HIV/AIDS awareness among secondary school youths in Port Harcourt, rivers state, Nigeria

This is a questionnaire survey designed to determine the HIV/AIDS awareness among some secondary school youths in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study sample consisted of 650 pupils from six secondary schools. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about their personal background, sexual history, awareness of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The mean age of the students was 15 years. The results indicated that 99% of the pupils examined were aware of HIV/AIDS. Their sources of information were: the news media (35%), school (26%), personal communication (13%) and others (8%). On their modes of transmission and symptoms of AIDS, 77% and 52% respectively, answered correctly. Of those who are presently sexually active, 26% do not use condoms, yet only 6% thought they were at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Though only 27% of the participants accepted that their level of awareness had affected their sexual behaviours, it appears that students are now exercising caution in starting new relationship, e.g. 24% will insist on the use of a condom, 21% will be interested in finding out the number of previous partners of an intending partner and 26% will insist on abstinence. It was recorded that 29% will insist on a monogamous relationship. It is frightening, that they are unable to assess, correctly, their level of risk. This puts them at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Beyond efforts to spread awareness all interested bodies e.g. Government, teachers, Non Governmental Organizations, media should plan regular programmes to assess the level of success of existing interventions. As the ultimate aim is that pupils are able to develop consistent behaviours that enable them choose safe sexual practices.KEY WORDS: HIV /AIDS, Awareness, Secondary School, Port-Harcourt

The current susceptibility pattern of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics in Port Harcourt

The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from in-patients and out-patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) was studied. Fifty, S. aureus organisms were isolated from routine clinical specimens such as high vaginal, wound, urethral and ear swabs. The organisms were identified morphologically and biochemically by standard laboratory procedures. MRSA screening was performed using oxacillin disc diffusion test and the effects of five antibiotics against the 50 S. aureus isolates were investigated. Eighteen (36%) of the isolates were methicillin (oxacillin) resistant, of these 12 (24%) were from inpatients and 6 (12%) were from out patients. Eighty percent (80%) of the isolates were susceptible to Augumentin, 78% to Ceftriaxone, 58% to Ceftazidime, 92% to Aprofloxacin, 94% to Vancomycin and 64% to Oxacilin. There is an emerging trend of vancomycin resistance among S. aureus isolates from UPTH

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in students of University of Port Harcourt Demonstration Secondary School

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among the students of University of Port Harcourt Demonstration, Secondary School. Urine samples were collected from 50 males and 50 females. The samples were cultured on CLED and MacConkey agar. Growth was observed in 89 (89%) of the samples while there was no growth in 11 (11%) of the samples. Of the 89 samples with growth 59 (66%) had no significant bacteriuria, 10 (11%) had significant growth and 20 (22%) had mixed culture growth. Prevalence of significant asymptomatic bacteriuria was higher in females 6 (60%) than males 4 (40%). The organisms isolated were S. aureus; S. epidermidis; E. coli; Pseudomonas spp and Proteus spp. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates was also determined. @ JASE

Generation of a Xenopsin-immunoreactive peptide by pepsinization of bovine milk

This study was carried out to examine the possible generation of a Xenopsin immunoreactive peptide by pepsinisation of bovine milk. Bovine milk, trypsinised and pepsinised bovine milk, were all assayed for Xenopsin immunoreactivity (XP-IR). XP-IR was present only in pepsinised bovine milk Analysis of pepsinised bovine milk by gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, both resolved a single peak of immunoreactivity with identical chromatographic characteristic to synthetic Xenopsin. These data indicate the generation of a Xenopsin immunoreactive peptide by the action of pepsin on a putative precursor(s), present in bovine milk. The acidic environment of the gastric lumen provides the suitable conditions required for this process. It is possible that this peptide, thus generated, might play a part in the switching off of the gastric induced gastric acid release which occurs in the stomach and also in the release of antral gastrin and pancreatic peptides, glucagon, insulin and pancreatic polypeptide. These two mechanisms are of great significance in the infant whose sole diet consists of milk. Key Words: Xenopsin,pepsinisation, bovine milk. (Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 8(4): 441-446

Sensory Evaluation and Proximate Analysis of African Yam Bean ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa Harms) moimoi

A moimoi-like dish, similar to the very popular steamed cowpea dish, was produced from the African Yam Bean (AYB). The AYB moimoi was compared with cowpea and soybean moimoi by a panel of eight (8) judges. The samples were compared for taste, colour, aroma texture and overall acceptability. For texture, aroma and overall acceptability, cowpea moimoi ranked highest followed by AYB moimoi and lastly soybean moimoi. Colour wise, AYB moimoi was preferred over cowpea moimoi followed by soybean moimoi. Texture wise, AYB and cowpea were scored equally followed by soybean moimoi. Proximate analysis of the product revealed total carbohydrate content of 40.8%, crude protein 18.4%, Ash, 7.1%, crude fibre 8.3%, crude fat 25.4% and moisture content, 20%. @JASE

Prevalence of Bacteria in Diabetics and Non-Diabetics

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bacteriuria in diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Diabetic Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter. A total of 257 (132 diabetic and 125 non-diabetic) mid-stream urine samples were collected and cultured on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar medium using the standard wire loop technique. Forty-nine (37.2%) of the non-diabetics had significant bacteriuria. Among diabetics 32 (65.31%) females and 17 (34.69%) males had significant bacteriuria while 15 (68.25%) females and 7 (31.75%) males in non-diabetics had significant bacteriuria .In both groups studied, the incidence of significant bacteriuria was highest in the age range of 18-39 years for both groups, 55.11% in the diabetics and 68.25% in non-diabetics. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated bacteria in the two groups, statistical analysis showed a significant prevalence of bacteriuria in diabetics compared with non-diabetics (

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in students of University of Port Harcourt Demonstration Secondary School

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among the students of University of Port Harcourt Demonstration, Secondary School. Urine samples were collected from 50 males and 50 females. The samples were cultured on CLED and MacConkey agar. Growth was observed in 89 (89%) of the samples while there was no growth in 11 (11%) of the samples. Of the 89 samples with growth 59 (66%) had no significant bacteriuria, 10 (11%) had significant growth and 20 (22%) had mixed culture growth. Prevalence of significant asymptomatic bacteriuria was higher in females 6 (60%) than males 4 (40%). The organisms isolated were S. aureus; S. epidermidis; E. coli; Pseudomonas spp and Proteus spp. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates was also determined. @ JASE