Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of mistletoes (Viscum album) from cocoa and cashew trees in Nigeria

Methanolic extracts of Viscum album leaves from two hosts (cocoa and cashew trees) were subjected to antioxidant assay. V. album from cocoa tree had higher total phenol content (182 mg/100 g) as against that of cashew tree (160 mg/100 g). The result of the study also revealed that the ferric reducing ability, free radical scavenging ability as well as the Fe2+ chelation of the extracts were all dosedependent (0 – 1.0 mg/ml). V. album from cocoa tree had significantly higher ferric reducing and free radical scavenging ability than that from cashew tree, while V. album from cashew tree had significant higher Fe2+ chelating ability than V. album from cocoa tree. Although both methanolic extracts showed promise as a good antioxidant source, the total phenol content and the antioxidant capacity pattern of the two extracts suggest host dependency while the possible antioxidant mechanism of action is by reducing ability, free radical scavenging ability and chelation of Fe2+, a major catalyst in lipid peroxidation

Prescriptions involving analgesic drugs at a secondary health facility in Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction: Pain is a cardinal feature of inflammation and is responsible for majority of hospital visits. The non-opioid analgesics possess antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity and thus are often employed for such purpose of controlling inflammation as well as antipyretic. The non-opioid analgesics are freely available devoid of causing dependence but their potential harmful effects can sometimes be serious. The needfor rational drug use is paramount and requires evaluation of physicians practice to serve as basis for continue medical education.Methods: A retrospective assessment of pattern of prescription at a secondary health facility owned by one of the 36 states of the federation of Nigeria. The age, sex, the drugs prescribed per patient were recorded and prescriptions involving analgesics were further analyzed. Proportions were compared using X2 and statistical significance was set at

Efficacy of Artesunate plus Cotrimoxazole and Artesunate-Pyrimethamine-Sulphadoxine combination in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitaemia

No Abstract.Nigerian Medical Journal Vol. 46 (4) 2005: pp.83-8

Knowledge, non-use, use and source of information on contraceptive methods among women in various stages of reproductive age in rural Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Bamgboye M Afolabi,1 Emmanuel NU Ezedinachi,2 Iwara Arikpo,2 Abiodun Ogunwale,3 Damilola Fatimah Ganiyu,1 Rashidat A Abu,1 Adewunmi A Ajibade1 1Health, Environment and Development Foundation, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria; 2Institute of Tropical Disease and Research, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; 3Project Hope, Washington, DC, USA Background: Contraceptives are advocated to be used against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as unsafe abortion contributes to high maternal mortality in Nigeria while unwanted pregnancies have terminated the educational development of many females. Objective: This questionnaire-based survey aimed to describe the knowledge, nonuse, and use of various contraceptive methods among women in different child-bearing age groups in rural Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and methods: Between 2012 and 2013, 816 females in rural communities within Lagos State were surveyed for their knowledge, source of information, and use of contraceptives. They were grouped into early, mid, and late reproductive age. Statistical analysis of data harvested from respondents was carried out using STATA 13 software. Results: In all, 816 females in different stages of reproductive age were involved in the study, among whom 19% were single, 78% married, 3% divorced, and 0.5% widowed. About 6% had no formal education, while the majority (81%) were of the Yoruba ethnic group. Married respondents were approximately thrice more likely to know of contraceptives than single respondents (χ2=29.9, P=0.000, odds ratio =2.9, 95% confidence interval =1.9, 4.2). Condom use was the most widely known and used method of contraceptive regardless of marital status and reproductive age status. Information about contraceptives was mainly from health facilities among married and divorced women and from school or educational institution among singles. Overall prevalence of contraceptive use was 51.9%. Nonuse of contraceptives was 43% among married women and 67% among singles. Knowledge of contraceptive method was negatively associated with marital status (t=-2.24, P=0.025) but positively associated with source of information on contraceptives (t=20.00, P=0.000). Use of contraceptives was positively associated with stage of reproductive age (t=1.94, P=0.05) and source of information on contraceptives (t=11.22, P=0.000), but negatively associated with marital status (t=-2.79, P=0.005) and religious belief (t=-1.89, P=0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge and use or nonuse of contraceptives could be pivotal in designing adequate prenatal care to prevent unwanted pregnancy and consequently illegal abortion or possible adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and conditions such as small for gestational age. Data from this study can also be used to design penetrating health education on making pregnancy safer or living a healthy female reproductive life. Keywords: knowledge, nonuse, use, source of information, contraceptive methods, reproductive age, rural Lagos, Nigeri