Incidence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Ungogo, Nassarawa, Dala and Fagge local government areas of Kano State, Nigeria

This study was carried out between October, 2005 and August, 2006 to determine the occurrence and distribution of Strongyloides stercoralis in Dala, Fagge, Nassarawa and Ungoggo Local Government Areas of Kano State. A total of 280 stool samples from primary schools pupils in the area were examined for the presence of S. stercoralis using direct smear technique. 104 (37.14%) stool samples were found positive. Pupil ages 11 – 13 years had the highest infection 44 (42.30%). Male pupils were more infected 76(73.07%) and Nassarawa Local Government Area had the highest rate of infection 30 (42.85%). 560 S. stercoralis were isolated from the soil of the study area. The soil analysis showed that most of the parasites 174 (31.07% were also found at Nassarawa Local Government Area. Chi – square method was used in analyzing the data obtained. This study stands as a point for further research on S. stercoralis in the study area. Adequate financial provision for the support of fundamental and applied research programme into this topic is strongly recommended. Keywords: Flariform, Strongyloides, Kano, Nassaraw

Effect of health education on long lasting insecticidal nets utilization among mothers of under five children in yamaltu deba lga, Gombe state, Nigeria

Malaria remains a major global public health challenge. It is the leading cause ofdeath among children below the age of five years and constitutes 10% of the continent's disease burden. The objective of this study was to determine effect of health education on utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) among mothers of under five children in Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe state: Objective: This study was aimed at determining the effect of health education on LLINs utilization among mothers of under five children in Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State. Method: The study was a community-based quasi-experimental intervention where 240 mothers of under five children were selected from two communities using a multi stage sampling technique. Health education was given in the study community and withheld in the control community. Data was collected from both communities before and after the intervention using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using EPI-INFO 3.7.1 and Micro soft Excel software. Result obtained was presented using proportion, Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables and decision taken at p<0.05. Results: The mean ages of respondents in study and control communities were 28.9±6.2 and 27.9±6.7 years respectively. At pre-intervention, LLIN ownership was found to be 86.6% and 76.3% while its utilization was 45.4% and 38.1% in both communities. After health education intervention, (LLINs) improved significantly in study community from 42.9% to 89.9% compared with control community which increased from 33.9% to 60.9% and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001). Conclusion: This study concludes that health education significantly improved utilization. We recommendedcontinuous health education on LLINs utilization in communities especially among mothers of under five children

Client Satisfaction with Antenatal Care Services in Primary Health Care Centres in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State Nigeria.

No Abstrac

Bone marrow invasion by aspergillus specie in a sickle cell trait patient with invasive aspergillosis: a fatal case in association with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Invasive aspergillosis has been predominantly associated with pulmonary infection, particularly amongst immunocompromised individuals. Extrapulmonary infections with Aspergillus specie have been reported rarely irrespective of immune status. Risk factors for invasive aspergillosis include prolonged and severe neutropenia, haematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation, advanced AIDS, and chronic granulomatous disease. The most frequently involved specie is Aspergillus fumigatus that constitutes over 90% of cases, followed by Aspergillus flavus, usually associated with a primary skin infection. Haematogenous spread to the bone causing osteomyelitis is the commonest form of disseminated aspergillosis and a surprisingly high proportion of these patients have no immunosuppression. We present a rare case of bone marrow invasion by Aspergillusspp. in a 3-year-old patient with sickle cell trait and chronic Aspergillosis. Case report: A 3-year-old patient with sickle cell trait was brought to the paediatric unit with recurrent diarrhoea, abdominal distention, weight loss and persistent cough. The child was severely wasted with generalised peripheral lymphadenopathy. She had marked respiratory distress and hepatosplenomegaly but no demonstrable ascites. Haematologic examination revealed leukaemoid reaction (leukocyte count of 44.0 x 10 /L) with monocytosis (10%) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count of 97,000/mm ); no blast cells were seen on blood film. The bone marrow was hypercellular with a myeloid/erythroid ratio of 20:1, consistent with infection. Bone Marrow culture yielded Aspergillus spp. and other results of sepsis work up were negative. Conclusion: Cases of extrapulmonary invasive aspergillosis have been reported rarely in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Haematogenous spread to the bone is the commonest form of disseminated disease

Prenatal skull radiography and calvaria histogenesis in Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep

The anterior fontanelle was opened and radiolucent in the second trimester; at the third trimester, the fontanelle began to shrink and finally closed at birth and became radiopaque. The borders of the orbit and the teeth were both radiolucent and undifferentiated at the second trimester and at the third trimester, and these regions became radiopaque at the second and third trimester, respectively. The histomorphology of the calvarium in the first-trimester foetus had three layers consisting of the mesenchymal and osteoblast cells; as the foetus ages within the second trimester, the mesenchymal cells were transformed into osteoblast, colonies, primitive bone spicules, matured bone spicules, and primitive trabeculae respective, in the third trimester, the primitive trabeculae developed into a matured trabeculae, in the day old, the matured trabeculae transforms into a primitive spongy bone. However, this process occurs earlier in Yankasa than in Uda. The histomorphology of the calvarium during foetal life is similar in the Uda and Yankasa. However, the stages of calvarium development occur earlier and faster in Yankasa than Uda of the same ages. This implies that foetal development and time of parturition could occur earlier in the Yankasa compared to the Uda breeds

Evaluation of Nutrient and Anti-nutrient Contents of Parkia biglobosa (L.) Flower

Nutritional and antinutritional contents of Parkia biglobosa flower were analysed using standard analytical methods. On dry weight basis, the flower had the following proximate compositions; ash (6.50 ± 1.00%), crude lipid (4.66 ± 0.29%), crude protein (6.77 ± 0.15%), available carbohydrate (78.9 ± 1.18%) and crude fibre (3.17 ± 0.29%). The calorific value was 384.7 kcal/100g. Mineral analysis indicates that the flower contain some essential minerals such as K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Zn, but was low in Cu, Mn, and Fe. The flower has low concentration of anti-nutritive factors: phytate (1.41±0.24mg %); oxalate (0.03±0.01mg %); hydrocyanic acid (0.17±0.01mg %) and nitrate (1.32±0.10mg %). The values are below the reference toxic standard levels. Therefore, P. biglobosa flower could supplement the microelements requirement, energy and to some extent protein

Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Composition of Strychnos innocua Del. (Monkey Orange) Fruit Pulp Grown in Zuru, Nigeria

The Strychnos innocua (Monkey Orange) fruits pulp were analysed to establish its proximate, minerals, anti-nutritional and ascorbic acid compositions using standard analytical methods. The pulp, on dry weight basis (DW), contains crude protein (3.97%), crude lipid (20.0%), ash (0. 05%), available carbohydrates (75.53%), calorific value (498.0kcal/100g) and moisture (60.17%Wet Weight). The pulp is rich in, potassium (256.33mg/100g), magnesium (10.67mg/100g), iron (9.77mg/100g), zinc (28.73 mg/100g) and manganese (2.50mg/100g). The pulp contains appreciable concentration of ascorbic acid (17.97 91mg/100g DW). But the pulp also has high content of total oxalate (48.75 % DW) and phytic acid (242.91mg/100g). The levels of various nutrient and mineral elements varied significantly, which indicates the potential of the pulp to be harnessed for diverse application for value addition as health food provided that the anti-nutritional factors are tackled appropriately.Keywords: Strychnos innocua, Fruits, Nutrition, Antinutritional factors, Minerals, Proximate compositio

Community-based health insurance scheme in a rural community of North west Nigeria: a roadmap to achieving universal health coverage.

Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme is aimed at reducing out of pocket spending on health care services, ensuring final risk protection to all, especially the poor and the most vulnerable, improvement of quality of health care services, access and utilization as well as the promotion of equity. Objective: This research was aimed at determining willingness to participate in a community-based health insurance scheme among rural households in Katsina State. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in December 2016 among households of Batagarawa LGA, Katsina State. We used a pre-tested, electronic, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to obtain data from households that were selected using a multistage sampling technique and we analyzed the data using STATA version 13. Results: Most, (28.5%) of the respondents were in the age range of 30-39 years with a mean age of 35.5 years. Males were the dominant household heads (93%). Most were married (90%). Most, (90.5%) of households were willing to pay for a community-based health insurance scheme with a median premium of 100 Naira per household member per month. Conclusions: The high proportion of households willing to pay for the scheme should inform the decision of policy makers to design and maintain Community Based Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to and utilization of quality health care services

Purpura Fulminans with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy and Symmetric Peripheral Gangrene Complicating Sepsis in an Infant: A Case Report

Purpura fulminans is a rare consequence of sepsis that could be complicated by DIC and gangrene. We report the case of a 2-months-old infant who developed gangrenous limbs. He presented with fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and irritability for 5 days and was dehydrated and unconscious with global hypertonia. With a clinical impression of sepsis antibiotics, IV fluids and supportive care were commenced. He developed purpuric rashes over the trunk and feet, the latter of which gradually ascended over the legs, with swellings and ischemic skin changes up to the knees. A diagnosis of purpura fulminans was made and further evaluation revealed deranged haematologic parameters, features of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC), hypernatraemia, azotaemia and arterial occlusion. Despite blood transfusions and supportive care gangrene emerged and progressively ascended towards the knees. Parents however rejected offer for surgical amputation and left against medical advice. The coexistence of purpura fulminans with multiple triggers for DIC should alert clinicians of a potential risk of peripheral gangrene.Keywords: Infant, Sepsis, Purpura fulminans, DIC, Gangren

Proximate, Vitamins and Mineral Composition of Vitex doniana (black plum) Fruit Pulp

Samples of Vitex doniana fruit (black plum) were collected from Vunchi village in Bida metropolis. The dried endocarp was washed, ground into powder and analysed for the proximate, vitamins and mineral compositions. The values (%DW) of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and carbohydrate available were 16.66, 11.50, 8.24, 0.58, 34.62 and 28.40, respectively. Levels of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and C were 0.27, 18.33, 4.80, 20.45 and 35.58 (mg/100g DW) respectively. Mineral (mg/100g DW) were: potassium (16.5), sodium (10.40), calcium (30.27), iron (5.20), Copper (2.70), magnesium (20.10) and phosphorus (16.50). The result indicates that Vitex doniana fruit pulp could be promoted as: carbohydrate and lipid supplements for cereal-based diets in rural communities, another cheaper source of raw material for juice production, fortified into feed of ruminants, while its moderate calcium value could be used for the management of oesteomalacia