Incidence of porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine parvoviruses in swine herds of some communities in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the swine pathogens of global economic importance. Since its first detection in early 1990s as the main etiologic agent of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and many other porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), the virus has been extensively studied and has been found to be present in virtually all the pig producing countries of the world. As a viral pathogen that brings about clinical diseases aided by co-infecting pathogens, the involvement of many other viral agents including porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) have caught the attention of stakeholders worldwide. However, no surveillance study of the viral pathogens has been carried out in South Africa as there are little or no information on their prevalence in the swine herds of the country. This present study therefore aimed at detection and molecular characterization of PCV2 and PPVs in swine herds of some selected communities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 375 field samples were collected from seven commercial and communal farms from three District Municipalities of Eastern Cape, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Structured questionnaires were also administered to each farm at the time of sample collection to obtain some important information relating to health status and farm management practices in the sampled farms. With the aid of conventional PCR method, 339 samples were initially screened for the presence of PCV2; positive amplicons were sequenced and obtained partial genomes of the virus were preliminarily analyzed. In order to obtain the complete genomes of the virus, four overlapping primer pairs were used to amplify the full-genome of PCV2 from the initial positive samples; amplified genomes were sequenced using the Sanger methods, sequenced PCV2 genomes were assembled and characterized. Furthermore, the prevalences of some designated PPVs in the sampled farms were obtained using 110 samples randomly selected from the previously archived samples and screened with 6 different primer pairs specific for the detection of 7 PPVs. All the amplified parvoviruses’ genomes were sequenced; their sequenced partial genomes were subsequently base-culled and analysed. The data obtained revealed that 54/339 (15.93 percent) samples from the swine herds were positive for PCV2; whereas the degree of occurrence of the viral pathogen as observed at farm level ranges from approximately 5.6 to 60 percent. The majority 15/17 (88 percent) of the analyzed partial sequences were found clustering with other PCV2b strains in the phylogenetic analysis. More interestingly, two other sequences obtained were also found clustering within PCV2d genotype in the initial screening and analysis. Furthermore, 15 complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled. NJ and ML phylogenetic analysis of the complete ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed 11 of the assembled genomes belonging to genotype PCV2b. Another 3 of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (PCV2d) strains from different parts of the world. The last sequence however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2-IM2) recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. Other genetic analyses including multiple sequence alignment and p-distance analysis also confirmed the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses of the complete capsid gene and fullgenomes of the virus. On the other hand, the findings of the molecular profiling for PPVs showed that all the screened parvoviruses were present in the study area, having prevalence of 29.1 percent (PPV1), 21.8 percent (PPV2), 5.5 percent (PPV3), 43.6 percent (PPV4), 21.8 percent (PBo-likeV) and 44.6 percent for PBoV1 and PBoV2. Double infection of the screened PPVs was observed to be very rampant among the pigs as high as 20/110 (18.2 percent) for PPV2/PPV4 and PPV4/PBoV; followed by 19/110 (17.3 percent) of the samples for PPV1/PPV4 and PPV1/PBoV. Three of the viruses were found simultaneously in 19 of the screened samples representing 17.3 percent, whereas 8 (7.3 percent) samples were positive for four of the viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of PPV1, PPV2 and PBoVs 1 and 2 were conducted with two major clades homologous for each of them. This is the first report of PCV2 in swine herds of the Province and the first detection of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2-IM2 strains in South African swine herds. It follows the first reported case of PCV2a in an outbreak of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Gauteng Province, South Africa over two decades ago. Also, this is the first major epidemiologic study on PPVs in the country following the initial case study of 1975. These findings confirmed the presence of the allimportant viral pathogens among pigs and also give preliminary insights into the possibility of co-infections of the pathogens in the studied area. This could however result in a serious large scale outbreak of devastating disease(s) associated with the viral pathogens, thereby ultimately resulting in huge economic losses if no appropriate measures are taken to effectively curb their spread across the country

The Management, Dissemination of Ifa Oracle and Egungun Festival for Knowledge Preservation and Promotion of African Cultural Heritage in Osun State, Nigeria

The study examines the Management, Dissemination of Ifa oracle and Egungun festival for knowledge preservation and promotion of African Cultural Heritage in Osun State, Nigera. The study traced the origin of Ifa oracle and Egungun in Nigeria, the relevancy of its celebration to national development and how the knowledge are been documented, managed and disseminated. Descriptive survey research method was employed for the study while the major instrument for data gathering was Interview and complemented by personal observation. Ifa oracle and Egungun Priests were been interviewed to elicit information on the methods of documentation, management and dissemination of Ifa oracle and Egungun festival knowledge. Some of the findings revealed that findings that Ifa oracle and Egungun festival was practiced in order to correct ills in the society and to usher in a new blessing for the year ahead. The preservation of Ifa oracle and Egungun festival knowledge was purely through oral memorization. It was however recommended that proper documentation and management of knowledge should be encouraged for proper knowledge transfer and future reference. In addition, the records should be deposited in a public library for proper consultation. Keywords: Management, Documentation, Ifa Oracle, Egungun Festival, African Heritage DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/43-02 Publication date: April 30th 201

Proximate, Mineral and Sensory Qualities of ‘Amala’ Prepared from Yam flour fortified with Moringa leaf powder

The study was conducted to determine the proximate, mineral and sensory qualities of ‘amala’ prepared from yam flour fortified with Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP). Moringa oleifera leaves were dried milled, sieved and added to yam flour in different proportions (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%). Samples were mixed to ensure uniform distribution of the leaves within the flour and subsequently prepared into ‘amala’. Generally, the proximate composition except for moisture and carbohydrate content of all the samples increased significantly with an increase in the level MOLP with values ranging from 0.34-1.99% for crude fat; 1.10-2.21% for crude fibre; 1.74-2.78 for ash and 5.73-8.46% for crude protein and carbohydrate values from 8.35 -12.38%. Reduction in moisture content (wet basis) was observed from 78.72-76.21% and 12.375-8.350% for carbohydrate. The mineral composition ranged between (198.72-292.45 mg/100g), (140.23-159.00 mg/100g), (435.56-597.85 mg/100g), (473.95-543.02 mg/100g), (3.64-5.04ppm), (127.76-147.93ppm), (3.64-6.93ppm) and (4.77-5.54ppm) for Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Iron (Fe), Phosphorus (P), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) respectively. Generally, the mineral profile of the fortified ‘amala’ increased significantly (P?0.05) with increase in addition of MOLP. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) among the samples for the sensory qualities of colour, mouldability and mouth feel except for sample fortified with 10% MOLP. However, the addition of MOLP greatly affected the aroma and overall acceptability of the sample. The sample prepared from yam flour fortified with 2.5% MOLP compared favourably well with the control in all sensory attributes. It was apparent that fortification of yam flour with MOLP at 2.5% level improved the proximate and mineral composition without affecting the overall acceptability and hence, could be used to improve the nutritional status of people and serves as an opportunity for the utilization of Moringa oleifera leaves.   Keywords: Amala, Moringa oleifera leaves, yam flour, proximate, mineral sensory

Physicochemical properties of stiff dough ‘amala’ prepared from plantain (Musa Paradisca) flour and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder

Plantains are a good source of resistant starch and are currently being used in the dietary management of diabetes when consumed in the unripe stage. They can be used in making amala, a stiff dough commonly consumed in some parts of Africa including Nigeria. The addition of fortificant to foods may affect product composition and functionality; therefore this study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder at varying concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 %) on pasting and functional properties of the fortified plantain flour. The proximate composition, mineral content and sensory properties of amala prepared from the fortified plantain flour were also determined. Protein and carbohydrate were the major components of plantain flour and Moringa oleifera leaf powder. Generally, water absorption capacity, bulk densities, swelling power and pasting properties of the fortified plantain flour decreased with increasing concentration of Moringa oleifera leaf powder. Moringa oleifera leaf powder seems to reduce hydration and swelling power of plantain flour. The protein contents of amala prepared from the fortified plantain flour significantly increased from 3.52 to 10.36%. Ash and fat contents of the amala also increased from 1.71-2.93% and 1.82 to 2.37% respectively. Similarly, the calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron contents of the amala also increased following the addition of Moringa oleifera leaf powder. The use of Moringa oleifera leaf powder thus has the potential to combat protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries

Methods employed in the prevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in a riverine community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria and is the most common cause of hospital attendance in all age groups, of which children and pregnant women are the major risk groups; therefore this study was designed to explore various methods of prevention and treatment of malaria among pregnant women in riverine community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for the study and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 180 respondents’ selected using purposive sampling technique. Results were presented as tables and charts.Results: The study revealed that majority of the respondents were within 16-25years, with a minimum age of 16yrs, maximum age of 45yrs and a mean of 30yrs. More than half of the respondents agreed that malaria can be transmitted to the fetus and can lead to intrauterine fetal death. Most of the respondents used more than one preventive measures and the most commonly used methods employed in the prevention of malaria by the respondents were window and door nets (83.3%); clearing of bushes (72.2%), insecticide treated nets (ITNs) (67.2%) snapper(66.7%); insecticide spray (66.7%). Despite the fact that a good number of the respondents (91.7%) claimed to use drugs when they have malaria, most of which were prescribed by medical practitioners; only few of the respondents (31.7%) used prophylactic anti-malaria drugs during pregnancy.Conclusion: Findings above revealed that, majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge of malaria and its consequences in pregnancy, and also employed good methods in the prevention and treatment of malaria. However, some of the respondents still used crude methods such as pouring kerosene in stagnant water, burning of bushes, and use of herbs, native chalk and broom etc in the prevention and treatment of malaria which may be detrimental to healthand often ineffective. Therefore, there is need to concentrate on health education of these women on the hazards associated with the crude methods as well as importance of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) during pregnancy so as to achieve effective control of malaria among pregnant women.Keywords: Malaria prevention, Malaria treatment, Pregnant wome

Supplication Leader Impression Management Strategy and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Tertiary Institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This is an expository study on leader impression management strategy and organizational citizenship behaviour of tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The purpose is to investigate the relationship between supplication leader impression management strategy and organizational citizenship behaviour. The objective is to determine how supplication as a dimension of leader impression management strategy influences the measures of organizational citizenship behaviour of tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The research design adopted for the study was cross-sectional survey. The population is composed of a total of 4000 non-academic staff of 4 tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt. The sampling procedure and sample size determination formula used for the study is the Krejcie & Morgan table. The validity was obtained through peer to peer and professional vetting, while the reliability test was based on the Cronbach alpha reliability test. The Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was the statistical tool; aided by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that leader impression management strategy significantly contributes to the achievement of organizational citizenship behaviour in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt. The study recommends that the use of supplication strategy by leaders should be such that appeals to the interest and benefits of the subordinates and not as reveals the leader as weak or incapable. Keywords: Impression Management, Supplication, Organizational Citizenship Behaviour. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-32-09 Publication date: November 30th 201

Awareness and Practice of Proper Health Seeking Behaviour and Determinant of Self-Medication among Physicians and Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

There is generally a lack of good health-seeking practices among health professionals due to a variety of factors, including the intensity of the medical practice itself. Doctors and nurses are perceived to have a good knowledge of ideal health-seeking behaviors and as such, it is important to determine the level of their awareness and estimate whether this knowledge is put into practice. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the level of awareness and practices of proper health-seeking behavior and to identify the factors responsible for self-medication among doctors and nurses in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and may 2018 among 106 doctors and 164 nurses in a tertiary health facility in Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique by balloting was performed from the list of doctors and nurses in the hospital to select doctors and nurses that participated in the study. A pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was designed and used to collect data. The data were entered into the computer software and analyzed using SPSS version 20. P ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. Result: Out of 106 doctors and 164 nurses recruited, only 102 doctors and 143 nurses filled the questionnaire completely and returned for analysis. One hundred and four respondents (42.4%) fall within the ages of 31 - 40 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.23. Awareness of proper health seeking behavior among both doctors and nurses was high among the two groups with no statistically significant difference between them. Twenty-nine (28.0%) doctors compared with thirty-four (23.8%) nurses go for a regular medical check-up with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.411). Out of these, 5 (17.2%) doctors and 7 (23.8%) nurses visit at an interval of less than 6 month (p = 0.736). There is a statistically significant difference in the number of doctors (60.8%) compared with nurses (41.3%) that have consulted a doctor in the last one year (p = 0.003). More than half (51.6%) of this consultation among doctors was over the phone whereas 64.4% of such among nurses were via clinic appointment (p = 0.008). More doctors (90.2%) comply with their treatment prescription from physicians compared with nurses (77.6%) (p = 0.010). More nurses compared with doctors self-medicate when ill [Doctor 61.8% (63), Nurses 78.3% (112)] (p = 0.005) and had also self-medicated in the last one year [Doctor 34.3% (35), Nurses 42.7% (61)] (p = 0.187). Decreasing age, decreasing years of experience, increasing working hours, lack of health insurance, fear of confidentiality and lack of satisfaction with health services are factors that significantly increased the likelihood of self-medication among doctors and nurses within the last one year. Conclusion: Awareness of proper health seeking behavior was high but this did not translate into proper health-seeking practices among doctors and nurses. There is apathy for regular medical check-up and self-medication was also high among this group of health workers. Decreasing age and years of experience, increasing working hours, lack of health insurance, fear of confidentiality and lack of satisfaction with health services were factors were identified to significantly increase the likelihood of self-medication

Determinants of Low Back Pain among Health‑care Providers in a Federal Tertiary Hospital in Ekiti State, SouthWestern Nigeria

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a usual musculoskeletal system disorder among the working population, especially among health‑care providers (HCPs). It is a significant contributor to work disability, work absenteeism, and lost hours globally. The study objectives are to find the prevalence and determinants of LBP among HCPs in a Federal Tertiary Hospital in Ido‑Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was done among HCPs in a Federal Tertiary Hospital, Ido‑Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study included 336 participants working in the hospital. The respondents were selected using stratified sampling. Data were collected through an adapted questionnaire, which was pretested, semi‑structured, and self‑administered. The data were analyzed using STATA  version 12. Univariate, bivariate, and binary logistic analysis was used to find the prevalence and determinants of LBP. The significance level was set at 95% confidence interval and P ≤ 0.05. Results: The point prevalence, period prevalence, and lifetime prevalence were 39.9%, 44.6%, and 67.6%, respectively. The findings showed that the prevalence of LBP was higher among respondents who turn patient on the bed regularly (>3 times weekly) (odds ratio [OR] =18.46, 95% CL [6.84–49.81], P < 0.0001); and pulls and pushes object or people (more than 10 kg thrice a week) (OR = 8.22, 95% CL  [3.46–19.56], P < 0.0001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study revealed that HCPs suffered from a high prevalence of LBP, and the identified risk factors (turning of the patient and pulling and pushing of an object or  people) can be modified using an informed health intervention program (health education and ergonomics)

PERCEPTION AND WILLINGNESS TO THE UPTAKE OF COVID-19 VACCINE AMONG HOUSEHOLD-HEADS IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OF SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccine have been met with varying perceptions that may have both negative and positive effects on the willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine. The study is set to determine the perception and willingness of the household heads to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in a rural community in Southwestern, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 409 household heads selected through a multistage sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using the Health Belief model constructs. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.0 and Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine the association between perception and willingness to uptake vaccine. P<0.05 was taken as significant at 95% confidence interval. Results: The majority of the unvaccinated respondents in the study were not willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine (60.1%). There was a poor perception of the susceptibility/severity of unvaccinated respondents to COVID-19 infection and a poor perception of the benefit/barrier to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Perception of susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection were statistically related to the willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: There should be an increase in awareness campaigns to change the perception of people positively to COVID-19 infection and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine