Noise-Induced Hearing Impairment As An Occupational Risk Factor Among Nigerian Traders

Noise pollution in workplaces poses serious health risks including that of cardiovascular disturbances and impairment of hearing. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of occupational noise on hearing among selected industrial workers in Benin City, Nigeria. Male and female workers (n=150) in sawmills, Food Processing industries and Marketers of recorded music who had been exposed to high levels of occupational noise for between 1-14years were evaluated. We determined the ambient noise levels in their workplaces to be over 90dB. We analyzed the air and bone conduction defects for both their left and right ears. The results showed that noise-induced hearing impairment was present in 100% of the workers exposed for a period of 14 years. By 4-8 years, 100% of sawmill workers had developed hearing impairment. In addition, air-conduction pathway in the right ear was affected more than the left ear. In general, male workers were more susceptible to noise induced hearing impairment. In a situation of low level of awareness and dearth of enforced noise control laws in many developing countries, noise pollution can pose severe hearing impairment and other health risks. Key words: Occupational noise, hearing, impairment, Nigerians. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 14-1

Health education alone and health education plus advance provision of emergency contraceptive pills on knowledge and attitudes among university female students in Enugu, Nigeria

This was an intervention study to compare the effects of health education alone and health education plus advance provision of emergency contraception (EC) pills on the knowledge and attitudes to EC by female students of University of Nigeria in South‑East Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Astructured questionnaire was used to collect data in February, 2009 from 290 female students of a tertiary educational institution (140 in the study group and 150 from the control group) who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted among all the students. In addition, a pack containing 2 tablets of EC pills (Postinor) was given only to the students in the study group. Three months after this intervention, its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaire employed in the baseline survey.Results: knowledge of EC was significantly higher among the study group than the controls at post‑intervention, P < 0.05. Attitudes to EC were also more favorable at post‑intervention survey among the study group, P< 0.05 in most of the variables.Conclusion/Recommendation: Health education plus advance provision of EC pills effectively improved knowledge and attitudes to EC among female students of tertiary institutions more than health education alone and this should be promoted.Key words: Advance provision, attitudes, emergency contraception, female students, health education, knowledge, tertiary institution

The reproductive dysfunction effects of gasoline inhalation in albino rats

Daily exposure to fuel vapour may pose significant health risk to exposed individuals. Fifteen each of male and female albino rats weighing between 110-230g were divided into test (10) and control (5) groups each. The test animals were exposed to inhalation gasoline for one hour daily for twenty-one consecutive days. All animals were then bled and the serum levels of the reproductive hormones determined. The results showed significant (

Trends in rape cases in a Nigerian state

Background: Rape remains a controversial issue with a few victims reporting experience because of the myriad of societal perception, prolonged steps in pursuing a case to logical conclusion of securing conviction, as well as psychological and physical residuals of the experience. Data in Nigeria is therefore hard to come by as it is diminished and often not available. Objectives: To assess the pattern and trend of rape cases in a State in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study where data records on socio-demographics and case specifics was collected on victims of sexual assault that reported to DFID/ PATHS 2 supported Tamar Sexual Assault Centre between 2014 and 2016 after which it was analysed and presented in bar charts. Results: The yearly prevalence varied for the different age groups studied with the highest prevalence noted for 13 years and above (175,200,255) over the 3 years of 2014, 2015 and 2016 studied. The reported cases also improved over the studied years with rates of 0.47, 0.96 and 0.5 respectively. Conclusion: The yearly comparison and baseline data show that the centre's establishment caused an improvement in rape case reporting and follow-up

SARS-CoV-2: Current Perspective on Control, Prevention, and Therapeutic Promise

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has halted activities throughout the globe because of its rapid spread. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a β-coronavirus first detected in China. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to be transmitted via direct contact, fomite, respiratory droplets, and possibly aerosol. The spread of the disease is complicated due to the slow onset of symptoms and asymptomatic infected patients. Methods: This narrative communication summarizes the recent researches sourced using sensitive search strategies to identify COVID-19 current perspectives on the control, prevention, and therapeutic promise. Result: Several strategies and multiple control measures have been implemented around the globe to contain COVID-19. Considering the exponential spread of the pandemic, several scientists and physicians have been racing to discover possible therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. There are clinical trials to investigate the vaccine designed to protect against the infection and also to substantiate the claim made for BCG protection against COVID-19. Although, there is currently no universally approved medication to treat SARS-CoV-2, there have been random reports of existing medications ameliorating the infection, and these regimens are still under clinical trial. There is also the potential therapeutic prospect of rhinothermy to fight SARS-CoV-2 judging from its success in fighting upper respiratory tract viral infection. Conclusion: The information provided in this communication gives a reliable intellectual grounding regarding the current perspective on COVID-19 control, progress made in the development of vaccines and therapeutic regimen, and where future research in this area should be focused. Key words: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; control; WHO; respiratory; cases; trac

SARS-CoV-2: Current Perspective on Control, Prevention, and Therapeutic Promise

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has halted activities throughout the globe because of its rapid spread. COVID-19  is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a β-coronavirus first detected in China. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to be transmitted via direct contact, fomite, respiratory droplets, and possibly aerosol. The spread of the disease is complicated due to the slow onset of symptoms and asymptomatic infected patients. Methods: This narrative communication summarizes the recent researches sourced using sensitive search strategies to identify COVID-19 current perspectives on the control, prevention, and therapeutic promise. Result: Several strategies and multiple control measures have been implemented around the globe to contain COVID-19. Considering the   exponential spread of the pandemic, several scientists and physicians have been racing to discover possible therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. There are clinical trials to investigate the vaccine designed to protect against the infection and also to substantiate the claim made for BCG protection against COVID-19. Although, there is currently no universally approved medication to treat SARS-CoV-2, there have been random reports of existing medications ameliorating the infection, and these regimens are still under clinical trial. There is also the potential therapeutic prospect of rhinothermy to fight SARS-CoV-2 judging from its success in fighting upper respiratory tract viral infection. Conclusion: The information provided in this communication gives a reliable intellectual grounding regarding the current perspective on COVID-19  control, progress made in the development of vaccines and therapeutic regimen, and where future research in this area should be focused. Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; control; WHO; respiratory; cases; trac

Maternal death and obstetric care audits in Nigeria: A systematic review of barriers and enabling factors in the provision of emergency care.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Yutaka Osakabe for co-ordinating the retrieval of full text articles. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supported this study, grant number 12-100074-000-INPPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Reproductive health issues of the adolescent in Africa: review and commentary

There are yet many unmet reproductive health needs for the African adolescents despite the many reproductive health programmes which have been initiated in the last decade. It appears that the gains of the programmes are not yet being felt across the continent. In this era of HIV/AIDS and the peculiar reproductive health problems of the African youth, there is an increasing need to identify the critical issues and constraints. It is widely believed that much of the constraints are cultural. It is also believed that much of the required interventions will be social in nature. There are cultural constraints in programmes design and implementation, and in services acceptance, access and utilization. It is therefore important to identify the cultural value-foundations of some of the reproductive health issues and determine how to configure such issues in programmes and programmatic approaches

Administrative Responsibilities of Community-Funded Health Insurance Scheme in Nigeria

Access to quality healthcare in Nigeria remains a major problem for over 70% of the population living in rural areas and a good number in semi-urban towns. Health insurance may bring quality healthcare closer to the populace at an affordable rate since it allows for cross-subsidization of the poor by the rich and the sick by the healthy. We have reviewed pilot schemes of government initiated programme (National Health Insurance Scheme) and a Non-governmental Organization initiated programme (Ndo Nwanne Health Insurance Scheme, Enugu) and propose a model for Community-funded health insurance in Nigeria. Key Words: Adverse selection, Community, Capitation, Insurance. Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 45(3) 2004: 26-2

The Influence of Adrenal Secretons on Leucocyte Distribution and Counts: Investigation into the Aetiology of Idiopathic Benign Ethnic Leuko-Neutropenia

Many apparently, health Africans present with leuko-neutropenia. The origin of the so-called benign ethnic leuko-neutropenia remains uncertain. Africans are also, known to have small adrenal cortices. Cortisol is the major secretion of the adrenal cortex, which profoundly influences leukocyte profile. We investigated the influence of Adrenalectomy (ADX) on the leukocyte distribution of albino rats, and correlated the plasma cortisol level of apparently healthy adult male Nigerians (n=20) with their leukocyte distribution. ADX caused a re-distribution of leukocyte total and differential counts in our animal model of albino rats producing lymphocyte dominance and relative leuko-neutropenia. The plasma cortisol levels of our subjects showed significant negative correlation with lymphocyte frequency and a significant positive correlation with neutrophil and total leukocyte cunts. These findings suggest that lymphocyte dominance, relative neutropenia and relative leucopenia, which are common features of some leukopenic Africans can be accounted for by the level of plasma cortisol. We speculate that ethnic leuko-neutropenia may be due to adrenocortical hypofunction, which reportedly occurs in Africans. (Key words: Adrenal hypofunction, Leucopenia, Nigerians). Sahel Medical Journal Vol.7(1) 2004: 28-3