Climate change and mycotoxins - The African experience

The role of climate change on mycotoxin profile and activity was reviewed. The unprecedented spread and relocation experienced by some regulated mycotoxins on food and feed items were investigated. Aspergillus species and aflatoxin, originally associated with tropical and subtropical climate characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa are now comfortable guests in temperate zones. The same applies to Fusarium and Penicilium species, earlier thought to be strictly specific to temperate regions of Europe, now encountered in tropical Africa, with their toxins like zearalenone and trichothecenes, particularly in recent surveillance studies. This review is an update on the unstable trend on a global mycotoxin map with reference to the obvious climatic dynamics, having Africa in view

Pesticides and food safety in Africa

African countries have experienced nonconformance in the levels of pesticides for local consumption and export. Sometimes this leads to rejects and other forms of embarrassment from the importing countries. Economic challenge and lack of awareness heighten the overall cost of interventions in pesticide-related food safety management. For example, not a few of the infractions were a result of incorrect ways of pesticide application. The hazard accompanying chemical pesticide application has left open a window of biological alternatives which this review article seems to explore. The bio-alternatives, including green pesticides cancel out the adverse effect of residual chemicals on crops in farm and store and so make it more attractive. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.123754

Pesticides and food safety in Africa

African countries have experienced nonconformance in the levels of pesticides for local consumption and export. Sometimes this leads to rejects and other forms of embarrassment from the importing countries. Economic challenge and lack of awareness heighten the overall cost of interventions in pesticide-related food safety management. For example, not a few of the infractions were a result of incorrect ways of pesticide application. The hazard accompanying chemical pesticide application has left open a window of biological alternatives which this review article seems to explore. The bio-alternatives, including green pesticides cancel out the adverse effect of residual chemicals on crops in farm and store and so make it more attractive. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.123754

Determinants of rural bank loan repayment capacity among farmers in Yewa Division of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined the determinants of the Nigeria Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) repayment by farmers in Yewa division of Ogun State. Primary data collected through scheduled interview with the help of a structured questionnaire as well as secondary data were used for this purpose. Descriptive analytical tools, linear discriminate function, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected. Results show that majority of the respondents attributed reasons for loan default to production failure due to weather, pests, diseases and poor storage (72.5%). Furthermore, a good proportion of loan defaulters (52.5%) use the loan for farming. Discriminate analysis conducted shows that the total annual income of the household heads, other occupation of the respondents and membership of cooperative society are the most significant variables that discriminate between rural bank users and non-­‐users. The regression analysis shows that the most important variable for loan repayment is farm size (hectares) accounting for 32% of the variations in repayment level of the credit user, followed by farm income(0.29%). It was suggested that NACRDB loans should be disbursed through farmers’ cooperative society, with adequate monitoring and supervision

MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MALARIA AMONG THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS (TMP’S) IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

This study examined the type of medicinal plants used in the management of malaria in the Yoruba folklore in south western Nigeria. 87 Traditional medicine practitioners (TMP’s) were interviewed. Plants available in the regions were considered in the survey and recorded with their local names, parts used, preparation and the modes of use. A total of 21 plant species used by TMP`s in the management of malaria infections were identified. These species belong to 18 plant families

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Among Teenage Rural Mothers in Ogun and Oyo State, Nigeria

The feeding of an infant with breast milk only for six months exclusion of all other feeds, liquids or solids, including water except approved by medical doctor for a reason; within the first half year of life is referred to as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). in spite of its numerous benefits, not every mothers practiced it because of one reason or the other. This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding practices among teenage rural mothers in Ogun and Oyo State, Nigeria. Explorative research design and multi-stage sampling method was used to select respondents for the study and structured questionnaire was administered to four hundred and fifteen (415) teenage rural mothers, In-depth interviews were also held with breastfeeding rural mothers and ten (10) focus group discussion session with grandmothers in the study area. The result reveals that 59.1% and 61.0% of the respondents were between the age range of 17 – 19 with the mean age of 19years and majority (81.4% and 93.0) was Yoruba in Ogun and Oyo State respectively. Majority (60.9% and 62.0%) of the respondents receive information about exclusive breastfeeding in the study location, while above half (51.6% and 55.5%) of the respondents in Oyo and Ogun State indicated that they practice exclusive breastfeeding in the study area. Most (36.3% and 37.5%) of the respondents in Oyo and Ogun States admitted that they breastfeed their child for more than 11 times on a daily basis in Ogun and Oyo State respectively. Result revealed that personal determination/experience (x̅ = 3.73 and 3.78), encouragement from their mothers (x̅ = 3.72 and 3.76) and nurse and midwife advice (x̅ = 3.70 and 3.55) in Oyo and Ogun State respectively. Regression result shows that factors such as age, household size, educational level, ethnicity, occupation and place of delivery are seen to be significant and have positive relationship with factor influencing the adoption of exclusive breast feeding in the study area. It was concluded that compliance to Exclusive Breastfeeding for six months was still minima in Ogun and Oyo State. The study therefore recommended that policies aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding uptake should also incorporate significant others (grandmothers, mothers in- laws, and husbands) in the process of encouraging breastfeeding mothers. Keywords:Factors Influencing; Perception: Adoption: Rural; Exclusive Breastfeeding: Teenage Rural Mothers. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-33-10 Publication date: November 30th 202

Discussing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Are we empowering our patients? A questionnaire survey

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient knowledge about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) compared to other risks in epilepsy. To explore patients' experiences surrounding SUDEP disclosure and opinions on how information should be delivered. DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire. SETTING: Royal Free Hospital, London outpatient epilepsy clinics. PARTICIPANTS: New and follow-up patients attending epilepsy clinics at a London teaching hospital over six months. Patients identified as being at risk of suffering negative emotional or psychological consequences of SUDEP discussions were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient knowledge about epilepsy risks; patient opinion regarding source, timing and delivery of SUDEP information; impact on health seeking behaviour. RESULTS: Ninety-eight per cent of patients were aware of medication adherence, 84% of factors influencing seizure frequency, 78% of driving regulations, 50% of SUDEP and 38% of status epilepticus; 72% of patients felt that SUDEP information should be given to all patients. Preferences for timing of SUDEP discussions varied between those wanting information at diagnosis (40%) and those preferring to receive it after three clinic appointments (18%) to avoid information overload at the first consultation. Emotional responses (48% positive, 38% negative) predominated over measurable behavioural change following SUDEP discussions. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half the patients knew about SUDEP and status epilepticus. Although the majority of patients with epilepsy wish to be informed about SUDEP early on in their diagnosis, information must be delivered in a way that promotes patient knowledge and empowerment

Pattern of primary caesarean deliveries in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Primary caesarean section (CS) has become a major driver of the steadily rising total caesarean rate. This study determined the primary CS rate, pattern and associated factors.Methods: It was a retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study of 645 pregnant women who had primary caesarean section over a 3-year period in Lagos state university teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Data obtained were expressed in frequency and percentages.Results: Primary CS accounted for more than 50% of all the CS done during the study period with a primary CS rate of 16.7% and total CS rate was 30.6%. Primary CS was commonest among women of age group 30-39years (50.1%) and women with no prior parous experience (58.6%). The commonest indication for primary CS was poor progress in labour due to cephalopelvic disproportion, which occurred in 170 women (26.4%), followed by suspected foetal distress in 94 women (14.6%) and hypertensive disease in pregnancy in 91 women (14.1%). Post-operative wound infection and/or dehiscence was the most prevalent post-operative complication occurring in 12.1% of women who had primary CS.Conclusions: Primary CS rate is increasing and relatively more common among primiparous women. Cephalopelvic disproportion, suspected foetal distress and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the leading indications for primary CS.

CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC INTERACTION BETWEEN KHAYA GRANDIFOLIOLA (WELW) CDC STEM BARK EXTRACT AND TWO ANTI-MALARIAL DRUGS IN MICE

In malarial endemic countries especially in the tropics, conventional antimalarial drugs are used with herbal remedies either concurrently or successively. Khaya grandifoliola is one of such popular herbs used in the treatment of malaria. Various doses of ethanol extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark (50-400 mg/kg/day) were administered orally to Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii nigerense. A dose of 100 mg/kg/day of the extract was also combined with 2.5 mg/kg/day of chloroquine or 6.25 mg/kg/day of halofantrine in both early and established malaria infection test models. The results showed that in the early malaria infection test, K. grandifoliola in combination with chloroquine or halofantrine elicited enhanced anti-plasmodial effect in the established infection, there was significantly greater parasite clearance following administration of the combination when compared to the effects of K. grandifoliola or the conventional drugs alone. The mean survival period of parasitized animals was also enhanced by the extract/halofantrine combination. Lower therapeutic doses of halofantrine may be required to potentiate parasite clearance when used in combination with K. grandifoliola. This may constitute great advantage to halofantrine which is associated with cardiotoxicity at high doses