Studies on the Physicochemical Properties and Genotoxicity of Effluents from a Dairy Industry

In this study, the physicochemical analysis of raw and treated effluents obtained from a dairy industry was carried out and it revealed the presence of zinc, iron, manganese, nitrates and sulphates at levels higher than Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) permissible limits. The pH of the effluents was acidic (pH 4.7 and 6.43 respectively). Results obtained from the macroscopic evaluation of Allium cepa after 96 hours of cultivation in both effluents showed a significant (p<0.05) concentration-dependent root growth inhibition. Root tip cells of A. cepa processed for cytological studies by the aceto-orcein squash technique after exposure to the effluents for 48 hours at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10% (v/v) showed chromosomal aberrations at all concentrations. Sticky chromosomes with bridges and laggards were the most observed, however, the frequency of these aberrant chromosomes was more in the raw compared with those in the treated effluent. Statistical analysis of microscopic results showed significant (p<0.05) reduction of mitotic index in a concentration-dependent relationship. The findings of this study have shown that a combination of physicochemical analysis and genotoxicity assay is effective in assessing the mutagenic components of industrial effluents for environmental monitoring of pollutants. The treated wastewater from the dairy industry, if discharged into water bodies without further treatment, could pollute the receiving water bodies and impair biolife.Keywords: Dairy effluent, genotoxicity, Allium cepa, physicochemical analysi

PRESENCE AND LEVELS OF CONCENTRATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) IN SMOKED FISH, HIDES AND SKIN OF SLAUGHTER CATTLE AND GOATS IN AWKA URBAN, NIGERIA

Objective: This study evaluated the presence and concentration of PAHs in singed and unsinged hides and skin of slaughter cattle and goats and smoked and non-smoked fish in Awka urban area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: Sixty samples of singed and unsinged hides and skin for were collected from Kwata slaughterhouse in Awka town where fish tissues were also collected from fish smoking spots in Awka urban. The samples were examined for the presence PAHs such as: benzo[a]pyrene; benzo[a]anthracene; benzo[k]flouranthene and indeno[1-2-3cd]pyrene using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector. Results: The result showed that the mean concentrations (µg/kg) of benzo[a]pyrene and indeno [1-2-3cd]pyrene in unsinged cattle hides were 7.89±7.77 and 2.25±0.97 respectively. The mean concentrations upon singeing were of 15.81±14.93 and 3.55±2.89. The mean concentrations (µg/kg) of benzo[a]pyrene; benzo[k]flouranthene and indeno[1-2-3cd]pyrene in unsigned goat skins were 6.52±10.77; 6.58±5.93 and 3.48±0.00 respectively. When the goatskin was singed, the mean concentrations were 17.50±26.03; 10.84±11.19 and 8.79±11.77. The mean concentrations (µg/kg) of benzo[a]pyrene; benzo[k]flouranthene and indeno[1-2-3cd]pyrene in non-smoked fish were 8.65±9.67; 2.11±2.10 and 54.76±60.35 respectively. When the fish were smoked, the mean concentrations of 26.42±40.21; 6.64±11.11 and 599.36±1395.61 were recorded respectively. In all species of animals sampled, no trace of benzo[a]anthracene was detected. Conclusion: The mean concentrations of all carcinogenic PAHs detected in this work were below the maximum permissible level set by World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission (30µg/kg) with the exception of indeno[1-2-3cd]pyrene in smoked and non-smoked fish, which was far above the permissible level

Sphenostylis stenocarpa (ex. A. Rich.) Harms., a fading genetic resource in a changing climate: Prerequisite for conservation and sustainability

The southeastern part of Nigeria is one of the major hotspot of useful plant genetic resources. These endemic species are associated with a rich indigenous knowledge and cultural diversity in relation to their use and conservation. Sphenostylis stenocarpa (ex. A. Rich.) Harms., (African Yam Bean (AYB), is one such crop within the family of Fabaceae. Its nutritional and eco-friendly characteristics have value in ameliorating malnutrition, hidden hunger and environmental degradation inherent in resource-poor rural and semi-rural communities throughout Africa. However, lack of information from the custodians of this crop is limiting its sustainable development. Ethnobotanical survey on the diversity, uses, and constraints limiting the cultivation and use of the crop in South-eastern Nigeria are documented. Five-hundred respondents were randomly selected and data collected through oral interviews and focused group discussion (FGD). Semi-structured questionnaires (SSQ) were also used to elicit information from a spectrum of AYB users comprising community leaders, farmers, market women and consumers in these states. Results showed that the majority of the respondents lacked formal education and were of age group of 40 - 50 years while, female gender-dominated with limited access to land and extension officers. Seed coat colour largely determined utilization. Long cooking time, requirement for staking materials, aging of farmers and low market demand were among the major constraints limiting further cultivation and utilization of AYB. In-situ conservation is made by hanging dried fruits by the fireside, beside the house, storing in earthenware, calabash gourds, cans and bottles. It is concluded that there is urgent need to scale up conservation through robust linkages between contemporary scientific domains and indigenous peoples in order to harness and incorporate the rich indigenous knowledge in local communities for enhanced scientific knowledge, biodiversity conservation and its sustainable utilization for food security

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Cameroon and Nigeria: a web-based cross-sectional study

Background This study investigated the determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Cameroon and Nigeria. Methods This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2021, including consenting HCWs aged ≥18 y identified using snowball sampling. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as indecisiveness or unwillingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Multilevel logistic regression yielded adjusted ORs (aORs) for vaccine hesitancy. Results We included a total of 598 (about 60% women) participants. Little or no trust in the approved COVID-19 vaccines (aOR=2.28, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.20), lower perception of the importance of the vaccine on their personal health (5.26, 2.38 to 11.6), greater concerns about vaccine-related adverse effects (3.45, 1.83 to 6.47) and uncertainty about colleagues’ acceptability of the vaccine (2.98, 1.62 to 5.48) were associated with higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. In addition, participants with chronic disease (aOR=0.34, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.97) and higher levels of concerns about getting COVID-19 (0.40, 0.18 to 0.87) were less likely to be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in this study was high and broadly determined by the perceived risk of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines on personal health, mistrust in COVID-19 vaccines and uncertainty about colleagues’ vaccine acceptability

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Cameroon and Nigeria: a web-based cross-sectional study

Background: This study investigated the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in Cameroon and Nigeria. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2021, including consenting HCWs > 18 years identified using snowball sampling. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as indecisiveness or unwillingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Multilevel logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for vaccine hesitancy. Results: We included a total of 598 (~60% women) participants. Little or no trust in the approved COVID-19 vaccines (aOR=2.28, 95% CI=1.24-4.20), lower perception of the importance of the vaccine on their personal health (5.26, 2.38-11.6), greater concerns about vaccine-related adverse effects (3.45, 1.83-6.47), and uncertainty about colleagues’ acceptability of the vaccine (2.98, 1.62-5.48) were associated with higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. In addition, participants with chronic disease (aOR=0.34, 95% CI=0.12-0.97) and higher levels of concerns about getting COVID-19 (0.40, 0.18-0.87) were less likely to be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in this study was high and broadly determined by the perceived risk of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines on personal health, mistrust in COVID-19 vaccines, and uncertainty about colleagues’ vaccine acceptability

Pattern of paediatric HIV/AIDS – the Awka experience

Background: Paediatric HIV/AIDS has become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in our environment Objectives: The aim is to determine the clinical features on presentation, routes of transmission and outcome of hospital admissions in children with Paediatric HIV/AIDS at Amaku General Hospital Awka Anambra State Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of children with Paediatric HIV/AIDS admitted into the hospital between March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2009 was done. Diagnosis for HIV infection was based on double ELISA and clinical criteria as recommended by WHO. Results: Thirty-nine HIV positive children aged 10weeks to 12years were admitted into the ward, accounting for about 10% of total admissions. There were 22 males and 17 females. Majority of the patients (38.5%) were &le; 3 years old. Major clinical features were fever (76.9%), diarrhoea (53.8%), weight loss (51.3%) and cough (46.1%). Vertical transmission was the major route accounting for 66.7% and was statistically significant (p< 0.05). Twenty-nine patients (74.3%) were discharged, while mortality rate was 15.4% Conclusion: The finding indicates that Paediatric HIV/AIDS occurs predominantly by vertical route in Amaku General Hospital Awka. We recommend intensification of efforts to implement the existing prevention of mother to child transmission programme

Pattern of Morbidity and Mortality in a Children’s Ward – the Awka Experience

Pattern of morbidity and mortality in children in a hospital setting is essential because it serves as a guide to what happens in the larger society. By these findings, health facilities could be modified and improved upon for better management of those cases. To document the pattern of morbidity and mortality in children’s ward of Amaku General Hospital Awka (AGHA) Anambra State, the hospital records of children aged above one month to 18 years admitted to the children’s ward of AGHA from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2008 were retrieved and reviewed. Of the 491 patients admitted during the period, 400 patients met the criteria for the study. The youngest child was 7 weeks old and the oldest 18 years. The commonest causes of admission were severe malaria (21.75%), Gastroenteritis (15.50%), febrile convulsion (14.75%), pneumonia (13.75%) andHIV/AIDS (10%). The commonest causes of death were severe malaria with anemic heart failure (30.61%), Gastroenteritis with severe dehydration (20.41%), pneumonia (16.33%) and HIV/AIDS (12.25%). Among the deaths, infancy period was mostly affected (36.74%). Having seen the pattern of morbidity and mortality in our area to be infection related, we recommend to government and society the improvement in our environmental sanitation, sustained health education, reducing poverty while promoting routine immunization, growth monitoring, Breastfeeding of our children and introduction of new vaccines.Keywords: Pattern, morbidity, mortality, children’s ward, Awk