Poor Officiatintg, Lack of Sportsmanship Spirit and Poor Facilities as Triggers of Violence Among Sports Audience in Portharcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

This study examined if poor officiating, lack of sportsmanship spirit and poor facilities are triggers of violence among sports audience in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria. This study was conducted among the inhabitants of Port Harcourt metropolis in River state. The descriptive survey research design and a sample size of 1,000 participants were used. The multi-stage sampling technique, a structured, validated and modified Likert type questionnaire were employed. The reliability of the instrument was determined through the Crombach Alpha, which gave a value of r = 0.89. The data collected was analyzed using the Chi-square statistics. The study revealed that poor officiating, lack of Spirit of Sportsmanship and poor facility were triggers of violence among sports audience in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. It was consequently recommended that only competent and knowledgeable officials should be used for matches. Both players and supporters should be educated on the rules of games and trained to accept the decision of referees’ umpires etc. and should not see competition as a do-or-die affair/event

Clinical and audiometric features of presbycusis in Nigerians

Background: Presbycusis is the most common sensory impairment associated with ageing and it presents with variability of symptoms. Physicians need to recognize early clinical and audiometric signs of presbycusis in order to render adequate and quality care to patients and reduce associated morbidities.Objective: To characterize the clinical modes of presentation and the typical audiometric tracings among patients with presbycusis.Methods: This descriptive, prospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, (OOUTH) Sagamu, Nigeria. Patients with clinical diagnosis of presbycusis confirmed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on diagnostic audiometry were administered with questionnaires. Information obtained was analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 17.0 and presented in descriptive forms as percentages, means and graphs.Results: Sixty-nine patients were diagnosed with presbycusis (M:F =1.6:1). Modal age group was 71-80 years. Hearing loss 88.4%, tinnitus 79.7% and vertigo 33.3% were the major symptoms on presentation. The average duration of symptoms before presentation was 2.6 years. There was positive history of ototoxic drugs usage in 24.6 %, family history in 11.6 %, hypertension in 34.8% and osteoarthritis in 13.0%. The most common type of audiometric pattern was strial. Hearing losses increased with age both at the speech and at the higher frequencies of sounds.Conclusions: We found hearing impairment affected both speech and higher frequencies and the strial type of audiometric pattern was most common. The need for screening for hearing impairment from early middle age in symptomatic individuals is emphasized.Keywords: Presbycusis, Nigerians, Audiometry, Clinical features, ElderlyAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 886 - 89

Evaluation of the suspending properties of Abizia zygia gum on sulphadimidine suspension

Purpose: Some excipients are currently available for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The purpose of this study is to search for a cheap and effective natural excipient that can be used as an effective alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. Method: The suspending properties of Albizia zygia gum (family Mimosoideae) were evaluated comparatively with those of Compound Tragacanth, Acacia and Gelatin at concentration range of 0.5 – 4.0%w/v in Sulphadimidine suspension. Characterization tests were carried out on purified Albizia zygia gum. Sedimentation volume (%), rheology and particle size analysis were employed as evaluation parameters. The values obtained therefrom were used as basis for comparison of the suspending agents studied. Results: Albizia zygia gum is devoid of alkaloids, anthraquinones and carbohydrates which ensures its “inertness”. Albizia zygia gum (2.5%w/v) produced a comparable suspending ability as 4%w/v Compound Tragacanth. Also, the suspending ability of all the materials was found to be in the order: Albizia zygia > Compound Tragacanth gum > Acacia gum > Gelatin. At all concentrations employed, Albizia zygia gum had the strongest suspending ability relative to the other materials. Conclusion: The results suggest that, due to the high viscosity of Albizia zygia gum, its mucilage can be a stabilizer of choice when high viscosity is desired. It can also serve as a good thickening agent in both pharmaceutical and food industries. Keywords: Albizia zygia, suspending agents, sedimentation volume, rheology, particle size > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 3 (1) 2004: pp. 279-28

Vascular Reactivity and Salt Sensitivity in Normotensive and Hypertensive Adult Nigerians

There are not many studies designed to study the relationship between vascular reactivity and salt sensitivity in a black population. Fifty-two hypertensive (HT) and forty-seven age-matched normotensive (NT) Nigerian subjects took part in the study after informed consent was obtained from them. Ethical clearance was obtained from the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. Vascular hyperreactivity in response to the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) was determined as a change in systolic blood pressure (ΔSBP) or diastolic blood pressure (ΔDBP) ≥ +15mmHg. This was determined before and after salt-loading with 200mmol Na+/day for 5 days. Salt sensitivty was determined as a change in mean arterial blood pressure (ΔMABP) ≥+5mmHg. Salt-loading led to significant increases in SBP among NT (p = 0.03) and among HT (p = 0.0001) subjects; DBP increased significantly only among HT subjects (p = 0.0003). Systolic and diastolic hyperreactivity were higher among HT (49% and 39% respectively) compared to NT (44% and 39% respectively) at baseline. However systolic hyperreactivity (SHP) increased from 44% to 64% after salt-loading among the NT while diastolic hyperreactivity (DHP) reduced from 39% to 36%. Among the HT, both SHP and DHP reduced from 49% to 33% and from 41% to 31% respectively following salt-loading. Salt sensitivity was higher among HT (56%) compared to NT 34%. Salt sensitivity was positively correlated with systolic reactivity before salt (r = 0.33; p < 0.05) and after salt (r = 0.25; p > 0.05) but negatively correlated with diastolic reactivity before salt (r = -0.38; p < 0.05) and after salt (r = -0.40; p < 0.05) among NT. These results suggest that systolic hyperreactivity may be a significant determinant in the development of salt sensitive hypertension among this population.Keywords: Vascular reactivity, Salt sensitivity hypertension, Blood pressur

Perception of Postgraduate Medical Trainers and Trainees on Residency Training Program in a Developing Country and its Influence on Brain Drain

Background: Nigeria has been faced with the challenge of massive efflux of senior trainees and young consultants. It is commonly believed that the emigration is for economic reasons. Aim: We studied the trainer’s and trainee’s perception of residency in Nigeria and its influence on brain drain. Materials and Methods: This cross‑sectional study was carried out using an online survey platform. Invitation to complete the survey was sent out through closed social media groups (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram) and e‑mail. These groups were specifically for doctors who had their basic medical education in Nigeria and presently working in Nigeria or outside the borders of Nigeria. Results: Most respondents were in training and were between 25 and 44 years old. The top reason for emigration for trainees already abroad was to improve the quality of their training while the top reason for trainees planning to emigrate was to get better training. There was a discordance between the mentorship methods employed by trainers and preferences of trainees. While majority of the trainees already abroad were unlikely to return, most of the trainees considering emigration were willing to stay if training improved. Conclusion: Nigerian trainers and trainees have similar perceptions about residency training, and the brain drain being experienced presently may be reversible with improvement in training in the country

The current pattern of facility-based perinatal and neonatal mortality in Sagamu, Nigeria

Background: Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates have been described as sensitive indices of the quality of health care services. Regular audits of perinatal and neonatal mortalities are desirable to evaluate the various global interventions. Objective: To describe the current pattern of perinatal and neonatal mortality in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. Methods: Using a prospective audit method, the socio-demographic parameters of all perinatal and neonatal deaths recorded in a Nigerian tertiary facility between February 2017 and January 2018 were studied. Results: There were 1,019 deliveries with stillbirth rate of 27.5/1000 total births and early neonatal death (END) rate among in-born babies of 27.2/1000 live births. The overall perinatal mortality rate for in-facility deliveries was 53.9/1000 total births and neonatal mortality (till the end of 28 days) rate of 27.2/1000 live births. Severe perinatal asphyxia and prematurity were the leading causes of neonatal deaths while obstructed labour and intra-partum eclampsia were the two leading maternal conditions related to stillbirths (25.0% and 21.4% respectively). Gestational age < 32 weeks, age < 24 hours and inborn status were significantly associated with END (p = 0.002, p <0.001 and p = 0.002 respectively). Conclusion: The in-facility perinatal mortality rate was high though stillbirth rate was relatively low. There is a need to improve the quality of emergency obstetric and neonatal services prior to referral to tertiary facilities

Butchering activity is the main risk factor for hepatitis E virus (Paslahepevirus balayani) infection in southwestern Nigeria: a prospective cohort study

IntroductionPaslahepevirus balayani (Hepatitis E virus; HEV) is an emerging virus that poses as a public health threat. The virus is now reported to be the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis, with a unique impact on African settings. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for HEV infection in three cohorts (animal handlers, villagers, and students).MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on a total of 752 subjects from southwestern Nigeria. In all individuals, anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM antibodies were evaluated by using ELISA (confirming positive results via immunoblotting), and serum viral RNA was evaluated by using two RT-PCR assays.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of HEV IgG and HEV IgM was 14.9% (95% CI: 12.5–17.6%) and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.7–2.5%), respectively. We observed the highest seroprevalence among animal contact individuals, with butchers being the population with the highest HEV IgG seroprevalence (31.1%). Similarly, HEV IgM was higher in the animal contact group (2.2%) than in the non-animal contact cohort (0%).DiscussionsViral RNA was not detected in any of the samples. Butchering was significantly associated with higher HEV prevalence. Although all efforts to prevent HEV in Africa have focused on the chlorination of water, our study suggests that most new infections could currently be linked to animal manipulation. Therefore, education and guidelines must be provided in southwest Nigeria to ensure that animal handling and processing methods are safe

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential

“Crocodiles in the corridors” : security vetting, race and Whitehall, 1945 – 1968

In July 2018, the UK’s Intelligence & Security Committee issued a report into diversity and inclusion across the intelligence and security community. The picture the report painted was far from satisfactory; in short, Britain’s intelligence agencies did not ‘fully reflect the ethnic make-up of modern Britain’. The report argued that Britain’s spy agencies – MI5, SIS (or MI6) and GCHQ – should improve black, Asian and ethnic minority recruitment, highlighting areas for improvement, especially around the vetting of recruits. This problem stems from the post-war Cold War 'security state' and the development of security-vetting programmes from the 1940s, aiming to protect Whitehall from Soviet spies and 'fellow travellers' to those with so-called 'character defects' - drink, drugs and homosexuality. But this 'security state' also saw the newly emerging multicultural Britain as a major threat. The so-called 'Windrush Generation' of migrants from the Caribbean, and migration from the Indian subcontinent and Africa, forever changed the social complexion of Britain, but posed significant questions for security officials. What was Britishness? With first or second generation migrants entering the civil service, who was a 'UK eye' and what access to secret information should they have? To what extent was discrimination justifiable to protect state secrets, and how should officials respond to new legislation such as the Race Discrimination Act? As this article shows, new entrants to the civil service faced deeply engrained prejudices, and questions over their loyalty to Britain. As late as the 1960s (and beyond), 'coloured' members of the civil service were rejected from secret posts across government, including the Ministry of Defence and intelligence and security services, especially MI5 and GCHQ, with discrimination on ‘security’ grounds justified by the landmark 1968 Race Relations Act, which barred race discrimination for housing and employment elsewhere