Undergraduate students' understanding of physiology subject, opinions and perception: the case of Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Summary: Human Physiology courses are compulsory in medical education but many students encounter challenges in studying them. This study investigates understandings, opinions and perceptions of students about physiology subject and the challenges they encounter in their study. Two hundred and eighty (280) students were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 22. The mean age of the students was 22.8 ± 4.1 years. Males constituted 174(62.1%), while females were 106 (37.9%). Majority of the respondents were in 300 level of study in the university 178(63.6%) as of the time of conducting this research. Most of the participants 257(91.8%) claimed to have good to excellent understanding of the physiology subjects. One hundred and nine (39.1%) alleged that academic staff had unfriendly attitude like rushing lectures, commencing lectures late and fixing tests and other continuous assessment close to examinations, and that lecturers have poor communication/ teaching skills. Less than one-third (28.7%) believed that the subjects have bulky course contents, and 56(20.1%) were of the opinion that the students' lack of seriousness or interest is among the reasons for failing physiology courses. On binary logistic regression, being of female sex, and in 300 level of study emerged as the independent predictors of the students' perception of physiology. Improving the pedagogy 102(36.4%), good attitude of staff towards students and teaching 73(26.1%), improving infrastructure and equipment 35(12.5%); and instituting guidance and counseling unit for both staff and student 31(11.1%) were the ways suggested by the students for improving performance in physiology subject. Most of the students had poor and negative perception about physiology subjects (83.2%). Guidance and counseling for students, through the level coordinators and the mentor-mentee program should be strengthened in all departments. Basic infrastructure and equipment, and teaching techniques should also be upgraded.Keywords: Undergraduate students, Understanding of Physiology Subject, Opinions, Perceptions, Kano-Nigeri

Can Desarda Technique Repair all Adult Inguinal Hernia?

Objectives: This paper focuses on reporting the results of the daily use of the Desarda technique for the treatment of adult inguinal hernias without selection of patients at national hospital of Niamey. Patients and Method: This was a prospective and descriptive study from December 2012 to August 2014. It included 76 patients aged over 15 years who underwent inguinal hernia repair by Desarda technique without any selection. The variables studied include the type of inguinal hernia, the Nyhus class of inguinal hernia, the operating time, the postoperative pain, and the hernia recurrences. Results: There were 74 men and 2 women. The average age of the patients was 43.6 years [± 17.6]. Inguinal hernia was found in 57.9% of patients. There were 76.31% simple hernias, 15.80% recurrent hernias, 2.63% intractable hernias by loss of domain, and 5.26% strangulated hernias. 90.79% of the patients were operated under spinal anesthesia. The most frequent types of inguinal hernia were Nyhus type 2 found in 35.52% of patients, followed by Nyhus type 3b found in 30.26% of patients. The mean operative time was 46.67 [± 11.5] minutes. The immediate operative follow-up was marked by the occurrence of a hematoma of the scrotum in two patients. There was no recurrence of chronic postoperative pain after a median follow up of 40 months. Conclusion: The Desarda technique could be a good alternative for the cure of all inguinal hernias of adults

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF FRUIT AND LEAVES EXTRACT OF LANNEA MICROCARPA ENGLAND K. KRAUS (ANACARDIACEAE)

Objective:  To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity as well as carotenoid content of crude hydro-acetonic extract of fruit and leaves of Lannea microcarpa (L. microcarpa) and to elucidate the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism by enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods.Methods:  Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by using carrageenan induced paw edema in mice;  the anti-inflammatory mechanism may have been assessed using the inhibitory effect of the extracts, on the lipoxygenase, xanthine oxidase, lipid peroxidation and the reduction of Fe3+.Results:  At the doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, the extracts of both fruit and leaves reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema while the dose of 200 mg/kg has produced a maximum percentage of inhibition of mice paw edema both for fruit (78.44%) and leaves (58.02%) at the fifth hour compared to control. Significant lipoxigenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect was obtained with both fruit and leaves extract ethyl acetate fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction from both extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation. The fruit and leaves extract ethyl acetate fraction also inhibited lipid peroxidation with 32.85% and 78.07% respectively. Crude acetonic extract of leaves of Lannea microcarpa has shown a significantly reducing power of Fe3+ by 9.46±0.26 and high carotenoids content compared to those of fruit extract.Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study suggest that Lannea microcarpa fruit and leaves extract possess significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities (mg AAE/100 mg). Therefore, they could be useful for food and pharmaceutics industries.Â

Indications et Resultats de la Thyroïdectomie dans les Hopitaux Saheliens, Experience des Services de Chirurgie Generale et Viscerale a Propos de 422 (Niger)

L’objectif de ce travail était de décrire les principales indications et résultats des thyroïdectomies dans deux hôpitaux de références du Niger. Patients/Méthodes : Nous avions réalisé une étude rétrospective et prospective sur 5 ans et 6 mois dans les services de chirurgie générale et digestive de l’HGR et HNN. Elle concernait les patients des deux sexes et sans limite d’âge ayant bénéficiés d’une chirurgie pour pathologie thyroïdienne pendant la période d’étude. Résultats : une fréquence de thyroïdectomie de 4,18% était retrouvée soit chez 422 patients. Le sexe féminin prédominait avec un sexe ratio de 0,12. La tranche d’âge de 32 à 47 ans était la plus concernée (45,8%) avec un âge moyen de 44,3 ans. Le goitre hétéro-multinodulaire constituait la principale indication de la thyroïdectomie (50,10%). 85,16 % des patients avaient consulté pour une tuméfaction cervicale antérieure. L’échographie avait montré une thyroïde hétérogène dans 236 cas (64,69%.). Le principal acte chirurgical était la thyroïdectomie totale avec 308 cas soit 73,17%. La thyroïdectomie vidéo-assistée représentait 0,94% (un cas) des actes chirurgicaux. En postopératoire, la principale complication était la paralysie récurrentielle avec 2,13 % (n=9) et à moyen terme c’était l’hypocalcémie avec 1,18 % (n=5). Les résultats d’anatomie pathologie avait confirmé   qu’il s’agissait d’une pathologie bénigne dans plus de la majorité des cas (55,2%, N=233). Aucun décès n’avait été enregistré pendant la période d’étude. Conclusion : La pathologie thyroïdienne est fréquente, le geste chirurgical le plus réalisé est la thyroïdectomie totale et il existe peu de complications.   Introduction: Report main indication and result of thyroidectomy at the General Hospital of Reference and National Hospital. Methods: We did a retrospective study over 5 years and 6 months of 422 cases in the general and digestive surgery departments of the RGH and HNN. It concerned patients of both sexes without age limit who had undergone surgery for thyroid pathology during the period of our study. Results: A frequency of thyroidectomy was 4.18%. Females predominated with a sex ratio of 0.12 and the age group 32-47 years was the most concerned with a mean age of 44.3 years. Heteromultinodular goiter was the main indication for thyroid surgery (50.10%), in our series 85.16% of patients had consulted for anterior cervical swelling. The main surgical procedure was total thyroidectomy with 308 cases or 73.17%. Video-assisted thyroidectomy represented 0.94% of the surgical procedures. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was dissected and seen in 381 cases or 89.93%. In the immediate postoperative period, the main complication was dysphonia with 2.13% (n=9) and in the médium term it was hypocalcemia with 7.34% (n=31). Anatomical pathology results confirmed that it was a benign pathology in the majority of cases (55.2%). No deaths had been recorded. Conclusion: Thyroid pathology is common; the most performed procedure is total thyroidectomy. The main complications recorded were dominated by recurrent paralysis, compressive hematoma and transient hypocalcemia. the most common malignant tumor was the papillary carcinoma

Physicochemical and Nutritional Properties of Varieties of Carrot (Daucus carota) grown in Region of Korhogo, North of Côte d’Ivoire

Very popular for its therapeutic and nutritional virtues, culture of carrot (Daucus carota) has developed in temperate zones of Asia and Europe but also in some tropical regions of Africa including Côte d'Ivoire. Agronomic factors, commercial and food requirements require selection of varieties with good nutritional values. In this study, physicochemical properties and nutritional values of four carrot varieties namely Amazonia, Bahia, Madona and Pamela+ were compared after cultivation and harvest in region of Korhogo. Results showed that, Amazonia, the control carrot variety stands out for its acidity and minerals levels. Bahia is the richest variety with high levels of carbohydrate and protein. Madona is the most basic, wettest and fatest carrot. For a long storage, Pamela is most interesting variety. To our knowledge, it is the first time that physicochemical and nutritional parameters of carrot varieties in region of Korhogo have been studied. Future research on these carrot varieties will be studied of their post-harvest conservation, their sensory analysis and their transformation

Antimicrobial activity of polyphenol-rich fractions from Sida alba L. (Malvaceae) against co-trimoxazol-resistant bacteria strains

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increased resistance of microorganisms to the currently used antimicrobials has lead to the evaluation of other agents that might have antimicrobial activity. Medicinal plants are sources of phytochemicals which are able to initiate different biological activities including antimicrobials</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>antibacterial (MIC, MBC and time-kill studies) of polyphenol-rich fractions from <it>Sida alba </it>L. (Malvaceae) was assessed using ten bacteria strains (Gram-negative and Gram-positive).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All test bacteria were susceptible to the polyphenol-rich fractions. Time-kill results showed that after 5 h exposition there was no viable microorganism in the initial inoculum and the effect of polyphenol-rich fractions was faster on <it>Enterococcus faecalis </it>(Gram-positive bacterium) comparatively to the other bacteria strains.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data analysis indicates that the tested of polyphenol-rich fractions has significant effects when compared with the standard antibiotic. These results therefore justify the traditional use of <it>sida alba </it>L., alone or in combination with other herbs to treat bacterial infections.</p

Cholécystectomies Laparoscopiques Pour Cholécystite Aigue Lithiasique Versus Lithiase Vésiculaire Symptomatique

Introduction: The aim of this work was to highlight the therapeutic and prognostic difficulties between a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute gallstone cholecystitis (CAL) and uncomplicated symptomatic vesicular lithiasis (LVS) as well as the reasons for conversion to laparotomy. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective comparative and analytic study over 18 months. Patients admitted and operated for CAL or LVS in the A Surgery Department of the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN) were included. Results: The study involved 61 patients divided into two groups. Group 1 (30 patients) corresponding to patients operated for CAL, group 2 (31 patients) corresponding to patients operated for LVS. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy accounted for 61% of all cholecystectomies performed and 1.45% of surgical activity during the same period. The average age in group 1 was 43.7 years with extremes of 14 and 61 years. In group 2, the average age was 38.9 years with extremes ranging from 12 to 55 years. Women were predominantly represented with 63.3% and 96.7% respectively for groups 1 and 2. Patients were overweight in 9 cases for group 1 (30% of cases) and 12 cases in group 2 (38%), 7% of cases). Hepatic colic was the main sign of appeal in all patients in both groups. In group 1; 26 out of 30 cases or 86.7% of cases had leukocytosis, whereas in group 2, leukocytosis was normal in 30 cases, ie 96.8% of cases. Accessibility of the vesicle was difficult in 73.3% of cases in group 1 against 22.6% of cases in group 2. The vesicle was distended and necrotic in groups 1 in 76.7% and 10 respectively. % of cases. On the other hand, in 25.8% of cases, the vesicle was distended and without any necrosis in group 2. The rate of conversion to laparotomy was 6.55% (4 cases) and exclusively concerned group 1. Operative follow-up immediate outcomes were simple in 98.34% of cases. The complications involved 2 patients in group 1 (1.66% of the total), including parietal suppuration and biliary leakage. Mean operative time was 68.7 min in group 1 versus 41.6 min in group 2. Mean duration of hospitalization was 4.3 days with extremes between 2 and 10 days in group 1 versus1,7 days with extremes ranging from 1 to 7 days in group 2. Mortality was zero. Conclusion: In recent years, laparoscopic surgery has made remarkable progress in Niger. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems to be more difficult to perform with significant morbidity in the case of CAL than LVS. The risk of per and postoperative complications can be estimated from the clinical data (acute cholecystitis or symptomatic vesicular lithiasis) and the surgeon's experience. In a cholecystectomy that lasts more than 2 hours, the cumulative risk of complications is highe

CONTRIBUTION DE LA TECHNOLOGIE DU BIODIGESTEUR A LA DURABILITE DES EXPLOITATIONS AGRICOLES FAMILIALES AU BURKINA FASO

Despite problems related to energy, biomass reduction, grazing degradation, decreased soil fertility, environmental fragility, the biodigester is positioned as a strategy of adaptation and transformation of production systems with the association of agriculture and livestock. The biodigester is an underground construction that uses cow dung or pork excrement mixed with water to produce biogas for cooking and lighting and effluent compost for soil fertilization. The study aimed to evaluate the contribution of the Biodigester technology to agro-ecological sustainability, socio-territorial sustainability and socio-economic sustainability. The study was undertaken in November 2015 in the municipalities of Bobo Dioulasso, Kaya-Barsalgo and Dori. The individual survey was conducted in twenty-four (24) villages on a sample of 166 heads of farms. The results showed the contribution of biodigester technology to agro-ecological, socio-territorial and socio-economic sustainability. Furthermore, land security, the cost of installing the infrastructure, insufficiency or scarcity of cow dung at certain times of the year, lack of water remain the main limits of adoption of the Biodigester technology. The biodigester is an appropriate technology capable of solving the economic, agricultural and energy questions faced by households

Sexual and reproductive health communication and awareness of contraceptive methods among secondary school female students, northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Sexual and reproductive health communication and awareness of contraceptive methods among secondary school female students, northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Health, 14: 252 http://dx.doi. org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-252 Access to the published version may require subscription. N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. BMC Public Permanent link to this version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-87988 R E S E A R C H A R T I C L E Open Access Sexual and reproductive health communication and awareness of contraceptive methods among secondary school female students, northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Abstract Background: Adolescent girls continue to fall victim to unintended pregnancy and its consequences, with particular problems arising in low income countries. Awareness about methods of contraception is an important step towards gaining access and using suitable contraceptive methods. However, studies assessing the relationship between sexual and reproductive health communication and awareness of contraceptive methods among secondary school female students are lacking. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 807 female students in six secondary schools in Mekelle town, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected with a stratified cluster sampling technique. Data collection was carried out using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, and data entry was done using EPI Info Version 3.3.2 software. The data were then cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with awareness of female students on methods of contraception. Result: Of all the students, 127(15.8%) reported ever having had sex, of whom 109(85.8%) had ever used contraceptives. Twenty (16%) of the sexually active students reported having been pregnant, of whom 18(90%) terminated their pregnancies with induced abortion. Discussion on sexual and reproductive health matters with their parent/s and peer/s in the six months prior to the study was reported by 351(43.5%) and 493(61.1%) of the students respectively. 716(88%) students were aware of different methods of contraception. Discussing sexual and reproductive health issues with parents (AOR =2.56(95% CI: 1.45, 4.50)) and peers (AOR = 2.46(95% CI: 1.50, 4.03)) were found to be independent predictors for contraceptive awareness among students. Conclusions: Discussion on sexual and reproductive health issues with family and peers has a positive effect on contraceptive awareness of students. Therefore, strategies to improve open parent-child communication, and appropriate peer-to-peer communication in schools on sexual and reproductive health should be established and strengthened

Bacteraemia Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: Association with Spleen Size and Function

In Sub-Saharan Africa, infections are a leading cause of morbidity among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The causes of the increased risk of infection are poorly documented, but the loss of splenic function is important. Previous studies have documented increased susceptibility to bacterial infections among SCD patients, evidenced by increasing markers of splenic dysfunction (1, 2); however, there are no data on the association between bacterial infections and splenic function among the SCD population in Sub-Saharan Africa, partly because most of the techniques required to assess splenic function are not readily available (3). We recently employed the presence of two red cell containing inclusions - Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB) and argyrophilic (silver staining) inclusion (AI) red cells - to assess splenic dysfunction among our SCD patients (4). In the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of organisms causing bacteraemia among our acutely-ill SCD patients and to describe any association between bacteraemia with splenic status on ultrasound and two markers of splenic dysfunction (i.e HJB and AI red cells