Self-reported adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) favours drug resistance and wastes resources. These have negative implications for personal and public health. Objective: To assess adherence levels, the associated factors and its association with increase in CD4 cell count in people living with HIV (PLHIVs). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, systematically selected adult PLHIVs attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria self-reported their 28-day adherence to HAART and reasons for missing doses using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Their 6-month difference in CD4 cell count was also assessed. Results: The participants totalled 425. Their mean age was 38.6 (SD, 10.1) years and 309 (72.7%) had secondary or tertiary education. The 28-day mean adherence level was 96.8% (SD, 7.9%) and 354 (83.3%) participants had optimaladherence (≥ 95%). Socio-demographic characteristics, side effects and having human reminders were not associated with adherence level, but 100% adherence level since placement on HAART was positively associated with a 6-monthincrease in CD4 cell count (p < 0.01; OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.21 – 2.89). Reasons given by 156 respondents for missing doses included being too busy, 100 (64.1%), forgetting, 85 (54.5%) and sleeping off, 42 (26.9%). Conclusion: Mean adherence was high and the majority of participants had optimal adherence. “Never missing a dose” was associated with improved CD4 cell counts, indicating better prognosis. Socio-demographic factors, side effects and human reminders were not associated with an increase in adherence. However, as there is no evidence that adherence improvement measures are detrimental, their use is still recommended. Keywords: Medication adherence, HAART, HIV, drug resistance, Nigeria, Funding: None declare

Yard wastes generation, management and utilization in nigeria

Yard waste is a major constituent of municipal solid waste (MSW) that contain elements that can be used by microorganisms during biological degradation of MSW but whose economic values are less than the cost of collection, transportation, and processing for beneficial use. It is generated from the gardens, plant nurseries, road sweepings, and so on. Yard waste generation is inevitable in any society, and it is clear that rapid urbanization has resulted in significantly more yard waste generation than previously. Gardening is common in communities, whether rural and urban, resulting in garden wastes such as leaves, wood trimmings and grass clipping.  At present, most of the yard wastes in Nigeria are illegally dumped into abandoned waste lands or burn up which is very harmful and had raised concerns for the environmental and human health.  However, due to a lack of corresponding policy support and management requirements for yard waste usage in Nigeria, this study proposes remedies and proposals for yard waste utilization that are appropriate for Nigeria, based on successful technologies and regulations. So based on the real situation in Nigeria, it is imperative to replace the traditional methods of yard waste management with innovative ones to promote their proper utilization.

ANNONA MURICATA LINN. ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT AMELIORATES REPRODUCTIVE COMPLICATIONS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine and metabolic disorder of humans and animals characterized by hyperglycemia and low blood insulin levels or insensitivity of target organs to insulin and it’s a major health problem affecting patient’s quality of life due to its many complications. Infertility is one of the major secondary complications in diabetes. Although numerous drugs have been used for intervention studies on diabetes-induced infertility worldwide, there are currently no treatments for diabetes associated infertility in humans. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Annona muricata ethanolic leaf extract (AMELE) on fertility of male diabetic rats and levels of blood glucose. Twenty male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n=5) treated thus: CTRL (control), DNT, DT1 and DT2 (diabetic, single intraperitoneal injection, streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg). Group DT1 and DT2 received AMELE orally at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively daily for fourteen days. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks via thiopental injection and testicular weights were recorded. Fasting blood glucose was determined using a digital glucometer. Sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were assessed microscopically. Testes were histologically evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of AMELE at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg to diabetic male rats for fourteen days significantly decreased blood glucose level and also ameliorated diabetes-induced decreases in sperm functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.   &nbsp

Aspects of the Hydrocarbon Potential of the Coals and Associated Shales and Mudstones of the Mamu Formation in Anambra Basin, Nigeria

Coals and associated shales and mudstones of the Mamu Formation in Anambra basin were examined for their hydrocarbon potentials by subjecting them to total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-eval Pyrolysis analyses. The TOC results range from 45.56 to 67.68 wt. %, 0.07 to 5.65 wt. % and 0.12 to 4.46 wt. % for the coals, shales and mudstones respectively, suggesting that the sediments contain appreciably high quantity of organic matter that can generate hydrocarbon. Ranges of Hydrogen Index (HI) and Genetic Potential (GP) for the coals, shales and mudstones are 167 to 327 mg/g and 114.99 to 159.54 mg/g, 50 to 288 mg/g and 2.85 to 15.66 mg/g TOC, 41 to 239 mg/g and 0.54 to 10.96 mg/g respectively. Tmax and Calculated vitrinite reflectance (% Ro) of sediments range from 412 to 432 oC and 0.26 to 0.62 respectively. The Rock-eval data suggested poor to very good source rocks in the sediments, with the shales as good source rocks, the mudstones as poor to good source rocks and the coals as very good source rocks. The predominant organic matter types in the sediments are kerogen type II/III and type III which are oil and gas prone. The coals are dominated by kerogen type II/III while the shales and mudstones are dominated by kerogen type III. Thermal maturity from Rock-eval data indicated that the sediments are immature with respect to hydrocarbon generation and generally at low level conversion. The coals and the associated shales and mudstones of Mamu Formation are therefore capable of generating oil and gas at appropriate maturity. Keywords: Mamu Formation, Coals, Shales, Mudstones, Hydrocarbon generation, Kerogen, Thermal maturit

An assessment of referral letters to a specialist diabetes outpatient service in Ibadan

Background: Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness which requires continuous medical care. Requests for specialist consultation is a regular occurrence, and the referral process is most commonly initiated by a referral letter. The ability to effectively formulate an appropriate management plan for a patient at the time of specialist consultation largely depends on the quality of clinical information provided in the referral letter.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the information provided in referral letters to the specialist diabetes clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between August and December 2017. All referral letters presented to the diabetes clinic on selected clinic days were evaluated using a data extraction tool designed by the investigators.Results: The majority of referral letters provided information on patient identifiers. However, the provision of clinical information deemed vital for effective patient triage and good quality review in the specialist diabetes clinic was generally unsatisfactory. Less than a quarter of the referral letters provided information on key parameters such as physical examination findings, patients medication and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Short term measures of glycemic control, blood pressure status, serum creatinine and serum lipid profiles were reported in just 51.3%, 35%, 6.7% and 2.5% of referral letters respectively.Conclusion: We have observed that referral letters to our specialist diabetes clinic often do not contain adequate information considered essential for a good quality consultation. Identifying the root causes of the inadequacies observed and the institution of intervention measures to address the problems identified could help improve the delivery of specialist review services for patients with diabetes. Interventions such as the use of standardized formats for referral letters, provision of referral guidelines and physician education programmes might help improve the quality of information provided at the time of referral.Keywords: Assessment, Referral Letters, Diabetes, Specialis

A Study on the Effects of Internal Heat Generation on the Thermal Performance of Solid and Porous Fins using Differential Transformation Method

In this study, the impacts of internal heat generation on heat transfer enhancement of porous fin is theoretical investigated using differential transform method. The parametric studies reveal that porosity enhances the finheat dissipating capacity but the internal heat generation decreases the heatenhancement capacity of extended surface. Also, it is established that whenthe internal heat parameter increases to some certain values, some negativeeffects are recorded where the fin stores heat rather than dissipating it. Thisscenario defeats the prime purpose of the cooling fin. Additionally, it is established in the present study that the limiting value of porosity parameterfor thermal stability for the passive device increases as internal heat parameter increases. This shows that although the internal heat parameter canhelp assist higher range and value of thermal stability of the fin, it producesnegative effect which greatly defeats the ultimate purpose of the fin. Theresults in the work will help in fin design for industrial applications whereinternal heat generation is involved

Fish sorting assessments of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings raised in fish tanks

Fish sorting assessments of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings stocked and raised in fish tanks were undertaken for a 6-month culture period: Sorting was undertaken from the first, second, and third months of stocking the fish fingerlings while the control was not sorted at all. The sorting assessments revealed that the twice sorting of fish fingerlings stocked with a Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) of 3.44 was significantly different (p>0.05) from those sorted once with MRR of 0.912, and three times with MRR of 2.65 respectively, thus making twice sorting most advisable for fish farmers utilizing Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for tank aquacultur

The knowledge and reported vaccination status of hepatitis B virus amongst medical students in a Nigerian tertiary teaching hospital

Objective: Preventing the occupational risk of contracting the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is against a backdrop of knowledge and vaccination. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the medical students on HBV infection and their vaccination status.Method: A cross-sectional study on was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Data of 202 students were analyzed using SPSS v. 20. Descriptive statistical tests were applied.Result: Subjects' ages ranged from 19 to 36 years, mean age of 25.65± 3.3years, 54.1% were males. The knowledge score on general knowledge was 79.2%, on risks factors and mode of transmission of virus was 74.9% whilst on prevention was 89%. The reported vaccination status was 22.8%. Eighty one of them (40.1%) had been tested for the HBV with 4(4.9%) testing positive.Conclusion: The medical students had good knowledge of the Hepatitis B virus however the vaccination status was low.Keywords: Chronic Hepatitis B, Health care workers, mode of transmissio

Assessment of male involvement in emergency contraception in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) refers to the use of drugs or a device as an emergency measure to prevent pregnancy. Lack of awareness and appropriate use of emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Male involvement in contraceptive practices could help reduce these sequelae. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency contraception and extent of partners’ communication with each other on pregnancy prevention among male students in the University of Benin, Benin City.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 400 male students of the University of Benin selected by multistage sampling technique. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20 and statistical significance was determined using Chi square and Fishers exact with p value set at < 0.05.Results: Three hundred and thirty-four (95.4%) of the respondents, had incorrect knowledge of Emergency Contraception (EC) while 293 (83.7%) respondents had a good attitude toward EC. One hundred and seventy-five (80.3%) of the respondents’ partners have used emergency contraception and only 93 (43.1%) respondents discussed pregnancy prevention with their partners.Conclusion: The knowledge of emergency contraception among respondents was poor. However, most respondents had positive attitude towards its use and majority of their partners had used EC. Therefore, health education program on pregnancy prevention methods is recommended to improve respondents’ knowledge.Keywords: Emergency contraception, Male involvement, Knowledge, Attitude, Pregnancy prevention