Are Medical Students willing to Patronize Traditional Bone Setters in the Future? A Study among Medical Students of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: A large proportion of fractures are still managed by traditional bone setters in developing nations. The study was designed to determine the willingness to patronize traditional bone setters in the future among medical students of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of all preclinical and clinical medical students of the university. Information was obtained using a pretested, self- administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical software version 22.0 and level of statistical significance was determined by a p value of < 0.05.Results: A total of 385 students participated in the study (response rate; 83.7%). Mean age of respondents was 23.2±3.4 years. One quarter of the respondents, 82 (25.0%) have patronized traditional bone setters before. About half indicated that traditional bone setters receive more patronage than orthopedic surgeons, however three-quarters of them preferred services of Surgeons. Two-thirds opined that bone setters have more treatment failures, and only 72 (18.7%) were willing to patronize traditional bone setters in future. Major reasons to patronize them included skilled/good service delivery, 34 (47.2%) and low cost, 21 (29.2%). Predictor of willingness to patronize traditional bone setters in future was previous use of traditional bone setters, (AOR=8.3, 95%CI: 4.7-14.9, p<0.001)Conclusion: The practice of traditional bone setting is widespread and enjoys much acceptance in the society despite high rates of treatment failures associated with it. Thus, there is the need to monitor the activities of traditional bone setters to enhance competence and encourage referral

Exploring the views of Heads of Schools on School Health Services in Public Primary Schools in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Background: School health services offer a great opportunity for many children to access primary health care, especially in developing countries. This study assessed the status of health services in public primary schools in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria from the perspectives of the school heads.Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted among 24 public primary school head masters/mistresses in the three Local Government Areas making up Enugu metropolis. They were purposively selected from the 117 public primary schools in the metropolis. Data were collected through the use of Key Informant Interview (KII) guide, and analyzed using thematic approach.Results: Only one of the participants knew about the school health policy, while others expressed surprise at its existence. All the schools had a first aid box, but most of the boxes were not sufficiently stocked. None of the schools had a trained first aider. De-worming was carried out once in a while in all the schools. Majority of the schools did not document health services provided. The schools rarely referred pupils to health facilities as needed, but rather informed parents if their children became ill while in school.Conclusion: The implementation of health services in public primary schools in Enugu Metropolis leaves much to be desired. Health services, including health appraisal were generally poor. Basic resources necessary for school health services were lacking in the schools. There is need for stakeholders to take urgent steps in order to redress the situation

Morphological and morphometric characterization of local duck population in South-east ecological zone of Nigeria

The study was conducted to characterize morphologic and morphometric variations among local duck populations found in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria. A total of one hundred and forty-six (146) adult local ducks of both sexes were randomly selected from Imo and Abia States and used for the study. Nine morphological traits which include eye colour, plumage colour, bean colour, body carriage, bill colour, bill shape, shank colour, caruncle colour, crested were studied. Also eight morphometric traits such as body weight, body length, body circumference, thigh circumference, bill length, neck length, foot length, total foot length and wing length were studied. Data on morphological traits were subjected to descriptive analysis, such as frequencies, percentages, and averages, while data on morphometric traits were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design. Results showed seven (7) phenotypes among local ducks. Predominant plumage colour was black/white (54.79%), shank colour was slate gray (70.55%) predominant eyes colour was brown (76.03%). The majority of local ducks (97.26%) had a pink/white colour, while 97.95% of the ducks had horizontal body carriage. Caruncle colour, bill shape, bean color, and crested showed no variation among duck populations. Drakes were superior (p<0.05) to hens for body weight and other morphometric traits measured. Positive and highly significant correlations (p<0.01;0.05) were observed among measured morphometric traits. The results obtained in this study could be used for the improvement and conservation of these local ducks in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria

Empirical analysis of limit of desulphurization of iron ore based on multi-factorial process variables

Desulphurization of iron ore was carried out using an oxidant; powdered potassium chlorate (KClO3) of mass-input range (5-12g) and temperature range (500-800°C). The limit of desulphurization was evaluated considering the initial ore sulphur content and removed sulphur concentration. Investigation on the process analysis and mechanism of the desulphurization process revealed that oxygen gas from the decomposition of KClO3 interacted with sulphur through molecular combination within the Gas Evolution Temperature Range (GETR); 375-502°C. Sulphur transformation into vapour within this temperature range was observed to facilitate easy reaction with oxygen gas to form SO2, A limit of desulphurization; 92.22% was experimentally achieved following successful reduction of the initial ore sulphur content to 0.007 % using 12g of KClO3 at a treatment temperature of 800°C. A model was derived and used as a tool for empirical analysis of limit of desulphurization based on treatment temperature, mass-input of KClO3, sulphur loss-sulphur initial ratio. Deviational analysis indicates that the derived model gives best-fit process analysis with a deviation range of just 0.65–8.82%, from experimental results and invariably an operational confidence level range 91.18-99.35%. The deviation range corresponds to limit of desulphurization range: 31.4019-86.6128%, treatment temperature range: 600-800°C, KClO3 mass-input range: 7-12g and range of sulphur loss-sulphur initial ratio: 0.3444-0.5556. Hence, the derived model can exclusive, be significantly and viably operational within these process conditions

Effects of Short Inter‑Pregnancy Interval on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes: A Cohort Study of Pregnant Women in a Low‑Income Country

Background: Short inter‑pregnancy interval (IPI) is a potential risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous reports from sub‑Sahara Africa documented increasing incidence of short IPI but evidence is lacking in its effect on pregnancy outcome. Aim: The study aimed to determine the effect of short IPI on pregnancy outcome in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: It was a prospective cohort study of 271 pregnant women receiving antenatal care in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. For every eligible woman with short IPI (<18 months) recruited; a suitable control with IPI ≥18 months was selected. Statistical analysis was both inferential and descriptive using the statistical package for social sciences version 24 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA) for windows. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Incidence of maternal anemia was higher in women with short IPI than control (RR: 2.091; 95% CI: 1.4433.031; P < 0.001). Other maternal and perinatal outcome measures including premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor/delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension, third  trimester bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, and inadequate gestational weight gain did not show any significant association with short IPI (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Short IPI is associated with anemia in pregnancy in Nigeria. Public health campaigns for improvement in uptake of family planning  services and breastfeeding may help reduce the incidence of short IPI and anemia in low income countries. Keywords: Nigeria, pregnancy outcome, short inter‑pregnancy interva

Gastrointestinal parasites of fish as bio-indicators of the ecology of Chanchaga River, Minna, Niger State

Fish parasites are of particular interest in relation not only to fish health but also in the understanding of ecological problems. A study of the gastrointestinal parasites of fish as bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution in Chanchaga River was carried out from May-August, 2014. A total of 100 specimens were sampled which comprises of 4 species; Tilapia zilli, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Clarias gariepinus and Mormyrus rume (25 samples each). The intestinal contents of the samples were analyzed, parasites found were the Nematodes, 52.00% and mean intensity of 57.03, Cestodes, 28.00%with 4.14 mean intensity and some unidentified species of insects and Copepods were 12.00% and a mean intensity of 7.85. The concentration of the metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr&Mn) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Result showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the heavy metal accumulation in the muscle of both the infected fishes and the uninfected ones, but there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the metal concentration in the intestines amongst the fish species for Cu in T. zilli (0.83±0.01mg/g) and in A. occidentalis(0.02±0.01 mg/g). Among the species sampled for heavy metal in fish muscle M. rume had the lowest mean concentration (0.27±0.01 mg/g) while C. gariepinus had the highest (0.45±0.03 mg/g). This study has established the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in fish from Chanchaga River and also presence of heavy metal though in low quantity in the fish from the River thereby indicating that the river is slightly polluted.Keywords: Fish parasites, Heavy metals, Gastrointestinal and Chanchaga Rive

Effects of Rational-Emotive Hospice Care Therapy on Problematic Assumptions, Death Anxiety, and Psychological Distress in a Sample of Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers in Nigeria

This study was a preliminary investigation that aimed to examine the effects of rational emotive hospice care therapy (REHCT) on problematic assumptions, death anxiety, and psychological distress in a sample of cancer patients and their family caregivers in Nigeria. The study adopted a pre-posttest randomized control group design. Participants were community-dwelling cancer patients (n = 32) and their family caregivers (n = 52). The treatment process consisted of 10 weeks of full intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up meetings that marked the end of intervention. The study used repeated-measures analysis of variance for data analysis. The findings revealed significant effects of a REHCT intervention program on problematic assumptions, death anxiety, and psychological distress reduction among the cancer patients and their family caregivers at the end of the intervention. The improvements were also maintained at follow-up meetings in the treatment group compared with the control group who received the usual care and conventional counseling. The researchers have been able to show that REHCT intervention is more effective than a control therapy for cancer patients’ care, education, and counseling in the Nigerian context