Roles of family dynamics on adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV/AIDS at a tertiary hospital in Osogbo, south-west Nigeria

Background: Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been proven to be the only effective treatment for HIV/AIDS worldwide. Good adherence to HAART might require good family support.Objective: To determine the family dynamics and social support of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and its roles on HAART adherence at an ARV treatment clinic in Osogbo, NigeriaMethod: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting PLWHA on HAART were interviewed using pre-tested semistructured questionnaire incorporating Perceived Social Support- Family Scale and Family APGAR. HAART adherence was measured using patient self report.Results: A total of 379 PLWHA were interviewed. Their mean age was 40.8 (SD=9.9) years. Most (60.7%) were females. More than half (55.7%) were currently married and the majority (72.1%) had secondary education and were Yoruba (86.3%). Most respondents (95.5%) were adherent to HAART. Over 90% were satisfied with support received from their family while 82.3% were treated like other family members. Most attributed their HAART adherence to the care and support received from their family.Conclusion: Most PLWHA had good social support and were adherent to HAART.Keywords: Family dynamics; HAART adherence; NigeriaAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 920 - 92

Characteristics of Concrete Produced with Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean Water

Dwellers along the coastline area of Lagos state, Nigeria are exposed to abrmdant supply of the natural resources of Atlantic ocean and Lagoon water and may not have the privilege of having potable drinking water at their disposal for producing concrete. This study evaluates the characteristics of concrete produced with Atlantic ocean and Lagoon water. Concrete produced with tap water (regarded as potable drinking water) serves as the control experiment. Compressive strength, workability and density were used to evaluate the characteristics of concrete specimens. All the concrete samples have true shnnp with Lagoon water concrete having low workability and both tap and Atlantic ocean water concrete having medilllll workability. The concrete specimens produced with the three types of water fall into the category of normal weight concrete as their densities lie within the range of 2200-2600 kg m-3 specified. The 28th day compressive strength of concrete specimens produced with Atlantic ocean, tap and Lagoon water are 25.0 and 33.5 N mm-2 , 17.9 and 28.6 N mm-2 as well as 15.1 and 19.4 N mm-2 for mix ratios 1:3:6 and 1:2:4, respectively. It was concluded that tap water should be used in mixing concrete where strength is of major concern, Atlantic ocean water could be used where early strength is required and Lagoon water should only be used for general concrete works where strength is of less importance such as in mass concrete, floor screed and mortar

Evidence for Non-Transmission of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) through Rice Seed

An indexing of the organs (radicle and plumule) and components (husk, endosperm and embryo) of rice seeds using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was carried out to detect Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) and establish the exact location of the virus in the rice seed. RYMV was detected only in the husk (seed coat) but not in the endosperm, plumule, radicle, nor embryo. None of the seedlings raised from the seeds expressed RYMV symptoms. No virus particle was detected by the ELISA test in the leaves of the screenhouse-reared plants obtained from seeds of infected plants. The results indicate that RYMV is apparently not transmitted through rice seed probably because the virus is seed-borne in the husk (seed coat) of mature rice seeds

A study of dry matter partitioning and concentration in grain Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)

No Abstract

Influence of gender and leadership style on career commitment and job performance of subordinates

This study investigated the influence of gender of supervisors and leadership style on career commitment and job performance of subordinates. The participants used in this study are 140 employees working in two breweries in Edo State. Sixty –seven (67) of the respondents were directly working under female supervisors while seventy - three (73) were working under male supervisors. The instrument used was a questionnaire with already validated items. The independent variables are gender and leadership styles, while the dependent variables are career commitment and job performance. A 2-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), was used to analyse the data collected. All the hypotheses were supported in the predicted direction, as shown, males who work under democraticfemale leaders had higher mean score on job performance than females working under autocratic female leaders (28.37 vs 18.24). Males who work under autocratic female leaders had a higher mean score on career commitment than females working under democratic female leaders (41.34 vs 34.12). In the light of these findings, the researchers recommended that management in various organizations should provide suitable conditions for the growth and development of the organization. Also, organizational members should learn to put off gender biases and concentrate on effectiveness and productivity

Comparison of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Microscopy for Malaria

Presumptive treatment of malaria results in significant overuse of antimalarials. This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of Histidine Rich Protein II and plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH)-based Rapid Kits( RDTs)and using expert microscopy as the gold standard for the detection of falciparum and non-falciparum in 200 individuals suffering from fever episodes over a period 8months in a malaria-endemic area in Osogbo, Osun State. 99(44.5%) of these patients were microscopically parasitaemic with three Plasmodium species identified expect P.ovale. 25 (12.5%) of the study population had temperature < 37.50C at the time of presentation in the clinic among which 16 (64% ) were parasitaemic. Furthermore, 148 (74%) of the study population had fever episode of which 65(44%) were positive for malaria. The sensitivity and specificity of pLDH (Pf) were 84.7% and  78.3% respectively and HRP-2 were 72.7% and 90.9% respectively. Both had high detection (94.7%) at parasite density ≥ 10,000 parasite/`l of blood. Microscopy still remains the ‘Gold Standard’ since both are not 95% sensitive and cannot determine parasites quantification.Keywords: Plasmodium, Microscopy, Rapid Kits, Osogbo, Nigeria, LAUTECH Le traitement présomptif de paludisme résulte de l’usage abusif considérable des antipaludiques. Cette étude a pour but de comparer l’efficacité de diagnostic de l'histidine RichProtein II et de test de diagnostic rapide (TDR) à base de kits plasmodium lactate déshydrogénase (pLDH) et en utilisant la microscopie experte comme «gold standard» pour la détection de P. falciparum et non-falciparum chez 200 personnes souffrant d'épisodes de fièvre sur une période de huit mois dans une région où le paludisme est endémique dans Osogbo, l'Etat d'Osun. 99 (44,5%) de ces patients étaient parasitémiques à la microscopie à trois espèces de Plasmodiumidentifiées différentes de P. ovaleattendu. 25 (12,5%) de la population étudiée avait une température <37,5°C au moment de leur arrivée à la clinique parmi lesquels, 16 (64%) étaient parasitémiques. En outre, 148 (74%) de la population d’étude avait un épisode de fièvre dont 65 (44%) étaient positifs pour le paludisme. La sensibilité et la spécificité de pLDH (Pf) étaient respectivement de 84,7% et 78,3% et celles de HRP-2 étaient respectivement de 72,7% et 90,9%. Tous les deux tests avaient une bonne détection (94,7%) à densité parasitaire ≥ 10000 parasite/ul de sang. La microscopie reste le «Gold Standard» puisque les deux autres tests ne sont pas sensibles à 95% et ne peut pas déterminer la quantité parasitaire.Mots clés: Plasmodium, microscopie, kits de test rapide, Osogbo, Nigeria, LAUTECHArticle in English

Influence of Family Size, Household Food Security Status, and Child Care Practices on the Nutritional Status of Under-five Children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Fertility pattern and reproductive behaviours affect infant death in Nigeria. Household food insecurity and poor care practices also place children at risk of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of family size, household food security status, and child care practices on the nutritional status of under-five children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 423 mothers of under-five children and their children in the households selected through multistagesampling methods. Food-insecure households were five times more likely than secure households to have wasted children (crude OR=5.707, 95 percent CI=1.31-24.85). Children with less educated mothers were significantly more likely to be stunted. The prevalence of food insecurity among households in Ile-Ife was high. Households with food insecurity and less educated mothers were more likely to have malnourished children (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 123-132)

Evaluation of renal volume by ultrasonography in patients with essential hypertension in Ile-Ife, south western Nigeria

Background and aims: To determine renal volume in adult patients with essential hypertension and correlate it with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and duration of hypertension. Patients and methods: A total of 150 patients (75 males, 75 females) with essential hypertension and normal renal status were evaluated sonographically in this prospective study. Fifty healthy individuals (25 males, 25 females) without hypertension were also evaluated as control. Renal volume was then calculated from the kidney’s length, width and anterio-posterior diameter using the formula L*W*AP*0.523. Results: The range of renal volume obtained was 51.65-205.02 cm3, with a mean of 114.06±29.78 cm3 for the left kidney and 47.37-177.50 cm3 with a mean of 106.14±25.42 cm3 for the right kidney. The mean volumes of the right and left kidneys in males (112.98±25.56 cm3 and 123.11±32.49 cm3, respectively), were significantly higher than in females (99.31±23.07 cm3 and 105.01±23.77 cm3, respectively). Renal volume correlated significantly with BSA and BMI, but decreased with age. The renal volume showed no correlation with duration of hypertension. Conclusion: Renal volume is higher in the left than the right kidney in hypertensive patients of both sexes and female hypertensive patients have smaller kidney size compared to males. The study also shows that volume of both kidneys decreases with age and positive correlation between renal volume, BSA and BMI. However, there is no correlation between renal size and duration of hypertension.Keywords: essential hypertension; renal volume; ultrasonograph

Drivers for the implementation of circular economy in the Nigerian AECO industry: a structural equation modelling approach

Purpose This study aims to investigate the drivers influencing the implementation of circular economy principles in the Nigerian architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry across diverse regions of Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed to AECO professionals across four selected regions (North Central, North West, South-South and South West) in Nigeria. The data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test and structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings The study findings show a robust consensus of opinions among the respondents across regions and professions. The SEM analysis establishes the significant influence of the hypothesized drivers, regulatory and institutional, supply chain collaboration, technological advancements, organizational support and business strategies on the successful implementation of circular economy principles in the Nigerian AECO industry. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to specific regions and professions within Nigeria. Further limitation is the quantitative orientation of this study, which collects data using only a questionnaire. Practical implications The findings imply that stakeholders can adopt a unified approach to promote circular economy principles in the AECO industry. By recognizing the common understanding of circular economy drivers, collaborative efforts can be streamlined to advance sustainability, resource efficiency and circularity in the industry. Originality/value This study contributes to the nascent field of circular economy implementation in the Nigerian AECO industry. It offers a unique perspective by exploring variations in stakeholder opinions, providing insights into the nuanced understanding of circular economy drivers