The need for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) legislation in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the correlation between alcohol abuse and incidence of drink-driving and alcohol-related motor task and road trauma has been recognised. Unrestricted availability of alcohol and ignorance, coupled with the absence of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) threshold to act as a legal reference point for controlling the use, misuse or abuse of alcohol in Nigeria, are major concern. The pharmacology, clinical and sports implications of indulgence in alcohol and the debate on its legal status are highlighted in this article. The information presented could offer both clinical and safety benefits to psychomotor tasks executors and road safety professionals. Keywords: Blood alcohol concentration (BAC), legislation, road safety > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 3 (1) 2004: pp. 319-32

Self-medication with antibiotics among Nigerian Dental Students

Introduction: Health workers are societal role models. Self-medication by health workers could result in an extraordinarily negative impact in the society. Objective: To determine the prevalence of self medication with antibiotics among Nigerian dental students. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 200 dental students of University of Benin, Nigeria was performed between April and June, 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used to enquire on self-medication by antibiotics. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Associations were tested using Chi square, significance set at P<0.05. Results: Response rate was 96.2%. The age range of the respondents was 16 to 35 years and Female: male ratio was 1:1.9. The prevalence of self medication with antibiotics in the 6 months preceding the survey was 53.5%. Amoxicillin was the most commonly self medicated antibiotics. The main factors influencing the choice of antibiotics were previous experience with the same illness and advice from pharmacy staff. Diarrhea, sore throat and common cold were the major reasons for self-medication with antibiotics. The predominant reason for self-medication among the respondents was previous experiences with similar ailments. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among Nigerian dental students was high and amoxicillin was the most commonly self medicated antibiotics.Keywords: Self-medication, antibiotics, Dental student

Frequency Of Delusional Halitosis In A University Community

Objective: This study reviewed the prevalence of delusional halitosis and analyzed the frequency of this condition within the University Community, over a period of three years. Method: Sixty-eight (68) patients with delusional halitosis were diagnosed over a period of three years (2001 to 2003), at the Dental Hospital, University of Benin, Nigeria. Results: Within the University Community; there were 14 cases (20.1%) and the largest group was within 20 to 29 years, 12 cases (17.7%). Conclusion: The study suggests an increased level of awareness or an increased prevalence of this condition within the same population. A fifth of the patients were within the University Community; mostly male students who suffered social embarrassment and poor academic performance. Key Words: Frequency, Delusional Halitosis, University-Communit

WHO WILL BURY THE DEAD?

Who Will Bury The Dead is a collection of interconnected short stories. The characters navigate rural and urban life in an African country. These characters also traverse the world beyond their shores, all the way to a new living in America. Though the landscapes keep shifting, the village of Uwessan keeps re-occurring in memory and reality

The Information Society and the Nigerian Print Media

This work reports on the extent to which the Nigerian print media have been transformed by ICTs in order to function in the evolving information society. Almost all the print media in Nigeria are using a wide range of ICTs, each according to its needs and what is affordable. The pressure to invest in ICT applications derives from three causes: (1) The stiff competition among the media organisations in the last five years accentuated the need to gain competitive advantage; (2) ICTs have become a strategy for meeting organisational goals for survival, and for enhancing profit level; and (3) the media organisations are quite conscious of developments in the information society and the changing role of the print media in the emerging information economy and, so, are prepared to meet these challenges. The areas that are going to engage more attention are electronic publishing, online access, multimedia applications, advertising, and electronic commerce. Af. J. Lib. Arch. & Inf. Sc. (2003) 13, 187-20

Study of information flow in physical science research in Nigerian universities

ThesisThesis, Drexel University, 198

Rationalizing the development of scientific and technical information systems in Nigeria

148-152Nigeria has in principle made a commitment to the development of science and technology for the transformation of the national economy. However, the importance of information resources and systems in the success of scientific and technological enterprise does not seem to be adequately appreciated by the Government policy makers. Consequently the publishing industry and the library services have been adversely affected by the economic depression over the past decade. Nevertheless a continuous evolution of conceptual and mental orientation towards rational developments of scientific and technical information systems has been due largely to the efforts of some information specialists in creating necessary awareness and stimulating organizational support. In spite of initial setbacks, the use of information technology has become a matter of urgent interest in some university and research libraries, while two research libraries are serving' as a model in automated services. Coordination of systems development for science and technology is necessary. This paper discusses the concepts of organizational structures and their coordinating functions.</span

Pattern of intravenous fluid use at the accident and emergency unit of a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Introduction: The location of University of Benin Teaching Hospital along the Nigerian part of the Trans-Sahara highway, makes it a favourable center, for classical emergencies. The pattern of utilization of intravenous fluid would provide a template for procurement and donation for the institution.Objective: To assess the pattern of intravenous fluid use at the accident and emergency unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City from 2000 to 2006.Methods: The stocking and utilization of intravenous fluid, was assessed retrospectively for over seven years. Data collected from pharmacy record archives were the type of intravenous fluid and quantity issued to patients within the stipulated study. The collated data was subjected to descriptive statistics and test of significance. P.0.05 was considered significant.Results: The data showed that 0.9% normal saline was the most frequently (33.4%) utilized over the period of seven years. This was followed by dextrose water (24.6%), 5% dextrose saline (19.6%), Ringerfs lactate (9.2%), 10% dextrose water (8.7%), 4.3% dextrose saline (4.2%), 50% dextrose water (2.8%), 20% mannitol (0.8%), Isoplasma (0.4%), half strength Darrows (0.3%), Full Strength Darrows (0.3%) and 10% mannitol (0.2%). Using two-way analysis of variance, there was a significant difference among the intravenous infusion in stocking utilization and return to stock P&lt;0.05Conclusion: It is very important that preference is given in procurement of intravenous fluid inorder to meet demand and minimize waste. Donation of intravenous fluid to our accident and emergency unit should reflect this ratio, in such a supply, for optimum benefit

Opinion Article - The need for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) legislation in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the correlation between alcohol abuse and incidence of drink-driving and alcoholrelated motor task and road trauma has been recognised. Unrestricted availability of alcohol and ignorance, coupled with the absence of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) threshold to act as a legal reference point for controlling the use, misuse or abuse of alcohol in Nigeria, are major concern. The pharmacology, clinical and sports implications of indulgence in alcohol and the debate on its legal status are highlighted in this article. The information presented could offer both clinical and safety benefits to psychomotor tasks executors and road safety professionals