Risk factors and a predictive model for under-five mortality in Nigeria: evidence from Nigeria demographic and health survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Under-5 mortality is a major public health challenge in developing countries. It is essential to identify determinants of under-five mortality (U5M) childhood mortality because these will assist in formulating appropriate health programmes and policies in order to meet the United Nations MDG goal. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model and identify maternal, child, family and other risk factors associated U5M in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population-based cross-sectional study which explored 2008 demographic and health survey of Nigeria (NDHS) with multivariable logistic regression. Likelihood Ratio Test, Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit and Variance Inflation Factor were used to check the fit of the model and the predictive power of the model was assessed with Receiver Operating Curve (ROC curve).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study yielded an excellent predictive model which revealed that the likelihood of U5M among the children of mothers that had their first marriage at age 20-24 years and ≥ 25 years declined by 20% and 30% respectively compared to children of those that married before the age of 15 years. Also, the following factors reduced odds of U5M: health seeking behaviour, breastfeeding children for > 18 months, use of contraception, small family size, having one wife, low birth order, normal birth weight, child spacing, living in urban areas, and good sanitation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study has revealed that maternal, child, family and other factors were important risk factors of U5M in Nigeria. This study has identified important risk factors that will assist in formulating policies that will improve child survival.</p

SPARC 2017 retrospect & prospects : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2017 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the 50th anniversary of Salford as a University, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 130 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to exploit this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas to your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers

“I attend at Vanguard and I attend here as well”: barriers to accessing healthcare services among older South Africans with HIV and non-communicable diseases

Background: HIV and non-communicable disease (NCD) are syndemic within sub-Saharan Africa especially among older persons. The two epidemics interact with one another within a context of poverty, inequality and inequitable access to healthcare resulting in an increase in those aged 50 and older living with HIV and experiencing an NCD comorbidity. We explore the challenges of navigating healthcare for older persons living with HIV and NCD co-morbidity. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a small sample of older persons living with HIV (OPLWH). The perspectives of key informants were also sought to triangulate the evidence of OPLWH. The research took place in two communities on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. All interviews were conducted by a trained interviewer and transcribed and translated for analysis. Thematic content analysis guided data analysis. Results: OPLWH experienced an HIV-NCD syndemic. Our respondents sought care and accessed treatment for both HIV and other chronic (and acute) conditions, though these services were provided at different health facilities or by different health providers. Through the syndemic theory, it is possible to observe that OPLWH and NCDs face a number of physical and structural barriers to accessing the healthcare system. These barriers are compounded by separate appointments and spaces for each condition. These difficulties can exacerbate the impact of their ill-health and perpetuate structural vulnerabilities. Despite policy changes towards integrated care, this is not the experience of OPLWH in these communities. Conclusions: The population living with HIV is aging increasing the likelihood that those living with HIV will also be living with other chronic conditions including NCDs. Thus, it is essential that health policy address this basic need to integrate HIV and NCD care

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

Motion of Moving Concentrated Loads on a Simply-Supported Non-Uniform Rayleigh Beam with Non-Classical Boundary Conditions

This paper investigates the transverse response of simply-supported non-uniform Rayleigh beams resting on a constant elastic foundation. The beams properties: moment of inertial I(x) and mass per unit length of the beam miu vary along the span L of the beam. The Mindlin and Goodman’stechnique is used to transform the governing non-homogeneous forth order partial differential equations with non-homogeneous boundary conditions into non-homogeneous forth order partial differential equations with homogeneous boundary conditions. The resultant transformed equation is then further treated using the versatile Generalized Galerkins’s method with the series representation of the Dirac Delta function, a modification of Struble’s asymptotic methods and the integral  transformation techniques in conjunction with the convolution theory. Analytical solution was obtained for the transverse displacement response of the non-uniform Rayleigh beam. Analytical and Numerical results reveal that the deflection profile of the non-uniform Rayleigh beam decreases as the value of the foundation stiffness K increases. It is also found that the increase of the foundation stiffness K causes increase in the critical velocity of the dynamical system, thereby reducing the risk of resonance.Keywords: , Rayleigh beam, non-uniform, axial force, non-classical boundary, rotatory-inertia, Foundation-modulli, simply supported

Genetic and phenotypic assosiations of juvenile body weights and egg production traits in two strains of Rhode Island chickens

No Abstrac

Plankton distribution and diversity: a case study of earthen fish ponds in the Obubra Campus of Cross River University of Technology

Our knowledge of the consumption of plankton by fish is still fragmentary. Trophic links between fish and plankton are often loose because plankton is a changing assemblage of pelagic organisms of valuable nutritional value. The objectives of the study were to determine the distribution and diversity of planktons in the fish ponds. Water samples for plankton analysis were collected monthly (January – December), along with water samples used for the determination of physico-chemical parameters in 250ml bottles in Ponds 1,2 and 5. The freshwater sample was mixed gently and pipetted into 5ml plankton chamber containing 2 drops of Lugol’s solution. The Lugol’s solution which served as fixative also enhanced sedimentation of the organisms and was left overnight before analyzing plankton using Zeiss inverted plankton microscope and plankton determination keys. Data was analyzed using Shannon-Weaner diversity index, species richness, means and analysis of varians (ANOVA).The results showed that the highest species richness for dry season  phytoplankton value of 27 was recorded in Pond 2, with the highest Shannon-Weaner diversity index value of 0.5401 in pond 5. Merismopaedia elegans with 3,434 in pond 2 was the most abundant phytoplankton species and chlorophyceae the most dominant taxa. The rainy season zooplankton species richness values (5 in pond 2) were higher than that of the dry season (3 in pond 3) with the highest Shannon-Weaner index value of 0.3501 recorded in pond 1. The most abundant  zooplankton species Asplanchna species 57 was recorded in pond 2. Significant differences (

Sport Fisheries Potentials Of Agbokim Waterfalls, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was carried out at Agbokim Waterfalls from August, 2005 to July 2006. The study area was divided into three reaches. Reach 1 (upstream), reach 2 (Waterfalls) reach 3 (Waterfalls River Basin), each reach was randomly sampled. Sampling was carried out once a month for the twelve months. The catches were sorted, identified and counted from fish landed by artisanal fishermen. Data collected was analyzed using percentages, relative abundance and diversity indices which included species richness, Simpson’s diversity index, Shannon and Weavers diversity index and their equitability (evenness). The results showed that twenty two fish species belonging to nine families were recorded. Fish catch varied from one reach to the other in terms of species composition and abundance with the highest catch in reach 3 (309) (64.9%).Total fish sampled was 476 with a total weight of 86,652.46g. The family Claridae had the highest weight 33318.17g (38.5%). Highest diversity indices were recorded in Simpson’s diversity index of 16.6111 in reach 3 and Shannon Weavers diversity index 2.7906. It followed the same pattern for species richness of 309. Equitability (evenness) results were rather highest for reach 2 (0.165) for Simpson’s index and (0.5987) for Shannon’s function

Sero-prevalence of hepatitis C virus amoung patients attending STD clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria

In the tropics, hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence ranges from < 0.2% in whole Africa. A strong association between HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma has been described. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers among Africans, and in Nigeria by 1970 the estimated rate was 6.6 per 100,000 populations per annum. Sexual transmission was regarded as a minor cause of HCV, the degree of which has not been properly evaluated in most environments. Since it has been established that sexual transmission is an important mode of acquisition of the infection, we therefore set out to find the seroprevalence of HCV among 95 patients attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria with a view to recommending preventive and control measures of HCV in our community. The sera collected from these respondents were used for screening for syphilis using the VDRL test, and for HCV antibodies using the MONOLISA anti-HCV (Sanofi, Pasteur France). Mid-stream urine was collected from all participants, and urethral swabs from all male participants while endocervical and high vaginal swabs were collected from female participants. Ulcer swabs were collected from those with genital ulcers. The prevalence of HCV infection was found to be 37.9% in patients presenting with STDs. This comprised 38.9% of males and 61.1% females. This prevalence rate is very high compared with the rate in the general population and other “high-risk” groups in previous studies in the same environment. Factors associated with HCV infection in this environment include high heterosexuality, high level of education, and previous instrumentations such as in scarifications and termination of pregnancy. Prevention and control of STDs will definitely reduce HCV infection and hence the attendant consequences, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, in our environment. Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. Vol.6(1) 2005: 53-5