Distribution of heavy metals in fish organs, associated water and sediment from Ero Dam, Ekiti State, Nigeria

An investigation into the distribution of lead, manganese, copper, zinc, mercury, iron, chromium and cadmium in the sediment, water and the organs of Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zillii, African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Citharinus citerus obtained from Ero Dam in Ikun-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria was undertaken. This was done to ascertain the presence of these metals in the three matrixes and to determine the bioaccumulation factors of these metals in the organs of these fishes. The three matrixes were differently digested and analysed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck 200). Hg was determined via cold vapour generation. The levels of the metals in water were very much lower than their corresponding concentrations in the sediment. In the same vein, concentrations of the metals in the fish organs were higher than those recorded for the water except Cu and Mn that showed slight variations. The most concentrated metal in the organs of the four fish species was Zn which recorded concentrations (mg/kg) ranging from 7.36±0.03 in the head of Clarias gariepinus to 8.12±0.13 in that of Citharinus citerus. In Clarias gariepinus, Cr, Cd and Hg were only detected in its gills. On the contrary, all the metals were detected in the organs of Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii. Zn, Mn and Fe were the three most abundant metals in the organs of these fishes. The highly toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) in this determination were either not detected or detected at low levels. It is obvious from this work that Zn was bioaccumulated most in the organs of each fish. It is certain that heavy metals are present in Ero dam but in low concentrations. This calls for constant monitoring because as industries are established in Ekiti State, Nigeria, the level of heavy metals in this dam may increase.Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zillii, Citharinus citeru

Client waiting time in an urban primary health care centre in Lagos

Background: Primary Health Care is the usual entry point into the health system and has the potential to touch the lives of most people. However one of the reasons for poor uptake of health services at primary health care facilities in Nigeria is long waiting time. This study was carried out to assess client waiting time and attitude towards services received at an urban Primary Health Centre in Lagos State.Methodology: The study design was quasi experimental (before and after) with a descriptive, cross sectional study component. Client flow analysis and client exit interviews were conducted among consenting patients attending the General Out patient Clinic within the first 2 weeks of July 2013, using flow analysis charts and an interviewer- administered questionnaire. Four doctors from the Teaching Hospital's Department of Community Health started attending to patients as the intervention, and the flow analysis charts were administered in the immediate post intervention period. Analysis was conducted using the statistical package for social sciences version 19.Results: The majority of clients interviewed were females (80%). Client waiting time was long with patients spending an average of 137.6±70 minutes before seeing a doctor for an average of 8.6±12 minutes. Over 90% of clients had a favourable attitude towards the services received at the PHC, although 54.3% felt improvements were needed. The waiting time reduced to an average of 88.7±45 minutes upon an increase in the number of doctors providing medical consultations.Conclusion: Reducing client waiting time at Primary Health Care centres is achievable and may improve patronage and ultimately serve as a cost effective strategy in health care delivery on a national scale.Keywords: Client waiting time, Primary health care,  Flow analysi

Effect of vegetative cover and slope on soil loss by erosion using rainfall simulator

Top soil is very important for crop production but it is usually washed away in the tropical countries like Nigeria by erosion due to heavy rainfall with high intensity. In this study, a rainfall simulator was used to determine the quantity of soil loss (sediment load) from a bare soil and vegetative cover soil under different slopes. The slopes of the land for plots 1 to 5 for a bare soil varied from 5.20 to 9.7 % but for a vegetative cover soil (grown with grasses), the slopes varied from 2.8 to 3.2 %. The uniformity coefficient and drop velocity of the rainfall simulator used were 84.4 % and 8.156 m/s, respectively. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam and the area of coverage by rainfall simulator was 3 by 3 m. Soil loss (sediment load) for a vegetative cover soil for slopes 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2 % were 0.252, 0.358, 0.350, 0.371 and 0.422 kg, respectively. Soil loss from a bared soil for slopes 5.2, 6.7, 9.0, 9.6 and 9.7 % were 1.045, 1.070, 1.100, 2.266 and 3.121 kg, respectively. Vegetative cover soil with grasses reduced the runoff volume and soil loss. Runoff volume and soil loss increased as slope of the land increases.Keywords: erodibility, erosion, erosivity, rainfall simulator, soil los

Influence of Family Size, Household Food Security Status, and Child Care Practices on the Nutritional Status of Under-five Children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Fertility pattern and reproductive behaviours affect infant death in Nigeria. Household food insecurity and poor care practices also place children at risk of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of family size, household food security status, and child care practices on the nutritional status of under-five children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 423 mothers of under-five children and their children in the households selected through multistagesampling methods. Food-insecure households were five times more likely than secure households to have wasted children (crude OR=5.707, 95 percent CI=1.31-24.85). Children with less educated mothers were significantly more likely to be stunted. The prevalence of food insecurity among households in Ile-Ife was high. Households with food insecurity and less educated mothers were more likely to have malnourished children (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 123-132)

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or “golden rules,” for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice

Population-level risks of alcohol consumption by amount, geography, age, sex, and year: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020

Background The health risks associated with moderate alcohol consumption continue to be debated. Small amounts of alcohol might lower the risk of some health outcomes but increase the risk of others, suggesting that the overall risk depends, in part, on background disease rates, which vary by region, age, sex, and year. Methods For this analysis, we constructed burden-weighted dose–response relative risk curves across 22 health outcomes to estimate the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (TMREL) and non-drinker equivalence (NDE), the consumption level at which the health risk is equivalent to that of a non-drinker, using disease rates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020 for 21 regions, including 204 countries and territories, by 5-year age group, sex, and year for individuals aged 15–95 years and older from 1990 to 2020. Based on the NDE, we quantified the population consuming harmful amounts of alcohol. Findings The burden-weighted relative risk curves for alcohol use varied by region and age. Among individuals aged 15–39 years in 2020, the TMREL varied between 0 (95% uncertainty interval 0–0) and 0·603 (0·400–1·00) standard drinks per day, and the NDE varied between 0·002 (0–0) and 1·75 (0·698–4·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals aged 40 years and older, the burden-weighted relative risk curve was J-shaped for all regions, with a 2020 TMREL that ranged from 0·114 (0–0·403) to 1·87 (0·500–3·30) standard drinks per day and an NDE that ranged between 0·193 (0–0·900) and 6·94 (3·40–8·30) standard drinks per day. Among individuals consuming harmful amounts of alcohol in 2020, 59·1% (54·3–65·4) were aged 15–39 years and 76·9% (73·0–81·3) were male. Interpretation There is strong evidence to support recommendations on alcohol consumption varying by age and location. Stronger interventions, particularly those tailored towards younger individuals, are needed to reduce the substantial global health loss attributable to alcohol. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: A Spectrum or Prodrome of Schizophrenia? A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Research findings in recent times are highly suggestive of an interface between obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia, a relationship which is yet to be fully understood.Aim: To report a case of OCD in a 14 year old Niger ian boy who developed schizophrenia 6 years after.Method: A 14 year old secondary school boy with OCD who was in partial remission for about 3 years and full remission for over 1 year, presenting with schizophrenia after 6 years is reported and relevant literature is reviewed.Conclusion: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), although a distinct diagnostic entity may not only coexist with schizophrenia but also may be a prodrome of schizophrenia and they share similar neurobiological features.KeyWords: Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD), Schizophrenia, Depressio

Psychological and physical effects of pain on cancer patients in Ibadan, Nigeria

No Abstract. African Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 12 (1) 2009: pp. 64-7

Giant neurofibrolipoma of the tip of the tongue: Case report and review of the literature

Neurofibrolipoma is a very rare benign oral tumor with other synonyms such as neural fibrolipoma, perineural lipoma and intraneural lipoma. A 50 years old female presented with a massive swelling of the tongue of 6 years duration.The tumor was attached to the mucosa of the tip of the tongue, disturbing mastication and speech. On excision, histopathology revealed  neurofibrolipoma. This case report shows the atypical presentation of neurofibrolipoma and the challenges of its management.Keywords: Giant, Neurofibrolipoma, tongu

Azithromycin-induced Hiccups

Background: Hiccups are not only known symptoms of some diseases but have been found to be induced by some drugs. In this report, we present a very rare case of azithromycin induced hiccups seen in a young male adult.Methods: The case records of a 34 year old male who was admitted and successfully managed for sepsis but placed on azithromycin as the only medication at the time of discharge was reviewed.Results: T he patient presented again at the hospital within twelve (12) hours of discharge with a history of severe hiccups which improved significantly with administered chlorpromazine.H e was sent home the following day while still on azithromycin.T he patient stopped all the medications at home after the second dose of azithromycin due to persistent drowsiness and decided to take the last dose of azithromycin two days later after realizing that the drowsiness was chlorpromazine induced.H e developed another severe episode of hiccups which was successively retreated with oral chlorpromazine.Conclusion: The patient developed hiccups within 12 hours while he was taking only azithromycin on two (2) different occasions. We then concluded that azithromycin was the probable cause of the hiccups.Keywords: hiccups, azithromycin, drug-induced,ad verse drug reactio