The relationship between intimate partner violence and postpartum depression in Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Postpartum depression is the most prevalent postpartum mental health problem. Risk factors for postpartum depression include psychosocial stressors. One of these psychosocial stressors could be intimate partner violence. Co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and postpartum depression is considered deadly co morbidity because it can increase the risk of homicide and suicide. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intimate partner violence and depression among postnatal women attending postnatal and infant welfare clinics of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 postpartum women who attended postnatal and infant welfare clinics of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Osogbo using Composite Abuse Scale (CAS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Socio-demographic questionnaire.  Respondents that were found to be EPDS positive as well as 10% of EPDS negative respondents were further assessed with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) (depression subscale) to diagnose depression.Results: Respondents that experienced intimate partner violence were five times as likely to have postpartum depression compared to those that did not experience IPV. Logistic regression showed that intimate partner violence independently predicted postpartum depression in respondents (OR 4.799, CI 1.844-12.493).Conclusions: Postpartum depression was significantly higher among women that experienced intimate partner violence. This observation has implications for mental health of women, therefore, any woman with suspected postpartum depression should be asked about IPV as this could be a pointer to IPV

Comparative efficacy of visual inspection with acetic acid versus cytology for cervical cancer screening in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: Screening test for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has been advocated by World Health Organization as a suitable, low cost and feasible alternative modality for control of cervical cancer in resource-poor settings as compared to cytological and colposcopic screening. The need for reproducibility, accuracy and comparable efficacy will influence the acceptability of VIA as primary screening modalities for cervical cancer.Methods: A cross–sectional comparative study conducted at BUTH. Data were obtained from 318 consenting women aged 30–65 years using a systematic random sampling method and an interviewer–administered structured questionnaire. Pap smear samples were taken followed by visual inspection with acetic acid. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, Frequencies were obtained and Chi-square test (X2) was used to compare rates and proportions with the level of statistical significance set at less than 0.05.Results: Positive results for premalignant cervical lesion was 1.3% and 4.1% for VIA and Pap smear respectively (X2=4.52; p=0.034). The sensitivity of VIA was 7.7% with positive predictive value of 25% while specificity was 99.0% with a negative predictive value of 96.2%. The prevalence of abnormal cervical lesion in the population studied was 4.1% (95% CI 2.2% – 6.9%).Conclusions: The detection rate for pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix using VIA was significantly lower than that of Pap smear in this study. There may be needed to exercise caution in adopting VIA as primary screening modality for cervical cancer

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCUST BEAN SEED DEHULLING CUM WASHING MACHINE

A wet locust bean seeds (Parkia biglobosa) dehulling and washing machine was developed to reduce the drudgery attached to traditional dehulling of the seeds which are processed for use as condiments and flavors’ for food in many African countries. The machine consisted of dehulling and washing units, the dehulling mechanism obtains its drive from a 0.38 kW gear motor of 30 - 50 rpm. The dehulling shaft; has rods arranged concentrically to break seed coat and radial fan-like blades used as a stirrer. The dehuller cum washer was evaluated based on the boiling time of the seeds on an electric cooker. The result indicated that the efficiency of the machine increased linearly with an increase in boiling time. The throughput capacity decreased with an increase in boiling time and moisture content decreased with an increase in boiling time from the sixth hour. Dehulling efficiency ranged from 59.7 to 68%, and cleaning efficiency ranged from 83.4 to 87.4 % while the average throughput capacity was 108 kg/hr

Assessment of rice processing operations in Ekiti State, Nigeria

An investigation survey was carried out to examine factors affecting processing and quality of rice in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Nine major towns were selected from six Local Government Areas involved in rice production in the State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from three hundred (300) rice processors. Findings revealed that 47% of the processors were males and 53% are females, 66.7% of the processors have family size ranged within 4 to 7 persons, 63.78% of them have only primary education and 22.67% have no formal education, 70% of rice is gotten from middle men and 80% of the processors used their personal savings as capitals. 70% of the milling machines used was obsolete being single pass type characterized with high broken grains and 90% of the processors depend on diesel engines to power the mills while 7% had access to good storage facilities. None of the processors had accesses to a rice destoner. The result obtained is used to improve the processing deficiency of rice in Ekiti State. Key words: Rice processing; milling machines; rice processors; storage facilities; power sourc

RICE PROCESSING OPERATIONS

An investigation survey was carried out to examine factors affecting processing and quality of rice in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Nine major towns were selected from six Local Government Areas involved in rice production in the State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from three hundred (300) rice processors. Findings revealed that 47% of the processors were males and 53% are females, 66.7% of the processors have family size ranged within 4 to 7 persons, 63.78% of them have only primary education and 22.67% have no formal education, 70% of rice is gotten from middle men and 80% of the processors used their personal savings as capitals. 70% of the milling machines used was obsolete being single pass type characterized with high broken grains and 90% of the processors depend on diesel engines to power the mills while 7% had access to good storage facilities. None of the processors had accesses to a rice de�stoner. The result obtained is used to improve the processing deficiency of rice in Ekiti State

Awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer, though preventable, remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in developing countries after breast. Lack of awareness and access to preventive methods remains a key factor contributing to high levels of cervical cancer in these populations. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the level of awareness of, and perception of risk for, cervical cancer among women attending Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) general outpatient clinic. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the BUTH, Ogbomoso. Data were obtained from 318 consenting women using systematic random sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information about their sociodemographic characteristics, marital and reproductive history, and awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Awareness for cervical cancer and its screening tests were 22.6% and 17.9%, respectively, with major sources of information being from health talks and hospital staffs. About 5.7% believed that they may be at risk whereas only 1.6% had ever been screened. Perception of risk is significantly associated with age (χ2 = 20.05, P = 0.005) and early coitarche (χ2 = 10.46, P = 0.015). Overall, respondents' attitude was positive to cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: The level of awareness of cervical cancer and screening was low among the respondents. Increased media campaign about its risks and preventive measures is urgently needed

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS BIOMASS USED IN ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

The challenge of sufficient sources of energy, the high cost of the available sources, and the emission of greenhouse gases harmful to both man and his surroundings amongst others, Initiate the need for renewable sources of energy that are available and affordable. This study focuses on the physicochemical properties of the substrate and digestate of biomass (fruit waste with sheep dung and food waste with human excreta). The hydraulic retention time was 30 days, within the mesophillic temperature range (30 – 40ºC) using a digester with 25 liter capacity, the biomass used was mechanically pre-treated. The pH of the medium reduced progressively from 7.75 to 7.45 and 7.4 to 7.25 for fruit waste with sheep dung and for food waste with human excreta respectively. This study shows that the synthesis of fruit waste with sheep dung and food waste with human excreta can produce sufficient carbon that will accelerate effective gas generation as an alternative energy source in Nigeria. Additionally, from the values of the physicochemical properties (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), the biomass is a good replacement for the conventional chemical fertilizer used on farms which are more expensive to come b

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCUST BEAN SEED DEHULLING CUM WASHING MACHINE

A wet locust bean seeds (Parkia biglobosa) dehulling and washing machine was developed to reduce drudgery attached to traditional dehulling of the seeds which are processed for use as condiment and flavours’ for food in many African countries. The machine consisted of dehulling and washing units, the dehulling mechanism obtains its drive from a 0.38 kW gear motor of 30 - 50 rpm. The dehulling shaft; has rods arranged concentrically to break seed coat and radial fan - like blades used as stirrer. The dehuller cum washer was evaluated based on boiling time of the seeds on an electric cooker. The result indicated that efficiency of the machine increased linearly with increase in boiling time. The throughput capacity decreased with increase in boiling time and moisture content decreased with increase in boiling time from the sixth hour. Dehulling efficiency ranged from 59.7 to 68 %, and cleaning efficiency ranged from 83.4 to 87.4 % while average throughput capacity was 108 kg/hr