COVID – 19 Pandemic: The Implications for the Practice of Restorative Dentistry

Objective: To assess the implication of COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of restorative dentistry in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study regarding the impact of COVID-19 on restorative dental practice was carried out among dentists across different cadres working in either private or public practice. Data was obtained using an online survey questionnaire regarding the infection control practice, availability and use of personal protective equipment, practice modifications to combat COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of COVID-19. Data was analysed using the chi-square test and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Amongst 137 dentists that participated in the study, majority of respondents were males (58.4%), a greater proportion (49.6%) were in the age range 35-44 years and 78.1% worked in public hospitals. A significantly higher number of male respondents (p=0.019) and public dental workers (p=0.036) immediately changed their mode of dental service delivery following the COVID-19 outbreak. Majority of respondents (60.6%) carried out restorative dental procedures despite the pandemic; most of these procedures being emergency dental treatment and non-aerosol generating dental procedures. About half of respondents had respiratory masks (51.8%) and isolation gowns (54.0%) available. Majority reported that the pandemic had decreased patient flow (88.3%), increased treatment fee (53.3%) and had an impact on the income generated (92%). Only 20.4% of respondents hadproblems with their staff; the problems being emotional problems, work abandonment and demand of salary increase. The pandemic has had a negative impact on most respondents (74.5%) and only 31.4% respondents were optimally prepared to render dental services.Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has changed the mode of restorative dental practice in Nigeria; resulting in a psychological impact on dentists and a financial burden on dental practice. &nbsp

Knowledge and socio-demographic determinants of occupational hazard prevention among automobile mechanics in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria

Objective: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge and socio-demographic determinants on occupational hazard prevention among automobile mechanics in Akure South Local Government (AKSLG), Ondo State, Nigeria.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized with automobile mechanic serving as the study population. Respondents were selected by stratified random sampling technique. The study population included 231 respondents from 13 units within the AKSLG. Self-developed questionnaire was administered for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and Regression model at p < 0.05Results: Participants' age ranged between 20-50 years and majority had above 15 years of experience with monthly income above ₦58,000 ($161). The findings revealed that most (62.0%) of the respondents had fair knowledge of occupational hazard. Also, 38.0% of the respondents had poor knowledge on the prevention of occupational hazard. Significant relationship was found between years of experience; knowledge about occupational hazard prevention and occupational hazard prevention among respondents with p-values of 0.005 and 0.007 respectively.Conclusion: Socio-demographic variable of years of experience and knowledge of automobile mechanics about occupational hazards prevention had significant relationship on prevention of occupational hazards, therefore measures to enhance knowledge about occupational hazards should be implemented to improve occupational hazard prevention among automobile mechanics.Keywords: Automobile mechanics, Knowledge, Occupational hazard Prevention, Akur

Assessment of breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Ilaro, Ogun State

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is important for optimal growth and development of infant. However, increase in women involvement in labor sector may pose a great barrier to this. Thus, this study assessed the breastfeeding practices of working mothers in Ilaro. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 200 working mothers selected from Ilaro community using multistage sampling. Semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data on socio demographic and economic characteristics, job description, belief on breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices of the respondents. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Result: More than half (59.0%) of the respondents were employed in private organizations and 41.0% were civil servants. Majority (72%) of the respondents work between 8am- 4pm daily. Nearly all the respondents (93.0%) breastfed their babies their infant from birth, 76.5% gave colostrum and 50% do breast feed their baby only when demanded. Four out of five breastfeed their infant during the working hour while 5.5% and 10.5% expressed their breast milk and gave infant formula respectively during the working hour. More than half (63%) of the respondents had good breastfeeding practices while 23% and 13% were rated fair and poor respectively. Significant associated (p< 0.05) was observed between respondent's breastfeeding practices and some socio demographic characteristics, job description and belief on breast feeding practices. Conclusion: Good breastfeeding practices were observed among the study population and this was significantly associated with factors like age, estimated monthly income, place of work and some belief on breastfeeding

Growth performance of weaned pigs fed from different feeding troughs: comparison of concrete feeding trough, semi-automatic feeder and its combination

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of concrete feeding trough, semi-automatic feeder and their combination on growth performance  of weaned pigs. Sixty weaned cross bred (Large white x Landrace) pigs of average initial weight of 9.04 Kg were grouped based on sex and assigned to three dietary treatments, comprising two replicates of 10 weaned pigs each. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design. A  standard diet was prepared to meet the nutrient requirements of weaned pigs. The diet was fed to the animals in concrete feeding trough (T1), semi-automatic feeder and concrete feeding trough (T2) and semi-automatic feeder (T3). The experiment was partitioned into three periods (Weeks  1-4, 5-8 and 1-8). Feed and water were given unrestrictedly throughout the period of the experiment. The feed intake and weights of the pigs were recorded on weekly basis. Feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain were calculated and the study lasted for eight weeks. There was no significant (P>0.05) effect of feeders on final body weight, average daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The overall  performance showed that combination of the feeders (T2) improved daily weight gain (369.71 g), average daily feed intake (1021.14 g) and had the best feed conversion ratio (2.99). It could be concluded that combination of concrete feeding trough and semi-automatic feeders improved the growth performance of weaned pigs. Keywords: concrete feeding trough, semi-automatic feeder, growth performance, economic analysi

Economics of smallholder chicken egg production among KAFACI project farmers in Southwest Nigeria

Deficiency in managerial capabilities, shortage of investible capital and high feed cost are major constraints limiting the growth and profitability of  smallholder chicken production in Southwest Nigeria. Consequently, empowerment programmes was initiated to train and empower farmers in chicken egg production. Sustainability of the effort depends on the ability of the farmers to generate enough returns for reinvestment into the  enterprise. This study evaluates the profitability of chicken egg production under the Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI) project. Weekly data were collected during 2017 and 2018 production cycle on input quantity and cost, and quantity and prices of eggs produced. Analysis was by farm budget analysis. The results showed a decline in mortality rate in farms from 42.74% in 2017 to 7.76% in 2018.  Similarly, average egg production per farm increased from 3,977 eggs in 2017 to 18,254 eggs in 2018. Average total income per farm also increased from N225,599.58 in 2017 to N638,758.25 in 2018, whereas gross margin increased from a net loss of N157,097.73 in 2017 to a net benefit of  N281,025.93. Loss of revenue in 2017 was attributed to high mortality among laying birds. Cost of feed accounted for 59.34% of the average variable cost of producing table eggs. The study therefore recommended capacity building for farmers on farm-level formulation of costeffective feeding, as well as improving access of farmers to quality feed at subsidized cost, as an interim measure. Keywords: Chicken egg production, smallholder farmer, profitability, KAFACI project

Gaps in guidelines for the management of diabetes in low- and middle-income versus high-income countriesda systematic review

OBJECTIVE: The extentto which diabetes (DM) practice guidelines, often basedon evidence from high-income countries (HIC), can be implemented to improve outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is a critical challenge. We carried out a systematic review to compare type 2 DM guidelines in individual LMIC versus HIC over the past decade to identify aspects that could be improved to facilitate implementation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Eligible guidelines were sought from online databases and websites of diabetes associations and ministries of health. Type 2 DM guidelines published between 2006 and 2016 with accessible full publications were included. Each of the 54 eligible guidelines was assessed for compliance with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards, coverage of the cardiovascular quadrangle (epidemiologic surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation), translatability, and its target audiences. RESULTS: Most LMIC guidelines were inadequate in terms of applicability, clarity, and dissemination planaswellassocioeconomic and ethical-legal contextualization.LMIC guidelines targeted mainly health care providers, with only a few including patients (7%), payers (11%), and policy makers (18%) as their target audiences. Compared with HIC guidelines, the spectrum of DM clinical care addressed by LMIC guidelines was narrow. Most guidelines from the LMIC complied with less than half of the IOM standards, with 12% of the LMIC guidelines satisfying at least four IOM criteria as opposed to 60% of the HIC guidelines (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A new approachto the contextualization, content development, and deliveryofLMIC guidelines is needed to improve outcomes. © 2018 by the American Diabetes Association

Global synergistic actions to improve brain health for human development.

The global burden of neurological disorders is substantial and increasing, especially in low-resource settings. The current increased global interest in brain health and its impact on population wellbeing and economic growth, highlighted in the World Health Organization's new Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031, presents an opportunity to rethink the delivery of neurological services. In this Perspective, we highlight the global burden of neurological disorders and propose pragmatic solutions to enhance neurological health, with an emphasis on building global synergies and fostering a 'neurological revolution' across four key pillars - surveillance, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation - termed the neurological quadrangle. Innovative strategies for achieving this transformation include the recognition and promotion of holistic, spiritual and planetary health. These strategies can be deployed through co-design and co-implementation to create equitable and inclusive access to services for the promotion, protection and recovery of neurological health in all human populations across the life course