A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, aetiology and susceptibility profile of bacterial agents of wound infection among in- and- out patients at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria, within a 5 year period.Methods: Wound swabs collected from 156 out-patients and 353  in-patients were, cultured and microbial isolates identified using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done on bacterial isolates.Results: The prevalence of wound infection in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 71.4%, 76.2%, 74.5%, 61.5%, and 67.0% respectively. The overall prevalence of wound infection was 70.1%. In all the years studied, out-patients had a higher prevalence of wound infection, but this was  significant in 2007, 2009, and 2010 only. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen in both in- and out - patients with the exception of 2009 where both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the same prevalence (24.4%) among in - patients. The  flouroquinolones were the most potent antimicrobial agents against bacterial isolates from both in – and out –patients.Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent of wound infection among in and out patients. A generally higher resistance pattern was observed among nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Prudent use of antibiotics is recommended.Keywords: prevalence, wound infection, antibiotic resistances, rural community, Nigeri

Comparative utilization of shea butter cake and palm kernel cake by broiler chickens

The utilization of Shea butter cake (SBC), a by-product of fat extraction from Sheabutter nuts (Butyrospemium parodoxum) was compared with Palm Kernel Cate (PKC) to establish its potential as a poultry feedstuff. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment combining two factors, SBC and PKC at three levels of inclusion (5%, 10% and 15%) was designed. The six dietary treatments were fed to a total of 180 day-old chicks up to 56 days or age. Broilers fed SBC diets consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than those fed PKC diets between 0-28 days or age. During the finisher period (29-56d) and the entire period (0-56d) feed intakes of broilers were similar (P > 0.05) oo the treatment except the low consumption (P<0.05) by those fed 5% SBC. Broiler chicks fed 5% attained the heaviest weight gain (P > 0.05) which compared with chicks fed 15% PKC between 0·28d. Between 29-56d. growth rates of broilers were unif onnly higher (P < 0.05) on PKC than SBC diets. Broilers fed 15% SBC had the least. (P<0.05) weight gain at the three (0-28d; 29-56d and 0-56d) periods. Considering the entire period (0-56d), growth rates were not significantly (P> 0.05) different on SBC diets up to 10%, and on PKC diets up to 15%. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios of the broiler became poorer (P < 0.05) with increasing lenls of SBC in both growth phases unlike broilers fed PKC which had similar values irrespective or the levels of inclusion. The intestinal tracts and visceral organs were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the sources and levels of test ingredients except abdominal fat which was higher on SBC than PKC at 10% and 15% levels of inclusion, and increased with the levels of SBC 10% SBC level was optimal.Key Words: Broilers; Sheabutter cake; Palm kernel cake; performance; organ measurements

Social Media in Agricultural Research in Nigeria: A Platform for Connections and Networking

Agriculture is important to Nigeria’s economy, as it engages about 70% of her labour force and contributes over 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The need for current and relevant information by professionals in this sector for sustainable agricultural production is a crucial issue for the nation. Information communication technology facilities are greatly influencing how information is sourced and disseminated these days, and the latest trend is to use social networking sites. This study therefore examined whether agricultural researchers in Nigeria used social media as a means of networking and collaboration in their endeavours as researchers in the agricultural industry. The study was conducted among agricultural researchers in six agricultural research institutes and a university of agriculture in south-west Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection. 140 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the target audience and 101(72%) copies were returned and used for the study. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that majority of the respondents are middle aged, while the most used social media among agricultural researchers in Nigeria is Facebook. Their major reason for using social media is to establish connection with their professional colleagues. The major benefit derived from using social media is exposure to the latest skills and knowledge in their profession. Recommendations are also proffered to encourage effective use of social media for networking and communication of research results among agricultural scientists in Nigeria.Key words: Social, Media, Agriculture, Research, Networking, Nigeri

Maggot meal as a substitute for fish meal in laying chicken diet

A 56-day experiment was conducted to determine thereplacement value of maggot meal for fish meal in diet of laying chicken. Fish meal was included at 30 g kg-1 of the control diet. Maggot meal incrementally replaced fish meal at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g kg-1 on crude protein basis. The five diets were fed to a total of 120 36-week- old Nera breed-laying chickens. Inclusion of various amounts of maggot meal in laying chicken diets had no significant impact on daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, and liveability. Aspects of egg external and internal quality characteristics measured were identical (P>0.05); however, albumen weight (as percent of egg weight) was significantly (

Effectiveness Of Different House-Hold Hand Washing Agents On Hand Flora

Hand hygiene is a very important procedure in infection control. Washing agents commonly in use were investigated for their effectiveness in reducing hand floral and cotton towel was used as drying agent. Agents studied include; water alone, carex soap, dettol, and imperial leather. The hands were inoculated (deliberate contamination) with nasal swab and glove put on to allow inoculums to be established. The test hand was washed with the selected washing agent and dried with cloth towel three times while the other hand serving as the reference (and control) remained gloved. Glove was later removed from the other hand and both hands (un-gloved) were inoculated on nutrient agar plates and incubated for 24 hours at 370C. The colony forming units were counted for both treated (washed and dried) and untreated hands and percentage reduction was calculated. The procedure was repeated three times and average result with standard deviation presented for each washing agent. All the hand washing agents showed significant difference between treated and untreated hands (P ‹ 0.05). Imperial leather gave the highest reduction of 87.76%, followed by carex 71.05% then Dettol with 53.58%. Water gave the average lowest in colony forming unit reduction of 15.08%. The study concluded that washing hand with any of the house-hold soap washing agents is more effective as hand hygiene than water alone but Imperial leather showed the highest reduction in hand flora with cloth towel as drying agent.Keyword: hand washing, hand flora, cloth towelThe Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol 19 No 1 (January 201

The Phytochemistry And Safety Of a-Zam, Herbal Remedy Used For Treatment Of HIV Infection In Nigeria

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