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EVALUATION OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS AND ANAEMIA AMONG RURAL CHILDREN IN SANYINNA TOWN, SOKOTO
(2025-11-02) SHEHU, Abdulfatahu Sanyinna
Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections and anaemia remain major public health challenges, particularly among children in low-resource settings. This study assessed the prevalence and association between soil transmitted helminths and anaemia among rural children in Sanyinna town, Sokoto. A total of 194 stool and blood samples were collected and examined for STH species, other intestinal parasites, and haemoglobin levels using standard parasitological techniques. The prevalence of STH infection was 7.7% (15/194), while anaemia was more common at 21.6% (42/194). Other intestinal parasites accounted for 4.6% (9/194) of cases. A significant association was found between STH infection and anaemia, with 66.7% of STH-positive participants being anaemic compared to 17.9% of STH-negative participants (p = 0.001). Hookworm (9 cases) and Ascaris lumbricoides (6 cases) were detected STH species. Mild and moderate anaemia were observed among 46.6% and 20% of infected individuals, respectively, with no cases of severe anaemia. Sex was not significantly associated with STH infection (p = 0.079) or anaemia (p = 0.203). Age did not significantly influence STH infection (p = 0.661), but was strongly associated with anaemia (p = 0.0001), with children aged 5–9 years exhibiting the highest prevalence. Although STH prevalence was relatively low, STH infection had a significant impact on anaemia. Hookworm and Ascaris infections were associated with mild to moderate reductions in haemoglobin levels. Age was a major predictor of anaemia, while sex showed no significant influence. Integrated control measures, including regular deworming, improved nutrition, sanitation, and targeted interventions for high-risk age groups, are recommended to reduce the burden of anaemia and STH infections.
EVALUATION OF THE PATTERN OF BRAIN MRI FINDINGS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT SOKOTO STATE ADVANCED MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
(2026-01-02) RAPHAEL UDEMEZUE
Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for evaluating pediatric brain abnormalities due to its superior soft-tissue contrast and absence of ionizing radiation. Pediatric neurological disorders contribute significantly to morbidity and long-term disability, particularly in low-resource settings where baseline data are limited. Understanding the pattern of MRI findings is essential for early diagnosis and effective management. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of brain MRI findings in pediatric patients at the Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using brain MRI reports of pediatric patients aged 0–18 years who underwent MRI examinations between December 2023 and April 2025. Data were extracted using a structured data capture sheet and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 28.0 with descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 48 pediatric brain MRI reports were reviewed. Males accounted for 68.8% of the patients, while females constituted 31.2%. The most represented age group was 13–18 years (39.6%). Normal MRI findings were the most common (43.8%). Among abnormal findings, hydrocephalus (16.7%) was the most frequent, followed by cerebral atrophy (14.6%), cerebral infarction (12.5%), cerebral mass (10.4%), and skull defect (2.1%). Abnormal findings were more prevalent in younger age groups, whereas normal findings predominated among adolescents. Conclusion: Brain MRI findings in pediatric patients at the study center show a predominance of normal results, with hydrocephalus being the most common abnormality. MRI remains a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric neurological evaluation and provides baseline data to guide clinical practice and future research in the region.
PATTERN AND INTENT OF CANCER CASES PRESENTED TO THE RADIOTHERAPY UNIT OF USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (UDUTH) SOKOTO
(2026-02-02) ISAH ABDULRASHEED
Title: Pattern and Intent of Cancer Cases Presented to The Radiotherapy Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto. Background: Cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In many developing countries, cancer often presents at advanced stages owing to inadequate screening programs and limited access to timely diagnosis and treatment. This study was carried out to assess the pattern and treatment intent of cancers presented to the Radiotherapy Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving records of 439 cancer patients referred to the Radiotherapy Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, between June 2024 and May 2025. Data on age, gender, cancer type, stage at presentation, and treatment intent were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 27.0. Results: A total of 439 cancer patients presented to the Radiotherapy Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, within the study period were included in this study. Most of the patients (50%) were aged 50 years and above, with a mean age of 47.2 years. There was a marked female predominance (65.6%), largely driven by breast (26.7%) and cervical (18.0%) cancers. Late presentation was striking, as 69.1% of staged cases were at Stage III or IV and palliative treatment intent was recorded in 52.8% of cases. Age-specific patterns showed cancers peaking among middle-aged women and older men, while gender-specific distribution followed expected trends: breast and cervical cancers in women, prostate and head-and-neck cancers in men. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that cases referred to UDUTH Radiotherapy Unit were predominantly female, above 50 years, with breast cancer as the leading malignancy presenting at advanced stages and were mostly managed with palliative intent. Strengthening early detection and screening programs is essential to improve cancer outcomes in the region. Keywords: Cancer, Radiotherapy, Late presentation, Palliative intent, Sokoto Nigeria
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND CONSUMPTION OF IRON RICH FOOD AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENT IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS
(2025-12-22) MUSA MUHAMMAD MAIADDAH
Iron deficiency remains a major public health concern among female adolescents, particularly in low-resource settings like Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and increased nutritional demands, yet limited knowledge, poor attitudes, and suboptimal consumption of iron-rich foods exacerbate the risk of iron deficiency anemia. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and consumption (KAC) of iron-rich foods among 125 female adolescents aged 10–19 years from four selected public secondary schools in Sokoto Metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward iron-rich foods, and dietary practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to explore associations between socio-demographic factors and KAC scores. Findings revealed that while the majority of participants (59.1% to 81.8%) had heard of anemia, correct knowledge of iron as the key nutrient for its prevention was low, with only 5.6% to 33.3% identifying it correctly. Furthermore, awareness that menstruation increases anemia risk was notably poor, reaching as low as 15.2% in some schools. Attitudes toward iron-rich foods were generally positive, with many acknowledging their importance for academic performance (up to 82.0%), though taste preferences and cultural beliefs remained barriers. Consumption patterns showed that while legumes were frequently consumed, daily intake of highly bioavailable iron sources like red meat was low (13.9% to 35.9%). Statistical analysis indicated that socio-demographic factors, including age, class, and ethnicity, were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and consumption (p > 0.05). The study concludes that targeted nutrition education and behavioral interventions are needed to improve awareness and promote regular consumption of iron-rich foods among female adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, thereby reducing the risk of iron deficiency and its associated health consequences.
GROWTH MONITORING AND PROMOTION PRACTICE AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE GAGI AND MABERA GIDAN DAHALA, SOKOTO
(2025-12-22) MUSA, ABUBAKAR MURTALA
Child malnutrition remains a major public health problem in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) is a preventive strategy aimed at early detection of growth faltering and improvement of child feeding and care practices through regular anthropometric assessment and counselling. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Growth Monitoring and Promotion among health workers and caregivers, and to identify factors affecting its implementation in selected Primary Health Care facilities in Sokoto State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted involving 216 respondents, comprising 21 health workers and 189 caregivers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using validated structured questionnaires administered in English and Hausa languages. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. The result indicate that 69.4% of health workers in Gidan Dahala Mabera, 65.3% in Gagi Basic Health Clinic, and 61.2% in Mabera Mujaya had moderate knowledge of GMP. Positive attitudes toward GMP were observed in Mabera Gidan Dahala (34.3%) and Mabera Mujaya (45.7%), while Gagi Basic Health Clinic recorded 37.1%. Regular child weighing was highest in Gidan Dahala Mabera (57.4%), followed by Gagi Basic Health Clinic (43.0%) and Mabera Mujaya (28.6%). None of the facilities consistently practiced growth chart plotting or caregiver counselling (0.0%). Major challenges affecting GMP implementation included inadequate training, insufficient human resources, and lack of materials. Caregiver routine clinic attendance was highest in Gagi Basic Health Clinic (90.5%). Children aged 0–5 years in Mabera Gidan Dahala had the best nutritional status (71.4%). In conclusion, despite adequate knowledge of GMP among health workers, poor implementation persists due to systemic and resource-related constraints. Strengthening training, supervision, and provision of GMP tools is essential for improving child nutrition outcomes in Sokoto State.

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