Premarital Screening of HIV, Haemoglobin Genotype, ABO and Rhesus Blood Group among Intending Couples in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Background Premarital screening is fast gaining ground as a prerequisite for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith-based organizations in Nigeria, yet there is no literature on the subject in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Methods One hundred and five (105) premarital heterosexual couples (105 males and105 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), haemoglobin genotypes, and ABO and Rhesus blood groups using standard laboratory procedures. Results The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 1.0%. The frequencies of the HbAA (74%), HbAS (24%), HbAC (1.5%), HbSS(0.5%) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were: group A (21%), B (25%), AB (6.0%), 0 (48%), Rh ‘D’ positive (97%) and Rh ‘D’ negative (3.0%). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant (χ2=25.68, p<0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows: HbAA/AA (55%), AA/AS (33%),  AS/AS (8.0%), AA/AC (2.0%), AS/AC(1.0%) and AS/SS (1.0%) . This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (χ 2 = 24.459, p < 0.0001). The mean age of the participants was 31.91 ± 4.80years for male and 26.105 ± 4.29 years for female (t = 3.272, p < 0.05). Conclusion This study observed a low prevalence of HIV among the premarital couples and a relatively high frequency of HbAS/AS couples. The ABO and Rh blood groups were found to be stable and consistent with previous reports. For the prevention of hereditary blood diseases, haemolytic disease of the newborn and transmission of HIV to offspring, premarital testing should be encouraged. Keywords: Human immunodeficiency Virus(HIV), Haemoglobin Genotype, ABO And Rhesus Blood Group

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Comparative toxic effect of Ocimum basilicum (labiatae), Citrus limon limon (Rutaceae) and a conventional insecticide (Coopex E.C) on mosquito larvae

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Mathematical model of eradication of tuberculosis through vaccination and treatment strategy with absence of immigration effect

In this study, we proposed a mathematical model for the vaccination and treatment strategy to eradicate tuberculosis with absent of immigration effect, where we modified the existing model by incorporating the emigrants effect, efficacy of vaccination, treatment and new babies were considered 100% vaccinated. Existence and uniqueness of solution of the modified model was carried out and it shows that the solution exists and it is unique. The stability analysis of the disease free equilibrium shows that the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) is locally asymptotically stable. The effective reproductive number Re was computed under different conditions. In the case where there is treatment and vaccination we found Re to be 0.1530. The results show that mycobacterium tuberculosis can be eradicated if mass vaccination and treatment actions are properly initiated and enforced. Also, infected immigrants need to be restricted from entering the population to ensure fast eradication of mycobacterium tuberculosis