Appraisal of the inherent socio-demographic dynamics of HIV/AIDS epidemic in four districts of South-Western Uganda

Although HIV prevalence in Uganda is much lower than it once was, AIDS is still claiming many lives each year with clear signs of escalating rural epidemics. The objective of this study was to appraise the socio-economic and demographic dynamics of HIV/AIDS epidemic in South-Western Uganda. Data were collected with standard closed ended semi-structured questionnaires self-administered to consenting, 605 HIV/AIDS patients, selected using the multistage random sampling technique, logistic linear regression, randomized block design and Pearson’s Chi square test (á=0.01) were used to analyse the data obtained. The duration of carriage was inversely proportional (r=-0.94) to population of HIV/AIDS patients surveyed. There were 98.2% Bantu (55.5% Banyankole and 22.6% Baganda); 77.5% females and 22.5% males; more widows (38.0%) than married (35.5%). HIV/AIDS prevalence generally decreased with increasinglevel of education. The highest (66.7%) HIV/AIDS prevalence was recorded in Bushenyi, followed by 58.4% in Masaka, 57.9% in Mbarara and 53.3% in Rukungiri. Rukungiri patients above 60 years of age harboured 57.1% HIV/AIDS followed by 45.5% among Masaka patients aged 11 - 20 years and 40% among Mbarara patients less than 10 years of age. HIV/AIDS prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) dependent on socio-economic and demographic factors of surveyed population. Therefore socio-economic and demographic factors underlie HIV/AIDS prevalence in this region. Observed differences in prevalence of HIV/AIDS between the surveyed districts wereremarkable and warrant regular surveillance for updated disease  epidemiology. Education can debunk the generally misconstrued rolesof social, economic and demographic factors in the spread of HIV/AIDS

Histological changes in the testis of rats treated with Alomo Bitter

Considering the increasing demand for herbal aphrodisiacs, this study investigates the effect of Alomo bitters on thehistology of testis in adult rats. 36 male rats of comparable weight (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) and sizes were involved inthis study. The animals were assigned into four groups; a control group (A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A received growers mash and water, while test groups B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 representing  experimental durations of 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively; received growers mash and graded doses of  Alomo bitters (7.5, 15, 22.5ml) daily. Histologiclly, micrographs from the test groups presented changes that  included interstitial space exudates, cellular pyknosis cellular degeneration, cell population reduction, and  vacuolations. These changes were dosage-duration dependent suggesting that Alomo bitters can induce testicular damage and by implication, infertility in males. Thus, there is an urgent need to regulate the consumption of Alomo bitters as well as other herbal products considered to possess aphrodisiac potentials.Keywords: Alomo-bitters, Herbs, Male, Testis, Histology

A study on the effect of Mondia Whitei on organ and body weight of wistar rats

This study investigates the effect of Mondia whitei on body and organ weights. The sixteen Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) involved in the study were divided into four groups; a control (Group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash), while groups B-D (test) received graded levels of Mondia whitei (4.5; 9.0 and 13.5g respectively) mixed with growers mash per ration of feed daily. Comparatively, the results showed that body weight gain was highest in the control group (22.40 ± 11.21g) and lowest in test group C (17.86 ± 7.84g). Also, a non-significant variation in organ-weight was observed for the testis. The observed changes on body weight and weights of the liver, kidney and testis were dosage and duration dependent. Thus, Mondia whitei may be important in weight management considering its effect on body weight. However, further investigations are required in this regard.Key Words: Mondia whitei, Herbs, Weight, Obesity, Public Health issue

Evaluation of multi-drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum in Abuja, Nigeria

An in vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine was investigated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Nigeria. The standardWHO in vitro micro test methodology was used in the study. Of the 18 isolates evaluated, 16 (88.9%) were resistant to chloroquine with median IC50 of 0.06 µmol/l of blood; 5 (27.7%) resistant to quinine with median IC50 of 4.7 µmol/l of blood; and 6 (33.3%) were resistant to monodesethylamodiaquine withmedian IC50 of 0.14 µmol/l. The outcome of the evaluation of multi-drug resistant strains of P. falciparum was amazing. Five isolates (isolates 1, 6, 10, 14 and 16) representing 27.7 % of the isolates were resistant to both chloroquine and quinine. Six isolates (isolates 2, 6, 10, 14, 16 and 18) representing 33.3 % of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine andmonodesethylamodiaquine. Four isolates (isolates 6, 10, 14, and 16) representing 22.2 % of the isolates were resistant to quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine. While four of the isolates (isolates 6, 10, 14, and 16) representing 22.2% of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine, quinine and monodesethylamodiaquine. In conclusion, though reports on multi-drug resistance are scanty in our environment, our research has shown that there is actually P. falciparum strains that are resistant to otherantimalarial drugs apart from chloroquine

Platelet and factor threee availability among Nigerian pregnant women

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 4 (3) 2008: pp. 191-19