Working School Children in a Nigerian Community: Revisiting the Issues

Purpose: The prevalence, risk factors and effects of work on school performance and health consequences of child labour among school children in a rapidly urbanising community in south west Nigeria was assessed. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 386 Junior Secondary School students was conducted. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on the students’ socio-demographic characteristics, history of child labour activities, and recent history of illness. The academic records of the students were also reviewed. Results: The prevalence of child labour was 72.5%, the median number of hours spent working per week was 18 hours (range 2- 56 hours). The main reason for working was to augment the family income (37.6%). Child labour was commoner among those: whose mothers were not educated; who had four to eight siblings, and who had a working sibling. Higher proportions of working children had repeated a class and had failed the previous term’s examinations. More of the working children reported being ill and injured in the previous term. Conclusion: Child labour is quite common in this area and is associated with negative academic and health outcomes. Multidisciplinary programmes targeted at reducing the practice should be developed.Keywords: Child labour, secondary school students, south west Nigeri

New trends in under-five mortality determinants and their effects on child survival in Nigeria: A review of childhood mortality data from 1990-2008

Under-five mortality in Nigeria has been reported to be on the decline, but the dynamics are yet to receive adequate attention. Thus the main objective of this study was to assess these factors and quantify their relative contributions to under-five mortality between 1990 and 2008. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data for 1990, 2003 and 2008 were re-analysed to assess the trends in determinants of under-five mortality.Cox Regression model was applied to determine the relative contributions of each factor to the under-five mortality risk.The results showed there were improvements in maternal education (8.6%), childhood vaccination (17.7%), use of oral rehydration therapy (13.9%) and medical treatment of childhood illnesses(17.5%) over the 19-year period. There were declines in proportions with birth interval less than 24months (3.9%), access to improved sources of drinking water (24.2%), improved toilet facilities (9.0%) antenatal care (4.5%), skilled delivery (3.0%) while maternal age at childbirth remained unchanged. These factors increased the death hazards by 4.6% between 1990-2003 but decreased them by 12% between 2003 and 2008. It was concluded that Nigeria has recorded very minimal improvements in birth spacing and antenatal/delivery care. Poor access to potable drinking water and sewage disposal, and short birth intervals,are among the factors fueling childhood mortality risks. Further improvements in these environmental and health practices as well as other factors are recommended as strategies for promoting child survival in Nigeria

EFFICACY AND EFFECT OF SELECTED BIO-COGULANT ON TREATMENT OF APONMU RIVER

 In the wastewater treatment process of coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation, natural coagulants may be used to reduce turbidity. Manihot Esculenta (cassava peel) and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange peel) were employed as natural coagulants for the treatment of Aponmu river. The best overall results were obtained when alum was partially replaced with cassava peel (70% AL30% CA), with all parameters (BOD; 6.1mg/L, COD; 9.9mg/L, hardness; 85.6mg/L, and Cu; 0.07mg/L, at pH of 6.3) meeting WHO drinking water standards and accepted practices for water and wastewater examination. However, alum's negative environmental effects on the production of non-biodegradable sludge and lingering effects on treated water are greatly reduced by partial substitution

Synthesis and evaluation of the antimicrobial potentials of cobalt doped- and magnesium ferrite spinel nanoparticles

The high incidence of infectious disease and increase in the incidence of antibiotic resistance has led to the exploitation of inorganic nanoparticles as novel antimicrobial agents owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. This study reports the synthesis and antibacterial activity of magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) and cobalt doped magnesium ferrite (Co0.8Mg0.2Fe2O4)spinel nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were synthesized using the low temperature combustion synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive absorption spectroscopy (EDAX) were used to characterize the synthesized NPs. The synthesized NPs exhibited good antibacterial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens. None of the nanoparticles induced any microbial inhibition against Micrococcus varians, Aspergillus flavus, Bacillus substilis and Candida. albicans. Co0.8Mg0.2Fe2O4 NPs gave better antibacterial activity with a zone of inhibition of >20 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli compared to MgFe2O4 NPs. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Co0.8Mg0.2Fe2O4 NPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 2500 µg/mL and 1250 µg/mL, respectively. The relatively high antibacterial effect exhibited by Co0.8Mg0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus suggests its potentials in the treatment of infections commonly associated with these microorganisms.               KEY WORDS: Magnesium ferrite, Nanoparticles, Antibacterial activity, Combustion synthesis, Infectious disease Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018, 32(3), 451-458.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v32i3.

Treatment outcomes among pulmonary tuberculosis patients at treatment centers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Objective : To assess treatment outcomes and determinants of outcome among tuberculosis patients. Design : A longitudinal study design involving a cohort of sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients at initiation of therapy, who were followed up to the end of treatment at eighth month. Setting : Tuberculosis treatment centers in Ibadan, Nigeria Results : A total of 1,254 patients were followed up with a mean age of 35.0\ub13.3 years. The percentages of patients with treatment outcomes assessed in the study were as follows: cure (76.6%), failure (8.1%), default (6.6%), transferred out (4.8%), and death (1.9%). The cure rate varied significantly between treatment centers from 40 to 94.4% (P< 0.05). The treatment centers located within the specialist health centers at Jericho and the University College Hospital had 50 and 75% cure rates, respectively. The mean age of cured patients was 31.2\ub13.1 years, which was significantly lower than the mean age of those with poor treatment outcomes (36.7\ub13.5 years; P< 0.05). Males had a higher risk of a poor treatment outcome (RR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.02-1.94) than females. Also, patients with a poor knowledge of tuberculosis had a higher risk of having a poor treatment outcome (RR=1.35; 95% CI: 1.25-1.62) compared to those with a good knowledge. Conclusion : Variations in health center treatment outcomes and poor knowledge of tuberculosis among patients suggest that poor program implementation quality may be a major modifiable determinant of treatment outcomes in our environment

Prevalence of Refractive Error and Attitude to Spectacle Use among Drivers of Public Institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: High rate of motor vehicle accidents have been associated with poor vision. Studies on drivers from elsewhere other than health institutions have found abnormal visual acuities. The aim of this study is to determine prevalence of refractive errors and the attitude to spectacle wear among drivers of public institutions studied. Methods: A cross sectional population study of all 99 motor vehicle drivers from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan between December 2003 and January 2004. Results: The ninety-nine motor vehicle drivers in the study comprised of 67 (67.7%) from the College of Medicine, and 32 (32.3%) from the UCH. All were males, aged 38 to 60 years, mean 50.1 \ub1 (SD= 4.8 years). Proportion of drivers with refractive errors was 16.7% (95% CI, 16.6-16.8) but only 56.3% of these wear glasses while driving (others did not including 3 out 4 who were bilaterally visually impaired without glasses). Relative frequency of RTA among drivers was 16.2%, the risk was marginally higher among drivers with refractive error (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 0.4-3.7). The commonest refractive error was simple hypermetropia present in 15 eyes. Hypermetropia was associated with increasing age of drivers (p<0.05). Majority (97.7%) of the drivers were presbyopic but only 32 (32.3%) were current wearers of spectacles. Conclusion: Refractive errors were present in 16.7% of drivers studied. But 43.8% of these (3 out 4 of whom were bilaterally visually impaired without glasses) do not wear corrective lenses while driving. There is need for periodic visual screening exercise and eye health education on drivers.Introduction: Taux \ue9lev\ue9 des accidents de la circulation routi\ue8re est associ\ue9 \ue0 une mauvaise vision. Des \ue9tudes sur les chauffeurs ailleurs en d\ue9hors des centres hospitaliers ont indiqu\ue9 des acuit\ue9s visuelles anormales. L'objet de cette \ue9tude est de d\ue9cider la fr\ue9quence d'erreurs de r\ue9fraction et le comportement par rapport \ue0 l'utilisation des lunettes parmi des chauffeurs dans des institutions publiques. M\ue9thodes: Une \ue9tude d'un groupe repr\ue9sentatif de la population de tous le 99 chauffeurs des voitures du Coll\ue8ge hospitaliter universitaire d'Ibadan et du Coll\ue8ge de la m\ue9dicine, Universit\ue9 d'Ibadan entre d\ue9cembre 2003 et janvier 2004. R\ue9sultats: Quatre-vingt dix-neuf chauffeurs des vehicles dans cette \ue9tude \ue0 savoir, 67 soit 67,7% de Coll\ue8ge de la m\ue9dicine, et 32 soit 32,3% de CHU. Tous \ue9taient du sexe masculin , \ue2g\ue9s de 38 au 60 ans, moyen 50,1 \ub1 (SD = 4,8 ans) La proportion des chauffeurs avec erreurs de r\ue9fraction \ue9tait 16,7% soit 95% cl, 16,6 \u2013 16,8) mais seulement 56,3% de ceux qui portent des lunettes pendant qu'il conduissent (les autres ne le fait pas y compris 3 sur 4 qui sont bilat\ue9ralement des personnes qui ont des probl\ue8mes de vue sans des lunettes) fr\ue9quence r\ue9lative de ACR parmi des chauffeurs \ue9tait 16,2%. Le danger est presque plus \ue9lev\ue9 parmi des chauffeurs avec des erreurs de r\ue9fraction (OR 1, 2,95% cl ; 0,4 \u2013 3,7). L'erreur de r\ue9fraction le plus ordinaire \ue9tait tout simplement l'hyperm\ue9tropie qui est present dans 15 yeux. L'yperm\ue9tropie \ue9tait associe\ue9 \ue0 l'augmentation de l'\ue2ge des chauffeurs (P<0,05) La majorit\ue9 soit 97,7% des chauffeurs \ue9taient presbyopique mais seulement 32 soit 32,3% \ue9taient des porteurs actuel des lunettes. Conclusion: Errurs de r\ue9fraction \ue9taient present en 16,7% des chauffeurs \ue9tudi\ue9s. Mais 43,8% de ceuxci (3 entre 4 dont \ue9tait bilat\ue9ralement des personnes qui ont des probl\ue8mes de vue sans de lunettes) ne portent pas des lunettes quand ils conduissent. C'est n\ue9cessaire de faire un d\ue9pistage visuel p\ue9riodique et cr\ue9er une renseignment m\ue9dicale sur les yeux pour des chauffeur

Risk factors for road traffic accidents among drivers of public institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria

Recent studies have shown an increase in the rate of road traffic accident (RTA). Identifying the risk factors for this problem may provide a clue to possible effective intervention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for self reported RTA among drivers of educational institutions and make suggestions to promote safer driving. A cross sectional population study of motor vehicle drivers from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan was undertaken between December 2003 and January 2004. The study comprised of 99 motor vehicle drivers. 67 (67.7%) were from the College of Medicine, and 32 (32.3%) from the UCH. Response rate was 97.1%. All were males, aged 38 to 60 years, mean 50.1 \ub1 (SD= 4.8 years). The prevalence of self reported RTA was 16.2%. The cause of road traffic accidents included, mechanical fault (50%), bad road (12.5%). RTA prevalence was higher among older drivers (OR=1.7, 95%CI=0.5-5.9; P>0,05), drivers who had part time jobs (Odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.3; X2 =4.5, P=0.03), and drivers with visual impairment (OR=1.6, 95% CI=0-9, X2 0.49, P > 0.05). The prevalence of RTA was lower amongst drivers who did not take alcohol, cola nut and other CNS stimulants while driving (OR 0.9, 95% CI=0.3-2.3, P >0.05). Regular maintenance of official vehicles and examination of drivers\u2019 eyes are recommended. Drivers should be discouraged from drugs and part jobs so as to ensure that they have enough time to rest and therefore prevent fatigue related RTA

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed.L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires

Correction: Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

The authors of the article ‘Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa’ [1] wish to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Hussein El Fishawy. Our guidelines drew on various sources, including the Egyptian Ministry of Health guidelines, portions of which were adapted and reproduced with permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Two of the authors of those guidelines, Professors Elsayed and Zaki, are also coauthors of our paper. Professor El Fishawy was the third author of the Egyptian guidelines and we would like to acknowledge his contribution to our review through this source, especially with respect to the treatment algorithms for patients with kidney transplants and those with acute kidney injury. Reference1. Elsayed HM, Wadee S, Zaki MS, Were AJO, Ashuntantang GE, Bamgboye EL, et al. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. Afr J Nephrol. 2020; 23(1):109-126

Assessment of a treatment guideline to improve home management of malaria in children in rural south-west Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many Nigerian children with malaria are treated at home. Treatments are mostly incorrect, due to caregivers' poor knowledge of appropriate and correct dose of drugs. A comparative study was carried out in two rural health districts in southwest Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of a guideline targeted at caregivers, in the treatment of febrile children using chloroquine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Baseline and post intervention knowledge, attitude and practice household surveys were conducted. The intervention strategy consisted of training a core group of mothers ("mother trainers") in selected communities on the correct treatment of malaria and distributing a newly developed treatment guideline to each household. "Mother trainers" disseminated the educational messages about malaria and the use of the guideline to their communities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Knowledge of cause, prevention and treatment of malaria increased with the one-year intervention. Many, (70.4%) of the respondents stated that they used the guideline each time a child was treated for malaria. There was a significant increase in the correct use of chloroquine from 2.6% at baseline to 52.3% after intervention among those who treated children at home in the intervention arm compared with 4.2% to 12.7% in the control arm. The correctness of use was significantly associated with use of the guideline. The timeliness of commencing treatment was significantly earlier in those who treated febrile children at home using chloroquine than those who took their children to the chemist or health facility (p < 0.005). Mothers considered the guideline to be explicit and useful. Mother trainers were also considered to be effective and acceptable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of the guideline with adequate training significantly improved correctness of malaria treatment with chloroquine at home. Adoption of this mode of intervention is recommended to improve compliance with drug use at home. The applicability for deploying artemisinin-based combination therapy at the community level needs to be investigated.</p