Effect of Storage Containers on Quality of Household Drinking Water in Urban Communities in Ibadan, Nigeria

The method of storage is essential in maintaining water purity and safety for drinking purposes. This study assessed the effect of various storage containers on household drinking water quality in a resource-limited setting. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Four communities using protected springs as household drinking water sources were purposively selected. Forty-four households were selected and randomly assigned to four treatment groups; namely Covered Buckets with Taps (CBT), Covered Buckets without Tap (CB), Covered Kegs with Taps (CKT) and Covered Kegs without Tap (CK). Physicochemical analysis and bacteriological analysis were carried out on the water samples before and after they were put in the containers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 12. At baseline, mean pH values of water samples from the springs and RSC were 6.4±0.6 and 7.1±0.7 respectively which were above the recommended. Mean chloride concentration of springs (14.3±7.4mg/l) and RSC (19.3±10.0 mg/l) samples were below recommended. Mean Total Coliform Count (TCC) of the springs in the four communities was 18.0±4.0 and mean TCC of RSC was 12.7±4.9. Five percent of water samples from RSC had mean E.coli count of 100/100ml. The mean TCC after introducing CB, CBT, CK and CKT in all the communities were 10.0±4.0, 8.5±4.2, 6.9±2.8 and 7.3±3.7 respectively (p<0.05). The use of covered kegs without tap was best in reducing contaminants in drinking water. Education on appropriate household drinking water storage and handling practices is recommended

Awareness of Genetic Testing for High-Risk Cancer Among Different Racial Groups in the United States

Background: Genetic testing for high-risk cancer can provide information on personal risk of developing cancer, as well as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment once cancer has been detected. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Health Information National Trends (HINTS 5, Cycle 4), conducted among U.S. adults (age ≥ 18 years) from February 24 to June 20, 2020. An equal probability sample of addresses were stratified, and an adult was selected from each household. Data analysis was conducted 3,865 respondents who completed the survey. The primary outcome was awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer (GTHC). We used weighted multivariable logistic regression to determine the awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, general health status and history of cancer. Results: We found a significant association between race/ethnicity and awareness of GTHC. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to be aware GTHC, compared to White respondents (Non-Hispanic Black: aOR=0.53; 95%CI: 0.32–0.87. Hispanic: aOR=0.58; 95%CI: 0.36–0.95). The awareness of ancestry testing was also significantly associated with awareness of GTHC (aOR=5.62; 95%CI: 2.95–10.72). Female respondents were more likely to be aware of GTHC compared to males (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68), and relative to respondents 50-64 years, those 35-49 years were more likely to be aware of GTHC (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed less awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic groups, highlighting the need for more health education among minority racial groups

EVALUATING THE USERS SATISFACTION ON POST CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES IN SELECTED RESORT HOTELS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Post construction facilities in resort hotel in southwest are known not to fulfill its objectives and thereby affecting the satisfactory state of its users. The challenging state of the post construction facilities coupled with inability to provide its required services has affected the patronization of the resort hotels. The study therefore aims at evaluating the users’ satisfaction on post construction facilities in the selected resort hotels as the hotels has failed to promote its definition and objectives. Literatures revealed the facilities that promote users satisfaction in resort hotels, and established the checklist of recreational facilities for the users’ in resort hotels, these appraised facilities were measured and tested for quality, state of satisfaction and availability. Purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen (15) resort hotels in the south west Nigeria that has natural landscape elements such as rocks and rivers. (20%) of these hotels were randomly chosen which form the sample population. The study used interviews, observations and questionnaires survey. Thus 425 questionnaires were administered to both staff members (198) and tourists (227) in these hotels. Statistical package for social sciences was used to analyze the data obtained. The result revealed satisfaction state of the users (tourists) and post construction facilities within the resort hotels and conclude that the recreational facilities provided were not maintained and create dissatisfaction for the users. The study concludes that in some of these hotels, users’ satisfaction was rarely incorporated in its design and provision of facilities and therefore the purpose of its state of resort was defeated. &nbsp

Parents’ knowledge of car safety and practices amongst school children in an urban community of Lagos, Nigeria

No fewer than 1.2 million deaths globally are attributed to road traffic crashes yearly, with low- and middleincome countries contributing disproportionately to these deaths. Children are a vulnerable road user group, and riding unrestrained is a significant risk factor for death and injury among child car passengers. This studyaimed to determine child car safety knowledge and practices among parents of children attending a private school in an urban setting in Lagos, Nigeria. A descriptive study, using observations of child car safety practices, and a survey of parental knowledge and attitudes of child car safety, were conducted simultaneously amongst children 0-10 years riding in cars to school. Data was analysed using Epi Info Version 3.5.1. A total of 127 cars were observed as children were being dropped off at school. The proportion of child passengers aged 0 - 10 years restrained by any device was 6.3%, with only 2.4% of these children being appropriately restrained for age; 19.7% of observed child passengers rode in the front seat. Awareness of car safety seats among parents was high at 85%. However, less than 40% of respondents knew the correct age to commence use of child restraints, seat belts, or front seating. The reason most cited for non-use of child restraints was unavailability (24.1%). Despite the high level of awareness about car safety seats, parental knowledge of specific child passenger safety issues and practices were poor. Targeted interventions are needed to bridge the gap between awareness, knowledge and practice in this population.Keywords: child, motor vehicle passenger, car restraints, adults, knowledge and attitude, road safet

Doctors’ Attitude and Willingness to Use Electronic Medical Records at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

ABSTRACTBackground: There have been few studies conducted on Electronic Medical Records (EMR) among medical doctors who practice in resource limited settings. This study aimed to assess the attitude to and willingness of medical doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to use EMR and to identify the factors that are associated with the willingness to use EMR.Methods: A stratified sampling method was used to select medical doctors to participate in the study according to their experience and professional cadre. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which were entered and analyzed using the Epi-info version 7 software. Statistically significant associations were tested using the chi-square and fishers exact tests.Results: There were 202 participants in the study. All (100%) had good attitude towards EMR. Nearly all of them (96.54%) were willing to use EMR. There was no significant association between age, gender and willingness to use EMR. However, there was a statistically significant association with work duration and IT skills (p&lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Work duration and IT skills are significant factors in determining the willingness to use EMR. There is therefore a need to include IT skills acquisition in medical training so as to increase the chance of use of EMR

Occupational exposure, attitude to HIV-positive patients and uptake of HIV counselling and testing among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational exposure to HIV. Their attitude to HIV-positive patients influences patients’ willingness and ability to access quality care. HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services are available to inform HCWs and patients about their status. There is little information about HCT uptake and attitude to HIV-positive patients among HCWs in tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine occupational exposure and attitude to HIV-positive patients and level of uptake of HCT services among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was utilized. A total of 977 HCWs were surveyed using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Nurses and doctors comprised 78.2% of the respondents. Their mean age was 35 ± 8.4 years. Almost half, 47.0%, reported accidental exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) in the preceding year. The main predictor of accidental exposure to BBFs in the last year was working in a surgical department, OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1–2.6). HCWs aged 5 years, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.4–9.3) and who work in nursing department, OR = 6.8, 95% CI (1.7–27.1) were more likely to be exposed to BBFs. Almost half, 52.9%, had accessed HCT services. Predictors for HCT uptake were age 5 years OR = 1.5, 95% CI (1.03–2.2) and working in medical department OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1–2.8). Respondents in nursing departments were more likely to require routine HIV test for all patients, OR = 3.9, 95% CI (2.4–6.2). HCWs in the laboratory departments were more likely to believe that HIV patients should be on separate wards, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.9–7.0). HCWs should be protected and encouraged to access HCT services in order to be effective role models in the prevention of HIV/AIDS

Parents' knowledge of car safety and practices amongst school children in an urban community of Lagos, Nigeria

No fewer than 1.2 million deaths globally are attributed to road traffic crashes yearly, with low- and middleincome countries contributing disproportionately to these deaths. Children are a vulnerable road user group, and riding unrestrained is a significant risk factor for death and injury among child car passengers. This studyaimed to determine child car safety knowledge and practices among parents of children attending a private school in an urban setting in Lagos, Nigeria. A descriptive study, using observations of child car safety practices, and a survey of parental knowledge and attitudes of child car safety, were conducted simultaneously amongst children 0-10 years riding in cars to school. Data was analysed using Epi Info Version 3.5.1. A total of 127 cars were observed as children were being dropped off at school. The proportion of child passengers aged 0 - 10 years restrained by any device was 6.3%, with only 2.4% of these children being appropriately restrained for age; 19.7% of observed child passengers rode in the front seat. Awareness of car safety seats among parents was high at 85%. However, less than 40% of respondents knew the correct age to commence use of child restraints, seat belts, or front seating. The reason most cited for non-use of child restraints was unavailability (24.1%). Despite the high level of awareness about car safety seats, parental knowledge of specific child passenger safety issues and practices were poor. Targeted interventions are needed to bridge the gap between awareness, knowledge and practice in this population.Keywords: child, motor vehicle passenger, car restraints, adults, knowledge and attitude, road safet

Malaria in pregnancy: A community-based study on the knowledge, perception, and prevention among Nigerian women

Background: Malaria accounts for approximately 1 million deaths annually and about 300,000 deaths in Nigeria alone. Pregnant women and their unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to the adverse consequences of malaria. This study assessed the knowledge, perception, and preventive practices for malaria in pregnancy (MiP) among women in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was adopted. A total of 422 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire in the first quarter of 2016. Analysis was done with Epi Info™ 7 software with level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: All respondents were aware of MiP, and almost all the respondents (96.2%) were aware that malaria is caused by infected mosquito bite. Majority (89.3%) of the respondents registered for antenatal care in their last pregnancy, but 56.6% did so in the second trimester. A little over half (55.5%) had good knowledge of MiP. There was poor knowledge of the complications of MiP in mothers, with 27% unaware of any complications. Majority (51.6%) of them did not know the complications of malaria in the fetus. Better educated respondents had statistically significant better knowledge of MiP (P = 0.001). Only two-fifths of the respondents (39.8%) agreed that MiP can lead to death of the fetus. Most (41.9%) used insecticide spray and coils in the prevention of MiP, whereas only 36.9% used intermittent preventive treatment. Only 24.1% used insecticide-treated nets and almost 20% used no form of prevention. Conclusion: Respondents' knowledge, perception, and preventive practices for MiP were not satisfactory. Public health education on MiP should be intensified at the community level in order to improve knowledge and prevention and also to correct misconceptions

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION Effect of different processing methods on the nutrients and antinutrient composition of senecio biafrae, crassocephalum crepidiodes and solanum nigrum consumed in south west Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the effect of squeezing, blanching and drying on the Nutritional value of three selected leafy vegetables namely: -Solanum nigrum, Crassocephalum crepidioides and senecio biafrae, Proximate, minerals, Vitamins, anti-nutrient and sensory properties of the selected vegetables were analyzed using standard methods. The result of the proximate analysis of the samples showed that the Protein content of the samples ranged from (2.01 -15.87%), Crude fat (0.008-4.86%), crude fibre (1.23-14.61%), ash (1.71-12.64%) and moisture (9.82-69.74%). Dried samples had the highest vitamin A, E, D which ranged between (31.70-48.90mg/100g, 19.73-33.57 mg/100g, 3.10-11.50 mg/100g) while blanched samples had the least vitamin value. Also, dried samples contained higher minerals, Na (19.63-25.47 mg/100g), Ca (3.05-3.65 mg/100g), K(2.82-3.97 mg/100g), .50 mg/100g) and P(36.33-52.67 mg/100g). The anti-nutrients composition of the vegetables were in trace amounts, phytate (0.011-0.014 %), Tannin (0.001-0.004%), Saponin (0.13-0.18 %), Oxalate (0.004-0.008 %) and HCN (1.40-9.23 %), while the result of sensory evaluation indicates that solanum nigrum &quot;odu&quot; and senecio biafrae &quot;worowo&quot; having a better consumer preference when compared to crassocephalum crepidioides &quot;ebolo&quot; (p&lt;0.05). This study indicates that solanum nigrum, senecio biafrae and crassocephalum crepidiodes are good source of the diet especially when processed