IntroductionHepatitis B infection impacts negatively on disease progression in HIV infected children thereby increasing morbidity and mortality. In spite of the foregoing, there is paucity of data on Hepatitis B co-infection in children living with HIV in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria.This study set out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B Co- infection in HIV infected children attending the Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Owerri.MethodsThe study period was between February and July 2010. Testing for Hepatitis B infection was done using the ACON Hepatitis B surface antigen Rapid test strip. (Acon Laboratories Inc. San Diego.CA).ResultsA total of 139 HIV infected children were enrolled during the study period. The overall prevalence of Hepatitis B Co- infection was 5.8% (8/139). The prevalence in males was 8.2% (5/61) while in females it was 3.8% (3/78). The prevalence of Hepatitis B Co- infection amongst patients on antiretroviral therapy was 4.6%. They accounted for 62.5% of Hepatitis B Co- infection in our study. Previous blood transfusion, gender and age of patient did not show statistically significant relationship with Hepatitis B Co-infection.ConclusionThough our study shows a low prevalence of Hepatitis B co infection in HIV infected children in our centre, reduction of the rate is still strongly desirable. Reduction can be achieved by strengthing the uptake of Hepatitis B vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunization programme.

Background. Soil-transmitted helminthic infection is a common public health challenge of primary school children in resource challenged and developing countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among primary school children in a rural community in Imo State, Nigeria. Method. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 284 primary school children in a rural community. Results. The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 30.3%. Of all STHIs, hookworm was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (94.2%). The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection was more in males, 58 (38.4%), than in females, 28 (21.1%). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Conclusion. The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the study population is worrisome. There is need for organized and routine deworming among school children in the community.

Background. Adherence is the strongest predictor of successful treatment outcome among children infected with HIV. Our aim was to assess the antiretroviral drugs adherence status of HIV-infected children attending care at a tertiary hospital in Southeastern Nigeria. Method. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 210 HIV-infected children attending care at a tertiary hospital in Southeastern Nigeria using self-report method of assessment. Optimal ART adherence is defined as patient taking not missing more than 1 dose of combined antiretroviral therapy medication in the preceding 2 weeks prior to the study. Result. A majority of the subjects 191 (91%) had good adherence. There was a significant relationship between adherence and patient educational level (p = 0.004), duration of treatment (p = 0.001), drug administrator (p = 0.005), and orphan status (p = 0.001). The motivating factor for adherence was “not falling sick as before” while stigma was the most discouraging factor. Conclusion. The adherence level in this study was good. Stigma was an important reason given by patient/caregivers for nonadherence. There is need for concerted effort in addressing this barrier to improve adherence and prevent the emergence of drug resistance and treatment failure.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive genetic disease with no cure at present. Children suffering from this disease eventually become wheelchair bound and die in their late teens. Paediatricians caring for the child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in resource poor settings face a lot challenges. These challenges include: poverty, inadequate multidisciplinary care, emotional burn-out of parents and lack of facilities for dystrophin assay or genetic testing.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative ubiquitous bacterium affecting over half of the world's population. Most infections are acquired in early childhood with highest prevalence in Africa and Asia. Infected individuals develop antibodies against H. pylori which persist up to 6 months after eradication. Low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and absence of potable household water supply are prevalent in our environment and also linked with increased frequency of the disease with attendant health consequences. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and potential sociodemographic factors among children in Owerri. Methods: One hundred and twenty children aged 6 months to 15 years were studied from March to June 2016. Sociodemographic data was documented in a pretested structured questionnaire while rapid test kit that detects antibody to H. pylori by chromatographic flow was used to identify subjects with infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with level of statistical significance at P < 0.05. Results: H. pylori infection prevalence was 20.0%, increased with age and highest in the 10–15 years age group (P = 0.001). Increasing age and low socioeconomic class (SEC) were found to be significant risk factors of H. pylori seropositivity among study subjects. Conclusion: Prevalence of H. pylori infection was high, increased with age and lower SEC as well as highest among children aged 10 years and older. Efforts should be made to exclude H. pylori infection in children with suspected symptoms considering the high burden of the disease in our setting.