Dietary diversity of reproductive age women in three south-eastern states of Nigeria

Malnutrition has been an important public health problem in developing countries, especially among women of reproductive age. Dietary diversity and favorable nutritional status have been demonstrated to have a relationship with the quality of diets. Diets that are low in fat and sugars and rich in fruits, vegetables, and wholegrain foods may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Information on dietary intakes and dietary diversity of women across Nigeria is scarce. This study was conducted to assess dietary diversity, of diets of women of reproductive age in the South-eastern States of Nigeria. This study was descriptive cross-sectional in design with a four-stage sampling technique used to select women of reproductive age from three of the five states in the South-eastern States of Nigeria. Three Local Government Areas were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts of each state. From the nine Local Government Areas, 36 rural and 18 urban communities were randomly selected. A total of 1200 women of reproductive age 15-50 years participated in the study after giving informed consent. A pretested semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Multiple 24-hour diet recall, weight and height measurements were conducted. The nutritional status of the respondents was assessed with the use of anthropometric indices, weight (kg) and height (m) to estimate the Body Mass Index (BMI), which was classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0- 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Dietary diversity was determined using a 14 food-group dietary diversity tool and terciles were created to categorize individual dietary diversity (low: 1-4; average: 5-9; high: 10-14). The mean age of women participants was 28.2 ± 5.6 years and BMI was 26.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2. Most (96.3%) women of reproductive age were married; 41.7% were traders while 54.9% completed secondary school education. Overall Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 7.0 ± 1.8 and 7.6% scored low, 84.6% average, and 7.8% high. Overall DDS in the three states were similar (p>0.05), however, the percentage with the low score was significantly higher in the rural sector (9.8%) compared to the urban sector (3.0%). Average dietary diversity found in these states indicates the average variety in dietary intake. Therefore, to enhance dietary diversity in Nigeria, public health messages should encourage and emphasize the production and consumption of diverse foods.&nbsp

MANAGEMENT OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) – IS THERE A ROLE FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS?

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Nutritional knowledge, fruits and vegetables consumption patterns, among undergraduates students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI)

Background: Eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day is associated with the reduction in the risk of chronic diseases. There is paucity of data on the patterns of fruits and vegetables consumption among students in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI). Objective of the study: The study aimed at assessing nutrition knowledge, fruits and vegetables consumption patterns among students of AEFUNAI. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 470 students aged (17-27 years) (234 males and 236 females) participated in this study. A semi-structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on height, weight, socio-demographic profile, nutritional knowledge, fruits and vegetables consumption pattern. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. Statistical significance was determined at 5% level (P <0.05). Results: About 88.7% of the respondents were in the age range of 17 – 24 years. Mean age and BMI of males were 21.72 ± 2.80 years and 22.15 ±2.42 kg/m2 while those of females were 20.64 ±2.12 years and 23.2±3.5 kg/m2 respectively. About 92 % of the respondents had a good knowledge about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables. More females than males consumed fruits always or sometimes but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). About 70.9% and 76.0% of the respondents did not have any idea about the minimum daily recommendation of fruits and vegetables respectively. Commonly consumed fruits were watermelon, apples, banana and orange while fruited pumpkin, carrot, bitter leaf and cucumber were the commonly consumed vegetables. Variables such as availability and price significantly (p<0.05) hindered the students’ fruit and vegetable intake. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest inadequate Fruits and Vegetables consumption among students of AEFUNAI. Cost and availability appears to be the major hindrance to adequate consumption of Fruits and Vegetables among students of AEFUNAI

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of suppositories of halofantrine hydrochloride

Halofantrine (HF) hydrochloride is commercially available only as oral dosage forms. Limitations of oral dosing of the drug coupled with non-availability of the safe parenteral preparations prompted the needto develop and evaluate suppository HF formulations, which may serve as a practical alternative. The effects of type of suppository base and incorporation of non ionic surfactants on in vitro release characteristics of HF from suppositories were investigated. The release rates were determined using a modification of the continuous flow bead-bed dissolution apparatus for suppositories. The resultsshowed that the drug release from water-soluble base (polyethylene glycol) was significantly greater than that from lipophilic bases (Shea butter and Witepsol H15) (

The Digital Transformation and Disruptive Technologies: Challenges and Solutions for the Electricity Sector in African Markets

The rise of disruptive technologies is profoundly transforming systems of production and management across sectors and industries, but primarily in wealthy countries. This paper considers how disruptive technologies could help improve power sector reform and development in African markets. In particular, it explores the role that might be played by the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and advanced analytics. After reviewing current trends in disruptive technologies, the paper illustrates the application of key elements with use cases in the areas of power infrastructure planning, power sector operations, and off-grid electrification. Finally, the paper looks at context-specific challenges to the widespread implementation of disruptive technologies. While disruptive technologies offer innovative ways of tackling some of the main challenges of traditional approaches to power sector development, their widespread adoption hinges on a concerted effort across public and private players to lend support to key aspects such as improved broadband connectivity, a vibrant startup scene and surrounding technology ecosystem, or simply the right to Internet access

Physicochemical characterization and dissolution properties of binary systems of pyrimethamine and 2- hydroxypropyl-&#946-cyclodextrin

Pyrimethamine (PYR), a drug effective against protozoan parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, is poorly water soluble and exhibits marked variation in oral bioavailability. Thisstudy was aimed at investigating the possibility and extent of enhancement of the dissolution properties of PYR via complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) as well ascharacterization of the complex formation of the drug with the cyclodextrin. The interaction between PYR and HP--CD in solution was studied by phase solubility analysis while binary systems of thecompounds at 1:1 molar ratios were prepared by using the physical mixture, kneading, co-evaporation and freeze-drying methods. The binary systems were characterized using differential scanningcalorimetry (DSC), powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Phase solubility studies revealed an AL-type diagram indicating a 1:1 stoichiometricinclusion complex and a stability constant value of 914 M-1. Solubility and dissolution rates of PYR and the binary systems were determined and found to be markedly enhanced by cyclodextrin complexation.The extent of enhancement of dissolution properties was dependent on the preparation method of the complex, and the product prepared by the freeze-drying method was shown to have the most superiordissolution efficiency than the other binary systems. The PXRD patterns and DSC curves especially for the co-evaporated and freeze-dried systems indicated strong drug amorphization and/or inclusion of PYR in the CD cavities. The results of this study suggest that the complexation of PYR with HP--CD could reduce variability in the drug absorption and improve therapeutic efficacy of the drug throughincreased drug dissolution efficiency

Modulation of cytochrome P450 3A4 mediated quinine metabolism in healthy volunteers by two honey samples from different floral and geographical sources

Background: Honey is widely used both for its nutritional and medicinal benefits and reports exist to suggest it may alter the disposition of conventional drugs whose metabolism is mediated by CYP3A4. The study aimed at investigating the effect of multiple dose administration of honey sourced from two different geographical zones in Nigeria, on an antimalarial, quinine and its CYP3A4 mediated metabolism.Methods: In a randomized cross-over study, twenty healthy volunteers divided into two groups A and B [A used honey (HA) from Northern and B used honey (HB) from Eastern Nigeria; n=10 respectively] received single oral doses of 600 mg quinine sulphate tablet alone  and after 7 days administration of 10 ml of honey (HA or HB)  twice daily. Blood samples collected at the 16th hour following quinine administration were subjected to HPLC analysis.Results: Compared to baseline, 10 ml of honey HA significantly increased (0.86±0.22 versus 1.36±0.43) (p<0.05; Wilcoxon test); mean metabolic ratio of quinine (3-hydroxyquinine/quinine) in group A subjects. On the other hand, administration of honey HB resulted in a non-significant reduction (p>0.05) (0.84±0.19 versus. 0.69±0.34) of the metabolic ratio of quinine in group B volunteers. Also, the geometric mean [95% CI: 0.63(0.45, 0.91)] of quinine metabolic ratio in the presence of honey HA alone was significantly increased (p=0.02, t-test).Conclusions: Honey sample from Northern Nigeria significantly stimulated CYP3A4-mediated quinine metabolism as reflected by an increased metabolic ratio of quinine. In conclusion some honey samples may have the potential to significantly modulate CYP3A4 activity, thus honey effects cannot be generalized

Obstetric outcomes of vaginal birth after caesarean section in Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Background: Objective of the study was to review the obstetric outcomes of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) in Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH). Methods: A retrospective review of women planned for VBAC at BhUTH from January, 2020 to December 2021. Variables measured included gestational age at time of delivery, inter-delivery interval, and vaginal delivery before or after primary caesarean section (CS), outcome of labor, indications for repeat CS, neonatal and maternal outcomes. Results: During the study period there were 1535 deliveries and 94 were planned VBAC. Of the 94, 55.3% had a repeat emergency CS while 44.7% had a successful VBAC. Successful VBAC rate was 52.4% in multipara compared to 47.6% in primipara. Repeat CS rate was 34.6% in multips and 65.4% in primaparas. The commonest indication for the repeat CS was failure to progress due to cephalopelvic disproportion, 26.9%, mal-positioning, 25.0%, fetal distress and poor uterine contractions accounted for 13.5% each. Prior vaginal delivery especially a prior VBAC was associated with a higher rate of successful VBAC, 40.5% compared to VBAC rate of 21.4% in those who had a vaginal delivery before the caesarean section. The successful VBAC rate was highest among those weighing 2.5<3.5 kg, 66.7% compared to fetal weight of <2.5 kg and ≥3.5 kg birth weight. Conclusions: The VBAC rate observed is higher than what is obtainable in other centers in our country but is far less than what is obtainable in the developed societies. The maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are however comparable with the developed societies despite our limited facilities

In vitro study of interaction between quinine and Garcinia kola

Purpose: To investigate the interaction between quinine and Garcinia kola using an in vitro adsorption study.Methods: In vitro interaction between quinine and G. kola was conducted at 37 ± 0.1 °C. Adsorption of quinine (2.5 - 40 μg/ml) to 2.5 % w/v G. kola suspension was studied. Thereafter, quinine desorption process was investigated. The amount of quinine adsorbed and desorbed was quantified using HPLC. A Freundlich isotherm was constructed to describe the resulting data and percentage of quinine desorbedwas determined from the desorption data.Results: An adsorption isotherm of the data gave a Freundlich constant (K) of 52.66 μg/g, with a slope of 0.69 indicating a high capacity and affinity of G. kola to adsorb quinine at a concentration smaller than 2.41 μg/g of G. kola. However the adsorptive capacity of G. kola for quinine at 37 ± 0.1 °C appears to be a saturable process as observed from the isotherm. Quinine desorption from G. kola peaked at 1 hour (37.51 %) and decreased to a constant amount (about 35 %) over the remaining sampling time.Conclusion: Quinine is adsorbed on G. kola in vitro. This suggests that concurrent administration of quinine and G. kola should be avoided, to prevent potential drug interaction and decreased drug bioavailability.Keywords: Quinine, Garcinia kola, Adsorption, Desorption, Drug interactio