Toxicological evaluation of extract of Olax subsorpioidea on albino Wistar rats

This research work was undertaken in order to evaluate the toxicity effects of the leaf extract of Olax subscorpioidea on albino Wistar rats using the biochemical, haematological and histopathological indices. Five groups (A to E) of eight rats per group were used for this study. Animals in group A was administered with distilled water while the rats in groups B, C, D, and E were administered with 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract of O. subsorpioidea via oral intubation for 28 days. Animals were subsequently anaesthetized in diethyl ether respectively and blood samples were collected for some biochemical and haematological assays, while the liver and kidney organs were isolated and processed for histopathological studies. Biochemical analysis revealed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the levels of total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase in the groups treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, while significant elevation (p<0.05) was observed in alkaline phosphatase, and albumin levels. Furthermore, haematological studies showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in white blood cell count and haemoglobin level in the treated groups. Moreover, the group treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract exhibited a reduced (p<0.05) percentage mean cell haemoglobin and lymphocyte, while the percentage neutrophil was significantly increased (p<0.05). Histopathological studies conducted revealed that there was no significant damage on the liver and kidney tissues. The results suggest that extract of the leaf of O. subscorpioidea could alter the haematopoietic elements as well as some biochemical parameters and may not cause any adverse effect on the liver and kidney tissues

Medical causes of admissions to hospital among adults in Africa: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite the publication of several studies on the subject, there is significant uncertainty regarding the burden of disease among adults in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). OBJECTIVES: To describe the breadth of available data regarding causes of admission to hospital, to systematically analyze the methodological quality of these studies, and to provide recommendations for future research. DESIGN: We performed a systematic online and hand-based search for articles describing patterns of medical illnesses in patients admitted to hospitals in sSA between 1950 and 2010. Diseases were grouped into bodily systems using International Classification of Disease (ICD) guidelines. We compared the proportions of admissions and deaths by diagnostic category using χ2. RESULTS: Thirty articles, describing 86,307 admissions and 9,695 deaths, met the inclusion criteria. The leading causes of admission were infectious and parasitic diseases (19.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6-20.1), respiratory (16.2%, 95% CI 16.0-16.5) and circulatory (11.3%, 95% CI 11.1-11.5) illnesses. The leading causes of death were infectious and parasitic (17.1%, 95% CI 16.4-17.9), circulatory (16%, 95% CI 15.3-16.8) and digestive (16.2%, 95% CI 15.4-16.9). Circulatory diseases increased from 3.9% of all admissions in 1950-59 to 19.9% in 2000-2010 (RR 5.1, 95% CI 4.5-5.8, test for trend p<0.00005). The most prevalent methodological deficiencies, present in two-thirds of studies, were failures to use standardized case definitions and ICD guidelines for classifying illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular and infectious diseases are currently the leading causes of admissions and in-hospital deaths in sSA. Methodological deficiencies have limited the usefulness of previous studies in defining national patterns of disease in adults. As African countries pass through demographic and health transition, they need to significantly invest in clinical research capacity to provide an accurate description of the disease burden among adults for public health policy

Use of mixed methods designs in substance research: a methodological necessity in Nigeria

The utility of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) is becoming increasingly accepted in health sciences, but substance studies are yet to substantially benefit from such utilities. While there is a growing number of mixed methods alcohol articles concerning developed countries, developing nations are yet to embrace this method. In the Nigerian context, the importance of mixed methods research is yet to be acknowledged. This article therefore, draws on alcohol studies to argue that mixed methods designs will better equip scholars to understand, explore, describe and explain why alcohol consumption and its related problems are increasing in Nigeria. It argues that as motives for consuming alcohol in contemporary Nigeria are multiple, complex and evolving, mixed method approaches that provide multiple pathways for proffering solutions to problems should be embraced

Impact of dietary patterns, individual and workplace characteristics on blood pressure status among civil servants in Bida and Wushishi communities of Niger State, Nigeria

The global burden estimate of hypertension is alarming and results in several million deaths annually. A high incidence of sudden deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the civil workforce in Nigeria is often reported. However, the associations between Dietary Patterns (DPs), individual, and workplace characteristics of hypertension among this workforce have not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify DP in the Bida and Wushishi Communities of Niger State and establish its relationship with hypertension along with other individual and workplace characteristics. Factor analysis was used to establish DP, Chi-square test to identify their relationships with hypertension, and logistic regression to determine the predictor risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension was 43.7%; mean weight, height, and body fat were: 72.8±15 kg, 166±8.9 mm and 30.4%, respectively. Three DPs: “Efficient Diet,” “Local diet,” and “Energy Boost Diet” were identified. The factor loading scores for these factors were divided into quintiles Q1–Q5; none of them had a significant effect on hypertension status. Conversely, increase in age, the Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) of employment, frequency of eating in restaurants, and obesity were identified as significant risk factors. After adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, MDA, and eating habits), a high score (Q5) in “efficient diet pattern” was significantly related to a lower likelihood of hypertension than a low score (Q1). The prevalence of hypertension among the participants was relatively very high. An increase in age and working in educational sector were risk factors associated with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended that civil servants engage in frequent exercise and undergo regular medical checkups, especially as they get older. These findings highlight the need for large-scale assessment of the impact of variables considered in this study on hypertension, among the civil workforce across Niger state and Nigeria

The importance of chronic pain education and awareness amongst occupational safety and health professionals

Ch&uacute;k Odenigbo,1 Nancy Julien,2 Nabiha Benyamina Douma,2 Ana&iuml;s Lacasse21Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Montreal University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2Department of Health Sciences, University of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, CanadaPurpose: Occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals are often the point of contact for health and safety policies derived in the workplace, and the handling of incidents in their aftermath. As chronic pain affects 20% of people, many pain-awareness campaigns and educational activities target healthcare professionals. However, initiatives directed toward OSH professionals are also important to aid in prevention and rehabilitation efforts. The objective of this study was to describe knowledge and attitudes of OSH students with regard to chronic pain.Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted amongst a convenience sample of 88 students enrolled in the distance learning OSH undergraduate certificate program at the Universit&eacute; du Qu&eacute;bec en Abitibi-T&eacute;miscamingue (Quebec, Canada).Results: Although 30% of students were already employed within OSH or human resources and 40% reported intervening in cases involving chronic pain in their line of work, 56% of respondents had received no training on chronic pain and its treatment in the past five years. Only 14% chose to take the optional 45&nbsp;hr course dedicated to pain within the program. OSH students also exhibited poorer knowledge and more negative attitudes toward people suffering from chronic pain when compared to other groups assessed in the province of Quebec, including healthcare professionals, chronic pain patients, and people not suffering from chronic pain (p&le;0.0002). Half of the respondents (51.9%) were not aware that chronic pain affects 1 in 5 adults.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a need for pain education within OSH training programs and through continuing education.Keywords: knowledge, attitudes, education, chronic pain, occupational safety and health, OS

IFAD RESEARCH SERIES 24 - Influence of nutrition-sensitive interventions on dietary profiles of smallholder farming households in East and Southern Africa

This paper aims to explore the influence of nutrition-sensitive interventions on dietary profiles of the beneficiaries of IFAD-funded projects. Drawing on a desk review of 37 IFAD funded projects in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region, the study used a cross sectional survey data from a purposive sample from selected countries where data collection was done (Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique). The findings indicate that the development interventions have diverse nutritional impacts resulting from production related activities, ranging from training to the provision of inputs and services, including labour and energy- saving technologies. Moreover, results confirm that agricultural and rural development investments on food production and household income growth present many opportunities to positively influence dietary profiles of households. On the basis of these findings, the paper recommends the integration of existing and planned nutrition sensitive interventions targeting behavioural changes in consumption patterns of the nutritionally at-risk population

IFAD RESEARCH SERIES 24 - Influence of nutrition-sensitive interventions on dietary profiles of smallholder farming households in East and Southern Africa

This paper aims to explore the influence of nutrition-sensitive interventions on dietary profiles of the beneficiaries of IFAD-funded projects. Drawing on a desk review of 37 IFAD funded projects in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region, the study used a cross sectional survey data from a purposive sample from selected countries where data collection was done (Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique). The findings indicate that the development interventions have diverse nutritional impacts resulting from production related activities, ranging from training to the provision of inputs and services, including labour and energy- saving technologies. Moreover, results confirm that agricultural and rural development investments on food production and household income growth present many opportunities to positively influence dietary profiles of households. On the basis of these findings, the paper recommends the integration of existing and planned nutrition sensitive interventions targeting behavioural changes in consumption patterns of the nutritionally at-risk population

African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Toxicological evaluation of extract of Olax subsorpioidea on albino Wistar rats

This research work was undertaken in order to evaluate the toxicity effects of the leaf extract of Olax subscorpioidea on albino Wistar rats using the biochemical, haematological and histopathological indices. Five groups (A to E) of eight rats per group were used for this study. Animals in group A was administered with distilled water while the rats in groups B, C, D, and E were administered with 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract of O. subsorpioidea via oral intubation for 28 days. Animals were subsequently anaesthetized in diethyl ether respectively and blood samples were collected for some biochemical and haematological assays, while the liver and kidney organs were isolated and processed for histopathological studies. Biochemical analysis revealed a significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the levels of total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase in the groups treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, while significant elevation (p&lt;0.05) was observed in alkaline phosphatase, and albumin levels. Furthermore, haematological studies showed a significant reduction (p&lt;0.05) in white blood cell count and haemoglobin level in the treated groups. Moreover, the group treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract exhibited a reduced (p&lt;0.05) percentage mean cell haemoglobin and lymphocyte, while the percentage neutrophil was significantly increased (p&lt;0.05). Histopathological studies conducted revealed that there was no significant damage on the liver and kidney tissues. The results suggest that extract of the leaf of O. subscorpioidea could alter the haematopoietic elements as well as some biochemical parameters and may not cause any adverse effect on the liver and kidney tissues