Health status of families: A comparative study of one-parent and two-parent families in Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: The family plays a central role in the provision and maintenance of health status of its members and all factors that contribute to achieving optimal health. Aim: To compare the health status of one-parent and two-parent families using the McMaster model of family functioning. Setting: Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design, using multi-stage simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using an adopted self-administered questionnaire from 250 purposely selected families from each sample group. The data entering was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Results: Findings showed that one-parent fathers scored higher (mean = 74.4 ± 10.30) than two-parent fathers (70.5 ± 13.05), while one-parent mothers scored higher (mean = 69.7 ± 15.10) than two-parent mothers (mean 67.7 ± 14.78). This means that one-parent fathers have a better self-reported health status than two-parent fathers, while one-parent mothers have a better self-reported health status than two-parent mothers. One-parent fathers have the best self-reported health status. No significant (p > 0.05) difference in the health status of children from both families. Conclusion: Fathers are healthier than mothers, while one-parent fathers are healthier than two-parent fathers. Comparing the two groups of families, parents from one-parent families reported better health status than parents from two-parent families, whereas within each family group, fathers reported better health status than mothers. This places responsibility on health care professionals to explore family contexts during clinic visits so as to render a more comprehensive health care service to families

Effects of human activities on forest resources in the crystal mountains of Gabon

National Parks are an important measure of conservation but human activities can impede on this measure. Although certain forest resources regenerate naturally, this is not the case with every forest resource. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between human activities and forest resource loss in the Crystal Mountains National Park and its surroundings. The study site is a National Park that was subjected to human activities prior to its establishment as National Park. The study assessed the relationship between human activities and the loss of forest resources. Data was gathered through the participation of locals in a survey. The questionnaire consisted of three sections and 51 questions. In addition to the survey, temporal data was gathered to determine forest cover change over two different periods 1990 and 2005, as well as climate data for the period of 2000 - 2009 were used to compare with the other data obtained. The study showed that the major activities in the study area were logging and subsistence farming. Based on the temporal data, forest cover loss was lower than proceeding years, from the period of 2000 - 2005 which was 0.30% compared to the period of 1990 - 2000 which was 0.49%. The climate in the region during the period of 2000 - 2009 remained constant which is conducive for the regeneration forest resources. The low educational level in the area has resulted in a high percentage of unemployment. This phenomenon has led to the use of forest resources by locals. Therefore, stringent management interventions need to be put in place to maintain the current reduction in forest cover loss.http://adonisandabbey.com/show_journal1.php?list_journals=14am201

Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women towards Management of Pregnancy-induced Hypertension in Southwest Nigeria

The study explores the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards the management of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It was a descriptive study, sampling technique was purposive and data was collected using a self-administered structure questionnaire. A sample of two hundred pregnant women was selected and data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Almost half of the participants were between the ages of 21 to 30 years (49.0%), with highest level of education as tertiary (58.0%) and 26.5% are currently pregnant for an average of 21 to 29 weeks. Knowledge and attitudes assessment indicated a high proportion of awareness (82.0%), hospital’s education (65.5%), and the majority (58.0%) believed that anybody can have pregnancy induced hypertension and (75.5%) relate the possible causes to eating too much salt, stress (57.5%) and over weight (49.5%). Most of the participants prefer to visit hospitals/clinics whenever they have headache (63.5%),abdominal pain (72.5%), swollen face and leg (65.5%), reduced foetal movement (77.5%), high blood pressure (65.0%), nausea and vomiting (60.0%) and blurred vision (62.5%). The study recommended that consideration be given to richer advocacy beyond creating awareness on PIH but also advocacy for women and girl children to acquire formal education so as to better appreciate modern medical services in Nigeria. Higher formal education and the urban place of residence of the participants’ accounts for increased application of knowledge on pregnancy induced hypertension; this makes them visit the clinics in the event of any observed issue in relation to theirhealth as pregnant women

Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women towards Management of Pregnancy-induced Hypertension in Southwest Nigeria

The study explores the knowledge and attitude of pregn ant women towards the management of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It was a descri ptive study, sampling technique was purposive and data was collected using a self-administer ed structure questionnaire. A sample of two hundred pregnant women was selected and data was a nalysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Almost half of the participants we re between the ages of 21 to 30 years (49.0%), with highest level of education as tertiary ( 58.0%) and 26.5% are currently pregnant for an average of 21 to 29 weeks. Knowledge and attitudes a ssessment indicated a high proportion of awareness (82.0%), hospital’s education (65.5%), and the majority (58.0%) believed that anybody can have pregnancy induced hypertension and (75.5%) r elate the possible causes to eating too much salt, stress (57.5%) and over weight (49.5%). Mo st of the participants prefer to visi

Use of nanomaterials in the pretreatment of water samples for environmental analysis

The challenge of providing clean drinking water is of enormous relevance in today’s human civilization, being essential for human consumption, but also for agriculture, livestock and several industrial applications. In addition to remediation strategies, the accurate monitoring of pollutants in water sup-plies, which most of the times are present at low concentrations, is a critical challenge. The usual low concentration of target analytes, the presence of in-terferents and the incompatibility of the sample matrix with instrumental techniques and detectors are the main reasons that renders sample preparation a relevant part of environmental monitoring strategies. The discovery and ap-plication of new nanomaterials allowed improvements on the pretreatment of water samples, with benefits in terms of speed, reliability and sensitivity in analysis. In this chapter, the use of nanomaterials in solid-phase extraction (SPE) protocols for water samples pretreatment for environmental monitoring is addressed. The most used nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, metal organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials, silica-based nanoparticles and nanocomposites are described, and their applications and advantages overviewed. Main gaps are identified and new directions on the field are suggested.publishe

Lived experiences of patients with ostomies in a University Teaching Hospital in Kwara State, Nigeria

The presence of an ostomy causes numerous alterations in the lives of individuals with ostomy. There is limited information on the experiences of persons with ostomy in Nigeria. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and the coping strategies utilized by individuals with ostomy. A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative design was adopted. Using Johnson Behavioral Model, a semi structured interview guide was utilized to elicit responses on the experiences of participants while living with an ostomy. The Brief COPE inventory was employed to identify coping strategies utilized by ostomates. Consecutive sampling method was used to select participants for this study and data saturation was reached at 15 participants. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis while descriptive statistics was used to analysed quantitative data. Socio-demographic profile of the participants showed that 33.3% were within the age of 45–55 years and majority (60%) had a colostomy. Also, 66.6% of the participants had a temporary ostomy. Findings from this study revealed that on the first sighting the stoma, ostomates experienced feelings of sadness, shame and disgust. A good number (10 of 15) of the participants had the support of family and friends which aided their adaptation process. Just less than half of the participants had difficulty carrying on with work as the presence of the stoma reduced their ability to work effectively. The study provided evidence that Johnson Behavioural Model is useful in assessing the effect of ostomy in the lives of patients and also gave insight into the coping strategies used by them. The information generated from this study will be useful in creating a more holistictic approach in pre- and post-operative management of individuals with ostomy thus improving their health quality of life

Environmental and public health implications of wastewater quality

The reuse of treated effluent (for agriculture and as supplement for drinking water needs) is currently receiving attention as a reliable water source. This paper is aimed at reviewing the environmental and health impacts of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater effluents. The quality of wastewater effluents is responsible for the degradation of the receiving water bodies. This is because untreated or inadequately treated wastewater effluent may lead to eutrophication in receiving water bodies and also create environmental conditions that favour proliferation of waterborne pathogens of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. In extension, recreational water users and anyone else coming into contact with the infected water is at risk. Although various microorganisms play many beneficial roles in wastewater systems, a great number of them are considered to be critical factors in contributing to numerous waterborne outbreaks. Also, wastewater effluents have been shown to contain a variety of anthropogenic compounds, many of which have endocrine-disrupting properties. Since large amounts of wastewater effluents are passed through sewage treatment systems on a daily basis, there is a need to remedy and diminish the overall impacts of these effluents in receiving water bodies. In order to comply with wastewater legislations and guidelines, there is a need for adequate treatment before discharge. This can be achieved through the application of appropriate treatment processes, which will help to minimize the risks to public health and the environment. To achieve unpolluted wastewater discharge into receiving water bodies, careful planning, adequate and suitable treatment, regular monitoring and appropriate legislations are necessary.Key words: Wastewater, discharge, treatment, health, environment, impacts, effluent

Bioinsecticidal efficacy of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Dehn) and Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. leaf extracts on Callosobruchus maculatus (Cowpea weevil)

The modern method of controlling insect pests, using synthetic insecticides has caused serious problems to human health and the environment. Hence, the need for alternative, cheap, readily available and acceptable insect pest control methods, among which are the use of plant leaf extracts. The aim of this study was to determine the bioinsecticidal efficacy of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Hyptis suaveolens against cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus). The bioassay of the powdered methanol extracts of leaves of E. camaldulensis and H. suaveolens was carried varying quantities (3 g, 6 g, 9 g and 12 g) of powdered extracts of the respective plant samples were mixed separately with 50 g of cowpea. Synthetic insecticide, Al2(PO4)3 was used as positive control while the negative control contained no treatment. Proximate compositions of the treated and untreated cowpeas were done using standard procedures while the extracts were characterized using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopic. Although mortality rates of the C. maculatus in presence of the extracts did not follow any dose-dependant trend, the respective dosages used for treatments inhibited the growth and activities of Callosobruchus maculatus. A high rate of seed damage was observed in the untreated cowpea seeds. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy of the extracts identified the presence of seven potential insecticidal compounds (Bargamotene, Globulol, Humulene, Linolein, Prasterone, Terpinen-4-ol and Traumatic acid) in Hyptis suaveolen. In the Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract, 13 potential insecticidal compounds (Barosma camphor, Carvacrol, Carbazon, Irone, Isoborneol, 5-methyl, 1,4-Naphthoquinone, Oleic Acid, Phytol, Piperitone, Pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, Terpinen-4-ol, Viridiflorol) were identified. The bioinsecticidal activities of these plant extracts could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals and isolated insecticidal compounds

Effects of drying methods on compositional characterization and functional characteristics of

The composition of Blighia sapida fruits is reported to differ based on its origin, variety, and preservation technique. In this study, the effect of drying method on the composition as well as the antioxidant activity of oven-dried and sun-dried B. sapida aril flour and oil were examined using standard procedures. Sun-dried B. sapida aril flour had significantly higher protein and fat content compared to the oven-dried flour. In addition, sun-dried B. sapida aril flour contained a more diverse phytochemical profile compared to the oven-dried flour. However, oven-dried B. sapida aril oil (ODAO) showed a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids compared to oil from the sun-dried B. sapida flour (SDAO). On the other hand, SDAO showed significantly higher DPPH scavenging and nitric oxide inhibitory activities compared to ODAO. Based on these findings, sun-drying is recommended for both nutritional purposes and other health-promoting usage such as antioxidant, over oven-drying