Effect of Safety Education on Knowledge of and Compliance with Road Sefety Signs Among Commercial Motorcyclists in Uyo, Southern Nigeria

Objective: Compliance with road safety signs is important in the reduction of motorcycle accidents. The aim of this study was to implement health education intervention and assess its impact on the knowledge of and compliance with road safety signs among commercial motorcyclists in Uyo, Southern Nigeria. Method: This was an intervention study among motorcyclists in Uyo, Southern Nigeria, with a control group from a similar town. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Subjects were selected through multistage sampling method. Baseline data on compliance to road safety signs was collected from both groups. Motorcyclists in the intervention group were given education on the importance of compliance to road safety signs. Data was subsequently collected from both groups 3 months post intervention and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11. Result: A total of 200 respondents participated in the study, 100 from each group. Following intervention, respondents with good knowledge score increased from 21% at baseline to 82% at 3 months post intervention in the intervention group (p<0.05) and from 19% to 21% in the control group. Compliance score in the intervention group increased from 15% to 70% (p<0.05) and from 12% to 18% in the control group. Conclusion: A significant increase in compliance to road safety signs was recorded among motorcyclists in the intervention group after safety education. All motorcyclists should therefore be given education on road safety signs as this will improve compliance and lead to safer road use among them. Keywords: knowledge score; compliance score; road safety signs, motorcycle accidents, safety educationGhana Medical Journal, September 2011 Volume 45, Number

Helminthic infections among farmers in a rural community in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria

Background: Helminthic infections are occupationally-related diseases which potentially undermine farmers' work capacity, productivity and life expectancy. These infections are usually under-reported among this group particularly in the rural areas. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern and factors associated with helminthic infections among farmers in a rural community in Oyo State, South-western Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 farmers, selected by a two-stage cluster sampling technique. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents' demographic characteristics and farming activities. Stool was examined using microscopy for ova of helminths and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) was determined with anaemia defined as PCV ≤ 30%. Frequencies were generated and Chi-square test was used to determine associations at the level of p≤0.05.Results: Majority of the respondents (71%) were males, aged ≥50 years (67.9%), of Yoruba ethnicity (94.2%), and had no formal education (69.8%). Most respondents (57.0%) were engaged in subsistence farming and 75.8% produced food crops. The prevalence of helminthic infections was 27.9%: the commonest forms were ascaris (68%) and hookworm (29.9%). Co-infections were found in 7.2% respondents with the most frequent combination being ascaris and hookworm. Twenty six (6.5%) of the farmers had anaemia. Significantly higher proportions of those aged ≥60 years and without education had intestinal helminthic infections and higher proportions of those with helminthic infections had anaemia compared with their respective counterparts (p<0.05).Conclusion: Helminthic infection is prevalent among this population. Interventions targeted at prevention and treatment should be implemented.Keywords: Farmers, Helminthic infections, Rural community, South-western, Nigeri

Germination potentials of Synsepalum dulcificum (schumach. and thonn.) Daniell seeds to pre-treatment methods

The study was carried out to determine the germination intensity of Synsepalum dulcificum seeds to various pre-treatment methods. This research was carried out at the forest nursery of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. This present study aimed to determine the most effective mechanism of breaking dormancy to enhance germination intensity in seeds of Synsepalum dulcificum using mechanical scarification at three point on seeds namely microplye, distal end and around the circumference. Also, seeds were soaked in water of temperatures of 20°C, 40°C and 80°C for 10, 30 and 60 mins respectively, in 5,10 and 15% H2SO4 acid for 5, 10 and 15 mins respectively and, in GA3, IAA and IBA hormones of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03ppm. Obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher’s Least Significant Difference was used to separate significant means. Results showed that highest germination percentage was obtained in seeds mechanically scarified around the circumference (50%) which was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the control. Seeds soaked in 20°C water for 30 min was significantly (p<0.05) higher than other treatments in category with germination percentage of 62.5% while highest germination were also obtained in seeds soaked in 5% H2SO4 for 5mins (31.25%) and seeds soaked in 0.02 ppm GA3 (62.5%). The study concludes that S. dulcificum seeds will not have a problem of germination with the presence of suitable germination conditions. Keywords: Synsepalum dulcificum, seeds, pre-treatment, germination intensit

Making a case for community screening services: findings from a medical outreach in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Currently, population based medical check up is yet to be explored as a veritable tool for assessing the burden of on-communicable diseases in Nigeria. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of selected lifestyle related diseases during a free medical rally in an urban community. Methods: General medical examinations of all participants at a free medical rally in a middle class community in Ibadan, Oyo State was conducted. Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and random blood sugar measurements were done using standardised instruments. BMI classification for children was done using the CDC guidelines for males and females aged 2-20 years. Results: Of the 302 participants examined, 33.1% were males and 32.1% were less than 18 years. Of those aged 2 to 20 years, 22.9% were underweight, while 5.2% were overweight/ obese. In adults 3.6% were underweight and 43.2% were overweight/ obese. Adults were significantly more likely to be overweight/obese (P<0.001). Prevalence of high blood pressure was 29.3% and 9.4% of adults had elevated random blood glucose levels. A higher proportion of obese people (P=0.259), males (P= 0.327) and those older than 40 years (P<0.001) had elevated blood pressure. A weak correlation (spearman rho= 0.3) was found between blood pressure and BMI (P<0.001) and also between BMI and blood sugar level (spearman rho= 0.2) P=0.05. Conclusion: There is a need for greater emphasis on community based screening programmes to aid early diagnosis and treatment of non communicable diseases in the country

A Review on Cooling Systems for Portable Energy Storage Units

Achieving the global electricity demand and meeting the United Nations sustainable development target on reliable and sustainable energy supply by 2050 are crucial. Portable energy storage (PES) units, powered by solid-state battery cells, can offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for regions with limited power-grid access. However, operating in high-dust and high-temperature environments presents challenges that require effective thermal management solutions. This paper is a comprehensive review of thermal management systems for PES units, with a specific focus on addressing the challenge of overheating in airtight designs. The review of various active and passive cooling systems is conducted through extensive study of the relevant literature, which is significant in providing insights into the operation, performance parameters, and design options for different cooling system technologies. The findings from this review show heat pipe (HP) technologies as key cooling-system solutions for airtight PES units. Specifically, loop and oscillating HPs, as well as the vapour chamber, offer desirable features such as compactness, low cost, and high thermal conductivity that make them superior to other alternatives for the cooling systems in PES. The insights and knowledge generated via this review will help facilitate the design and development of innovative, efficient, and reliable PES units, thereby contributing to the advancement of off-grid renewable energy applications and enabling sustainable power solutions worldwide. Furthermore, an appropriate design of PES units can help in reducing capital and maintenance costs

Odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of jaws - a nine year study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of the jaws reported from different parts of the world. However, there are a few studies on these lesions, especially giant cell lesions, reported from India. Hence, this study was designed to provide a demographic data on the odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions reported from our institute located in the city of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is the capital city of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India. A retrospective analysis of odontogenic tumors and giant cell lesions of jaws reported in our institute between the years 2000 and 2009 was done and this data was compared with previous reports from different parts of the world and India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Biopsies of the lesions received between the years 2000 and 2009 were reviewed and patient's history, clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 77 biopsies were received during the nine year study period. These lesions were more frequently seen in the males, in a younger age group and showed a predilection for the mandible. Most of them presented as radiolucent, slow growing and painless lesions. Ameloblastomas (71.4%) constituted the majority of odontogenic tumors while central giant cell granulomas (7.8%) constituted the majority of giant cell lesions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These lesions showed a definite geographic variation with ameloblastomas being the most common odontogenic tumors and odontomas being relatively rarer lesions in our region.</p

A call for public archives for biological image data

Public data archives are the backbone of modern biological and biomedical research. While archives for biological molecules and structures are well-established, resources for imaging data do not yet cover the full range of spatial and temporal scales or application domains used by the scientific community. In the last few years, the technical barriers to building such resources have been solved and the first examples of scientific outputs from public image data resources, often through linkage to existing molecular resources, have been published. Using the successes of existing biomolecular resources as a guide, we present the rationale and principles for the construction of image data archives and databases that will be the foundation of the next revolution in biological and biomedical informatics and discovery.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

Determinants of insecticide-treated net ownership and utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem in Nigeria leading to increase in the risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight and infant mortality. This paper is aimed at highlighting key predictors of the ownership of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and its use among pregnant women in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 2348 pregnant women were selected by a multi-stage probability sampling technique. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, ITN ownership, use, knowledge, behaviour and practices. Logistic regression was used to detect predictors of two indicators: ITN ownership, and ITN use in pregnancy among those who owned ITNs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ITN ownership was low; only 28.8% owned ITNs. Key predictors of ITN ownership included women who knew that ITNs prevent malaria (OR = 3.85; <it>p </it>< 0001); and registration at antenatal clinics (OR = 1.34; <it>p </it>= 0.003). The use of ITNs was equally low with only 7.5% of all pregnant women, and 25.7% of all pregnant women who owned ITNs sleeping under a net. The predictors of ITN use in pregnancy among women who owned ITNs (N = 677) identified by logistic regression were: urban residence (OR = 1.87; <it>p </it>= 0.001); knowledge that ITNs prevent malaria (OR = 2.93; <it>p </it>< 0001) and not holding misconceptions about malaria prevention (OR = 1.56; <it>p </it>= 0.036). Educational level was not significantly related to any of the two outcome variables. Although registration at ANC is significantly associated with ownership of a bednet (perhaps through free ITN distribution) this does not translate to significant use of ITNs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ITN use lagged well behind ITN ownership. This seems to suggest that the current mass distribution of ITNs at antenatal facilities and community levels may not necessarily lead to use unless it is accompanied by behaviour change interventions that address the community level perceptions, misconceptions and positively position ITN as an effective prevention device to prevent malaria</p

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and characterization of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) continues to be a problem for clinicians worldwide. However, few data on the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of S. aureus isolates in South Africa have been reported and the prevalence of MRSA in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province is unknown. In addition, information on the characterization of S. aureus in this province is unavailable. This study investigated the susceptibility pattern of 227 S. aureus isolates from the KZN province, South Africa. In addition, characterization of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA are reported in this survey. METHODS: The in-vitro activities of 20 antibiotics against 227 consecutive non-duplicate S. aureus isolates from clinical samples in KZN province, South Africa were determined by the disk-diffusion technique. Isolates resistant to oxacillin and mupirocin were confirmed by PCR detection of the mecA and mup genes respectively. PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene was employed in the characterization of MSSA and MRSA. RESULTS: All the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin and fusidic acid, and 26.9% of isolates studied were confirmed as MRSA. More than 80% of MRSA were resistant to at least four classes of antibiotics and isolates grouped in antibiotype 8 appears to be widespread in the province. The MSSA were also susceptible to streptomycin, neomycin and minocycline, while less than 1% was resistant to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and mupirocin. The inducible MLS(B )phenotype was detected in 10.8% of MSSA and 82% of MRSA respectively, and one MSSA and one MRSA exhibited high-level resistance to mupirocin. There was good correlation between antibiotyping and PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene in the characterization of MRSA in antibiotypes 1, 5 and 12. CONCLUSION: In view of the high resistance rates of MRSA to gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, rifampicin and trimethoprim, treatment of MRSA infections in this province with these antibacterial agents would be unreliable. There is an emerging trend of mupirocin resistance among S. aureus isolates in the province. PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene was able to distinguish MSSA from MRSA and offers an attractive option to be considered in the rapid epidemiological analysis of S. aureus in South Africa. Continuous surveillance on resistance patterns and characterization of S. aureus in understanding new and emerging trends in South Africa is of utmost importance