Geriatric trauma - epidemiology and outcome at Cedarcrest Hospitals, Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Trauma is a major public health problem with huge economic and social implications. Old age and co-morbidities generally affect the outcome of traumatic injuries in elderly patients, and the impact of trauma on elderly patients has generally been overlooked. Objective: To describe the epidemiology and outcome of trauma on elderly patients. Design: This was a retrospective study that was conducted at Cedarcrest Hospitals, Abuja, Nigeria. Method: Data were collected from the electronic medical records for all patients aged 65 years and above who visited the emergency department as a result of traumatic injuries. Results: A total of 82 patients were recruited for the study. The prevalence of geriatric trauma was 4.9%, and fall was the commonest mechanism of injury (67.1%). Ninety eight point eight percent had a revised trauma score of 12 while the injury severity score ranged from 1 to 15. Conclusion: Geriatric trauma is relatively common in our environment and efforts should be made to prevent falls in the elderly

Multiple dorsal carpometacarpal joint dislocation: case report

Carpometacarpal joint dislocation extending from the second to fifth metacarpal is a rare injury. It usually follows high energy trauma but may be seen in low energy trauma. The diagnosis can easily be missed because of severe swelling of the hand at presentation and overlapping of the bones on radiograph of the wrist and hand. The dorsal dislocation is the commonest pattern of injury. We present a case of right dorsal carpometacarpal joint dislocation. The diagnosis was made with radiograph of the right wrist. It was managed with closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation under image intensifier control. He had intensive physiotherapy and functional assessment was done using quick DASH score at regular interval on follow up. On the last follow up, 2 years later, the quick DASH score was 9.1%. The right hand was pain-free. A high index of suspicion and meticulous hand examination is important to avoid missed diagnosis of a carpometacarpal joint dislocation. Prompt reduction and fixation followed by intensive physiotherapy are necessary to achieve excellent hand function

Assessment of the Role of the Nigerian Police Force in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria

This article examines the role of the Nigerian Police Force in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. It discusses the concept of human rights under international and domestic law. It highlights the powers of the Nigerian Police Force under the Police Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and observes that although the police use discretion to support human rights, it is the abuse of the discretion and power that results in violation of human rights of citizens. This article identifies the rights most subjected to abuse by the police as the right to life, dignity of the human person, liberty, fair hearing, privacy and family life and analyzes some of the factors responsible for the ineffective performance of the police. As a result, the paper recommends a number of legal and institutional reforms to make the police force more effective in their duties and in the protection and promotion of the human rights of citizens. The article concludes, however, that the government should overhaul the entire police structure in Nigeria by implementing a community policing strategy across the country

Herbs and Spices: Options for Sustainable Animal Production

Herbs and spices and a host of other plant derivatives used in animal feeding as feed additives are referred to as phytogenic feed additives. This class of feed additives is increasingly gaining popularity in livestock production. A number of studies have demonstrated antioxidative and antimicrobial efficacy in vitro. Methane reducing effects of some herbs and spices in ruminants have also been reported. Studies show that some of these plant materials improved the palatability of feed. There are suggestions that they may specifically enhance activities of digestive enzymes and nutrient absorption. Experimental comparisons of these phytogenic additives with antibiotics and organic acids have suggested similar effects on the gut. This include reduced bacterial colony counts, fewer fermentation products, greater nutrient digestion and probably reflecting an overall improved gut equilibrium. In addition, some of the herbs and spices or their derivatives have been reported to promote intestinal mucus production. This effect may explain improved production performance after including these phytogenic feed additives. In general, available literature suggests that phytogenic feed additives such as herbs and spices may add to the set of non-antibiotic growth promoters for use in livestock like organic acids and probiotics. However, a systematic approach toward the efficacy and safety of phytogenic materials used as feed ingredients or additives is needed. There should also be studies to show the possible interaction of these plant materials with other feed ingredients in vivo. There is also the need to study herbs and spices which are indigenous to the tropics for their utilization in livestock production. Keywords: Herbs, Spices, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Phytogenic Feed Additive, Performance

Nanostructured Clay (NC) and the Stabilization of Lateritic Soil for Construction Purposes

The use of Nanostructured Clay additive in lateritic soil stabilization and their effect at different percentages on the natural soil was investigated. The preliminary tests on the soil showed it was an A-2-7 soil, according to AASHTO classification. The soil sample was also observed to be silty clayey sand and the general rating as a sub-grade material was ‘GOOD’. The consistency limits result shows that the value of the LL for the natural soil is 47% and 25.15% was recorded for the plastic limit (PL) and finally the PI was 21.85% i.e. highly plastic soil. Further, the effect of the addition of NC in the proportions of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% by weight of the stabilized Umuntu Olokoro lateritic soil was investigated. The consistency limits results showed that the addition of variable proportions of NC considerably improved the plasticity of the stabilized soil which gave 13.8%; a medium plastic material at 15% NC addition, compared to the preliminary result of 0% by weight additive which gave 21.85%; a highly plastic material. The strength properties’ test showed significant improvements with the addition of NC; CBR test result recorded 29% at 15% by weight proportion of NC which satisfies the material condition for use as sub-base material and the UCS test results similarly improved consistently and recorded a maximum UCS of 340.18kN/m2 at 15% by weight proportion of NC addition which satisfies “very stiff” material consistency for use as sub-base material. With the foregoing, the addition of various proportions of NC to the stabilized lateritic soil has presented to be a Geotechnical solution to the varied environmental failures on the road pavements. Hence NC satisfies all the material conditions for use as a sub-base material for the stabilization and improvement of the strength characteristics of lateritic soils. Finally, we call on the relevant agencies to use NC as an additive in stabilizing weak lateritic soils for use as either sub-grade or sub-base materials to save both cost and the structural failures on the roads in south eastern Nigeria. Keywords: Environmental Geotechnics; Pavement Geotechnics; Soil Stabilization; Weak Lateritic Soil; South Eastern Nigeria

Effects of Household Waste Generation, Disposal and Management on Farmers’ Health in Owerri Metropolis of IMO State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of household waste generation, disposal and management on farmers' health in Owerri metropolis. It specifically ascertained the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, identified the types and sources of waste in the study area, examined the waste disposal and management methods in the study area examined the effects of inappropriate waste disposal and ascertained the appropriate waste disposal methods used in the study area. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and eight farmers from the three Local Government Area in Owerri metropolis. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics tool such as mean, frequency, percentage, and mean scores. Results show that waste is majorly generated from markets and residential homes. Waste disposal methods were mainly burning, landfills and open dumping. Its effects includes destroys the beauty of the environment, blocks gutters and drainage system, pollutes the environment among others. Subsequently, appropriate waste disposal methods in the study area includes burning of waste (29.17%), placing of bins at appropriate places (16.07%). The study recommends amongst others that waste management environmental agency should make waste dumps or receptacles accessible to residents, public campaigns should be embarked upon to educate the citizens on ills of dirty environment

Influence of Household Factors on the Utilization of Improved Gari Processing Technology in Southeastern Nigeria

The influence of household faocftors on the use of improved gari processing technology developed by National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike in collaboration with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan was appraised amongfarmers in southeastern Nigeria. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and inten’iewed wit the aid of structured questionnaire. The findings showed that only 42.50% of the farmers utilized all practices that constituted the technology. Results of probit model analysis revealed that marital status, educational status, household size, number of household members assisting in gari processing, participation of all household members in decision making andfarmers’ years of experience in gariprocessing were the significant householdfactors influencing the use of the technology. There thus the need to promote and popularize thisose practices in the technology, which are not yet common amongfarmers. Again extension agents need to choose contact farmfamilies which are headed by married, educated andmiddle-agedfarmersfor quicker technology adoption anddissemination

Utilization Status of Improved Garri Processing Technology in South Eastern Nigeria

The improved garriprocessing technology collaboratively developed by International Institute Tropical Agriculture (Ibadan), andNational Root Crops Research Institute Umudike has been withfarmers South eastern Nigeriafor over two decades. This paper seeks to investigate the status of utilization of this technology which appears to be popular among farmers Nigeria. Thrionugh structured questionnaires, data were collected from 320 farmers randomly sampled from five out nine states that consotiftute the South east agro ecological zone. Data were analyzed with descriptive and Product-moment co-relation statistics. Analysis ofdata collected showed that the technology was in the medium level inofthuetilsiztuadtiyoanrea withmost farmers using two out offivepractices in the technology. Again, while majority offarmers utilized the grating machine (79.37%) and de-watering press (65.31%), less than halfof the farmers utilized the recommendedfermentationperiod(39.38%) whilefew utilized garri sieving machine (15.62%) and garrifrying tray (12.81%). Also a strong relationship existed between grating machine and de-watering press as well as between sieving machine and garrifrying tray. It was thus recommended that efforts should be made by extension agencies in the zone to promote andpopularize the advantage of processing technology over the traditional method as well as sensitize thefarmers on the dangers of inadequatefermentation ofgarri. Also Governments and non¬governmental organisations canfacilitate the adoption of the improved garriprocessing technology by establishing of prototypeprocessing centresforfarmers co-operative societies in the,rural areas. This will encouragefarmers to utilize the technology as recommended

Influence of Household Factors on the Utilization of Improved Gari Processing Technology in Southeastern Nigeria

The influence of household faocftors on the use of improved gari processing technology developed by National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike in collaboration with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan was appraised amongfarmers in southeastern Nigeria. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and inten’iewed wit the aid of structured questionnaire. The findings showed that only 42.50% of the farmers utilized all practices that constituted the technology. Results of probit model analysis revealed that marital status, educational status, household size, number of household members assisting in gari processing, participation of all household members in decision making andfarmers’ years of experience in gariprocessing were the significant householdfactors influencing the use of the technology. There thus the need to promote and popularize thisose practices in the technology, which are not yet common amongfarmers. Again extension agents need to choose contact farmfamilies which are headed by married, educated andmiddle-agedfarmersfor quicker technology adoption anddissemination

Utilization Status of Improved Garri Processing Technology in South Eastern Nigeria

The improved garriprocessing technology collaboratively developed by International Institute Tropical Agriculture (Ibadan), andNational Root Crops Research Institute Umudike has been withfarmers South eastern Nigeriafor over two decades. This paper seeks to investigate the status of utilization of this technology which appears to be popular among farmers Nigeria. Thrionugh structured questionnaires, data were collected from 320 farmers randomly sampled from five out nine states that consotiftute the South east agro ecological zone. Data were analyzed with descriptive and Product-moment co-relation statistics. Analysis ofdata collected showed that the technology was in the medium level inofthuetilsiztuadtiyoanrea withmost farmers using two out offivepractices in the technology. Again, while majority offarmers utilized the grating machine (79.37%) and de-watering press (65.31%), less than halfof the farmers utilized the recommendedfermentationperiod(39.38%) whilefew utilized garri sieving machine (15.62%) and garrifrying tray (12.81%). Also a strong relationship existed between grating machine and de-watering press as well as between sieving machine and garrifrying tray. It was thus recommended that efforts should be made by extension agencies in the zone to promote andpopularize the advantage of processing technology over the traditional method as well as sensitize thefarmers on the dangers of inadequatefermentation ofgarri. Also Governments and non¬governmental organisations canfacilitate the adoption of the improved garriprocessing technology by establishing of prototypeprocessing centresforfarmers co-operative societies in the,rural areas. This will encouragefarmers to utilize the technology as recommended