Preparation and use of plant medicines for farmers' health in Southwest Nigeria: socio-cultural, magico-religious and economic aspects

Agrarian rural dwellers in Nigeria produce about 95% of locally grown food commodities. The low accessibility to and affordability of orthodox medicine by rural dwellers and their need to keep healthy to be economically productive, have led to their dependence on traditional medicine. This paper posits an increasing acceptance of traditional medicine country-wide and advanced reasons for this trend. The fact that traditional medicine practitioners' concept of disease is on a wider plane vis-à-vis orthodox medicine practitioners' has culminated in some socio-cultural and magico-religious practices observed in preparation and use of plant medicines for farmers' health management. Possible scientific reasons were advanced for some of these practices to show the nexus between traditional medicine and orthodox medicine. The paper concludes that the psychological aspect of traditional medicine are reflected in its socio-cultural and magico-religious practices and suggests that government should fund research into traditional medicine to identify components of it that can be integrated into the national health system

Robots in education and care of children with developmental disabilities : a study on acceptance by experienced and future professionals

Research in the area of robotics has made available numerous possibilities for further innovation in the education of children, especially in the rehabilitation of those with learning difficulties and/or intellectual disabilities. Despite the scientific evidence, there is still a strong scepticism against the use of robots in the fields of education and care of people. Here we present a study on the acceptance of robots by experienced practitioners (specialized in the treatment of intellectual disabilities) and university students in psychology and education sciences (as future professionals). The aim is to examine the factors, through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, that may influence the decision to use a robot as an instrument in the practice. The overall results confirm the applicability of the model in the context of education and care of children, and suggest a positive attitude towards the use of the robot. The comparison highlights some scepticism among the practitioners, who perceive the robot as an expensive and limited tool, while students show a positive perception and a significantly higher willingness to use the robot. From this experience, we formulate the hypothesis that robots may be accepted if more integrated with standard rehabilitation protocols in a way that benefits can outweigh the costs

Incidence and risk factors for nerve injuries in mandibular third molar surgery

No Abstract

Association between Psychosocial Factors and Domains of Sexual Function among Men with Erectile Dysfunction

Background: Several psychosocial factors have been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) either as causative factors or complications of ED. These can disrupt intimate relationships, quality of life, and family dynamics. The aim of this study was to determine the association of psychosocial factors with the domains of sexual function in men with ED.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among men attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital between June and August 2018. Of the 901 men screened for ED with the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) tool, 310 participants were recruited. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used in collecting data which included sociodemographic characteristics. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) while the domains of sexual function were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15. Data analysis was carried out with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out and the level of significance was set at 5%Results: The median age of participants was 40 years with interquartile range of 32-49 years. The majority (231, 75%) were married, of whom 93% were in monogamous marriages. Increasing age was associated with decreasing erectile function scores (p=.005), while being in a polygamous marriage was associated with higher erectile function scores (p=.037). Lower orgasmic function was associated with depression (p=.005) and anxiety (p<.001).Conclusions: Our study indicates that age, number of sexual partners and anxiety are important determinants of sexual function, and a biopsychosocial domain specific approach should be considered in the management of ED especially in young and middle-aged men with lower risks of organic aetiology of ED. Keywords: Impotence, Sociodemographic characteristics, Depression, Anxiety, Stres

Assessment Of Immunoglobulin Levels In The Cause Of False Pass Rate In The Use Of Copper Sulphate (CuSO )4 As Pre-donation Screening Test

Click on the link to view the abstract.The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol 20 No 2 (July 2013

Ondontogenic tumours in Nigerian children and adolescents

No Abstrac

Developing a competency-based medical education curriculum for the core basic medical sciences in an African Medical School

Funmilayo Eniola Olopade,1 Oluwatosin Adekunle Adaramoye,2 Yinusa Raji,3 Abiodun Olubayo Fasola,4 Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa5 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Biochemistry, 3Department of Physiology, 4Department of Oral Pathology, 5Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract: The College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan recently revised its MBBS and BDS curricula to a competency-based medical education method of instruction. This paper reports the process of revising the methods of instruction and assessment in the core basic medical sciences directed at producing medical and dental graduates with a sound knowledge of the subjects sufficient for medical and dental practice and for future postgraduate efforts in the field or related disciplines. The health needs of the community and views of stakeholders in the Ibadan medical and dental schools were determined, and the “old” curriculum was reviewed. This process was directed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the old curricula and the newer competences required for modern-day medical/dental practice. The admission criteria and processes and the learning methods of the students were also studied. At the end of the review, an integrated, system-based, community-oriented, person-centered, and competency-driven curriculum was produced and approved for implementation. Four sets of students have been admitted into the curriculum. There have been challenges to the implementation process, but these have been overcome by continuous faculty development and reorientation programs for the nonteaching staff and students. Two sets of students have crossed over to the clinical school, and the consensus among the clinical teachers is that their knowledge and application of the basic medical sciences are satisfactory. The Ibadan medical and dental schools are implementing their competency-based medical education curricula successfully. The modifications to the teaching and assessment of the core basic medical science subjects have resulted in improved learning and performance at the final examinations. Keywords: competency-based medical education, curriculum revision, basic medical science, integratio

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among blood donors at Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: declining trends over a period of five years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transfusion-transmissible infectious agents such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis are among the greatest threats to blood safety for the recipient. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, risk factors and trends of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among blood donors over a period of five years at Gondar University Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective analysis of consecutive blood donors' records covering the period between January 2003 and December 2007 was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors associated with HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From the total of 6361 consecutive blood donors, 607 (9.5%) had serological evidence of infection with at least one pathogen and 50 (0.8%) had multiple infections. The overall seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis was 3.8%, 4.7%, 0.7%, and 1.3% respectively. Among those with multiple infections, the most common combinations were HIV - syphilis 19 (38%) and HIV - HBV 17 (34%). The seropositivity of HIV was significantly increased among female blood donors, first time donors, housewives, merchants, soldiers, drivers and construction workers. Significantly increased HBV seropositivity was observed among farmers, first time donors and age groups of 26 - 35 and 36 - 45 years. Similarly, the seroprevalence of syphilis was significantly increased among daily labourers and construction workers. Statistically significant association was observed between syphilis and HIV infections, and HCV and HIV infections. Moreover, significantly declining trends of HIV, HCV and syphilis seropositivity were observed over the study period.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A substantial percentage of the blood donors harbour HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections. Strict selection of blood donors and comprehensive screening of donors' blood using standard methods are highly recommended to ensure the safety of blood for recipient.</p