Rabies vaccination status among occupationally exposed humans in Nigeria

Rabies virus, a bullet-shaped enveloped negative sense single stranded RNA virus, often carries death sentence once clinical manifestations commenced in humans and animals. Pre- and post-exposure vaccinations against the virus have long been in existence to protect humans, especially occupationally exposed such as workers in rabies laboratories, veterinary hospitals and clinics, wildlife rehabilitation centers and animal shelters. The need to receive this vaccination especially rabies pre-exposure vaccination becomes more important in endemic countries in accordance with Advisory Committee on Immunization Practise (ACIP). This study surveyed rabies vaccination status of occupationally exposed humans in Nigeria. The reasons adduced for unvaccination were also reported. Structured questionnaire were administered to veterinarians during the annual conference of Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and the Continuous Education programme of Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) in 2016 while others were administered at some wildlife facilities and animal shelters in Nigeria. Data were entered into SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals were compared using univariate and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with vaccination status at α 0.05 level of significance. Out of 250 questionnaires administered to veterinarians, wildlife managers and dog breeders (Group A) and 120 questionnaires administered to workers in veterinary practice, animal shelter & zoo garden/wildlife parks (Group B), only 155 and 83 questionnaires respectively were eligible and complete for analysis. The result obtained showed that 61.3% (95/155) and 85.5% (71/ 83%) of Group A and Group B respectively had not received pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Results of univariate analyses showed that health insurance were significantly associated with vaccination status in Group A and B while age was significantly associated with vaccination status for Group A only. This study showed that large number of occupational exposed humans did not receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination despite their frequent exposure to rabies sources (both domesticated and wild animals). Various impeding factors such as unavailability of rabies vaccines in the hospital, cost of vaccination, inadequate knowledge about rabies and its vaccination among other factors were presented and these should be taken seriously by both government and non-governmental organizations to ensure safety of this group of people.Keywords: Rabies, Vaccination, Nigeria, Occupationally exposed human

Aflatoxin in commercial poultry feeds and clinico-pathological manifestation of aflaxoxicosis in poultry in Southwest, Nigeria

Aflatoxin remains the most studied mycotoxin with aflatoxin B1 making up 66 to 82% of total aflatoxin found in feed. In poultry, it can cause high production losses and vaccine failure resulting from its hepatocarcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive effects. This study aimed to determine the level of aflatoxin in commercial feed and feed ingredients (FFIs) use in poultry production in Southwest Nigeria. The study also tends to describe the clinico-pathological presentations of birds fed with aflatoxin-contaminated feed. A total of 142 commercial FFI (commercial feed, maize, cassava, wheat offal, soya cake etc) were collected randomly from poultry farms and feed mills in Southwest Nigeria. Total aflatoxin levels in FFI were measured using competitive ELISA. The study showed that 34 (23.9%), 24 (16.9%) and 67 (47.2%) of FFI had 21-60 μg/g, 61-100 μg/g and ≥ 101 μg/g of total aflatoxin levels respectively. These levels are above the maximum permissible limit (20 μg/g) as recommended by United State Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Most of the clinico-pathological findings such as decrease in egg production, friable liver, gastrointestinal mucosal erosion and fistulations were consistent with published reports on aflatoxicosis. History revealed that feed millers engaged in malpractices such as mixing of feed ingredients from different sources etc. The socioeconomic implications of aflatoxin in FFI are enormous, thus measures to reduce fungi contamination at every stage of production should be a collective effort. Our study showed that out of 10 FFIs, approximately 9 had >20 μg/g total aflatoxin. Therefore, studies aimed at prevention of fungal growth and mycotoxin production in FFI as well as mycotoxin absorption through the gastrointestinal wall should be strongly facilitated. Malpractices among feed millers should be abolished by concerned government agencies.Keywords: Mycotoxin, Aflatoxin, Aflatoxicosis, Feed, Ingredients, ELIS

Institutional Variance and Implications for Corporate Governance Reforms in a Developing Country

Corporate governance has attracted significant interest in the post-Enron era, following incidences of corporate fraud and collapses. Some of this attention has been witnessed in the proliferation of corporate governance codes of best practices and reforms. Following the agency theorisation, corporate governance codes and reforms are generically inclined. However, institutional configurations differ across contexts. (Neo-)Institutional theory posits that institutions influence corporate governance. Corporate governance practices, in turn, affect their institutional structures. Equally, organisational and social actors moderate and are compelled by these institutional boundaries. Drawing on these perspectives, this study investigates the inference of the distinct institutional context of developing countries, for corporate governance reforms. It expounds the implications of these evolving structures for the dynamism and procedures involved in such transformational schemes, in a bid to contribute to the theorisation of institutional reproduction. In this respect, a constructivist position is adopted by exploring the views of key stakeholders in the Nigerian corporate context. Against this backdrop, the study employs a qualitative method approach, involving in-depth interviews supported by documentary evidence, to fulfil its aim. In line with the description of salient stakeholders in corporate governance reforms, such key stakeholders include: regulators and policy makers, listed companies and other notable players, within the corporate governance context of Nigeria – a central economy in Africa. The findings are several. First, the study highlights that corporate governance reforms are motivated by the interface and alignment of established institutional logics, informed largely by the prevalent influence of a compendium of large family founders, regardless of supposed external pressures. Second, the expectations of the universally driven corporate governance reforms are found to contradict the dominant corporate governance performance in Nigeria, reflecting a complexity in application. Third, the mode and approach to corporate governance reforms in Nigeria are principally determined by internal legitimation, including: endogenous factors, social ratifications and path dependence, from established corporate governance structures. Lastly, corporate governance reforms are disclosed to be moderated primarily by informal mechanisms, as opposed to the more structured techniques of developed countries. Correspondingly, employment of such a framework of performance is advocated in the realisation of an institutionally informed corporate governance reform scheme in Nigeria, whereby the predominance of family block-holders could positively provide an avenue for tailored change through proper integration of their influence. In the main, the study forges a debate on the practice and policy that “a fit for all” corporate governance reform’s procedure is yet to be achieved. In this vein, theoretically, the study provides a model for understanding the institutionalisation of corporate governance reforms within maturing fields, as in Nigeria

A distribution network design for fast-moving consumer goods

A distribution network design of fast-moving consumer goods ensures distribution of products in an effective manner by giving  maximum customers’ satisfaction and minimum distribution cost. The study evaluates the distribution through direct shipment and the use of intermediate shipment for distribution of products from plant to depots. A real-life case study in Southwestern Nigeria was defined and solved as a linear programming model to minimise total cost of distribution from plant to the depots with consideration of four routing options. The results show that distribution through intermediaries gives a better solution than routing option with  direct shipment. The best routing option with intermediate points when compared with the routing option with direct shipment gives a savings of 1,819,490.00 Naira which translates to 13.46% cost savings. The study shows that the location of intermediaries is a key decision in distribution network design and that the intermediaries add value to the distribution networks in supply chain. Keywords: Distribution network; Supply chain design; Fast-moving consumer goods; Linear programmin

Antimicrobial and antihelminthic properties of shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa)

The phytochemical, antimicrobial and antihelminthic screening of the crude extract of three types of Vitellaria paradoxa (shea butter) was investigated in this study. The crude extracts were dissolved in di-methylsulfoxide. The phytochemical constituents of the crude extracts were accessed and compared. Clinical isolates under aseptic conditions were collected from the Medical Microbiology Laboratory, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and further morphological and biochemical tests were carried out to identify this clinical isolates as; Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp and Candida sp. Inoculums were prepared and adjusted to 0.5ml Mc Farland standard of each test bacterium. It was spread onto sterile Muller Hinton Agar plates so as to achieve even growth. The plates were allowed to dry and a sterile cork borer (6.0mm diameter) was used to bore wells in the agar plates. Ofloxacine and Fluconazole was used as bacteria and fungi control respectively. The crude yellow extracts exhibited inhibitory activities that were found to be higher than crude white and ivory colored extract on all the test organisms. Despite the crude yellow extract exhibited higher inhibitory activities than the other extracts; the antibacterial activity was low in 10-1 to 10-4 dilutions for some bacteria. The crude extracts revealed the presence of Alkaloids, flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides, saponnin, and carbohydrates. Anthraquinnone and phlobatannin were absent in the extracts. This study also revealed that shea butter has no anti-helminth effect after 24hours exposure of the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichuria in the shea oil sample rather; the DMSO used as control killed the eggs. This calls for further investigation

Independent mobility of children in the military barracks of Nigeria

Independent mobility in military barracks is crucial for a child’s proper physical, social, and cognitive functioning. However, despite the contribution of mobility to health and overall quality of life, barracks create a high level of parental restrictions. The restrictions and the children’s immobility are linked to an unfriendly environment, non-active travel behaviour, and the exclusion of children’s experience. Hence, this study aims to build a conceptual framework of independent mobility that fits into the military barracks in Nigeria. Consequently, children’s independent mobility indicators were identified in Sam Ethnan Air Force Barracks in Lagos and Nigerian Air Force Barracks in Kaduna. The barrack-environment characteristics were examined, and travel mode behaviour factors were assessed. The set of rules for a parental licence was also explored. Data collection and analysis followed an explanatory sequential mixed method strategy, which is grounded on post-positivism and social constructivism. Barracks’ spatial data was acquired using Geographical Positioning System devices and Landsat imagery. Subsequently, the research used a semi-structured interview and paper-based participatory mapping. The participants of the study comprised 60 children aged 5 to 12 years of age, living in the barracks. The research answered seven research questions. The spatial analysis was carried out using ArcGIS 10.3 ESRI, descriptive analysis in SPSS 22 version, and thematic analysis in NVIVO 12 Plus software. Focus group discussions, face-to-face interviews with policymakers, and photographs were used in triangulation. The findings revealed that home, school, and play areas were meaningful destinations, within 100 m to 1900 m walkable buffer distances within 5-20 minutes for children in the two barracks investigated. The study is aligned with child-friendly environments and socio-ecological theoretical frameworks. Thus, seven characteristics emerged for the barrack environment theme, six factors for travel behaviour, and three sets of rules for parental licences upheld by parents and children. Thus, permission to engage in walking or cycling to school and to the play areas was the most frequently granted. More licences denote higher independent mobility for children. Therefore, the independent movement of barracks children is the degree of freedom from parental restriction to engage in short-distance active travel to school and leisure activities within a specific home range and travel time. The conceptual framework for the independent mobility of children is useful for the Nigerian Air Force policymakers and design professionals such as architects, landscape architects, and planners, to create a child-friendly barracks. It is relevant to address children’s immobility and improve their health in barrack environments, including the para-military barracks, housing estates, and compact cities across Africa

Construction Design and Sustainability in Architecture

The study aims to access the implementation of sustainable housing indicators (SHI) in the building design and construction in Ondo State, Nigeria. Generally, the overall degree of incorporating SHI in the building construction showed that Ondo Central District (OCAEZ) has the highest design compliance, while the awareness is unpopular in Ondo North District (ONAEZ) and Ondo South District (OSAEZ). Conversely, the selection of sustainability key indicators is very important at the early design stage and this would be veritable to projecting the environmental impact, energy and air quality sustainability potency of building. This development will go a long way to integrate and improve the building design and construction and enabling sustainability in building development

Seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in indigenous chickens in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Newcastle disease (ND) is a disease of high economic importance to poultry farmers in Nigeria. Its impact on poultry include illness of poultry, reduction in egg production, immunosuppression, and death. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Newcastle disease in indigenous (local) chickens from 2 poultry abattoirs in the Ilorin metropolis. A total of 400 blood samples were aseptically collected in plain bottles from the jugular veins of local chickens at slaughter using exsanguination and transported to the laboratory in batches. Sera samples were harvested from the blood by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, after which they were stored at -20oC before serological assay. The sera were subjected to Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test to check for the presence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody following a standard procedure with titer values for each sample recorded. The geometric mean of the HI antibody titer (GMT) and the percentages of detectable NDV HI antibody titer were calculated using descriptive statistics. Of the 400 serum samples examined, 53 (13.25%) were positive for ND antibodies, with titre value ≥ 1:16. The location from which the birds were selected had no significant relationship with the prevalence of ND antibodies as both Oja tuntun (11.9%), and Ipata market (14.6%) had a closely similar prevalence of antibodies (p > 0.05). The feather arrangement of birds did not also have any significant impact on the prevalence of antibodies (p > 0.05). However, in this study, we observed a higher prevalence of antibodies among hens (14.7%) than in cocks (12.5%) or growers (8.9%). The high prevalence of ND antibodies in indigenous chickens in the study area showed the endemicity of the disease in the study areas. With most of the chickens are not vaccinated amid non-compliance to vaccine administration for local chickens. There is a need for poultry farmers in the study location to be educated on the importance of vaccinating poultry birds against ND

Effectiveness of biosecurity measures in some selected farms in Kwara State, Nigeria

Biosecurity in poultry farm is a set of practices designed to prevent the entry and spread of infectious diseases into and from a poultry farm. It is one of the most economical and effective methods of disease prevention and control in the poultry industry. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to capture data on biosecurity practices observed by some registered poultry farms randomly selected in Kwara State from March 2016 to December 2016. Data generated under a focused group discussion covered information on farm environment and hygiene, risk factors, disease management, control and regulations. Epi Info software package version 6.04 was used for data analysis. The relationships between the dependent and independent variables were compared using the χ2 tests. A P-value of ˂0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference that biosecurity measure is of great relevance in the poultry industry. The study revealed that the management practices and hygiene methods employed in the farms investigated were not in tandem with standard biosecurity measures and practices (SD≤0.5), standard methods and their implication of non-compliance were also not well understood. We recommend ‘all-in and all-out’ management system of practice and further research on biosecurity measures for human and animal health and protection.Keywords: Biosecurity measures, poultry farms, Kwara Stat

Screening of immunoglobulin g antibodies against chikungunya virus among urban population in Ilorin Nigeria

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease which is becoming a serious global public health problem. The principal vector in many parts of Africa is Aedes species. There are recent reports of CHIKV importation into Europe, Asia and America by travelers returning from west and central Africa. Yet, there is scanty information from the guinea savannah region of Nigeria. This study determined previous exposure to CHIKV in the urban population. It is a cross-sectional study involving 89 participants enrolled from three hospitals in Ilorin, Kwara State. A qualitative Chikungunya Enzyme Linked Immunoassay kit was used to detect IgG antibodies. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistically significant level was p≤0.05. Out of the study participants, 24.7% were previously exposed to CHIKV. Age group 31-40years had highest proportion while children under 10years had least IgG level. In this study, we found Chikungunya to be endemic in Ilorin Nigeria. There is need for sustained surveillance, to determine spatio-temporal epidemiology of CHIKV. Efforts should be poised to strengthen vector control measures.Keywords: Chikungunya virus, Immunoglobulin G, Guinea Savannah, Ilorin, Urba