Trafficking of Nigerian Women and Young Girls for Sex Trade and Forced Servitude in Europe

Human trafficking is endemic and a serious global problem. It is a multidimensional human rights violation that centers on the act of sex exploitation, profit making, physical and psychological harm to victims. Apart from that, trafficking in persons is a lucrative business and recent data shows that human trafficking is a $32billion industry. Statistics have shown that as many as 3 million people are trafficked and enslaved annually mainly in Europe. Without prevarication, human trafficking is a clandestine in nature and victims are sexually exploited, physically assaulted, forcefully enslaved and maltreated. Unfortunately, it has serious socio-cultural and human rights implications, and health related problems. Nigeria is a country of origin, destination, recruitment, transit and Italy, Netherlands, Spain and France are receiving and destination countries. Surprisingly, the Nigerian government has not done enough to eradicate the phenomenon. This paper therefore articulates the insidious nature of human trafficking and the harrowing experiences of Nigeria women and young girls in Europe. The work is important because it made germane recommendations and provided ways on how affected countries like Nigeria and Italy can handle and manage the menace effectively and socially. For example, the problem of trafficking of Nigerian women and young girls for sex trade and forced labour in Europe is not only demeaning but also a violation of victim’s right to life and freedom of movement.  To illuminate the problem, the paper highlights the push and pulls effects and the human rights implications victims experienced. The paper argued that the Nigerian government is not doing enough to eradicate the trafficking of Nigeria women for sexual exploitation and forced labour in Europe. The paper concludes with germane suggestions and recommendations on how best to mitigate the problem of human trafficking not only in Nigeria but also in some European countries. Keywords:Human trafficking and its root Causes, Socio-cultural implications, and failure of Nigerian government. DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/73-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Domestic violence : ethical challenges to the professionalism of religious and faith leaders for healing survivors : a psychological analysis

Domestic Violence is a scourge and reality in many societies around the world, but the topic is not given adequate consideration in terms of the required long-term help and information that victims, offenders and caregivers need. The focus on Domestic Violence brings an area of community and clinical psychology, mental health and overall well-being of citizens into view. The author explores the leadership roles of Churches, pastors and counsellors within religious and church institutions in providing long-term and sustainable healing to the affected and discovers gaps in their approaches. This book is an invitation for all stakeholders involved in family welfare and counselling of vulnerable persons, especially religious leaders and churches, to recognise the positive role of psychological therapy for healing the victims of domestic violence

Radiological features of ulcerative colitis in a Nigerian: a case report

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon with unclear cause. It is common in the Jewish and European population but rare in blacks Methods: The medical records of the patient who presented with ulcerative colitis and literature review of the case using available journals and pubmed search was employed. The radiological imaging and laboratory results were reviewed Conclusion: There is need to include radiological imaging and to have high index of suspicion of ulcerative colitis in patients presenting with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms among black populations

Tethered Cord Syndrome with Syrinx in A Nigerian Adult Female: A Case Report

Backround: Tethered cord syndrome is a diverse clinical entity secondary to any of a heterogeneous group of spinal disorders that typically occurs in children, but occurs as a rare pathologic entity in adults. The occurrence of tethered cord and spinal cord syrinx in an adult Nigerian is quite rare.Methods: The case record of the patient in review and literature search on the subject of tethered cord syndrome and spinal cord syrinx.Results: A 35 years female Nigerian, admitted into the department of internal medicine of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital with one month history of progressive weakness of the lower limbs associated with gradual loss of sensation in legs, urinary incontinence but no fecal incontinence or back pain. There was no history of trauma or chronic cough. Examination revealed reduced power in both lower limbs with loss of peripheral sensation, pain and light touch beginning at the level of L3, power in upper limbs was normal and the cranial nerves were intact. Urogenital and Musculoskeletal systems examination were normal. The respiratory and gastrointestinal systems were all normal. There were no cutaneous stigmata (hypertrichosis). Laboratory investigations showed normal hematological indices. Urinalysis was also normal. An impression of acute transverse myelitis was made. Magnetic resonance imaging showedtethered cord and syrinx in the lumbar region.Conclusion: Tethered cord association with syringomyelia in adults is rare, although with the use of modern imaging tools like MRI, the diagnosis of TCS is no more as rare as it is thought and should be sought for in the appropriate clinical setting.Keywords: Tethered cord; Syringomyelia; MRI; Adult; Nigeria

Assessment of food insecurity among rural households in Abia State

Background and objective: Food insecurity and hunger are forerunners to nutritional, health, human and economic development problems. The study was carried out to assess food insecurity and its effects on rural dwellers in Oloko and Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia state. Methods: A random sampling technique was employed in selecting 400 households in Oboro and Oloko villages, in Ikwuano Local Government Area. A validated questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. The study was a cross-sectional study. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures Results: The study showed that a good number (75.5%) of the households were aware of food insecurity. Some (16.2%) households indicated they had experienced food scarcity, which was mostly as a result of (75.0%) crop failure which led to reduction in frequency of food consumption in 67.0% of the respondents. A good number (7.2%) worried that they did not have enough to eat, while 7.2% worried that they may have enough but not the kinds they want. Majority (71.0%) of the households sometimes worried that they do not eat a balanced diet. A total of 9.8% of the households reduced meals for family members. Adults (15.0%) skip meals because food wasn’t enough to go round (8.5%) while (1.2%) were in order to allow children have enough. Conclusion: This study has revealed that a good number (16.2%) of rural households have experienced food insecurity, which made them reduce the frequency of food consumption (67.0%), reduce meals for family members, and skip meals. Using the food security scale developed by USDA, it has been found that majority of the studied households are food insecure without hunger

Assessment of Prevalence of Obesity among Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Diabetic Out Patient Clinic, of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria

Introduction: Assessment of prevalence of obesity among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in diabetic outpatient clinic, UNTH, Ituku/Ozalla was carried out. This research aimed to ascertain the impact of obesity in the development of diabetes mellitus and to know the prevalence of obesity in both gender.Methodology: The study was conducted in Wednesday Diabetic out-patient clinic University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla. A total number of 211 patients were used: 102 males and 109 females. The patients were all adults. Data was collected using anthropometric measurement ranging from weight and height measurement, waist and hip circumference. BMI and waist-hip ratio calculated from the variables were used to assess whether the patients were obese, overweight, normal or underweight. Data was analyzed as percentage, Z score statistics was used to analyze to help ascertain if there is difference in prevalence of obesity in male and female.Result: The results showed that higher percentage of the patients were either obese or overweight (56.4% and 58.29%) using BMI and waist-hip ratio respectively. Female type 2 diabetes were seen to be more obese or overweight 67.82% and 82.57% when compared to their male counterpart 43.1% and 32.35% using BMI and waist-hip ratio. The reasons may be due to the following: pregnancy, menopause, sedentary life style, less activity, use of contraceptives and dietary habits. Conclusion: However from the study, it is now evident that obesity is diabetogenic revealing the importance of maintaining normal weight and also weight reduction if overweight/obese. These could be achieved by public education about obesity and its complications, incorporating obesity and diabetes education in the school curriculum, enlightening the public on this issue through mass media. Keywords: Assessment, Prevalence, Obesity, Newly–Diagnosed, Type-2-Diabetic-Patients

Tuberculosis Of The Thyroid Gland In A Nigeria Female: A Case Report

Background: Affectation of the thyroid gland by Mycobacterium tubercle is known to be rare. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose this rare condition and the place of radiological imaging as an adjunct in correct diagnosis and follow up is brought to the fore.Methodology: The medical records of the patient who presented with tuberculosis of the thyroid gland secondary to tuberculosis of the chest and literature review of the case using available journals and pubmed search was employed. The radiological imaging and laboratory results were reviewedConclusion: Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland should be included in the differential diagnosis of thyroid swelling especially in a patient with Koch's disease.Keywords: Thyroid gland, Tuberculosis, Radiological imaging, Nigeri

Computerized tomographic pattern of stroke seen in University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital

Background: Data on Computed tomographic (CT) pattern of stroke abound in literature but they are predominantly from studies done in the Western world.Though most of the reports agree that ischaemic rather than haemorrhagic stroke is prevalent in most climes,no strictly radiology based study can be quoted in the Port Harcourt area.Thus there is the need for accurate data on stroke pattern in Nigerians of the South-South region.Aims: This study was done to establish the CT pattern of stroke seen in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and to determine the relationship between the different stroke patterns and age, sex, including time of presentation.Methodology: A prospective study of 203 subjects with clinical diagnosis of stroke who had CT of the brain performed during a 12month period (November 2012 to November 2013).A 2-slice helical CT was used to obtain images in the axial plane. Images were classified as normal or abnormal scans.Abnormal scans were analyzed as ischaemic infarcts, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), subdural haematoma, abscess, neoplasm, meningitis,and cerebral atrophy.The clinical diagnosis, age, sex and time of presentation of the patients were recorded. Statistical analysis was done with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0.Means were compared using Student's t test. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to correlate CT findings with clinical diagnosis,age,and sex.P values < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: The age distribution of the study population ranged from 6-90 years with a mean of 58.3+14.9years. The over 70 age group was most frequent with 24.1% of the subjects. Males were predominant at 51.7% of the sample size.Findings of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were more common than haemorrhagic CVD at 63.2%.Conclusion: This study revealed a higher incidence of ischaemic stroke compared to haemorrhagic stroke.Keywords: Computed tomography;Cerebrovascular disease;Ischaemic stroke;Haemorrhagic strok

Obesity, physical activity pattern and hypercholesterolemia among civil servants in Bida Niger State Nigeria

Background: Lack of empirical data on the prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypercholesterolemia as well as their complications is of concern in developing countries like Nigeria. Thus, there is need for regular surveillance on the prevalence of these conditions to enable implementation of effective control strategies. Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypercholetrolemia and physical activity pattern among civil servants in Bida Local Goverment Area of Niger state Nigeria. Methodology: Structured and validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic and physical activity/exercise pattern from 402 subjects’ sampled using stratified random sampling by ballot without replacement in the study. Anthropometric data was measured with appropriate tool for each measurement. Total cholesterol was analysed using Randox Kit. Data was compared with standards and analyzed. Data was described with mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage. Analysis was done with Chi square and Pearson coloration. Results were presented in tables and figures. Result: Result revealed that 31.3% were overweight and 53.2% were obese, only 13.86% had normal percentage body fat, 41.79% of the respondents had a normal visceral fat level (≤9), 35.82% of the respondents had an increased health risk using waist circumference classification and 57.21% had an increased health risk when waist –hip ratio classification was used. Blood cholesterol result also showed that 74.4% were within normal range. This study showed that there is a positive correlation between serum cholesterol and BMI, %body fat, % skeletal muscle, visceral fat, waist circumference and hip circumference at P-value < 0.001. Conclusion: There is epidemic of overweight/obesity and raised blood cholesterol among civil servants in Bida area

Heavy metal in banana (Musa acuminata) varieties sold by fruit vendors in Enugu state, Nigeria

Background: The use of ripening agents to trigger uniform and quick ripening of banana have been associated with heavy metal intoxication. Determining the levels of heavy metals in banana which is a common fruit consumed in Enugu State and Nigeria guides relevant authorities to regulate the use of pesticides and ripening agents used by banana sellers to make every food safe for consumption. Objective: The study evaluated the presence of heavy metals in four varieties of banana consumed in Enugu State. Methods: Samples of each banana variety were obtained from different banana vendors at different markets in Enugu State respectively. Edible portion of similar varieties from different vendors were homogenized after removing the peel. The homogenized samples were analyzed for heavy metal (arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium) content using standard methods. The weight of the banana varieties were measured to estimate the average size of the edible portion of a single banana. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to compare the mean of the heavy metal scores of the banana samples. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Green Mutant banana variety had the lowest lead content (0.0107 mg/kg). Mercury was not present in all the banana samples. Arsenic was only found in Red Dacca banana variety, (0.0007 mg/kg). Red Dacca banana variety presented the highest value (0.0030 mg/kg). Conclusion: The study provided invaluable information on the heavy metal composition of banana varieties commonly consumed in Enugu state. The findings revealed that Red Dacca banana variety contains a significant amount of heavy metals which can contribute significantly to its build up in body cells. Keywords: Banana; heavy metals; food contaminants; fruit