Geoimaging of subsurface fabric in Awgbagba, Southwestern Nigeria using geomagnetic and geoelectrical techniques

The heterogeneous nature of the earth has given rise to variations experienced in the subsurface. Some parts are good for hydrological exploration while others are good for civil engineering activities. These variations experienced in the subsurface could not be detected except through geophysical survey and analysis. Integration of ground magnetic and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) techniques were carried out in Awgbagba to image the subsurface fabric with a view to mapping subsurface geological features, such as the weak and competent zones, to determine the overburden thickness, and suitability of Awgbagba for civil engineering and hydrogeological purposes. Ten ground magnetic traverses were established in W-E and N-S azimuths. Twenty VES points were randomly sounded for the study in order to cover the entire study area. The magnetic residual field anomaly values ranged from -1, 600 to 700 nT. The study area is grouped into low, average, and high magnetic zones. The depth to magnetic sources ranged from 8.1 to 48.9 m with a mean value of 17.4 m. Three planar feature orientations in the study area are in NE-SW, NW-SE, and SE-NW orientations. VES results showed 7 QH-curve type, 6 HA-curve type, 4 KH-curve type, 1 AA-curve type, 1 HK-curve type and 1 QQ-curve type respectively. The ratio of thin-to-thick overburden and fresh-to-fractured bedrock are 3:7 and 2:3 respectively. It is concluded that the study area cannot withstand high-rise building constructions. However, the mapped fracture zones in the study area would serve as promising zones for borehole development

Determinants of resumption of vaginal intercourse in puerperium period in Ogbomoso: consideration for early use of contraceptives

Background: Early postpartum period for mothers is characterized with high demand for neonatal care, adjusting to sudden withdrawal of hormones of pregnancy and dealing with sexual desires of the husband. The study aimed at determines the timing, factors influencing postpartum resumption of vaginal intercourse and the contraceptive usage.Methods: Women in puerperium were interviewed with structured questionnaire on their socio-demographic status, obstetric history, sexual activities, contraception usage and reason for sexual abstinence.Results: About 40% (143) of participants had resumed vaginal intercourse within puerperium with mean resumption period of 3.2 ± 1.8 weeks. Only 12% (48) of them used modern contraceptive. Educational status (P <0.001); occupation (P <0.001); educational status of the husband (P <0.001); occupation of the husband (P <0.001); parity (P <0.05); husband’s income (P <0.05) and use of modern contraception (P <0.001) showed significant statistical difference between the women who had resumed vaginal sexual intercourse and those who have not. Logistic regression showed that educational status of the participants (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.246-0.938; P = 0.032) and parity (OR = 0.34, CI = 0.196-0.591; P = 0.001) were the most significant factors associated with early resumption of vaginal intercourse. One hundred and eighty-five (72%) of women who were yet to resume coitus, did so because of fear of pregnancy.Conclusions: Significant number of women resumed vaginal intercourse during the puerperium despite low contraception usage. There is need to initiate a contraception method before discharge home following delivery.  

Barriers to utilization of cervical cancer screening services among non-medical female personnel in tertiary hospitals in south west Nigeria.

Context: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and contributes significantly to cancer related deaths among women worldwide. Women knowledge and practice of screening for pre malignant lesions vary significantly. Studies on this subject had focused mostly on either medically informed health care workers or lay community persons but hardly on non-medically informed hospital workers who forms the bulk of health workers and influences health behaviors equally or even more.Objectives: To assess women's knowledge, attitude and practices towards cervical cancer screening and the barriers to utilizing cervical cancer screening services among non-medical female personnel in two tertiary centers in South West NigeriaStudy Design. Setting and Subjects: The study is a deseriptive cross-sectional study among female nonmedical personnel in OOUTH Sagamu and LAUTECH Ogbomosho in southwestern Nigeria. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 280 women, which was analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical software.Main Outcome Measures: The study measured knowledge, practices and barriers to utilization of screening services.Results: Awareness is 84.3% and knowledge of screening is 77.5%. Utilization rate is low at 15%; indecision, 32 .4% feeling of good health, 28.2% and fear of positive results, 18.1 % are the main reasons for not screening. Low level of education and poor knowledge orthe disease are discovered as the most significant barriers and determinants of utilization Conclusion and Recommendation: Women education in context specific terms is recommended as the intervention to improve screening practices amongst women of reproductive age group

Analysis of Propagation Models for Base Station Antenna: A Case Study of Ado - Ekiti, Nigeria

Path loss analysis using key parameters and mathematical models is essential for accurate characterization of a radio channel for a coverage area. It plays a fundamental role in predicting the radio coverage, path - loss, death zone and designing of an optim ized fixed and mobile network systems. This paper analysed and compared two models, Okumura and Okumura Hata on the basis of variation in antenna height and operational frequency of a base transmitting station (BTS) in Ado - Ekiti, Nigeria. The result obtain ed shows that Okumura Hata model has a better signal strength delivery to destination with a less reduced path loss variation compared to Okumura model. Even though there is significant gain of about 12dB when Okumura model parameters was varied it is not better than the signal strength Okumura Hata model will deliver to a destination

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Determinants of Perinatal Mortality in Twins at Ibadan

Context: Twinning being a very important high-risk condition in our environment requires detailed study. There are several studies reviewing factors in twin perinatal mortality in our environment but there is a need to ascertain the relative contributions of each of these factors. Objectives: To assess the relative contributions of maternal and fetal factors to perinatal mortality in twins. Materials and Methods: Data was extracted from the birth register of a Nigerian tertiary health institution to identify maternal and fetal factors associated with a higher risk of perinatal mortality. Outcome Measures: Perinatal deaths among twin pairs (ranked). Results: The twinning rate was 32.3/1000(3.2%). Risk of perinatal death had linear correlation with birth asphyxia (r = 0.412, p < 0.01), birth weight of the second twin (r = 0.358, p < 0.01), birth weight of the smaller twin (r = -0.344, p < 0.01), presence of birth weight discordance (r = 0.278, p < 0.01), gestational age at delivery (r = -0.211, p < 0.05), birth weights of first and larger twins (r = -0.275, p < 0.01) and (r = -0.206, p < 0.05) respectively. The maternal age and parity showed no significant correlation with risk of perinatal death. Conclusion: Birth asphyxia was the greatest predictor of perinatal death in twins among the variables studied. Key Words: Twins, Birthweight Discordance, Perinatal Mortality [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2002, 19: 36-38]

Stemming anomaly propagation in software systems using ontology

The increasing use of information and communication technology over the last decade has driven a  new range of information needs in business. A number of these software systems in deployment,  however, suffer from detrimental unintended integrity and consistency compromise due to anomaly  infestation. Primarily, the effects of this usually culminate in unpredictable and catastrophic results,  which must be adequately checked to yield highly dependable software. This paper proposes a unified  framework for analyzing propagations of anomalies in software systems employing ontology to  characterize, categorize, and identify these errors; also, to provide guidelines for the implementation of  the proposed solution. The generic approach captures the conventional semantics and structure of  different types of anomalies with the notion of anomaly ontology. The prototype Ontology-based  Software Anomaly Propagation Detection System (OBSAPDS) was built with the Protégé 4.3  knowledge acquisition tool, and Java programming languagPe was used for the development of the  application and MySQL Server as the back en--gine. The combination of the domain ontology in  Protégé and inference rules in Jena formed the knowledge system for the elicitation and the validation  of domain facts. Besides, a proof-of-concept evaluation of the proposed framework confirmed how  efficiently the approach could discover and resolve anomalies for different types of systems through  demonstration. The division by zero error and the read access to uninitialized error conditions served  as case studies.Keywords: Ontology, software systems, anomaly propagatio

Reliability of ultrasound findings acquired with handheld apparatuses to inform urgent obstetric diagnosis in a high-volume resource-limited setting

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of obstetric handheld smartphone-based point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in a resource-limited high-volume setting. Methods: A single-center prospective observational study among women requiring urgent diagnosis and admitted to a maternity referral hospital in Sierra Leone from March to April 2019. Pre-specified ultrasound findings were obtained with a handheld POCUS device; a comprehensive ultrasound examination was then performed by an experienced operator using conventional full-feature apparatus. Agreement was assessed by diagnostic accuracy and Cohen κ-statistics. Results: Overall, there were 307 participants. The mean aggregated diagnostic accuracy was 95.5% (κ-statistic, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–0.93; P 90%; κ-statistic, >0.80). Detection of low-lying placenta or placenta previa was the least reliable (κ-statistic, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.13–0.93; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Handheld POCUS findings were found to be reliable for detecting pre-specified urgent obstetric findings in a high-volume resource-limited referral hospital

Domestic Violence: The Role of the Nigerian Obstetrician

Context: Domestic violence is increasingly recognized as an important public health issue, resulting in significant physical, psychological and social impairment. It occurs everywhere and at anytime of the day but under-reported in Nigeria. Victims are at a higher risk of several common gynaecological disorders and complications in pregnancy where the health and safety of two potential victims are placed in jeopardy. Objective: To assess the attitude and practice of Obstetricians towards the problem of domestic violence in Nigeria. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire survey of 138 residents and consultants practing Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Nigeria who attended either the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria update course in Ibadan in September 2002 or the 6th International Congress of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held in Abuja in November 2002. Results: Most (97.8%) of the respondents agreed that Obstetricians have a role to play in the management of domestic violence. The roles to play include counselling (68.9%) treatment of injuries and prevention of complications (57.8%), education and public awareness (28.3%) and advocacy and instituting policies (13.3%). Conclusion: Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have a medical and ethical obligation to recognize and intervene on behalf of the abused patient. We cannot solve the problem alone, but sensitivity and commitment can begin to make a difference. Key Words: Domestic, Violence, Obstetricians, Nigeria. [ Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:46-48

Lung ultrasound for detection of pulmonary complications in critically ill obstetric patients in a resource-limited setting

Critically ill parturients have an increased risk of developing pulmonary complications. Lung ultrasound (LUS) could be effective in addressing the cause of respiratory distress in resource-limited settings with high maternal mortality. We aimed to determine the frequency, timing of appearance, and type of pulmonary complications in critically ill parturients in an obstetric unit in Sierra Leone. In this prospective observational study, LUS examinations were performed on admission, after 24 and 48 hours, and in case of respiratory deterioration. Primary endpoint was the proportion of parturients with one or more pulmonary complications, stratified for the presence of respiratory distress. Secondary endpoints included timing and types of complications, and their association with “poor outcome,” defined as a composite of transfer for escalation of care or death. Of 166 patients enrolled, 35 patients (21% [95% CI: 15-28]) had one or more pulmonary complications, the majority diagnosed on admission. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (period prevalence 4%) and hydrostatic pulmonary edema (4%) were only observed in patients with respiratory distress. Pneumonia (2%), atelectasis (10%), and pleural effusion (7%) were present, irrespective of respiratory distress. When ultrasound excluded pulmonary complications, respiratory distress was related to anemia or metabolic acidosis. Pulmonary complications were associated with an increased risk of poor outcome (odds ratio: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.7-14.6; P = 0.003). In critically ill parturients in a resource-limited obstetric unit, LUS contributed to address the cause of respiratory distress by identifying or excluding pulmonary complications. These were associated with a poor outcome