Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Predictors of Preventive Practices Toward COVID‑19 among Healthcare Workers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria: A Cross‑sectional Study

Background: COVID‑19 quickly assumed a global epidemic with its attendant health, socio‑political and economic impacts. Healthcare workers are particularly at increasing risk of being infected and transmitting the virus. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, practice and predictors of preventive practices toward COVD‑19 among healthcare workers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross‑sectional study. Data were collected online among health workers across health facilities in Ogbomoso. Factors associated with good practices were analyzed using Chi‑square. Predictors of good  preventive practices were determined by multivariate binary logistic regression. The level of statistical  significance was determined to be at P < 0.05. Results: There were 132 study participants; with an average age of 31 years. Fifty‑eight percent were medical laboratory scientists. Levels of good knowledge, attitude, and practices were 59.1%, 58.3%, and 38.6%,  respectively. Eight‑seven percent of respondents sourced COVID‑19 related information via the mass media. Ninety‑four percent of respondents will not stay at home if sick because of work. Age, profession, and  knowledge are significantly associated with COVID‑19 preventive practices. The predictors (Model II) of good COVID‑19 preventive practices include being a laboratory scientist (odds ratio [OR]: 2.44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 6.71]; P = 0.039), working in primary health facility (OR: 4.72 [95%CI: 1.08, 20.67]; P = 0.039) and having good COVID‑19 knowledge (OR: 3.71 [95%CI: 1.49–9.925]; P = 0.005). Conclusion: Our study has shown the predictors of good COVID‑19 preventive practices among healthcare workers and the need for policy and practice change as it relates to COVID‑19 infection prevention and  mitigation among healthcare workers

Functional and pasting properties of wheat/tigernut pomace flour blends and sensory attributes of wheat/tigernut pomace flour meat pie

This study investigated the functional and pasting properties of wheat and tigernut pomace flour blends, as well as the sensory attributes of the meat pie obtained from the composite flour. Tigernut pomace flour was substituted for wheat flour in the amount of 2 – 10%. Unsubstituted wheat flour served as the control. The composite blends were analysed for functional and pasting properties. The sensory attributes of the meat pie obtained from the composite flour were also determined. Bulk density, water absorption capacity, swelling power, and the solubility index of the blends ranged from 0.70 - 0.75 g/mL, 0.62 - 0.96%, 4.06 - 4.47 g/g, and 2.45 - 13.7% respectively. Peak, trough, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities, peak time, and pasting temperature ranged from 113.6 - 135.9 RVU, 76.7 - 90.2 RVU, 36.0 - 45.8 RVU, 170 - 183.7 RVU, 91.0 - 93.6 RVU, 5.07 - 6.03 min, and 88.4 -90.0 RVU respectively. In terms of appearance, the meat pie samples prepared from tigernut-substituted flour blends did not show significant difference (p < 0.05) from the control sample. The control sample had the highest overall acceptability, although samples from the composite blends were also found to be acceptable. Hence, tigernut pomace flour could be substituted for wheat at the amount of 10% to produce an acceptable meat pie

THE NEED FOR NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TEACHING OF COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN COURSES IN THE DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO: A CASE IN ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT, COVENANT UNIVERSITY

Students of Architecture have as part of their training in order to be relevant in the global terrain the acquisition of Computer Aided Design proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit and other software as the need arises. Currently as captured in the curriculum of the study of Architecture in Covenant University, the students are assembled in the Digital Design Studio with advanced computer graphics suite on each system and guided through by a faculty with requisite knowledge and training. While it is expected that each student will follow through the process as expected, some are often lost and confused as the training session lasts. As in the case of learning technologies, the use of new media is grounded in its value to support sound pedagogical approaches. This paper investigated the current study methods adopted in teaching students of the Department of Architecture in the use of AutoCAD and Revit software in the Digital Design Studio by administering questionnaires to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the 2016/2017 set. The data collected was statistically analyzed with SPSS software and it showed that there was a marked learning gap as a result of the adopted method of teaching by the faculty. It is expected that with the introduction of new media technologies like Digital Design Studio App and websites for hands-on training, a marked level of improvement would be achieved in knowledge dissemination and acquisition

Disability Profile and Accessibility Limitations among Persons with Physical Disability in Nigeria

Purpose: To evaluate disability profile and accessibility limitations among Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Nigeria. Methods: 61 PLWDs (44 men, 17 women) consented for this study. World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, Facilitators and Barriers Survey for People with Mobility Limitations version 2, Barthel Index, and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Questionnaires were used to obtain data on physical disability profile, level of access barriers, activities of daily living and quality of access to health care respectively. A proforma was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level set at p< 0.05. Results: Prevalence of mobility, visual and hearing impairments were 60.7%, 21.3% and 6.6% respectively, There was a 11.5% rate of functional limitation while mild difficulty with cognition and life activities were reported among 96.7% and 65.6% of the respondents. 24.6% of the respondents had partial mobility dependence. There was low quality of access to health care (67.2%), high access barrier to home environment (73.8%) and transportation (93.4%). Conclusion: The PLWDs have high mobility impairment and face barriers in accessing healthcare, transportation and environment

Experience of people living with leprosy at leprosy settlements in Nigeria

Background Although Nigeria achieved the national leprosy elimination target of less than 1/10,000 population in 1998, factors such as culture, behavioural patterns and social determinants, among others, continue to contribute to an increase in leprosy cases and a poor state of living for individuals with leprosy in Nigeria. This study delves into the experiences of individuals residing in leprosy settlements in Nigeria. Methods This study employed a community‐based cross‐sectional design, utilizing a concurrent mixed‐methods approach for comprehensive data collection. Questionnaires, focus groups and interviews are conducted simultaneously. The research involves participants from seven leprosy communities across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and Federal Capital Territory. Qualitative methods, including 14 focus group discussions and 6 key informant interviews, are complemented by quantitative questionnaires, engaging residents, leaders and nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives. Respondents comprised 35 leprosy patients, 21 family members, 7 community leaders, 7 settlement officers and 2 organizational heads involved in leprosy control. Results The results indicate significant access to healthcare (93.7%) and interest in self‐care practices (95.2%), with a considerable proportion (74.6%) receiving free healthcare. Interview data underscore the limited government support, with NGOs and partners assuming a more substantial role. Qualitative insights from persons living with leprosy highlight financial struggles, stigmatization and substandard living conditions in settlements, exacerbated by limited government funding. This reliance on private and NGOs is further compounded by declining funding, hindering individuals’ ability to start businesses and provide self‐care. Conclusion This study underscores the pressing need for increased government support, funding and better living conditions for individuals affected by leprosy in Nigeria. It highlights the significance of education, awareness campaigns and human rights promotion to combat stigma and enhance the quality of life for those living with leprosy. Moreover, the study advocates for the reintegration of affected individuals into their communities to foster societal inclusion and well‐being

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

Ecological and cultural barriers to treatment of childhood diarrhea in riverine areas of Ondo State, Nigeria

In Nigeria diarrhea still poses the greatest health problem to the survival of the under-fives in spite of the fact that the majority of mothers are reportedly to have been reached by health education on oral rehydration therapy (ORT) regardless of their ecological and socioeconomic situations. This study assesses the effect of different ecological and sociocultural conditions on use of ORT in riverine areas of Ondo State for the identification of the most effective means of dissemination of information on ORT in similar geographically disadvantaged localities in Nigeria and elsewhere. It is a formative study, but its results are expected to lead to identification of potentially effective intervention modalities to improve diarrhea treatment in remote areas. Of great concern in this study are communities whose awareness and acceptance of ORT may be more dictated by environmental conditions. This study combines two different research methodologies; namely, semistructured questionnaires and in-depth interviews to gain 'focused' insight into the communities. The study was carried out in Ilaje-Ese-Odo local government area (LGA) in southwestern Nigeria. It covered 308 mothers from 2 subethnic groups (Ilaje and Apoi) from a set of randomly chosen villages situated in 3 ecological strata and the in-depth interviews with 42 key informants. The majority of the mothers described some dangerous signs of last diarrhea suffered by their children under the age of five. Preliminary results indicate that awareness of actual causation was lowest in the remotest saltwater areas compared with other mothers in the study communities. Sixty-eight percent of the mothers in Ilaje mainland, 57% in fresh water Apoi and 44% in saltwater Ilaje stated that they have ever heard of salt, sugar solution (SSS). Furthermore, only 43% of them said they could prepare SSS while 42% ever made it. None of those mothers in saltwater Ilaje who confirmed awareness of and how to administer and prepare SSS could in reality do it correctly. When shown a typical sachet of ORS, only 8% of mothers living in salt-water swamps said they have seen one before. Thus, promotive health services to reduce high mortality rates of children under five have passed the study mothers whose area reported the highest incidence of diarrhea in the state.Diarrheal disease ORT Culture West Africa

Growth performance and physiological responses of broilers fed Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal in a hot tropical environment

Abstract Background Forage plants are considered an essential source of vitamins, protein and energy and could decrease the intake of the conventional diets by up to 10% if young quality forage plants are offered and about 7% of a broiler's daily protein needs and 3% of their daily calorie needs can be met by pasture. However, there is a paucity of data on the quantification of the herbage intake in broiler chickens. Objectives This trial was designed to determine the performance and physiological response of broilers fed diets containing Stylosanthes hamata leaf meal (SHLM) at 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% inclusion (weight for weight) in a basal diet of poultry. Methods Two hundred and forty‐day‐old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used for this trial. They were allocated at random to each of the 6 dietary treatment groups with 4 replicates of 10 chickens each. The study lasted for 35 days, during which data were collected weekly. Results Results indicated no difference (p > 0.05) in body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens across all ages. Although the plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentration of the birds was influenced at the sixth week of age, there was no consistency in the trend. At the eighth week of age, chickens on 15% SHLM had significantly (p  0.05) mean plasma creatinine values. Conclusions The study concluded that SHLM could be incorporated into broiler feed up to 20% without a deleterious impact on physiology and performance indices