Determinants of treatment seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections in Nigeria

About 376 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are reported annually across the globe. Also, untreated STI result in increased risks of complications including HIV, infertility and congenital infections. In Nigeria, enabling factors for STI transmission has increased in recent times. Thus, good treatment seeking behaviour is critical for the management of STI among people with sexually transmitted infections in Nigeria. Secondary data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset were used. The survey was conducted across Nigeria following a-2 stage stratified cluster sampling design from a sample of 4,997 women and 653 men aged 15 – 49 years who reported an STI history. Only 46.1% of the men and 55.7% of the women sought treatment for STI. Men who reported having genital ulcer were 3 times more likely to seek treatment, and women with genital ulcers were 2 times more likely to seek treatment than those who did not have genital ulcers. There is the need to reinforce HIV/STI messaging and health education campaigns in order to sensitize more people on transmission, symptoms and treatment of STI. Also, equitable mechanisms for financing STI treatment should be incorporated into the Nigerian health system in order to increase access for people of poorer economic status.   Environ 376 millions de nouveaux cas d'infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) sont signalés chaque année dans le monde. De plus, les IST non traitées entraînent des risques accrus de complications, notamment le VIH, l'infertilité et les infections congénitales. Au Nigeria, les facteurs favorables à la transmission des IST ont augmenté ces derniers temps. Ainsi, un bon comportement de recherche de traitement est essentiel pour la gestion des IST chez les personnes atteintes d'infections sexuellement transmissibles au Nigeria. Les données secondaires de l'ensemble de données de l'enquête démographique et de santé du Nigeria 2018 ont été utilisées. L'enquête a été menée à travers le Nigeria selon un plan d'échantillonnage en grappes stratifié à 2 degrés à partir d'un échantillon de 4 997 femmes et 653 hommes âgés de 15 à 49 ans qui ont signalé des antécédents d'IST. Seuls 46,1 % des hommes et 55,7 % des femmes ont demandé un traitement pour les IST. Les hommes ayant déclaré avoir des ulcères génitaux étaient 3 fois plus susceptibles de demander un traitement, et les femmes ayant des ulcères génitaux étaient 2 fois plus susceptibles de demander un traitement que celles qui n'avaient pas d'ulcères génitaux. Il est nécessaire de renforcer les messages VIH/IST et les campagnes d'éducation sanitaire afin de sensibiliser davantage de personnes à la transmission, aux symptômes et au traitement des IST. En outre, des mécanismes équitables de financement du traitement des IST devraient être intégrés dans le système de santé nigérian afin d'améliorer l'accès pour les personnes de statut économique plus pauvre. &nbsp

Analysis of Cost-Price Squeeze in Broiler Production Enterprise in Uyo Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study aimed at Analyzing the Cost-Price Squeeze in Broiler Production Enterprises in Uyo Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State. Specifically,  the study aimed at comparing the trends in feed costs and broiler meat prices in the study area.  The study relied on monthly secondary data from the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Project, complemented with primary data from some long standing feed merchants from January 2000 to December 2011. Agricultural price indices (API) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) trend estimation procedure were adopted as analytical tools in the study.  On the average, cost of broiler feeds increased by 2%, broiler meat increased by 1.3% per quarter. The index of prices received by broiler and index of cost paid out for feeds was consistently below 1 indicating the existence of cost-price squeeze in the broiler production enterprise.  The result of the estimated regression parameters indicate a greater increase in broiler feed costs, relative to broiler meat prices.  The research shows the existence of cost-price squeeze phenomenon in the broiler enterprise in the study area. The study recommends initiatives that would reduce the cost of poultry feed and/or boost the price of poultry products. Keywords: Cost-Price Squeeze, Broiler Production Enterprises, Uyo Agricultural Zone, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Effect of Combined Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) and Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) on the Pancreatic beta-Cells of Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

The study evaluated the effect of combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on the pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty-two (32) albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups. Groups A and B which served as normal (NC) and diabetic (DC) controls respectively, received placebo treatment. The diabetic test groups C and D were respectively treated with combined extracts of VA and GL (200mg/kg b. w., p. o.) and insulin, (humulin 5 IU/kg, s.c.) for 28 days. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and blood and pancreas were collected for serum glucose and histological evaluation, respectively. Changes in animal weight were also measured within the period. From the results it was revealed that both the combined extracts and humulin significantly increased the animals’ body weight (p<0.05) from -10.5% reduction in the DC, to 7.6% and 8.9% respectively. In the same order, serum glucose significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 12.49% and 14.96% after the 28-day treatment compared to DC. The extent of reversal of hyperglycemia in the extract treated animals compared well with the insulin treated group. The biochemical results were corroborated with results of histological evaluations: The pancreatic β-cells of DC animals which were distorted and degenerated with shrunken cell mass as against prominent islet cells with normal exocrine pancreas of NC animals became rapidly proliferated upon intervention with the combined extracts, suggesting a possible regeneration of the islet cells. On the otherhand, intervention with humulin did not produce observable differences in the cyto-architecture of the pancreatic islets compared to the diabetic control, confirming an extra-pancreatic mechanism of insulin

Phytochemistry, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

oai:journals.ansfoundation.org:article/20The phytochemical, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The phytochemistry of the plant leaves revealed that S. acuta is laden with antioxidative compounds with remarkable concentrations of saponins (0.772 mg/100g), flavonoids (0.112 mg/100g), alkaloids (0.076 mg/100g) and tannins (0.0541mg/100g). Their presence conferred a strong bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus SS-1VC, Staph. aureus SS-2VM, Staph. aureus SS-3SW, Staph aureus SS-4OM, Staph. aureus SS-5BC Staph. aureus SS-6AF and Staph. aureus SS-7DS isolated from vaginal candidiosis, vaginal mycosis, septic wound, otitis media, buccal cavity, athletes foot and diarrheic stool respectively. Majority of the bacterium strains screened were sensitive to aqueous and methanol extracts of S. acuta leaves. All the strains were inhibited by the aqueous extract, but more susceptible were strains SS-2VM isolated from vaginal mycoses and SS-3SW from septic wound, which recorded 25mm and 24mm diameter of inhibition zones respectively, after treatment with 8.0mg/ml of the extract. However, much lower concentration (0.5mg/ml) of the extract was required to halt coagulase activity in both strains. The methanol leaf extract exhibited similar but stronger antibacterial and anticoagulase activities against the clinical isolates of Staph. aureus. Marked antibacterial inhibitory effects were observed against most strains tested but SS-6AF and SS-7DS (which exhibited comparatively lower susceptibility), with majority of the strains losing theiranticoagulase producing potential at concentrations as low as 0.5mg/ml of alcoholic extract. The strong anticoagulase activity of S.acuta, and it’s efficacy in inhibiting coagulase elaboration by Staph aureus especially Staph. aureus SS3SW isolated from septic wound forms the basis of it’s use in folk medicine for wound treatment

HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS TREATED WITH ETHANOL EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS OF NAUCLEA LAFILOIA LEAF

Hematological parameters which have been implicated in diabetes mellitus were investigated in this study. N-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol fractions of the ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia were orally administered once daily for 2 weeks to diabetic rats. The levels of RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, PCT, MPV, PDW, WBC, lymphocyte and granulocyte were evaluated in blood. There was significant reduction (P &lt; 0.05) in RBC and HCT levels in the treatment groups of ethyl acetate fraction (250 mg/kg) and ethanol extract (250 mg/kg) with significant increases (P &lt; 0.05) in their MCV and MCH levels when compared with the diabetic control group. Significant increases (P &lt; 0.05) in PLT levels of the treatment groups of ethanol extracts, n-hexane fractions and ethyl acetate fraction (100 mg/kg); PCT levels of ethanol extracts group and MPV levels of ethyl acetate fractions treatment groups was high. The treatment groups of glibenclamide, butanol, methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate fractions and ethanol extract (250 mg/kg) showed significant reduction (P &lt; 0.05) in their WBC and lymphocyte levels while significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in granulocyte levels was noted in the treatment group of ethanol extract (100 mg/kg) when compared with diabetic control group. In conclusion, the ethanol extract proved to have anti-infective property. Some fractions, showed capabilities to boost the immune system

Petroleum Hydrocarbons Accumulation Potential of Shellfishes from Littoral Waters of the Bight of Bonny, Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Total hydrocarbons concentration in four commercially available shellfishes (Ocypoda africanus, Macura reptantia, Procambarus clarkii and Penaeus notialis) from coastal waters of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria were investigated between June 2003 and February 2004 using standard methods. Levels of total hydrocarbons varied significantly depending on biota species, feeding habit and season. The seasonal mean concentrations reported were: 3.98±0.69, 7.95±1.18, 2.24±0.39 and 5.85±0.57 μg g -1 dry weight for M. reptantia, O. africanus, P. clarkii and P. notialis respectively during the wet season. Enhanced concentrations recorded during the dry season were 7.81±2.32, 11.59±2.63, 6.16±2.12 and 9.69±1.90 μg g-1 dry weight for M. reptantia, O. africanus, P. clarkii and P. notialis, respectively. The results obtained indicated seasonal variations which might have been associated with an incidental crude oil spill recorded during the investigation. In general, O. africanus showed higher levels of total hydrocarbons than other species investigated. However, biota species demonstrated hydrocarbon bioaccumulation potential. Regression between the monthly concentrations of total hydrocarbons in each of the biospecimens with the levels in the surface water and sediments indicated statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) relationships. Moreover, comparison of the seasonal mean concentrations using paired sample t-test at 95% confidence level indicated that the concentrations between the dry and wet seasons were statistically significant

Information Technology and Computer Science

Abstract-Error and error related issues have been a challenge in the development and reliable usage of computing systems and application. The ability to detect minute error in a system improves the reliability of the system by aiding developers and users to know were challenges are so that they can be fixed during development and even when the system is already in use. In other to achieve that different algorithm have been used including the Cyclic Redundancy Check 16-bit, 32-bit and higher bits. In this paper, error detection schemes are examined and the way they check and detect error in multi-user request and transmitted system. The paper also offers improvement on a Cyclic Redundancy Checks 32-bit detection algorithm for the detection of error that can occur in transmitted data and on stored, backed-up and archived data in the system without consuming large resources as the higher bits.

Petroleum hydrocarbons and limiting nutrients in Macura reptantia, Procambarus clarkii and benthic sediment from Qua Iboe Estuary, Nigeria

The levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons in two commonly consumed benthopelagic shellfishes, Macura reptantia and Procambarus clarkii, harvested from benthic sediment of Qua Iboe Estuary were determined using a gas chromatography with flame-ionization detector. Seventy-two (72) samples each of benthic sediment and the shellfishes were collected monthly between June 2003 and February 2004 covering the peak periods of the wet and dry seasons. Concentrations of hydrocarbons were highly variable and ranged between 5.00 and 232.00 μg/g dry weight of benthic sediment, 3.05 and 11.30 μg/g dry weight of M. reptantia, 1.62 and 9.00 μg/g dry weight of P. clarkii. Pearson’s correlation analysis of total hydrocarbon concentrations in subtidal sediments with levels in the fauna species yielded positive significant (P < 0.05) correlations in M. reptantia (r = 0.737) and P. clarkii (r = 0.924). This is indicative of a long term and chronic accumulation of hydrocarbons in the estuarine ecosystem, reflecting the potential for exposure of the resident biota and the risk to human health

Competitiveness a Masculinity-Femininity Cultural Dimension and Multinational Corporations’ Performance in Uganda

This study conducted under strategy management sought to examine the influence of competitiveness within masculinity-femininity cultural dimension on performance of multinational corporations (MNCs) in Uganda. Specifically, it focused on aspects of competitiveness within the masculinity-femininity cultural dimension that included aggressiveness and materialism. The interest in this study was aroused because of MNCs performance challenges such as struggling to maintain businesses acumen, market share, growth and closure of businesses. This study adopted a cross-sectional research design using a quantitative approach and it involved 50 participants who responded to statements in a questionnaire. A simple regression analysis and a multiple-regression analysis were conducted to assess the influence investigated in this study. Results revealed that competitiveness within masculinity-femininity cultural dimension that included both aggressiveness and materialism had a significant positive influence on performance of MNCs in Uganda. In particular, low levels work aggressiveness and work materialism among MNCs’ employees contributed to the low levels of performance of MNCs in Uganda. The study recommends MNCs to align their strategic vision and mission towards competitiveness to instilling employee work aggressiveness and materialism toward achieving the objectives of the MNCs. Keywords: Masculinity-femininity, competitiveness, aggressiveness, materialism and performance DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Status of Animal Feed Resources in Rwanda

Animal feed resources remain a major constraint for livestock development in tropical Africa. In Rwanda, grazing lands are shrinking sharply because crop cultivation is progressively encroaching on grazing areas with increasing human pressure (Mutimura and Everson 2011). Therefore, over 60% of households cultivating less than 0.7 ha, and owning livestock, practise zero-grazing, where farmers cut-and-carry forage and crop residues to feed animals that are kept exclusively under sheds (MINAGRI 2009). In general, the main feed for dairy cattle under a zero-grazing system is Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). For more than a decade, efforts to improve the feed resource base and feeding management have been based on the introduction, characterisation and evaluation of exotic forage species, including grasses and legumes. The main aim of this study was to identify and document the status of improved forages as animal feed resources and for use in environmental protection in Rwanda