Involvement of pastors’ wives in educating nursing mothers on childcare practices in Ibadan North local government area, Nigeria

Poor childcare practices among nursing mothers have been implicated as one of the factors influencing high child morbidity and mortality in many developing countries including Nigeria. Many health promotion and education approaches have been used in previous studies to improve childcare practices but very few have considered the inherent potentials of using faith-based strategy as one of the acceptable means of health promotion in many developing countries. This descriptive cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating the involvement of Pastors’ wives as change agents in educating nursing mothers on childcare practices in Ibadan North Local Government Area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select pastors’ wives from all the registered churches in the Local Government Area. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. One hundred and twenty-eight (N=128) pastors’ wives with age of 46.1±9.3 years were interviewed. Overall, 9.4% had never taught or preached on childcare practices or other health-related matters to mothers/women in the church before. Analysis showed that 42.2%, 26.6% and 31.3% of Pastor’s wives had good, fair and poor level of basic communication techniques, respectively. Age and educational status of Pastors’ wives significantly affect the level of communication between Pastors’ wives and mothers in the church (p<0.05). Involvement of Pastors’ wives with the mothers on childcare practices was through counselling (90.6%), teaching (53.1%), preaching (29.7%) and phone calls (18.8%). Counselling was the most preferred method (68.0%) of communication. This study establishes the fact that Pastors’ wives and nursing mothers have been communicating health matters through counselling, which can be used as an opportunity for improving child care through faith-based setting.Keywords: Child health care practices, Pastors’ wife involvement, Faith-based approach, Nursing mothersAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 145- 15

Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer: Model in Female Wistar Rats

NSAIDs (drugs use in pain management) have been linked with ulcer and employed in several animal experiments, but the ulcer dose has been conflicting. In this regard, an animal model experiment was carried-out to determine the ulcer-dose of indomethacin on female Wistar rats. Based on this objective, three varying doses (30, 40 and 50mg/kg/bw) of indomethacin were respectively given orally to three groups (B, C and D) of 48hr-fasting rats weighing 200±25g. Eight hours later, the animals were sacrificed and the stomach harvested and compared with 48hr-fasting/untreated control (group A) for ulcer index (UI) and macroscopic examination (ME) using standard procedures. Results showed different degrees of gastric ulcers in a dose dependent fashion in all the treated groups and were supported by macroscopic features. Specifically, the 30mg/kg/bw treated group presented a mean UI of 3.34±0.30mm while the 40mg/kg/bw and 50mg/kg/bw groups presented a UI of 11.02±1.31mm and 19.53±2.87mm respectively. The 50mg/kg/bw treated rats however, presented a high degree of weakness, behavioural changes and reduced physical activity; suggesting therefore, that for experimental purposes, the physical and behavioural influence of indomethacin should be considered in the determination of ulcer-doses, since it may likely affect the outcome.Keywords: Gastric ulcer, Indomethacin, Dosage, Wistar rats

The chemical complexity of Yaji: A Nigerian Suya meat sauce inducing Scientific Investigations

In various published studies, Yaji has been described as ‘a complex Nigerian meat sauce’ based on its numerous active ingredients. This complexity tag, coupled with the high consumption rate as well as the large consuming population, have triggered a series of research efforts aimed at determining the positive and negative potentials ofYaji. Currently, there are numerous scientific and analytical reports in this direction. But as revealing as the reports have been, none of them has been dedicated to unveiling the chemical bases upon which Yaji is described as ‘complex’. Therefore, for completeness sake as regards the knowledge on Yaji, this review paper examines its chemical complexity with a view of providing information that would justify the need for the regulation of Yaji production on one hand, and the need for a moderated consumption on the other; considering the chemical interplay that might be associated with an excessive consumption of Yaji.Key Words: Suya sauce, chemical complexity, excessive consumption, Yaji, Yaji-spices,Yaji-additive

Physiologist as a Professional: The Mindset, Misconception, and Realities

The problems associated with training undergraduate human physiology students is not inherent in the discipline physiology, but in the curriculum design, implementation, and actual training. It is definitely unheard of to see a trainer who does not define for sure, the direction and functional application of the so-called training for trainees. Indeed, it is disheartening to note that despite all the advancements in the field of physiology, the training of physiology students in Nigeria does not include defined skill acquisition towards the operation, utilization, and maintenance of physiologically relevant equipments, accessories and consumables. These issues however, revolve around the intent of the training as enshrined in the curriculum. In view of the experiences encountered by physiology students in Nigerian Universities, this presentation examines the issues in contention and the probable solutions that may go a long way in correcting the entrenched mindset/misconception about the fate of physiology graduates in Nigeria.Key words: Mindset/Misconception, Medicine, Nigeria, Physiolog

Anacin induced adverse drug reaction: A case report

Anacin; a brand of aspirin tablets (containing 300mg acetylsalicylic acid), is a widely used analgesics. It is recognized as one of the oldest brands of pain relievers. Its primary content is acetylsalicylic acid. Here we report a case of a 26-year old woman (64 kg in weight and 1.41m in height) who presented with adverse drug reaction secondary to Anacin ingestion following gum pain from fish bone injury. About 30mins after ingesting the drug, she presented with headache, excessive lacrimal gland secretion and facial swelling. Considering these presentations by inference, Anacin may have the potential to cause severe adverse drug reaction in some individuals. Hence, care should be taken by doctors, pharmacist and other health care providers when prescribing and monitoring patients placed on this medication. Additionally, a detailed history should be taken prior to prescribing and appropriate reporting should be made to relevant health authorities when such severe reactions are observed.Keyword: Anacin, adverse drug reaction, pain, Acetylsalicylic acid

Source of information on family planning among married men in Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria

Population in Nigeria is turning into an issue that needs public alertness. Informing men on family planning services and contraceptives is extremely necessary. For this will promote more favorable attitudes and increase their involvement. This study aimed at investigating the source of family planning information for married men. This is a questionnaire base study targeting 350 married men in Ekpoma. Participation was by choice and the collected data were analyzed for descriptive statistics using SPSS(version 16). While 2.0% reported their first source of information as the questionnaire use in this study, 98.0 were familiar with family planning services. The most prevalent single source of information was from television/Radio (34.01%). However, 16.3% got their information from more than one sources. Family planning information in Nigeria should increase to encourage men. However, efforts should be made by concerned bodies to increase information in stickers and encourage peer discussion. Conclusively, places of worship such as churches and mosques should talk about family planning and teach responsible parenthood

Comparative Effect of Latanoprost/Timolol Fixed Combination and Unfixed Combination in Patients with Ocular Hypertension Attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria

for fixed and unfixed combinations respectively) and then efficacy reduces progressively for both drugs. This study showed that latanoprost and timolol combinations are effective for intraocular hypertension. However, fixed combination was observed to be more effective compared to unfixed combination at least among Nigerian population

Awareness of Contraceptive Methods amongst Married Male Population of Ekpoma, Nigeria

The impact of contraception on the population growth rate of Nigeria has been described as “little”, thereby prompting several questions on what the problems might be. This study therefore, reassesses the level of awareness of contraceptive methods amongst married male population of Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. The study population comprised of 640 married men and data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The results showed that awareness of contraceptive methods is high. Although comparatively, pills (for females), male condom (for male) and withdrawal (for couple co-operation) method, were the better known contraceptives. It is our opinion therefore, that the relevant authorities take advantage of such level of awareness amongst married men to initiate programs that would educate them about the significance of responsible parenthood, particularly on how it applies to Nigeria

Relationship between Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Visual Acuity in Residents of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Aim. To study the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) on visual acuity among apparently healthy residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study among 225 subjects (ages of 18–35 years) from whom BP, body weight, and height were collected. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen chart following standard procedures of number of letters seen at 6-metre distance. The data were then analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results. The sampled population consists of 112 male and 113 female (mean age 31.72±14.2 years). Majority (180) of the respondents had normal visual acuity. However, compared with the respondents with normal BMI (R19.61±1.5; L19.67±1.70), visual acuity of underweight (R18.53±2.30; L18.53±2.70) and obese (R15.68±4.79; L17.73±1.70) were more deviated. Similarly, compared with respondent with normal BP (120–125/80–85 mmHg; R18.00±2.53; L18.07±3.11), hypotensive (R15.5±7.35; L15.00±10.20), and hypertensive (R15.01±21.25; L15.00±11.91) respondents had deviated visual acuity. Conclusion. Abnormal body weight (underweight and obese) and BP (hypotension and hypertension) have potential negative impacts on visual acuity. Based on the observed relationship between weights, BP, and visual acuity, eye examinations can be included as regular screening exercise for abnormal BMI and BP conditions