Risk Factors for Small-for-Gestational-age and Preterm Births among 19,269 Tanzanian Newborns.

Few studies have differentiated risk factors for term-small for gestational age (SGA), preterm-appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and preterm-SGA, despite evidence of varying risk of child mortality and poor developmental outcomes. We analyzed birth outcome data from singleton infants, who were enrolled in a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of neonatal vitamin A supplementation conducted in Tanzania. SGA was defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestation age and sex using INTERGROWTH standards and preterm birth as delivery at <37 complete weeks of gestation. Risk factors for term-SGA, preterm-AGA, and preterm-SGA were examined independently using log-binomial regression. Among 19,269 singleton Tanzanian newborns included in this analysis, 68.3 % were term-AGA, 15.8 % term-SGA, 15.5 % preterm-AGA, and 0.3 % preterm-SGA. In multivariate analyses, significant risk factors for term-SGA included maternal age <20 years, starting antenatal care (ANC) in the 3(rd) trimester, short maternal stature, being firstborn, and male sex (all p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for preterm-AGA were maternal age <25 years, short maternal stature, firstborns, and decreased wealth (all p < 0.05). In addition, receiving ANC services in the 1(st) trimester significantly reduced the risk of preterm-AGA (p = 0.01). Significant risk factors for preterm-SGA included maternal age >30 years, being firstborn, and short maternal stature which appeared to carry a particularly strong risk (all p < 0.05). Over 30 % of newborns in this large urban and rural cohort of Tanzanian newborns were born preterm and/or SGA. Interventions to promote early attendance to ANC services, reduce unintended young pregnancies, increased maternal height, and reduce poverty may significantly decrease the burden of SGA and preterm birth in sub-Saharan Africa

Depressed mood in pregnancy: Prevalence and correlates in two Cape Town peri-urban settlements

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The disability associated with depression and its impact on maternal and child health has important implications for public health policy. While the prevalence of postnatal depression is high, there are no prevalence data on antenatal depression in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of depressed mood in pregnancy in Cape Town peri-urban settlements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study reports on baseline data collected from the Philani Mentor Mothers Project (PMMP), a community-based, cluster-randomized controlled trial on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. The PMMP aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based intervention for preventing and managing illnesses related to HIV, TB, alcohol use and malnutrition in pregnant mothers and their infants. Participants were 1062 pregnant women from Khayelitsha and Mfuleni, Cape Town. Measures included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Derived AUDIT-C, indices for social support with regards to partner and parents, and questions concerning socio-demographics, intimate partner violence, and the current pregnancy. Data were analysed using bivariate analyses followed by logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depressed mood in pregnancy was reported by 39% of mothers. The strongest predictors of depressed mood were lack of partner support, intimate partner violence, having a household income below R2000 per month, and younger age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high prevalence of depressed mood in pregnancy necessitates early screening and intervention in primary health care and antenatal settings for depression. The effectiveness and scalability of community-based interventions for maternal depression must be developed for pregnant women in peri-urban settlements.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00972699">NCT00972699</a>.</p

A Study on Cultivation of Indigenous Mushrooms in South Eastern Nigeria

Studies were carried out to investigate cultivation of some indigenous edible mushrooms in Anambra State. The most suitable substrates for cultivation of Pleurotus tuberregium and Volvariella volvacea were also investigated. Spawn of V. volvacea was obtained from the Department of Life Science, University of Benin, Edo State and sclerotia of P. Tuberregium purchased from Eke Awka Market, Anambra State were used for this study. Plantain leaves and oil palm bunch wastes were substrates employed for V. volvacea whereas topsoil was used for P. tuberregium cultivation. The methods used were site preparation, substrate preparation, soil preparation, sclerotia preparation, cultivation of sclerotia, irrigation, spawn cultivation and harvesting of mushrooms. Means were analyzed statistically using (ANOVA) to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests (DMRT).The highest number of fruit bodies of V. volvacea, 312.68 was obtained from plantain leaves on day 2 after primordial emergence whereas the least, 21.00 was recorded from oil palm bunch wastes on days 6 and 14, respectively. The highest number of P. tuberregium, 61.58 was recorded on day 12 after primordial emergence while the least, 20.49 was recorded on days 7, 13 and 14, respectively. All the three substrates utilized for cultivation of mushrooms in this study supported their growth and development. Plantain leaves supported fast colonization and produced high yield fruit bodies of V. volvacea. The ability to use agricultural wastes for cultivation of mushrooms will boost food production for ever increasing population

Effect of Protein Extract of Mangifera indica Pollen on the Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cell) of Albino Rats

This study was carried out to show the effect of the protein extract of Mangifera indica on the red blood cell (erythrocytes) of albino rats. The Mangifera protein was extracted using 500ml of 0.02m (20mM) phosphate- buffered saline (PBS), at pH 7.4, in a large beaker (stirred with a magnetic stirrer for 3 hours at room temperature). The crude extract was saturated to 60% by adding solid ammonium sulphate under constant gentle attiring, and then stored in a refrigerator for 6 hours. Sixteen male albino rats obtained from animal house in Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka was used for the study. They were divided into two groups of eight. One group was labeled the experimental group and the other control. The extract was administered to the experimental rats intra nasally for a period of seven (7) days. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error. Means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). Blood samples were collected via the orbital plexus of rats to determine the effect of the extract on red blood cell (erythrocytes). The present study demonstrated that the extracted pollen of Mangifera indica had no allergic effect on ratsand so would need to be further investigated

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanol and Methanol Extracts of Lantana camara Leaf

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities of ethanol and methanol leaf extracts of Lantana camara Linn against some clinical pathogens. The ethanol and methanol extracts were obtained by soaking each of the powdered leaf in each solvent. The soaked powdered leaf was allowed to stand for four days at room temperature and later filtered using Whatman filter paper. The filtrate was further concentrated using rotary evaporator and then freeze-dried. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol and methanol leaf extracts was carried out using agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical analysis was done using standard techniques. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results of the antimicrobial activity revealed that V. cholerae was the most susceptible while E. coli was the most resistant to plant extracts. The phytochemicals present in the plant leaf had antimicrobial properties and may serve as a good substitute for resistant human pathogens

Factors associated with antenatal mental disorder in West Africa: a cross-sectional survey

&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Maternal mental illness is likely to have a profound impact in less developed parts of the world. A mother experiencing mental illness in a low income setting is at risk of providing sub-optimal care for her offspring which can have grave consequences in an environment where poverty, overcrowding, poor sanitation, malnutrition, tropical diseases and a lack of appropriate medical services may be pronounced. Given the profound consequences of antenatal and postnatal mental illness on maternal mental health, foetal wellbeing and childhood growth and development the factors associated with mental illness in a Sub-Saharan setting merit clarification and investigation. &lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A prospective survey design was conducted in Lagos. Self reporting questionnaire 20 items (SRQ20) assessed the presence of mental illness. The WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence Questions assessed women’s exposure to violence. Numerous variables potentially associated with mental illness including maternal socio-economic factors, maternal characteristics, obstetric variables and the characteristics of previous children were recorded. Direct logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of a number of variables on the likelihood of presence of mental disorder in the population. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; 189 women were surveyed. 7% met the criteria for experiencing a common mental disorder according to their score on the SRQ-20. Of variables examined only the number of female children and the presence of inter personal violence predicted being a case of mental illness (OR=3.400; 95%CI =1.374 - 8.414 and OR =5 .676; 95%CI = 1.251 - 25.757 respectively). &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; Rates of mental disorder found in our study were lower than those previously observed internationally and in Africa, perhaps reflecting stigma about disclosing symptoms. The predictive nature of violence on mental disorder is in keeping with international evidence. Our study demonstrated that exposure to inter personal violence within the last 12 months and increasing numbers of female children predict the presence of mental illness in a sample of pregnant Nigerian women. Training and education for primary health care and obstetric health workers should highlight these areas