Knowledge of spacer device, peak flow meter and inhaler technique (MDIs) among health care providers: an evaluation of doctors and nurses.

Background: Metered dose inhalers are cornerstone in effective management of bronchial asthma when correctly used. Most studies hitherto have focused on assessing patient’s knowledge of inhaler technique. We sought to assess the knowledge of inhaler technique, spacer device and peak flow meter among doctors and nurses in a tertiary healthcare institution in Nigeria.Method: A cross sectional survey of nurses and doctors from emergency department, family and internal medicine; who were attending a continuous professional development lecture, was carried out. From a total of 100 questionnaires administered, we retrieved 87 of which 75 were completed, giving a response rate of 75%. It was a selfadministered questionnaire. Data was analysed with SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were done. Associationwas examined using chi-square test.Result: Mean age of respondent was 35.8 years ± 8.7, 47(62.7%) were < 40 years, 33(44%) were male, nurses were 30(40.0%). Only 28(37.3%) had ever used a peak flow meter. Only 4(14.3%) used peak flow meter frequently, while 12(26.7%) checked patient’s inhaler technique often. Only 9 out of the 75 (12%) participants all of who are doctors knew at least 3 essential steps of the techniques in using the metered dose inhaler correctly. None of the participants got all the steps for the use of pMDI totally correct.Conclusion: Knowledge regarding the use of the metered dose inhaler and spacer device was poor. Health practitioners should have constant reminders in the form of continuous medical education to update their knowledge regarding correct inhaler technique.Funding: self-fundedKeywords: asthma, inhalers, knowledge, doctors, nurse

Pulmonary involvement in Lassa fever: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION: Lassa fever (LF) affects all body systems, however, inadequate knowledge exists on the involvement of the pulmonary system in LF infections. This scoping review, therefore, aimed to describe the pulmonary involvement of LF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an extensive search of the literature on two databases, namely PubMed and Google Scholar. Overall, 5,217 articles were retrieved from a database search, out of which 107 duplicates were removed. Overall, 12 articles were included: four review articles, three case reports, three experimental inoculation studies, one retrospective study, and a prospective case-control study. RESULTS: Symptoms experienced included fever, pharyngitis, retrosternal pain, respiratory distress, and proteinuria. Complications included unique pulmonary arteritis, pulmonary embolization, mucosal bleeding, pleural or pericardial effusion, pulmonary edema, and interstitial pneumonitis. Consequences of the effect of Lassa virus infection were impairment of the immune system alongside continual replication of Lassa virus infection in affected tissues and death of affected individuals. LF has varied but serious effects on the pulmonary system. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms, particularly in areas where LF is known to be endemic, should prompt clinicians to request LF polymerase chain reaction for confirmatory diagnosis. These features should promote the provision of respiratory support for patients in need of such

Assessment of the willingness of doctors to work at coronavirus disease-19 treatment center

Objectives: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently ravaging the entire world. Doctors as well as other healthcare workers as front-liners in tackling this disease are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus and its potential consequences. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge of doctors on the mode of transmission of the virus, to assess their willingness and readiness to work at the COVID-19 treatment center, to identify factors that affect their willingness to work at the treatment center, and to assess their knowledge on infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.Materials and Methods: All medical doctors who attended the COVID-19 sensitization and preparedness meeting with the management of Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State Nigeria, were recruited into the study after an informed consent was obtained. Study period spanned from the beginning of April 2020 to middle of June 2020. A structured, pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect relevant information.Results: A total of 112 doctors that were in attendance had the questionnaires administered to them; however, 106 (94.64%) questionnaires were returned. Out of these, 64.2% had correct knowledge of the mode of transmission of COVID-19. We observed that only 34.9% of doctors were willing to work in the treatment center while 1.9% were indifferent. The perceived lack of adequate training and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff were major reasons why some doctors were not willing to work in these centers. Fifty percent of the participants got the correct meaning of donning and doffing and three quarters of them had good knowledge of IPC practice.Conclusion: We found in our study that a substantial number of doctors were unwilling to work in COVID-19 treatment areas due to a number of factors including perceived inadequate PPE and inadequate knowledge. The factors that would influence their willingness to work in COVID-19 treatment center were more training, provision of inducement or extra allowances and life insurance schemes. We recommend that in addition to putting emphasis on training, re-training, and providing appropriate equipment, special inducement allowance, and life insurance for healthcare workers might be helpful to encourage them to work in COVID-19 treatment centers

Molecular Characterization of the Circulating Strains of Vibrio cholerae during 2010 Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria

This study aimed at characterizing the phenotypic and toxigenic status of circulating strains of cholera during outbreaks in Nigeria, employing molecular typing techniques. Two hundred and one samples of rectal swabs, stool, vomitus, water (from the well, borehole, sachet, stream, and tap) and disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite) were collected from three states in the country. The samples were inoculated on thiosulphate-citrate bile salt-sucrose (TCBS), Cary-Blair transport medium and smeared on glass slides for direct examination. The Vibrio cholerae isolates were serotyped, biotyped, and characterized using PCR of the cytotoxin gene A (ctxA), wbeO1, and wbfO139 gene primer. Of the 201 samples screened, 96 were positive for V. cholerae O1 (48%), with 69 (72%) positive for ctxA gene. The results from this study showed that the circulating strains of cholera in Nigeria were of Ogawa serotype, also observed in other outbreaks in Nigeria (1991, 1992, and 1996). However, the strains were of the Classical biotype and were mainly (72%) ctxA gene-positive. This current investigation has confirmed the production of cholera toxin by the circulating strains, and this could be harnessed for possible cholera vaccine production in Nigeria

Assessment of the contribution of TEX air pollutants from Nigeria’s petroleum refineries to the ambient air quality: Part II

Environmental hazards associated with release of emission from petroleum refineries have caused serious concerns for the host communities. The study focused on the assessment of the contribution of Nigerian refineries to the ambient air quality. Total emission of toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (TEX) from Nigerian twenty-six (four existing and twenty-two proposed) refineries were estimated using emission factor approach, under no-control measure (worst case scenario) option. Results showed that the four existing refineries emit 2.90 × 1013 tons of toluene, 1.93 × 1013 tons ethyl benzene and 1.06 × 1013 tons per year while the twenty-two proposed refineries have the capacity of releasing annually 9.17 × 1013 tons of toluene, 6.69 × 1013 tons of ethyl benzene and .95 x 1013 tons of xylene. If operated at full capacity, the total estimated TEX emission from the existing refineries stood at 5.89 × 1013 tons/year while the proposed refineries have the potential of adding additional 2.01 × 1014 tons/year. These concentrations were considered as environmental menace that could have adverse health challenge of the residents of the host communities. Some technologically driven measures to control and subsequently reduce TEX emission from these refineries were suggested

Effects of an Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Gongronema latifolium on Haematological Some Parameters in Rats

In this study, the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on haematological parameters was investigated. In this study, twenty (20) albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. The control group was given 2ml of normal saline (orally) while the test groups were given orally; 175mg/kg (low dose), 350mg/kg (medium dose) and 500mg/kg (high dose) of Gongronema latifolium ethanolic leaves extract. The feeding regimens lasted for 14 days. After 14 days, blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for haematological parameter analysis. The result showed that RBC (Red Blood Cell) counts significantly decreased in the low, medium and high dose groups (4.74±0.22, 5.52±0.13 and 4.54±0.07 x 106 cells/mm3 respectively) compared with the control group (7.90±0.31) at P<0.05. Also, significant decreases (P<0.05) in the level of the total WBC (White Blood Cell) count, platelet count, PCV (Packed Cell Volume) and Hb (haemoglobin) concentration were observed. The decreases were dose dependent. The MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin) and MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration) except MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) significantly decreased in high dose group only. The results suggest that incessant consumption of the leaves of the plant may not advisable

Antibacterial Potentials of Three Common Spices against Selected Pathogens

Humans are generally most interested in the species of pathogenic bacteria which can cause disease in humans. The antibacterial activities of n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Curcuma longa Linn. (Turmeric) rhizome, Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Ginger) rhizome were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 26923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25522, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, S. aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin-Resistance-Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 35657 and Serratia marcescens. Inhibition test was carried out using the agar dilution techniques while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the agar well diffusion method. Susceptibility testing at 20 mg/mL and 100mg/mL revealed the highest inhibitory activity by methanol extracts of Curcuma longa and Myristica fragrans with diameter of zone of inhibition between 16±0.0 mm and 27±0.0 mm, the most active been Myristica fragrans on E. faecalis ATCC 29212. The MIC and MBC were lowest (12.5 mg/mL) in the methanol extract of Myristica fragrans. Methanol extract of Myristica fragrans had better bactericidal activity on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 26923 affording  88 %, 95 % and 97 % reduction in population at concentrations equivalent to MIC, 2 x MIC and 4 x MIC respectively at 4 hours exposure time followed by a total (100 %) kill of the population after 8 hours of exposure. The results of the study emphasize these spices as having antibacterial activity on some pathogenic bacteria isolated from human samples and their usefulness in the treatment of infections associated with the test pathogens. Keywords: Curcuma longa (Linn.), Myristica fragrans (Houtt.), Zingiber officinale (Rosc), pathogenic bacteria, phytochemical screening, antibacterial activities, in-vitro stud

Community participation in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria

The rural areas in Nigeria have become notorious with all kinds of crime. Inadequate amenities such as good roads and communication infrastructure in rural areas in Nigeria have made it difficult for the Nigeria Police to effectively detect and prevent crimes in rural Nigeria. It is consequent on these escalations of criminal activities that rural communities in Nigeria have evolved community policing to protect their neighbourhoods. This article presents the benefits of using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to unravel the potentials inherent in informal crime prevention and control in rural localities in Nigeria. The social capital theory was used to bring out the benefits of community participation in crime control in rural Nigeria. Findings from the study indicated high theft cases as common crime in rural Nigeria. Youths were observed to constitute greater percentage of suspects at police stations for crime. Unemployment and poverty among the rural populace especially youths were responsible for these criminalities. The absence of social infrastructure, inade- quate police presence and government support to unemployed youths made the crime situations worse in rural areas. There was low level of community interactions with the police in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria. The study recommended increased police-public partnership in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria