Egg Production Potentials of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) Raised Under Three Management Systems in the Humid Tropics

Egg production potentials of Muscovy duck was evaluated in three management systems; semi-intensive management system (SI), intensive management system with wallow (IW) and intensive management system without wallow (IO). Sixty female Muscovy ducks were divided into three groups of 20 each on weight equalization basis. The groups were randomly assigned to three management systems in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. Each group was replicated and raised in deep litter compartments. Ducks in IW and IO were fed ad libitum while those in SI were fed same quantity and quality of feed on a restricted basis [morning (07.00 – 08.00hours) and evening (16.00 – 18.00hours)]. Ducks in intensive management systems came into lay significantly (P<0.05) earlier, (IO, 203 days and IW, 207 days) than ducks in semi-intensive management system (248 days). Eggs from ducks in IO and IW were significantly (P<0.05) heavier (76.35 and 76.27g, respectively) than eggs from those in SI. Clutch sizes were significantly (P<0.05) larger IO and IW (19 and 18.73 eggs, respectively) than SI (16.23 eggs). There was however, no significant difference (P>0.05) between ducks in IO and IW in all the parameters measured. Ducks in the intensive management systems (IO and IW) appear to exhibit better egg laying potentials than those on Semi intensive management system

Influence Of Sex On Growth And Carcass Traits Of Rabbits Fed Unpeeled Cassava Tuber Meal, Peeled Cassava Tuber Meal And Cassava Peel Meal As Energy Sources

The effects of sex on growth, haematology and carcass characteristics of rabbits fed unpeeled cassava tuber meal, peeled cassava tuber meal and cassava peel meal were investigated in a randomized complete block design using thirty two weaned rabbits aged 6 and 7 weeks. Four diets were formulated. Diet 1 (the control) contained 37% maize as the main energy source. Maize in diet 1 was replaced with unpeeled cassava tuber meal (UCTM), peeled cassava tuber meal (PCTM) and cassava peel meal (CPM) in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of eight (4 males and 4 females) weaned rabbits (NZW X Chinchilla). The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between sexes for all parameters examined. Dietary treatment effect was observed in growth performance as rabbits fed UCTM recorded significantly higher (P0.05) amongst treatments

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Private Medical Practitioners in Calabar towards Post-Abortion Care

This study examined the knowledge, attitude and practice of private medical practitioners in Calabar on abortion, post-abortion care and post-abortion family planning. Forty eight private practitioners who were proprietors of private clinics in the city were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that 22.9% of the doctors routinely terminate unwanted pregnancies when requested to do so by women, while 83.3% of them treat women who experience complications of unsafe abortion. The major reasons given by some of the doctors for not terminating unwanted pregnancies were religious, moral and ethical considerations rather than respect for the Nigerian abortion law. Only 18.2% of the doctors use standard procedures such as manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for the management of patients with abortion and abortion complications. A good number of them did not routinely practice integrated post-abortion family planning and STDs management. There is need for a comprehensive programme of retraining of private medical practitioners in Calabar on the principles and practices of safe abortion, post-abortion care and family planning. These aspects of reproductive health need to be integrated into the medical training curricula in Nigeria. It is believed that this approach would help reduce the present high rate of abortion-related morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2003; 7 [3]: 55–64) RÉSUMÉ Connaissance, attitude et pratique des praticiens médicaux privés à Calabar envers les soins post-avortements. Cette etude a examiné la connaissance, l'attitude et la pratique des praticiens médicaux privés à Calabar à l'égard de l'avortement, des soins de post-avortement et de la planifiction familiale du post-avortement. Nous avons interviewé 48 praticiens privés, propriétaires des cliniques privées dans la ville, à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré. Les résultats ont montré que 22,9% des médecins interrompent systématiquement des grossesses non-désirées quand les femmes le demandent alors que 83,3% d'eux soignent les femmes qui ont des complications des avortements dangereux. Les raisons principales données par certains médecins pour lesquelles ils interrompent les grossesses non-desirées étaient plutôt plus pour des considerations religieuses et morales que pour le respect pour la loi nigériane sur l'avortement. Seuls 18,2% emploient des procedures normales telle l'aspiration pneumatique manuelle (APM) pour le traitement des patients qui ont des problèmes de l'avortement et des complications de l'avortement. Bon nombre d'eux ne pratiquent pas systématiquement la planification familiale du post-avortement intégré et du traitement des MSTs. Il faut un programme compréhensif du stage de recyclage des praticiens privés à Calabar sur les principes et les pratiques de l'avortement sans risque, les soins post-avortement et la planification familiale. Ces aspects de la santé reproductive doivent être intégrés dans le programme de la formation médicale au Nigéria. Nous espérons que cette approche aidera à réduire le présent taux élevé de la morbidité et de la mortalité lié à l'avortement au Nigéria. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2003; 7[3]: 55–64) KEY WORDS: Private medical practitioners, abortion, family planning, sexually transmitted infection

Effect of different combination levels of palm kernel cake, yam peel and plantain peel meals as partial replacement for maize in broiler starter diets.

Ninety six unsexed day old Marshall broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups of 3replicates each on weight equalization basis (42.87 – 43.24g). The chicks were usedto determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with combinations of palmkernel cake (PKC), yam peel meal (YPM) and plantain peel meal (PPM) in broilerstarter diets. Four broiler starter diets were formulated such that diet T1 (control)contained 54% maize. Diets T2, T3 and T4 contained PKC, YPM and PPM in theratios, 1:1:2, 1: 2:1 and 1: 1: 2 replacing 50% of maize. The chick groups were eachrandomly assigned to one of the experimental broiler starter diets in a completelyrandomised design (CRD) experiment. The feed and water were offered ad libitum.Results indicated that birds on diet T4 recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher(861.63g) body weight gain than those on other diets. Feed intake followed similartrend with birds on diet T1 recording significantly (p<0.05) lower (1564.63g) valuethan other groups. Feed conversion ratio was comparable (p>0.05) for all groupswhile feed cost savings relative to the control diet ranged from 23.51 – 24.51%. Birdson diets T4 recorded the lowest feed cost per kg body weight gain. It is concluded thatcombinations of PKC, YPM and PPM could safely replace 50% of maize in broilerstarter diet with 1: 1: 2 combination ratio producing a superior performance.Key Words: Combinations, Palm kernel cake, Yam peel, Plantain peel, Broiler

Effect Of Different Levels Of Raw Tropical Legumes On Selected Serum Biochemical Parameters Of Cockerels

Blood samples from matured cockerels fed various levels of different tropical legumes were analysed for some biochemical properties. These legumes include Jack Beans (JB), Benniseed (BN) and Bambara nut (BM) which were used as supplement to soya bean meal at 25% and 50% each in a six weeks feeding trial. Total protein of cockerels in all treatments did not differ significantly (P>0.05) being 3.843g/dl (control), 3.802g/dl (25% JB),3.627g/dl (50% JB), 3.770g/dl (25% BM), 3.595g/dl (50% BM), 3.990g/dl (25% BN) and 3.858g/dl (50% BN). Serum albumen ranged between 1.518g/dl and 1.678g/dl while serum globulins ranged between 2.170g/dl and2.340g/dl. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the seven groups of cockerels in respect to these parameters. Supplementation of soya beans with jack beans, benniseed and bambara nut at 25% and 50% was notdeleterious to matured cockerels considering these parameters

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899. FINDINGS: Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0). INTERPRETATION: Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.Medical Research Council of South Africa