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Direct costs of Buruli ulcer diagnosis and treatment are catastrophic to a substantial proportion of patients and their families.

Implementation studies are recommended to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of programmes. In Nigeria, little is known about the burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) patients. The objective of this study was to determine screening efficacy, prevalence of DM and determinants of DM among TB patients. We report on a multi-centre implementation study carried-out in 13 health facilities in six States of Southern Nigeria. All newly diagnosed TB patients registered from March to October 2015 were screened for DM using current World Health Organisation guidelines. Overall, 2094 TB patients were evaluated, 196 (9.4%) were found to have DM. The prevalence of newly diagnosed DM was 5.5% (115/2094). DM prevalence varied according to age group; occurring in 2.2% of patients aged ≤ 25 years and 16.9% in patients aged (56–65) years. The additional yield of DM was 59% while the number needed to screen to detect a new case of DM was 18. Factors associated with DM were; age >40 years (aOR2.8, CI 2.1–3.9), rural residence (aOR2.3, 1.6–3.2), private health facility care (aOR2.0, 1.4–2.7), and having an occupation that engages in vigorous activity (aOR0.6, 0.4–0.9). The burden of DM among TB patients is high. Prioritization of DM screening for TB patients is indicated.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) are of great public health importance globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tuberculosis is the third cause of death among subjects with non-communicable diseases. DM increases risk of progressing from latent to active tuberculosis. The study aimed to ascertain yield of TB cases and the number needed to screen (NNS) among DM patients. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 10 health facilities with high DM patient load and readily accessible DOTS center in 6 states of southern region of Nigeria over a period of 6 months under routine programme conditions. All patients who gave consent were included in the study. Yield and NNS were calculated using an appropriate formula. Results: 3 457 patients were screened with a mean age (SD) of 59.9 (12.9) years. The majority were male, 2 277 (65.9%). Overall prevalence of TB was 0.8% (800 per 100 000). Sixteen (0.5%) were known TB cases (old cases). There were 221 presumptive cases (6.4%) out of which 184 (83.3%) were sent for Xpert MTB/Rif assay. Eleven (0.3%) new cases of TB were detected, giving additional yield of 40.7% and the number needed to screen (NNS) of 315. All the 11 patients were placed on anti-TB treatment. Conclusions: The prevalence of TB among DM patients was higher than in the general population. The yield was also good and comparable to other findings. This underscores the need for institute active screening for TB among DM patients. Further studies are recommended to identify associated factors to guide policy makers in planning and development of TB-DM integrated services.

Objective:To use baseline audiogram parameters in order to ascertain whether drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has effects on hearing, as well as to describe the configurations of the audiograms and to determine whether there are parameters that can be associated with those configurations. Methods:This was a prospective study involving patients diagnosed with DR-TB at a tuberculosis treatment center in the state of Ogun, in Nigeria. The patients included in the study were submitted to pure tone audiometry at baseline (within two weeks after treatment initiation). For comparative analyses, data regarding demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from the medical records of the patients. Results:The final sample comprised 132 patients. The mean age of the patients was 34.5 ± 12.6 years (range, 8-82 years), and the male:female ratio was 2:1. Of the 132 patients, 103 (78.0%) resided in neighboring states, 125 (94.7%) had previously experienced antituberculosis treatment failure, and 18 (13.6%) were retroviral-positive. Normal audiograms were found in 12 patients (9.1%), whereas sensorineural hearing loss was identified in 104 (78.8%), the two most common configurations being ascending, in 54 (40.9%), and sloping, in 26 (19.7%). Pure-tone averages at low frequencies (0.25-1.0 kHz) and high frequencies (2.0-8.0 kHz) were 33.0 dB and 40.0 dB, respectively. Regarding the degree of hearing loss in the better ear, 36 patients (27.3%) were classified as having normal hearing and 67 (50.8%) were classified as having mild hearing loss (26-40 dB), whereas 29 (21.9%) showed moderate or severe hearing loss. Among the variables studied (age, gender, retroviral status, previous treatment outcome, and weight at admission), only male gender was associated with audiometric configurations. Conclusions:In this sample of patients with DR-TB, most presented with bilateral, mild, suboptimal sensorineural hearing loss, and ascending/sloping audiometric configurations were associated with male gender.

IntroductionBuruli ulcer (BU) is a highly ranked neglected tropical disease (NTD) of global health importance with increasing incidence in sub-Saharan Africa yet there is paucity of information on the epidemiology of BU in Nigeria. Incidentally, highly BU endemic Benin Republic shares proximity with Nigeria. This study was carried out to establish presence of BU and ascertain the level of BU perception among rural populace in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.MethodsSecondary data (2009-2012) on incidence of BU was collected from a reference hospital. A cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaire administered to rural people and healthcare practitioners was conducted in three purposively chosen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ogun State based on unpublished reports of BU presence.ResultsData collected revealed 27 hospital confirmed BU cases between 2009-2012 across four LGAs (Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, Yewa North and Yewa South) while 14%(21/150) chronic ulcers (suspected to be BU) were discovered during the cross-sectional survey carried out in Odeda, Yewa South and North LGAs. Healthcare practitioners 63.6% (42/66) and 54.7% (82/150) rural people demonstrated poor level of BU perception respectively.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that BU exists in Ogun State and evaluates the poor perception that the affected rural populace has on the disease. This pilot study presents baseline information on BU in a rural setting in Ogun State South-west Nigeria hence the vital need for prompt public health involvement and further research on the epidemiology of BU.

Wellness on Wheels (WoW) provided mobile systematic TB screening of high-risk populations combining digital chest radiography with computer-aided automated interpretation and chronic cough screening to identify beneficiaries of GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing in communities and prisons. We piloted and refined approaches in phased evaluations, recalibrating CAD4TB thresholds adjusting to balance TB yield and feasibility. Iterative data monitoring of screening volumes, risk mix, number needed to screen (NNS), number needed to test (NNT), sample loss, TB treatment initiation and HIV testing are required. Given pre-selection of highest risk individuals via an accurate screening test, inability to collect or test samples impacts yield and cost-per-case. Linkage to care and treatment outcomes improved overtime. Short conclusion: Mobile computer-assisted digital chest x-ray and chronic cough screening with GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing is feasible, acceptable, efficient and high-yield when highest risk groups are engaged, and operations evolve in response to monitoring data.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- has resulted in an unprecedented global health security challenge, economic downturns and psychosocial disruptions. First reported in Wuhan, China, the epidemic swiftly spread to over 200 countries and territories. In Nigeria, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was imported via air travel on 24 th of February 2020 and Confirmed on 27 th of February 2020. Minimal public health surveillance activities were initiated before then. In response to the confirmation of COVID-19, incident management activities, epidemiologic surveillance, contact tracing, infection, prevention and control trainings, COVID-19 testing and activation of isolation and treatment centers were immediately implemented in Ogun State. The objective of the outbreak investigation in Ogun State was to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, characterize the outbreak, and implement disease detection and response activities. This report documents and reflects on the steps taken to mitigate the initial spread of COVID-19 and the outbreak response activities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Adequate risk communication, robust surveillance, effective contact tracing and isolation of primary contacts of the first confirmed case in Nigeria as well as implementation of infection, prevention and control measures were pivotal tools that helped to curtail the initial spread of the infection. Operative collaboration between all stakeholders involved in response and surveillance to emerging dangers is necessary to detect cases early and to implement adequate preventive and control measures.