Relationship between dietary habits and nutritional status among adolescents in Abuja municipal area council of Nigeria

Background: Dietary intake assessment is essential to understanding the nutritional status. Healthy eating pattern promotes optimal health, growth and intellectual development and prevents diseases, while poor dietary eating choices may cause malnutrition.Aims: To determine the dietary eating patterns and nutritional status among adolescents in secondary schools within Abuja Municipal area council (AMAC).Subjects and Methods: crosssectional among adolescents, 10 – 19years in secondary schools within AMAC, Nigeria. Using a multistage stratified sampling technique, four urban and four rural schools, 1550 students, were enrolled. Subject’s bio data, dietary habits and knowledge of nutrition and general physical examination were obtained. Dietary assessment included intake of main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), skipping meals; methods used to control weight in the previous 30days; knowledge and preference of a balanced diet and food choices. Subject’s height and weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were determined using the 2007 WHO charts. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17 statistical package and p value less than 0.05 was significant.Results: 1550 students were recruited, males 688 (44.4%) and females 862 (55.6%); mean age 14.43±1.94 years. Of the 780 urban adolescents, 502 (64.4%) were of upper class and 68 (8.7%) lower class; and of the 770 (49.7%) rural, 206 (26.8%) and 232 (30.1%) belong to upper and lower class respectively, p=.000. Stunting 174(11.2%) and overweight 195(12.6%) were the major forms of malnutrition recorded. Food preferences was based mainly on good taste in 546 (35.2%), balanced diet 530 (34.2%); and 539 (34.8%) had good nutritional knowledge of a balanced diet. Five hundred and forty six (35.2%) admitted to taking carbonated drinks within the previous 7days and 147 (9.5%) missed breakfast, lunch and supper as single meal. Breakfast only was skipped by 71(4.6%) while 160 (10.3%) took lunch outside the home. The methods used to control weight were eating less food or fats, fasting, use of diet pills, inducing vomiting/use of laxatives. Skipping meals and taking meals outside the home was significant for the sex, (p value <0.05), school setting (p value .000) and the infrequent intake of fruits/ vegetables (p value .025). Those that skipped meals showed significant stunting (p value .009), while those who took fruits and vegetables infrequently had significant wasting (p value .049).Conclusion: poor dietary habits were identified among the adolescent. Malnutrition especially stunting and wasting was identified among those that skipped meals and took little fruits and vegetables.Key words: dietary habits, adolescent, urban, rural, prevalence, nutritional status, carbonated drinks

Assessment of the living conditions of rural based people living with HIV/AIDS with clinical presentations in Nigeria

Objective: To describe the living conditions of rural based people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) and their clinical presentationsDesign: Descriptive cross-sectional studySetting: University College Hospital, IbadanSubjects: PLWHA on anti-retroviral therapyResults: One hundred and fifty PLWHA participated. The mean age of the respondents was 28.7±8.9 years. Majority of the respondents visited had advanced disease (97%), were poor (75%) and presented with opportunistic infections such as oral candidiasis (92%), chronic diarrhoea (70%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (46%). Majority were treated for malaria (72%) and anaemia (61%). All respondents lived in homes predisposed to these opportunistic infections. They drink unsafe water and had poor disposal of their domestic wastes.Conclusion: PLWHA visited lived in homes that predispose them to various opportunistic infections. Improved living conditions and economic empowerment will improve the health conditions of PLWHA

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and physical body measurements of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed whole cassava (Manihot esculenta) root meal fortified with selected fermented protein sources

Grasscutter serves as a major tool for improved household income generation, nutrition and bio-diversity in Nigeria. It provides a quick turnover, foreign exchange earner and reduce unemployment rate of the country.In order to assess the feeding values of concentrates used as supplement, studies were conducted in captivity to evaluate the performance of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) using 20 growing Grasscutters comprising 16 females and 4 males who were balanced for weight and grouped into four treatments. Inclusion of whole cassava meal that was incorporated at 80% of the total bulk acted as the control(T0) while 10% of whole cassava root meal was replaced by fermented soybean meal in (T1), fermented locust bean meal in (T2) and fermented melon seed meal in (T3) respectively were considered as experimental using a complete randomized design. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as the basal diet and water were given ad libitum. There were significant difference in the final body weight gains (P<0.05) between treatments. The mean final body weights were 1175.0 ±302.01, 1266.7±302.01, 1215±302.01 and 1143.0±302.01g for animals on T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The corresponding mean for final body weight gains were found to be 481±209.55, 536.7±209.55, 507±209.55 and 407±209.55g for T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the trunk length in T1 over T2, T0 and T3 and were recorded at the level of4.78±0.19, 4.56 ±0.18, 4.55 ± 0.18 and 4.12 ± 0.16 respectively. The nutrient digestibility of CP, EE, NFE, ADF and ADL were significantly different (P<0.05). The whole cassava root that was combined with fermented soybean meal supported a highest growth rate than those of other treatments. It was therefore concluded that fermented soybean meal may be used as an ideal diet for sustainable Grasscutter production when whole cassava root is combined with this ingredient

Utilization of insecticide treated nets during pregnancy among postpartum women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pregnant women are susceptible to symptomatic malaria due to invasion of the placenta by plasmodium. Malaria increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers, the foetuses and newborns. The effective use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) would be of benefit to these vulnerable women. Previous studies have focused on prenatal-women but this study sought to explore the actual trend of utilization of the proven strategy across all the pregnancy stages among postpartum women in Ibadan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross-sectional survey utilized a validated structured questionnaire for data collection. A calculated sample of 335 postpartum women was proportionately recruited from three fee-paying facilities within Ibadan, Nigeria using a simple random sampling technique. These hospitals have high client flow for maternity cases and are known for provision of care under traditional ANC model. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by means of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15. The level of significance was set at = 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The women's age ranged between 18 and 47 years, mean age was 29.4 ± 0.8 years. Various irregularities marked the traditional model of ANC provided at the settings and no exposure to preconception care. Also, 276 (82.4%) had heard of ITNs. Antenatal clinics formed the major source of information. Low utilization and compliance rates were observed. One hundred and twenty-seven (37.9%) of the women had high knowledge of Malaria in Pregnancy (MIP) but only 70 (20.9%) demonstrated positive attitude towards the use of ITNs. Participants' educational status, family types, employment and residential areas significantly influenced ITNs utilization.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The women knew and learned about ITNs from ANC visits. Majority of the women did not own ITNs because of lack of access to free distribution. The existing traditional model of ANC was marked by irregularities and none of the women was exposed to preconception care. In addition, negative attitude in spite of increased knowledge of MIP was observed among the women. Therefore, evaluation of free distribution of ITNs is recommended. Integration of focused ANC and preconception care are advocated to promote early access to health information.</p

Dental arch widths in the early and late permanent dentitions of a Nigerian population

Objective: This study was carried out in a Nigerian population to assess arch widths at two different stages of dentition, to observe the comparative changes which may occur, and to determine the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism in arch dimensions. Material: The study population consisted of two groups of 150 subjects. Group 1 consisted of 75 males and 75 females aged 10-13 years (early permanent dentition); while Group 2 consisted of 75 males and 75 females aged 18-25 years (late permanent dentition). Measurements taken included maxillary and mandibular inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar widths for both groups. Result: In the early permanent stage, the mean maxillary inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar widths were 36.37mm, 45mm and 55.22mm respectively in males and 34.35mm, 42.62mm and 51.56mm respectively in females. All findings were significantly greater in males. In the mandibular arch, findings recorded in males were also significantly greater than females with the exception of the inter-canine widths. In the late permanent dentition the mean maxillary inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar arch widths were 37.65mm, 46.25mm and 57.35mm respectively in males and 37.07mm, 45.21mm and 55.30mm respectively in females. Conclusion: Comparative changes in arch widths between early and late permanent dentition stages were seen with greater increases in arch widths in the maxilla when compared to the mandible. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed in almost all dimensions measured.   Key words:  Dental arch widths, Nigerian

Preliminary observation of genital secretions, growth rate and behaviour of caged cane rats

Cane rats are large terrestial rodents which have the potential to increase animal protein intake. There is paucity of information on the genital secretions and growth rate of caged cane rats. This study observed the genital secretions, growth rate, feeds, feeding and the behaviour of caged cane rats. When animals adjusted to cage conditions, they received feed (sugar cane) directly orally. Some of the cane rats captured around the stream did not adjust to the cage as they died 10 days after capture from the wild. The doe attained puberty at age 11weeks (2months 3weeks). At this age, reproductive activities commenced in the doe with a slight opening of the vulva and the presence of colourless mucous fluid in the vagina. At 11weeks, the vulva was opened for 3weeks plus 6days and by the 4th week the crust had covered the vulva. The vulva opened for a minimum of 1 week and maximum of 4 weeks. The vulva closed for a minimum of 3 weeks and maximum of 4½ weeks. During the intermittent opening between closures, there were always colourless mucous secretions or sometimes thick yellowish mucous and the buck did not chase the doe for mating. The buck withdrew completely from the doe. When the vulva opened and the vagina was dried, the buck made a chase of the doe. Environmental influences (rain splashes) do not affect the opening and closing activities of the vulva in the doe. At between 18 - 27 weeks, the doe had a better growth rate in cage and had gained 0.5kg. This study has revealed that cane rat has an estrous period hence it is a break through for the cane rat breeders and farmers. Breeders/farmers need not to keep the buck with the doe until it kits thus they would be able to maximize the useage of their breeding buck to serve many doe. This also calls for other studies on the physiological variations to be carried out in the intra and inter populations of cane rat.Key words: cane rat, feeding, mucous, vulva, vagin

Some Haematological And Serum Biochemical Parameters Of Goats Fed Cynodon nlemfuensis, Spondias mombin and Gmelina arborea Based Diets

Haematological and serum biochemical analyses of West African Dwarf goats fed three different diets was carried out. Eighteen (18) growing bucks aged 7 – 7.5 months with a mean live weight ranging between 6.67 – 7.02 Kg were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments comprising six (6) animals per treatment. A 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a completely randomised design (3) different diets (A, B and C) and four collection periods (day 0, 21, 42 and 63) of blood samples was used. The animals were housed in wood shavings bedded individual pens (1.5 x 1.2 x 1.0) m3 and fed 0.30 Kg/head/day of the diets. The Cynodon nlemfuensis based diet served as the control (diet A) while Spondias mombin and Gmelina arborea based diets served as dietary treatments B and C respectively. Prior to the commencement of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected (day 0) by jugular venipuncture from the animals and at 21 days interval, during the trial which lasted sixty three (63) days. Collected blood samples, which were placed in well labeled heparinized bottles (2.5ml) and into anticoagulant-free well labeled plastic tubes (2.5ml), were analyzed within four hours of collection for Erythrocyte, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin(Hb) and total leucocyte count. Total serum protein, albumin and globulin, PCV and white blood count (WBC) were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments and collection periods. However significant differences (

Replantation of Avulsed Permanent Anterior Teeth: A case report

Tooth avulsion in the permanent dentition constitutes a dental emergency. Replantation of the avulsed tooth restores aesthetics and occlusal function shortly after the injury. This article describes the management of a 13-year old male with four avulsed anterior maxillary permanent teeth. The avulsed teeth were replanted and root canal treatment carried out after a short fixation. The result obtained was very satisfactory and the teeth remain in good functional status one year after replantation. Early treatment and regular attendance to clinic following replantation is an important factor for good result. Key Words: Permanent teeth, avulsion, replantation. Nig. J. Health and Biomed. Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 83-8

Pathogen carrying capacity of mobile phones of health workers in a teaching hospital

Mobile phones have become indispensable accessories of professional and social life. Micro-organisms that cause hospital acquired infections can be transmitted by handheld devices of hospital personnel. Studies have shown that mobile phones could be a health hazard with tens of thousands of microbes living on each square inch of the phone. This study determined the prevalence of micro-organisms on the mobile phones of health workers and their role as a source of hospital acquired infection.The study utilised a cross-sectional design. A total of one hundred and eighty swabs were collected from the mobile phones of health workers and subjected to microbiology analysis.Microbes were cultured in 70% of cell phones, 5% of which had mixed growths. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 28%, coagulase negative staphylococcus 31% and E. coli 3% of the cultured organisms. Over 90% of Gram positive organisms were sensitive to Gentamicin while 70% of gram negative organisms were sensitive to Gentamicin. Two-fifth of gram positive and one-tenth of gram negative organisms were sensitive to Co-trimoxazole while neither was sensitive to Ampicillin. Only 42% of our respondents disinfect their mobile phones.Health workers should be sensitized on the need to disinfect their mobile phones regularly.Keywords: nosocomial, hospital acquired infection, mobile phone, micro-organisms, infection control, hospita