Mothers’ knowledge, perception and practice of childhood immunization in Enugu

Introduction: Immunization has been shown to be the most successful and cost-effective public health intervention in the 20th century. In the developing world, it does not only prevent about three million child deaths annually, but also has the potential to prevent additional two million deaths if coverage improves. However, immunization coverage has remained low in Nigeria although vaccines are provided relatively free by the government. Efforts have focused on the health worker, health system and logistics with little attention being paid to maternal factors like knowledge, perception, beliefs and practice.Objectives: To assess mothers’ knowledge, perception and practice of routine and campaign immunization in Enugu.Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 207 mothers who have at least one child less than 5 years of age, attending children outpatient and immunization clinics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.Results: Forty-eight per cent of the mothers had tertiary education, 42% had secondary education, and 9% had primary education while 1% had no formal education. Eighty-two per cent knew that children are immunized to prevent major killer diseases, 14% and 3.4% believed it was to prevent all diseases, and to treat diseases respectively. Most mothers took their children to health facilities for routine immunization (95.2%) and also accepted immunization on immunization campaign days (75.4%). However, 23.6% had never immunized their children during campaigns. On the other hand, 13% (27) of mothers had out-rightly rejected immunization during campaign while 85% (177) had never rejected immunization. The remaining 2% were not immunized due to reasons other than rejection. More mothers significantly rejected campaign immunization than the number that did not go for routine immunization (p=0.000). Maternal highest educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of reason for immunization and acceptance of immunization (p=0.000). Religious denomination was not significantly associated with rejection of campaign immunization (p=0.056).Conclusion: Most mothers studied had good knowledge and positive perception and practice of immunization. However, the Campaign immunization rejection rate was relatively high for the south eastern Nigeria where it is often assumed that non-compliance is not a problem. Similarly, the proportions of mothers with wrong knowledge and poor perception of immunization require policy attention. Maternal education was significantly associated with knowledge and acceptance of immunization. These findings are important in the design and implementation of childhood immunization programmes

Haematology and serum biochemistry of dogs naturally infected with canine parvovirus-2

Canine parvovirus is a deadly virus affecting the Canid family, causing virus-induced destruction of rapidly dividing haemopoietic precursor cells such as crypts of intestinal epithelial cells, thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow precursor cells, blood cells and cardiac cells leading to multi-organ dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to determine the haematological, serum biochemical and electrolytic changes associated with canine parvovirus (CPV) -2 infection. An immunochromatographic test was used to differentiate the virus-positive and negative dogs using faecal samples. One hundred and sixty whole blood and serum samples were collected from apparently healthy and CPV-2-positive dogs in Plateau State, Nigeria. Haematological, serum biochemical and electrolytic analyses were done using standard methods. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a student t-test. Significance was accepted at probability values of p < 0.05. The haematological effect of CPV-2 showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mean Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet count. In addition, the CPV-2 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, triglyceride and malondialdehyde, while the mean total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride and cholesterol significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the infected dogs. From the findings, CPV infection variably and significantly affected some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of infected dogs. Therefore, clinicians should endeavour to incorporate haematinics, haptatonics and immune-modulators during the management of canine parvoviral infection as supportive drugs with fluid therapy to improve the survivability of infected animals

Agglutination of red bloody cells by canine distemper virus

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (1) 2008: pp. 57-6

Traumatic hip dislocation; a South East Nigeria hospital experience

Background: Hip dislocation is a relatively common orthopaedic emergency. The hip is an inherently stable joint and substantial force is required for dislocation to occur. Thus hip dislocation is said to follow motor vehicle accidents with more than 90% of hip dislocations being posterior. Thompson and Epstein grade I and II are acknowledged to be the commonest grades of posterior hip dislocation. Method: This is a retrospective study involving all cases of traumatic hip dislocation seen at The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2009.The records of the patients were obtained and the relevant data extracted. The data was analyzed to determine the pattern and management of hip dislocations. Results: A total of 67 patients were seen and treated within the study period. There were 48(69.6%) males and 21(30.4%) females giving a male to female ratio of 2.3:1. The mean age was 36.4 ± 14.6 years. Posterior hip dislocation was seen in 92.9% of cases. Thompson and Epstein grade I and II were seen in 63% of cases. Interval to presentation was variable and ranged from <6 hours (39.1%), within 12 hours (44.9%), to >13 weeks (7.2%). Associated neurological injury was present in 5.7% of patients. The commonest form of treatment was closed reduction in 76.8% of patients. Associated injuries occurred in 53.6% of patients with fractures of other bones in 23.2%. Most (88.4%) traumatic hip dislocations followed motor vehicular accident. Conclusion: Traumatic hip dislocation occurs in our environment and posterior dislocations are the commonest form. Thompson and Epstein I and II are common. Late presentation is common in our environment but closed reduction is the form of treatment in most cases. Associated injuries are frequently seen

Physico-chemical, Energy, Minerals, Vitamins, and Sensory Properties of Wheatbased Biscuit Supplemented with African yam-bean, Cowpea, Pigeon pea, Wateryam, Cocoyam and Plantain flour

Objective: The paper examined the physico-chemical properties, energy, minerals and vitamins and sensory attributes of wheat-based biscuits supplemented with fermented flours. Materials and methods: The food materials were processed into flour and put in a polyethylene bag. The flour batches were subjected to natural fermentation in de-ionized water in the ratio of 1:3 (w/v) at 28 ± 20C for 24 hours. The fermented samples were dried at 55 ± 20C in a drought air oven, hammer milled into fine flour (70mm mesh screen) and stored in a refrigerator until used for the chemical analysis and production of biscuits. The blends were formulated thus: 70% wheat flour and legume, tuber; root and plantain contributed 25, 5, 3 and 2%, respectively. The control sample was 100% wheat flour. The biscuits were analyzed for physical, chemical, vitamin, energy, and sensory attributes using standard techniques Results: The test biscuits contained 14.26 - 16.20% protein, 70.06 -72.26% carbohydrate, 4.76 -6.40% ash, 1.88 - 2.18% fat, 6.10 – 7.02% fibre and 357.56 – 373.28 kilocalories. The mineral contents were moderate except for calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium that ranged from (74.20 – 77.10mg, 75.13 - 110.50mg, 170.20 -175.00mg and 720.00 -731.10mg, respectively). The vitamin contents were moderate. The physical properties of biscuit samples were comparable to that of the control except that fermentation decreased the weight and the width of the samples. Sensory evaluation results showed that the biscuits containing plantain were not significantly different (P≥ 0.05) from the 100% wheat flour biscuits. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that wheat-based biscuits supplemented with other food crops can produce biscuits that are organoleptically acceptable with a higher nutrient density than their 100% wheat biscuit counterparts. Keywords: Physical and sensory qualities, energy and nutrient composition, fermented composite flours, biscuit