Stress and psychological health of medical students in a Nigerian University

No Abstract

Effect of Alkali Treatment and Fiber Content Variation on the Tensile Properties of Coir Fiber Reinforced Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) Composite

The eect of alkali treatment and ber content variation on the tensile properties of coir ber reinforced cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) composite was studied. Biocomposite consisting of coir bers and cashew nut shell liquid resin was produced using the hand lay-up technique. The bers were treated with 5% NaOH and varied between 0% to 40% weight fractions. Composite laminates with untreated coir bers were also produced with same ber loadings. The results showed that tensile strength and modulus of the CNSL/COIR composite increased as the weight fraction of coir bers was increased up to a ber content of 30%. Also the composites exhibited reduction in elongation at break as ber content was increased. The alkali- treated CNSL/COIR composite laminates showed improved tensile properties and this was attributed to an improvement of interfacial ber-matrix adhesion in the composites

Mediated Instruction and Redundancy Remediation in Sciences in Secondary Schools in Uyo Urban

The study was on Mediated Instruction and Redundancy Remediation in sciences in secondary schools in Uyo urban. Two hypotheses were postulated. Quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study with a total of 200 students purposively sampled from two secondary schools. 50 students each were used as experimental and control groups in the two schools selected. A computer designed instruction on circulatory system developed on power point projection was used in treating the experimental group, while the expository pedagogical strategy was used to teach the control groups on the same lesson. Redundancy remediation achievement test (RRAT) was developed to test the ability levels of students in both the experimental and control groups. The RRAT‟ had a reliability coefficient of .85. The data were analyzed using t-test statistics. Data analysis revealed that use of mediated instruction significantly removed redundancy for science students also the use of mediated instruction influenced academic achievement of science students in secondary schools. Some of the recommendations include that science teachers should be trained to use ICT facilities in order to integrate it into the teaching learning situation and also that Internet facilities should be provided in all schools to ensure its utilization by both science teachers and students

The Bioload and Aflatoxin Content of Herbal Medicines from Selected States in Nigeria

Background: There is increased reliance on traditional herbal medicines by several millions of people worldwide, especially in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is due to escalating cost of good quality drugs and consequent proliferation of faked cheaper drugs. However, non standardization of production and handling methods have resulted in herbal medicines with varying quality and safety indices, thus resulting in possible public health concerns. This work investigated the microbial load and aflatoxin levels in herbal medicines from selected states in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A total of 210 samples obtained from various renowned herbal medicine practitioners from some selected states in Nigeria, based on their medicinal uses, were analyzed to determine the microbial load by the plate count method and aflatoxin contamination levels using thin layer chromatography with aflatoxin standards.Results: At least six bacterial genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, EPEC, EHEC, Streptococcus and other coliforms) and 6 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Geotricum and Candida) were isolated. Aflatoxin B1, B2 and G1 were detected in varying concentrations in the samples analyzed, with an average occurrence of 18.6%. Some of these herbal concoctions were found to contain unacceptably high bioload, according to WHO standards.Conclusion: Microbial contamination and the presence of aflatoxins in herbal medicines appear to be an endemic problem in Nigeria, as observed in this work, probably due to poor observation of basic hygiene during preparations and poor storage conditions. The findings in this work may serve in developing and instituting public health standards for the production and safety of herbal remedies in Nigeria.Key words: herbal medicines, microbial, bioload, aflatoxin, public health

Job Satisfaction and Psychological Health of Long Distance Drivers in Benin City

This cross-sectional analytical study was designed to assess the level of and factors affecting job satisfaction andpsychological health among long distance drivers in Benin City, Edo, Nigeria. A 21-item Job satisfaction questionnaire and the Golberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28) were used for data collection from 168 consenting drivers. Data was analysed with SPSS version 15. Results showed that an appreciable number of drivers were satisfied with their job (85%). Factors linked with satisfaction included flexibility of periods designated as resting hours (91.6%), company administration and management (84.6%), self- perception of being valued by the company (79.7%), and remuneration (74.1%). Sources of dissatisfaction included lack of training on the job (82%) and frequent  arassment by law enforcement officers (77%). Psychological morbidity was rare. Overall, the drivers showed high level satisfaction towards their job, though there were areas of dissatisfaction that need to be addressed in the interest and safety of passengers and other road users.Keywords: Drivers, Health, Job Satisfaction, Long distance, Psychologica

Some economic and socio-cultural factors associated with cerebral malaria among under-fives in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: Risk factors associated with the occurrence of cerebral malaria in under fives are well documented. Outside these acknowledged factors of age, location, and nutrition, other socioeconomic/cultural factors could contribute to the maze of factors determining the occurrence of the morbidity. Methods: To unravel such factors a key informant interview was conducted among resident doctors in paediatrics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Factors identified formed the basis of this cross-sectional, case control study involving 64 cases each of subjects and controls with uncomplicated malaria carried out at the Hospital. Such factors as delay in accessing competent intervention, prolonged use of anti-pyretics, material educational status, use of substandard medication and abdominal scarification as identified were evaluated in the two sets of patients. Others evaluated included mothers’ occupation and health seeking behaviours. Results: Factors found to be significantly associated with occurrence of cerebral malaria were initial treatment in clinics (X2 = 6.43, p = 0.011) presence of fresh abdominal scarification (X2 = 4.30, p=0.038) late presentation (X2 = 32.64; p=0.000) and non- use of mosquito nets (X2 = 9.14; p=0.002). Conclusion/Recommendations: Initial treatment either in clinics or non orthodox facilities contributed significantly to the occurrence of cerebral malaria. The implication of these is that pre- teaching hospital treatments were inadequate in managing the child meant to develop cerebral malaria. Attention should therefore be directed at these areas alongside use of mosquito nets if the objective is to minimise the occurrence of cerebral malaria.Key words: Cerebral malaria, Risk factors, Under fives, Economic factors & Socio-cultural factors

THE BIOLOAD AND AFLATOXIN CONTENT OF HERBAL MEDICINES FROM SELECTED STATES IN NIGERIA

Background: There is increased reliance on traditional herbal medicines by several millions of people worldwide, especially in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is due to escalating cost of good quality drugs and consequent proliferation of faked cheaper drugs. However, non standardization of production and handling methods have resulted in herbal medicines with varying quality and safety indices, thus resulting in possible public health concerns. This work investigated the microbial load and aflatoxin levels in herbal medicines from selected states in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 samples obtained from various renowned herbal medicine practitioners from some selected states in Nigeria, based on their medicinal uses, were analyzed to determine the microbial load by the plate count method and aflatoxin contamination levels using thin layer chromatography with aflatoxin standards. Results: At least six bacterial genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, EPEC, EHEC, Streptococcus and other coliforms) and 6 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Geotricum and Candida) were isolated. Aflatoxin B1, B2 and G1 were detected in varying concentrations in the samples analyzed, with an average occurrence of 18.6%. Some of these herbal concoctions were found to contain unacceptably high bioload, according to WHO standards. Conclusion: Microbial contamination and the presence of aflatoxins in herbal medicines appear to be an endemic problem in Nigeria, as observed in this work, probably due to poor observation of basic hygiene during preparations and poor storage conditions. The findings in this work may serve in developing and instituting public health standards for the production and safety of herbal remedies in Nigeria

Specialist training in Fiji: Why do graduates migrate, and why do they remain? A qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Specialist training was established in the late 1990s at the Fiji School of Medicine. Losses of graduates to overseas migration and to the local private sector prompted us to explore the reasons for these losses from the Fiji public workforce.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected on the whereabouts and highest educational attainments of the 66 Fiji doctors who had undertaken specialist training to at least the diploma level between 1997 and 2004. Semistructured interviews focusing on career decisions were carried out with 36 of these doctors, who were purposively sampled to include overseas migrants, temporary overseas trainees, local private practitioners and public sector doctors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>120 doctors undertook specialist training to at least the diploma level between 1997 and 2004; 66 of the graduates were Fiji citizens or permanent residents; 54 originated from other countries in the region. Among Fiji graduates, 42 completed a diploma and 24 had either completed (21) or were enrolled (3) in a master's programme. Thirty-two (48.5%) were working in the public sectors, four (6.0%) were temporarily training overseas, 30.3% had migrated overseas and the remainder were mostly in local private practice. Indo-Fijian ethnicity and non-completion of full specialist training were associated with lower retention in the public sectors, while gender had little impact. Decisions to leave the public sectors were complex, with concerns about political instability and family welfare predominating for overseas migrants, while working conditions not conducive to family life or frustrations with career progression predominated for local private practitioners. Doctors remaining in the public sectors reported many satisfying aspects to their work despite frustrations, though 40% had seriously considered resigning from the public service and 60% were unhappy with their career progression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, this study provides some support for the view that local or regional postgraduate training may increase retention of doctors. Attention to career pathways and other sources of frustration, in addition to encouragement to complete training, should increase the likelihood of such programmes' reaching their full potentials.</p