Knowledge, attitude and practice of safety measures among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Cooking gas refill attendants play important role in the use of gas in Zaria. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and safety measure practices among cooking gas refill attendants in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted in January, 2019 among cooking gas refill attendants using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and checklist. It was a whole-population study of 121 participants. The data was collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) software version 1.21.1 installed in an android device and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results were summarized and presented in tables and charts; p value was set at < 0.05 for statistical significance. Majority (79.6%) of the respondents were within the productive age group of 25 to 44 years with median age 36 years, married (57.9%) and more than half (52.1%) of the respondents had secondary education and all respondents were males. The overall scores for knowledge, attitudes and safety practices were 81.0%, 90.1% and 75.2% respectively but with various deficiencies. Those that attended training were 78.0%. Finding from the checklist showed that 5.8% of the inspected fire extinguishers were expired. The respondents’ knowledge, attitude and safety measures practices were associated with level of education, age and ethnicity. Majority of the gas refill attendants had good knowledge, attitude and safety measure practice, however, with some deficiencies. There is need for training and supervision to ensure use of personal protective equipment and replacement of the expired fire extinguishers

Five year review of oropharyngeal cancer patients at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, north central Nigeria

Oropharyngeal tumours constitutes 10 to 12% of all head and neck malignancies, and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common histological variant seen in 90% of cases. Studies have confirmed the high prevalence of the disease among males, and the roles of alcohol intake and cigarette smoking as risk factors are well documented. This is a retrospective  review of  socio-demographic and risk factors of oropharyngeal cancers in our practice. All cases of orophyryngeal cancer seen at Ear, Nose and Throat Department of University of Ilorin Teaching  Hospital (U.I.T.H) between July 2008 and June 2013 were reviewed. UITH has over 600 beds and is a tertiary institution for the University Medical Scohool.There were 27 cases, 15 (54.6%) were within 40-60 years, 7 (27.3%) were below 40 years, and 5 (18.2%) above 60 years. Seventeen (63.6%) were females and 10 (36.4%) males with male to female ratio of 1:1.7.  Twenty (72.7%) were non-smokers while 7 (27.3%) were smokers. Ten cases (36.4%) had history of alcohol intake while 17 (63.4%) did not take alcohol. Lateral wall and tonsil tumours constituted 55.6% (15) of the total, closely followed by base of the tongue tumours 7 (27.3%), then soft palatal tumours 5 (18.2%). There was none in the posterior pharyngeal wall. Seven patients (26.0%) had surgery followed by chemoradiation, 3 (11.1%) had chemoradiation only, while 17 (63.4%) either declined surgery or defaulted clinic follow-up. Two of the patients (7.4%) had associated HIV infection. This study showed relative high incidence of oropharyngeal tumours in young and middle aged females; who are non-alcohol drinking and non-smokers. Incidental finding of HIV infection in some of the patients is a pointer to the possible role of sexually transmitted viral infections in the epidemiology of oropharyngeal cancers and a focus for preventive measures.Keywords: Oropharyngeal cancer, risk factor, sexually transmitted viral infectio

Prospective Jatropha Curcas based Firms in Nigeria. How Viable?

This study examined the viability of prospective Jatropha based firms vis–a-vis employment opportunities in Nigeria, specifically the study identified the Jatropha bio-diesel and other allied products that were been researched into in Nigeria, estimated the costs and returns structure to Jatropha cultivation and the production of Jatropha based products. For the study, small scale Jatropha based firms were investigated. The results of the study revealed that Jatropha based products manufactured include bio-diesel, Jatropha kernel cake livestock feed, Jatropha ink pigment and dye, glycerine and Jatropha seeds-coat cement sheet and floor tiles. All the various parts of the Jatropha seeds are useful either for one or two of these products. Jatropha cultivation, was shown to be very profitable. Among Jatropha products, only the costs of the biodiesel Jatropha fuel is relative expensive when compared with the common fossil diesel. Based on the study findings, the study calls for the mobilisation of the Nigerian farmers to cultivate Jatropha, Alongside training to intimate the masses of the numerous products and benefits from Jatropha is necessary. They should be trained to manufacture simple Jatropha based necessities like those highlighted in the study. Market accessibility training to farmers and other stakeholders involved should also be embedded in the training. There is also the need to popularize the practicality of using Jatropha to produce these products via workshops and seminars. It is also necessary to step-up steps at introducing these products to the markets so as to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of the Jatropha based firms. Government and also other individuals and stake-holders need ensure the availability of supporting infrastructures for these small holder industries to thrive in the long-run