Geological and Electrical Resistivity Sounding of Olokonla Area in North-Central Nigeria

Geological mapping and Electrical resistivity sounding were carried out in Olokonla area in Moro Local Government of Kwara State in order to determine the apparent resistivities of the subsurface lithologies and correlate them with the exposed rocks observed during the geological mapping. The studies also delineate the pattern of fractures in the area which form prefential pathways for ground water. Three vertical electrical soundings (VES) were performed radially adopting the Schlumberger electrode configuration, with half-current electrode separation (AB/2) varying from 1m to 100m. Anisotropy polygon was also constructed based on the radial electrical sounding. The geoelectric parameters revealed five subsurface layers which were interpreted as topsoil, lateritic soil, dry sand soil, weathered granite and granite respectively. The geological mapping showed that the area is underlain by crystalline rocks comprising biotite granite, granite-gneiss and migmatite. The anisotropy polygon showed that a major fracture direction along 600 (northeast to southwest) and the coefficient of anisotropy is 0.79. Based on the apparent resistivities and the structural disposition, a potential aquifer was inferred at a depth of 45m. The fracture pattern in the area was constrained to northeast to southwest direction. The data obtained would be useful in borehole drilling for water within the study area.KEYWORDS: Vertical electrical sounding, aquifer, electrical resistivity, anisotropy polygon, geological mapping, fracture patter

Detection of Fracture Zones for Groundwater Investigation from Interpretation of VLF-EM Anomalies of Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin and its Environs

The Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic VLF-EM geophysical methods have been used to map selected settlements in Kwara State Polytechnic Permanent Site and its environs Ilorin Northcentral Nigeria with a view to determine the groundwater potential of the area A total of thirteen 13 profiles were covered during VLF data collection with 20m sample interval along each profile with spread length of between 100m The VLF data were collected using ABEM WADI instrument The data were interpreted using KHFFILT software The qualitative interpretation of the acquired VLF EM data identified areas of hydro-geologic importance The results further showed that the EM anomalies vary greatly Some of the anomaly peaks are narrow and sharp while others are broad with varying width extent The values of the filtered real range from -0 9 to 22 5 across the study area The study area is adjudged based on the VLF data interpretation which indicates the presence of interconnected fracture zones to have potentially good prospects for groundwater development while recommendation is made for further geophysical methods to be employed in order to detect suitable locations for productive and sustainable borehol

Prescription Pattern at a Secondary Health Care Facility in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background/Objectives: Expenditures due to irrational use of drugs have been a strain on the meagre health budgets of several developing countries and inappropriate prescribing has been identified in many health facilities in developing countries. This study examines the prescription pattern in a secondary health facility. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study. Three hundred and three randomly selected prescriptions issued to patients attending out-patients' clinics in the facility over a period of three months were examined. Data obtained was analyzed using EPI-INFO 2000 computer software. Results: Mean number of drugs per prescription in the health facility is 3.99\ub11.55. At least 4 drugs were prescribed in 61.6% of the prescriptions. Generic prescribing was generally low. Out of a total of 1219 drugs prescribed 511 (41.9%) were prescribed in generic names. Analgesics, antimalarials, antibiotics and antihypertensives accounted for 19.7%, 10.2%, 13.0% and 4.9% of the drugs prescribed respectively. Only 124 (40.9%) of the prescriptions had all drugs prescribed available in the health facility. Conclusion: This study found practice of polypharmacy prevalent as found in other studies in developing countries among prescribers and prescription in generic names is low. Regular orientation and re-orientation of prescribers on rational drug prescription and prescription in generic names in conformity with national drug policies is necessary.Introduction/Objectifs: Les d\ue9penses dues \ue0 l'utilisation irrationnelles des m\ue9dicaments ont \ue9t\ue9 une rude \ue9preuve sur des maigres budgets de la sant\ue9 de plusieurs pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement et de prescription inappropri\ue9e a \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9 dans de nombreux \ue9tablissements de sant\ue9 dans les pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement. Cette \ue9tude fait un examen de la tendance de la prescription dans un centre des soins secondaire. M\ue9thodes: Une \ue9tude descriptive d'un groupe repr\ue9sentant a \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9 dans cette \ue9tude. Trois cents trois ordonnances d\ue9livr\ue9es aux patients choisis au hasard, aux patients fr\ue9quentant le clinique des patients externes du centre hospitalier pendant une p\ue9riode de trois mois sont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9tudi\ue9s. Des donn\ue9es obtenues ont \ue9t\ue9 analys\ue9es \ue0 l'aide de EPI INFO 200 logiciels informatiques. R\ue9sultats: Nombre moyen de m\ue9dicaments par prescription dans le centre de la sant\ue9 est 3,99 +- 1,55. Au moins, 4 m\ue9dicaments sont prescrits dans 61,6% des ordonnances. Prescrivant des g\ue9n\ue9riques a \ue9t\ue9 g\ue9n\ue9ralement faible sur un total de 1219 m\ue9dicaments prescrits 511 soit 41,9% ont \ue9t\ue9 prescrits dans noms g\ue9n\ue9riques. Analg\ue9siques, le antipaludiques, les antibiotiques et les antihypertensions sont repr\ue9sent\ue9s 19,7% 10,2% et 4,9% des m\ue9dicaments prescrits respectivement. Seulement 124 (40,9%) des prescriptions de m\ue9dicaments prescrits sont tous disponibles dans les \ue9tablissement de la sant\ue9. Conclusion: A travers cette \ue9tude, nous remarquons que la pratique de la fr\ue9quence de la poly pharmacie comme trouv\ue9es dans d'autres \ue9tudes dans les pays en voie de d\ue9veloppement entre les prescripteurs et la prescription des noms g\ue9n\ue9riques est faible. Orientation r\ue9guli\ue8res et de r\ue9orientation des prescripteurs sur la rationnelle de la prescription des m\ue9dicaments et de prescription de noms g\ue9n\ue9riques en conformit\ue9 avec les politiques en mati\ue8re de drogue est n\ue9cessaire

Geoelectric Investigation of Aquifer Vulnerability within Afe Babalola University, Ado –Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria.

Many investigation techniques are commonly employed with the aim of estimating the spatial distribution of transmissivity and protective capacity of groundwater resources. Unfortunately, the conventional methods for the determination of hydraulic parameters such as pumping tests, permeameter measurements and grain size analysis are intrusive and relatively expensive. A non-intrusive and less-expensive geoelectric investigation involving vertical electrical sounding was carried out in some parts of the campus of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. A total of fifty-nine (59) vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were acquired using R 50 D.C. resistivity meter within the campus which is underlain by the Precambrian basement rock of southwestern Nigeria. Following the interpretation of the VES data, maps and 2D-sections were generated. The geoelectric sections enabled the subsurface to be characterized into five geoelectric layers namely: Topsoil, clayey/sandy-clay, weathered layer, fractured basement and fresh basement. The assessment and analysis of the materials above the aquifers showed that longitudinal conductance (S) values ranged from 0.08438 to 0.73449 mhos; thus the area is classified into weak (0.1 – 0.19 mhos), moderate (0.2 – 0.69 mhos) and good protective capacity (0.7 mhos and above). The major aquifer delineated is the weathered/fractured basement aquifers. These aquifers are characterized by thick overburden, moderate/good protective capacity, moderate to relatively high value coefficients of anisotropy and low transverse unit resistance. This suggests that the materials above the aquifers act as seal, thus protecting the major aquiferous units. However, the aquifer matrix itself is relatively permeable. Areas with weak protective capacity are therefore vulnerable to infiltration of polluting fluid

Management of Foreign Bodies in the Ear: A Retrospective Review of 123 Cases in Nigeria

Foreign bodies in the ear are relatively common in emergency medicine. However, attempts at removal made outside the healthcare setting by untrained persons can result in complications of varying degrees. We conducted a 3-year retrospective review of 123 cases of aural foreign bodies at our hospital in Nigeria. Our patient population was made up of 80 males and 43 females, aged 2 to 67 years (mean: 13.2); almost three-fourths of these patients were aged 15 years or younger. Only 40 of them (32.5%) presented to an otolaryngologist within 12 hours of foreign-body insertion. A total of 30 patients (24.4%) had initially undergone removal attempts by a non-otolaryngologist prior to receiving trained ENT care, and 23 of them experienced a total of 41 complications: 17 cases of canal abrasion, laceration, and/or bleeding, 8 cases of otitis externa, 6 cases of tympanic membrane perforation, 5 cases of impaired hearing, 3 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media, and 2 cases of middle ear involvement. Of the 93 patients who were seen by an otolaryngologist initially, only 6 (6.5%) developed a complication: 4 cases of canal abrasion, laceration, and/or bleeding and 2 cases of otitis externa. The difference in overall complication rates between patients treated by otolaryngologists and non-otolaryngologists was statistically significant (p < 0.001). We conclude that attempts at removal by nonotolaryngologists can result in a high incidence of preventable complications

Comparison of Solid-state and Solution-based Synthetic Reactions of Copper Complexes of two Anti-inflammatory Drugs with their Antibacterial Activity Studies

Comparative study of the synthesis of copper complexes [Cu(IBU)2(H2O)2]Cl2 (1), and [Cu(ASP)2(CH3COO)2] (2) using solvent-free and solvent-based techniques was carried out. Complexes 1 and 2 obtained were characterized using Fourier Transform –Infrared, Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopies and powder X-ray Diffractometry analyses. Analysis of spectral data revealed that Ibuprofen and Aspirin coordinated with copper ion through both oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, with both ligands acting as bidentate. Two molecules of water coordinated with the copper ion forming an octahedral geometry in 1, with a chloride ion outside the coordination sphere. Two acetate molecules coordinated with copper ion forming an octahedral geometry in 2. In-vitro antibacterial activity of the complexes was found to be higher than those of the starting materials. Comparative study of the two methods used to synthesize these complexes showed that the solvent free-synthetic technique presented higher efficiency in terms of energy and time than the conventional solvent-based, as there was no need for the application of heat and also the reaction was completed within a short time. Thus, the solvent-free technique appears to be more effective for the synthesis of the Cu (II) complexes of Ibuprofen and Aspirin

Health-related quality of life and its contributory factors in allergic rhinitis patients in Nigeria

OBJECTIVES : To determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in allergic rhinitis patients as well as identify contributory factors to patient's well-being. METHODS : Cross-sectional study by multistage sampling. Four-month study duration (October 2013 to January 2014). The setting of the study was Kwara State, Nigeria, which has 16 local government areas with 3 senatorial districts, total land mass of 36,825km(2) with a population of 2,591,555. 132 consenting adults; 66 of them have allergic rhinitis (AR) using Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) instrument and 66 were age- and gender-matched controls (χ(2)=0, d.f.=1, P=1 and χ(2)=1.24, d.f.=2, P=0.54, respectively). Information on HRQoL was obtained using the 14-parameter mini-rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (mini-RQLQ). Socio-demographic variables possibly contributory to patient's well-being were obtained. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare means. RESULTS : The overall Total Symptom Score (TSS) was 3.37±0.9, while male and female allergic patients and control TSS were 3.61±1.0; 3.16±0.8, and 0.98±0.2; 0.95±0.2, respectively. Effects of gender, marital status, senatorial districts, residential area and duration of symptoms had significant impact on the quality of life. The highest correlation with TSS and components of mini-RQOL questionnaire existed between nasal problems and other symptoms (r=0.866; 0.868). CONCLUSION : AR had appreciable impact on HRQoL of the participants. Gender, number of dependents, marital status, senatorial districts, residential area and duration of symptoms were major identifiable contributory factors to the patient's well-being.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/anl2017-04-30hb2016Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

An audit of paediatric nasal foreign bodies in Ilorin, Nigeria

Children with nasal foreign bodies are commonly seen in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to document the pattern of foreign bodies in the nose, their treatment and outcome. Methods. This was a prospective audit of all children seen in the ear, nose and throat clinic, accident and emergency unit and emergency paediatric unit at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, from August 2005 to July 2006. Results. Of a total of 173 patients with ear, nose and throat foreign bodies seen during the study period, 71 patients had foreign bodies in the nose. The male/female ratio was 1.5:1 and the mean age was 2.5 years (range 1 - 15 years), under-5s comprising 72% of the patients. The most common foreign bodies were grains and seeds (35%). Presentation was within 24 hours in 45% of cases, between 1 and 5 days in 27%, and longer in the rest. Of the patients 51% had inserted the foreign body into the nose themselves, and in 39% of cases this had happened at school. In most cases (68%) the foreign body had been inserted into the right nostril. Most children had an offensive nasal discharge (45%) or were asymptomatic (27%). Parents were the first to make the diagnosis in 63% of cases, and in 32% of cases removal had been attempted before presentation. Most of the foreign bodies (89%) were mechanically extracted with a Jobson-Horne probe. In 61% of cases removal was done by a senior registrar. General anaesthesia was needed in a minority of cases. Minimal epistaxis after removal occurred in 50.7%, and only 1 patient had septal perforation. Conclusion. Nasal foreign bodies are still a challenge among under-5s. Public health education is needed to make parents and caregivers aware that it is hazardous for a child to insert a foreign body into the nose. Consistent with published guidelines, the majority of cases can be managed safely with direct extraction in the office setting. With adequate training, primary health care practitioners can manage most cases successfully and will know when to refer complicated ones

Fish bone foreign body presenting with an acute fulminating retropharyngeal abscess in a resource-challenged center: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A retropharyngeal abscess is a potentially life-threatening infection in the deep space of the neck, which can compromise the airway. Its management requires highly specialized care, including surgery and intensive care, to reduce mortality. This is the first case of a gas-forming abscess reported from this region, but not the first such report in the literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a 16-month-old Yoruba baby girl with a gas-forming retropharyngeal abscess secondary to fish bone foreign body with laryngeal spasm that was managed in the recovery room. We highlight specific problems encountered in the management of this case in a resource-challenged center such as ours.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We describe an unusual presentation of a gas-forming organism causing a retropharyngeal abscess in a child. The patient's condition was treated despite the challenges of inadequate resources for its management. We recommend early recognition through adequate evaluation of any oropharyngeal injuries or infection and early referral to the specialist with prompt surgical intervention.</p