ESTROGENS, GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS AND BREAST CANCER RISK IN NIGERIAN WOMEN

Breast cancer is major cause of morbidity and mortality globally and the incidence appears to be rising faster in population groups that hitherto experience lower incidence. This case control study recruiting 250 women with breast cancer and 250 age-matched controls from four University Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria was designed to evaluate the risk factors for breast cancer in Nigerian women. Family history of breast cancer was associated with a 15-fold increased risk of breast cancer [Odd ratio (OR) = 14.99, 95% Confidence interval (CI), 1.98, 113.47]. Also, waist to hip ratio (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.44, 3.06), history of abortion (OR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.12, 7.19), increasing age at first childbirth (OR = 1.39 95% CI 1.11, 1.73) and higher level of education (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.07, 1.61) conferred increased risk of breast cancer. Increasing parity (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.77, 0.99) and increasing duration of breastfeeding (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.62, 0.91) conferred protection against breast cancer. In the final multivariate conditional logistic regression in all women, carrying at least one low-activity COMT (Met) allele was associated with a significant 43% reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.36-0.91). While harboring the CYP1A1 M1 polymorphic variant was associated with non-significant reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.48-1.29), the CYP1A1 M3 polymorphism conferred a non-significant 24% reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.47-1.22). Results of this study have important public health implications; it has provided evidence for a role for reproductive and other variables in susceptibility to breast cancer in indigenous African women, thus contributing to the global epidemiologic literature on risk factors for breast cancer in populations of African ancestry. It has also provided data suggesting protection for breast cancer for women harboring the low-activity COMT (Met) allele of the codon 158 polymorphism of the COMT gene. In addition, the findings of this study will serve a useful resource tool in future research and policy decisions aimed at breast cancer control and prevention in these populations

Investing in Human Resources as a Platform for National Security in Nigeria: The Role of Social Studies Education

Nigeria’s political elites have toyed with the pathway to Nigeria’s national security, and therefore, placed Nigeria and her people on a perpetual developmental backwardness. Sadly, Nigeria, the supposed giant of Africa has been weighed down by the challenge of corruption, as well as insecurity. The deficiency in human capital development in Nigeria today is exerting untold pressure on her national development plans, policies and programmes. The development of human resource s isindispensable for the developmental strive of any continent or nation. Hence, the inability of the Nigerian state to fully actualize her human capital development drive calls for concern. The aim of this article, therefore, is to investigate into the indispensability of investing human capital development in fostering national security in Nigeria. Social studies education is an instrument for renewal of some societal practices that constitute obstacles to national security and development. Consequently, this paper will examine the place of social studies education in the context of Nigeria for national security. The roles social studies education could play in producing good citizens, who could assist in no small measure in tackling this complex problem of national insecurity in Nigeria were discussed. In conclusion, the paper has logically established the fact that, there is significant correlation between social studies education and human capital development. Finally, workable recommendations are given, among them is that government should lay more emphasis on the teaching of social studies at all levels of its educational system - to foster moral development in youths Keywords: National Security, Human Resources, Social Studies Education, Investment

Curbing promiscuous habits among Nigerians through religious studies

The prevalence of inappropriate sexual habit among Nigerian citizens today poses a moral challenge. The idea seems to be that since everybody does it, there is probably nothing wrong with it. It is surprising that many young men and women give reason to justify this evil act. The act of prostitution, adultery and premarital sex has existed since time immemorial and the general public considers it a deviant act which is the act of being different from the popular belief, usually in a bad way. The aim of this study is to discourage inappropriate sexual habit through religious instructions and encourage people to control their sexual urge to avoid sexually transmitted disease like HIV/AIDS which has claimed the lives of those who are too young to die

Combating the Scourge of Security Challenges in Nigeria through Religious Education for Sustainable National Development

Insecurity is the cankerworm that is eating deep into the fabric of this nation. It is a national problem with certain destructive tendencies, hence the need for the enthronement of religious education to save the nation from destruction. Religion, which teaches morality, plays a vital role in the social lives of individuals and society at large. This is because it deals with values, behaviours and attitude exhibited and encouraged by members of the society which enhances national development. Therefore, religion is essential for curbing insecurity because security challenge is always accompanied with tension and  anxiety which hinder development. The paper revealed that insecurity is the product of moral decadence in the society, because lack of moral values in the lives of individuals lead to all the vices that result to insecurity in Nigeria. Therefore, government should lay more emphasis on the teaching of religious education at all levels of education in order to inculcate good morals into the youths, curb insecurity in the society and enhance national development. Employment opportunities should be created so as to eradicate poverty, since a hungry man is an angry man. Keywords: Security Challenges, Religious Education, Sustainable National Developmen

Mammogram history in Nigerian women: Age-related risk factors for breast cancer and educational implications

Background: Breast cancer accounts for 25% of diagnosed cancers and 20% of cancer-related mortality in women from sub-Saharan Africa. Given the early onset of breast cancer in African women, there is a need to better understand how age-related risk factors contribute to mammography uptake in this population. Aim: To identify age-related risk factors for breast cancer associated with previous uptake of mammograms in asymptomatic Nigerian women and consider implications for health education campaigns. Method: Participants comprised 544 asymptomatic Nigerian women (aged 28–75 years) responding to breast cancer public awareness campaigns, by presenting for baseline or screening mammography at a local hospital. Information about mammography history and age-related risk factors (menarche, menopausal and chronological age) were obtained by interviewing the participants face-to-face, before proceeding with mammography. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of previous mammograms based on the age-related risk factors. Results: The likelihood of previous mammography screening increased by a factor of 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.14) for every year older chronologically and decreased by a factor of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.24–1.01) for every year older at menarche. Age at menarche partly mediated the relationship between chronological age and mammography history (effect = –0.01, 95% CI: –0.01, –0.00). Women with a history of breast cancer were 6.11 times more likely to have previously undertaken mammography screening (95% CI: 2.49–14.97). Age at menopause and age at first confinement were unrelated to mammography history. Conclusions: Nigerian women may recognise the need for mammograms because of adverse age-related risk factors for breast cancer, notably menarche and chronological age. However, awareness of menopausal age as a risk factor and basis for mammography screening may be deficient. It is therefore recommended that public awareness campaigns should emphasise the importance of older menopausal age in breast cancer risk and as a basis for requesting mammograms

An Analysis of the Perceived Challenges Faced by Student-Teachers during Teaching Practice Exercise

The study investigated the challenges faced by student teachers during teaching practice exercise. The survey design was adopted for the study. Simple random technique was used to select two hundred students from  300 and 400 level students who have participated in the teaching practice exercise in 2010/2011 session, Faculty of Education, University of Benin. A twenty one (21) item four point likert scale questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Challenges during Teaching Practice Exercise (QCTP)” was used for data collection. Two research questions and one hypothesis were raised to guide the study. The data collected were analyzed using the mean statistics and the t-test of independent samples. The study revealed that fifteen out of the twenty one items were perceived by majority of student teachers as major challenges faced during teaching practice exercise. Also it was found that school location had no influence on the challenges faced by student teachers. The paper recommended among others that allowances should be given to student teachers for teaching practice exercise just like their counterparts who participate in industrial training in other faculties. Keywords: Challenges, Teaching Practice, Student Teacher

Reactivating Nigerian norms and values through religious studies for national transformation

Reactivating Nigerian norms and values are essential ingredients in the transformation of the nation, because it is a missing link that is breeding moral decadence in the society. Therefore religious education which inculcates good moral values such as honesty, fidelity to one’s duty, love for one’s neighbour and self-discipline should be given a prominent position in the schools. Moral decadence is a pervasive evil that poses great challenge to Nigerians. It is also a national problem with certain destructive tendencies, hence the need for the entrenchment of moral values to salvage the nation from decay. Societal norms and values play important roles in the social lives of individuals and society at large. This is because they deal with values, behaviours and attitudes exhibited and encouraged by members of the society. Thus Religious Education is essential for activating Nigerian moral values in order to infuse sanity into the fast decaying Nigerian’s value system. Morality is an integral part of societal progress and transformation. It is also the life wire of any successful society. In fact a society that is experiencing moral decadence is not only being inactive but indeed sick. The knowledge gotten from religious education will enable one to conform to the societal norms and values, so that he will not be a social deviant. This paper therefore examines the concept of reactivating Nigerian norms and values through religious education for national transformation. A number of recommendations are made which include the inclusion of religious education at all levels of Education and students should be taught the Nigerian norms and values and encourage them to conform to it to avoid being sanctioned or labeled social deviants

Thyrotoxicosis in Benin City: a study of surgical treatment of 50 patients

Thyrotoxicosis is regarded as uncommon in sub-tropical Africa, although recent reports seem to indicate an increasing frequency of this disease. From January 1986 to April 2001, 50 patients were operated upon for thyrotoxicosis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Forty seven of them were females and three males (ratio 15.7:1). Poor compliance with drug therapy, relapse in symptoms, increase in the size of the goitre and cosmesis were the main indications for surgery. Sub-total thyroidectomy uniformly produced good results from the limited follow-up; few complications were associated with this procedure. The patients generally had good haemoglobin levels 65 10g% on admission and no blood transfusion was used in the series during or after surgery. There was no mortality. It is recommended that in sub-tropical Africa, surgery for thyrotoxicosis is a safe, effective and reasonably cheap procedure when compared to other modalities of treatment

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Nigerian women towards breast cancer: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Late presentation of patients at advanced stages when little or no benefit can be derived from any form of therapy is the hallmark of breast cancer in Nigerian women. Recent global cancer statistics indicate rising global incidence of breast cancer and the increase is occurring at a faster rate in populations of the developing countries that hitherto enjoyed low incidence of the disease. Worried by this prevailing situation and with recent data suggesting that health behavior may be influenced by level of awareness about breast cancer, a cross-sectional study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of community-dwelling women in Nigeria towards breast cancer. METHODS: One thousand community-dwelling women from a semi-urban neighborhood in Nigeria were recruited for the study in January and February 2000 using interviewer-administered questionnaires designed to elicit sociodemographic information and knowledge, attitude and practices of these women towards breast cancer. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version 8.2. RESULTS: Study participants had poor knowledge of breast cancer. Mean knowledge score was 42.3% and only 214 participants (21.4%) knew that breast cancer presents commonly as a painless breast lump. Practice of breast self examination (BSE) was low; only 432 participants (43.2%) admitted to carrying out the procedure in the past year. Only 91 study participants (9.1%) had clinical breast examination (CBE) in the past year. Women with higher level of education (X(2 )= 80.66, p < 0.0001) and those employed in professional jobs (X(2 )= 47.11, p < 0.0001) were significantly more knowledgeable about breast cancer. Participants with higher level of education were 3.6 times more likely to practice BSE (Odds ratio [OR] = 3.56, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 2.58–4.92). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that community-dwelling women in Nigeria have poor knowledge of breast cancer and minority practice BSE and CBE. In addition, education appears to be the major determinant of level of knowledge and health behavior among the study participants. We recommend the establishment and sustenance of institutional framework and policy guidelines that will enhance adequate and urgent dissemination of information about breast cancer to all women in Nigeria