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2% of strains. The prevalence of virulence genes was high with the eta gene, 96.8%, and the lukS gene 45.2%. The mecA gene was present with an eta gene in 32.3% of strains and in 9.7% with the lukS gene, however the vanB gene was not present in any strain carrying virulence factors. These results should lead to the screening of other van genes for resistance to vancomycin.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D is an essential nutrient which plays vital roles in bone metabolism and in the pathogenesis of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Global estimates show a high and rising prevalence of low vitamin D levels in different populations, including Africa’s. There is paucity of data on vitamin D status in Nigerian adult sub-populations.

This study is an attempt at providing insight in to how common low vitamin D is in a Nigerian population and possible associated risk factors.

One hundred and five persons, who met the inclusion criteria, had their vitamin D levels estimated alongside their blood pressure and anthropometric checks. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and lipids were estimated. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association of low vitamin D with certain variables. Selleck R788 A p-value of < 0.05 was set as significant.

Fifty-seven males, (54.3%), and forty-eight females (45.7%) were studied. The mean/SD and median ages were 48.8+8.3 years and 50 years respectively. Low Vitamin D levels were observed in fifty subjects (47.6%), mostly in the upper class, and people with dys-metabolism and poor exposure to sunlight.

Low Vitamin D, mainly insufficiency, is surprisingly common amongst Nigerians, more in the upper socio-economic class. There is correlation between low Vitamin D and poor exposure to sunlight, promoted by affluence, as well as some dysmetabolic states such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia. Adequate exposure to sunlight and vitamin D replacement are recommended.

Low Vitamin D, mainly insufficiency, is surprisingly common amongst Nigerians, more in the upper socio-economic class. There is correlation between low Vitamin D and poor exposure to sunlight, promoted by affluence, as well as some dysmetabolic states such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia. Adequate exposure to sunlight and vitamin D replacement are recommended.

There are limited data on the use of different treatment modalities for acne scar in Nigeria despite their widespread availability. Cost of treatment may limit the number treated despite treatment being desired by patients. Also, it is not known, what the Nigerian patient is willing to pay for these treatments. The aim of this study was to assess perceptions and attitude towards acne scars, determine awareness that acne scars can be treated, determine the knowledge of acne scar treatment modalities and the willingness to pay for these treatments.

Cross sectional descriptive study of 50 adult patients with acne scar aged 18 years and above. Patients were clinically examined for type of acne scar. Socio-demographic data, clinical profile, perception, awareness of acne scar treatment modalities and their availability was documented using a study questionnaire designed for the study. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 22. Level of significance of all tests was set at 5%.

Type of acne scar was post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 84%, ice pick scars in 40%, box scars in 26% and keloids in 16.0%. Awareness that acne scar can be treated was recorded in 74% and embarrassment in 42%. Eighty six percent were willing to pay for their scar treatment. Knowledge of treatment modality had 24% for Laser, 28% for chemical peels and 16% for surgery. Awareness that these treatment modalities are available in Nigeria was low.

Most individuals are aware and willing to pay for acne scar treatment but knowledge of modality of treatment is poor. The prevalent acne scar is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Most individuals are aware and willing to pay for acne scar treatment but knowledge of modality of treatment is poor. The prevalent acne scar is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder associated with significant functional impairment and disability. Sleep disturbances and suicidality are among the common presentations. There is paucity of evidence of any correlation between poor subjective sleep quality and suicidality among patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of poor subjective sleep quality and its association with suicidality among out-patients with schizophrenia.

A cross-sectional study of 153 adult out-patients with schizophrenia. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and suicidality module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered.

The prevalence of suicidality was 65 (42.5%) while the current prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts were 54 (34.3%) and n=2 (1.3 %) respectively. One-third of the participants reported poor subjective sleep quality 59 (38.6%). Suicidality was significantly associated with poor subjective sleep quality (aOR 4.13; 95%CI 1.89-9.01), symptom severity (aOR 1.08; 95%CI 1.01-1.15), and being separated or widowed or divorced (aOR 5.3; 95%CI 1.78-15.82).

Suicidality is common among outpatients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. Poor subjective sleep quality, symptom severity and marital separation were independently associated with suicidality.

Suicidality is common among outpatients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. Poor subjective sleep quality, symptom severity and marital separation were independently associated with suicidality.

BACKGROUNDExisting malaria endemicity classification puts Egor, as holoendemic. Some decades after this classification, there is need to determine the current malaria endemicity of the locale using malariometric indices of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and spleen rates.

Descriptive cross-sectional survey involved apparently healthy school children aged 2-9 years; using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. Malaria parasite was assessed by blood film microscopy and splenic examination was by bi-manual palpation method.

Of the 422 subjects, 126 had an asymptomatic malaria parasitic rate of 29.9%; and was observed more in children aged 5-9 years (30.8%) than in the under-5s; (27.6%). P falciparum was the only malaria parasite specie identified in the study participants. Splenic rate of the study population was 11.0%.

Malaria endemicity in the study locale is currently mesoendemic as against holoendemic prior to the study. Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is commoner in older children than under-5s, contrary to what was observed in previous studies.