Ebonyi State University

About: Ebonyi State University is a education organization based out in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 1351 authors who have published 1474 publications receiving 20111 citations.

Demographic pattern of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a tertiary hospital in Calabar, South-South Nigeria.

Abstract: Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous group of monoclonal forms of lymphoproliferative disorder, which is usually common among older adults. There is an increasing trend in the number of patients presenting with the disease. Aim: This study aims to determine the epidemiology pattern of CLL in Cross River state. Methodology: A retrospective study with 10-years data (2010–2019) obtained from the register of the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. The data collected include the date of presentation, the age, gender, location of residence, and occupations of the patients. Results: A total of 47 cases were seen during the 10-year period, with a male: female ratio of 1:1. The mean age at presentation was 59 years. The majority of the patients were in their fifth and sixth decades of life. Most patients (44.68%) practice farming as their profession. Conclusion: The study has reawaken our consciousness on the increasing trend on the epidemiological burden of CLL in our environment and will help to enhance further investigation into the relationship between the rising trend and available possible risk factors in our environment.

Variability of urine parameters in children infected with schistosoma haematobium in ukawu community, onicha local government area, ebonyi state, nigeria.

Abstract: Background : Schistosomiasis, a chronic, debilitating and neglected tropical and sub-tropical water-borne ailment, is highly endemic in Nigeria, especially among primary school children in rural communities. The study on the variability of urine parameters in children infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Ukawu community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was undertaken. Materials and Methods: Urine samples were aseptically collected from 400 primary school children in the community and analysed using chemical reagent strips and sedimentation techniques. Results : The study revealed an overall prevalence of 27% as 108 pupils out of 400 were infected with S. haematobium in the area. Proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia were observed to occur in 67.0%, 79.0% and 74.9% respectively. Males had higher infections and higher occurrences of proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia (72.5%, 88.2% and 82.4% respectively). There was no significant difference with respect to sex (P 0.05). Children within ages 12-15 had the highest occurrence of proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia while children within ages 4-7 had the least occurrence of the three urine parameters. All the pupils excreting above 40 egg/10ml of urine had proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia. Conclusion : The study revealed that the community studied is endemic with Schistosoma haematobium infections and the level of the urine parameters increased with the intensity of infection. Prompt case detection and treatment, good personal hygiene, eradication of snail hosts, public enlightenment and proper waste disposal are hereby recommended. Keyword : Schistosoma haematobium , prevalence, proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia

Implementation of a Health Policy Advisory Committee as a Knowledge Translation Platform: The Nigeria Experience

Abstract: Background In recent times, there has been a growing demand internationally for health policies to be based on reliable research evidence. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen institutions and mechanisms that can promote interactions among researchers, policy-makers and other stakeholders who can influence the uptake of research findings. The Health Policy Advisory Committee (HPAC) is one of such mechanisms that can serve as an excellent forum for the interaction of policy-makers and researchers. Therefore, the need to have a long term mechanism that allows for periodic interactions between researchers and policy-makers within the existing government system necessitated our implementation of a newly established HPAC in Ebonyi State Nigeria, as a Knowledge Translation (KT) platform. The key study objective was to enhance the capacity of the HPAC and equip its members with the skills/competence required for the committee to effectively promote evidence informed policy-making and function as a KT platform. Methods A series of capacity building programmes and KT activities were undertaken including: i) Capacity building of the HPAC using Evidence-to-Policy Network (EVIPNet) SUPPORT tools; ii) Capacity enhancement mentorship programme of the HPAC through a three-month executive training programme on health policy/health systems and KT in Ebonyi State University Abakaliki; iii) Production of a policy brief on strategies to improve the performance of the Government’s Free Maternal and Child Health Care Programme in Ebonyi State Nigeria; and iv) Hosting of a multi-stakeholders policy dialogue based on the produced policy brief on the Government’s Free Maternal and Child Health Care Programme. Results The study findings indicated a noteworthy improvement in knowledge of evidence-to-policy link among the HPAC members; the elimination of mutual mistrust between policy-makers and researchers; and an increase in the awareness of importance of HPAC in the Ministry of Health (MoH). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that a HPAC can function as a KT platform and can introduce a new dimension towards facilitating evidence-to-policy link into the operation of the MoH, and can serve as an excellent platform to bridge the gap between research and policy.