Health Problems and Health Seeking Behaviour of Hospital Cleaners in a Tertiary Health Facility in South West Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the prevalent health problems and also investigate the health seeking behavior among hospital cleaners of Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State. Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 249 hospital cleaning staff was conducted. Semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information. Descriptive statistics were done and associations were explored with the chi square test at 5% level of significance. The mean age of respondent was 34 ±7 years, 142(57.0%) attended secondary school. The workplace health problems of the cleaning staff in the month preceding the study included low back pains 63.1%, muscular and joint pains 38.6% and skin rashes 14.9%, 15.7% had eye problems. The chronic health problems reported among the cleaners were hypertension 5.6%, asthma (0.8%) and epilepsy (0.4%). Some ( 3.2%) of the respondents did not seek healthcare at FMC, Owo because they felt they were not being cared for while 3.6% believed they were healthy and others 4.4% believed the services were too expensive. Like other health workers, hospital cleaners as shown in this study, also have health needs which must be met. Services of the hospital can be made available to the cleaners at subsidized costs. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p18

African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene - Induced Leu kemia in Wistar Rats

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo - or radio - resistance. Therefore, more effective therapies are sorely needed. This study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of a polyherbal formulation on benzene induced eukemia in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation is composed of fruits such as Orange, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Grape and Vege tables like; Pumpkin leave, Garden egg suspended in honey medium. Method s : Leukemia was induced by injecting 0.2 ml of benzene solution intravenously through the tail of young rats at 48 h intervals for four times. Leukemia developed in 92% of rats some w eeks after the last benzene injection and following up weekly observation for leukemia development in appropriate rat groups. Leukemia burden was assessed using indicator parameters such as total leukocyte, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Exactly 0.48 ml of the polyherbal formulation was administered orally by gavage using oral cannular once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks. Results: Leukemia induction reflected in significant reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count and a marked and a significant increase in leukocyte count over the control (p < 0.05). There is significant difference between the chemopreventive group and chemotherapeutic (leukemia positive group treated with poly - herbal f ormulation) and the leukemia positive control group untreated. Conclusion: This study reveals profound activity of the poly - herbal formulation at preventing and reversing experimentally developed leukemia in the rat groups, hence the ability of the polyhe rbal formulation in alleviating the cancer symptom

African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene- Induced Leukemia in Wistar Rats

Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo- or radio-resistance. Therefore, more effective therapies are sorely needed. This study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of a polyherbal formulation on benzene induced leukemia in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation is composed of fruits such as Orange, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Grape and Vegetables like; Pumpkin leave, Garden egg suspended in honey medium. Methods: Leukemia was induced by injecting 0.2 ml of benzene solution intravenously through the tail of young rats at 48 h intervals for four times. Leukemia developed in 92% of rats some weeks after the last benzene injection and following up weekly observation for leukemia development in appropriate rat groups. Leukemia burden was assessed using indicator parameters such as total leukocyte, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Exactly 0.48 ml of the polyherbal formulation was administered orally by gavage using oral cannular once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks. Results: Leukemia induction reflected in significant reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count and a marked and a significant increase in leukocyte count over the control (p < 0.05). There is significant difference between the chemopreventive group and chemotherapeutic (leukemia positive group treated with poly-herbal formulation) and the leukemia positive control group untreated. Conclusion: This study reveals profound activity of the poly-herbal formulation at preventing and reversing experimentally developed leukemia in the rat groups, hence the ability of the polyherbal formulation in alleviating the cancer symptom

Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among healthcare professionals in southwest, Nigeria

The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of healthcare professionals' well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary healthcare institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants' demographic information, well-being, quality of life (QoL), QoWL, and QoC were obtained using four standardised questionnaires. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-test, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation model. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the healthcare professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants' well-being = 71.65% (14.65), QoL = 61.8% (21.31), QoWL = 65.73% (10.52) and QoC = 70.14% (12.77). Participants' QoL had a significant negative correlation with QoC while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with QoC. We concluded that healthcare professionals' well-being and QoWL are important factors that influence the QoC rendered to patients. Healthcare policymakers in Nigeria should ensure improved work-related factors and the well-being of healthcare professionals to ensure good QoC for patients

Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria.

Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 (Eta) variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave in Nigeria emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Data from this study show how regional connectivity of Nigeria drove the spread of these variants of interest to surrounding countries and those connected by air-traffic. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission, as bidirectional transmission within and between African nations are grossly underestimated as seen in our import risk index estimates

Evaluation of the scenarios of facilities maintenance management of sport complexes in South West Nigeria

The philosophy of every maintenance practice and operation in any organization is usually to provide a structurally sound and aesthetically appealing environment throughout the life of a property. Maintenance has generally been referred to as all works carried out to keep and restore an item to a currently acceptable standard. This work evaluates the performance of facilities maintenance management in the maintenance of sport complexes in South–West Nigeria. The study research method includes physical observation, administration of questionnaires to measure performance. In order to gather information, structured questionnaires were administer at the study area (the six stadia covered), the management staff, the maintenance staff and the user of the facilities in each of the stadia, covering kiosk owner, sport men and women, spectators, and lover of sports. The study revealed some factors affecting performance in the maintenance of sports complexes among which are: funding, organizational structure, political factors, ownership types, and security. The study concluded that it is only when adequate fund is provided and fully utilized in the maintenance of sport complexes that one will enjoy the initial investment in them and the consequent accruing benefits from the complexes will be achieved. The study recommended among others facts that the government should set aside part of her annual budget to maintenance of the sport complexes so as to ensure their fitness and world class standard at all time which will consequently reduce the operating cost and increase the revenue generating capacity of the stadium

Outcome of Mainz II pouch urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: our experience

Introduction: Mainz II pouch urinary diversion in patients with muscle‑invasive bladder cancer is one of the options of continent urinary diversion following radical cystectomy (RC). We aim to report our experience and the outcome of our patients who had this procedure.Patients and Methods: Patients who had RC and Mainz II pouch urinary diversion for muscle‑invasive bladder cancer in our institution from 2007 to 2016 were evaluated. Variables analyzed included age, gender, stage of the disease, pathological grade and tumor types, complications, and survival status.Results: There were 11 patients who had Mainz II pouch urinary diversion after RC for bladder cancer over a 10‑year period. Four (36%) were male and 7 (64%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 58.6 (range, 52–65) years. The diseases were pT2, pT3, and pT4 in 2 (18%), 7 (64%), and 2 (18%) patients, respectively. Four (36%) had pelvic nodal metastasis. Nine (82%) had a histological diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma, and two (18%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Ten (91%) patients had high‑grade disease, whereas only 1 (9%) patient had low‑grade disease. Short‑term morbidities were electrolytes derangement, hypokalemia, and acidosis in 2 (18%) patients and pyelonephritis in 2 (18%) patient. The two patients with invasive SCC had recurrence and death within 12 months of surgery. At present, four of the patients are alive, and seven are dead. Survival till date ranged from 8 to 120 months (mean survival time was 48 months). All patients achieved day and night time continence, and there was no significant long‑term morbidity from the method of urinary diversion.Conclusion: Mainz II pouch urinary diversion is safe and acceptable to most of our patients with good long‑term results.Keywords: Bladder cancer, Lagos, Mainz II pouch urinary diversion, Nigeria, outcom

Outcome of Mainz II Pouch Urinary Diversion after Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Our Experience

Introduction: Mainz II pouch urinary diversion in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is one of the options of continent urinary diversion following radical cystectomy (RC). We aim to report our experience and the outcome of our patients who had this procedure. Patients and Methods: Patients who had RC and Mainz II pouch urinary diversion for muscle-invasive bladder cancer in our institution from 2007 to 2016 were evaluated. Variables analyzed included age, gender, stage of the disease, pathological grade and tumor types, complications, and survival status. Results: There were 11 patients who had Mainz II pouch urinary diversion after RC for bladder cancer over a 10-year period. Four (36%) were male and 7 (64%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 58.6 (range, 52–65) years. The diseases were pT2, pT3, and pT4 in 2 (18%), 7 (64%), and 2 (18%) patients, respectively. Four (36%) had pelvic nodal metastasis. Nine (82%) had a histological diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma, and two (18%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Ten (91%) patients had high-grade disease, whereas only 1 (9%) patient had low-grade disease. Short-term morbidities were electrolytes derangement, hypokalemia, and acidosis in 2 (18%) patients and pyelonephritis in 2 (18%) patient. The two patients with invasive SCC had recurrence and death within 12 months of surgery. At present, four of the patients are alive, and seven are dead. Survival till date ranged from 8 to 120 months (mean survival time was 48 months). All patients achieved day and night time continence, and there was no significant long-term morbidity from the method of urinary diversion. Conclusion: Mainz II pouch urinary diversion is safe and acceptable to most of our patients with good long-term results

The unusual finding of peripheral lymphadenopathy among confirmed Lassa fever patients in Nigeria

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever belonging to the arenaviridae family that is well known to be endemic to West Africa. The clinical presentation of the disease ranges from asymptomatic to fulminant illness. Lymphadenopathy a clinical manifestation of inflammation, infection, or malignancy has not been widely reported in Lassa fever disease. We report two cases of Lassa fever disease presenting with lymphadenopathy