THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WATER QUALITY IN KAINJI LAKE

Monitoring of water quality in lakes to meet the requirement of the water framework directive poses a significant financial burden using conventional sampling and laboratory based techniques. This observed situation prompted the development of this locally made low cost multi-parameter monitoring system based on wireless network to achieve remote real-time monitoring of water quality in order to improve the quality of lakes, dams and rivers.The developed monitoring system consisted of five units: data monitoring nodes, data base station, remote monitoring center, power supply unit and display unit. The power supply unit consisted of solar cells and lithium cells. The dissolved oxygen sensor, pH electrode, temperature sensor, turbidity sensor, conductivity sensor and depth sensor present in data monitoring mode were used to measure and monitor the water quality parameters on Kanji Lake in Nigeria. A microcontroller chip was used for processing data collected,GPRS modules were also used for data transmission to the remote monitoring center; where the data were stored and displayed on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit. Various parameters of the lake such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity and depth were successfully logged into the memory card and sent through GSM module for auto-monitoring.The water pH was found to range from 7.1 to 7.43 with a mean temperature range of 27.3°C to 29.8°C.Other physicochemical parameters values monitored did not exceed the recommended values for surface water quality. The comparison between the physicochemical parameters studied in Kanji Lake and the standard values showed that all the parameters exhibited positive relationship. Experimental results obtained using this locally developed low cost multi-parameter monitoring system showed that the system is more reliable for large scale deployments on water quality in lakes. The cost (23,423= #8,409,622) of imported ones is 30 times in price compared with the cost (708.33= #255,000) of locally made multi-parameter monitoring system. It is recommended that locally made multi-parameter should be used by water researchers instead of the imported ones so as to reduce and avoid unnecessary financial burden due to conventional sampling and laboratory based techniques

The Use of Electronic System for Monitoring Water Quality in Kainji Lake

Monitoring of water quality in lakes to meet the requirement of the water framework directive poses a significant financial burden using conventional sampling and laboratory based techniques. This observed situation prompted the development of this locally made low cost multi-parameter monitoring system based on wireless network to achieve remote real-time monitoring of water quality in order to improve the quality of lakes, dams and rivers.The developed monitoring system consisted of five units: data monitoring nodes, data base station, remote monitoring center, power supply unit and display unit. The power supply unit consisted of solar cells and lithium cells. The dissolved oxygen sensor, pH electrode, temperature sensor, turbidity sensor, conductivity sensor and depth sensor present in data monitoring mode were used to measure and monitor the water quality parameters on Kanji Lake in Nigeria. A microcontroller chip was used for processing data collected,GPRS modules were also used for data transmission to the remote monitoring center; where the data were stored and displayed on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit. Various parameters of the lake such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity and depth were successfully logged into the memory card and sent through GSM module for auto-monitoring.The water pH was found to range from 7.1 to 7.43 with a mean temperature range of 27.3°C to 29.8°C.Other physicochemical parameters values monitored did not exceed the recommended values for surface water quality. The comparison between the physicochemical parameters studied in Kanji Lake and the standard values showed that all the parameters exhibited positive relationship. Experimental results obtained using this locally developed low cost multi-parameter monitoring system showed that the system is more reliable for large scale deployments on water quality in lakes. The cost (23,423= #8,409,622) of imported ones is 30 times in price compared with the cost (708.33= #255,000) of locally made multi-parameter monitoring system. It is recommended that locally made multi-parameter should be used by water researchers instead of the imported ones so as to reduce and avoid unnecessary financial burden due to conventional sampling and laboratory based techniques

Pratiques Matrimoniales Et Transmission Mere-Enfant Du Vih Au Togo

But : Etudier l’influence des coutumes et pratiques matrimoniales sur le mode de transmission sexuelle et la transmission mère-enfant du VIH/Sida au Togo, afin de faire des suggestions à l’endroit des populations et des autorités publiques en vue d’éviter les coutumes et les pratiques matrimoniales à risque dans la propagation du VIH. Population et méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude transversale et multicentrique, rétrospective et prospective, portant sur 145 enfants séropositifs, 145 mères d’enfant séropositif, et 145 pères d’enfant séropositif, du 3 janvier au 5 mai 2013, soit une période de 4 mois. Résultats : Sur les 145 enfants, 53,8% étaient de sexe masculin et 46,2% de sexe féminin. Les mères étaient âgées de 31 à 40 ans (54,5%), des artisanes (64,8%), des professionnelles de sexe (2,1%). Les pères étaient âgés de 41 à 50 ans (42,8%), des artisans (54,5%), des professionnels de sexe (0,7%), séropositifs (47,6%), de sérologie inconnue (27,6%). Sur les 145 enfants, 91 (62,8%) étaient issus de la première union des parents et 41 (28,3%) après d’autres aventures infructueuses de ces derniers. Les grossesses d’où étaient issus les 91 enfants nés d’une première union ont été conçues dans l’année qui a suivi le début de l’union (24,9%), entre 1 et 2 ans après le début de l’union (29,7%). Avant l’union d’où est issu un enfant, la mère avait déjà eu de partenaire sexuel (69,7%) dont 57% avec le conjoint actuel et 43% avec un autre partenaire ; le père avait déjà eu de partenaire sexuelle (57,9%) dont 43,7% avec la conjointe actuelle et 56,3% avec d’autres partenaires. Avant la relation sexuelle fécondante, la mère connaissait son statut sérologique dans 6,2% des cas, le père, dans 3,4%, et le couple, dans 3,4% des cas. Les enfants étaient issus d’un remariage (22,8%). Les hommes s’étaient remariés après le décès de leurs femmes dans 5 cas dont 2 cas dans la fratrie de leur femme défunte (sororat), après un divorce (9,7%). Les femmes s’étaient remariées après le décès de leur conjoint dans 9 cas dont 2 cas dans la fratrie de leur mari défunt (lévirat), après un divorce (14,5%). Trois enfants (2%) étaient issus de couples réconciliés, et sur les trois couples réconciliés, deux l’ont été après plus de deux ans de séparation. Onze enfants sur les 145 (7,6%) étaient issus de relations sexuelles volontaires occasionnelles. Les enfants provenaient de familles monogames (58%) et de familles polygames (30,3%). Dans les couples monogames, les femmes se disaient fidèles à leurs maris dans 46,2%  des cas, et les hommes se disaient fidèles à leurs femmes dans 22,1% des cas. Dans les familles de polygames, 9% des hommes se disaient fidèles à leurs femmes et 28,3% des femmes se disaient fidèles à leurs maris. Conclusion : Les stratégies de lutte contre la propagation du VIH ne sauraient être efficaces si elles ne sont pas accompagnées de la réduction de la pauvreté, et si les rapports de pouvoir inégalitaire et les logiques culturelles perdurent.Mots clés : Pratiques matrimoniales, transmission mère-enfant, VIH, Togo.Purpose: To study the influence of customs and marriage practices on the mode of sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS in Togo, to make suggestions to the location of populations and public authorities to avoid customs and marital practices at risk in the spread of HIV. Population and methods: This is a transversal and multi-centre, retrospective and prospective, study of 145 children living with HIV, 145 mothers of HIV-positive child, and 145 fathers of HIV-positive child from 3 January to May 5, 2013, or a period 4 months.  Results: On 145 children, 53.8% were male and 46.2% female. Mothers were aged 31 to 40 years (54.5%), craftswomen (64.8%), sex workers (2.1%). The fathers were aged 41 to 50 years (42.8%), craftsmen (54.5%), sex professionals (0.7%), HIV (47.6%), unknown serology of HIV (27.6%). On 145 children, 91 (62.8%) were from the first union of parents and 41 (28.3%) after other unsuccessful adventures of the latter. Pregnancies from which were 91 children born from a first union were conceived in the year that followed the beginning of the union (24.9%), between 1 and 2 years after the start of the union (29.7%). Before the union from which is a child, the mother had already had sexual partner (69.7%) including 57% with the current spouse and 43% with another partner; the father had already had sexual partner (57.9%) including 43.7% with the current wife and 56.3% with other partners. Before fertilizing intercourse, mother knew his HIV status in 6.2 percent of cases, the father, in 3.4%, and the couple, in 3.4% of cases. The children were from a remarriage (22.8%). The men were remarried after the death of their wives in 5 cases and 2 cases in siblings of their deceased wife (sororat), after a divorce (9.7%). Women were remarried after the death of their spouse in 9 cases and 2 cases in siblings of their deceased husband (levirate marriage), after a divorce (14.5%). Three children (2%) were from reconciled couples, and on three couples reconciled, two were after more than two years of separation. Eleven children on the 145 (7.6%) were from occasional voluntary sexual relations. The children came from monogamous families (58%) and polygamous families (30.3%). In monogamous couples, women were loyal to their husbands in 46.2% of the cases, and men were faithful to their wives in 22.1% of the cases. In families of polygamists, 9% of men were faithful to their wives and 28.3% of women were faithful to their husbands. Conclusion: Strategies to combat the spread of HIV cannot be effective if it is not accompanied by the reduction of poverty, and if unequal power relations and cultural logics persist.Key words: Matrimonial practices, mother-to-child transmission, HIV, Togo.Article in Frenc

Bacteremia among febrile patients attending selected healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background The relative contribution of bacterial infections to febrile disease is poorly understood in many African countries due to diagnostic limitations. This study screened pediatric and adult patients attending 4 healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria, for bacteremia and malaria parasitemia. Methods Febrile patients underwent clinical diagnosis, malaria parasite testing, and blood culture. Bacteria from positive blood cultures were isolated and speciated using biochemical and serological methods, and Salmonella subtyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion. Results A total of 682 patients were recruited between 16 June and 16 October 2017; 467 (68.5%) were Conclusions The study demonstrates that bacteria were commonly recovered from febrile patients with or without malaria in this location. Focused and extended epidemiological studies are needed for the introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines that have the potential to prevent a major cause of severe community-acquired febrile diseases in our locality.</p