Benefit incidence analysis of free insecticide treated nets distribution in urban and rural communities of Enugu state, South East Nigeria

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of mortality as well as a barrier to economic and social development in developing countries. The use of insecticide‑treated nets (ITNs) for malaria vector control is effective in controlling malaria attacks in pregnant women and under‑5 children. The Nigerian government, in its bid to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 and 5 distributes free ITNs to pregnant mothers and under‑five children in the Roll Back Malaria programme (RBM).Aim: This study compared the benefit incidence analysis of this government program between urban and rural areas.Materials and Methods: Pretested, semi‑structured questionnaires were administered to 150 pregnant women and also 150 mothers of under‑5 children, who were randomly selected from each of the two communities (rural and urban) from a local government area (LGA) in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study was conducted within the rainy season periods (March–August) of 2008. The information obtained included some socio‑economic variables, accessibility, usage and benefits of usage of ITNs. Data entry and analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0(Chicago IL, USA). Student’s t‑test and Chi‑square were used for comparison where appropriate. Significant values were taken as P value. Value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The respondents’ mean monthly expenditures on food utilities and anti‑malarials in the rural area and urban areas were N266.1 (74.02), range (143.3-395) and N473 (90) range (380-495.7) respectively (P < 0.001). Within each socio‑economic stratum (SES), the average monthly expenditure in the urban community was higher than that of the rural community except for least poor SES (P < 0.05). For the urban community, 106 (71.6%) respondents used ITNs as against 99 (66.9%) in the rural community [P = 0.778, OR = 1.3 (95% CI: 0.76, 2.05)]. Also, ITNs were always accessible to 112 (75.7%) and 54 (36.5%) respondents in the urban and rural communities respectively [P < 0.001, OR = 5.4 (95% CI: 3.28, 8.96)]. In the urban community, 130 (87.7%) respondents expressed some benefit from ITNs as against 123 (83.1%) respondents from the rural community [P = 0.258, OR = 1.5 (95% CI: 0.76, 2.28)].Conclusion: Most pregnant women and mothers of under‑five children in the rural study area belong to the poorest socio‑economic classes and they spend less on anti‑malarial treatment. Majority of the free ITN’s beneficiaries in both urban and rural study areas have used and benefitted from themKey words: BIA, ITNs, nigeria, pregnanc

The role of some micronutrients (eldervit) in the management of anaemic pregnant Nigerian women: A preliminary report

CONTEXT: Anaemia continues to be a leading contributor to adverse reproductive outcomes in the developing countries. Although, the commonest cause of anaemia in pregnancy is iron deficiency, the enormous contributions of other micronutrients have been underestimated. As a result, the need to identify relevant micronutrients, whichcomplement iron, in haematopoiesis cannot be over emphasized.OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of some micronutrients  (Cyanocobalamin, {B12}2500ìg, folic acid 0.7mg, niacin12mg and ascorbic acid 150mg; Eldervit-12) on some haematological parameters of anaemic pregnant women.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ONE hundred and sixty two (162) anaemic pregnant women aged between 18-38 years were recruited into the study, and randomly divided into two groups. The test group was given two weeklyEldervit-12 injections intramuscularly, and the control group was given placebo (water for injection). Packed cell volume (PCV), reticulocyte count, white cell count and platelet count were estimated before and at the end of the injections using established methods. Student t-test was used to determine test for significance between the groups.RESULTS: The PCV increased significantly from 25.9± 2.2% and 26.2± 2.2% to 37.3% ± 2.6% and 32.4%± 1.9% respectively for test and control (P< 0.001). The PCV increase was however, significantly higher in the test when compared with the control (P< 0.001). The reticulocyte count also increased significantly from 2.2% ± 0.7% and 2.3%± 0.7% to 4.7%V 0.8 % and 2.9% ± 0.7 % respectively for test and control (P<0.001). But the test showed a more significant increase than the control (P< 0.001). There were no significant differences in the WBC and platelet counts (P> 0.05).CONCLUSION: Additional micronutrients play a vital role in the management of anaemia in pregnancy. Efforts should be made to qualify and quantify these in other to obtain the actual daily requirements.Key words (Anaemia, Pregnancy, Micronutrients, Haematological parameters.

Copper and selenium status of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria

Background: Copper and selenium are important trace elements in man. They function as antioxidants and play roles in oxido-reductase reactions. Several imported multivitamin preparations are given to our women during pregnancy and lactation to correct possible deficiencies.Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the serum level of these micronutrients (selenium and copper) in a cross section of pregnant women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross section of 130 healthy pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant controls were selected from two health facilities in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Serum from the samples collected was assayed for copper and selenium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: The mean copper level increased (P = 0.018), while the selenium level decreased (P < 0.0001) as pregnancy advanced.Conclusion: High copper levels indicate that supplementation should not be undertaken during normal pregnancy. Dietary intake should be modified to ensure optimal selenium levels during pregnancy

Prevalence of sexual dysfunction among females in a university community in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Female sexual dysfunction is a common, condition that significantly reduces the quality‑of‑life of the affected persons. Unfortunately, because of the veil of secrecy that shrouds discussions on human sexuality, there has been limited research on this topic in some sociocultural settings.Aim: The aim was to determine the prevalence and some sociodemographic factors associated with sexual dysfunction in females in a university community at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: This is a cross‑sectional study involving 500 females recruited randomly in a tertiary institution in Nigeria. A self‑administered structured pretested questionnaire on sexual activity was administered (the Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software package (Version 17.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the sociodemographic factors, and the total FSFI scores dichotomized as normal and reduced sexual function. In addition, multiple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between the six different domains scores and the continuous values of the total score. For all, calculations, P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSFI score ≤ 26.50) was 53.3%. The highest prevalence occurred in the 41-50 years age group (73.3%; 66/90), married and living together 56.4% (123/218) and had postsecondary education (56.1%; 137/244). Only age significantly predicted female sexual function (P = 0.007; 95% CI; 0.691–0.943). Marital status, religion, ethnic group, and educational qualification had no significant effect (P < 0.05). The total FSFI significantly increase as desire increases (P = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.817–3.573).Conclusion: Female sexual dysfunction is common in the university environment, with the highest prevalence occurring in 41-50 years age group.Key words: Hypoactive, Nigeria, sexual dysfunction, university communit

The effect of free distribution of insecticide-treated nets on asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitemia in pregnant and nursing mothers in a rural Nigerian community

No Abstract

Placenta precreta: A review of literature

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 14(3) 2005: 261-26

Intraoperative uterine packing with mops: An effective, but under utilized method of controlling postpartum haemorrhage-experience from South Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 14(3) 2005: 279-28

Molecular characterization of exon 28 of von Willebrand’s factor gene in Nigerian population

Background: Polymorphisms in von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene are an important contributor to the expression of VWF gene and differences in ethnic distribution of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exists.Aims: Our objective was to molecularly characterize the exon 28 of the VWF gene in the three major ethnic groups of Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: We recruited 90 subjects, 45 had a history of bleeding. Questions included those used in the Zimmerman Program for the Molecular and Clinical Biology of von Willebrand disease (VWD), and the bleeding scores were calculated using the Molecular and Clinical Markers for the Diagnosis and Management of type 1 VWD scoring system. Full blood count, coagulation profile, VWF:antigen level and VWF:collagen‑binding activities were carried out. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism (5.03). GraphPad Software, Inc USA. The BigDye terminator chemistry was used to determine the nucleotide sequences of VWF gene (exon 28).Results: Eight SNPs were identified, rs 216310 (T1547), rs 1800385 (V1565L), rs1800384 (A1515), rs1800383 (D1472H), rs 1800386 (Y1584C), rs 216311 (T1381A), rs 216312 (intronic) and rs 1800381 (P1337).Conclusion: The SNPs rs 216311, rs 1800383 and rs 1800386 associated significantly with bleeding in study subjects. rs1800386 occurred in all with bleeding history, no ethnic variations were noted.Key words: Exon 28, polymorphism, single nucleotide, von Willebrand facto

Cancer Prevention, the Need to Preserve the Integrity of the Genome at All Cost

Introduction: The entire genetic information carried by an organism makes up its genome. Genes have a diverse number of functions. They code different proteins for normal proliferation of cells. However, changes in the base sequence of genes affect their protein by-products which act as messengers for normal cellular functions such as proliferation and repairs. Salient processes for maintaining the integrity of the genome are hinged on intricate mechanisms put in place for the evolution to tackle genomic stresses. Aim: To discuss how cells sense and repair damage to their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as well as to highlight how defects in the genes involved in DNA repair contribute to cancer development.Methodology: Online searches on the following databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Biomed Central, and SciELO were done. Attempt was made to review articles with keywords such as cancer, cell cycle, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair. Results: The cell cycle, tumor suppression genes, DNA repair mechanism, as well as their contribution to cancer development, were discussed and reviewed.Conclusion: Knowledge on how cells detect and repair DNA damage through an array of mechanisms should allay our anxiety as regards cancer development. More studies on DNA damage detection and repair processes are important toward a holistic approach to cancer treatment.Keywords: Cancer, deoxyribonucleic acid, genes, genom