Maize cob losses and their effects on the poverty status of maize farmers in Edo state, Nigeria

This study analysed fresh maize cob losses and its effect on the poverty status of maize farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate the physical and financial amount of fresh maize cob losses experienced by maize farmers, examine the effect of fresh maize cob losses on the respondents’ poverty status, and determine the poverty status of the respondents. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 108 maize farmers. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgeting technique, relative poverty line analysis, the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure, and t-test. The average profit without loss per maize farmer was N165, 599.15. However, with loss of about 185kg of fresh maize cobs per farmer, the profit reduced to N118, 931.17. The difference in the mean profit with and without loss was significant at 1%. Fresh maize cob losses increased the proportion of the poor respondents by 14%. The poverty incidence with and without maize cob loss was 0.64 and 0.50 respectively. The study concluded that maize farming was a profitable venture. However, maize cob loss resulted in significant reduction in the income of the farmers. This study therefore recommended that relevant bodies such as the government, farmers’ cooperatives and non-governmental organizations should assist in addressing the problem of maize cob loss among farmers which would help alleviate their poverty. Key words: relative poverty line, FGT poverty measure, budgetary techniqu

Maternal and perinatal outcome in women with eclampsia: a retrospective study at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Background: Eclampsia is a serious obstetric complication with attendant high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in the developing countries. This study aims to assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes of eclampsia and suggest ways to improve them.Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study (2009-2013) of cases of eclampsia managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. The number of cases managed was obtained from records at the emergency room, labour ward, theatre, lying-in wards and special care baby unit and case notes of patients satisfying the inclusion criteria retrieved from the medical records library.Results: The prevalence of eclampsia was 1.99% of total deliveries. It was highest in teenagers (29%), nulliparous (3.1%) and the unbooked (8.5%). Antepartum eclampsia accounted for 69.6% of the cases and a majority (74.6%) was delivered by emergency caesarean section. Eclampsia resulted in 27.78% of total maternal mortality, case fatality rate of 15.96% and eclampsia-related maternal mortality ratio of 318/100,000 deliveries. Perinatal mortality rate was 131/1000 eclamptic deliveries.Conclusions: The maternal outcome worsened with increasing blood pressure, number of convulsion episodes prior to presentation, the time interval between 1st convulsions to delivery, level of proteinuria on dip stick and reduced urine output. Vaginal delivery was associated with more early neonatal deaths and birth asphyxia. More awareness and enabling factors should be created for more women to access antenatal facilities. The government should be committed to providing emergency obstetric care facilities in our hospitals for effective management of eclampsia

A Threshold Analysis of the Short-Term Capital Structure and Firm Performance Nexus in Nigeria

The focus of the research is to examine the relationship between short term capital structure and firm performance and to identify the presence of a safe short term debt-equity threshold in this regard. Consequently, the study utilized the Panel threshold regression estimation technique using complete data from listed manufacturing firms in the Nigerian Stock Exchange for 2018-2022. The data analytics used for the study includes descriptive statistics, the correlation analysis and finally, the threshold regression. Our results identified the presence of a threshold effect for the effect of short term debt to equity ratio (STDEQTY) on ROA indicator of financial performance but not for TOBINQ. In the threshold, where STDEQTY threshold ≥ 3.45%, the coefficient (λ1) is -28.73 and thus the result suggests that points beyond this level may be most risky and should be avoided. In this regard, it is important to for manufacturing firms to adjust their STDEQTY ratios much lower than the identified threshold to move from the region of negative returns on assets. Furthermore, the study identified the presence of a threshold effect for the effect of TDEQTY on ROA indicator of financial performance but not for TOBINQ. The study concludes that manufacturing firms in Nigeria indeed engage considerable debt obligations for their operations and have a high appetite for debt financing. However, while this ordinary makes the firms less debt averse, it is recommended that managers reduce the extent of their debt obligations. In addition, the efficiency, under-development and high market imperfections has not made it easy for firms to seek equity financing and hence the strong reliance on debt. Hence, Regulatory Authorities need to focus on implementing policies to improve the efficiency of the equity markets.&nbsp

Molecular Epidemiology of Escherichia Coli in HIV-Positive Individuals in South west Nigeria

IntroductionEscherichia coli infection is a major health concern for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients because it is a substantial cause of diarrhoea-associated morbidity and mortality. Materials and MethodsStool and blood samples were collected from 879 HIV/AIDS patients in a tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria. The blood samples were screened for HIV IgM using competitive ELISA, and the concentration of the IgM was determined. The stool samples were cultured on eosin methylene blue agar. The isolates were characterised based on the production of green metallic sheen on EMB agar..DNA was extracted from all the isolates, and the extracted DNA was analysed by PCR with primers specifically targeting the virulence genes of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). Statistical analysis was conducted using the openepi online epidemiological package. ResultsAll the blood samples tested positive for HIV IgM antibodies, and 80% had high concentration. All the stool samples were positive for E. coli, based on cell culture and DNA extraction. Of all the DNA tested by PCR using gene-specific primers targeting the 4 strains of E. coli, 222 samples were positive for EHEC shiga toxin 1 (stx1) gene, 212 samples were positive for EPEC intimin (eaeA) gene, 289 were positive for EHEC serotype O157:H7 using the stx2a&b gene, 125 were positive for EIEC haemolysin (hlyA) gene, and 31 were positive for ETEC uid gene.DiscussionThe high prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 is an indication that this strain, which has been previously linked with diarrhoea-related mortality in infants, may be responsible for most of the cases seen in HIV/AIDS patients. Though this strain is not common in adults, its involvement in HIV/AIDS is indicative of suppressed immunity in this group of people. Other strains are also present in significant proportions, indicating that these strains also constitute a public health concern, because they may be transmitted to infants or other immunocompromised individuals

Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis and construction of masculinity: a qualitative study of stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men in southwest Nigeria

Background: Though research has documented experiences of stigma and its effects on the lives of women living with HIV/AIDS, there is limited research on heterosexual positive HIV men experience of stigma in Nigeria. This study explored how social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impacts stigma experiences of heterosexual HIV positive men and their construction of masculinity in southwest Nigeria. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 17 heterosexual HIV positive men were recruited through community based organization to participate in two hours focus group discussions or 45 min in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded. Without using the word stigma, discussions and interviews were guided by four questions that explored participants\u27 experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. Interviews and discussions were conducted in three languages: English, Yoruba and Pidgin English. Thematic data analysis approach was in coding transcribed data, while social constructivist thinking guided data analysis. Results: Participants ranged in age from 30 to 57 years old, and all were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Findings indicated that participants\u27 experiences of stigma might be moderated by the social context surrounding their HIV diagnosis, and whether they have met the socio-cultural construction of masculinity. Participants whose diagnosis were preceded by immediate family members\u27 diagnosis were less likely to report experiencing HIV stigma and more likely to report not feeling less than a man and educating others about HIV/AIDS. Contrarily, participants whose diagnosis was preceded by their own sickness were more likely to report isolation, sigma and feeling of being less than a man. All participants reported limiting their sexual intimacy, and those with children reported adjusting how they performed their role as fathers. Conclusions: Social context surrounding HIV diagnosis impact how heterosexual HIV positive men experience HIV related stigma and how they perceive themselves as men, which may influence their care seeking behaviors. These findings have implications for HIV programs geared towards African heterosexual men in general and HIV positive men in particular

Ebola virus disease preparedness in countries bordering Democratic Republic of Congo: Lessons from west African outbreak

Background: Ebola virus disease ravaged three West African countries in the wake of 2014 which was seen as the deadliest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in history. Several lessons were taken out of the West African outbreak one of which is the lack of preparedness by countries in the region.Materials and Methods: This paper looked at the mistakes of the West African outbreak and reports how such mistakes were corrected in the current outbreak going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Preparedness efforts are currently taking place in countries bordering DRC which included quick detection and response to an eventual EVD event.Results: This paid off on several occasions when cases from DRC to Uganda were quickly detected and response was as quick as possible. Preparedness carried out in Countries bordering DRC included setting up of Rapid Response Team (RRT) and training of these teams both at country and regional level. All members of the RRT were trained in all areas of readiness which included community engagement, laboratory, logistics, surveillance, case management, sample collection, packaging and shipment as well as Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).Conclusion: These trainings have led to readiness to an eventual EVD event. Countries now have the ability to respond quickly with better Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for EVD. Keywords: Ebola, EVD, Preparedness, Response, Infection Prevention and Control

Transplacental transmission: A rare case of Ebola virus transmission

During the mid-transmission period of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Sierra Leone, a 19-year-old pregnant woman, who was a petty trader in a health facility in Freetown, noticing no fetal movement for the past 3 days, reported to a health facility. Medical history and laboratory testing showed no abnormalities except that she was positive for sickle cell. She was not known to any surveillance team of having any epidemiological link to EVD case. She was induced with oral medications as well as IV infusion. EVD test showed that the fetus was positive to EVD with a high threshold value of 21, while the woman was negative for EVD with a threshold value of 42. The woman was positive to EVD IgG but negative to EVD IgM by ELISA technique. This is a rare EVD case in the period of medium transmission. We conclude that the woman may have come into contact with a low dose of virus not enough to cause a full blown EVD and that her immune system was able to stop the virus from further replication

An overview of cardiovascular risk factor burden in sub-Saharan African countries: a socio-cultural perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are currently experiencing one of the most rapid epidemiological transitions characterized by increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle factors. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). This double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases has long-term public health impact as it undermines healthcare systems.</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>The purpose of this paper is to explore the socio-cultural context of CVD risk prevention and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. We discuss risk factors specific to the SSA context, including poverty, urbanization, developing healthcare systems, traditional healing, lifestyle and socio-cultural factors.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>We conducted a search on African Journals On-Line, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases using combinations of the key country/geographic terms, disease and risk factor specific terms such as "diabetes and Congo" and "hypertension and Nigeria". Research articles on clinical trials were excluded from this overview. Contrarily, articles that reported prevalence and incidence data on CVD risk and/or articles that report on CVD risk-related beliefs and behaviors were included. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The epidemic of CVD in SSA is driven by multiple factors working collectively. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and smoking contribute to the increasing rates of CVD in SSA. Some lifestyle factors are considered gendered in that some are salient for women and others for men. For instance, obesity is a predominant risk factor for women compared to men, but smoking still remains mostly a risk factor for men. Additionally, structural and system level issues such as lack of infrastructure for healthcare, urbanization, poverty and lack of government programs also drive this epidemic and hampers proper prevention, surveillance and treatment efforts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using an African-centered cultural framework, the PEN3 model, we explore future directions and efforts to address the epidemic of CVD risk in SSA.</p