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MOLECULAR AND CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF DETECTING RESPIRATORY VIRUSES AMONG CHILDREN WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN SOKOTO, NIGERIA
Shuaibu A. Hudu, Nabil S. Hamal
Background: Most infections of respiratory tract are caused by viruses but bacteria with viruses contributing to a higher proportion of infection. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections among children less than five years of age hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto using conventional and molecular detection methods. Methods: The cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the occurrence of respiratory viruses including (RSV), human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza virus A and B (IFV-A and B), parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3 and 4 (PIV 1, 2, 3 and 4), human rhinoviruses (HRV), human enterovirus (EV), human coronaviruses (HCoV) 229E and OC43, human Boca virus (HBoV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) among hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, from June 16 to December 21, 2010. The present study was also designed in part to assess the performance of the conventional methods against molecular methods. Results: Etiologic agents were detected in 158 (95.8%) of the patients. Single virus was detected in 114 (67.9%) patients; 46 (27.9%) were co-infected with different viruses including double-virus infections in 37 (22.4%) and triple-virus infections in 9 (5.5%) ca;ses. RSV (50.3%), with predominance of group B, played a major role. Other etiological agents including HAdV, HMPV, IFV-A, PIV 1-3, HBoV, HCoVOC43 and EV were detected in 14.5, 9.6, 9.1, 4.8, 3.6, 2.4 and 1.8 percent of the samples, respectively. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated the potential usefulness of molecular detection methods compared with conventional methods for the diagnosis of ARTIs among hospitalized children. This is the first report of HMPV, HBoV and HRV infections among hospitalized children in Sokoto.
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ADULTS IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA

Rufa’i AA, Oyeyemi AL, Salamatu UA, Saidu IA, Aishatu US, Oyeyemi AY

Background: Engaging in sufficient physical activity (PA) improves health and quality of life (QOL) across all ages.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between demographic variables, PA and QOL among adults in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 390 apparently healthy male and female adults (age range =18–65 years) in Maiduguri participated in the study. PA level was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Short Form. Health-related QOL was assessed using the physical and mental components summary scales (PCS & MCS) of the MOS Short Form-12 health survey questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation was used to explore the relationships between age, PA and QoL of the participants.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 29.51±10.12 years. About half of the participants were males (52.8%) and employed (54.4%). Age was inversely correlated with total PA (r= -0.13, P<0.001) and PCS (r= -0.32, P<0.001). Total PA was negatively correlated with PCS (r= -0.13, P= 0.010) but positively with MCS (r= 0.17, P= 0.001). There was significant difference in total PA (P<0.001), PCS (P<0.001) and MCS (P<0.05) between female and male, and also between the employed and unemployed. Also, there was significant difference in PCS (P<0.001) and MCS (P= 0.003) between participants with higher education and those with non-formal education.
Conclusion: Significant relationships were found between demographic variables, PA and QOL components among the participants. These results affirm that PA is important to improving the QOL of adults in Maiduguri.

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A TEN-YEAR REVIEW OF CHILDHOOD PATTERN OF ENDOCRINE DISORDERS SEEN IN FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL GOMBE
Alkali YS, Adamu S, AB Ningi, A Girbo
Background: The endocrine system is a network of glands which produce hormones that regulate metabolic functions of other cells and organs. Disruption of this system results in abnormalities of growth, development and reproduction. These conditions are not rare in childhood but due to lack of diagnostic facilities, they are not looked for and are therefore under-reported. However, they should be detected early and managed promptly to avert the morbidity and possible mortality that may be associated. Objectives: To describe the pattern of childhood endocrine diseases in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Methodology: A retrospective hospital-based study in which data were extracted from case notes of children with endocrine disorders. These case notes were traced from the registers of all paediatrics units and general out-patient departments. These case notes were subsequently reviewed and relevant data extracted and entered unto a proforma. Outcome measures as well as complications of those admitted were also noted. Results: Ninety-four out of 14,943 paediatric cases seen were endocrine disorders giving a prevalence of 6.3/1000 with a male/female ratio of 1.5/1. Most of the cases (75%) presented before the age of ten years and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was the commonest disorder recorded. Conclusion: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is the commonest paediatric endocrine disorder seen in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe.
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