Detection of fungi and aflatoxin in shelved bush mango seeds (

A survey of the fungi and aflatoxin contamination of bush mango seeds (Irvingia spp.) was conducted in Akwa lbom State, Nigeria. Bush mango seeds sold at four major markets, located at Abak, Uyo, IkotEkpene and Itam in Akwa Ibom State were heavily contaminated with moulds. Eight different fungi were found associated with the bush mango seeds; Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus tereus, Aspergillusflavus, Aspergillus candidus, Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus niger, Candida tropicalis and Aspergillus glaucus. A. niger have the highest rate of occurrence with high colony counts (1.0 x 103 –4.3 x 103 colonies/g). The aflatoxins B1 and G1 concentrations ranged from 0.2 – 4.0 and 0.3 – 4.2 ìg/kg, respectively. The result showed that bush mango seeds sold in Akwa lbom markets require quality control and proper preservation

Sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in three states in North Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Interest in the reproductive health of adolescents continues to grow throughout the world. Few studies had explored the reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion among secondary school students in North Eastern states of Nigeria. The objectives of this descriptive survey were to collect data to plan appropriate interventions that meet the reproductive health knowledge, service and skills needs of students in Bauchi, Borno and Gombe states. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted for 624 consenting students who were randomly selected from eighteen secondary schools using an 83-item structured questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic profile, reproductive health knowledge, sexual behavior and experience of sexual coercion. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 16.5 years. There were slightly more males (52%) than females (48%). Students' knowledge about reproductive health was generally low even though girls had better knowledge than boys. Thirteen percent of the entire students had had sexual experience; significantly more males (19%) than females (6%) had done so (p < 0.001). Among boys the age at sexual debut ranged from 10–26 with a mean of 15.7 and median of 16. By contrast, the age at first sex among girls ranged from 10 to 18 years with a mean and median of 16.1 and 17 years respectively. Only 24% of those who were sexually active used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Overall 11% of the students reported that they had been tricked into having sex, 9% had experienced unwanted touch of breast and backside, and 5% reported rape. CONCLUSION: Students low reproductive health knowledge and involvement in risky sexual activities predispose them to undesirable reproductive health outcomes

Characterisation of heart failure with normal ejection fraction in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of heart failure with normal EF in a native African population with heart failure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a hospital cohort study. Subjects were 177 consecutive individuals with heart failure and ninety apparently normal control subjects. All the subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography. The group with heart failure was further subdivided into heart failure with normal EF (EF ≥ 50) (HFNEF) and heart failure with low EF(EF <50)(HFLEF).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The subjects with heart failure have a mean age of 52.3 ± 16.64 years vs 52.1 ± 11.84 years in the control subjects; p = 0.914. Other baseline characteristics except blood pressure parameters and height were comparable between the group with heart failure and the control subjects. The frequency of HFNEF was 39.5%. Compared with the HFLEF group, the HFNEF group have a smaller left ventricular diameter (in diastole and systole): (5.2 ± 1.22 cm vs 6.2 ± 1.39 cm; p < 0.0001 and 3.6 ± 1.24 cm vs 5.4 ± 1.35 cm;p < 0.0001) respectively, a higher relative wall thickness and deceleration time of the early mitral inflow velocity: (0.4 ± 0.12 vs 0.3 ± 0.14 p < 0.0001 and 149.6 ± 72.35 vs 110.9 ± 63.40 p = 0.001) respectively.</p> <p>The two groups with heart failure differed significantly from the control subjects in virtually all echocardiographic measurements except aortic root diameter, LV posterior wall thickness(HFLEF), and late mitral inflow velocity(HFNEF). HFNEF accounted for 70(39.5%) of cases of heart failure in this study.</p> <p>Hypertension is the underlying cardiovascular disease in 134(75.7%) of the combined heart failure population, 58 (82.9%) of the subjects with HFNEF group and 76(71%) of the HFLEF group. Females accounted for 44 (62.9%) of the subjects with HFNEF against 42(39.3%) in the HFLEF group (p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The frequency of heart failure with normal EF in this native African cohort with heart failure is comparable with the frequency in other populations. These groups of patients are more likely female, hypertensive with concentric pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy.</p

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Electronic Information Resources Accessibility and Utilisation in Academic Libraries: Lautech College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Osun State

The study focuses on the accessibility and the utilization of electronic/online information resources and library facilities among the users of LAUTECH Medical Library at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, College of Health Science, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. A mixed method approach was used to provide complementary insights to the findings of the study.  The survey research method was adopted for the study. The sample size of four hundred and fifty questionnaire (450) were distributed to users who access and utilize the electronic information resources in the library during the period of investigation. Questionnaires and observation were used to gather information. A total of four hundred and twenty eight (428) questionnaire were returned and used for this study. Mean scores were used for the analyses. A mean score of 2.55 to 4,00 shows agreement while a mean score of 1.00 to 2.54 shows disagreement for the staff (lectures and non teaching staff). For the students a mean score of 1.00 to 3.90 shows disagreement while above 3.90 shows agreement. For all the respondents, the mean score of 74.66 and above indicates agreement.The data collected were analyzed and appropriately assigned based on the findings obtained; using simple percentages and results were presented in tables. The study revealed that the level of accessibility and utilization among students and teaching staff is abysmally low. Key findings from the study were supportive of the importance of utilization of health   information resources as being central to the development of professional competence of the medical students which can be achieved through re-structuring the teaching methods and curricula of the Nigerian Medical Schools. The study asserted the availability and adequacy of e-information resources (human &amp; materials) against of minimum benchmarks for quality. 

Repositioning the Academic Library in Support of Nigerian University Educational Programme: A Case Study of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Olusegun OKE Library, Ogbomoso, OYO State

The repositioning of our academic libraries in Nigeria is desirable to make them perform expected role effectively in the information environment/society. An effective and efficient academic library is an essential component of any high profile of academic institution to serve the students, lecturers as well as other researchers. This study investigated the repositioning of academic libraries to support the university educational program me. This study adopted descriptive survey design. The population for the study consists of all academic library users  (registered members) Four hundred (400) questionnaire were distributed from which three hundred and sixty four (364) were returned, which shows that 91% 0f the questionnaire were answered by the respondents. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and mean. The analyzed data were summarized in a tabular form to facilitate the interpretation of the findings. The findings revealed that academic libraries will continue to play a key role in the repositioning and enhance educational development of a society. Based on the findings of the study, it recommends that Information Literacy Skills such as technical, computers and multi-media, communication, and marketing skills should be acquired by all users and staff of academic libraries. This will assist in repositioning and support educational programme in Nigerian Universities. Information literacy will allow the users to develop life-long learning and to become independent learners, motivated learners and critical thinkers

Community health workers’ knowledge and practice in relation to pre-eclampsia in Ogun State, Nigeria: an essential bridge to maternal survival

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early detection and treatment have been instrumental in reducing case fatality in high-income countries. To achieve this in a low-income country, like Nigeria, community health workers who man primary health centres must have adequate knowledge and skills to identify and provide emergency care for women with pre-eclampsia. This study aimed to determine community health workers’ knowledge and practice in the identification and treatment of pre-eclampsia, as they are essential providers of maternal care services in Nigeria. Methods: This study was part of a multi-country evaluation of community treatment of pre-eclampsia. Qualitative data were obtained from four Local Government Areas of Ogun State, in south western Nigeria by focus group discussions (N = 15) and in-depth interviews (N = 19). Participants included a variety of community-based health care providers - traditional birth attendants, community health extension workers, nurses and midwives, chief nursing officers, medical officers – and health administrators. Data were transcribed and validated with field notes and analysed with NVivo 10.0. Results: Community-based health care providers proved to be aware that pre-eclampsia was due to the development of hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant women. They had a good understanding of the features of the condition and were capable of identifying women at risk, initiating care, and referring women with this condition. However, some were not comfortable managing the condition because of the limitation in their ‘Standing Order’; these guidelines do not explicitly authorize community health extension workers to treat pre-eclampsia in the community. Conclusion: Community-based health care providers were capable of identifying and initiating appropriate care for women with pre-eclampsia. These competencies combined with training and equipment availability could improve maternal health in the rural areas. There is a need for regular training and retraining to enable successful task-sharing with these cadres. Trial registration NCT01911494 .Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCObstetrics and Gynaecology, Department ofReviewedFacult