Objectives:The study aimed to examine health workers' perceptions of the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine in Nigeria and their willingness to receive the vaccine when it becomes available. Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study used non-probability convenience sampling to enroll 1,470 hospital workers aged 18 and above from 4 specialized hospitals. A structured and validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0. Results: The mean age of respondents was 40 ± 6 years. Only 53.5% of the health workers had positive perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only slightly more than half (55.5%) were willing to receive vaccination. Predictors of willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine included having a positive perception of the vaccine (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.50−5.69), perceiving a risk of contracting COVID-19 (AOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.25-3.98), having received tertiary education (AOR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.40−6.86), and being a clinical health worker (AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01−1.68). Conclusion:Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to receive the vaccine were suboptimal among this group. Educational interventions to improve health workers' perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine are needed.

Background The exposure of health care professionals (HCP) to patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the course of performing their professional duties may expose them to contracting the virus. This may likely increase their tendency to self-medicate for prevention or treatment of perceived infection. Aim This study determined the prevalence of COVID-19 related self-medication and its determinants among HCPs in three tertiary hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Method This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 669 adult HCPs from three tertiary hospitals in three Southern Nigerian States using a non-probability convenience sampling method. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM SPSS version 22. Results The mean age of the respondents was 35.6 ± 8.7 years. Two hundred and forty-three respondents (36.3%) reported having practiced COVID-19 related self-medication. The commonly used medications were ivermectin, azithromycin, vitamin C, chloroquine and zinc. Factors associated with self-medication were older age ( p =  < 0.0001), being pharmacist ( p = 0.03), higher income ( p =  < 0.0001), previous COVID-19 testing ( p < 0.001). Predictors of self medication were > 44 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio[AOR]:2.77,95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.62–4.75, p =  < 0.0001), previous COVID-19 testing (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.82–3.94, p =  < 0.0001). Conclusion About one-third of HCPs practiced COVID-19 related self-medication. HCPs that are often assumed to be health literate may not necessarily practice safe health behavior. Regular health education of the HCPs on implications of self-medications is highly recommended. There should also be formulation and effective implementation of policies that regulate purchase of medications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11096-021-01374-4.

Background: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an inherited disorder of generalized hypopigmentation. Dermatological care and protection from UV radiation are necessary for individuals with OCA. We assessed the patterns of protection strategies amongst persons living with albinism in Benin-city, Nigeria. Methods: Snow ball sampling methods were employed to investigate sun protection strategies amongst albinos in UBTH, Benin-city,  Nigeria. Avoidance of sun peak hours, sun-protection clothing and sunscreen preparations used were analyzed during semi-structured face to face interviews conducted in the outreach clinics. Results: A total of 73 participants living with albinism were studied. The mean age of the participants was 24.1years± 11.3 years. The predominant activity type was out-door occurring in 62(84.9%) of the population observed. Participants with albinism in this study were exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation throughout the year. They all reported being unable to avoid sun-peak hours. Sunscreens were used in 15 (20.5%) albinos studied while sun-protection clothings were worn in 13(17.8%) respondents. Sunscreens were used more in those who engaged principally in out-door activities. This was observed in 10(13.7%) clients studied (p=0.04). Conclusion: People leaving with albinism who attended UBTH outreach skin clinic had insufficient sun protection strategies.

Background: Alopecia is a common condition accounting for the top ten morbidities seen in patients that present at dermatology outpatient clinics in Nigeria.Aim: This retrospective study aimed at documenting the prevalence and types of alopecia in the skin clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between December 2014 and December 2019. Methods: The medical records of all patients with alopecia attending dermatological outpatient clinic between December 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively for this descriptive observational study. An approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-city, Nigeria. The diagnosis of Hair loss was essentially clinical, confirmed where expedient with a skin biopsy. Dermatological tools like Dermoscopes were also used to boost diagnostic accuracy when necessary. The patients were also evaluated for presence of other cutaneous and systemic disorders. Results: During the 5year study period, 106 patients with hair loss (6.6%%) were observed. The youngest patient was 2months old and the oldest patient was 90years old. The males constituted 61.3% of patients observed while the females accounted for 38.7% of patients seen. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Discoid lupus erythematosus of the scalp, was the most common disorder 29(29.4%). Alopecia areata occurred in23(27.7%); tinea capitis in 15(14,2%); Acne keloidalis nuchae in 14(13.2%); seborrheic dermatitis10(9.4%); and folliculiltis delcavans 9(8.5%). Less commonly observed causes of alopecia included androgenetic alopecia 2(1.9%); traction alopecia 2(1.9%); lichenplanopilaris 1(0.9%) and nevus sebaceum 1(0.9%). Conclusion: There is a need for studies to further describe and proffer solutions to common causes of alopecia in our community. Keywords: Retrospective study, Alopecia, Tertiary hospital, Benin French title: Une étude rétrospective de cinq (5) ans sur l'alopécie dans un hôpital tertiaire du Sud au Nigéria Contexte général de l'étude: L'alopécie est une condition de classement courante qui explique les dix principales morbidités observées chez les patients qui se présentent dans des cliniques externes de dermatologie au Nigéria.Objectif de l'étude: Cette étude rétrospective visait à documenter la prévalence et les types d'alopécie à la clinique externe de dermatologie de l'hôpital universitaire du Bénin entre décembre 2014 et décembre 2019.Méthode de l'étude: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective de patients présentant principalement une perte de cheveux. Les données ont été obtenues à partir des dossiers cliniques et des notes cliniques des patients.Résultats de l'étude: Au cours de la période d'étude de 5 ans, 106 patients sur 1 600 personnes fréquentant la clinique de la peau ont eu une perte de cheveux constituant une prévalence de 6,6%. Les patients vus étaient âgés de 2 mois à 90 ans. Plus d'hommes (61,3%) que de femmes (38,7%) ont été vus; avec un rapport de 1,6: 1. Le lupus érythémateux discoïde du cuir chevelu était le trouble le plus courant «insérer un nombre absolu» (29,4%). L'alopécie areata est survenue en «insérer le nombre absolu» 27,7%; tineacapitis en «insérer le nombre absolu» 14,2%; Acné  keloidalisnuchae en «insérer le nombre absolu» 13,2%; dermatite séborrhéique «insérer le nombre absolu» 9,4%; et folliculiltisdelcavans «insérer le nombre absolu» 8,5%. Les causes d'alopécie moins fréquemment observées comprenaient l'androgénétopécie (1,9%); alopécie de traction (1,9%); lichenplanopilaris (0,9%) et naevus sébacé (0,9%)Conclusion: Des études sont nécessaires pour décrire et proposer des solutions aux causes courantes d'alopécie dans notre communauté. Mots-clés: Alopécie, lupus érythémateux discoïde, alopéciaareata, acné keloidalisnuchae

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