Seroprevalence of Human Immunodifficiency Virus (HIV) amongst inmates of Kaduna prison, Nigeria

A cross sectional period prevalence study was carried out amongst inmates of Convict Prison, Kaduna Nigeria to determine their HIV status and provide baseline data. Out of the 100 samples collected, 12 (12 %) were positive for HIV with the highest proportion (41.7 %) occurring in the 20-29 yrs age bracket and lowest prevalence of 8.3% in younger inmates below 20 yrs and those above 50 yrs. Infection was detected in both sexes, but was greater in males (91.7%). The mean age of the inmates was 32 yrs, with a range 18-59yrs and sex ratio of 49:1 (male: female). The adoption of HIV counseling and screening (at the point of entering, incarceration and exit) is recommended. Provision of specific HIV/AIDS preventive measures, care and treatment should be part of routine medical practice for inmates irrespective of the diagnosis at presentation. Key words: HIV seroprevalence, Convict Prison inmates, baseline data, Kaduna Nigeri

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in Minna, Nigeria

A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted amongst 261 pregnant women attending ante natal clinic at General hospital, Minna, Nigeria to determine the social characteristics and seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The mean age of the respondents was 25years. Thirty two (12.3%) of the 261 blood samples tested positive for HBV. Of the the +ve cases, 13.6% were in the second trimester of their pregnancy and 60% within the age brackets of 21-30 years. Illiterate women constituted 15.9% of those sampled while civil servants were 13.6%. Testing for HBsAg is recommended for all pregnant women at first prenatal visit so that positive mothers receive prompt intervention. Key words: HBV, epidemiology, pregnant women, antenatal clinic, Minna, Nigeri

Comparative Study of Patients' Adherence between Hospital-based and Communitybased Treatment for Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Kaduna State,

Background: Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) epidemic is threatening the global control of TB. It is driven by the programme, health system  and patient related factors. This study aimed at comparing the level of adherence to treatment among MDR-TB patients treated in hospital-based and  community-based models of care. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019 with mixed methods of data collection. The study population were 360 MDR-  TB patients treated in hospital-based and community-based facilities in Kaduna between 2013 and 2018. Questionnaire, FGD and KII guides respectively  were the quantitative and qualitative data collection tools used. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used to analyze the  quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for analysing qualitative data. The quantitative results were presented in descriptive statistics with  level of significance set at p<0.05 and the qualitative results were presented as prose. Results: The majority were males in the community-based 135 (71.8%) and the hospital-based model 126 (73.3%), with median (IQR) ages of 33 (27-40)  years and 34 (27-43) years respectively. Adherence to treatment was significantly higher among patients in hospital-based (64%) compared to  community-based (36%), (p 0.001). Availability of family and community support encourages adherence while lack of food supplies, dissatisfaction with  services and drug side effects were factors against adherence to treatment. Treatment success rate was similar in both models. Conclusion: Adherence was better among patients initiated on treatment in the hospital-based model. Adherence should be strengthened in the  community-based model by regular counselling and health education

Anti-diabetic Properties and Phytochemical Studies of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Murraya Koenigii and Telfairia Occidentalis on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

The antidiabetic properties and phytochemical studies of fractions of ethanolic leaf extract (400mg/Kgb.w) of Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii) and Telfairia occidentalis (T. occidentalis) was carried out on alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. Four and three fractions were obtained from M. koenigii and T. occidentalis extract respectively using column chromatography. Phytochemical screening of each fraction, indicate the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The alloxan induced diabetic rats were treated with fractions of the extract, and fraction 1 and 2 of M. koenigii and T. occidentalis respectively which decreased blood glucose level significantly (p<0.05) by 72% and 78% respectively when compared within the group and showed no significant different when compared to normal control group. All treated groups showed no significant changes (p<0.05) in their body weight with the exception of groups treated with 3rd fractions of M. koenigii and T. occidentalis. Spectroscopic studies indicated the presence of  biological active compound in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fractions of M. koenigii that absorbed maximally at 200-350nm and the 4th fraction showed absorption maximally at 270nm and 290nm; while the 1st fraction of T. occidentalis absorbed maximally at 320nm, 2nd fraction at 290nm and 340nm and 3rd fraction at 320nm and 350nm.  The 1st fraction of M. koenigii and 2nd fraction of T. occidentalis showed high antidiabetic properties at  λ max 320nm and 340nm respectively. Our findings certainly suggest among others the use of plants as a source of  potentially useful antidiabetic therapy for diabetics. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Antidiabetic components, Telfairia occidentalis and Murraya koenigi

The trends in temperature and solar irradiance for Zaria, north western, Nigeria, between 1986 and 2015

This work presents a statistical analysis of the trends in temperature and solar irradiance for Zaria between 1986 and 2015, using average temperature and solar irradiance data. Analysis showed that the average monthly temperature of the first decade was hotter than that of the second decade by 1.20.% and the third decade was hotter than that of the second by 3.22%, and an increase of 2.05% in the average monthly temperature was observed between first and the third decade. The average minimum temperature of the second decade was observed to be higher than that of the first decade by 0.80% and the third decade had an increase of 1.07% over the second decade; hence, a difference of 1.87% was observed between the first decade and the third decade. Furthermore, the solar irradiance of the second decade was observed to increase by 25.69% over the first decade, while that of the third decade was observed to reduce by 17.81% over the second decade. A difference of the solar irradiance of 12.45% was observed between the first and the third decade. It was also observed that the years; 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2013 had the highest maximum annual temperature; while the years: 1993, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2015 had highest minimum temperature. The result of the analysis shows that Zaria is gradually getting warm and the temperature rise is connected to the solar irradiance in line with the general global trend thereby leading to the global warming concept.Keywords: Trend, Temperature, Solar Irradiance, Zari

Knowledge, attitude and practice of safety measures among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Cooking gas refill attendants play important role in the use of gas in Zaria. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and safety measure practices among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted in January, 2019 among cooking gas refill attendants using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and checklist. It was a whole-population study of 121 participants. The data was collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) software version 1.21.1 installed in an android device and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results were summarized and presented in tables and charts; p value was set at < 0.05 for statistical significance. Majority (79.6%) of the respondents were within the productive age group of 25 to 44 years with median age 36 years, married (57.9%) and more than half (52.1%) of the respondents had secondary education and all respondents were males. The overall scores for knowledge, attitudes and safety practices were 81.0%, 90.1% and 75.2% respectively but with various deficiencies. Those that attended training were 78.0%. Finding from the checklist showed that 5.8% of the inspected fire extinguishers were expired. The respondents’ knowledge, attitude and safety measures practices were associated with level of education, age and ethnicity. Majority of the gas refill attendants had good knowledge, attitude and safety measure practice, however, with some deficiencies. There is need for training and supervision to ensure use of personal protective equipment and replacement of the expired fire extinguishers

Climate Change Awareness and related Tree Planting Practices in a Rural Community in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Tree cutting is one of the causes of climate change and a common practice in Africa, a continent under significant threat from climate change. Therefore, climate change awareness and mitigation are vital to reducing its impacts in the region. Reforestation through planting of trees is an important carbon emission reduction strategy. This study assessed climate change awareness and related tree planting practices among household heads in a Nigerian rural community.Methods: A community-based descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019 among all household heads in Nasarawan Buhari community. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the 104 household heads (or their representatives). Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 21.0) and statistical significance was set at p value of < 0.05.Results: The mean age of respondents was 40.6±12.6 years, and most of them (87.5%) were males. Half (50.0%) were aware of climate change, and their main source of information was radio (63.5%). Most (98.1%) used fire wood for cooking. Only a minority (27.9%) planted at least a tree in the year preceding the study. There was a statistically significant association between climate change awareness and occupation (p=0.038) but not with tree planting (p=0.827).Conclusion: The results indicated that only half of respondents were aware of climate change. There was high use of wood as cooking fuel with low tree planting. Tree planting was not associated with climate change awareness. There is therefore a need for continuous climate change education and mitigation campaign in the community

Awareness of risk to indoor air pollutants among computers and photocopiers business operators in Nigerian tertiary institutions

This study assesses awareness of risk to indoor air pollutants among computers and photocopiers operators in business centres of Nigerian tertiary institutions. Tertiary institutions in Nigeria are characterized by different businesses due to influx of students and level of academic activities. These businesses require constant supply of electricity which is not obtainable in most Nigerian cities due to the epileptic power supply from the national grid. This has influenced the operators to privately own and generate electricity to facilitate the businesses. Improper use and siting of these generators affects the quality of the indoor air and health of both the users and students who spent most time indoor. One hundred (100) questionnaires were administered to the business operators in selected tertiary institutions to seek their level of awareness to risk exposure to indoor air pollutants in the business premises. The results from this study show that there is massive (93.33%) use of electric power generator and high level of risk awareness (98.75%) amidst the operators. About 50% of the shops have no opening for ventilation. The study also reveal docile attitude of the operators on the risk associated with the generator indoor pollution. The study recommends the enforcement by appropriate regulatory body on shop owners to provide adequate openings (windows) for ventilation in the shops. The use of central electric power generating plant should be encouraged for all the business centres. There should be public enlightenment on adherence to safe generator distance, use of protective devices and frequent medical checkup should be intensified. As a matter of urgency, the government and the relevant bodies should address the issues of the national electric power supply

Assessment of IRI and IRI-Plas models over the African equatorial and low-latitude region

A reliable ionospheric specification by empirical models is important to mitigate the effects of the ionosphere on the operations of satellite-based positioning and navigation systems. This study evaluates the capability of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) and IRI extended to the plasmasphere (IRI-Plas) models in predicting the total electron content (TEC) over stations located in the southern hemisphere of the African equatorial and low-latitude region. TEC derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements were compared with TEC predicted by both the IRI-Plas 2015 model and the three topside options of the IRI 2012 model (i.e., NeQuick (NeQ), IRI 2001 corrected factor (IRI-01 Corr), and the IRI 2001(IRI-01)). Generally, the diurnal and the seasonal structures of modeled TEC follow quite well with the observed TEC in all the stations, although with some upward and downward offsets observed during the daytime and nighttime. The prediction errors of both models exhibit latitudinal variation and these showed seasonal trends. The values generally decrease with increase in latitude. The TEC data-model divergence of both models is most significant at stations in the equatorial region during the daytime and nighttime. Conversely, both models demonstrate most pronounced convergence during the nighttime at stations outside the equatorial region. The IRI-Plas model, in general, performed better in months and seasons when the three options of the IRI model underestimate TEC. Factors such as the height limitation of the IRI model, the inaccurate predictions of the bottomside and topside electron density profiles were used to explain the data-model discrepancies

Maternal care practices and health-seeking behaviour for neonatal jaundice in Basawa Community, Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition that occurs in newborns which is preventable and also easily treatable. However, delay in the presentation of infants with jaundice at the hospital is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the care practices and health-seeking behaviour for Neonatal Jaundice among mothers in Basawa community Zaria. The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in January 2017 among mothers aged 15–49 years. One hundred and seventy-two structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 21. The mean age of respondents was 34 ± 7.0 years, the main sources of information of respondents about NNJ were relatives (35%) and hospital staff (33.1%). Thirty percent of respondents stated that antenatal care is a preventive practice against neonatal jaundice, 52.3% of them believed that treatment of malaria in pregnancy could prevent neonatal jaundice. Most of the respondents (54%) exposed their jaundiced neonates to the sun, 51.7% took their children to the hospital and 37.2% used herbs. Only 16.9% of the respondents took their jaundiced children to the hospital immediately they noticed it and 16% did this within 24 hours of noticing jaundice in their neonates. The study findings showed inadequate knowledge and poor practices regarding NNJ. There is need for enlightenment and sensitization about the early recognition of NNJ and early presentation for treatment.Keywords: Basawa community, care practices, neonatal jaundice, Nigeria, mother