Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Water of the Ikpoba Reservoir, Benin City, Nigeria

The present study was carried out to determine the impact of some heavy metals namely, Cd, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr on the water quality of the Ikpoba reservoir Benin City, Nigeria, with a view to safeguard public health. Water samples were randomly collected from four stations within the Reservoir from August 2005 to December 2005 and were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric technique. The mean concentration of these metals were, Cd, (0.02mg/l), Mn(0.026mg/l), Cu(0.24mg/l), Fe(5.60mg/l), Pb(0.07mg/l), Ni(0.03mg/l), Zn(116.59mg/l) and Cr(0.033mg/l). The mean concentrations of Cd, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn, exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible level for drinking water.Keywords: water quality, heavy metals, Ikpoba reservoi

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection post-exposure prophylaxis among resident doctors in a tertiary hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Infection with HIV is an occupational risk to health care workers, especially doctors, during treatment of patients. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is effective in preventing potential HIV infection following accidental exposure. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge,  attitude and practice of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis among resident doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 187 resident doctors at UBTH. Using a self- administered questionnaire, data was collected on socio demographic characteristics, attitude, and practice of HIV-PEP. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyzed data. Majority (66%) of respondents had good knowledge of HIV-PEP. Ninety five percent agreed they wound recommend HIV-PEP, 85% reported they would take PEP if accidentally exposed; 10.2% reported history of accidental exposure; and 47.4% of exposed  respondents took PEP. Reasons for not taking PEP included lack of information about existing HIV-PEP policy and fear of stigmatization. The respondents had good knowledge of HIV-PEP, but poor practice. Thus, there is the need to reinforce education and training of doctors and otherhealthcare workers on HIV-PEP. Health care policy makers and employee should create more awareness by public display of HIV-PEP protocol and guidelines in the work place.Key words: HIV, Post-exposure prophylaxis, Attitude, Knowledge, Practice, Health care workers

Knowledge, attitude, and utilization of HIV counseling and testing by female sex workers in Lagos State, Nigeria

Objectives: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic continues to expand among female sex workers (FSWs) who have limited access to and utilization of HIV counseling and testing services (HCT). HCT plays a pivotal role in increasing knowledge and awareness to prevent, treat, and control HIV/AIDS. The study objective was to determine the knowledge, attitude, utilization of HCT among brothel-based FSWs (BBFSWs). Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 300 BBFSWs in Lagos State. The respondents were recruited by snowballing after a multistage sampling method was used in the selection of the brothels. The data was collected using an adapted interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Majority (63.0%) of the respondents were between the ages of 21-30 years and 67.4% had good knowledge of HIV and HCT. About 75.0% had a positive attitude towards HCT and 55.6% of FSWs in this study had utilized an HCT center in the past. The main reason for not taking HIV test was the fear of a positive result (90.6%) while the main reasons given for not visiting any HCT center were lack of confidentiality (13.3%), stigmatization (14.8%), and distance to the HCT center (67.2%). Conclusion: There was a good knowledge of HCT and a positive attitude towards HCT services by the respondents. The main reasons for not taking the HIV test as indicated by respondents were fear of a positive result. HIV-stigma related issues should be adequately addressed

Relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support and Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients Attending General Outpatient Clinic in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria

Background: Despite many approaches to control hypertension, a lot of people still experience challenges keeping their Blood Pressure (BP) under control, and because the condition requires life - long treatment, many patients will need additional effort from their spouses. The spouse shares intimacy with patient and is the chief source of social support that provides financial assistance, reminds and encourages medication use, shows concern and interest by discussing issues related to the disease. Therefore, exploring the relationship between Perceived Spousal Social Support (PSSS) and BP control will help the physician and other stakeholders harness the gains of this association to achieving BP control, prevent complications and death associated with hypertension.Objective: To identify the relationship between perceived spousal social support and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.Materials and methods: This was a hospital - based cross - sectional study carried out between June and August 2016 among 298 hypertensive patients aged 18 and 65 years attending GOPC of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti. Collection of data was done using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, blood pressure measurement and 4-point Likert Social Support questionnaire to measure the perceived spousal social support. Data was analysed using SPSS IBM version 17.0.Results: Mean age of respondents was 56.0 ± 8.5 years and seventy percent were females with male to female ratio of 1:2.3. Less than half of the respondents, 47.7% and about half of the respondents, 50.3% achieved BP control and demonstrated strong PSSS respectively. There was statistically significant relationship between PSSS and BP control (χ2 = 27.05, p &lt; 0.001).&nbsp;Conclusion: Social support perceived by participants positively influenced their BP control. Family Physicians and other health care providers should therefore determine and enhance the level of this support and encourage spouses to provide this support for their partners who have hypertension or those having difficulty controlling their BP despite the appropriate use their medications.</p