Gender Differences in Students-Staff Violence in Urban and Rural Secondary Schools of Osun State, South Western Nigeria

Background: School violence is of public health importance. One important but often overlooked dimension is student-staff violence. The aim of the study was to assess the gender differences in the pattern of students-staff violence in urban and rural areas of Osun state with the hypothesis that male students and staff perpetrate violence more than female students and staff respectively. Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted among 800 secondary school students from JSS 2 to SSS 3 (400 in urban and 400 in rural areas) selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The mean age for all the respondents was 14.3 years ±2.0, with the mean age for males as 14.2±2.0 and females as 14.3±2.0. Male respondents were 51.5% in urban schools and 51% in rural schools. Males were the main perpetrators in both urban and rural areas but more females in the rural areas perpetrated violence than their urban counterparts. Out of those who verbally abused school staff in urban areas, males constituted 61.5% compared to 38.5% of females. Respondents also experienced violence in the hands of academic staff (male and female). Conclusion: All forms of violence were perpetrated against school staff with prevalence higher in rural than urban areas. Males perpetrated most forms of violence than females in both urban and rural schools, though this was marked in urban schools. Female respondents in rural areas experienced significantly higher perpetration of most forms of school-related violence than urban females.Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health vol 23 (1-2) 2011

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of emergency contraception among medical doctors attending a continuing medical education programme in Osogbo, south-western Nigeria

Background: Emergency contraceptives (EC) play a very important role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies when there are user failures with the regular devices. It is an integral part of the treatment of cases of sexual assaults and other unprotected sexual intercourse in susceptible subjects.Aims & Objectives: This paper reported the knowledge, attitude and practice of different cadres of Physicians attending a CME session at Osogbo on emergency contraceptives.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study among doctors attending a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme organised by the College of Health Sciences, Osun State University at Osogbo, South West Nigeria. Data were collected from Resident doctors, General practitioners and Specialists using a structured 20-itemed questionnaires and were analysed using WINPEPIResults: A little more than half of respondents had good knowledge of emergency contraception. Both positive and negative attitudes were equally represented. However, only 1 in 5 doctors had good practice about Emergency Contraception. Specialization in any area of medicine had positive impact while duration over 10 years of practice had negative effect on knowledge and both were statistically significant.Conclusion: Many Medical doctors have poor Knowledge and attitude of emergency contraception especially the general practitioners and those who have worked for more than ten years. The practice of EC is generally poor among the respondents and this may add to unmet needs for contraception in this environment.Keywords: Knowledge, Contraception, Unmet need, Medical Practitioner

Sonographic soft tissue arthritic changes associated with post-stroke hemiplegic knee pain : utility of musculoskeletal ultrasound in a resource-limited setting

Purpose: Post-stroke arthritic changes that may compromise rehabilitation have been described in the upper and lower limbs. We aimed at evaluating the soft tissue arthritic changes associated with pain in hemiplegic knees of stroke patients in our environment. Material and methods: Hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic knees of 48 stroke patients as well as both knees of 26 apparently healthy controls were evaluated with a 7.5-12 MHz linear ultrasound probe. History of knee pain, and sociodemographic, laboratory, and clinical data were recorded for all study participants. Muscle tone and power as well as functional ambulatory category (FAC) were graded for the stroke patients. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Pain was reported more often in hemiplegic than non-hemiplegic knees (n = 16 vs. n = 6, p = 0.021). The frequencies of soft tissue arthritic changes found, which included reduced lateral and medial femoral cartilage thickness, suprapatellar effusion, and irregular cartilage-bone margin, were similar between hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic knees (p > 0.05). Suprapatellar effusion and reduced lateral femoral cartilage thickness were more prevalent in the hemiplegic knees compared to the healthy control knees (p < 0.05). Stroke patients with pes anserinus tendinosis had greater risk of hemiplegic knee pain (HKP) when compared to stroke patients without this lesion (OR = 10; 95% CI: 1.7-61). FAC, muscle tone, and power showed no association with HKP. Conclusions: Soft tissue arthritic changes associated with knee pain are comparable between hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic knees of stroke patients. The risk of knee pain in stroke is higher in the presence of pes anserinus tendinosis

Structure-function analysis reveals that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Tps4 two-partner secretion system is involved in CupB5 translocation

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium, synonymous with cystic fibrosis patients, which can cause chronic infection of the lungs. This pathogen is a model organism to study biofilms: a bacterial population embedded in an extracellular matrix that provide protection from environmental pressures and lead to persistence. A number of Chaperone-Usher Pathways, namely CupA-CupE, play key roles in these processes by assembling adhesive pili on the bacterial surface. One of these, encoded by the cupB operon, is unique as it contains a nonchaperone-usher gene product, CupB5. Two-partner secretion (TPS) systems are comprised of a C-terminal integral membrane β-barrel pore with tandem N-terminal POTRA (POlypeptide TRansport Associated) domains located in the periplasm (TpsB) and a secreted substrate (TpsA). Using NMR we show that TpsB4 (LepB) interacts with CupB5 and its predicted cognate partner TpsA4 (LepA), an extracellular protease. Moreover, using cellular studies we confirm that TpsB4 can translocate CupB5 across the P. aeruginosa outer membrane, which contrasts a previous observation that suggested the CupB3 P-usher secretes CupB5. In support of our findings we also demonstrate that tps4/cupB operons are coregulated by the RocS1 sensor suggesting P. aeruginosa has developed synergy between these systems. Furthermore, we have determined the solution-structure of the TpsB4-POTRA1 domain and together with restraints from NMR chemical shift mapping and in vivo mutational analysis we have calculated models for the entire TpsB4 periplasmic region in complex with both TpsA4 and CupB5 secretion motifs. The data highlight specific residues for TpsA4/CupB5 recognition by TpsB4 in the periplasm and suggest distinct roles for each POTRA domain

EVALUATION OF ANTITRYPANOSOMAL AND ANTI INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED NIGERIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MICE

The extracts of nine selected Nigerian medicinal plants were investigated on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice. The anti-inflammatory properties of hexane fraction of the most promising U. chamae extract was assessed by acute oedema of the mice paw model while the modulatory effect of the extract on Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) resp onse on in vivo leucocytes mobilization was evaluated. ‘Dose- probing acute toxicity tests’ established an oral and intraperitoneal LD50 for T. ivorensis stem bark as >1600 5000 mg/kg. Extracts of Khaya senegalensis, Harungana madagascariensis, Terminalia ivorensis, Curcuma longa, Ocimum gratissimum and Alcornea cordifolia showed weak anti-trypanosomal effect and did not exhibit significant clearance in parasitemia at the test dose administered compared with the positive control (Diminal®). However, the leaf extract of U. chamae and its hexane fraction demonstrated a significant response (P < 0.01). The fraction at 1000 mg/kg inhibited oedema by 107%. Uvaria. chamae demonstrated both anti-trypanosomal and anti-inflammatory properties by increasing the survival time of infected mice due to reduction in parasitemia caused by T. brucei brucei

Corneal confocal microscopy detects a reduction in corneal endothelial cells and nerve fibres in patients with acute ischemic stroke

YesEndothelial dysfunction and damage underlie cerebrovascular disease and ischemic stroke. We undertook corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) to quantify corneal endothelial cell and nerve morphology in 146 patients with an acute ischemic stroke and 18 age-matched healthy control participants. Corneal endothelial cell density was lower (P<0.001) and endothelial cell area (P<0.001) and perimeter (P<0.001) were higher, whilst corneal nerve fbre density (P<0.001), corneal nerve branch density (P<0.001) and corneal nerve fbre length (P=0.001) were lower in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to controls. Corneal endothelial cell density, cell area and cell perimeter correlated with corneal nerve fber density (P=0.033, P=0.014, P=0.011) and length (P=0.017, P=0.013, P=0.008), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a signifcant independent association between corneal endothelial cell density, area and perimeter with acute ischemic stroke and triglycerides. CCM is a rapid non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique, which could be used to identify patients at risk of acute ischemic stroke.Qatar National Research Fund Grant BMRP2003865

Indigenous institutions for collective action in fostering peace for sustainable land management among pastoralists and crop farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

Indigenous institutions have been alleged as the nested structure crafted to regulate access of natural resources among different rural users. The leadership institutions in pastoral communities were found to be involved in the process of making authoritative decisions in respect of land access and sustainable use of natural resources in pastoral communities. This form of collective action becomes important as it fosters a good relationship between the pastoral groups and their hosts. Sustainable land management for cattle and crop production in pastoral communities is dependent on the prevalence of strong local institutions. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents. Data were collected using Semi- structured Interview Guide. The result shows that Fulani pastoralists and crop farmers had a mean age of 54 and 65years respectively. Fulani respondents maintained that some of the challenges facing them were loose collaboration between statutory and indigenous institutions (44.5%), intrusion of migratory pastoralists (77.5%), illegal entry of new herders (87.5%), and others constitute collective action problems and challenges. Chi-square analysis showed that gender (χ2=28.05), Marital status (χ2=37.13), education (χ2=68.15) and religion (χ2=66.11) are significantly related with causes of conflict. The study concludes that intervention and self-regulation are important aspects of collective action processes in promoting peace as well as ensuring sustainable use of biophysical environment. Therefore it is recommended that the leadership institutions should be strengthened and indigenous rules be formalized among different users to enhance their effectiveness in fostering co-operation and reducing biophysical deterioration

Occupational exposure to HIV and use of post-exposure prophylaxis in a general hospital in North Central, Nigeria.

Occupational exposures to blood borne pathogens including HIV have been well studied. However, limited studies exist about the utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to describe the characteristics of occupational exposure to HIV, the utilization of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among health workers, and the proportion of exposed health workers reporting for follow-up three months after exposure. A cross sectional descriptive study involving ninety three health workers was carried out at a general hospital located in an urban area in North Central zone of Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used. The prevalence of occupational exposure, utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up rate were assessed using self administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 and descriptive analysis was carried out. It was reported that, 73.1% of respondents at least one or more occupational exposures to HIV and other blood borne pathogens through accidental needle injury/prick, blood splash on a fresh wound or conjunctiva exposure in the last one year. Needle stick injury occurred in 83.8% of all respondents who had occupational exposures. 8.8% of exposed respondents commenced post exposure prophylaxis with two-thirds completing the post exposure prophylaxis regimen. Only one (25%) of those who completed the regimen reported for follow-up. Occupational exposures to HIV are common among health workers. The rates of utilization of post exposure prophylaxis and follow-up were low. &nbsp; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i1.6635 &nbsp; International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 3 No 1 (2013) 11-1

ANTIPLASMODIAL ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOL AND ETHYL ACETATE STEM-BARK EXTRACT/FRACTION OF Blighia sapida K.D. KOENIG ON MICE INFECTED WITH Plasmodium berghei

Reduction and probably eradication of future occurrence of resistance in malarial parasite demand urgent attention towards the development of alternative antimalarial drugs with new mechanisms of action. In view of this, the study investigated the in vivo antiplasmodial activities of ethanol stem-bark extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Blighia sapida against Plasmodium berghei in mice, to provide scientific support for the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant. Ethanol extract (EE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of B.&nbsp; Sapida stem bark were evaluated for in vivo antimalarial activity, using mice model. EE at doses of 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg, and EAF at doses of 125, 250, 500 mg/kg body weight were administered orally. Pyrimethamine, Chloroquine, and Artemether served as positive controls while 0.9% normal saline was given to the negative control group. At doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, EE produced chemosuppression of 90.72, 85.62, and 94.06% in prophylactics, 59.33, 75.33, and 82.89% in suppressive and in the curative model on Day 7, 59.46, 59.91, and 56.70% respectively. At doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, EAF produced chemosuppression of 45.95, 50.74, and 69.12% in prophylactics, 57.97, 66.11, and 81.06 in suppressive and in curative model 71.13, 74.52, and 82.80 % respectively. Results obtained were compared with the standard antimalaria drugs (89.46, 75.37, and 95.54% for pyrimethamine, chloroquine, and artemether, respectively). Results showed that the extract and fraction of B. Sapida possessed potent antiplasmodial activities at different doses considered, which supports its use as antimalarial ethnomedicinally. &nbsp