ABSTRACT
Self-care of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients undergoing Hemodialysis (HD) at RSUD Prof. Dr. W.Z. Johannes Kupang has not been carried out optimally by patients. The low self-care of patients has an impact on the quality of life of patients which includes the domains of physical health, psychological, social relationships, and low spiritual environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a social support-based self-care model to improve the quality of life of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients receiving Hemodialysis (HD). The research method used was an explanatory study to develop the model. The Phase I sample consisted of 115 patients, while Phase II involved 17 informants (patients, patients' families, health workers, religious leaders, and community leaders). Research variables include Basic Conditioning Factor (BCF), social support, care agency, self-care agency, self-care needs, self-efficacy, self-care management, and quality of life of CKD patients. The model development process was also supported by qualitative data obtained from Phase II through Focus Group Discussions. The results showed that the social support-based self-care model sourced from family, health workers, religious leaders, and community leaders can improve the quality of life of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients with Hemodialysis (HD) indirectly through self-efficacy variables. Therefore, it can be concluded that self-efficacy is very important in providing support and motivation to patients through their families and partners so that they can improve the quality of life of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis.

ABSTRACT
Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) pose a significant global public health challenge as they are a major cause of acute illnesses, infertility, disabilities and death among men and women, particularly among adolescents and young adults than any other age group. Objectives: This study assess the knowledge, preventive practices, and occurrence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among 415 respondents using the convenient sampling technique. Relevant data were collected using a semi structured questionnaire that covers aspects of the research objectives and all questionnaires were retrieved and analysed using descriptive and inferential at a p-value< 0.05 level of significance. Result: This study revealed that more than half (56.4%) of the respondents were between 21-25years of age and the mean ± S.D was 23.32 ± 4.285. Majority (84.6%) have a good knowledge, 9.2% have a fair knowledge and 6.3% have a poor knowledge; more than half (57%) of the participants demonstrated a good level of preventive practices. 12.8% of the respondents had ever contracted a sexually transmitted infection with gonorrhea being the most prevalent accounting for 67.9% of all cases. It was also deduced that the level of knowledge of respondents on STIs had no significant influence on their preventive practices with a p-value of 0.407. However, level of knowledge had a significant influence on occurrence of STIs among respondents with p-value of 0.017.

ABSTRACT
Background: In Nigeria, it is estimated that about 1.9 million people were living with HIV in 2019, with a national HIV prevalence of 1.4% among adults aged 15-49 years. HIV status disclosure and adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medication is important for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Several factors have been identified as being associated with increased adherence to HAART including HIV status disclosure. Disclosure of HIV status pose a great challenge in our society due to associated stigma and other negative consequences. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV status disclosure and adherence to HAART. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analytical study involving 361 adults aged 18 years and above attending the Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Keffi. Subjects were randomly recruited by systematic random sampling. Informed consent was obtained and data on socio-demographic, HIV status disclosure, adherence to HAART and WHO clinical staging were collected using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data on viral load and CD4 cell count were determined through blood sample analysis. Results: Three hundred and sixty-one PLWHA were analysed, of whom 306(84.8%) had disclosed their HIV status. The mean age of the participants were 39.75 ± 10.00 years with majority aged between 30 to 39 (41.8%). Majority of the participants were female (301;83.4%) with male to female ratio of 1:5. Disclosure rate was more in males (54;90.0%) than females (252;82.4%). There was a significant association between HIV status disclosure and age (p-value=0.04), source of income (p-value= <0.001), use of contraceptive for females (p-value= <0.001), case manager (p-value= <0.001), perceived general state of health (p-value= <0.001) and plans for future pregnancy (p-value=0.030). Also, HIV status disclosure had a significant positive effect on adherence to HAART (p-value= <0.001). Participants who ...

ABSTRACT
Background: The World Health Organization's designation of Corona Virus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic in 2020 shocked the world. There is no known treatment for the virus, although the FDA has licensed several vaccines for its prevention; thus, desperation within society has resulted in a growing use of medicinal plant-based therapies, such as Azadirachta indica, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Nigella sativa, and, Vernonia amygdalina among others, that have been claimed to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms. Aim: the study assessed the health risk of some heavy metals associated with the consumption of Z. officinale rhizome in some selected Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom (Southern Nigeria) and Enugu (Eastern Nigeria) States, where consumption was increased significantly due to COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to quantify the amount of heavy metals in Zingiber officinale following standard digestion procedures. Health Risk Assessment was conducted using Estimated Daily Intake, Target Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index, Carcinogenic Risk as well overall statistical analysis, to ascertain the long-term health potential risk of consuming Zingiber officinale herbal supplements. Result: The mean concentration of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in Z. officinale rhizome ranges from 0.001 to 0.942 mg/kg, 3.403 to 4.386 mg/kg, and 0.002 to 0.244 mg/kg, respectively, while that of mercury, and nickel all locations was 0.001 mg/kg, and 1.377 to 3.100 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusion: All heavy metals but arsenic and mercury were higher in concentration than the prescribed limit, hence possess are potential risks among these locations in the future. The hazard quotient (HQ) values of all heavy metals were <1 in all the samples, thus relatively safe to consume the plant but with caution to checkmate arsenic or mercury poisoning.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common clinical manifestation of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It is caused by Leishmania transmitted to humans by the bite of a small infested sandfly: the female sandfly. The objective of our study is to determine the epidemiological, clinical profile and the nature of the parasite responsible for LC in Zinder. Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Retrospective data was collected from patients registered at the laboratory level of the district hospital and the Kara-kara health center from January 2017 to May 2021. This study helped determine the frequency of CL in the Zinder region as well as the socio-demographic characteristics of the cases. The prospective collection carried out at the HNZ over a period of seven (7) months from June 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021, made it possible to determine the nature of the parasite responsible for CL in Zinder as well as the management practices. Discussion/Conclusion: This study is the first to identify in molecular biology the parasite responsible for CL in Niger. The parasitic species identified in circulation in the city of Zinder was L. major for all PCR positive cases. Metronidazole was the reference treatment; administered orally. The evolution was favorable with a cure rate of 66% and 44% of sight loss.

ABSTRACT
Background: Erectile dysfunction is a distressing condition that impacts negatively a man’s well-being. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a useful indicator of overall health that has gained wide acceptance as the patient-centred approach to assessing overall health. Objectives: This survey assessed the prevalence and pattern of erectile dysfunctions and their association with health-related quality of life. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study and interviewed 392 sexually active adult male patients with the aid of interviewer-administered structured and semi-structured questionnaires at the general outpatient clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The HRQOL was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life abridged version (WHOQOL-BREF), while ED was assessed with the International Index for Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5). Result: A total of 235 (59.9%) had ED: of those, 67 (28.5%) had mild ED, 77 (32.8%) had mild to moderate ED, 57 (24.3%) had moderate ED, and 34 (14.4%) had severe ED. Respondents with ED had lower mean HRQOL scores across all domains, (psychological f=94.700 p=0.001, Physical f=68.582 p=0.001, environmental f=30.314 p=0.0001, social f=8.346 p=0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of ED was high among the study population. Although ED negatively impacted all HRQOL domains, the psychological domain had the most profound impairment.

ABSTRACT
Background: Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a moderately common musculoskeletal disorder that arises after soft tissue involvement of the glenohumeral joint and manifests as shoulder discomfort and limits of active and passive mobility. Local injections of glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and physiotherapy may all alleviate the symptoms. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of glenohumeral injections of Glucocorticoid in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and therapeutic exercise in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Method: Randomization was used to assign 68 patients with primary adhesive capsulitis in the freezing stage to intra-articular injections of triamcinolone acetonide 80 mg and oral NSAIDs and therapeutic exercise. The abridged Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score for function was used to record clinical outcomes at baseline and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Statistical Analysis: Using the Student t test or the chi-square test, correlations between baseline demographic and clinical variables between the two therapy groups were evaluated. Using mixed-effect models with random patient effects, we estimated changes in the mean functional and ROM outcomes (1) between follow-up and baseline measures within each group and (2) between the 2 groups at each time point. Using SPSS 23, the analysis was conducted on patients with full data at all follow-up assessments. A P value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Result: Female in both the group were prevalent than the male group. In terms of mean age and distribution of sex, shoulder dominance, duration of symptoms, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism, there were no significant differences between the two groups based on demographic data and possible risk factors at baseline. Until week 8, there were substantial differences in favor of the intervention group (week 2 and 4, P .001; ...