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 their health 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 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

Growth promotion and protective potentials of leaf infusions of Parkia biglobosa, Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina on Abelmoschus esculentus seeds

The germinability and protective potential of leaf infusion of Parkia biglobosa, Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds against infections simulated with suspended cells of Aspergillus niger, A. favus, A. fumigatus, and Penicillium sp. were examined. Prior to planting, the okra seeds were frst surface-sterilized in 5% sodium hypochlorite solution before steeping in known concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) of the respective leaf infusions for a known duration. Seven of the steeped seeds were planted in plastic transparent containers, incubated for 7 days under light, and observed daily. Germination index, germination rate, germination time, and vigor index were calculated for each treatment, using standard procedures. The efective concentrations of the infusions of V. amygdalina, P. biglobosa and M. oleifera were 40, 40, and 60% respectively. Optimum steeping durations in leaf infusions were 1, 5, and 6 h, for P. biglobosa, M. oleifera and V. amygdalina, respectively. All the leaf infusions were observed to protect the okra seeds against infections with the test organisms. Furthermore, seeds steeped in the respective leaf infusions showed remarkably higher germinability potential than the control seeds steeped in water. The study confrmed that the leaf infusions may be attractive as economic alternatives for seed priming and protectio

Adsorption isotherm and kinetics for the removal of nitrate from wastewater using chicken feather fiber

Nitrate has been identified as a major source of water pollution and eutrophication. The use of modified chicken feathers (MCFs) as an adsorbent has not been fully explored. The study therefore assessed the use of MCFs for the adsorption of nitrate. Fresh chicken feathers, obtained from a commercial poultry farm, were first hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and activated with HCl ðaqÞ to give modified chicken feathers, MCFs. Experimental constraints were varied in a series of batch tests including concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. FTIR was used to monitor the adsorption processes (before and after) of the polluted water. The outcome showed increase in specific surface area and the favorable formation of adsorption sites of MCFs. For the understanding of adsorp�tion mechanism, experimental data were assessed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Sips isotherm equations. Pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models were used to evaluate time characteristics of adsorption. The optimum parameters for adsorption are found to be initial ion concentration, initial pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time 300 mg/L, 8, 10 and 480 min, respectively. This study also reveals adsorption fit the chosen isotherm models in the following order: (Sips >Langmuir > Freundlich > Temkin). Sips isotherm having the best fit infers adsorption took place on heterogeneous surface. Pseudo-second-order is suited for explaining nitrate removal based on statistical R2 coefficient. The use of MCFs as an eco-friendly

Nutrient removal from activated sludge mixed liquor by wastewater protozoa in a laboratory scale batch reactor

The aim of the study was to investigate the nutrient removal rate of three wastewater protozoan isolates. The study was carried out in a laboratory-scale batch reactor for a period of 120 h. in a four batch study. Aliquot samples were withdrawn from the reactor every 24 h. for the analysis of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen and pH, using standard methods. The results obtained in the different batches among the three isolates showed PO42- removal rate ranging from 0.04 to 0.52 mg-PO42-/L/h. while NO3- nitrate removal rates ranged from 0.08 to 0.16 mg-NO3-/L /h. Also NO2- and NH3- rates were observed to range between 0.022 and 0.087 mg-NO2-/L /h. 0.05 and 0.16 mg-NH3-/L /h, respectively. For the physicochemical parameters, there was no observed COD decrease; rather there was an increase and this was irrespective of isolates and experimental batches. However, dissolved oxygen concentration decreased drastically (below 1 mg/L) at the end of each batch while pH show a decrease after an initial 24 h. period and thereafter increased. This trend was also irrespective of isolates and experimental batches. Overall, the study has been able to show the effect of the test isolates on nutrient removal rates and other physicochemical parameters (COD, DO and pH) in activated sludge mixed liquor

SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES (AgNPs) FROM BARK AND ROOT OF AFRICAN MAHOGANY (Khaya senegalensis) AND THE COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

Stem bark and root of Khaya senegalensis were extracted with ethyl acetate and n-Hexane and extracts screened for metabolites, antibacterial activity. There were also used to reduce AgNO3 to synthesize AgNPs and their antibacterial effects studied. A number of metabolite example flavonoids, steroids, tannins etc were discovered. The stem bark extract show higher activities on all the four bacterial isolates compared to the root extract: on K. pneumoniae (28.1±0.42), B. subtilis (20.1±1.21).while the root extract show lower activity on the test organisms at 26.3± 0.12 on K. pneumoniae and 22.1±0.20 on S. epidermidis. The activities of the nanoparticles are higher than those of the crude extracts and standard antibiotics used as control. The zones of inhibition around the bacterial colonies by the particles are far wider around each organism challenged. AgNPs bark extract on B. subtilis produced 31.2±0.11zone of inhibition of 24. 24.3±1.21 and 28.2±2.12 by Streptomycin and Tetracyclines. Strikingly, both the ethyl acetate and n-Hexane bark extracts of the plant demonstrated higher activities on the test isolates compared to the root extracts but the nanoparticles of the root had more activity compared to the stem bark. The activity of the metabolites in the root may have been enhanced when they were carried by the nanoparticles. The potency of Khaya senegalensis on microbial pathogens may be broadened when processed into its nanoparticles

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