IFUEKO M. MOSES-OTUTU

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant comorbidity among individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinics at a secondary health facility in Benin City. A total of 150 patients were recruited and stool samples were examined microscopically.Sociodemographic,clinical,andhygienerelated data were also collected using structured questionnaires, and associations were analyzed using chi-square tests.. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 28.7%. The most frequently detected species were Entamoeba coli, followed by Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura. Prevalence was higher among females than males in both hospitals, with a statistically significant association (p = 0.042). Rural residence was also significantly associated with infection (p = 0.001). Other factors, including age, marital status, education, occupation, and hygiene practices, showed variations but no significant statistical associations. Widows and patients with tertiary education recorded disproportionately higher prevalence, while inconsistent hand washing, irregular deworming, and animal contact were linked with increased infection risk,though not statistically significant.IPIs remain common among HIV/AIDSpatients in Benin City despite ART availability. Gender, rural residence, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities contribute to the persistence of infection. Routine stool screening, targeted deworming, gender- sensitiveinterventions, and improved sanitation in rural areas are recommended to reduce the burden of parasitic co-infections and improve HIV treatment outcomes.

Psychiatric patients are considered at increased risk for blood-borne viral infections such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV), due to behavioral, social, and health-system factors. This study's aim was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infection among inpatients at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City. A cross-sectional assessment was used for this study and One hundred and one (101) in-patients were recruited using simple random sampling technique. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured forms. Blood samples were obtained from each patients and serum samples were obtained and tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies using rapid immunochromatographic assays. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess associations between infection status and demographic/clinical variables. Of the 101 participants used in the study, 70.3% were male and the majority (40.6%) was aged 21–30 years. Schizophrenia (38.6%) and mental and behavioral disorders (48.5%) were the leading diagnoses observed in the study. The prevalence of HBV was 2.97% (3/101), while no HCV infection was detected. No significant association was found between psychiatric diagnosis and HBV status. However, ethnicity and marital status were significantly associated with HBV positivity. Age, sex, occupation, and religion were not significantly associated with infection. Psychiatric diagnosis was not associated with HBV, but ethnicity and marital status showed significant associations, suggesting household and community transmission influences. Thus, this study emphasizes the importance of routine HBV/HCV screening of psychiatric in-patients. HBV vaccination for non-immune patients, staff and household contacts, and integration of hepatitis services into psychiatric care are also strongly recommended.