Social Status, Traditional Food Taboos and Food Security: A Study of Igbo Women in Imo State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to examine adherence to traditional food taboos by women in Imo State, and relate that to social status and food security. Data was collected from 72 women across the three agricultural zones of the State. It was found that age, income and education are some factors affecting adherence to these taboos. This is further evidence of the need to raise women education and income levels as well as providing them employment opportunities. About twenty-five (25) such taboos were identified. These include non-consumption of some crop and livestock products. It was found that these are important sources of calorie, protein, vitamins and minerals. They were also found to be commonly available and within the purchasing power of the women. Prohibiting women from consuming those products denied the potential contribution of those items to women food security denied, apparently for no nutritional reasons. However, enforcement of these taboos is by the women themselves. It is suggested that extension, Nutritionists and dieticians embark on subtle campaigns to reverse these. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 139-14

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Maternal and child health interventions in Nigeria: a systematic review of published studies from 1990 to 2014

BACKGROUND: Poor maternal and child health indicators have been reported in Nigeria since the 1990s. Many interventions have been instituted to reverse the trend and ensure that Nigeria is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This systematic review aims at describing and indirectly measuring the effect of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) interventions implemented in Nigeria from 1990 to 2014. METHODS: PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched from 1990 to April 2014 whereas POPLINE® was searched until 16 February 2015 to identify reports of interventions targeting Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Nigeria. Narrative and graphical synthesis was done by integrating the results of extracted studies with trends of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and under five mortality (U5MR) derived from a joint point regression analysis using Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data (1990-2013). This was supplemented by document analysis of policies, guidelines and strategies of the Federal Ministry of Health developed for Nigeria during the same period. RESULTS: We identified 66 eligible studies from 2,662 studies. Three interventions were deployed nationwide and the remainder at the regional level. Multiple study designs were employed in the enrolled studies: pre- and post-intervention or quasi-experimental (n = 40; 61%); clinical trials (n = 6;9%); cohort study or longitudinal evaluation (n = 3;5%); process/output/outcome evaluation (n = 17;26%). The national MMR shows a consistent reduction (Annual Percentage Change (APC) = -3.10%, 95% CI: -5.20 to -1.00 %) with marked decrease in the slope observed in the period with a cluster of published studies (2004-2014). Fifteen intervention studies specifically targeting under-five children were published during the 24 years of observation. A statistically insignificant downward trend in the U5MR was observed (APC = -1.25%, 95% CI: -4.70 to 2.40%) coinciding with publication of most of the studies and development of MNCH policies. CONCLUSIONS: The development of MNCH policies, implementation and publication of interventions corresponds with the downward trend of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. This systematic review has also shown that more MNCH intervention research and publications of findings is required to generate local and relevant evidence

Moringa oleifera leaf extract potentiates anti-pseudomonal activity of ciprofloxacin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial interaction between the ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO), which is used in Nigeria as a dietary supplement, and ciprofloxacin (Cp), a flouroquinolone antibiotic. Preliminary antimicrobial screening of the ethanol extract of M. oleifera and ciprofloxacin was determined in vitro using the agar dilution method. The antimicrobial interaction between these agents was evaluated by the Checkerboard technique using Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as test organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of  the extract against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were 25.0 and 50.0 mg/mL, respectively, while that of ciprofloxacin were 0.00062 and 0.0005 mg/mL against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The antibacterial interaction studies indicated that  the combinations predominantly showed additive effects at Cp : MO ratios of 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5 against S. aureus while Cp : MO ratios of 9:1, 8:2, 7:3 and 6:4 yielded predominantly synergistic effect against P. aeruginosa. Other combination ratios had no MIC, hence no observed effect. This study has demonstrated that the ethanol leaf extract of M. oleifera possesses potent antibacterial effect against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Overall, the combined antimicrobial effect of the interaction between the extract and ciprofloxacin was predominantly synergistic against P. aeruginosa. Regarding its relevance, this study has provided a preliminary evidence of some kind of antibacterial interaction between ethanol extract of M. oleifera leaf and ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa and has established that the use of M. oleifera concurrently with ciprofloxacin would yield greater effectiveness in the treatment of infections in which P. aeruginosa is implicated than when either ciprofloxacin or the extract is used alone.Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf, antibacterial interaction, checkerboard technique, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ciprofloxacinAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3516-352

Phytochemical Analysis of Two Wild Edible Mushrooms, Auricularia Polytricha And Pleurotus Ostreatus, Common in Ohaukwu Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The concentrations of phytochemicals in two edible mushroom varieties (Auricularia polytricha and Pleurotus ostreatus) from Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were determined using standard methods. The result revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in appreciable amounts. Significant variations in composition of the phytochemicals were observed between the mushrooms (P < 0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals were significantly lower in both mushroom varieties compared to their toxic levels according to World Health Organization's stipulated safe limits. Thus, the study suggests that both mushrooms varieties are very safe for consumption, while the significant presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and phenols indicate medicinal properties

The Impact Of Community-Directed Administration Of Various Formulations Of Pre-Packaged Chloroquine In Umuahia South Local Government Area Of Abia State Nigeria

The high patronage of Patent Medicine Vendors (PMV's) to the detriment of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), the uncontrollable habit of home treatment and self-medication by rural dwellers, have necessitated the need to improve on the knowledge and awareness of malaria exhibited by these target groups. A community-directed intervention programme to effect prompt and adequate treatment of presumptive episodes of clinical malaria in a rural community (Ubakala, population 15,600) in Ummuahia South Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Abia State, Nigeria has therefore been studied. The instruments of implementation were based on (a) training the rural dwellers, 3 Community Malaria Committees (CMC's) and the Patent Medicines Vendors (PMVs) in the community and (b) supplying the CMCs and PMVs with the essential antimalarial drug, chloroquine (CQ) packaged in various age-specific plastic bottles, compartmentalized polythene bags and blister packs. Of the 3,000 pre-packs delivered in 4 instalments from January to November 1998, 2503 were sold under a subsidized cost-recovery scheme. The progress of 510 patients was followed up 4 days after treatment and 250 mothers/carers of children under 6 years in each of the test and control (Olokoro, population: 11,800) communities were interviewed in-depth. Results showed a significant increase (

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The concentrations of some phytochemicals in three species of edible mushrooms (Coral mushroom, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinus sajor) that are common in Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in significant amounts with tannins being the highest, followed by flavonoids and phenols, while HCN was the least in concentration. There was a significant variation among the mushrooms in their composition of the phytochemicals (p<0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals in all the mushrooms were interestingly found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than their toxicity levels according to World Health Organization (WHO) safe limits. The results of this study suggest that these mushrooms may be very safe for consumption in terms of phytochemical toxicity and at the same time have some medicinal properties

Incarceration and Current Tobacco Smoking Among Black and Caribbean Black Americans in the National Survey of American Life

Objectives. We examined the relationship between having a history of incarceration and being a current smoker using a national sample of noninstitutionalized Black adults living in the United States. Methods. With data from the National Survey of American Life collected between February 2001 and March 2003, we calculated individual propensity scores for having a history of incarceration. To examine the relationship between prior incarceration and current smoking status, we ran gender-specific propensity-matched fitted logistic regression models. Results. A history of incarceration was consistently and independently associated with a higher risk of current tobacco smoking in men and women. Formerly incarcerated Black men had 1.77 times the risk of being a current tobacco smoker than did their counterparts without a history of incarceration (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20, 2.61) in the propensity score-matched sample. The results were similar among Black women (prevalence ratio = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.00, 2.57). Conclusions. Mass incarceration likely contributes to the prevalence of smoking among US Blacks. Future research should explore whether the exclusion of institutionalized populations in national statistics obscures Black–White disparities in tobacco smoking