Effect of Heat Treatment and Sulfuric Acid Anodization on Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum Alloy (AA7075)

This paper, studied the effect of heat treatment and anodization on corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy 7075 (AA7075), with a view to improving its corrosion resistance. Microstructure and micro hardness of the anodic film of the samples were studied with the aid of optical metallurgical microscope and automated micro hardness testing machine. Linear polarization methods were used to assess the corrosion behaviour of the alloy in 0.5M HCl. The microstructure of the annealed sample showed formation of dendrites while precipitation hardened samples in palm kernel oil and SAE 40 engine oil showed precipitates of MgZn2. The SEMS result showed pores and micro cracks on the surfaces of the anodized samples, with the as cast and anodized sample in sulfuric acid exhibiting most compact with few pores. The as cast and sulfuric acid anodized sample shows highest micro hardness value of 205.33 HV, while the least value of 150.67 HV was recorded in sample precipitation hardened in SAE 40 engine oil and anodized in sulfuric acid. Analysis of the potentiodynamic polarization data and curves showed a linear relationship (decrease in icorr, decreases the corrosion rate) between current density and the corrosion rate in all the samples. Higher polarization resistance of 15.093 Ω/cm2 was recorded by the as cast and Sulfuric acid (SA) anodized sample while the precipitation treated in SAE 40 engine oil plus SA anodized sample recorded lowest polarization resistance of 5.2311 Ω/cm2. Heat treatment alone improves corrosion resistance of AA 7075 in 0.5 M HCl solution but heat treatment plus SA anodization does not improve corrosion resistance in the same environment

Examining the incidence, depth and severity of food insecurity among rural households in Nigeria

A nationally representative sample of 3380 rural households from General Household Survey-panel data that adopt the World Bank Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) technique was used for this study. Based on 2120 kcal Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) recommended per adult equivalent and USD 0.87 purchasing power parity (PPP), an annual food poverty threshold of (N50, 331.67) equivalent to USD 317.55 per annum was derived for Nigeria. This threshold is the cost for purchasing recommended daily food allowances (RDA) of an adult equivalent for healthy life in rural Nigeria estimated at N138. Despite the fact that agricultural sector employed over 70% of the country’s population overwhelmingly large segment of Nigerians especially farming families in rural areas are the most food insecure. The food security situation in Nigeria was examined using the Foster Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) class of decomposable food poverty measures that satisfy both monotonicity and transfer axioms. The food insecurity indices at national level was reported as (∝=0, 46.36, ∝=1, 0.43 and ∝=2, 1.11 for and ∝=0, 42.78, ∝=1, 0.348 and ∝=2, 7.45) for post-harvest seasons respectively. This implies that almost half of the rural households in Nigeria are food insecure subsisting on less the RDAs, however, depth and severity of food insecurity also differ. Disaggregating the households based geo-political zones and some key socio-economic characteristics, further indicates a significant differences based on the relative size of the coefficient of ∝. We conjecture that, the higher incidence of food security during post harvesting season might likely be due to inability of smallholder farmers to utilize their time into non-farm income generating activities due to high demand for labour for farm operations. The study recommends public policies that ensure provision of infrastructure such as roads and boosting farming among rural households

Impact of a 10-Year Eye Care Program in Sokoto, Nigeria: Changing Pattern of Prevalence and Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to ascertain the current magnitude and causes of blindness and visual impairment in persons aged 50 years and over and to assess the impact of a 10-year eye care program in Sokoto State, Nigeria. METHODS: A rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) survey (in persons 50 years and over) was conducted in 2016. Participants were selected in Wurno health zone using a two-stage cluster randomized sampling with probability proportional to size. Operational definitions were based on RAAB and World Health Organization eye examination record definitions. Eye care program documents were reviewed and data from a baseline survey undertaken in 2005 were reanalyzed. RESULTS: A response of 89.1% (2405 of 2700 participants) was obtained in the 2016 survey. With available correction, the unadjusted prevalence of blindness was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.4, 8.9). The odds of blindness were 1.8 times higher in females than males (95% CI: 1.3, 2.4; P < 0.001). Major causes of blindness were cataract (48.9%) corneal disease (20.1%), glaucoma (10.3%), and uncorrected refractive error/aphakia (8.7%). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness has declined from 11.6% (95% CI: 7.4, 17.0) in 2005 to 6.8% (95% CI: 5.6, 8.0%) in 2016. CONCLUSION: The blindness prevalence is high, and the major causes are avoidable in the health zone. The findings suggest that investments in the program over the last 10 years might have led to almost a halving in the prevalence of blindness in th e population. However, the small sample size of persons 50+ years from Wurno zone in the 2005 survey necessitate caution when comparing the 2005 and the 2016 surveys

Baseline Prevalence of Trachoma in 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, North East Nigeria.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachoma in each of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State, Nigeria. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each of the 21 LGAs of Adamawa State between 2017 and 2019. With the support of Tropical Data (TD), surveys were planned and implemented in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used in each LGA, 25 or 30 clusters were selected with a probability of selection proportionate to cluster size, and in each of these clusters, 25 or 30 households were enrolled for the survey. All residents aged 1 year and older within selected households were examined by TD-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) using the WHO simplified grading scheme. Additionally, data were collected on household water and sanitation access. RESULTS: All 21 LGAs had TF prevalence in 1-9-year-olds below 5%. The prevalence of TT unknown to the health system in people aged ≥15 years was ≥0.2% in three of the 21 LGAs. Access to improved water and sanitation facilities was <80% in the majority of the surveyed LGAs. Only 12 of the 21 LGAs had ≥50% household-level improved latrine access, and only Yola North had ≥80% household-level improved latrine access. CONCLUSION: There is no need for mass treatment with antibiotics for trachoma elimination purposes in any of these LGAs. There is a need for active TT case finding and provision of community-based TT surgical services in three LGAs. Furthermore, engagement with water and sanitation agencies is needed to augment access to improved water and sanitation facilities across the State; this will help to avoid the recrudescence of active trachoma in the State

Baseline Prevalence of Trachoma in 13 Local Government Areas of Borno State, Nigeria

PURPOSE: We set out to determine the baseline prevalence of trachoma in 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, Nigeria. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each of 13 LGAs from 2017 to 2019, with the support of Tropical Data (TD). World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended protocols were used. With a probability-proportional-to-size systematic sampling method, 25 villages were selected per LGA in 2017 and 30 villages per LGA in 2019; in each village, 25 households were enrolled for 2017 surveys, while 30 were enrolled for 2019 surveys. All present, consenting residents aged ≥1 year were examined by TD-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) using the WHO simplified grading scheme. Additionally, we collected data on household-level access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. RESULTS: One LGA (Magumeri) had TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds ≥10%; two other LGAs (Monguno and Kaga) had TF prevalence between 5.0% and 9.9%. The prevalence of TT unknown to the health system was ≥0.2% in six LGAs. The proportion of households with access to improved water sources ranged from 30% (Kwaya Kusar) to 95% (Monguno); household-level access to improved latrines was lowest in Shani (7%) and highest in Maiduguri (95%). CONCLUSION: Active TT case finding and strengthening of TT surgical services are needed in six LGAs. Mass drug administration (MDA) of antibiotics is needed in three LGAs to reduce the prevalence of active trachoma to below elimination thresholds. The trachoma elimination programme should engage WASH agencies to augment access to improved WASH facilities

Morbidity of Colostomy Closure in Children

The care of colostomy remains a burden to the family while complications associated with its construction and closure can be tasking to the surgeon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of colostomy closure in children in our setting. A prospective review of 31 consecutive children undergoing colostomy closure in a 6 year period. There were 18 (58.1%) boys and 13 (41.9%) girls, aged 5 months 13 years (median 3 years). The median duration of colostomy was 16 months [range, 5 days -8 years]. Indications for colostomy were anorectal malformations 16(51.6%), Hirschsprung\'s disease 10(32.3%) and others 5 (16.1%). The site of colostomy was sigmoid colon 21, transverse colon 9 and caecum one. The type of colostomy was divided 18(58.1%) and loop12 (38.7%). Intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal closure was performed in 27(87.1%) and 4(12.9%) patients, respectively. Thirteen (41.9%) patients had 16 postoperative complications; postoperative pyrexia 4 (12.9%), prolonged ileus 4 (12.9%), surgical site infection 2 (6.5%), septicaemia 2 (6.5%). Post operative complication rate was significantly associated with the status of the surgeon (p < 0.05) and duration of surgery (p < 0.05). The median duration of hospital stay was 8 days [range: 5-35 days]. There was no significant difference in hospital stay in patients with postoperative complication and thosewithout (p > 0.05). Morbidity following colostomy closure can be high, particularly when the procedure is performed by a junior trainee. Keywords: Colostomy, closure, children,morbidityThis paper was presented before the 5th Annual Conference of Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria (APSON), Zaria, 14 November 2006African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 4 (1) 2007: pp. 37-4

Informing ‘good’ global health research partnerships: A scoping review of guiding principles

Background: Several sets of principles have been proposed to guide global health research partnerships and mitigate inequities inadvertently caused by them. The existence of multiple sets of principles poses a challenge for those seeking to critically engage with and develop their practice. Which of these is best to use, and why? To what extent, if any, is there agreement across proposed principles? Objective: The objectives of this review were to: (1) identify and consolidate existing documents and principles to guide global health research partnerships; (2) identify areas of overlapping consensus, if any, regarding which principles are fundamental in these partnerships; (3) identify any lack of consensus in the literature on core principles to support these partnerships. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to gather documents outlining ‘principles’ of good global health research partnerships. A broad search of academic databases to gather peerreviewed literature was conducted, complemented by a hand-search of key global health funding institutions for grey literature guidelines. Results: Our search yielded nine sets of principles designed to guide and support global health research partnerships. No single principle recurred across all documents reviewed. Most frequently cited were concerns with mutual benefits between partners (n = 6) and equity (n = 4). Despite a lack of consistency in the inclusion and definition of principles, all sources highlighted principles that identified attention to fairness, equity, or justice as an integral part of good global health research partnerships. Conclusions: Lack of consensus regarding how principles are defined suggests a need for further discussion on what global health researchers mean by ‘core’ principles. Research partnerships should seek to interpret the practical meanings and requirements of these principles through international consultation. Finally, a need exists for tools to assist with implementation of these principles to ensure their application in research practice