Electricity Crisis and Manufacturing Productivity in Nigeria (1980-2008)

Many researchers and policy makers have often emphasized the importance of adequate and regular electricity supply towards increasing manufacturing productivity in Nigeria. In line with this, this study was carried out to evaluate the impact of electricity crisis on the manufacturing productivity growth in Nigeria.The variables in the model include, manufacturing productivity index (as dependent variable) while electricity generation, capacity utilization rate, government capital expenditure on infrastructures and exchange rate (represent the independent variables). The study employed the ordinary least square multiple regression to analyze the time series data between 1980 and 2008. The result of the study shows that electricity generation and supply in Nigeria under the reviewed period impacted negatively on the manufacturing productivity growth, due to unnecessary government’s spending on non-economic and unproductive sectors.In view of the findings,  the study suggest among others, a reverse of the ugly trend of poor electricity supply through the initiative of independent power project, as proposed by some states in Nigeria. Keywords: Electricity Crisis, Manufacturing, Productivity, Nigeria, 1980-2008

Use of angiotensin II receptor blockers in children- a review of evidence

Background: The incidence of hypertension in the pediatric population has been increasing. Childhood blood pressure is predictive of adult BP. The renin angiotensin aldosterone system pathway is important in the mediation of pediatric hypertension. New therapies approved for adults are often used off label in children with little or no efficacy and safety data in the paediatric population The angiotensin receptor blockers has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of pediatric hypertension.Objective: The objective of this review is to highlight available clinical evidence on the efficacy, safety tolerability and kinetics of angiotensin receptor blockers in childhood hypertension and its antiproteinuric effect in renal disease.Method: The search strategy was based on Pubmed, Medline database, Cochrane Library, manual, Google and Yahoo searches. We summarized ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) .The search was done in June 2014 and updated in January and May 2015 in English language .Results: A total of 120 publications were accessed from which 68 references were included in the review. The design and outcome of ten key randomised trials are summarised. Randomised trials have demonstrated the efficacy of angiotensin receptor blockers in the pediatric population aged 1–16 years. This class of drugs reduce blood pressures in pediatric patients with hypertension and proteinuria in renal disease. Safety pharmacokinetic, dosage, and palatability of adult formulations for the paediatric age group are highlightedConclusion: Angiotensin receptor antagonists are useful effective and safe alternatives to available antihypertensive therapy in paediatric population. Angiotensin receptor antagonists should however be prescribed cautiously for sexually active adolescent females due to concern about angiotensin receptor blocker fetopathy.Keywords: Angiotensin receptor blockers, childhood hypertension, drug safety, drug efficacy, pharmacokinetics and renal diseases

Responsiveness of Industrial Growth to External Debt Question in Nigeria

A high level of industrial growth is associated with higher economicgrowth and development. Still the argument remains whether this mechanismissustainable in Nigeria, given the low level of access to external capital flows andlowdomestic capital investment. The study, therefore, employed AutoregressiveDistributed Lag Model (ARDL), variance decompositions, and impulse responsefunctions to examine the long-run ef ect of external debt on industrial growthinNigeria. The study used time series data from 1985 to 2019, and the findings revealthat external debt has a negative and significant ef ect on industrial growth inthelong run. The evidence from the sensitivity analysis also indicated a negativeresponse of industrial growth to external debt. Consequently, policymakers in Nigeriamust ensure ef ective management of external borrowing through evidence-basedpolicies on external debt and domestic capital formation that can create enablingbusiness environment and stimulate investors’ confidence to accelerate real industrialgrowth in Nigeria

Pain Relief in Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Intramuscular Tramadol with Intramuscular Paracetamol at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Labor is considered to be one of the most painful experiences in life. Several efforts have been made over the years, particularly in the developed world, to relieve pain in labor. Unfortunately, the same attention has not been given to obstetric analgesia in most of Africa.Aim: To compare the analgesic efficacy, patient satisfaction, and side effects of intramuscular tramadol and paracetamol as pain relief among women in labor at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective double‑blind randomized controlled trial that recruited 142 parturients into two groups of 71 women. One group received intramuscular 600 mg paracetamol and the other 100 mg tramadol at recruitment with rescue dose at least 3 h apart. Maternal vital signs were monitored and labor pain was assessed using the numerical rating scale. Neonatal conditions were  assessed by the use of APGAR scoring system and the need for admission into the Special Care Baby Unit. The parturients overall satisfaction with the analgesia were assessed 24 h postpartum.Results: The sociodemographic characteristics of the pregnant women in the two groups were similar, with the mean ages being 30.89 ± 3.50 and 30.93 ± 3.82 years, respectively. The study showed that intramuscular paracetamol was as effective as  intramuscular tramadol for providing moderate pain relief during active phase of labor. Neither drug caused significant changes in maternal vital signs, with favorable neonatal outcome and good safety profile.Conclusions: This study showed that 600 mg intramuscular paracetamol provides similar and modest pain relief in labor when compared to 100 mg intramuscular tramadol. It also has fewer maternal adverse effects and favorable neonatal outcome such as tramadol. It is concluded that intramuscular paracetamol is simple,  cost‑effective, readily available, and feasible option as labor analgesics, especially for resource poor settings.Key words: Labor; numerical rating scale; pain; paracetamol; tramadol

Clinical outcomes in hypertensive or diabetes patients who concomitantly use complementary medicines in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: The use of complementary medicines in addition to medical prescription by patients with hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases presents a challenge for healthcare providers in Nigeria and globally. There is very little data on the clinical outcomes in these patients.Objectives: To evaluate clinical outcomes in hypertensive or diabetic patients who use complimentary medicines in Lagos Nigeria .Design: Observational cross-sectional study.Setting: Lagos University Teaching Hospital Medical Outpatient Clinics.Subjects: Five hundred patients attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital Medical out-patient clinics with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hypertension or diabetic hypertensive were studied.Main outcome measures: The effect of complementary medicines use on blood pressure and blood glucose control were evaluated.Results: The mean arterial blood pressure of non-users of complementary medicine was 115.329 mmHg and that of users was 105.138mmHg. Also the mean fasting blood sugar of non-users was 129.515mg/dl and that of users was 131.453mg/dl. (P>0.05).Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, complimentary medicines were found to be of advantage to hypertensive patients but not diabetic patients

Anaemia in pregnancy maternal and perinatal outcome in Ibadan, south western Nigeria

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is a global public health issue that may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Ante natal care should be concerned with early detection and management of all degrees of anaemia in pregnancy.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and associated pregnancy outcomes among expectant mothers attending ante natal clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.Subjects, Methods and Materials:A descriptive, longitudinal study of the maternal and perinatal outcomes of anaemia among an obstetric population at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.Results: Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 6.5% with mild and moderate anaemia accounting for 4.6% and 2.2% respectively. Mild to moderate anaemia were not associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes Conclusion: Prevalence of anaemia in our environment appears to be falling. Adverse maternal and perinatal outcome are unlikely with mild to moderate levels of anaemia.Keywords: Anaemia in pregnancy, prevalence, maternal outcome, perinatal outcome

Prevalence of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in canine faeces in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Humans can get infected through direct or indirect contact with infective stages of zoonotic parasites shed to the environment through dog faeces.Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites present in dog faeces shed on the street of Ibadan metropolis, one of the largest cities in Africa.Methods: Twenty-three locations were randomly selected using grid-sampling method. A total of 203 faecal samples collected from the streets of selected areas were processed for detection of helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using flotation technique. Eggs/oocysts per gram of faeces was counted using modified McMaster technique.Results: The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 43.3% (88/203). Single and multiple infections were 69 (78.4%) and 19 (21.6%) respectively. The parasites detected were Ancylostoma sp. 24.6% (50/88) Isospora sp. 14.2% (29/88), Toxocara sp. 9.8% (20/88), Uncinaria sp. 2.5% (5/88) and Strongyloides sp, 3.9% (8/88). Ancylostoma sp. (320 x 102 epg) and Uncinaria sp. (5 x 102 epg) had the highest and least intensity respectively. Streets within residential areas having markets had the highest number of positive samples. All the genera of parasites detected in this study have zoonotic potential.Conclusion: The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites detected in dog faeces from Ibadan metropolis showed that infected stray dogs roam the streets and constitute potential risk to human health. This study suggests the need for enforcement of laws restraining roaming or straying dogs and proper veterinary care of dogs.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Dog, Faeces, Gastrointestinal Parasites, Nigeria, Zoonose

Analysis of urban slum disease using geo-spatial and temporal techniques: case study federal capital city of Nigeria

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Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of Solanum macranthum Dunal

Extracts of leaves, stem bark, roots and fruits of Solanum macranthum Dunal were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of plant secondary metabolites and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies respectively. The results of the preliminary investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, the steroidal nucleus, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, reducing sugars and  anthraquinones. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was done using agar well diffusion technique. Six clinical strains of human pathogenic  microorganisms, comprising two Gram positive, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi were utilized in the studies. The various plant extracts varied in their high inhibitory activity to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 1000 mg/ml comparable to the  reference antibacterial drug, gentamicin at 2.5 mg/ml. High activity was exhibited against Bacillus subtilis whilst Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were moderately inhibited even at 2000 mg/ml.Key words: Solanum macranthum, Solanaceae, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical screening