The Role of Academics in the Attainment of National Integration in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and The Wayforwad

This presentation is a review of the roles of Nigerian academics in relation to national integration. At the background is the perception of the troubling times in Nigeria occasioned by socio-economic and political turmoil. It is thus premise that, academics in higher institutions of learning have been an integral part of nation integration drives and attempts in Africa and Nigeria in particular. However, it is noted with greater concern such the momentous of the academics to critically participate in the drive for national integration especially in this crucial time of Nigeria’s national development have been subdued by serious political and administrative mismanagements in the nations and the contagious effectives such have on the ivory towers. This ugly development has depleted the quality and quantity of the academics, often reducing its impact to campuses. Secondary data were used to described and justify this revelations. The presentation holds that the academics world over and in Nigeria with significance motivation and improved and robust working environment remains the government best bet to institutionalizing and sustaining national integration

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems category 3 (probably benign) breast lesions detected on diagnostic breast ultrasound: The prevalence, outcome and malignancy detection rate in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Probably benign breast lesions in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS 3) constitute a crucial category and a considerable number of all palpable breast masses. Local data concerning the outcome of such lesions in the Nigerian environment is almost non-existent. Objectives: The goal of this article is to report the frequency, outcome and malignancy detection rate among palpable breast masses that were categorised on ultrasound as BI-RADS category 3 (probably benign) according to the American College of Radiology (ACR). Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2017, 603 patients had diagnostic whole-breast ultrasound scans. There were 277 women who complained of palpable breast masses, of whom 151 women were diagnosed as having BI-RADS 3 lesions. The final lesion outcome was determined by either biopsy or ultrasound follow-up examination for a total of 2 years. All data were recorded and analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (Chicago, USA). Results: The frequency of BI-RADS category 3 lesions among all the women who underwent breast ultrasound was 25% (151/603); and 54% (151/277) in patients with palpable breast masses. There were 25 patients who were excluded because of incomplete data or who were lost to follow-up. A total of 122 patients had both ultrasound examination and histopathologic diagnosis, while only 4 were followed up for 2 years on ultrasound alone. Of the 122 women biopsied, 117 (95.9%) had benign histologic outcomes, and of the remaining 5, cancer was confirmed in 2 (1.6%), while the remaining 3 patients (2.5%) had lesions considered intermediate at histology (juvenile papillomatosis, borderline phylloides and atypical ductal hyperplasia). Three out of four patients who had ultrasound follow-up alone had stable lesions after 2 years, while one patient had complete resolution. Conclusion: This study found a significantly high biopsy rate of 80% (122/151) for probably benign lesions but a low detection rate for malignancy (1.6%). Follow-up with imaging rather than biopsy for lesions sonographically described as probably benign, will reduce medical costs and unwarranted invasive procedures

Assessment of medication adherence and factors affecting it among diagnosed hypertensive patients attending outpatient department in some selected hospitals in Zaria metropolis

Background: Medication adherence ameliorates/reduces the complications associated with various disease conditions especially diseases that are not curable but rather, are to be managed from its onset to the end of its victim’s life, as seen in hypertensive patients. Adherence to medication is important for blood pressure control, but poor adherence is common. The objective of the study was to assess medication adherence, factors affecting it and the possible relationship. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional exploratory study in which structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on social demographics, medication adherence, and factors affecting it. Medication adherence and factors affecting it were tested using SPSS version 16. Four hospitals were purposively selected for the study. Result: A total of 205 hypertensive patients aged 30-60 years and above participated in the study.125 (61%) and 80 (39%) were respectively Muslims and Christians. The majority of the respondents are males (65.4%) of age’s 40-50years. A majority of the total respondents (84%) do not adhere to medication regimen, factors affecting their adherence to medication regimen among many others were; duration of drug therapy 19.5%,cost of medication 7.8%, lack of adequate knowledge of the disease 19%, lack of understanding the importance of the treatment 16.1% and frequent changes of medications 14.6%. There is no significant relationship between medication adherence and factors affecting it (x² = 3.841, p = 0.000) Conclusion: Findings from the study has shown that most hypertensive patients attending outpatient department in the selected hospitals in Zaria Metropolis do not adhere to the medication regimen. Social and economic factor, condition related dimension, therapy related dimension and health care related were identified as factors that influence medication adherence. It is recommended that both health care professionals and the patients should put in place mechanisms for medication reminders such as follow-up, phone calls and short message services (SMS)

Undergraduate students' perception towards ward rounds as a clinical teaching strategy and perceived impact on academic performance in Zaria

Background: The primary aim of this study is to assess the undergraduate students’ perception on ward-round and clinical teaching activities and its perceived impact on their academic performance in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria. A descriptive survey design was employed as a methodology for the study. The study population includes undergraduate students of Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNSc) in 400 & 500L, Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.Pharm) in 500L and Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 400 & 500 Levels with a total number of 910.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive survey was employed as a study design. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection which was divided into five sections according to the objectives of the study. Results: The study population comprises of undergraduate students of Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNSc) in 400 & 500L, Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.Pharm) in 500L and Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 400 & 500 Levels. A sample size of 276 was used. Thef indings of the study revealed that, BNSc and MBBS students demonstrated good perception toward the concept of ward-round as clinical teaching strategy; B.Pharm students had good perception toward ward round but their clinical role was not clearly defined because of limited period of posting. Most of the students enjoyed participating in ward-round and they always participate. Among the BNSc students, “Team work” was rated most as an impact of ward-round that strongly influence their performance, while among the MBBS students “Work-based teaching” got the highest rating and B. Pharm students rated “Improved motivation” as an impact of ward-round that strongly influence their performance. Conclusion: It was concluded that undergraduate students demonstrated good perception of the concept of ward-round and they enjoy participating in all activities during clinical teaching. Interventions such as supervision and guidance of students’ activities while in the clinical area by the clinical instructors, increasing the number of postings of B. pharm students to the ward are needed for effective integration of learning

Humoral immunological kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and diagnostic performance of serological assays for coronavirus disease 2019: an analysis of global reports

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rise and second waves are reported in some countries, serological test kits and strips are being considered to scale up an adequate laboratory response. This study provides an update on the kinetics of humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and performance characteristics of serological protocols (lateral flow assay [LFA], chemiluminescence immunoassay [CLIA] and ELISA) used for evaluations of recent and past SARS-CoV-2 infection. A thorough and comprehensive review of suitable and eligible full-text articles was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Wordometer and medRxiv from 10 January to 16 July 2020. These articles were searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms 'COVID-19', 'Serological assay', 'Laboratory Diagnosis', 'Performance characteristics', 'POCT', 'LFA', 'CLIA', 'ELISA' and 'SARS-CoV-2'. Data from original research articles on SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection >= second day postinfection were included in this study. In total, there were 7938 published articles on humoral immune response and laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these, 74 were included in this study. The detection, peak and decline period of blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgG and total antibodies for point-of-care testing (POCT), ELISA and CLIA vary widely. The most promising of these assays for POCT detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 3 postinfection and peaked on the 15th day; ELISA products detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG at days 2 and 6 then peaked on the eighth day; and the most promising CLIA product detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 1 and peaked on the 30th day. The most promising LFA, ELISA and CLIA that had the best performance characteristics were those targeting total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies followed by those targeting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG then IgM. Essentially, the CLIA-based SARS-CoV-2 tests had the best performance characteristics, followed by ELISA then POCT. Given the varied performance characteristics of all the serological assays, there is a need to continuously improve their detection thresholds, as well as to monitor and re-evaluate their performances to assure their significance and applicability for COVID-19 clinical and epidemiological purposes

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The Role of Academics in the Attainment of National Intergartion in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and The Wayforwad

International audienceThis presentation is a review of the roles of Nigerian academics in relation to national integration. At the background is the perception of the troubling times in Nigeria occasioned by socioeconomic and political turmoil. It is thus premise that, academics in higher institutions of learning have been an integral part of nation integration drives and attempts in Africa and Nigeria in particular. However, it is noted with greater concern such the momentous of the academics to critically participate in the drive for national integration especially in this crucial time of Nigeria's national development have been subdued by serious political and administrative mismanagements in the nations and the contagious effectives such have on the ivory towers. This ugly development has depleted the quality and quantity of the academics, often reducing its impact to campuses. Secondary data were used to described and justify this revelations. The presentation holds that the academics world over and in Nigeria with significance motivation and improved and robust working environment remains the government best bet to institutionalizing and sustaining national integration

BOARD STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA

This research attempts to investigate how corporate board structure affects the financial performance of Nigerian pharmaceutical companies that are publicly traded. The study discovered that female directors, institutional directors, and non-executive directors have a strong significant impact on the profitability of the sampled pharmaceutical firms in Nigeria during the period covered by the study using multiple regression technique. The study used a correlational research design and a panel regression technique of data analysis on a sample of seven pharmaceutical firms for a period of ten years (2012-2020). The research found that, the size of the board of directors had no discernible effect on the selected firms' profitability. According to the research, institutional directors have a positive effect on the profitability of Nigeria's publicly traded pharmaceutical businesses, whereas female directors and non-executive directors have a negative impact on the profitability of their organizations. According to the research, a big board does not always increase a company's profitability. Therefore, management and the board of directors of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria are advised to reduce the size of their boards to a maximum of six members. Additionally, it was advised that the number of institutional directors on the boards of Nigerian pharmaceutical companies that are publicly traded be expanded since their presence contributes to rising profits. The report's conclusion urges policymakers and other interested parties to start a process to limit the number of women who may serve as directors on the boards of publicly traded pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria since their participation does not increase profitability

Bacteriological and Mycological Assessments of Second-Hand Wears Procured From Girei And Jimeta Markets, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt • This study investigates into the microbial contamination of second-hand clothes, highlighting their potential role in infection transmission. • The research highlights the significant phosphate-solubilizing activity of these native strains, which enhances phosphorus availability to plants through the secretion of organic acids and enzymes. • The findings underscore the need for public health interventions, including the washing and disinfection of second-hand clothing to mitigate the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Full Abstract Used clothes can potentially be an element in the chain of infection transmission during normal daily activities.  Second-hand wear is among such used clothes purchased by many people and used directly without considering any attending health implications.  This study, therefore, examined the level of microbial contamination of second-hand clothes and the association between the different categories of the clothes and microbial contaminants.  Second-hand clothes such as shirts, trousers, vests, socks, and shoes were bought from three Markets in Girei, Yola North and Yola South.  Isolation of organisms was carried out via Standard Plate Count.  Isolates were identified using morphology and appropriate biochemical methods.  A chi-square test (P ≤ 0.05 significant) was done to analyze some of the data obtained.  Antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial isolates was also determined using the Kirby-Bauer method.  The most frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus.  Other bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas spp and E. coli.   A total of four fungal species were isolated. These are Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton rubrum. Trousers had the highest bacterial count (1.10 x103 CFU/mL) and fungal count (8.00 x104 CFU/mL).  The data obtained shows no significant association between fungal species and the categories of clothes with (P = 0.15), but there is a significant association between bacterial species isolated and the categories of clothes analyzed (P = 0.02).  S. aureus was susceptible to ciprofloxacin (100%) and erythromycin (92.8%), while Pseudomonas sp and E. coli were most susceptible to ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin (100%).  The least susceptibility was observed with amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.  It became obvious that these clothes are possible carriers of antibiotic-resistant pathogens for skin and other infections.  Washing and disinfecting second-hand wear before use may be important in minimizing the potential health implications associated with the isolated pathogens