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Background: Timely receipt of immunization is an essential prerequisite to ensure early protection of the child. However, a low proportion of children in Nigeria benefit from the timely administration of the birth dose vaccines. Objectives: These were identification of factors associated with timely presentation and reasons for presentation beyond 24 hours at an immunization centre in Ilorin, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 480 mother-infant pairs was conducted at an immunization centre. Socio-demographic, antenatal care (ANC) and delivery details, infant's birthday and day of presentation for vaccination were recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with time to presentation within day one. Findings: 239 (49.8%), 421 (87.7%) and 454 (94.6%) babies were vaccinated within days one, seven and 14 respectively. Post-secondary education level of mothers (

Background: Reminders via mobile devices deployed as short message services (SMS) or calls have been identified to be a useful strategy in improving routine immunization uptake in several countries. Objective: To identify the timeliness of appointments with reminders (calls or SMS), SMS health education and the routine care, and the vaccination completion rates in Ilorin, Nigeria. Method: Mother-infant pairs presenting for the first vaccination appointment were randomized into four (three inter- ventions, one control) groups, each consisting of 140 participants. Intervention groups were reminders via calls (A), SMS reminders (B), immunization fact SMS messages (C) and controls on usual care (D). Reminders were made a day before the appointment while SMS immunization facts were sent at five weeks, nine weeks and eight months. Appropriate timing was defined as the scheduled visit ±3 days. Results: The immunization completion rates after the nine months’ visit were 99.2%, 99.3%, 97% and 90.4% for Groups A, B, C and D respectively. Compared with controls, Group A had the highest odds [AOR 8.78 (6.10, 12.63)] of presenting at an appropriate time, followed by Group B [AOR 2.56 (1.96, 3.35)], then Group C [AOR 2.44 (1.87, 3.18)]. Conclusion: Reminders/SMS immunization facts improve vaccination completion rates. Keywords: Call reminders; short message services (SMS) reminders; SMS immunization; vaccination timing; Nigeria.

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The rapid spread of COVID-19 principally through respiratory droplets and fomites transitioned into a global pandemic in waves of outbreaks across regions. 1 The projected colossal impact of the pandemic on economies particularly in low to middle income countries (LMIC), 2 have prompted pertinent questions about Africa's preparedness. 3 This report highlights early responses of a Nigerian institution to the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Ilorin, Nigeria is an international institution of higher learning, which was established by the Nigerian Government in 1976. It occupies a 15 000-ha landmass that cuts across several rural communities in Kwara State, North-central Nigeria and 180 miles (289.7 km) from the Lagos epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. The Unilorin community comprises over 4500 workers and 56 600 students across 15 faculties, one College of Health Sciences, and a School of Preliminary Studies. Following the first reported case of COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria, a COVID-19 Prevention Committee (herein referred to as The Committee) was setup by the University management to safeguard the University community. Within 3 weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, the committee successfully implemented a string of containment measures before the first confirmed case was reported in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Background:Congenital disorders are structural, metabolic, behavioral and functional disorders that are present at birth. Their manifestations are protean ranging from mild anomalies to life-threatening conditions.Aim:The objectives of this study were to describe the congenital anomalies in children seen at Federal Medical Center, Bida over a 12 month period, determine possible factors associated with these anomalies; and their short term outcome.Subjects and Methods:Children with clinically recognized congenital malformations were recruited consecutively over a 12 month period and socio-demographic, etiologic and other relevant clinical data were obtained. A detailed examination was also performed and abnormalities documented. The data was analyzed using Epi-info version 6 (Atlanta, USA). The Chi-square was used to identify significant differences for categorical variables. Mid-P and Fisher's exact tests were utilized as appropriate. A P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.Results:A total of 46 children with congenital anomalies were seen during the study period, all which were recruited into the study. The hospital based prevalence amongst neonates was 111/1000 neonates. The most common system affected was the digestive system(50.0%) followed by the central nervous system and head and neck anomalies. There was no significant difference in distribution of anomalies amongst the various ethnic groups. About 22% of families were consanguineous, all being first cousins and 8.7% of mothers were greater than 35 years of age. The case fatality rate for congenital malformations was 2.2%, while 60.9% were referred to other hospitals for further care.Conclusion:The study has demonstrated a wide variety of congenital anomalies in Bida, North-Central Nigeria with the digestive system anomalies being the most frequent. The findings of this study strengthen the need for empowerment of the institution in appropriate management of these disorders.

We therefore advocate the use of CD4 count range derived in this study is lower than that of the national reference values.

Measles is still a major health burden in our community. The majority of affected children were not vaccinated due to negative parental disposition. Continuous health education is required for change the disposition of the parents/guardian and improve vaccination coverage to minimize measles associated morbidity and mortality.