Trend Analysis of Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): How Effective is the Contraceptive Use Campaign

Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a recurrent global and public health problem. It poses both social and health challenges. Considering the massive campaign on the use of modern contraceptives to prevent TP in recent decades, we assessed trends in TP in Nigeria between 1961 and 2013. Pregnancy and contraception history of 70,811 women who were at least 20 years old when the Nigerian DHS was conducted in 1990, 2003, 2008, and 2013 respectively were used for the study, and descriptive statistics, time analysis techniques and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of TP between 1961 and 2013 was 49.5% which fluctuated insignificantly during the studied period. The TP prevalence among women who entered adulthood in 1961 was 39.2%; it peaked in 1978 at 58.9% before its unsteady decline to 39.6% in 2012, and then rose sharply to 55.6% in 2013. We predicted TP prevalence as 49.0%, 49.9% and 51.0% in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The odds of TP were over 4 times higher in the North East and 5 times higher in the North West than in the South West. Teenagers with no education had higher odds of TP and it was higher among teenagers from the poorest households (OR=5.64, 95% CI: 5.36-5.94). Rather than reducing with the worldwide acknowledged increase in contraceptive campaigns, TP increased over the years studied. As far as TP is concerned in Nigeria, the impact of the campaign on MC use is far from being effective. To achieve the objective of fewer TPs, fewer resources should be spent on access to contraception and instead diverted to areas more likely to achieve results such as improvements in educational achievement amongst girls

Factors Associated with Health-related Quality of Life among Post-paralytic Polio Survivors in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to assess Quality of Life (QOL), and examine its association with occupation and level of education among polio survivors. The study was a cross-sectional survey of polio survivors (N = 54) registered with the Post Paralytic Polio Survivors Association, living in Gusau, North Western Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) QOL BREF 26 Items English version was used to assess QOL, while a biodata form was used to assess demographic variables. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Wilcoxon rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 22.4 ± 5.4 years and mean QOL scores were 45.2 ± 9.7, 54.8 ± 11.4, 41.3 ± 10.9 and 44.4 ± 12.1 in physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental domains, respectively. The participants’ overall perception of their QOL and health averaged 3.3 ± 0.8 and 3.6 ± 0.7, respectively. No significant association was observed between all the domains. Occupation status (P > 0.05) and educational level had no significant relationship with all the domains (P > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that the QOL of polio survivors is not associated with their occupational status and level of education. It was suggested that follow-up research should try to clarify whether improving occupational and education status raises the QOL of polio survivors. Keywords: Polio, quality of life, survivor

A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the university life satisfaction among undergraduates. The study employed the survey design technique. The population consisted undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. A total of four faculties out of the thirteen faculties in the school were selected using simple random sampling technique. From each faculty, 150 undergraduates were selected using convenience sampling technique. An adapted instrument titled “Students University Life Satisfaction Scale (SULSS)” was used to collect information from the students and the instrument yielded Spearman Brown Coefficients and Spearman Brown Split-half reliability tests values of 0.77 and 0.83 respectively at 0.05 level of significance. Percentage, rank order and t-test statistics were employed to analyse the data. The results showed that 342 (57%) of undergraduates were highly satisfied with the university life. It was revealed that the most factors that were responsible for the university life satisfaction among the undergraduates were academic activities 563 (94%), recreational activities 521 (87%) and spiritual programmes/activities 521 (88%). Also, the results showed that the problems of university life satisfaction were overcrowded lecture rooms 573 (96%), academic workload 548 (91%) and unstable academic calendar 538 (90%). Finally, the results showed that there was no significant difference between sex and university life satisfaction (t-test = -0.582, df.= 598, p > 0.05), but significant difference was found between place of residence and university life satisfaction (t-test = 0.012, df.= 598, p < 0.05), The study concluded that the students were highly satisfied with university life but depended much on factors such as academic activities, recreational activities and spiritual programmes/activities and physical facilities for their satisfaction.   Article visualizations

Power Generation from Melon Seed Husk Biochar Using Fuel Cell

Melon seed husk (MSH) biochar was used in a single cell direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) as an alternative biofuel. The DCFCs belong to a generation of energy conversion devices that are characterised with higher efficiencies, lower emission of pollutants and MSH biochar as the fuel. Several analytical techniques (proximate, ultimate and thermo-chemical analysis) were employed to analyse the characteristics of the biomass fuel, their effects on the cell’s performance, and the electrochemical reactions between the fuel and the electrolyte in the system. High carbon content and calorific values are some of the parameters responsible for good performances. The performance of a lab-scale DCFC made of ceramic tubes using molten carbonate electrolyte was investigated. Binary carbonates mixture (Na2CO3-K2CO3, 38-62 mol.%) was used as electrolyte and the waste MSH carbonised at 450oC as biofuel. A practical evaluation of the fuel used in the DCFC system was conducted, for varying temperature of 100 - 800oC. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) was 0.71 V. With an applied load resistance and active surface area of 5.73 cm2 the maximum power density was 5.50 mWcm-2 and the current density was 29.67 mAcm-2 at 800oC

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens root and Bombax buonopozense leaves

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC root and Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. leaves against some bacterial and fungal isolates implicated in oro-dental, urogenital and other opportunistic infections were investigated using standard microbiological methods. The extracts of D. adscendens exhibited significant inhibitory action against all twelve organisms tested at a concentration of 2.00 mg/ml, while that of B. buonopozense inhibited nine organisms at the same concentration and conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by extract of D. adscendens ranged between 0.0625 and 0.25 mg/ml while that of B. buonopozense ranged between 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis of the two plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while D. adscendens has alkaloids and flavonoids in addition. Between 92 and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus SA 1199 were killed within 120 minutes of contact time with a concentration of 0.25 - 0.50 mg/ml, while 98 - 100% of Candida albicans ATCC 90029 were killed within the same period and  concentration by the same extract (D. adscendens). Therefore, this study justified the antimicrobial properties of these plants, hence the plants could be recommended for use as source of new drugs for fungal and bacterial infections. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Bombax buonopozense, antibacterial, antifungal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio

COMPARATIVE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF FIVE BRANDS OF CIPROFLOXACIN SOLD IN LAGOS STATE

he antimicrobial activity of five brands (A, B, C, D and E) of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets commonly sold in Lagos Nigeria, were compared and assessed against susceptible clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serotypetyphi). Susceptibility test, minimum inhibitory concentration test and the bactericidal activity were determined. All sampled brands were within their shelf life. Most (60%) of the sampled brands were made in India while the remaining 40% were made in Nigeria. All the brands complied with the official specification in British Pharmacopeia (BP) for uniformity of weight as they show less than 5% deviation in weight. The mean antibacterial activities of the brands at 25µg/ml were found to be within the range of 38.0mm to 42.2mm zone of inhibition while the MICs range between 0.012µg/ml to 1.5µg/ml.All the sampled brands were effective against all the test organisms to varying degree with brands A and E been more potent while brand D was the least effective. The order of MICs (decreasing order of potency) was D>B>C>A>E for Staphylococcus aureus and D>C>B>E>A for Escherichia coli while that of Salmonella enterica serotypeTyphiwas D>B>C>A>E. The bactericidal activity of each ciprofloxacin brand D and E are concentration-dependent; with brand E more active at all tested concentrations.

Trend analysis of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): how effective is the contraceptive use campaign

Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a recurrent global and public health problem. It poses both social and health challenges. Considering the massive campaign on the use of modern contraceptives to prevent TP in recent decades, we assessed trends in TP in Nigeria between 1961 and 2013. Pregnancy and contraception history of 70,811 women who were at least 20 years old when the Nigerian DHS was conducted in 1990, 2003, 2008, and 2013 respectively were used for the study, and descriptive statistics, time analysis techniques and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of TP between 1961 and 2013 was 49.5% which fluctuated insignificantly during the studied period. The TP prevalence among women who entered adulthood in 1961 was 39.2%; it peaked in 1978 at 58.9% before its unsteady decline to 39.6% in 2012, and then rose sharply to 55.6% in 2013. We predicted TP prevalence as 49.0%, 49.9% and 51.0% in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The odds of TP were over 4 times higher in the North East and 5 times higher in the North West than in the South West. Teenagers with no education had higher odds of TP and it was higher among teenagers from the poorest households (OR=5.64, 95% CI: 5.36-5.94). Rather than reducing with the worldwide acknowledged increase in contraceptive campaigns, TP increased over the years studied. As far as TP is concerned in Nigeria, the impact of the campaign on MC use is far from being effective. To achieve the objective of fewer TPs, fewer resources should be spent on access to contraception and instead diverted to areas more likely to achieve results such as improvements in educational achievement amongst girls

Group Art Therapy for Adult Female Victims of Sexual Violence

In the United States, women are vulnerable to sexual violence regardless of their socioeconomic conditions (Black, et.al, 2010; Wadeson, 2010; Basile, 2002). Women make up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population (U. S. Census 2010). One might extrapolate from these statistics, albeit inaccurately, that women would have available to them an abundance of trained clinicians and resources ready to assist adult victims of sexual violence beyond the immediate medical attention and crisis counseling (Howden & Meyer, 2011). Most often, however, just the opposite stands true there is limited research and services available to women who experience sexual violence as an adult (Wadeson, 2010; Black, et.al, 2010; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991). Due to shame, guilt, or other complexities of their situation, women who experience sexual violence as adults often do not seek counseling beyond the immediate crisis services that are rendered (Black et.al, 2010; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991; Hilberman, 1976). Victims often will adapt or attempt to cope with their trauma until their symptoms worsen, at which time they are forced to seek mental health treatment (Wadeson’ 2010; Pifalo, 2007; Tripp, 2007; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991). Victims of sexual violence should have access to treatment that is tailored specifically to address their sexual trauma, including mental health treatment that will acknowledge their feelings of isolation and that assists in healing from their traumatic experience that has changed or altered how they view themselves and the world. After review of the most commonly used treatment models for trauma, group art therapy presents promising potential as an effective treatment model for adult female victims of sexual violence experiencing post-traumatic trauma symptoms

Aqueous Extracts of Anogeissus Leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. and Terminalia Glaucescens Planch ex Benth. Inhibited Helicobacter Pylori

The inhibitory effects of methanol, dichloromethane and aqueous extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. and Terminalia glaucescens Planch ex Benth. (family Combretaceae) reportedly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including stomach disorder and ulcer are investigated to ascertain and justify their use in traditional medicine. Nineteen (19) strains of Helicobacter pylori including 18 clinical isolates and Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504 were used in this study. The susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing were performed using the agar dilution procedure guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. bactericidal studies were performed using viable counting techniques. The MIC and MBC values for the susceptible strains ranged from 0.08 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL and 0.16 mg/mL - 2.5 mg/mL respectively Bactericidal study revealed a dose- and time-dependent decline in surviving population of H. pylori AB005 at concentrations equivalent to MIC, 2 x MIC and 4 x MIC (Figures 1-4). The aqueous extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark and root gave a 100% kill at 6-hour exposure time with concentration equivalent to 4x MIC (i.e. 0.32mg/mL). The antimicrobial activities demonstrated by extracts of the plants on Helicobacter pylori revealed the presence of therapeutically potent antibacterial compounds and thus justify the use of these medicinal plants for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr.; Terminalia glaucescens Planch ex Benth.; Helicobacter pylori; peptic ulcer disease; bactericidal activit

Effect of Methanol extract of Musca domestica larva on some Enzymes and Haematological parameters in Trypanosoma brucei brucei - infected rats

This study investigated the effect of methanol extract of Musca domestica (400mg/kg body weight) on some biomarker enzymes and haematological parameters in Trypanosoma brucei  brucei - infected rats. Twenty albino rats were intraperitoneally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and were grouped into five (5) groups of four (4) rats each. Group1 was set up as infected not treated (0.2ml normal saline/kg body weight), group 2 was treated with diaminazene aceturate (standard drug), group 3 as prophylactic treated (treatment for 72 hours before inoculation of parasite), group 4 as early treatment with the extract (treatment commenced after the sight of parasite) and group 5 as the control (uninfected untreated) group. Results shows significant (p<0.05) decrease in liver AST and ALT activities with concomitant increase in serum activities of the infected untreated rats when compared with the early treated, prophylactic treated, standard treated and normal control. Serum ALP activity of the infected not treated group was significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared to the control group and other experimental groups. No significant (p>0.05) difference in the liver ALP activities of the extract treated infected groups with standard drug treated group However, serum and liver GGT activities of the uninfected untreated (control) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than all the other experimental groups. Haematological studies shows significant decrease (p<0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV) , haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC) of infected not treated when compared to infected prophylactic treated and infected early treated. There was likewise significant increase in white blood cell count (WBC) of infected not treated compared to infected prophylactic treated and infected early treated. Findings from this study showed that methanol extract of Musca domestica larva has trypanocidal properties thereby ameliorating the T. brucei induced biochemical changes in rats.Key words: Musca domestica larva, Haematology, Trypanosomiasis, Enzymes, Methanol, Extract