Use of Antenatal Services among Women in Farming Communities in Kogi State

This study examined the use of antenatal services among women in farming communities in Kogi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to collect primary data from 150 randomly selected farmers through the use of structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. Analysis of socio-economic variable revealed that majority (73.4%) of the respondents were below the age 40 years, with a mean household size of 6 members. About 94.7% of the respondents used antenatal care services covering an average distance of 4km in getting to nearest health facility. The study also revealed that majority (92.7%) of the respondents were aware of healthcare facilities availability and they mostly got their information from family members and friends. The use of antenatal care services among women was high and majority (95.3%) of the respondents had the knowledge of where antenatal centre is located. Also majority of the respondents visited those centres in their last pregnancy with frequency of visit between 1- 4 times. Previous visits, nearness to ANC centres and formal education positively influence the use of ANC services among women in the study area. High cost of antenatal services and poor level of information were found to be the most significant challenges facing women access to antenatal care services.  We recommend that government should subsidize health care services for women in order to improve their affordability

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN ELEMI PULP AND SEEDS

The aim of this study is to evaluate chemical nutritional constituents of the pulp and seed of African elemi. The evaluation of chemical compositions of pulp and seed of African elemi was obtained from Mararaba Jamma Market Jos, Plateau State in North Central Nigeria were determined using standard analytical methods. The parameters determined of proximate were protein, moisture, fat, ash as well as fibre of the seed were 6.90±0.60, 6.00±0.11, 61.00±0.33, 3.40±0.00 as well as 7.90±0.21 % respectively, in other hand the respective values of protein, moisture, fat, ash as well as fibre of the pulp were 6.80±0.10, 22.20±0.24, 44.50±0.31, 8.20±0.01 as well as 12.00±0.10 %. The carbohydrate content was lowest in the pulp (6.30±0.41%) and highest in the seed (14.80±0.22%). Energy values analyzed in this study were 2625.90±0.25 and 1869.20±0.01 KJ/100g for the samples seed and pulp respectively. These samples contained reasonable amounts of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, calcium as well as magnesium. The anti-nutritional analysis revealed the presence of oxalate, phytate, saponins, alkaloids, and cyanide which were within the permissible limits. The pulp and seed of African elemi could, therefore, serve as an additional promising source of protein and mineral contents for human and animal feeds formulations

Factors related to underweight prevalence among 33,776 children below 60 months old living in northern geopolitical zones, Nigeria (2008-2018)

The prevalence of underweight among children below 60 months old in Nigeria remains a significant public health challenge, especially in northern geopolitical zones (NGZ), ranging from 15% to 35%. This study investigates time-based trends in underweight prevalence and its related characteristics among NGZ children below 60 months old. Extracted NGZ representative dataset of 33,776 live births from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey between 2008 and 2018 was used to assess the characteristics related to underweight prevalence in children aged 0–23, 24–59, and 0–59 months using multilevel logistics regression. Findings showed that 11,313 NGZ children below 60 months old were underweight, and 24–59-month-old children recorded the highest prevalence (34.8%; 95% confidence interval: 33.5–36.2). Four factors were consistently significantly related to underweight prevalence in children across the three age groups: poor or average-income households, maternal height, children who had diarrhoea episodes, and children living in the northeast or northwest. Intervention initiatives that include poverty alleviation through cash transfer, timely health checks of offspring of short mothers, and adequate clean water and sanitation infrastructure to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea can substantially reduce underweight prevalence among children in NGZ in Nigeria

Links between cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: serum lipids or atherosclerosis per se?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Epidemiological observations suggest links between osteoporosis and risk of acute cardiovascular events and vice versa. Whether the two clinical conditions are linked by common pathogenic factors or atherosclerosis per se remains incompletely understood. We investigated whether serum lipids and polymorphism in the ApoE gene modifying serum lipids could be a biological linkage. METHODS: This was an observational study including 1176 elderly women 60–85 years old. Women were genotyped for epsilon (ɛ) allelic variants of the ApoE gene, and data concerning serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoA1, ApoB, Lp(a)), hip and spine BMD, aorta calcification (AC), radiographic vertebral fracture and self-reported wrist and hip fractures, cardiovascular events together with a wide array of demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected. RESULTS: Presence of the ApoE ɛ4 allele had a significant impact on serum lipid profile, yet no association with spine/hip BMD or AC could be established. In multiple regression models, apoA1 was a significant independent contributor to the variation in AC. However, none of the lipid components were independent contributors to the variation in spine or hip BMD. When comparing the women with or without vertebral fractures, serum triglycerides showed significant differences. This finding was however not applicable to hip or wrist fractures. After adjustment for age, severe AC score (≥6) and/or manifest cardiovascular disease increased the risk of hip but not vertebral or wrist fractures. CONCLUSION: The contribution of serum lipids to the modulators of BMD does not seem to be direct but rather indirect via promotion of atherosclerosis, which in turn can affect bone metabolism locally, especially when skeletal sites supplied by end-arteries are concerned. Further studies are needed to explore the genetic or environmental risk factors underlying the association of low triglyceride levels to vertebral fractures

Under-5 mortality and its associated factors in Northern Nigeria : evidence from 22,455 singleton live births (2013-2018)

The northern geopolitical zones (NGZs) continue to report the highest under-5 mortality rates (U5MRs) among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This study was designed to identify factors related to under-5 mortality (U5M) in the NGZs. The NGZ populations extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were explored to assess the factors associated with U5M using logistic regression, generalised linear latent, and mixed models. Between 2013 and 2018, the northwest geopolitical zone reported the highest U5MR (179 deaths per 1000 live births; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 163–194). The adjusted model showed that geopolitical zone, poor household, paternal occupation, perceived children’s body size at birth, caesarean delivery, and mothers and fathers’ education were highly associated with increased odds of U5M. Other significant factors that influenced U5M included children of fourth or higher birth order with shorter interval ≤ 2 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.68; CI: 1.42–1.90) and mothers who did not use contraceptives (aOR = 1.41, CI: 1.13–1.70). Interventions are needed and should primarily spotlight children residing in low-socioeconomic households. Educating mothers on the benefits of contraceptive use, child spacing, timely and safe caesarean delivery and adequate care for small-sized babies may also reduce U5M in Nigeria, particularly in the NGZs

Trends and factors associated with under-5 mortality in Northwest Nigeria (2008–2018)

Background: The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the northwest geopolitical zone (NWGZ), Nigeria, increased by 1.1% from 185 to 187 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2013 and 2018, indicating a setback to the previously reported modest improvement in U5MR. Objectives: This study sought to examine trends and factors related to under-5 mortality (U5M) in NWGZ from 2008 to 2018. Methods: A combined NWGZ dataset extracted from the 2008, 2013 and 2018 NDHSs, with a sample of 32,015 singleton live births, including 3,745 under-5 deaths, was used. The U5MRs for each survey year and potential independent factors were obtained using the STATA “syncrmrates” command, and then the trends were examined. A logistic regression generalised linear latent and mixed model was used to explore the potential factors associated with U5M in NWGZ. Findings: In NWGZ, the U5MR declined by only 8.2% (from 195 to 179 per 1,000 live births between 2008 and 2018, respectively), with a similar trend observed among its seven states. Multivariable analyses indicated that maternal education (no formal or primary education), maternal non-use of contraception, a mother’s perception of the baby being small or very small, birth order (second to fourth or higher) with a shorter birth interval (≤2 years), younger or older maternal age (<20 years or ≥40 years old) and rural residence were significantly associated with U5M in NWGZ. Conclusion: Interventional initiatives including educating mothers on the benefits of contraceptive use, child spacing, kangaroo mother care of small-sized babies and promoting regular check-ups for older mothers will substantially reduce U5M in NWGZ

New insights on Celtic migration in Hungary and Italy through the analysis of non-metric dental traits

The Iron Age is characterized by an extended interweaving of movements by Celts in Europe. Several waves of Celts from Western and Central Europe migrated southeast and west from the core area of the La Téne culture (between Bourgogne and Bohemia). Through the analysis of non-metric dental traits, this work aims to understand the biological relationship among Celtic groups arrived in Italy and the Carpathian Basin, as well as between local populations and Celtic newcomers. A total of 10 non-metric dental traits were analyzed to evaluate biological affinities among Celts (Sopron-Krautacker and Pilismarót-Basaharc) and Scythians-related populations from Hungary (Tápiószele), Celts from continental Europe (Switzerland and Austria), two Iron Age Etruscan-Celtic sites from northern Italy (Monterenzio Vecchio and Monte Bibele), 13 Iron Age central-southern Italic necropolises, and the northern Italian Bronze Age necropolis of Scalvinetto. Strontium isotopes were measured on individuals from the necropolis of Monte Bibele to infer their local or non-local origin. Results highlight the existence of statistically significant differences between Celts and autochthonous Italian groups. Celtic groups from Hungary and Italy (i.e., non-local individuals of Monterenzio Vecchio and Monte Bibele) share a similar biological background, supporting the historical records mentioning a common origin for Celts migrated to the eastern and southern borders of today’s Europe. The presence of a supposed Steppean ancestry both in Celts from Hungary and Celts from northern Italy corroborates the hypothesis of the existence of a westward migration of individuals and genes from the Steppe towards northern Italy during the Bronze and Iron Age, which contributed to the biological variability of pre-Celtic and later Celtic populations, respectively. Conversely, individuals from central-southern Italy show an autochthonous pre-Iron Age background. Lastly, this work supports the existence of Celtic migratory routes in northern Italy, as shown by biological and cultural admixture between Celts and Italics living together

Factors affecting willingness to comply with public health measures during the pandemic among sub-Sahara Africans

Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries. Method: Cross sectional study using self-administered surveys distributed on social media platforms between April 18th and May 16th, 2020, corresponding with the mandatory lockdown period in most SSA countries. Multivariate analysis examined the associated factors. Results: The prevalence of hand hygiene, quarantine, self isolation practices, wearing of face mask and attending large gatherings during COVID-19 were 94%, 39%, 31%, 64% and 14%, respectively. In multivariate models, older age 49+ years: adjusted OR 2.13, 95%CI 1.22,3.71), females (OR 1.41,95%CI 1.03,1.93), Central African countries (OR 3.73,95%CI 2.02,6.87) were associated with wearing face mask. Living alone (aOR 1.52,95%CI 1.04,2.24) during the lockdown was associated with avoiding large gatherings including religious events. Female respondents (aOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.30, 2.00), married (aOR 1.71,95%CI 1.33,2.21) and unemployed (aOR 1.62,95%CI 1.25,2.09) SSAs were more likely to practice self-quarantine measures. Conclusion: The low prevalence of mitigation practices suggest the need for targeted education campaign programs to sensitise the population

Overturning established chemoselectivities : selective reduction of arenes over malonates and cyanoacetates by photoactivated organic electron donors

The prevalence of metal-based reducing reagents, including metals, metal complexes, and metal salts, has produced an empirical order of reactivity that governs our approach to chemical synthesis. However, this reactivity may be influenced by stabilization of transition states, intermediates, and products through substrate-metal bonding. This article reports that in the absence of such stabilizing interactions, established chemoselectivities can be overthrown. Thus, photoactivation of the recently developed neutral organic superelectron donor 5 selectively reduces alkyl-substituted benzene rings in the presence of activated esters and nitriles, in direct contrast to metal-based reductions, opening a new perspective on reactivity. The altered outcomes arising from the organic electron donors are attributed to selective interactions between the neutral organic donors and the arene rings of the substrates

COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan African countries : association between compliance and public opinion

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measures across selected SSA countries. Method: Anonymous online cross-sectional survey was administered to 1779 adults (18 years and older) during the mandatory lockdown period in most African countries (April 18 - May 16, 2020). Respondents were recruited via Facebook, WhatsApp, and authors' networks. Data on participants’ socio-demographics, their opinions regarding the precautionary measures against COVID-19, and their compliance with preventive measures were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between compliance and public opinions about COVID-19. Results: Respondents who did not think that public health authorities in their countries were doing enough to control the C0VID-19 outbreak were more likely to attend crowded places (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.30-2.35). Those who thought COVID-19 would not remain in their countries (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24 - 0.96) and those who thought self-isolation is not needed during the pandemic (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13 - 0.65) were less likely to encourage others to comply with the strategies put in place to prevent the spread of the disease. Participants who thought the COVID-19 outbreak was dangerous and those wearing medical masks were found to wash their hands with soap under running water. Conclusion: The study showed that public opinion influenced the compliance of individuals to public health measures for containment and mitigation of COVID-19. There is a need to improve compliance by the public