Structural characterization of sulfoborate glasses containing magnesium oxide

Magnesium sulfoborate glasses of different compositions were prepared using melt quenching method with the purpose of using it for optical properties. The Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) have been carried out. Density and molar volume have been evaluated and analysed. From the results of XRD, the absent of discrete and continuous sharp peaks confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass compositions while the results from both FTIR and NMR revealed the existence of BO3, BO4 units. Addition of MgO to sulfoborate influenced the conversion of the dominant BO3 groups to BO4 groups. The BO4 groups are known for creating complex defects that transform into that stable trap good for optical phenomena. It was observed that the density of glass increases while the molar volume is decreases with respect to increase in concentration of alkaline earth oxide in the glass compositions

Strategy on Hepatitis B prevention among African undergraduate students of health sciences in Davangere, Karnataka India

Background: Hepatitis B is an inflammatory disease of the liver which is caused by Hepatitis B Virus. It is a global problem, with 66% of all the population living in areas where there are high levels of infections. Hepatitis B infection are due to lapses in the sterilization of instruments as well as improper waste management. Knowledge regarding Hepatitis B and safety precautions is needed to minimize the health care setting’s acquired infections among health personnel and students of health Sciences. Aim: The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge regarding the prevention of Hepatitis B among African Undergraduate students of Health Sciences in Davangere. Methodology: A cross sectional design was used for the study were 50 students were selected using purposive sampling. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using median score and correlations. Results: The results indicated that majority (52%) of the respondents were between 22- 24years of age. The students of B.Pharm were 25 (50%), 38% MBBS and 12% B.Sc. Nursing. The overall median score on knowledge regarding hepatitis B Prevention was 13.0 out of maximum score of 29. The association between the knowledge on hepatitis B prevention strategy with level of study and course specialty was 0.74 P>0.05. Conclusion: The study concluded that the knowledge regarding Hepatitis B prevention among students was inadequate hence, recommends a similar study on a larger scale. Keywords: Knowledge; Prevention; Hepatitis B; Infection; African

Balancing Demand, Quality and Efficiency in Nigerian Health Care Delivery System

The health sector is crucial to growth and development of a nation. Despite sound policies and interventions to develop the Nigerian health sector, it has witnessed several challenges that continue to reduce the progress and achievement of universal access to health care. Some of the factors that affect the overall performance of the health system include; inadequate health facilities/structure, poor human resources and management, poor remuneration and motivation, lack of fair and sustainable health care financing, unequal economic and political relations, the neo-liberal economic policies of the Nigerian state, corruption, illiteracy, very low government spending on health, high out-of-pocket expenditure in health and absence of integrated system for disease prevention, surveillance and treatment, inadequate mechanisms for families to access health care, shortage of essential drugs and supplies and inadequate supervision of health care providers are among some of the persistent problems of the health system in Nigeria. This paper looks at the enormity of the problems and recommends policy options vital to addressing the problems in order to attain the equilibrium in demand, quality and efficiency in the health care delivery system in Nigeria. Keywords: Demand, Quality, efficiency, health care system, Nigeri

Occurrence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis among patients with suspected tuberculosis in Katsina State north western Nigeria

Background: A couple of decades ago, experts in the study of Tuberculosis excogitated that multi drug resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa due to the delayed introduction of rifamycin based regimens. However, previous studies showed that 21% of the global MDR-TB burden occurs in the region; with South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia ranking first second and third, respectively. Aims and objectives: the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis in patients suspected of having tuberculosis. The aims are: to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB in the non HIV patients presenting with persistent cough, to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB in HIV infected patients and to appraise the extent of the association between MDR-TB and HIV in this region. Methods: Eight hundred and twenty four (824) sputa were collected from suspected participants and analyzed for the presence Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistant strains using a nucleic acid amplification test based machine, Gene expert (Cepheid inc. USA). Results: One hundred and seventy three (21.0%) of the 824 had MTB and 13(7.5%) of the MTB cases were MDR-TB. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of MDR-TB among patients with chronic cough in the region and it is found in both HIV positive and negative patients

Influence of Dy3+ in physical and optical behavior of calcium sulfate ultra-phosphate glasses

To examine the influence of trivalent dysprosium ion (Dy3+) on physical and optical properties prepared by melt quenching method. The samples composition of 20CaSO4 (80 - x) P2O5 - xDy2O3, where x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5mol% were prepared and analyzed. Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy, amorphous nature of the samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique, UV-Vis for optical measurement and luminescence for excited state dynamics. The UV absorption spectra of the glass sample correspond to 6H11/2 (1673 nm), 6H9/2 (1262 nm), 6F9/2(1087 nm), 6H5/2 (899 nm), 6F5/2 (796 nm), 6F3/2 (753 nm), 6G11/2 (422), 4I13/2 (384) and 6P7/2 (347).The physical properties comprise of glass density, molar average molar volume, ion concentration, dielectric constant and molar refractive index was determined. The band gap (Eopt), Urbach energies (ΔE) and refractive index lie in range and decreases with increase in Dy3+ concentration. Therefore, Dy3+ compositional changes were examined and indicate that dysprosium phosphor could serves as a potential candidate for optical application as laser is included

Estimation of public radiological dose from mining activities in some selected cities in Nigeria

Mining activities is one of the most significant sources of radiation exposure from long-lived naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and have resulted in unjustifiable public exposure doses which contravene radiation protection standards. As a result, estimating the extent of such exposure is essential for keeping the recommended public dose limit. This study therefore aims at estimating the public radiation dose around mining areas and its environs in some selected cities across Nigeria. Data on measured activity concentration of NORMs radionuclides comprising of U-238, Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 from soil round mining areas in some selected cities in Nigeria were extracted from previous literatures and are used for public dose estimation using RESRAD computer code. From the calculated mean activity concentration, the results from each mining locations shows the maximum dose are lower than International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), commended public dosage boundary of 1 mSv/yr with highest dose of 0.91 mSv/yr from Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 over the period of 47.9 years reported from Gura Top mining site in Jos, Plateau State, while the lowest dose of 0.09 mSv/yr each over the period of 14.06 and 20.27 years occurred at Itagunmodi and Arufu sites for U-238, Th-232 and K-40. The highest dose recorded in Gura Top was due to numerous mining activities in the region. According to the ICRP, there is no safe level of radiation exposure. Therefore, there is need for competent authorities to conduct periodic assessment of radiation exposure from mining sites to ensure that all exposure emanating as a result of such activities are kept below the prescribed dose limit in accordance to the principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), thereby ensuring public protection from unjustified radiation exposure

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in four states of Nigeria in October 2020: A population-based household survey

The observed epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Saharan Africa has varied greatly from that in Europe and the United States, with much lower reported incidence. Population-based studies are needed to estimate true cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 to inform public health interventions. This study estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in four selected states in Nigeria in October 2020. We implemented a two-stage cluster sample household survey in four Nigerian states (Enugu, Gombe, Lagos, and Nasarawa) to estimate age-stratified prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All individuals in sampled households were eligible for interview, blood draw, and nasal/oropharyngeal swab collection. We additionally tested participants for current/recent malaria infection. Seroprevalence estimates were calculated accounting for the complex survey design. Across all four states, 10,629 (96·5%) of 11,015 interviewed individuals provided blood samples. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 25·2% (95% CI 21·8–28·6) in Enugu State, 9·3% (95% CI 7·0–11·5) in Gombe State, 23·3% (95% CI 20·5–26·4) in Lagos State, and 18·0% (95% CI 14·4–21·6) in Nasarawa State. Prevalence of current/recent malaria infection ranged from 2·8% in Lagos to 45·8% in Gombe and was not significantly related to SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. The prevalence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection in the four states during the survey period was 0·2% (95% CI 0·1–0·4). Approximately eight months after the first reported COVID-19 case in Nigeria, seroprevalence indicated infection levels 194 times higher than the 24,198 officially reported COVID-19 cases across the four states; however, most of the population remained susceptible to COVID-19 in October 2020

Prevalence of trachoma in the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria: results of six population-based surveys.

PURPOSE: The World Health Organization's (WHO's) global trachoma elimination programme recommends mapping of trachoma at district level for planning of elimination activities in affected populations. This study aimed to provide data on trachoma prevalence for the Area Councils of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT). METHODS: Using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols, in March and April 2014, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in each of the six Area Councils of FCT. Signs were defined based on the WHO simplified grading scheme. RESULTS: 98% to 100% of the targeted households were enrolled in each Area Council. The number of children aged 1-9 years examined per Area Council ranged from 867 to 1248. The number of persons aged ≥15 years examined ranged from 1302 to 1836. The age-adjusted prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular in 1-9-year-olds was <5% in each Area Council. The age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of trichiasis in those aged ≥15 years ranged from 0.0% to 0.3%; two Area Councils (Gwagwalada and Kwali) had prevalences above the 0.2% elimination threshold. The proportion of households with access to improved latrines and water sources ranged from 17 to 90% and 39 to 85% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils need to perform more trichiasis surgeries to attain the trichiasis elimination prevalence target of 0.2% in persons aged ≥15 years. No Area Council requires mass antibiotic administration for the purposes of trachoma's elimination as a public health problem. All Area Councils need to accelerate provision of access to improved water sources and latrine facilities, to achieve universal coverage