Vol. 6 No. 2 (2023): EDITORIAL

Once again we are delighted to welcome our esteemed readers to issue number 2, volume 6 of the Journal of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria (JESON). This issue closes the year 2023 on a positive note as we look forward to a new year as 2024 approaches with all its great promises. I wish to use this medium to thank all researchers who have kept faith with us and kept publishing in our Journal with our meticulous and robust review process which, many times, may appear too laborious and stringent to authors. The result is that articles that eventually get published in the Journal meet the highest standard of scientific scrutiny and the authors and readers are the happier for it. As always, this issue of the Journal brings to you new information from exciting original studies and a case report from around Nigeria.

Non communicable diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, visual impairment and metabolic disorders, have since taken the centre stage in the public health discourse the world over. A good number of articles in this issue focus on these topics. For instance, efforts are being made to integrate the treatment and control chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and asthma at all tiers of the healthcare system but how prepared are the Primary Health Care facilities for the screening of these diseases? Miner and her colleagues in Jos Nigeria, present their findings and perspectives on this issue. Amusa and his colleagues on the other hand investigated the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among persons living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and documented a significantly elevated risk. Similarly, as screen time increases with the increasing use of computers and hand-held cell phones, there are growing concerns that the effects on the eyes in all age groups may not be completely known. Charles Kindness and his colleagues provide an insight into the magnitude of the problem. Thyroid disorders are fairly common in Plateau State and Edah and co-researchers open our eyes to the pattern of disease in that environment.

Other original articles served in this menu cover bioinsecticidal properties of naturally growing plants in northern Nigeria (Hamza et al), effect of seasonal variation on trends of diarrheal diseases in Yenagoa (Promise et al), point of care blood glucose profiles of neonates in Lagos and knowledge of hepatitis B and C among clients infected with HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Kaduna, Nigeria. All articles present the results of their findings as well as point the directions for future research in the respective areas.

I wish to use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to reviewers who have put their knowledge, skills, experience and time at our disposal to critically review our manuscripts not only for this issue but for the past issues of the Journal. I appreciate Professor Charles Tobin-West, Professor Moses Chingle, Professor Mathilda Banwat, Professor Esther Envuladu, Professor Chundung Miner, Professor Tolulope Afolaranmi, Professor Luret Lar, Professor Yetunde Tagurum, Professor Hadiza Agbo, Professor Omosive Maduka, Professor Priscilla Utoo and Professor O. Audu. Others include Drs I J Usar, T J Akosu, E O Okoh, N Dami, Niyi Taiwo, I A Joshua, N Omole-Ekun, J D Abubakar, P Odunze, P Adeoye, C Okorie, C Uhunmwangho, G A Amusa and Amina Mohammed. The editorial team remains eternally grateful to them for the several revisions.

Professor Jonathan C. Daboer

Editor in Chief