Evaluation of Noise Pollution and Effects on Workers during Wheat Processing

This study assessed the intensity and likely effects of noise on workers during wheat processing. Noise measurements were taken using HD600 sound level meter. Subjective assessment of the effects of noise was undertaken using semi structured questionnaire. Also audiometric test was conducted on workers using AD229e diagnostic audiometer. The results of the study show that during wheat processing operations, the noise level in the factory ranges between 56.0 dB(A) and100.9 dB(A). Also, only 25.6 % of all the readings was below the specified limit of 85 dB(A). Workers are also observed to have certain forms of physiological and psychological disorders related to noise. The audiometric test results revealed that 33 % of the examined workers have defect in their left or right ear. Based on these results, WHO Class-5 hearing protector is recommended to be worn by workers in the processing sections while room acoustics should be upgraded to absorb some sounds transmitted to offices

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

“Close-loop” urethral obstruction: Clinico-radiological features and management consideration in a resource-constraint environment

Objective: To document our observation of “close-loop” obstruction among patients with dual urethral obstruction from BPH and urethral stricture disease. Materials and Methods: The hospital records of all patients that presented to our centres with evidences of urethral stricture co-existing with BPH were retrospectively reviewed from January 2007 to December 2011. Among other things, the salient features in the contrast radiograph of those with “close-loop” obstruction and their treatment were documented and analysed. Results: Forty three patients were managed for radiological evidence of urethral stricture and elevated bladder base (dual obstruction). Thirty (69.7%) of these patients had open prostatectomy with easy dilatation of the urethral stricture. Twelve (27.9%) of the patients had urethroplasty for urethral stricture diseases; of these twelve, five patients presented with persistent LUTS (“close loop” obstruction). These five (11.6%) patients were aged between 50 to 80 years; they all had suprapubic cystostomy. In addition to delineating the anatomy of the urethral stricture and elevated bladder base, other salient features on the contrast radiographies included dilated prostatic urethral, visualization of the seminal vesicles and closed bladder neck on voiding cystogram. The initial treatment was urethroplasty but two each had combination therapy (with alpha adrenergic blocker and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and open prostatectomy respectively as further treatment while the last patient had perineal urethrostomy as first-stage redo-urethroplasty. Conclusion: “Close-loop” urethral obstruction appears to be an entity that needs further evaluation

Clinical Manifestations of Hypovitaminosis-D in Paediatric Patients Attending Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja: A 2-Years' Appraisal

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