Endodontic flare-ups: comparison of incidence between single and multiple visit procedures in patients attending a Nigerian teaching hospital

BACKGROUND: Until recently the most accepted technique of doing root canal treatment stresses multiple visit procedure. Most schools also concentrated upon teaching the multi-visit concept. However, it has now been reported that the procedure of single visit treatment is advocated by at least 70% of schools in all geographical areas. It was therefore the aims of the present study to find the incidence of post-obturation flare-ups following single and multiple visit endodontic treatment procedures, and to establish the relationship between pre-operative and post-obturation pain in patients referred for endodontic therapy in a Nigerian teaching Hospital. METHODS: Data collected included pulp vitality status, the presence or absence of pre-operative, inter-appointment and post-obturation pain. Pain was recorded as none, slight, or moderate/severe. Flare-ups were defined as either patient's report of pain not controlled with over the counter medication or as increasing swelling. The patients were recalled at three specific post-obturation periods, 1(st), 7(th )and 30(th )day. The presence or absence of pain, or the appropriate degree of pain was recorded for each recall visits and the interval between visits. The compiled data were analysed using chi-square where applicable. P level ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Ten endodontic flare-ups (8.1%) were recorded in the multiple visit group compared to 19 (18.3%) flare-ups for the single visit group, P = 0.02. For both single and multiple visit procedures, there were statistically significant correlations between pre-operative and post-obturation pain (P = 0.002 and P = 0.0004 respectively). Teeth with vital pulps reported the lowest frequency of post-obturation pain (48.8%), while those with nonvital pulps were found to have the highest frequency of post-obturation pain (50.3%), P = 0.9. CONCLUSION: The present study reported higher incidences of post-obturation pain and flare-ups following the single visit procedures. However, single visit endodontic therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to multiple visit treatment, especially in communities where patients default after the first appointment at which pain is relieved

Kaizen Cost Management Technique and Profitability of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ogun State, Nigeria

The study examines the relationship that exists between Kaizen cost management technique and profitability of small and medium scale enterprise in Ogun State, Nigeria. It evaluates the nature of Kaizen cost management technique and how it can be adopted to reduce and control operational costs of SMEs. The study adopted primary data and a sample of 269 respondents consisting of small and medium scale enterprises were purposively chosen from Agro-allied, confectionery, general trading and transport business in Ogun State Nigeria. The study population comprised 2,685 enterprises obtained through a preliminary survey of SMEs in the three senatorial districts of Ogun States namely Ogun West, Ogun East, Ogun Central. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on relevant variables from respondents. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was adopted to analyze the questionnaire. The result of statistical test of hypothesis shows that there is a significant relationship between Kaizen cost management technique and profitability of SMEs. A further test of significant relationship between cost components and profitability of SMEs using Regression Analysis shows that only fixed cost reliably predicted the average annual profit by a factor of 0.099. Key-words-: Kaizen, cost management, technique and Profitabilit

The Relevance Of Multi Media Skills In Teaching And Learning Of Scientific Concepts In Secondary Schools In Lagos State, Nigeria

This study investigated the relevance of multi media skills in teaching and learning of scientific concepts in secondary schools. Self constructed questionnaire was administered to 120 students randomly selected in four secondary schools in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos state. Data generated were analyzed using chi-square statistical instrument. The findings of the study revealed that the acquisition of relevant skills in multi media will improve teaching and learning of scientific concepts in secondary schools. Based on the findings, recommendations were proffered to inculcate knowledge of multi media skills in improving teaching of science. Key words: Scientific concepts, Multimedia, Skills and Dat

Reasons Why Trauma Patients Request for Discharge against Medical Advice in Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha

Background:The aim of this study was to find out the reasons why trauma victims with Orthopaedic injuries take their discharge against medical  advice.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on Trauma victims  presenting to the Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha who took their discharge against medical advice (DAMA) over a 2 year period. A questionnaire was designed that was used to retrieve information on the patients biodata, their injuries and the reasons why they DAMA.Results: A total of 49 patients were interviewed over this period. The mean age of the patients was 36.7 years. Students (22.4%), traders (20.4%) and artisans (24.5%) were commonly involved in this practice. Eighteen (36.7%) of the respondents claimed to have taken DAMA due to hospital cost, 18 (36.7%) also DAMA because of their believe in Traditional Bone Setters. Eleven patients (22.4%) simply said they want treatment near home while one patient each gave the fear of amputation and hospital protocol as their reasons for DAMA.Conclusion: Cost of treatment and believe in traditional bone setters were the 2 main reasons why most patients with fracture DAMA. Measures to reduce the cost of treatment and patient’s education about the dangers with unorthodox treatment of fractures and dislocations should help to reduce this behaviour

Nigerian Science Teachers’ Perceptions of Effective Science Teaching and their Classroom Teaching Practices in Junior Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study explores science teachers’ perceptions of effective science teaching and their classroom teaching practices. The study was carried out from a population of junior secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. A purposive sample of 78 basic science teachers selected from 61 junior secondary schools from three Education Districts of the state was used for the study. A research instrument tagged effective teaching characteristics questionnaire (ETCQ) was used to elicit information from the teachers. The questionnaire has a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.83. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentage. The findings indicated that the science curriculum used in schools was overloaded with content to be memorized by learners for examination purposes and that most science teachers engaged students mostly in explanation and demonstration, whole class discussion and note copying. The findings further showed that effective science teaching is characterized by student-centered activities associated with students being attentive, reading notes, doing homework, asking and responding to questions and engaging in regular hands-on practical inquiry-based activity and carrying out their own observations among others. Finally, recommendations for improving science teaching for junior secondary schools in Lagos State were proffered. Keywords: Effective teaching, teacher-centered, perceptions, practical work, teaching resource

Relationship between personality traits and reproductive choices among women attending the psychiatric clinic of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: The study aimed to assess the relationship between personality traits and reproductive choices among women attending the psychiatric clinic at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital.Methods: The original study used a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test-controlled design though this article presents a cross sectional view of results. Two hundred females were recruited into the study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was applied to the respondents which elicited information on background characteristics, baseline contraceptive indicators and personality traits. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods.Results: The personality factors found to affect contraceptive use included high scores on Conscientiousness, Extraversion and Neuroticism, though only extraversion maintained this relationship on regression analysis. The personality factors found to affect pregnancy plan included high scores on Conscientiousness.Conclusions: This study showed a distinct relationship between specific personality traits and contraceptive use with neuroticism exhibiting a negative influence on use while conscientiousness exhibited a positive influence

Clinicopathological analysis of histological variants of ameloblastoma in a suburban Nigerian population

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to establish the relative incidence and provide clinico-pathologic information on the various histological types of ameloblastoma seen at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex, Ile-Ife in order to provide a baseline data which will be of significance to the pathologist and clinician. METHODS: Clinico-pathologic data on a total of 77 histologically diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma archieved at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife over a 15 year period were obtained and analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Follicular ameloblastoma was the most common histological type (50 cases, 64.9%), followed by plexiform ameloblastoma (10 cases, 13.0%). 4 (5.2%) cases of desmoplastic and 3 (3.9%) cases of acanthomatous ameloblastoma were seen while the basal cell variant accounted for 2 (2.6%) cases. Only 1 case of the unicystic type was seen. Some of the 77 cases presented as a mixture of two or more histological types. Ameloblastoma occurred over an age range of 11 to 70 years with a peak age incidence in the 3(rd )decade. CONCLUSION: This study provides a baseline data on variants of ameloblastoma as obtained in a suburban Nigerian population. Since variants of ameloblastoma differ in biologic behaviour, the data collected in this study provides clinicopathologic information which is of significance to the pathologist and clinician

THE EFFECT OF DISSOLVED PLASTIC POLYMER MODIFICATION ON RUTTING AND FATIGUE RESISTANCE PROPERTIES OF WARM BITUMEN BLEND

Recently, large amounts of waste polymers are being generated in Nigeria. One of the waste polymers is plastic bottles. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) are produced at high temperatures with high energy consumption and environmental hazard. The purpose of using Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is to reduce the production and laying temperature and emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, this research investigated the effect of Dissolved Plastic Bottle (DPB) on the rheological, rutting and fatigue resistance properties of warm bitumen blend thereby reducing the environmental hazard associated with the Waste Plastic Bottles (WPB) disposal and consequently improving pavement service life. WPB was obtained from different waste generation points in Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria. The obtained WPB was shredded and converted to dissolved form using pyrolysis machine @ 4500C. 500g of 60/70 penetration grade bitumen was heated in an oven with 3% (15g) sasobit until it becomes fluidal. The bitumen was modified with 0 - 17% by weight of the bitumen at 2% interval. Mixing was continued for 1hour to produce homogenous bituminous mixtures. Rheological tests were then conducted on the prepared samples using the Brookfield programmable rheometer. The results indicated that addition of DPB improves the rheological properties of absolute viscosity, phase angle, complex shear modulus, rutting and fatigue resistance of modified binder at both 135°C and 165°C. Therefore, DPB can be used to improve bitumen rheological properties and subsequently resist rutting and fatigue on traffic roads. This can best be achieved upon 7% and 5% modification levels at 135°C and 165°C respectively

A STUDY OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION STRATEGIES AND ORGANISATIONAL SURVIVAL IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

The research focus was on retention strategies and organisational survival. The study identified retention strategies that were in existence in the private universities in Nigeria and investigated the extent to which existing employee retention strategies affect organisational survival in the private universities. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Random sampling technique was adopted with reference to the stratified sampling procedure which ensures proportional representation of the population sub-group to select 600 respondents (100 respondents from each university) from the population of 3,634 academic staff of six private universities in the Southwestern Nigeria. The questionnaire was developed with reference to Likert five rating scale where the respondents were provided with optional responses from which to select one that applied to their opinion. Out of 600 questionnaires administered, 549 were found useful for the research work representing 92%. The secondary data were extracted from the records of the selected universities and journals as well textbook relating to the variables (Independent and dependent). Competitive pay, facilities, dignity and respect, job security, training support, recognition and reward were identified as the retention strategies commonly adopted as practice in the private universities in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the private universities in Nigeria should sustain and improve on the existing retention strategies for the survival of the organisation. Job security should be improved to encourage employees’ willingness to stay and be committed to survival of the organisation, also private universities should endeavour to combine the practice of retention strategy variables and useless of single or selective strategy and to watch its operating cost on retention strategies. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and inferential analysis such as regression analysis and analysis of variance were used to analyse data collected and to test the hypotheses stated at 0.05 level of sig

The Socio-economic and Environmental Implications of Residential Buildings in Proximate Distance to Landfill Site. A Case of Olusosun Landfill, Ojota Lagos

Rapid population growth, urbanization and the associated increase in housing need has lead landfills to compete with residential developments, especially in peri-urban areas of developing countries, including Nigeria. This study explores extensively the socio-economic and environmental impacts of landfill sites on residential buildings, especially those in proximate distance to it, with a focus on the Olusosun landfill in Ojota, Lagos. In achieving this aim, the study examined the socio-demographic characteristics of the residents living in close proximity between 200-500 metres to the landfill site, identified the health and environmental hazards experienced by residents, examined the condition of residential buildings between 200-500 metres to the landfill site and evaluated the relationship between the distance of landfill site and condition of buildings in the study area. The purposive and stratified random sampling method was employed in carrying out the research survey, where Olusosun community was divided into three (3) strata using distance from the dumpsite and population density as criteria adopted by the researcher. Consequently, eighty-two (82) questionnaires were retrieved from the respondents, out of the total eighty-five (85) structured questionnaires administered. Descriptive statistical tool was used to analyse the perceptions of the respondents. However, the study revealed that several socio-economic, environmental and health implications arise as a result of this haphazard development, these include; thermal discomfort, diseases, low rental value of residential buildings, poor aesthetic value and water contamination. Also, the result from the Crosstab and Chi-Square test concluded that there was no enough evidence to suggest an association between distance of landfill and building conditions in the study area. The study, therefore recommends that there should be proper monitoring and robust waste management strategy, social inclusion in waste management, promote health and safety, harness other waste disposal methods, provide legal structures/institutions on waste management, climate change mitigation and safeguarding the environment for sustainability. Keywords: socio-economic, environmental, residential buildings, proximate distance, landfill DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-6-10 Publication date:June 30th 201