Research Article
An Appraisal of Routine Immunization Coverage Among Children 0-2 Years in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State
Ebenezer Obi Daniel*
,
Oluseyi Oludamilola Olawale,
Michael Avwerhota,
Ahmed Mamuda Bello,
Michael Olabode Tomori,
Israel Olukayode Popoola,
Adebanke Adetutu Ogun,
Aisha Oluwakemi Salami,
Olukayode Oladeji Alewi,
Taiwo Aderemi Popoola,
Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
19-29
Received:
1 June 2024
Accepted:
20 June 2024
Published:
25 June 2024
Abstract: Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Haemophilus Influenza type b (HIB), Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus and Hepatitis B, neonatal tetanus yellow fever, measles, cerebrospinal meningitis and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. The objective of this study is to appraise routine immunization coverage among children 0-2 years in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, designed to appraise routine immunization coverage among children 0-2 years in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. The study focused on children 0-2 years. Majority 102 (25.2%) of the respondents were within the age range of 25-29 years, 82 (20.5%) were >39 years. 314 (78.5%) were Yorubas. 385 (96.2%) had good knowledge while 15 (3.8%) had poor knowledge. 374 (93.5%) of the women have positive attitude while 26 (6.5%) of them have negative attitude. Most of the respondents, 391 (97.8%) of the respondents reported that they have taken their child to the health facility for immunization and 232 (58%) have taken their child to 4-5 immunization sessions. Based on the findings of the present study, it could be concluded that very few of the women had poor knowledge of childhood immunization, majority of the women had positive attitude score and practice of childhood immunization, practice of childhood immunization is quite high, and the uptake of childhood immunization is quite high.
Abstract: Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Haemophilus Influenza type b (HIB), Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus and Hepatitis B, neonatal tetanus yellow fever, measles, cerebrospinal meningitis and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year...
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Research Article
Link Between Autoimmunity and Epilepsy: Neuronal Autoantibodies
Silvia Graciela Ramos*,
Viviana Novoa,
Claudio Aranda
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
30-37
Received:
20 June 2024
Accepted:
8 July 2024
Published:
23 July 2024
Abstract: Introduction: Autoimmune epilepsy remains under-recognized, and its true incidence remains uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of neuronal autoantibodies in patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Materials and Methods: An observational, longitudinal, prospective, and analytical study was conducted to assess the presence of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune encephalitis, glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65), and onconeural antibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of consecutive patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Results: Sixty patients and 80 controls (30 healthy individuals, 30 with multiple sclerosis, 10 with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 10 with Sjögren's syndrome) were included to detect neuronal antibodies. Among epilepsy patients, 28 out of 60 (47%) tested positive for antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2), leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the combined control cohort. No onconeural antibodies were detected in epilepsy patients except for 6 cases of epilepsy, 1 case of multiple sclerosis, and 3 cases of lupus with positive GAD by immunofluorescence assay and immunoblotting. There was no significant difference in antibody incidence between male and female epilepsy patients. The incidence of positive autoantibodies was significantly higher in patients with focal epilepsy compared to those with generalized epilepsy (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings indicate the presence of antibodies against NMDAR, VGKC-associated proteins (LGI1, CASPR2), and intracellular antigens (GAD65) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with epilepsy, suggesting an autoimmune etiology. These results underscore the need for further research to elucidate the role of autoantibodies in epilepsy pathogenesis and to explore immunotherapeutic interventions.
Abstract: Introduction: Autoimmune epilepsy remains under-recognized, and its true incidence remains uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of neuronal autoantibodies in patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Materials and Methods: An observational, longitudinal, prospective, and analytical study was conducted to assess the p...
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