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. To determine its endemicity in a rural farming community in the south-south of Nigeria, the following malariometric indices, namely, malaria parasitaemia, spleen rates, and anaemia were evaluated in children aged 2–10 years. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey among school-age children residing in a rubber plantation settlement. The children were selected from six primary schools using a multistaged stratified cluster sampling technique. They were all examined for pallor, enlarged spleen, or liver among other clinical parameters and had blood films for malaria parasites. Of the 461 children recruited, 329 (71.4%) had malaria parasites. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was slightly higher in the under fives than that of those ≥5 years, 76.2% and 70.3%, respectively. Splenic enlargement was present in 133 children (28.9%). The overall prevalence of anaemia was 35.7%. Anaemia was more common in the under-fives (48.8%) than in those ≥5 years (32.8%). The odds of anaemia in the under fives were significantly higher than the odds of those ≥5 years (OR = 1.95 [1.19–3.18]). Malaria is highly endemic in this farming community and calls for intensification of control interventions in the area with special attention to school-age children.

Background: Epilepsies are the most common conditions encountered in most paediatric neurology clinics in many parts of the developing world. In sub-Saharan Africa epilepsies are secondary, reflecting persistently high risks at birth, and the adverse neurological sequelae of CNS infections during and beyond childhood. The study was designed to determine the clinical pattern of childhood epilepsies, probable aetiologies and associated comorbidities of the disease children.Methods: The study was conducted within an 18 months period among children having established epilepsy attending the Neurology Clinic of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The children and or care givers were interviewed by the authors and the following data were obtained and recorded in a questionnaire; bio data, age at onset of seizure. History was obtained to determine the possible cause of the seizure, type of epilepsy and associated comorbidities. The data obtained was analysed with SPSS version 20. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Of the one hundred eighty children seen with various neurological morbidities during the study period, one hundred and seven had epilepsy which constitutes 59.4%. Generalized tonic clonic epilepsy was the commonest type of epilepsy found in 66 (61.1%) of the children with epilepsy, followed by simple partial and myoclonic epilepsy in 18.5% and 6.5% respectively. Severe birth asphyxia was responsible was the commonest identifiable cause of epilepsy in 19 (17.8%) of cases while central nervous system infection accounted for 14 (13.1%). Cerebral palsy was the commonest comorbidity in 20 (18.6%) followed by mental retardation in 17 (15.9%) of the children.Conclusions: The study showed epilepsy to be the commonest neurological presentation among children presenting at the paediatric neurology clinic of our facility. Primary generalised tonic clonic epilepsy was the commonest type of epilepsy seen, followed by simple partial seizures. Cerebral palsy and mental retardation were the main associated comorbidities. Birth injuries mainly severe birth asphyxia and CNS infection were the major causes of epilepsy in our study. In conclusion, epilepsy is the commonest neurological morbidity in our environment, limited facilities and resources still militate against identifying the actual aetiology in most children with the disease. Effort should be intensifying to eradicate the preventable causes of the disease.

The stigma on Nigerian children (aged 6?18 year) living with epilepsy attending the Pediatric Neurology Clinic in Calabar was studied. The survey was conducted between September 2010 and February 2011 on children having established epilepsy and was attending the Neurology Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. A questionnaire with open-ended responses was drawn up and administered on the epileptic children. Information was collected from the children privately in the absence of the parents. The children were interviewed by the authors and the data recorded into the form by the latter. Forty percent of the children reported being regarded as demon-possessed, some were said to be mad and suffering under a family curse. Sixty percent of the children claimed being made objects of ridicule. Fifty percent of the children would wish to withdraw from school while 46% would change school because of embarrassment. Fifty-six percent knew that friends and schoolmates usually run away from them during attacks, 29.4% claim their teachers will not help but only watch them while fitting at school. Twenty-four percent of the victims, all in the age bracket 12?18 yrs, expressed suicide wish. Stigma associated with epilepsy is a problem of children in Calabar. Education of parents and the entire populace is advocated as this could change the society's misconception of epilepsy.

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Background: The role of caregiving takes on an entirely different significance when a child experiences functional limitations and possible long-term dependence. The main challenges for parents of children with disabilities are their ability to cope with their children's chronic health problems and effectively carry on with daily requirements of everyday living. The aim of this study is to evaluate the challenges parents encounter in caring for children with cerebral palsy in a developing country.Methods: Consenting parents of children with cerebral palsy presenting in the neurology clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, south-south Nigeria were recruited for the study. The bio data of the parents were obtained. The challenges encountered by parents of children with cerebral palsy were determined using a semi structured questionnaire.Results: Seventy parents of children with cerebral palsy were recruited into the study. Majority of the subjects (61.4%) are from the low socio economic while the least represented was the high socioeconomic class. Sixty-four (91.4%) of the parents worry about the handicap and comorbidities of cerebral palsy. Similarly, 91.4% of parents admitted that their social life has been adversely affected by caring for these children. Also, more than half of the parents find it difficult to cope with their jobs or businesses and have their resources depleted. Family disharmony was found in over 40% of the parents. The task of caring for children with cerebral palsy is a daunting one as its negative impact on family, social and family resources are enormous especially in resource poor countries with little or no social support system. Parents caring for children with disabilities therefore need assistance and respite care to alleviate these challenges, since rehabilitation services are limited in most African countries, it has been suggested that community-based and outreach services are provided in order to decrease the burden of care.Conclusions: Effort should therefore be geared toward prevention. The provision of a social support system and rehabilitation centres at subsidized rates will significantly ease the burden encountered by these parents.