Foliar epidermal and phytochemical studies of the grasses Cymbopogon citratus (stapf.), Axonopus compressus (P. Beauv.) and Eragrostis tremula (S. W. Beauv) in Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria.

This study presents investigations into the epidermal and phytochemical features of Eragrostis tremula (S.W.Beauv.), Cymbopogon citratus (Stapf.) and Axonopus compressus (P.Beauv.). Epidermal features of the different species in the three genera showed slight differences for both the adaxial and abaxial parts with respect to prickles, papillae, macro hairs and micro hairs. Long cells, short cells, stomata and silica bodies are almost universally present in all the three species. With respect to their phytochemical characteristic, Cymbopogon citratus tested positive for alkaloid, saponin, inulin, cellulose, tannin and lignin; Eragrostis tremula tested negative for lignin and positive for cellulose, saponin and alkaloids while Axonopus compressus tested negative for lignin, but positive for alkaloid, saponin, inulin, cellulose and tannin respectively. Leaf epidermal studies help to determine patterns of variation in plant species thus helping in our knowledge of such species. It is useful in determining their different morphological, epidermal and phytochemical characteristics thus helping in the assessment of its values in species identification, classification and in establishing a taxonomic relationship between different species being studied. Keywords: Foliar, epidermal, phytochemical, genera, biosystematics

Health Care Seeking Behavior among Caregivers of Sick Children Who Had Cerebral Malaria in Northwestern Nigeria

Cerebral malaria is a significant cause of childhood morbidity in our region. The challenges of effective management include time and quality of treatment. The study appraised the health care seeking behavior of caregivers of sick children who developed cerebral malaria, in Zaria, northwestern Nigeria. Caregivers indentified were parents 29 (87.9%) and grandparents 4 (12.1%). Most of them were in the upper social classes. Health care options utilized before presentation at our facility were formal health facility 24 (72.7%), patent medicine seller 12 (36.4%), home treatment 10 (30.3%), and herbal concoction 6 (18.2%) with majority 24 (72.7%) using more than one option. Antimalarial therapy was instituted in 25 (75.6%) of the cases. Mortality was significantly associated with the use of herbal concoction, treatment at a formal health facility and patent medicine seller, multiple convulsions, age less than 5 years, and noninstitution of antimalarial therapy before presentation. The study showed use of inappropriate health care options by caregivers and highlighted the need to pursue an awareness drive among caregivers on the use of health care options

Care of the Child with Special Health Care Needs: A Report on 2 Nigerian Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Care of the child with special health care needs is gradually becoming a significant public health issue. To identify what these special health care needs are in our environment, 2 children presenting with clinical features of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy were studied. This crippling neuromuscular disorder has no cure at the moment and death is common in the 2nd decade of life. Issues concerning health care identified in this study included poor growth and development of the children, over dependence on family members for care, limited resources available to these families and very scarce community support. Establishment of a special health care needs department, to provide coordinated and comprehensive services, is advocated in our health care delivery system. Keywords: Special Health Care Needs, Muscular Dystrophy Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 29-3