Effect of pre-processing conditions on oil point pressure of sheanut (Vitellaria paradoxa) kernel

Oil point pressure of sheanut kernel was determined under different pre-processing conditions of moisture content, heating temperature, heating time and particle size. Results show that the pressure decreased as moisture content increased from 4% to 6%, and thereafter, increased with further increase in moisture content. It equally decreased with increase in temperature and heating time. Highest oil point pressure value was 2.6389MPa for coarse kernel particles at 4% moisture content heated at 50oC for 5 min, and 1.5554MPa for fine particles at 10% moisture content heated at 50°C for 5 min. Lowest value for coarse and fine kernel particles was 0.929MPa and 0.6380MPa respectively and this was obtained at the conditions of 6% moisture content, 100oC and 15 min heating time. ANOVA showed that all the pre-processing variables and their interactions significantly affected the oil point pressure of at 1% level of significance. This was confirmed using Response Surface Methodology. Multiple regression analysis yielded equations that expressed oil point pressure as a function of kernel moisture content, heating temperature and heating time. The models yielded coefficients that enabled oil point pressure of the kernel to be predicted with high coefficient of determination

Vaginal Candida infection in pregnancy and its implications for fetal well-being

Vaginal Candida infection is one of the most common genital tract infections reported in pregnant women. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of vaginal Candida infection and pattern of Candida species isolates in the genital tract of pregnant women during antenatal period and in early labour; and the associated fetal outcome. The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic and labor ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were collected from 408 pregnant women at the antenatal clinic and repeated in early labour. The samples were processed to isolate Candida species. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) windows version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Prevalence of Candida infection was significantly higher in early labour (46%) than during antenatal period (38%) (P=0.02). Candida albicans was the predominant isolate, followed by Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Candida infection was associated with increased likelihood of low birth weight babies (AOR 2.8, CI: 1.1-6.8; P= 0.03). However there was no statistically significant effect of Candida infection on the likelihood of preterm delivery (AOR 1.4, CI: 0.7-2.6; P= 0.35). Routine screening and prompt treatment of women at risk of delivering low birth weight babies is advocated. Keywords: Candida; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Prevalence   L'infection vaginale à Candida est l'une des infections des voies génitales les plus courantes signalées chez les femmes enceintes. Cette étude a été conçue pour déterminer la prévalence de l'infection vaginale à Candida et le profil des isolats d'espèces de Candida dans le tractus génital des femmes enceintes pendant la période prénatale et au début du travail; et l'issue foetale associée. L'étude a été menée à la clinique prénatale et au service d'accouchement de l'hôpital universitaire Olabisi Onabanjo de Sagamu, dans l'État d'Ogun, au Nigéria. Des écouvillons vaginaux élevés ont été prélevés sur 408 femmes enceintes à la clinique prénatale et répétés au début du travail. Les échantillons ont été traités pour isoler les espèces de Candida. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de la version 21.0 de Windows Package for Social Science (SPSS) (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). La prévalence de l'infection à Candida était significativement plus élevée au début du travail (46%) qu'au cours de la période prénatale (38%) (P = 0,02). Candida albicans était l'isolat prédominant, suivi de Candida glabrata et Candida tropicalis. L'infection à Candida était associée à une probabilité accrue de bébés de faible poids à la naissance (AOR 2,8, IC: 1,1-6,8; P = 0,03). Cependant, il n'y avait aucun effet statistiquement significatif de l'infection à Candida sur la probabilité d'accouchement prématuré (AOR 1,4, IC: 0,7-2,6; P = 0,35). Le dépistage systématique et le traitement rapide des femmes à risque d'accoucher de bébés de faible poids à la naissance sont recommandés. Mots-clés: Candidose; Grossesse; Naissance prématurée; Prévalenc

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and early labour using Nugent scoring and the implication on foetal outcome

Background: To compare the pattern of vaginal microflora during pregnancy with pattern in early labour using Nugent scoring and determine the effect of these changes on fetal outcome. Design: A prospective longitudinal study. Setting and Population: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria between June 2017 and May 2018. Methods: Consenting pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics were recruited. Vaginal secretions were obtained for Nugent scoring during pregnancy and at presentation in labour. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora in pregnancy and early labour, birth outcome, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, APGAR scores, need for neonatal ward admission. Results: Sixty-seven (33.3%) of pregnant women had abnormal flora which was consistent with bacterial vaginosis.At the presentation of these women in labour, 14.4% of them had bacterial vaginosis thus indicating a significant reduction in abnormal vaginal flora in labour compared to the proportion of abnormal flora in antenatal period(P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the fetal outcomes of mothers with bacterial vaginosis when compared with those with normal vaginal flora (P-value >0.05). Conclusions: Persistence of abnormal vaginal microflora from pregnancy till early labour did not seem to be associated with poorer foetal outcomes when compared with women with normal vaginal microflora in labour. The possibility of persistent infection or re-infection before labour may justify the need for re-evaluation of vaginal smears in the late third trimester to allow for prompt treatment before the onset of labour. Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, foetal outcome, Lactobacillus, pregnancy, vaginal microflora. Funding: This research work was sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nigeria (TETFund) with referencenumber OOU/IBR/010

Early sexual debut: prevalence and risk factors among secondary school students in Ido-ekiti, Ekiti state, South-West Nigeria

Background: Early adolescent sexual activity remains a recurring problem with negative psychosocial and health outcomes. The age at sexual debut varies from place to place and among different individuals and is associated with varying factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early sexual debut among secondary school students in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.Results: More than two-thirds, 40(67.8%), had early sexual debut. The prevalence of early sexual debut was about 11%. The mean age of sexual debut was 13.10±2.82; the mean age for early sexual debutants was 11.68±1.98. The mean number of sexual partners was 2.44±1.99. Male gender, having friends who engaged in sexual activities had association with early sexual exposure (p<0.05). Alcohol intake had the strongest strength of association for early sexual debut among the students.Conclusion: The high prevalence of early sexual exposure among the students calls for urgent interventions to stem the trend. This will help to reduce the devastating negative psycho-social and health sequels.Keywords: Sexual debut, prevalence, risk factors, Nigeri

Early sexual debut: prevalence and risk factors among secondary school students in Ido-ekiti, Ekiti state, South-West Nigeria.

Background: Early adolescent sexual activity remains a recurring problem with negative psychosocial and health outcomes. The age at sexual debut varies from place to place and among different individuals and is associated with varying factors. The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of early sexual debut among secondary school students in Ido-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Results: More than two-thirds, 40(67.8%), had early sexual debut. The prevalence of early sexual debut was about 11%. The mean age of sexual debut was 13.10\ub12.82; the mean age for early sexual debutants was 11.68\ub11.98. The mean number of sexual partners was 2.44\ub11.99. Male gender, having friends who engaged in sexual activities had association with early sexual exposure (p<0.05). Alcohol intake had the strongest strength of association for early sexual debut among the students. Conclusion: The high prevalence of early sexual exposure among the students calls for urgent interventions to stem the trend. This will help to reduce the devastating negative psycho-social and health sequels

Cardiovascular risk factors in semi-urban communities in southwest Nigeria: Patterns and prevalence

Introduction: Over 80% of cardiovascular deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries; most of these deaths are due to modifiable risk factors. The study aimed at estimating the prevalence and pattern of major cardiovascular risk factors in both men and women older than 18 years. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular risk factors among semi-urban dwellers in Ekiti State, south-western, Nigeria. 750 participants were drawn from 10 communities. The instrument used was the standard WHO STEPS (II) questionnaire, while blood samples were obtained for analysis. Results: There were 750 participants with 529 (70.53%) females. The mean age of participants was 61.7 ± 18.50 years and participants’ ⩾65 years comprised 38.3%. There were 0.8%, 24.9% and 12.4%, who at the time of this study smoked cigarettes, consumed alcohol, and ate a high salt diet, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, generalized and abdominal obesity was 47.2%, 6.8%, 8.5% and 32.0%, respectively, with only 48.9% receiving hypertension treatment. Elevated total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and low HDL was seen in 4.4%, 16.7% and 56.3% respectively. Conclusion: High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors call for an urgent need for more public health attention and reinforcement of primary preventive strategies to curb its menace

Knowledge of medical ethics among Nigerian medical doctors

Background: The knowledge of medical ethics is essential for health care practitioners worldwide. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of medical doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Nigeria in the area of medical ethics. Materials and Methods: A cross– sectional questionnaire‑based study involving 250 medical doctors of different levels was carried out. The questionnaire, apart from the bio‑data, also sought information on undergraduate and postgraduate training in medical ethics, knowledge about the principles of biomedical ethics and the ethical dilemmas encountered in daily medical practice. Results: One hundred and ninety (190) respondents returned the filled questionnaire representing a response rate of 76%. One hundred and fifty‑two respondents (80%) have had some sort of medical ethics education during their undergraduate level in the medical education. The median duration of formal training or exposure to medical ethics education was 3.00 hours (range: 0‑15). One hundred and twenty‑nine respondents have read at least once the code of medical ethics of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria while 127 (66.8%) have some general knowledge of the principles of biomedical ethics. The breakdown of the identified ethical dilemmas shows that discharge against medical advice was the most identified by the respondents (69.3%) followed by religious/cultural issues (56.6%) while confidentiality was recognized by 53.4%. Conclusion: The knowledge of medical ethics by Nigerian medical doctors is grossly inadequate. There is an urgent need for enhancement of the teaching of the discipline at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Nigeria.Keywords: Biomedical ethics, developing countries, ethical dilemma, medical education, physiciansNigerian Medical Journal | Vol. 53 | Issue 4 | October-December | 201

Prevalence and risk factors for falls in urban and rural older adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Objectives: This study assessed and compared the risk factors for falls among older adults in rural and urban communities.Design: A comparative cross-sectional approach was used.Setting: The study was conducted among community-living older adults in the rural and urban communities of the most populated Local Government Area (Ado-Ekiti LGA) in Ekiti State.Participants: The study population consisted of 624 persons aged 65 years and above recruited into rural and urban groups using multi-stage random sampling.Main outcome measures: Data collected using validated tools and physical measurements were subjected to binary logistic regression to determine the odds of falls with relevant predictor variables among older adults in both groups.Results: A significantly higher proportion of participants in the urban than the rural group had experienced a fall , and the associated risks include low visual acuity, increasing age, arthritis, hearing impairment, hyperglycaemia and high BMI. Physical activity was a protective factor.Conclusion: This study revealed a high risk of falls among older adults in the urban community. Early diagnosis and management of chronic conditions that increase fall risk and promote physical activity, especially among urban-dwelling older adults, are vital measures to be considered in fall prevention programmes

Liver Enzymes and Lipid Profile Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Osogbo, Nigeria Liver Enzymes and Lipid Profile Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Osogbo, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: Type 2 DM has been linked with dyslipideamia and elevation of some liver enzymes, in fact it has been identified as independent risk factor for development of coronary artery disease (CHD). The risk of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 DM with hepatic involvement was assessed in this study