Introduction every year in Nigeria 12,695 babies are born with neural tube defects. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defect by about 50% among peri-conceptional users. We conducted this study to determine the awareness and use of folic acid among women of childbearing age in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods we conducted a cross-sectional study among women attending selected among six secondary health facilities in Benue State using a multi-stage sampling technique. We interviewed 586 women aged 15-49 years using structured questionnaires to obtain information on awareness and use of folic acid. We performed univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis at 5% significance. Results interviewed 586 women with the mean age 27 ± 6.9 years; 281(48%) were aware of folic acid as a supplement, 178 (30.4%) knew the dietary source of folic acid while 152 (26%) knew the benefit of folic acid. The commonest source of information was health professionals [195 (51%)]. Only 221 (37.7%) used folic acid, 14 (1.7%) of them using it within the first trimester. The commonest reason why women did not take folic acid as supplement was unpleasant smell [124 (21%)]. Awareness of folic acid benefit (OR: 6, 95%CI = 3.9-8.8), level of education (OR: 2.0, 95%CI = 1.2-3.3) and employment status (OR: 1.6, 95%CI= 1.1-22) were significantly associated with folic acid use. Awareness of folic acid use was an independent predictor of folic acid use (AOR: 7.9 95%Cl: 5.3-11.7). Conclusion awareness and use of folic acid among women of childbearing age was low. Awareness is a predictor of folic acid use. We recommend the promotion of awareness and use of folic acid in pregnant women.

Background: Cholera is an infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, which may lead to severe dehydration and death if not treated promptly. On August 31, 2015, the Kaduna Ministry of Health received a notification of increase cases of vomiting and diarrhoea at Dusten-Abba in Zaria. A response Team was sent to confirm the outbreak, describe the socio-demographic characteristics and identify possible risk factors for the outbreak.Methods: We defined cases according to the world health organization (WHO) criteria. We conducted an unmatched case-control study and descriptive study. We retrieved line-listed cases at the ward facility. We interviewed cases at the facility and recruited controls from the community, and administered questionnaires to both cases and controls. We analysed data using Epi-Info7 and Microsoft Excel 2016.Results: A total of 50 cases were recorded, with a median age of 20years and age range of 1 – 50 years. There were more females (68%) than males. Majority of cases (52%) were under 20 years, while all cases are below 50 years. Seven (7) deaths were recorded giving a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 14%. The CFR was higher in females (14.7%) than in males (12.5%). Index case was seen on August 29, 2015. The outbreak lasted five days. Last cases were seen on September 2, 2015. Highest number of cases seen in a day (23) was on third day of the outbreak. Only two cases (4%) had their samples tested using cholera RDT, and both tested positive. Drinking un-boiled water (OR: 12.67, 95%CI: 2.33–68.93), regular hand washing (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.90) and proper waste disposal practices (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02–0.36) are factors we found to affect cholera infection during the outbreak.Conclusions: Our investigation confirmed a cholera outbreak with a high CFR, especially among females. Poor hygienic practices among the populace seem to be the drivers for this outbreak.

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. An estimated 70% of TB patients living with HIV are from sub-Saharan Africa largely depends on direct smear microscopy light microscopy for TB diagnosis, which has low Sensitivity, especially among HIV patients. Hence, we conducted this study to evaluate the Performance of Auramine O LED Fluorescence microscopy and the Ziehl-Neelsen technique in Tuberculosis among HIV-positive patients. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design among 107 consecutively selected HIV/AIDS patients with presumptive Tuberculosis attending ART clinic in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, Nasarawa State. Three samples were collected from each patient in two visits. Each sample was examined using ZN, LED FM, and Gene-Xpert. Data on socio-demographic characteristics was collected from the subject participant. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done using MS Excel and Epi Info. The Sensitivity and Specificity were compared using McNemar’s chi-square. Seventy-three (68%) patients were female, 33 (30.8%) were in the age group 28-32 years, and 61 (56%) were employed. Ziehl-Neelsen and LED fluorescent microscopy respectively yielded 11 (10.3%) and 15 (14.0%) positive results, while Gene-Xpert gave 18 (16.3%). The Sensitivity for direct ZN and LED FM were 61.1% and 83.3 %, respectively (P-value 0.01) with 100% specificity for both methods. LED microscopy has a much higher sensitivity than ZN microscopy and would be a better alternative in the diagnosis of Tuberculosis in high HIV settings where the use and expertise with culture and Gene-Xpert are limited. Keywords: HIV, LED Fluorescence, Sensitivity, Specificity, Ziehl-Neelsen.