Psychometric properties of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Depression, anxiety and stress are recognised as global public health problems especially in developing countries. Early detection of these disorders is essential to provide psychological interventions for individuals experiencing these negative emotional conditions. This study determined the Nigerian psychometric properties for the 21-item version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale among a sample of medical students. Two hundred and forty medical students from the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria completed the depression anxiety and stress scale, state trait anxiety inventory and self-rating depression scale. The reliability, discriminative, concurrent and convergent properties were determined. The reliability of DASS-21 showed that it has excellent Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81, 0.89 and 0.78 for the subscales of depressive, anxiety and stress respectively. It was found to have excellent internal consistency, discriminative, concurrent and convergent validities. The depression and anxiety subscales of DASS-21 had good correlations with self-rating depression scale and state trait anxiety inventory. The DASS-21 was found to have  commendable psychometric properties. It is reliable, valid and easy to administer. Its utility by clinicians will enhance the diagnoses of depression, anxiety and stress among university students.Keywords: DASS-21, depression, anxiety, Stress, psychometric properties, Lagos, Nigeri

Mini water supplies for sustainable development, Nigeria

There are about 40 million people now living in urban cities and towns in Nigeria. The urban population is growing at a rate of 5.5% per annum, and increasingly water plays a very important role in sustainable development

Management of septic sludge in Southwest Nigeria

This paper describes our experience on septic sludge management in a (South Western) Nigerian City, Ibadan, with a sprawling population of about 2.9 million. The main objectives of the study included assessment of the current management practices as far as septic sludge is concerned as well as design of a feasible management system

Diurnal and Seasonal Variations in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in a Solid Waste Management Facility, Akure, Nigeria

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions through decomposition and waste life-cycle processes. The available literature is scanty on fluctuations of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from MSW facilities especially in tropical developing countries like Nigeria. This study monitored seasonal variations in the CO2 levels emitted at an open dump in the solid wastes management facility, Akure. For a year, wastes brought to the MSW facility from three major sources, viz: markets, residences and other non-specific sources dumped on roadside were assessed for their physical composition and the amount of waste generated. Air CO2 levels were monitored at seven critical locations Laboratory (L), Organic Fertilizer (OF), Plastic Recycling (PR), Overhead Tank (OT), Sorting Area (SA), Gatehouse (GH) and Outside(O) every day for a week at 9.00am, 12.00 noon and 2.00pm , during the dry and rainy seasons using a P-Sense Plus CO2 meter AZ-7755 (USA) and computed. Results indicate that the total wastes generated (paper) from all the sources were 5,834,005.0+ 5,079633.8 (wet season) and 4,266,871.0+3,745,337.8 kg (dry season), respectively. There were no significant differences in the carbon dioxide levels in the morning: 506.9 + 71.1 and 537.0 + 91.8 ppm; 450.6 + 28.4 and 456.0 + 10.8 ppm; 442.6+ 19.4 and 448.0 + 10.4ppm for the L, SA and GH; in the noon: 415.0 + 15.9 and 458.5 + 44.1ppm; 427.3 + 20.5 and 443.5 + 10.4 ppm and 425.6 + 14.3 and 438.0 + 0.12 ppm for PR, OT and GH and the afternoon: 434.3 + 45.3 and 438.0 + 7.2 ppm for GH only in the wet and dry seasons respectively. The atmospheric CO2 data in the study area showed clear seasonal and diurnal variations as evident in values of 438.00 to 630.0 ppm in the dry season and 407.3 and 506.9 ppm for wet season. These values were above the regulatory limit of 400.00 ppm specified by the National guideline values. The study suggested periodic monitoring of air carbon dioxide levels keeping in mind the seasonal variation

Biological Resolution of Virulence Genes of Salmonella Species from different Microbiomes

The pathogenic promiscuity of virulence associated macromolecules in Salmonella infection is a key driver to their wide epidemiology and curtailing  such distribution is contingent upon proper clarification of these virulence genes. This study was therefore aimed at determining the virulence  genes of Salmonella species from different microbiomes. To achieve this, a total of three hundred (300) biological specimens were aseptically  collected and processed for Salmonella presence using the BAM USFDA technique prior to their genotypic characterization while virulence gene  detection was carried out in a primer specific polymerase chain reaction. Results obtained depict the distribution of the following Salmonella species  viz; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26.39%), Salmonella heidelberg 19(26.39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) and Salmonella typhimurium  16(22.22%) while the occurrence of the virulence genes (InvA, SopE, AgfA and SpvC) were Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38.8), 6(33.3), 9(50), 3(16.7),  Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26.3), 3(15.8), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25), and Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2),  6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectively. It was however found that the different microbiomes analyzed were ubiquitously rich in virulence genes  associated Salmonella species.   La promiscuité pathogène des macromolécules associées à la virulence dans l’infection à Salmonella est un facteur clé de leur large épidémiologie  et la réduction de cette distribution dépend de la clarification appropriée de ces gènes de virulence. Cette étude visait donc à déterminer les gènes  de virulence des espèces de Salmonella de différents microbiomes. Pour ce faire, un total de trois cents (300) échantillons biologiques ont été  collectés et traités de manière aseptique pour la présence de Salmonella à l’aide de la technique BAM USFDA avant leur caractérisation génotypique  tandis que la détection du gène de virulence a été effectuée dans une réaction en chaîne par polymérase spécifique à l’amorce. Les résultats  obtenus décrivent la distribution des espèces de Salmonella suivantes, à savoir ; Salmonella gallinarum 19(26,39%), Salmonella heidelberg  19(26,39%), Salmonella enteritidis 18(25%) et Salmonella typhimurium 16(22,22%) alors que la présence des gènes de virulence (InvA, SopE, AgfA et  SpvC) était Salmonella enteritidis ( 7(38,8), 6(33,3), 9(50), 3(16,7), Salmonella typhimurium ( 5(26,3), 3(15,8), 2(10,5), 7(36,8)), Salmonella heidelberg (0(  0), 8(50), 4(25), 4(25) et Salmonella gallinarum (12(63.2), 6(31.6), 2(10.5), 7(36.8)) respectivement. différents microbiomes analysés étaient  ubiquitairement riches en gènes de virulence associés aux espèces de Salmonella  &nbsp

Bacteriological And Clinical Evaluation Of Twelve Cases Of Post-Surgical Sepsis Of Odontogenic Tumors At A Referral Centre

Objective: To detennine the bacterial aetiology of sepsis occurring following surgery of odontogenic tumours and assess the effect of prompt and proper antibiotic usage. Desigu: A prospective study. Settiug: A tertiary referral centre in Lagos, Nigeria. . . Subjects: Twelve patients with odontogenic tumours that developed sepsis postoperatively. Eight of the patients were referred from private hospitals, the remaining were in-patients who sought for alternative medical attention following interruption of health care services at the referral cenlre. TutenJmtiou: Adequate review of patient's medical history, bacteriological investigations and antibiotic therapy. Mniu outcome measures: Bacteriological and clinic~! cure following antibiotic therapy based on susceptibility test results. Results: Two categories of patients were identified; those who completed the course of antibiotics prescribed post-surgery and patients who failed to conform to antibiotic prescription. Sepsis developed in the non-compliance group much earlier than in the group that complied (p<0.001). Infections were polybacterial with aerobes accounting for 77.4% (a-haemolytic streptococci 29.0%, Streptococcus pyogenes 16.1%, ~tapllylococcus aureus 16.1%, diphtheroids 9.7%, Klebsiella puemnouiae 6.5%) and anaerobes 22.6% (Porpltyromonas gingiva lis 9.7%, Peptostreptococcus spp. 6.5%, Prevotella melnninogenica 3.2%, Clostridium perfringeus 3.2%). Mixed aerobic and anaerobic aetiology occurred more in osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Clostridium perfriugens was isolated from a case of osteosarcoma with necrotic tissues. The anaerobic bacteria were 100% sensitive to metronidazole, ciprolloxacin and augmentin, 65-85% sensitivity to ampicloxacillin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. Over 92% of the streptococci were sensitive to the P-Lactams contrast low susceptibility with S. aureus and K. pnemnoniae. Couclusion: Interruption of healthcare service was the sole factor identified in the development of sepsis as the patients could not be monitored to ensure compliance to prescriptio

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation &lt;92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p&lt;0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p&lt;0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Psychiatric symptoms among prisoners in Nigeria

Background: Prior reports showed a global increase in the prison population including in Nigerian prisons. Despite this observed increase in prison population, the literature on psychopathology among prisoners in Nigeria remains scanty.Objective: This study was aimed at determining the levels of psychiatric symptoms among inmates of a medium security prison in Nigeria.Methods: Two hundred and thirty prisoners were assessed with the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and General Health Questionnaire version twenty-eight (GHQ-28) to ascertain the presence of psychopathology.Results: All the respondents were males, their mean age was 32.79 years (SD 8.59); the ages ranged from 18 to 69 years. The period of time spent in prison ranged from one month to 9 years. Seventy-nine percent of the respondents scored above the GHQ-28 cut-off indicating a probable psychological distress, and with regard to SCL-90, 68% had paranoia, 64% depression, 56% anxiety and 56% interpersonal sensitivity.Conclusion: The findings from this study showed high degrees of psychological distress and psychiatric symptoms among inmates of the study location. There is an urgent need for mental health services in Nigerian Prisons.Keywords: Psychiatric symptoms, Prisons, Nigeri

Harmful health behaviours among University Students in Lagos, Nigeria

University students face various challenges on entering the university. They also become vulnerable to harmful health behaviours that could lead to many psychological, physical and social health consequences. This study aimed at determining harmful health behaviours among a sample of university students in Lagos, Nigeria. First and final year students of the department of psychology of the University of Lagos were recruited for this study. Apart from filling the socio-demographic characteristics form, the participants also completed a self-reported questionnaire on harmful health behaviours on substance use, nutrition, traffic, violence and physical violence. A total of 187 participants took part in the study. Of the participants, 104(55.6%) were from the first year while 83 (44.3%) were in the final year. The findings on all harmful factors were mostly positive. The body mass index of the participants showed that 27.9% of the males and 25.5% of the females in the first year and 40.6% of males and 25% of the females in the final year classes recorded BMIs higher than 25 kg/m2. However, apart from the question of being driven in a car by drunken driver in the previous month that was statistically significant, all other harmful health behaviours were not statistically significant. This study showed that harmful health behaviour was prevalent among the studied university students. The male participants in the first year showed higher risks compared to male participants in final year. The university policy makers should formulate polices on preventing or reducing harmful health behaviour among university students especially in those in their early years. Key words: Harmful Health Behaviours, University Students, Lagos, Nigeri