Cholelithiasis in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from Northeast Nigeria

Background: Nigeria contributes 30% to the global sickle cell anaemia burden. Cholelithiasis occurs commonly in children with sickle cell anaemia and may remain undiagnosed, mimic abdominal vaso-occlusive crises or become complicated by calculus cholecystitis. Early identification of children with sickle cell anaemia who have Cholelithiasis reduces the chances of misdiagnosis, mistreatment and improves outcomes. There is limited knowledge about the prevalence of Cholelithiasis among Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell anaemia in Gombe, northeast Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analysis of children with sickle cell anaemia being followed-up at the sickle cell centre of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, northeast Nigeria. We consecutively recruited 294 children aged 2 - 17 years while in steady state from June to November 2017. Quantitative data were collected from parents/caregivers via a researcher administered questionnaire and cholecystosonography performed after a minimum of 8-hour fast. Predictors of Cholelithiasis were examined using binary logistic regression. Results: The mean age of children with sickle cell anaemia was 9.0 ± 4.5 years. The prevalence of Cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state was 4.8%. Children aged 15 - 17 years had 12 times higher odds of having Cholelithiasis [AOR = 12.268 (95% CI = 1.3 - 112.8)]. Conclusion: The prevalence of Cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell anaemia though generally low, increases progressively with age to peak during middle to late adolescence.

Evaluation of WEPP versus EGEM and empirical model efficiencies in predicting ephemeral gully erosion around Mubi area,Northeast Nigeria

Evaluation of prediction models is crucial to achieving valid information on erosion processes and their management choices.WEPP model efficiency in predicting ephemeral gully(EG)erosion was recently tested and compared with both EGEM and empirical models.The models abilities to predict EG erosion were validated using measured estimates at the 6 eroding locations around Mubi area in Northeast Nigeria between April 2008 and October 2009.Each location consisted of 3 watersheds where data on soils,climate,slope,management practices,EG shapes and dimensions were collected.Data on relevant soil properties were collected in the field and then analyzed in laboratory.The mass of soil loss(MSL)predicted by empirical,EGEM and WEPP models were compared with the measured using paired T-test,regression graphs(r^(2)-values),error analysis,and analysis of variance(ANOVA)in a completely ran-domized design.The EG erosion losses varied significantly(P≤0.05)between sites and years.No sig-nificant(P≤0.05)differences were observed between measured and the empirically predicted aggregate MSL.The measured aggregate MSL strongly correlated with those predicted by empirical(r^(2)=0.67),than with EGEM(r^(2)=0.57),and WEPP(r^(2)=0.53)models.Slight over and under-prediction instances against the measured erosion were noted with all the models.The WEPP model was found to slightly over-predict MSL when compared to either the empirical or EGEM model.The prediction quality of the models was generally impressive.Future works should focus more on local inputs such as climate,plants,management,and tillage data for use with WEPP.

Efficiency test of modeled empirical equations in predicting soil loss from ephemeral gully erosion around Mubi,Northeast Nigeria

A field study was carried out to assess soil loss from ephemeral gully(EG)erosion at 6 different locations(Digil,Vimtim,Muvur,Gella,Lamorde and Madanya)around the Mubi area between April,2008 and October,2009.Each location consisted of 3 watershed sites from where data was collected.EG shape,land use,and conservation practices were noted,while EG length,width,and depth were measured.Physico-chemical properties of the soils were studied in the field and laboratory.Soil loss was both measured and predicted using modeled empirical equations.Results showed that the soils are heterogeneous and lying on flat to hilly topographies with few grasses,shrubs and tree vegetations.The soils comprised of sand fractions that predominated the texture,with considerable silt and clay contents.The empirical soil loss was generally related with the measured soil loss and the predictions were widely reliable at all sites,regardless of season.The measured and empirical aggregate soil loss were more related in terms of volume of soil loss(VSL)(r^(2)=0.93)and mass of soil loss(MSL)(r^(2)=0.92),than area of soil loss(ASL)(r^(2)=0.27).The empirical estimates of VSL and MSL were consistently higher at Muvur(less vegetation)and lower at Madanya and Gella(denser vegetations)in both years.The maximum efficiency(M_(se))of the empirical equation in predicting ASL was between 1.41(Digil)and 89.07(Lamorde),while the M_(se) was higher at Madanya(2.56)and lowest at Vimtim(15.66)in terms of VSL prediction efficiencies.The M_(se) also ranged from 1.84(Madanya)to 15.74(Vimtim)in respect of MSL predictions.These results led to the recommendation that soil conservationists,farmers,private and/or government agencies should implement the empirical model in erosion studies around Mubi area.

Bancroftiasis among the mumuye of Northeastern Nigeria: Parasitological and clinical studies in Northern Taraba State

The study reports the prevalence of bancroftiasis in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria. Night blood samples collected from one thousand and thirty one individuals were stained with haematoxylin and examined microscopically for the presence of Wu-chereria bancrofti. The overall prevalence of infection in the study area was high (21.2%) but mean microfilaria densities were generally low. Statistically, prevalence rate differed significantly (χ2d.f.2 = 10.498;P χ2d.f.1 = 1.385;P > 0.05) between sexes. Infection also did not statistically differ between age groups (χ2d.f.5 = 13.219;P > 0.05) even though infection rate increased steadily with age and reaching a peak at the 40 - 49 year age group. Lymphoe-dema was the commonest (M = 12.4%, F = 19.2%) clinical manifestation of bancroftian morbidity encountered in the survey. Overall, the findings indicate that bancroftian filariasis is a public health problem in Taraba state and there is an urgent need to establish an elimination programme with a view of halting transmission in the area.