Burden of cytopaenias among HIV positive pregnant women at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Introduction: Few studies have examined cytopaenia among HIV positive pregnant women.Objectives: To assess burden of cytopaenia among HIV positive pregnant women.Methodology: This cross-sectional study of women on HAART <6months, defined anemia as hematocrit <33%, leucopenia as total white blood cell count <3,000 cells/mm3 and thrombocytopenia as absolute platelet count <100,000 cells/mm3. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed.Results: Over 8 years, of 1,197 women, the mean age was 29.02(±5.4) years and mean gestational age 25.9(±8.1) weeks. Prevalence of anaemia was 76.8%, leucopaenia 6.9% and thrombocytopenia 4.7%. The mean haematocrit was 28.5%(±4.5); median white blood count 5,500/mm3 ; median platelet count 200,000/mm3 and median CD4 323 cells/mm3.Mean haematocrit was highest (29.7%±5.3) in women in the first trimester but lowest (28.4% ±4.6) in women in second trimester (p=0.04). Compared with earlier trimesters, women in the third trimester had higher median white blood count (5,600 cells/mm3), higher neutrophil (61.0% ±11.2) but lower lymphocytes(28.3%± 9.2) (p=0.18; 0.00, 0.00). Median absolute platelet count was highest (206,000 cells/mm3) in the first trimester but lowest (195,000 cells/mm3) in third trimester (0.04). Women with lower CD4 had higher prevalence of cytopaenias.Conclusion: Cytopaenias are not uncommon in this population especially with lower CD4

Sperm abnormalities and libido assessment of West African dwarf rams fed diets containing Tetrapleura tetraptera (African Porridge) fruit meal

The effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal (TTFM) on the sperm abnormalities and libido test of West African Dwarf rams was assessed in a 20 week study. Thirty five (35) West African dwarf rams weighing between 12.80 and 13.20kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The diets formulated: 0% TTFM, 0.5% TTFM, 1.0% TTFM, 1.5% TTFM and 2.0% TTFM as treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Libido assessment was carried out at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16th weeks of the experiment. Semen was collected twice at the beginning and at the end of the experiment from five replicates in each treatment using electro- ejaculator. The results showed that the libido increased progressively with the inclusion of TTFM which was only significantly different (p<0.05) at 16th week. The best libido was observed with rams fed diets containing 1.5 and 2.0% TTFM. The sperm abnormalities were minimal in all parameters except in abnormal head which ranged from 0.4-1.20% with diet 4 exhibited the most abnormal head. It was therefore concluded that the TTFM can be incorporated between 1.5% and 2.0% into diet of rams to improve the sex drive and reduced sperm abnormalities

Knowledge and practice of recycled plastic bottles (RPB) built homes for sustainable community-based housing projects in Nigeria

This study examined the knowledge and practice of the use of Recycled Plastic Bottles (RPB) for a sustainable community-based housing project in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopts the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI), and Behaviour Change Theory (BCT) as the theoretical guide. Fieldwork was conducted in semi-urban and urban communities of Ogun State, Nigeria where a majority of individuals experience the challenge of affordable housing and environmental pollution concurrently. A total of 385 respondents were used as a sample for the study. This was determined through a sample size calculator developed by Raosoft Incorporation. Both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) data were used to ascertain the level of knowledge and practice of RPB built homes, its challenges, prospects and the way forward in building sustainable homes and the environment in Nigeria and beyond. The findings of the study were discussed within the existing literature and recommendations were provided for policy action

Socio-ecologies of solid waste in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the socio-ecologies of solid waste in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted in which questionnaire and personal observation was used to elicit information from the respondents. A total of 115 respondents were selected and examined on the subject matter. Data gathered from the respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics. The finding showed that the characteristics of solid wastes in Ijebu-Ode include plastics, paper/glass, cartoon, sacks and food remnant as well as electronic waste which are generated from households, market places, religious centers and relaxation as well as event centers. The finding also revealed that there is indecent solid waste disposal in terms of waste separation, collection and recycling among the residents of Ijebu-Ode. Based on the finding of this study, it is recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should embark on public sensitization and distribution of garbage containers to residents of Ijebu-Ode in order to encourage sustainable waste disposal and waste management

FOREST CONSERVATION POLICY: THE ROLE OF STATE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT IN OYO STATE

Forests provide diverse services and will continue to remain an integral part of rural livelihoods. Demand for forest products, especially timber became insatiably high as results of increasing human population pressure and economic growth. This led to unregulated forest exploitation, thus resulting in degradation of the resources in the country. Lack of forest management plan, primitive silvicultural operation, and under-utilization of resources and high rate of illegal logging in the forest plantation resulted in alarming failure of forest plantation to meet the current demand for both timber and non – timber forest products. Forest policies have to be tailored in a way that the primary focus is on maintaining ecosystem integrity. In Nigeria constitution Oyo State is a typical example of where timber exploitation has been taking place without adequate regeneration despite regular payment of regeneration fees. The study was conducted in Onigambari which is located in Oluyole Local Government Area. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Chi-square analysis was also used to analyze the relationship between the activities of forest users and the roles of State Department of Forestry in Oyo State.This paper focuses on forest conservation policy with a view to examine activities of forest users and the role of State Forestry department under the auspices of Ministry of Agriculture in Oyo State, Nigeria. Illegal activities being perpetrated by various forest users has been found detrimental to the forest reserves. Poaching (e.g. hunting of animals, harvesting of forest resources, and mismanagement of eco – system among others) has been identified as the major threat such that little or no other form of illegal activity can be carried out in the forest reserves except through poaching. These illegal activities have been however checked and reduced to manageable level by the forest law enforcement agents in the state under the auspices of Ministry of Agriculture. Thus, the culprits are subjected to varying degrees of penalty and punishmen

Performance characteristics and nitrogen metabolism of West African dwarf rams fed diets containing varying levels of sugarcane waste silage

Sugarcane waste are usually generated in large quantity, dumped and therefore causing environmental pollution. Hence a forteen week study was conducted to investigate the growth performance and nitrogen utilization of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed diets containing varying levels of sugarcane waste silages (SWS) 0, 50, 75 and 100% inclusion levels as replacement for cassava peels. A total of sixteen (16) WAD rams were allotted into four dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. Data were collected on growth performance and nitrogen utilization. Results obtained showed that the experimental diets did not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced the growth performance except the final weight and feed conversion ratio. Ram on T2 recorded the highest final weight value (16.52 kg) and best feed conversion ratios value (18.03) when compared with other dietary treatments. No significant (p>0.05) differences among the dietary treatments were observed in all the nitrogen utilization parameters observed except the total nitrogen loss and nitrogen utilization. The nitrogen utilization values varied significantly (P<0.05) across the dietary treatments in which rams fed silages containing 50% sugarcane waste had the highest value (63.29%). It can therefore be concluded that rams fed 50% inclusion level of sugarcane waste exhibited the best growth performance and positive nitrogen utilization.Keywords: Growth, Sugarcane, Nitrogen retention, rams

Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Metabolism and Rumen Fermentation Patterns of West African dwarf Rams fed diets containing graded levels of Garcinia kola ( Bitter kola) Seed Meal

Garcinia kola contains secondary metabolites which can be used to modulate rumen ecology to improve its feed degradability and microbial efficiency. Therefore, this study was conducted for 84 days to assess the nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and rumen fermentation patterns of West African dwarf (WAD) sheep fed diets containing graded levels of Garcinia kola seed meal (GKSM). Sixteen WAD rams weighing 12.00±0.05kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% of GKSM in a completely randomized design. Data obtained on digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and Rumen fluid were analyzed using one way analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that crude protein digestibility (91.63%), Nitrogen Free Extract (17.85%) and Ash digestibility (91.08%) were significantly (p <0.05) highest in Ram fed diet 3. Rams on diet 2 and 3 were similar (p>0.05) but significantly (p <0.05) higher in crude fibre digestibility than those on diets 1 and 4. Nitrogen intake values decreased across the dietary treatments as the GKSM inclusion levels increased. Total volatile acids values obtained were significantly highest in Ram fed diet 3 when compared with other dietary treatments. It was concluded that rams fed diets containing 5% GKSM had better Nitrogen metabolism and nutrient digestibility.Keywords: Garcinia kola, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, fermentatio