Update knowledge of dry mouth- A guideline for dentists

Background: Dry mouth is usually caused by a reduced salivary flow or by changes in the biochemical composition of saliva.Objective: The aim of this paper is a review of the update literature of dry mouth.Methods: We search in pubmed in the past 10 years using the words «dry mouth», «causes», «symptoms», «treatment» and «dentistry». A large number of papers have been identified. Papers not relevant to the issue were removed reducing the entries to 56 only.Results: There are no clearly established protocols for the treatment of dry mouth in the literature. Most of identified papers were systematic reviews, non-systematic reviews, and observational studies. The most studied patients were Sjögren’s syndrome and the irradiated patients. Treatments are focused on the etiology, prevention, symptomatic, local salivary stimulation and systemic treatments.Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no clear evidence for the causes and treatment of dry mouth, therefore the majority of the general dental practitioners refer most of the cases to appropriate specialist. Treatment must be individualized, salivary substitutes and mechanical stimulation techniques can be applied.Keywords: Dry mouth, xerostomi

Knowledge and awareness of Tuberculosis among Students of University of Kassala, Sudan

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem worldwide, as one third of the world population is infected with M. tuberculosis. It is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health concern in Sudan.Objectives: to determine the awareness and knowledge of tuberculosis among students.Methods: Cross- sectional study was conducted among 395 students from different faculties of University of Kasasala. Self-administered pretested questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: A total of 395 students responded to the questionnaire, 185(46.8%) were male and 210 (53.2%) were female. The overall view of the study is the poor knowledge of TB regarding the infectious agent 107(27.1%), Curability 58(14.7%), the period of treatment 58(14.7%) preventive measure and BCG as TB vaccine 64(16.2%). However, they were knowledgeable about the communicability 364(92.2%). Moreover the students were unaware of mode of transmission (91.2%) and the symptoms of TB (94.7%). Students understood that cough more than three weeks is the signs of TB 228(57.7%) and it is the route of transmission 320(81.0%).Conclusion: The findings highlighted poor knowledge and lack of awareness among students regarding the important aspects of TB. So intensive health education programs are required and included in the curriculum of faculties so as to contribute in the development of the community.Key words: Knowledge, awareness, Tuberculosi

Effect of health education on long lasting insecticidal nets utilization among mothers of under five children in yamaltu deba lga, Gombe state, Nigeria

Malaria remains a major global public health challenge. It is the leading cause ofdeath among children below the age of five years and constitutes 10% of the continent's disease burden. The objective of this study was to determine effect of health education on utilization of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) among mothers of under five children in Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe state: Objective: This study was aimed at determining the effect of health education on LLINs utilization among mothers of under five children in Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State. Method: The study was a community-based quasi-experimental intervention where 240 mothers of under five children were selected from two communities using a multi stage sampling technique. Health education was given in the study community and withheld in the control community. Data was collected from both communities before and after the intervention using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using EPI-INFO 3.7.1 and Micro soft Excel software. Result obtained was presented using proportion, Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables and decision taken at p<0.05. Results: The mean ages of respondents in study and control communities were 28.9±6.2 and 27.9±6.7 years respectively. At pre-intervention, LLIN ownership was found to be 86.6% and 76.3% while its utilization was 45.4% and 38.1% in both communities. After health education intervention, (LLINs) improved significantly in study community from 42.9% to 89.9% compared with control community which increased from 33.9% to 60.9% and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001). Conclusion: This study concludes that health education significantly improved utilization. We recommendedcontinuous health education on LLINs utilization in communities especially among mothers of under five children

Patient satisfaction with quality of primary health care in Benghazi, Libya

Introduction: The Libyan National Health System (LNHS) is debated for the paradox of its performance versus impact. It has poor performance, but the national health statistics are good and competitive. There are concerted efforts to manage health care services and to regain the lost trust. A primary health care (PHC) system that focuses on preventive and promotive care is the core focus of LNHS efforts. Objectives: To assess patient satisfaction with quality of PHC assessed in terms of (a) customer profile, (b) patient satisfaction, and (c) health care-seeking behavior. Methodology: A sample of nine health centers and seven polyclinics from various locations in Benghazi, Libya were selected for gathering information by structured face-to-face interviews. A total of 310 beneficiaries were interviewed by using an Arabic translation of the Charleston Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale. Results: The beneficiaries appear to be quite satisfied with the quality of services. Geographical zone, marital status of beneficiary, and type of facility are satisfaction-related factors. There are preferences for facilities located within the City Centre over those located elsewhere. There is also an interaction effect of the geographical zone and the type of facility in creating differences in satisfaction. Conclusions: A customer-friendly facility concept that emphasizes reception, physician interaction, and cordiality shall add value. Polyclinics require more attention as does the Al Slawy area. A few utility services might also be considered.Keywords: exit interviews; Health For All by All; geographic zone; administrative and environmental factors; health-seeking behavior; interaction effect; type and location of facility; place of residenc

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Assessment of Tannery Effluent from Samaru - Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Physicochemical and bacteriological assessment of tannery effluent from Samaru -Zaria was carried out. A total of six (6) tannery effluent samples (from site A- point of discharge, site B- 20m from point of discharge, site C- 40m from point of discharge, site D- 60m from point of discharge, site E- 80m from point of discharge and site F- 100m from point of discharge) were collected from the Nigerian Leather and Science Technology, Samaru - Zaria, Kaduna State in sterile labeled screw capped bottles. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis was carried out using standard techniques. The physicochemical analysis revealed the appearance of the effluent to be dark-brown with unpleasant odour. the effluent further revealed the presence and at different concentrations of total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, phosphate, cadmium, zinc and copper, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), oil and grease all in mg/L except pH. Bacillus sp had percentage occurrence of 100%, Pseudomonas sp had 83.3%, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus sp had 66.7% each, Proteus and Klebsiella sp had 50.0% occurrence each, Streptococcus had 33.3% while Escherichia coli had the least percentage of occurrence of 16.7 from the samples of the tannery effluent analyzed respectively. The highest viable count was observed from site F which is 100m away from the point of discharge and had 4.09 x 107 cfu/ml and the lowest from site A (point of discharge) with 1.2 x 107cfu/ml. The treatment of tannery effluents before discharge into the environment is necessary using biotreatment. This will reduce or eliminate environmental pollutions which could be detrimental to humans, animals and plants.Keywords: Physicochemical, bacteria, COD, BOD, effluen

Novel use of ear sockets as points of traction in partial foetotomy in Bunaji cows

Dystocia was managed in 4½-, 3- and 3½-year-old Bunaji and Bunaji-Friesian cross cows at the University farm, a Fulani camp and an Institutional farm, respectively. Clinical examination showed normal vital parameters, straining, well relaxed perineum, oedematous vulva, fully engorged mammary glands and extended foetal fore-limbs. Vaginal exploration revealed fully relaxed cervices, dead foetuses in anterior longitudinal presentation and dorso-sacral positions. The necks and heads were flexed laterally and dorsally. Dystocia of foetal causes due to postural abnormalities (lateral and dorsal flexion of the neck) were diagnosed. Amputations of fore-limbs of the foetuses at the point of the shoulders using ThygesenM® foetotome and obstetrical wire were done. A crutch-repeller placed between the neck and the stump of shoulder of the amputated fore-limb was then used to repel the foetuses into the uteri to achieve extension of the neck. Extension of the flexed necks and heads was achieved by the use of three-point traction on the heads and repulsion concurrently. Traction was used to deliver the dead foetuses while guarding the points of amputation in the birth canals. It was concluded that the ear socket can be used as a new point of traction along with or in place of the eye socket in partial foetotomy for relieving dystocia with non-viable foetus in Bunaji cows.Keywords: Bunaji cow, Dystocia, Ear, Foetotomy, Obstetrical-wire, Tractio

Preliminary Evaluation of Some Qualitative Traits of Sugarcane Germplasm of North-Western Nigeria

Thirty five local sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) accessions were collected in an expedition in North-Western Nigeria, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara,  Katsina, Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa States in September 2011. The germplasm accessions were maintained at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Data on leaf colour, leaf sheath colour, thrashability, ligular process, spines  (pubescence), stem colour and bud groove were collected. The study indicate that shape of the accessions could be used either directly or indirectly as a selection tool for pest resistance and mechanical cultivation in sugarcane. Leaf sheath colour and number of green leaves per plant could form additional selection tools for high photosynthesis efficiency to the already existing ones.Key words: Evaluation, Sugarcane, Germplasm, Characters, Accession

Evaluation of Health Risk Concerns of Trace Metals in Borehole Water Proximal to Dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the health risk concern of some trace metals in selected borehole drinking water proximal to open dumpsites in Benin City. Borehole water samples were collected and analysed for trace metals using standard methods. Health risk and pollution indices were used to characterise the trace metals. The average daily dosage (ADD) results showed low concentrations of the trace metals in the various borehole sites. Oluku 1 had Mn (0.04), Zn (0.11) and Cu (0.01). Oluku 2 had Mn (0.43), Zn (0.18) and Cu (0.01) while Ikueniro 1 had Mn (0.05), Zn (0.17) and Cu (0.01) and Ikueniro 2 had Mn (0.04), Zn (0.15) and Cu (0.01). The hazard quotient (HQs) and hazard index (HI) values were < 1. The results of the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) revealed the values of Oluku 1 (4.6E-06), Oluku 2 (1.0E-04), Ikueniro 1 (1.4-05) and Ikueniro 2 (5.6E-06). The classification of the water were within class 0 and 1. The findings of this study have revealed that the trace metal contents found in the boreholes waters were within the safe limits as referenced. On this premise, the borehole waters were recommended safe for consumption without any health risk impact, consequent of no evidence of pollution.Keywords: Health Risk; Trace Metals; Borehole Water; Dumpsite

Fracture of the penis: A report of two cases

We present two cases of fracture of the penis in two young men at the extremes of the social strata the first an unemployed tailor while the other a practicing engineer. The first one was a bachelor while the other wasmarried with children. In the first case, the fracture occurred during masturbation while in the second case it occurred during consensual intercoursewith hiswife on top. In the first case the fracture occurred at the base of the peniswith associated rupture of the deep dorsal veinwhile in the second case it affected themid-shaftwith urethral rupture and blood at the tip of the penis at presentation. Both of them presented within two hours of their injuries with deformed, swollen and tender penis. Laubscher's subcoronal sleeve operation with evacuation of clots and repair of the tear with absorbable sutures to ensure a leak-proof repair was promptly performedwith no complications.Both patients experienced spontaneous erectionwhilst in hospital evenwith indwelling catheter in place. The wife of the second case became pregnant six months after the repair. Counselingwas successfulwith the engineer butwas unsuccessfulwith the tailor-bachelorwho continuedwith masturbation despite professional help.Thoughwe published the first case of fracture of the penis in this centre almost a decade ago, we still found it necessary to report these newcasesmanaged after we created awareness of this uncommon condition in our environment in order to highlight the presentations and the factors that influenced outcome

Comparison of Levels of some Metals in the Water and Sediment from Challawa Gorge Dam, Kano, Nigeria

Level of some Metals (Cd,Cr,Mn,Pb,Zn,Na and K) was seasonally determined in the water and sediments of Challawa Gorge dam.The result obtained showed that the values of the metal contents were generally higher in the dry season than the wet season. The metal contents of the water and sediment were obtained using the nitric acid digestion method. All the metals analyzed except Na and K were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (flame emission spectroscopic method). Variations in concentrations were found for the heavy metals ranging between (0.01and1.41mg/l) in water and (1.0 and 1.64 mg/kg) in the sediments. Sodium and potassium were found in concentrations ranging between 7.65±0.28 and 11.32±8.62mg/l in water and between 50.32±18.08mg/l and 144.19±12.09mg/kg in the sediments respectively. The statistical comparison of the values between the wet and dry season in water as well as those in sediment shows no significant difference at P>0.05. All the metals were found to be within the permissible limits as recommended by WHO/NOAA for quality water and sediments except for the levels of iron (Fe) in water which was found to be above the acceptable limit. The sediments contained higher concentration of heavy metals than the water. This may be attributed to the fact that sediments usually serves as repositories in an aqueous environment.Keywords: Heavy metals, sediment, wet season, dry season, water