Exposure of Petrol Station Attendants and Auto Mechanics to Premium Motor Sprit Fumes in Calabar, Nigeria

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations. Venous blood was taken for methaemoglobin (MetHb) and packed cells volume (PCV). Mean MetHb value was higher in AM (7.3%) and PSA (5.8%) than in the subjects from the general population (2.7%). PCV was lower in PSA (30.8%), than AM (33.3%) and the subjects from the general population (40.8%). MetHb level was directly proportional, and PCV inversely related, to the duration of exposure. The study suggested increased exposure to petrol fumes among AM, PSA, and MetHb as a useful biomarker in determining the level of exposure to benzene in petrol vapour

EFFECT OF PROCESSED HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) ON THE HORMONAL MILIEU OF MALE RATS

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), a soup thickener on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats. Methods: Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 rats each and treatment with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. Results: There were dose-dependent effects of the processed horse eye bean on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could increase the risk of infertility in males

BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF MALE RATS TO AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GINGER (Zingiber officinale ROSCOE)

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the biological response of male rats to treatment with aqueous extract of ginger. Methods: Eighteen healthy and sexually mature male albino rats of 12 weeks old were used as the mammalian model for this study. They were assigned to three groups of six rats each and treated with aqueous extract of ginger at 0, 100 and 200 mg/Kg BW/day respectively for 7 days intraperitoneally. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture for hormonal assay. Cauda epididymes were dissected out, weighed and processed for epididymal sperm count. Results: Aqueous extract of ginger increased significantly (P<0.05) the weight of epididymes and epididymal sperm count. It also increased the serum levels of testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), while it decreased the serum levels of estradiol, prolactin and luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH). Conclusions: The androgenic and pro-fertility effect of the aqueous extract of ginger in the mammalian model makes it a possible fertility booster

EFFECTS OF PROCESSED HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) ON THE HORMONAL MILIEU OF MALE RATS

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), a soup thickener on serum level of some sex hormones: testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), estradiol and prolactin in male rats. Methods: Twenty male albino rats of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 rats each and treatment with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples collected through cardiac puncture were assayed for levels of hormones. Results: There were dose-dependent effects of the processed horse eye bean on the serum concentration of the hormones. The treatment significantly reduced the levels of testosterone and FSH in the serum while it significantly increased the levels of estradiol, LH/ICSH and prolactin. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean had strong capability to disrupt hormonal functions. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could increase the risk of infertility in males

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS Among Secondary School Adolescents in Calabar -Nigeria

Background:Awareness about HIV/AIDS has been created through the media, workshops, and peer education and printed materials. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of these awareness programmes on student. Method:An observational study using structured questionnaire among secondary school students. Results:About 181 (31.2%) of the adolescents did not know the aetiological agents of HIV/AIDS. Majority, 522 (90%) knew HIV/AIDS was transmitted through sexual intercourse. This level of knowledge was related to sex and class of study. Only 78 (13.4%) of them knew that HIV carriers might look normal. Majority, 519 (89.5%) did not know the features of AIDS. Only a few, 281 (48.4%) of the adolescents knew that avoidance of sex, keeping one sexual partner, 15 (2.6%), use of condom 101 (17.4%) and screening blood before transfusion, 31 (5.3%) could prevent HIV/AIDS transmission. Mass media was the main source of information on HIV/AIDS to these adolescents. About 191, (32.9%) of them believed HIV/AIDS cannot be prevented; 228 (39.3%) felt HIV/AIDS is common among the uneducated; 127 (21.9%) thought it is not common in Nigeria and 143 (24.7%) believed it is not common among the youths. Conclusion:Although awareness on HIV/AIDS is high among Secondary School adolescents in Calabar, the knowledge of the disease is still poor. Mass media as a source of information does not allow in-depth knowledge of the disease. Parents, teachers, as well as Health workers should be more involved in educating the youth on this dreaded disease.Fond: la Conscience de VIH/SIDA a \ue9t\ue9 cr\ue9e par la presse, les ateliers, l'\ue9ducation de pair et les mat\ue9riels imprim\ue9s. Le but de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d'\ue9tablir l'impact de ces programmes de conscience sur l'\ue9tudiant. M\ue9thode: une \ue9tude d'observation en utilisant le questionnaire structur\ue9 parmi les \ue9tudiants d'\ue9cole secondaire. R\ue9sultats: \ue1 peu pr\ue8s 181 (31,2 %) des adolescents n'ont pas connu les agents a\ue9tiologiques de VIH/SIDA. La majorit\ue9, 522 (90%) a connu que VIH/SIDA a \ue9t\ue9 transmis par les relations sexuelles. Ce niveau de connaissance a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9 au sexe et \ue1 la classe d'\ue9tude. Seulement 78 (13,4 %) d'eux ont connu que les porteurs de VIH peuvent para\ueetre normaux. La majorit\ue9, 519 (89,5 %) n'ont pas connu les caract\ue9ristiques de SIDA. Seulement quelques-uns, 281 (48,4 %) des adolescents ont connu que l'abstinence, gardant un partenaire sexuel, 15 (2,6%), l'usage de pr\ue9servatif 101 (17,4 %) le criblage de sang avant la transfusion, 31 (5,3 %) pourrait emp\ueacher la transmission de VIH/SIDA. Les m\ue9dias \ue9taient la source principale d'information sur VIH/SIDA \ue1 ces adolescents. Environ 191, (32,9 %) d'eux ont cru que VIH/SIDA ne peut pas \ueatre prevenu; 228 (39,3 %) ont pens\ue9 que VIH/SIDA est commun parmi les incultes; 127 (21,9 %) ont pens\ue9 qu'il n'est pas commun au Nig\ue9ria et 143 (24,7 %) ont cru qu'il n'est pas commun parmi les jeunes. Conclusion: bien Que la conscience sur VIH/SIDA est haute parmi les adolescents d'\ue9cole secondaires \ue1 Calabar, la connaissance de la maladie est toujours inad\ue9quate. Les m\ue9dias comme une source d'information ne permet pas la connaissance approfondie de la maladie. Les parents, les enseignants, de m\ueame que les ouvriers de sant\ue9 devrait \ueatre plus impliqu\ue9s dans l'\ue9ducation des jeunes sur cette maladie redout\ue9e

Low infection rates after 34,361 intramedullary nail operations in 55 low- and middle-income countries: Validation of the Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) Online Surgical Database

Background: The Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) supplies intramedullary (IM) nails for the treatment of long bone fractures free of charge to hospitals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most operations are reported to the SIGN Online Surgical Database (SOSD). Follow-up has been reported to be low, however. We wanted to examine the pattern of follow-up and to assess whether infection rates could be trusted. Patients and methods: The SOSD contained 36,454 IM nail surgeries in 55 LMICs. We excluded humerus and hip fractures, and fractures without a registered surgical approach. This left 34,361 IM nails for analysis. A generalized additive regression model (gam) was used to explore the association between follow-up rates and infection rates. Results: The overall follow-up rate in the SOSD was 18.1% (95% CI: 17.7–18.5) and national follow-up rates ranged from 0% to 74.2%. The overall infection rate was 0.7% (CI: 0.6–0.8) for femoral fractures and 1.2% (CI: 1.0–1.4) for tibial fractures. If only nails with a registered follow-up visit were included (n = 6,224), infection rates were 3.5% (CI: 3.0–4.1) for femoral fractures and 7.3% (CI: 6.2–8.4) for tibial fractures. We found an increase in infection rates with increasing follow-up rates up to a level of 5%. Follow-up above 5% did not result in increased infection rates. Interpretation: Reported infection rates after IM nailing in the SOSD appear to be reliable and could be used for further research. The low infection rates suggest that IM nailing is a safe procedure also in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

Effect of chloroquine treatments on sperm count and weight of testes in male rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (2) 2008 pp.175-17

Neonatal Urinary Tract Infection in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

No Abstrac

REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY OF PROCESSED SEEDS OF HORSE EYE BEAN (MUCUNA URENS L.) IN MALE RATS

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of processed horse eye bean (Mucuna urens L.), on weight of testes and epididymes, conception rate, sperm count, sperm viability and sperm head abnormality. Methods: Seventy-two mature albino rats (24 males and 48 females) of 12 weeks old with similar body weights were assigned to four groups of 6 male rats each and treated with processed horse eye bean at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 8 weeks. The male rats were made to sire the untreated female rats in the ratio of 1:2 for fertility test. The male rats were then sacrificed and the testes and epididymes were dissected out and weighed. The epididymes were processed for epididymal sperm count, viability and sperm head abnormality test. Results: Rats treated with processed horse eye bean showed no significant (P>0.05) effect on the weight of testes and epididymes, but treatment reduced the epididymal sperm count and sperm viability in dose-dependent manner when compared to the control. While it significantly (P<0.05) increased sperm head abnormality. The conception rates were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in a dosedependent manner and directly proportional to sperm viability and sperm count; and inversely proportional to sperm head abnormality in all the treatment groups. Conclusions: Processed horse eye bean still has some toxic effect on reproductive endpoints as well as conception rate. Hence, its indiscriminate use as soup thickener could result in reduction of spermatogenic activities and ultimately resulting in infertility, reproductive toxicity and dysfunctions

Social determinants of alcohol use among drivers in Calabar

Objective: Hazardous use of alcohol is a public health problem which accounts for 4.0% of global disease burden. Although the prevalence of alcohol use among drivers of commercial vehicles in Nigeria has been documented, not much is known about its social determinants. This study was, therefore, aimed at assessing the social determinants of alcohol use among drivers of commercial vehicles in Calabar. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 360 male commercial drivers. A semistructured questionnaire, which included the World Health Organization Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, was administered at interview. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify social determinants of any and hazardous alcohol use. Results: Determinants of any alcohol use (binary logistic) were history of use by parents (adjusted odds ratios (AOR)=2.7; 95% CI=1.1–6.3), friends (AOR=3.2; 95% CI=1.3–7.8) and ready availability (AOR=4.1; 95% CI=1.9–8.8) while determinants of hazardous use (multinomial logistic) were history of use by parents (AOR=5.8; 95% CI=2.0–16.9), siblings (AOR=7.0; 95% CI=2.6–16.9), friends (AOR=6.6; 95% CI=1.8–24.4), hostile upbringing environment (AOR=3.8; 95% CI=1.3–11.1), use of other drugs (AOR=55.6, 95% CI=14.5–200), and respondents who had fathers with a maximum of primary or no formal education (AOR=4.6; 95% CI=1.8–11.8). Conclusion: Alcohol use was associated with family use, friends’ use, and use of other drugs. Multiple health education interventions are needed to tackle these challenges.Key words: Alcohol use, alcohol use disorders identification test, commercial vehicle driver