Pattern of tubal pathology in infertile women on hysterosalpingography in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background/Purpose: The aim of the research was to describe the pattern of tubal pathologies on HSG in patients with infertility. Method: A prospective descriptive study of 120 HSG\'s of infertile women was conducted over a 1-year period from January 2000 to December 2000. Results: Primary infertility was 20% and secondary infertility was 80%. Hydrosalphinges was the most frequent abnormality in patients with infertility involving 28 patients (23.3%). Conclusion: The rate of hydrosalphinges seen in both primary and secondary infertility suggests a high rate of pelvic inflammatory disease in our environment. Key Words: Infertility, hysterosalpingography, tubal pathology, hydrosalpin Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(2) 2004: 77-7

Approaches to Reach and Teach the Most Marginalized Children in Nigeria: The Girl-Child Education

Education is to be the right of every child universally including Nigeria,without discrimination against any child based on whatever reason(s) andnone must be denied. However, it has been discovered that many girl-child inNigeria are at disadvantaged in comparison to their male counterpart.Despite that policy has been formulated and series of initiatives are in place,numerous of this target audience is yet to be reached. Hence this paperexamined critically the challenges facing girl-child education in Nigeria andprovided ways by which the nation can make head way towards theachievement of Education for All and Millennium Development Goals by2020 that the nation has set as a new target year. Keywords: Girl-child, Education, Marginalized, Polic

Challenges of dermatology training among internal medicine resident doctors in Nigeria

Background: The scope of dermatology training varies in teaching hospitals across Nigeria. In some institutions, there is a department of dermatology while in others it is a unit in the internal medicine department. Some medical schools have clinical postings in dermatology while others do not. Although the number of dermatologists in the country has increased compared with a few years back when they were a handful, the numbers are still inadequate to train other health practitioners on skin disorders and to meet the needs of patients. The objective of the study was to determine the perceived challenges by residents with regards to dermatology training so as to provide adequate training and ultimately increase the number of dermatologist in the country Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among resident doctors in internal medicine attending the update course of the National Postgraduate Medical College in April 2012 at Lagos using a selfadministered questionnaire. Data was analysed with SPSS 16. Result: Ninety resident doctors (58 pre-part 1 and 32 post part 1) answered the questionnaire. Seventy two (80.9%) had at least one dermatologist currently in their training institution. Sixty seven (76.1%) of the respondents (35 pre-part 1 and 32 post-part 1) had undergone postings in dermatology. The length of training varied from 1- 6 months. Sixty (66.7%) of the residents had dermatology posting as undergraduates in medical school with the length of the posting ranging from 2-6 weeks (30.0% for two weeks, 23.3% for four weeks and 41.7% for more than four weeks). Residents felt they had inadequate exposure to procedural dermatology (surgery, lasers, aesthetic), dermatopathology and management of wounds. Inadequate research opportunity (55.9%), inadequate mentors (53.2%), and inadequate facilities (53.2%) were more important challenges to dermatology training perceived by more than 50% of the residents.Conclusion: Dermatology training at both undergraduate and post graduate level in Nigeria is variable in content and duration amongst training institutions in Nigeria. There is need to standardise undergraduate and postgraduate Dermatology training. Training institution should operate a standard structured dermatology posting for undergraduate training and adhere to available curriculums provided by the postgraduate colleges for postgraduate training. Adequate facilities should be provided in the training centres and were these are not in place candidates should go to other centres with adequate training facilities for their postings

Tuberculosis In A Nigerian Medium Security Prison

Introduction: Prisons worldwide have been cited as reservoirs for tuberculosis and also an ideal setting for interventions but little is known about the epidemiology and control of tuberculosis in Nigerian Prisons. Objective: To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis, role of prison in its control and the mortality from tuberculosis among prison inmate in Kuje prison, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective study of cases of tuberculosis in Kuje prison between April, 2004 and December, 2008. Data was collected from their medical records. The inclusion criterion was: (1) Cases of tuberculosis in which the diagnosis was based on clinical history, smear positive test and chest x-ray radiograph. (2) Cases where the treatment of tuberculosis was according to treatment strategy recommended by World Health Organization. Results: A total of forty-eight inmates, aged 20 to 45years, were diagnosed with tuberculosis within the period of interest. The prevalence rate was 2.4%, based on a total prison population of 2002. Majority of cases 93.8% were first detected in Prison and the remaining 6.3% were detected prior to incarceration. Out of the 6.3% diagnosed prior to incarceration, 2.1% and 4.2% of cases have defaulted from DOTS for 2weeks and more than 4weeks respectively. Majority (66.7%) completed the treatment before discharging from prison, 29.2% were discharged from prison at various level of treatment and 4.2% of cases died while on reatment. Those who died were co-infected with HIV Conclusion: It was evident from this study that: The prevalence of tuberculosis in Kuje prison was high, prison has a role in diagnosis and treatment, adherence and treatment outcome were good and the main indicator for mortality was HIV infection. Primary prevention measures specifically targeting prisoners are needed to reduce prevalence of tuberculosis and also to achieve the objectives of National Health Policy on tuberculosis and leprosy. Keywords: Prison, tuberculosis, control, mortalit

Antisickling agent in an extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya): Is it real?

Investigations into antisickling and reversal of sickling activities of an aqueous extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) were carried out on blood from sickle cell patients (Haemoglobin SS, HbSS) using 2% sodium metabisulphite in a sickling test. The minimum concentration of the extract that achieved maximum antisickling in vitro and the fraction of the extract where the antisickling agent resides were determined. Our findings confirmed both antisickling and reversal of sickling activities ofthe extract. It was established that 1.0 g of unripe pawpaw in 1.0 ml of physiological saline was the minimum concentration that achieved maximum antisickling. Solvent partitioning of the extract withethyl acetate and butanol revealed that the antisickling agent in the extract of unripe pawpaw resides in the ethyl acetate fraction as this fraction prevented sickling of Hb SS red cells and reversed sickled HbSS red cells in 2% sodium metabisulphite whereas the butanol and aqueous fractions had none of these properties. We concluded that extract of unripe pawpaw really has antisickling agent and that thisantisickling agent lies in the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract

Knowledge and use of emergency contraception by medical doctors on internship in a tertiary healthcare facility in Nigeria

Context: Emergency contraception (EC) is widely used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and it is largely adopted in many countries as over the counter drug to improve access.Aims: To determine and compare the correct knowledge, attitude and current use of EC among newly graduated medical doctors (MDs).Settings and Design: A cross.sectional study conducted among 255 newly graduated MDs at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A pretested self.administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from consenting participants.Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Statistical Package for Social Science version 15.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) software was used.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.2 years (standard deviation = 2.1). The commonest indication for emergency contraceptive use mentioned was rape.96.5%. About 70% support EC in Nigeria, while about a quarter (26.9%) routinely counsel women about ECP use. About 21% of respondents currently use EC. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant results for gender [odds ratio (OR) =3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) OR = 1.31.10.01), religion (OR = 0.26; 95% CI OR =  0.11.0.630) and marital status (OR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.07.0.56). Conclusion: The correct knowledge and professional disposition toward EC as a form of contraception is low. We recommend that in.service training  should focus more on EC to improve the quality of their knowledge and  attitude towards it.Key words: Emergency contraception, knowledge, Medical Doctor, Nigeri

Sachet water: Prevalence of use, perception and quality in a community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State

Background: Sachet water is a phenomenon that has gained widespread use as an alternative to the insufficient provision of potable water. It is an alternative that is readily available, affordable but not without concerns about its purity. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of use, perception of safety and assess the quality of sachet water consumed by the population.Methods: A total of 360 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data and analysis was done using Epi info software version 3.5.4. The sachet water samples used were purposively selected and analyzed for specified physical, chemical and microbiological parameters and compared to the National and WHOGuidelines for drinking-water quality.Results: There is 93.1% use of sachet water among respondents amongst other sources such as tap water, bottled water, well and stream water. Sixty seven percent of respondents affirmed that sachet water is safe. Analysis of the five different sachet water brands showed normal physical and chemical values. Microbiological analysis showed presence of coliforms in three of the sachet water samples.Conclusion: The presence of contaminated sachet water available to the community increases the risk for waterborne diseases contributing to the already prevailing  cases present in our society at large. There is a need for regulatory bodies to do more to improve the safety of drinking water in communities which will ultimately improve their health status.Key words: sachet water, prevalence of use, perception, qualit

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activities of Some Selected Medicinal Plants Used for Malaria Therapy in Southwestern Nigeria

Purpose: Oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in the development of anaemia in malaria. Indeed, increase in total antioxidant status has been shown to be important in recovery from malaria. The antioxidant activities of four medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in southwestern Nigeria were determined. Methods: The ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Carica papaya Linn. [Caricaceae] , stem bark of Magnifera indica Linn. [Anacardiaceae], leaves of Psidium guajava Linn. [Myrtaceae] and the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Del. [Compositae], were used in the present study. The plant parts commonly used in the locality in malaria therapy were employed in this study. The plants were screened for the presence of phytochemicals and, their effect on 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) was used to determine their free radical scavenging activity. Results: Phytochemical screening of the plants showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins and reducing sugars. M. indica did not contain cardiac glycosides and alkaloids while, P. guajava also showed the absence of alkaloids and anthraquinones. Anthraquinones was similarly absent from V. amygdalina. Concentrations of the plant extracts required for 50% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50) were recorded as 0.04 mg/ml, 0.313 mg/ml, 0.58 mg/ml, 2.30 mg/ml and 0.054 mg/ml for P. guajava, M. Indica, C. papaya, V. amygdalina and Vitamin C, respectively. Conclusion: All the plants showed potent inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity, P. guajava being the most potent. The free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activities of these plants probably contribute to the effectiveness of the above plants in malaria therapy. Keywords: Carica papaya, Magnifera indica, Psidium guajava, Vernonia amygdalina, Antioxidants, Malaria, DPPH, Oxidative stress. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7 (3) 2008: pp. 1019-102

Evaluation of the chemical constituents and the antimicrobial activity of the volatile oil of Citrus reticulata fruit(Tangerine fruit peel) from South West Nigeria

The volatile oil of tangerine fruit (Citrus reticulata) was extracted by steam distillation and assessed for antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The volatile oil was tested against some Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter spp); Gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and a fungus (Candida albicans). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined with concentrations of oil extract ranging from 0.87 to 445 mg/ml. Result of the study showed that the oil has a broad spectrum antibacterial activity. MIC recorded were S. aureus (0.74 mg/ml), S. aureus ATTC 25923 (2.46 mg/ml), E. faecalis (1.26 mg/ml), S. typhi (2.07 mg/ml), K. pneumoniae (0.56 mg/ml), E. coli ATTC 35218 (0.19 mg/ml), E. coli (1.95 mg/ml), P. aeruginosa (0.97 mg/ml), C. albicans (0.68 mg/ml). Antioxidant screening with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was negative. Analysis of the chemical constituent by GC-MS showed the presence of D-limonene as the major constituent. Other constituents found were a-pinene and β-pinene

The Environmental Implications of Asia's 1997 Financial Crisis

Summary This article assesses the environmental implications of the Asian financial crisis in South?East Asia and Melanesia, covering the period from mid?1997 until early 1999. It examines the implications for agricultural development, natural resource management, industrial pollution, corporate activities, and state environment budgets and implementation. It shows that the crisis has contributed to extensive environmental changes. There are, however, considerable variations across sectors, areas, and time. For some environmental issues, such as water quality and conservation, the crisis has (in some instances) aggravated environmental mismanagement in the immediate term. In others, such as agriculture, plantations, and fisheries, it has created powerful incentives to expand export?oriented production to earn foreign exchange. And in still others, most notably commercial timber and urban air pollution, it has created temporary respites and windows of opportunity for environmental reformers, although if reforms are unsuccessful, environmental management is likely to worsen in the long term. Finally, the article points to the need for further research to help the countries of the Asia?Pacific address the immediate and future implications of the present crisis, as well as build a set of analytical tools for policymakers, donors, and development specialists to analyse the environmental implications of globalisation as well as future financial crises