LANDSCAPING FOR PASSIVE SECURITY AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE IN CHURCH ENVIRONMENT, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Nigeria is faced with several risks ranging from problems of climate change to security challenges and this is not limited to a specific aspect of the built environment as all buildings and environment are affected. The places of worship are greatly affected in terms of security which affects the disposition of Christians during worship at churches. Many of the studied churches were seen to have made use of landscape elements but these were not placed with the aim of using them to deter intrusion as in the case of security but rather for beautifying the church. The challenge for architects and church administrator is how to cope with challenges of security and climate change. This paper examines landscaping as a catalyst for deterring intrusion of threats passively and enhancing climate adaptation in church environment in Nigeria. The research method adopted for this study is the descriptive survey method by collecting qualitative and quantitative data. The results were analyzed using descriptive tools in SPSS and are presented in tables and charts while the pictures are presented in plates. The study reveals that it is possible to achieve passive security and solve some climatic challenges in church environment using soft landscape elements. The paper is concluded by determining the aspects of the building where the architect can infuse the specific landscape elements to achieve the aim of the paper. It further states the type of landscape elements that could be used to achieve the aim of the study hence developing a responsive building design scheme.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.

Determinants of modality of management of acute kidney injury in children seen at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: The cost of taking care of children with acute kidney injury (AKI) is enormous and beyond the reach of many caregivers in  sub-Saharan Africa which are largely resource poor. It is therefore imperative to determine those who may benefit from conservative management which is comparatively cheaper to the renal replacement therapy (RRT).Objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics of children who were offered conservative and renal replacement therapy and evolve the most statistically significant eligibility criteria. Methods: A descriptive  crosssectional study of children presenting with AKI admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) between January 2008 to December 2012 was carried out. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. A serialblood chemistry and urine analysis were also obtained. A total of 22 cases of acute kidney injury were seen within the period. Fourteen were conservatively managed while eight underwent sessions of dialysis.Results: The age range for those who had conservative managementwas 4-17 years with a mean ±SD of 8.11±3.91 years while the corresponding value in those with renal replacement therapy was 1.5-16years with a mean ±SD of 9.68±5.54years. There was no statisticalsignificant difference in the highest serum potassium, urea andcreatinine. However, the lowest urine output was significantly differentamong the two groups (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Urine output could be used as an eligibility criterion todetermine children with AKI who will require renal replacement therapy or benefit from a trial of conservative management.  Keyword: Acute kidney injury; conservative management; dialysi

Vaccines and immunization: The past, present and future in Nigeria

Vaccines are arguably the most important public health tools available today. Since the successful eradication of smallpox with the use of the vaccine, many vaccines have become available to man. Of great importance to public and child health are the vaccines against the so-called six killer diseases of childhood-measles, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis. In the last 2 decades, effective vaccines against the major causes of pneumonia, another childhood killer, have become available. Data from many parts of the world including African countries have shown the benefits of the pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines. The scientific world is still searching for appropriate candidate vaccines for malaria and HIV infection. Despite the availability and effectiveness of many vaccines, the benefits to a country is highly dependent on a viable and sustainable health system which include adequate financing, dynamic and motivated workforce, strong partnerships and effective community participation. If well deployed, available vaccines as elucidated in this discourse can accelerate the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria and many other developing countries.Key words: Vaccines, Immunizations, Nigeria

A comparative assessment of public and private dots laboratories in the Lagos state TB control programme

Background: The purpose of the laboratory services within the framework of the NTP is to provide bacteriologic evidence for the diagnosis, follow-up of TB patients and to document cure at the end of treatment. However to be fully functional, laboratory commodities should be available as needed. This study compared the laboratory hygiene practices and availability of laboratory equipment and other consumables for making diagnosis of TB in public and private DOTS laboratories in Lagos State.Methods: A descriptive comparative cross sectional study comparing availability of commodities in public and private laboratories involved in TB services in Lagos State.Results: Seventeen DOTS laboratories and 34 laboratory scientist/technician were recruited for this study. About three quarter and two thirds of the public and private DOTS laboratories respectively had reagents for smear microscopy. A significantly higher proportion of the public DOTS laboratories had separate area for TB work and separate table for smear preparation (p <0.05). A higher proportion (71.4%) of the laboratory scientist/ technicians at the public compared with 38.5% of those at the private DOTS laboratories had good knowledge of the laboratory diagnosis of TB.Conclusion: Laboratories involved in TB service are not functioning optimally and need to be strengthened.Key Words: Laboratory, DOTS, Consumables, Hygiene.French AbstractContexte : L’objet des services des laboratoires dans le cadre du NTP est de fournir les preuves bactériologiques pour le diagnostic, de suivre les patients tuberculeux et de documenter la guérison a la fin du traitement. Toutefois, pour être pleinement fonctionnel, les produits de laboratoire devraient être disponibles au besoin. Cette recherche comparait les pratiques hygiènes de laboratoire et la disponibilité des équipements de laboratoire et autres consommables pour faire le diagnostic de la tuberculose aux laboratoires de DOTS publics et prives dans l’État de Lagos.Méthodes : Une étude transversale comparative et transversale descriptive comparant la disponibilité des produits aux laboratoires publics et prives  concernes a fournir aux services tuberculeux dans l’état de Lagos.Résultats : Dix – sept laboratoires de DOTS et 34 scientifiques/techniciens ont été recrutés pour cette recherche. Environ trois quarts et deux tiers des laboratoires de DOT publics et prives ont eu réactif respectivement pour la microscopie des frottis. Une proportion significativement plus élevée des laboratoires de DOTS publics a eu un espace séparé pour les travaux de la tuberculose et une table séparée pour la préparation des frottis (p<0,05). Une proportion élevée(71,4%) des scientifiques/techniciens des laboratoires publics comparativement a 38,5% de ceux des laboratoires de DOTS prives avaient une bonne connaissance de diagnostic laboratoire de la tuberculose.Conclusion : Les laboratoires qui ont concerné a fournir les services tuberculeux ne fonctionnent pas de la façon optimale et doivent être renforcés.Mots– clés : Laboratoire, DOTS, consommables, Hygiène

Morphometric Study of the Skull of the Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temmnick)

This study was designed to investigate some morphometric characteristics of the skull of the Greater cane rat (GCR) involving 30 morphometric parameters. A total of 10 adult GCR were used for this study comprising of both sexes (5 males and 5 females). Student t-test was used to analyze the values obtained and to determine differences between the sexes. Morphological features were found in the zygomatic bone which occurred as a large and thick bone on both ends. From 30 parameters analyzed, 12 were statistically significant (p≤ 0.05) between both sexes, confirming the presence of sexual dimorphism in the skull of this rodent. This study provided baseline research data on the typology of the skull of the GCR.KEYWORDS: Greater cane rat, morphometry, skull, sexual dimorphism, craniometry

Biochemical Properties, In-Vitro Antimicrobial, and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of the Leaves of Annona muricata

Fifteen (15) male Wistar rats were completely randomized into three (3) groups. Group A was normal control, Group B received 200 mg/kg weight of ethyl acetate extract of Annona muricata leaves (AMLE) and Group C received 100 mg/kg b.weight AMLE. Single daily dose of AMLE was administered orally for twenty one (21) days after which the animals were sacrificed. The blood samples were taken for haematological and biochemical analysis. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Annona muricata leaves were carried out. These extracts exhibited satisfactory inhibitory activities against bacterial and fungal strains, which include; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiellae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer. N-hexane extract of the plant exhibited antioxidant property by scavenging DPPH radicals with IC50 of 342.44 μg/mL. GC-MS analysis of nhexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the plant principally revealed the presence of Urs-12-ene (23.15%), Squalene (48.80%) and Clionasterol (15.88%) respectively. Keywords: biochemical properties, antimicrobial, antioxidant, urs-12-ene, squalene, clionastero

Massive subgaleal haematoma in a 5 year old child – A case report

Subgaleal haematoma (SH) is a collection of blood between the bony skull and the loose connective tissue. It is almost a diagnosis confined to the neonatal age group with very few occurring beyond the age. Presentation could be sudden or chronic as deterioration in the cardio pulmonary status,shock, skin changes, airway obstruction and neurological sequealae.While assisted delivery with birth trauma are recognized causal factorsin the neonate, trauma to the head and blood related disorders have been reported to be major causes in older children and adults. Usually, the Small SH resolves spontaneously while the massive ones require active management; often with neuro surgical intervention. It also needs identifying the cause so as to treat and prevent a recurrence. We present a case of massive SH in a 5 year old mentally subnormal child with seizure disorder with a favourable outcome

Investigating the Willingness to Pay for a Contributory National Health Insurance Scheme in Saudi Arabia:A Cross-sectional Stated Preference Approach

Background: The Saudi Healthcare System is universal, financed entirely from government revenue principally derived from oil, and is ‘free at the point of delivery’ (non-contributory). However, this system is unlikely to be sustainable in the medium to long term. This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of healthcare financing reform by examining households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a contributory national health insurance scheme. Methods: Using the contingent valuation method, a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 1187 heads of household in Jeddah province over a 5-month period. Multi-stage sampling was employed to select the study sample. Using a double-bounded dichotomous choice with the follow-up elicitation method, respondents were asked to state their WTP for a hypothetical contributory national health insurance scheme. Tobit regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with WTP and assess the construct validity of elicited WTP. Results: Over two-thirds (69.6%) indicated that they were willing to participate in and pay for a contributory national health insurance scheme. The mean WTP was 50 Saudi Riyal (US$13.33) per household member per month. Tobit regression analysis showed that household size, satisfaction with the quality of public healthcare services, perceptions about financing healthcare, education and income were the main determinants of WTP. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a theoretically valid WTP for a contributory national health insurance scheme by Saudi people. The research shows that willingness to participate in and pay for a contributory national health insurance scheme depends on participant characteristics. Identifying and understanding the main influencing factors associated with WTP are important to help facilitate establishing and implementing the national health insurance scheme. The results could assist policy-makers to develop and set insurance premiums, thus providing an additional source of healthcare financing