Aquifer characteristics and groundwater recharge pattern in a typical basement complex, Southwestern Nigeria

A geophysical survey involving thirty four vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out at Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria using Schlumberger electrode array. The locations were selected based on the existing boreholes drilled in the past within the study area. The results revealed a maximum of five geoelectric layers, viz: topsoil, sandy clay, clayey sand, shale/clay, sandstone, fractured basement and fresh basement. Three probable aquifer units and one aquitard were delineated with clayey sand occurring in 50%, sandy clay constitutes 24%, fractured basement 24% and shale/clay 2%. VES 10, 26 and 30 with weathered layer (shale/clay) of thicknesses 14.7, 23.5 and 9.9 m respectively revealed very low yield (not productive). Borehole drilling in the study area should be executed in the peak of the dry seasons during which groundwater level is expected to be low because recharge of the existing boreholes in the study area is largely due to falling precipitation. Existing boreholes located within the study area characterized by unconfined aquifer while some are confined under pressure between relatively impermeable materials. With this, the problems of recharging and drying up of borehole can be solved

Groundwater potential evaluation using electrical resistivity method in a typical basement complex area of Nigeria

A geophysical survey employing the electrical resistivity method was carried out within the permanent site of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria. Atotal of 46 Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations were occupied using the ABEM Terrameter SAS 300B model with maximum inter-electrode spacing (AB) of 200m. The aquifer unitsare characterized by sand, sandy clay/clayey sand, weathered and fractured rocks. The plot of the aquifer resistivity against the coefficient of anisotropy shows that the basement in the study area is underlain by three types of rocks: Quartzite with aquifer resistivity in the range of 50 – 430m and coefficient of anisotropy between 1.01 and 1.18. This weathered mainly to sand with good to high groundwater yield; Granite-gneiss with aquifer resistivity in the range of 40 – 90m and coefficient of anisotropy of between 1.18 and 1.88. This weathered to a mixture of clay and sand with low to medium groundwater yield; Mica-schist with aquifer resistivity in the range of 16 – 40m and coefficient of anisotropy of between 1.3 and 2.3. This weathered into more of clay because of its high ferromagnetic mineral content and as such has zero to very poor groundwater yield

Application of geoelectrical and chemical methods for groundwater assessment in Isheri-North, Ogun state, Nigeria

Geoelectrical investigation and chemical analyses were carried out at Isheri North area of Ogun State in order to assess the groundwater quality at shallow depth and its deep potential zone for groundwater development. The study area has been selected for investigation due to infiltration of the polluted Ogun River. Forty-three (43) Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) and chemical analyses of water samples from one hand dug well and two shallow boreholes in the study area were carried out. Four to five geoelectric layers which correspond to top soil, clayey sand, sandy clay, clay and sand were delineated. The longitudinal conductance values (0.02 - 0.106mhos) of the topsoil in the area reveal its poor to weak protective capacity, thus exposing the underlying clayey sand to contamination as reflected from its resistivity values ranging from 4.8-15.1m. This low resistivity zone at shallow depth (3 – 26m), occasioned by infiltration, was further ascertained by high values of conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, TDS, Cl, Fe, and Mn ions in the analyzed water samples taken at depth ranges from 9 – 16m. The results of the analyzed water samples from this shallow zone are beyond international standards for drinking water. The underlying clay resistivity values ranged between 1.9 - 6.1m and thickness varied from 50.8 - 100.5m. This acts as the seal for the underlying aquifer (sand layer). The resistivity of the sand layer varied from 91.7-159m with a depth interval of 101.7-109.4m and 73.4-82.3m in VES 1 and VES 14 respectively. This constitutes the deep aquifer units in the study area. The longitudinal conductance values of the overburden above the profound aquifer units varied between 10.5-33.0 mhos and are indicative of very good to excellent protective capacity rating. Thus, the underlying deep aquifer units are well protected from being contaminated.Keywords: Electrical Resistivity, Groundwater, Aquifer, Geoelectric Sectio

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection among Adult Females in Omu-Aran South-West Nigeria

Background: Urinary tract infection is caused by the presence and replication of microorganisms in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is a major health problem among females especially among pregnant women and this is caused by the physiological makeup of the female urinary tract. Objective: This study was designed to assess the epidemiology of UTIs present amidst pregnant women and females residing in the Omu-Aran community. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 individuals were involved of which 50 were pregnant women while the remaining 50 were non-pregnant females. Semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to all participants to obtain their data. Samples of urine (early morning midstream) were collected in universal bottles from participants. The urine specimens were cultured on four different agar plates which were; cystein lactose electrolyte deficient agar, blood agar, MacConkey agar and nutrient agar for significant bacteria growth. Microscopic and macroscopic examination was also carried out on the samples for possible detection of infections

Changes in some haematological parameters in typhoid fever patients attending Landmark University Medical Center, Omuaran-Nigeria

Background: Typhoid or enteric fever is caused by Salmonella typhi. It is largely a disease of developing nations due to poor standard of hygiene and unavailability of potable water. The most prominent feature of the infection is fever which gradually rises to a high plateau. The prevalence of typhoid fever has been on the increase which is associated with several hematological parameters. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the changes in various hematological parameters in our study subjects. Method: Four Hundred- (400) samples were obtained from volunteer subjects visiting the outpatient department of the Landmark University Medical Center. 200 typhoid positive samples were collected from subjects while 200 typhoid negative blood samples served as controls (From both male and female subjects each). Widal test was carried out as a confirmatory test for typhoid fever and evaluation of the hematological parameters were per- formed. The hematological parameters considered includes Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT), Lymphocyte (LYMP) their implications on both male and female typhoid fever patients were also determined. Results: The result showed a significant reduction in the values for PCV, WBC, ESR and HAE concentration in typhoid positive males in comparison to typhoid negative males. In females, a significant decrease was observed in values for PCV, ESR, HAE concentration and PLT in typhoid positive females when compared to typhoid negative females. These parameters when compared showed a significant decrease recorded in PCV, ESR and HAE concentration of the typhoid positive male patients in comparison to typhoid positive female patients. Conclusion: This study implies that anemia, bone marrow suppression and hemaphagocytosis are likely resulting factors of typhoid fever due to the changes in the hematological parameters. Therefore, these parameters have to be further studied to allow for efficient management of this illness

Studies on the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection in diabetic patients attending a tertiary health-care facility South-west Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two major public health problems associated with increasing complications and mortality rates worldwide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in diabetic patients and to investigate the influence of several epidemiological and clinical factors on HCV infection. Method: A total number of one hundred and eighty diabetic patients were recruited for this study. Consented subjects made up of 71(39.4%) males and 109(60.56%) females were recruited for the study. While one-Hundred (100) Non-Diabetics (Controls) were also recruited for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consented participants to obtain relevant data. Sera samples were assayed for antibodies to HCV using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [Inteco Diagnostic Limited]. ELISA technique. Result: Overall prevalence of HCV infection among diabetes patients assayed was 13.3% out of which 8(11.3%) was obtained from the male subjects compared to 16 (14.7%) seropositivity recorded among the females (P = 0.511; P > 0.05). Considering age distribution, Subjects aged 41–50 years recorded, 9 (22.5%) positivity (P = 0.238; P > 0.05).Considering educational status of subjects screened, 22 (14.9%) positivity was rescored among subjects who have attained tertiary status of education.(P = 0.574;P > 0.05).Risk factors considered showed that, 7 (18.9%) seropositive subject were alcoholic consumers(P value = 0.2621;P > 0.05) while 5 (8.9%) recorded history of sharing sharp objects P = 0.2427;P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows a slightly higher prevalence of hepatitis C infection in type 2 diabetics. This call for urgent routine screening exercise among diabetic patients for HCV infection. This study also emphasizes the need for public enlightenment on the association between HCV infection and T2DM, to avert possible complications among diabetic patients

Studies on the serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection among type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Hepatitis B infection is a public health concern globally. HBV can be as- sociated with type II diabetes mellitus, as HBV outbreaks have been observed among diabetics in healthcare facilities. This study evaluates the prevalence of HBV infec- tion among patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Method: A total of one hundred and eighty (180) diabetic patients and one-hundred non-diabetics (Controls) were recruited forthis study. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consented participants to obtain relevant data. Sera samples ob- tained were screened using the HBsAg ELISA kit; CTK Biotech, Inc, while the 5 panel kit—rapid diagnostic test, was used to assay for serological markers. Questionnaires were used to obtain relevant information and demographic data. Result: Overall prevalence of HBV infection among diabetes patients was 13.3%. Breakdown showed 9 (5.0%) seropositivity was obtained among male subjects com- pared to 15(8.3%) recorded among the females, P = .834; P < .05. Subjects aged 41-50 years recorded, 7(3.9%) positivity P = .774; P > .05. Educational status of par- ticipants showed 22 (12.2%) positivity among subjects with tertiary level of educa- tion P = .032; P < .05). Risk factors considered showed that 5(2.8%).seropositive subjects were alcoholic consumers (P value = .9711; P > .05). Result among non-di- abetics (Control) subjects showed (4%) seropositivity among the male subjects com- pared to (5.0%) seropositivity recorded among the female subjects (P = .739; P > .05). Conclusion: There is an indication of higher risk of HBV infection among type 2 dia- betic patients when compared to non-diabetics. There is the need for more research on this area of study, to further validate the association between HBV infection and Diabetes Mellitus

Reliability Assessment of Power Distribution System Using Relative Customer Average Interruptions Duration Index Model

Reliability assessment of power distribution system deals with the adequacy of overall system supply and indicates the system behaviour and response at the customer end. In order to attain satisfactory degree of reliability in electric power distribution system, there is the need to develop a model that will improve the three major system reliability indices via Systems Average Interruptions Duration Index (SAIDI), Systems Average Interruptions Frequency Index (SAIFI) and Customer Average Interruptions Duration Index (CAIDI). This research paper therefore, developed a Relative CAIDI model for assessment of reliability indices of electrical power distribution system. In this paper, ten (10) years outage data from selected distribution feeders of Ibadan, Ikeja and Port-Harcourt distribution systems were obtained and analyzed using curve fitting tools in MATLAB. The system reliability indices served as input parameters for the development of Relative CAIDI model. The best curves that fitted the relationship between the Relative CAIDI and the number of feeders were obtained using Lagrange polynomial functions, Newton polynomial functions and Chebyshev polynomial functions as performance evaluation metrics. The results showed that Ibadan, Ikeja and Port-Harcourt distribution systems had Relative CAIDI of 0.718, 0.3976 and 0.5279 respectively and the validation results produced by Largrange polynomial function, Newton polynomial function and Chebyshev polynomial function were 0.717, 0.3979 and 0.5278 respectively.  The model developed is a polynomial of order six which depends majorly on the power requirements of the distribution systems. The developed model can be used for effective reliability assessment of electrical power distribution systems as well as forming a base-line information for system planning and maintenance strategies. Keywords: Reliability Indices, SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, Chebyshev Polynomial Function, Lagrange Polynomial Function, Newton Polynomial Function. DOI: 10.7176/NCS/14-01 Publication date:August 31st 202