Pregnant Women’s Malaria Knowledge in Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria

The study aimed at investigating knowledge of malaria among pregnant women in Ebonyi state, South-east Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey research design was adopted in the study. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 504 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in 12 hospitals in the state. A face validated, self constructed questionnaire which was subjected to a reliability test using Kuder Richardson Formula 20 (K-R 20) yielded a reliability value of 0.94. Percentages were used for analysis for the purpose of describing the data and chi-square statistic was used for the purpose of testing hypotheses. Results of the study showed that pregnant women had high (64.90%) level of knowledge regarding malaria. However, a good proportion of the pregnant women specifically had misconception about the cause of malaria and its mode of transmission. The pregnant women significantly differed in the knowledge of malaria with those having post secondary education (70.70%) showing better knowledge, followed by those with secondary (66.10%), primary (63.09%) and non-formal (55.70%) education. Location of residence was significantly associated with knowledge of malaria with those living in the urban area demonstrating better knowledge than those in the rural area. The high level of malaria knowledge among the women should be sustained through constant malaria health education interventions for pregnant women in the state. Intervention efforts should focus on rural pregnant women and formulated to accommodate the less educated members of this group as well as address misconceptions about the cause of malaria. Keywords: Malaria, Knowledge, Pregnant women, Ebonyi stat

Malaria Preventive Practices among Pregnant Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Malaria remains a global health challenge especially in sub-Sahara Africa where the most dangerous species thrive. It is a popular belief that the best way of halting the spread of any communicable disease is to adopt health preventive practices. A cross-sectional survey was carried out to determined malaria preventive practices among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 504 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in 12 hospitals in the state. A face validated, self constructed questionnaire which was subjected to a reliability test using Cronbach Alpha method yielded a reliability value of 0.91. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and inferential statistics of T-test and ANOVA. Results showed that pregnant women often (  = 1.70-3.05) adopted most of the malaria preventive practices. There was a significant difference in 9 out of 11 malaria preventive practices adpted by women who reside in urban and rural areas in favour of women who reside in the urban areas. Level of education significantly affected malaria preventive practices in favour of women with post secondary education. Intervention efforts should focus on rural pregnant women and formulated to accommodate the less educated members of this group. Keywords: Malaria, Preventive practices, Pregnant women, Ebonyi State, Nigeri

Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Flavor Compounds in the Fruit Pulp of Sysepalum dulcificum

Flavour is an organoleptic responds to parameter commonly described as taste which can be classified as natural, nature-identical or artificial flavouring substances. In this study, cold and hot ethanolic extracts , were obtained from Synepalum  dulcificum ((Daniell) known locally as ntum in Akaeze dialect of Igbo language of Nigeria and traditionally used as sweetener were evaluated for its flavourant principles. The presence of bioactive components was detected and the result revealed that hot ethanol gave the highest percent extract recoveries of  3.33%  while the cold extraction technique yielded 1.81 %. The result of sensory evaluation of purified extract showed that  no significant difference was observed between these values except for sample 760 (p<0.05). Chromatographic analysis of  cold ethanol extract revealed that component E-1 has a melting point of 66-68oC while the GC analysis of  E-1showed the eluate of two compounds at different retention times of 12.692 and 15.133 minutes respectively. Spectral Analysis of compounds in E-1(a, b)  revealed that they are possible isomers and based on spectral data the structure of compound E-1a was established as 2, 5-dimethyl-2, 4-dihydroxy-3(2H)-furanone while E-1b was established as 3, 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2, 3-dihydro-4H-pyranone Keywords: Flavour, purification, Syepalum dulcificum, bioactive, characterization

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Nigeria: Preventive and Control Challenges within the First Two Months of Outbreak

The spread of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has continued to rise in Nigeria despite all scientifically proven preventive measures. Factors militating against preventive and control efforts are yet to be addressed thus the study examined COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria within the first two months of outbreak and its preventive and control challenges. Data from the daily updates of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were graphically used to describe the trend of spread while facts from both verified online and print media reports on COVID-19 were used to assess the challenges. Outcome of the study showed a steady increase in COVID-19 from one case on the 27thof February 2020 to 1,932 confirmed cases, 58 fatalities, and 319 discharged cases by 30th April 2020. COVID-19 preventive measures in the country include hand washing, use of sanitizers, wearing of face masks, lockdown and social distancing. Factors which undermined government preventive efforts were poor compliance attitude, selective lockdown, social media interference, misconceptions and myths, stigmatization, fear, inadequat e health facilities, and distrust for government. It is recommended among others that there is need to ameliorate the adverse effects of COVID-19 misconceptions and myths through evidence-based campaigns using all sources of information. Keywords: COVID-19, Prevention and Control, Nigeria, Challenge   La propagation de la nouvelle maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) a continué d'augmenter au Nigéria malgré toutes les mesures préventives scientifiquement prouvées. Les facteurs qui militent contre les efforts de prévention et de contrôle doivent encore être abordés. L'étude a donc examiné la pandémie de COVID-19 au Nigéria au cours des deux premiers mois de l'épidémie et ses défis en matière de prévention et de contrôle. Les données des mises à jour quotidiennes du Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) ont été utilisées graphiquement pour décrire la tendance de la propagation, tandis que les faits des rapports vérifiés des médias en ligne et imprimés sur le COVID-19 ont été utilisés pour évaluer les défis. Les résultats de l'étude ont montré une augmentation constante du COVID-19 d'un cas le 27 février 2020 à 1 932 cas confirmés, 58 décès et 319 cas libérés au 30 avril 2020. Les mesures préventives du COVID-19 dans le pays comprennent le lavage des mains, utilisation de désinfectants, port demasques faciaux,  Verrouillage et éloignement social. Les facteurs qui ont sapé les efforts de prévention du gouvernement étaient la mauvaise attitude de conformité, le verrouillage sélectif, l'ingérence des médias sociaux, les idées fausses et les mythes, la stigmatisation, la peur, les établissements de santé inadéquats et la méfiance à l'égard du gouvernement. Il est recommandé, entre autres, qu'il soit nécessaire d'améliorer les effets néfastes des idées fausses et des mythes sur le COVID-19 grâce à des campagnes fondées sur des preuves utilisant toutes les sources d'information. Mots-clés: COVID-19, Prévention et Contrôle, Nigéria, Défi &nbsp

Maternal characteristics as predictors of immunization status of under-five in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. A community based cross-sectional study

Background: : Childhood immunization with the interacting factors has been a significant public health challenge especially in the sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria has been presented as one the countries with the worst under-five mortality rates, and factors affecting childhood immunization are poorly understood. This study determined the influence of maternal characteristics as a predictor of immunization status of under-five in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.Subjects and Method: The design in this study is cross-sectional survey. The population of the study was 572,955 under-five children in Ebonyi State from which 2865 was sampled. Data were analyzed using percentages and chi-square.Results: The results revealed that 83.01% of under-5 children were fully immunized, suggesting a high immunization status in Ebonyi State. The chi-square analysis shows a significant influence of mothers’ age (p < 0.05), mothers’ location of residence (p < 0.05), mothers’ educational level (p < 0.05) and immunization status of under-five children.Conclusion: It was concluded that immunization status of under-five children in Ebonyi State was high and maternal characteristics had significant influence on immunization status of under-five children. Thus, it was reco­mmended among others, that government at all levels should provide tangible incentives to mothers who fully immunized their children and promulgate a law to prevent children without immunization cards, also compel mothers, teachers to show full immunization of under-five children by registering in public and private primary schools. Keywords: maternal characteristics, immunization status, under-five childrenCorrespondence: Christian Okechukwu Aleke, Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Tel: 234-703-085-6506. E-mail: [email protected]. [email protected] of Maternal and Child Health (2022), 07(03): 294-306https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2022.07.03.06