Effects of Charcoal Production on Soil in Kiln Sites in Ibarapa Area, South Western Nigeria

In Nigeria, charcoal is a major source of energy, especially among the urban poor. However, the effects of charcoal production on the environment, especially the soil, have not been adequately documented. This study examines the effects of charcoal production in kiln sites on soil properties in the derived savanna zone of Ibarapa region, south-western Nigeria. Soils in ten kiln sites were sampled at depths of 0-10cm and 10-20cm and their characteristics were compared with those of the corresponding layers of soil in ten adjoining derived savanna sites which were used as the control. Unlike in previous studies reported for West Africa, charcoal production in the kiln sites did not result in a significant reduction in soil organic matter levels, presumably because the humid climate of the derived savanna zone, hindered a substantial rise in soil temperatures during biomass burning. Similarly, there were no significant increases in the levels of exchangeable cations in both soil layers, except for soil exchangeable sodium. There was a rise in kiln site soil pH and available phosphorus mainly due to the effects of soil heating. Biomass burning in the kiln sites did not result in significant increases in the levels of the soil micronutrients - extractable iron, copper, zinc and manganese in both the 0-10cm and 10-20cm soil layers and it had no severe deleterious effects on soil chemical status.Keywords: Charcoal production, kiln sites, macronutrients, micronutrients, Nigeri

Results of Operative Fixation of Fractures of the Ankle at a Tertiary Hospital in a Developing Country

Background: Operative fixation of ankle fractures is becoming popular in developing countries. The concern however is the outcome of care. The objective was to evaluate the results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of fractures of the ankle in our hospital.Methods: All cases ORIF of fractures of the ankle at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan between March 2010 and December 2012 were recruited into the study. The indications for surgery, techniques of fixation, time interval between injury and presentation as well as outcome  measures like time to union, complications and functional outcomes were evaluated.Results: Seventy patients who had ORIF of ankle fractures were studied. Twenty-one (30%) were open fractures while forty-nine (70%) were closed. Sixty (85.7%) patients presented within the first week of injury, 4 (5.7%) after 4 weeks, 4 (5.7%) after 6 weeks and 2 (2.9%) after 52 weeks. Time to union averaged 12.6±4.1weeks. Complications included wound infection 14.3%, wound dehiscence with exposed implants 2.9%, malunion 8.6% and non union 5.7%. Good to excellent functional outcomes were achieved in 77.1% of the patients.Conclusion: ORIF is a viable option in the treatment of ankle fractures

Incidence of cephalosporin resistance among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Background: The emergence of beta-lactam resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major global challenge, particularly, the rise in the resistance to 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins.Aim: This study was carried out to determine the resistance pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to different generations of cephalosporins.Methods: A total number of one hundred clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from June to November 2014 at University Teaching Hospital Ibadan, Oyo State. These were tested for their sensitivity to antibiotics by means of disc diffusion method using prepared antibiotics disc containing different μ of antibiotics; Cefotaxine (30μ), Cefaclor (30μ), Cefamandole (30μ), Cefixime (5μ), Cefepime (30μ), Cefpodoxime (30μ) and Ceftazidime (30μ).Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed absolute resistance to all antibiotics used except Ceftazidime, and Cefepime which are third and fourth generation of cephalosporin respectively. Ceftazidime had minimal resistant of 21% and higher susceptibility rate of 76%, Cefepime had the highest susceptibility rate of 90% and minimal resistance of 6%. Cefotaxime and Cefpodoxime had minimal intermediate of 1%, Ceftazidime of 3% and Cefepime of 4%.Conclusion: The result from this study provided more evidence that among third generation of cephalosporins used, some are more active than the other while fourth generation is still the most effective of all other generations. Knowledge on the distribution of cephalosporin-resistant organisms is of ultimate importance as a guide in empirical therapy, taking note of preventive strategies as well as control measures against the spread of resistant microorganisms.Keywords: Cephalosporins, resistance, susceptibility, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antibiotics, organis

PIH6 Pattern and Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Antenatal and Postnatal Physiotherapy in Nigeria

Pattern and Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Antenatal and Postnatal Physiotherapy in Nigeria Fatoye F1, Mbada C2, Gebrye T3, Tejumola OO2, Fatoye C4, Odele AC5, Oyewole OO6, Ogundele AO7, Akinwande OA8 1Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, LIN, UK, 2Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,, Nigeria, 3Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, 4Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, LAN, UK, 5University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 6Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria, 7Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Iwo, Nigeria, 8University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examined the willingness to pay (WTP) for antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 120 pregnant women were purposively recruited for this cross-sectional study. Ethical approval was sought from the Health Research and Ethical Review Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex. A five-section WTP and short form 12 (SF-12) health survey were used to assess the determinants of willingness to pay for antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy, as well as mental health domains of the respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 28.9 ± 5.02 years. A high ‘no WTP’ rate of 64.2% was found in the study. Significant associations were found between WTP for antenatal and postnatal physiotherapy and income (χ2 = 26.526, p = 0.001), education (χ2 = 30.404, p = 0.001), ethnicity (χ2 = 13.865, p = 0.001) and mental health domain of SF-12 (χ2 = 11.150, p = 0.004). Those in middle socio-economic status were not willing to pay for physiotherapy with a percentage of 87.0%, whereas, those in high economic status were WTP with a percentage of 20.93%. It was also observed that the participants with three number of visits to the clinic had the highest frequency for ‘no WTP’ at 9.09%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that there was a high prevalence of no WTP for physiotherapy among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Nigeria. Ethnicity, income, socio-economic class, and education influenced WTP for physiotherapy. This study may be of interest to decision makers when setting up and evaluating different interventions for pregnant women and nursing mothers

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Clinical profile, knowledge, and beliefs about diabetes among patients attending a Tertiary Health Centre in Lagos: A cross‑sectional survey

Introduction: Diabetes affects 347 million people worldwide; more than 80% of the affected live in low‑ or middle‑income countries. Patients’ beliefs about their medical conditions are important in helping physician focus on beliefs that needed to be changed or reinforced. The overall aim of this study was to improve the standard of care of patients with diabetes.Methods: The study designed was a cross‑sectional survey; adults with diabetes attending diabetic clinic of LASUTH took part in the survey. Participants were asked to fill a structured questionnaire which was used to assess clinical patterns, beliefs, and practice about diabetes.Results: One hundred and fifty patients with diabetes took part in the study. This study showed that more females presented with diabetes compared with males, type 2 diabetes is commonerthan type 1 and there is a highassociation of the disease with hypertension or being overweight. More than half of the participants do not know the cause of diabetes, 13% believed that disease is curable, and 30% admitted to use alternative medications in addition to the anti‑diabetic medications prescribed by the physicians.Conclusion: Knowing patients’ beliefs and knowledge about diabetes is important to impart overall care for them. Health education about a disease should be planned to address beliefs and knowledge of patients about their medical condition to address misinformation and misconceptions about their disease conditions.Keywords: Belief, diabetes, health education, Nigeria, practic

Practice and pattern of antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian women: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The African culture seems to play a major prohibiting role in physical exercise during pregnancy and immediate postpartum. This study was designed to assess practice and pattern of antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian women. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty-five women (189 pregnant women and 179 nursing mothers) from six selected hospitals in south-west Nigeria participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were obtained on socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercise. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data at P<0.05 alpha level. Results: The mean age of all the respondents was 28.9± 4.63 years. A majority of the pregnant women responders were nulliparous (39.2%) while the nursing mother responders were mostly multiparous (54.5%). Prevalence for engagement in physical exercise was 81.9% and mostly based on self-prescription (35.5%) and prescription by nurses (28.8%). Antenatal and postnatal ex ercise practice was 84.7% (160/189) and 79.0% (139/176), respectively. Aerobic (43.5%) and stretching (33.4%) were the most common type of physical exercises. Exercise frequency was mostly 1-2 times per week (40.8%). There was significant association between exercise practice and education level (χ2=18.795; P=0.001). Conclusion: Engagement in antenatal and postnatal exercise among Nigerian pregnant and nursing women was high and mostly based on self-prescription. Education level significantly influence physical exercise practice among Nigerian women with aerobic and stretching as the predominant exercises in pregnancy and postpartum

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol

BACKGROUND: WHO pharmacovigilance indicators have been recommended as a useful tool towards improving pharmacovigilance activities. Nigeria with a myriad of medicines related issues is encouraging the growth of pharmacovigilance at peripheral centres. This study evaluated the status of pharmacovigilance in tertiary hospitals in the South-South zone of Nigeria with a view towards improving the pharmacovigilance system in the zone. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in six randomly selected tertiary hospitals in the South-South zone of the country. The data was collected using the WHO core pharmacovigilance indicators. The language of assessment was phrased and adapted in this study for use in a tertiary hospital setting. Data is presented quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: A total of six hospitals were visited and all institutions had a pharmacovigilance centre, only three could however be described as functional or partially functional. Only one centre had a financial provision for pharmacovigilance activities. Of note was the absence of the national adverse drug reaction reporting form in one of the hospitals. The number of adverse drug reaction reports found in the databases of the centres ranged from none to 26 for the previous year and only one centre had fully committed their reports to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre. There were few documented medicines related admissions ranging from 0.0985/1000 to 1.67/1000 and poor documentation of pharmacovigilance activities characterised all centres. CONCLUSION: This study has shown an urgent need to strengthen the pharmacovigilance systems in the South-South zone of Nigeria. Improvement in medical record documentation as well as increased institutionalization of pharmacovigilance may be the first steps to improve pharmacovigilance activities in the tertiary hospitals