Urinary Schistosomiasis Among School Children in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in school children in Aramoko-Ekiti was investigated. Terminal urine samples were collected between the 9:00-12:00 hours, into wide mouthed, sterile sampling bottles containing few drops of physiological saline (as preservative), tightly covered and transported to the laboratory for examination. The urine samples were examined to detect the presence of eggs using sedimentation technique as described by (Cheesbrough, 2002). Structured questionnaire was also administered to 2000 primary school children to obtain relevant information. Overall prevalence of 68% was observed in this study. The males were observed to have higher prevalence of 72.5% than their female counterparts who had the prevalence of 62.7%. The highest prevalence of 71.75% was found in Glory Nursery and Primary School. The age group between 6-10 years had the highest prevalence of 89.5%. Children who were exposed to river as a source of water supply had the highest prevalence of 73.3%, while those exposed to tap water where found to be free from the infection. The results showed that there is high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area. Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Schistosoma haematobium, prevalence, endemic, sedimentation techniques, school childre

Achievement of developmental milestones in children with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method in Lagos Nigeria

Clubfoot, also known as congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), is a congenital deformity involving one foot or both. It is a relatively common birth defect occurring in about one in every 1,000 live births. No study has been carried out to determine if there is delay in gross motor milestones in children with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method in this part of the world. This study was conducted to investigate this.In this prospective study, 48 children with idiopathic clubfoot who were compliant with the foot abduction brace were enrolled. Parents were interviewed repeatedly to obtain the ages of achievement of 8 motor milestones and the data was stored and analysed using SPSS version 17.Forty-eight children with mean age of 1.2 months as at first casting and a male: female ratio of 3.8:1 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the eight milestones studied, the mean age of achievement of one of them was significantly greater (P<0.05) compared with normative data. Pre-ambulatory and crawling milestones showed no significant difference, but independent ambulation was achieved up to 2 months later.Although there were significant delays in upright ambulation in children with idiopathic clubfoot treated with Ponseti method, they all walked.These findings should enable clinicians alleviate the concerns and fears of the parents of children with idiopathic clubfoot and assure them of a positive prognosis regarding developmental milestone achievement in spite of delays.Keywords: Congenital talipes equinovarus, idiopathic clubfoot, Ponseti method, developmental milestone

Occurrence of Rhabditis Dubia in Cattle Dungs in Lagos State, Nigeria

Prevalence of Rhabditis dubia (eggs and worms) in cattle dungs were carried out in ten different abattoirs of Lagos State. A total of 2,000 samples of cattle dungs were examined for the occurrence of both the eggs and worms. The result showed that cattle dungs collected in these areas were highly infected with worms and eggs of Rhabditis dubia which causes Rhabditiasis among the cattle. The prevalence of Rhabditis dubia (worms) was the highest at Mile 12 with percentage prevalence of 25.0% was observed in cattle dungs at Isolo. The percentage prevalence of eggs of Rhabditis dubia was highest at Oshodi with 56.5% while the least percentage prevalence of 9.0% of eggs was recorded in cattle dungs at Egbeda. The overall percentage prevalence of worms was 44.9% while that of eggs was 26.1%. There was a significant difference (t = 1.320; p < 0.05) of worms and eggs detected in the cattle dungs. Key Words: Occurrence/Prevalence Rhabditis dubia, eggs, worms, cattle and dungs

Occurrence of Rhabditis Dubia in Cattle Dungs in Lagos State, Nigeria

Prevalence of Rhabditis dubia (eggs and worms) in cattle dungs were carried out in ten different abattoirs of Lagos State. A total of 2,000 samples of cattle dungs were examined for the occurrence of both the eggs and worms. The result showed that cattle dungs collected in these areas were highly infected with worms and eggs of Rhabditis dubia which causes Rhabditiasis among the cattle. The prevalence of Rhabditis dubia (worms) was the highest at Mile 12 with percentage prevalence of 25.0% was observed in cattle dungs at Isolo. The percentage prevalence of eggs of Rhabditis dubia was highest at Oshodi with 56.5% while the least percentage prevalence of 9.0% of eggs was recorded in cattle dungs at Egbeda. The overall percentage prevalence of worms was 44.9% while that of eggs was 26.1%. There was a significant difference (t = 1.320; p < 0.05) of worms and eggs detected in the cattle dungs. Keywords: Occurrence/Prevalence Rhabditis dubia, eggs, worms, cattle and dungs Correspondence: Prof. S.O. Adewole; Ekiti State University, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, P.m.b 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-State, Nigeria

Effects of ficus exasperata vahl. (moraceae) leaf aqueous extract on the renal function of streptozotocin-treated rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible reno-protective effect of Ficus exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE) in a rat experimental paradigm of diabetes mellitus. Forty Wistar rats (weighing 200–230 g) were divided into four (A, B, C, and D) groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Group A rats served as ‘control’ animals and received citrate buffer (pH 6.3) solution in quantities equivalent to intraperitoneally-administered volumes of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups B and C rats by intraperitoneal injections of STZ (75 mg/kg). Group C rats were additionally treated with FEE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) 4 weeks post STZ injections, for 4 consecutive weeks. Group D rats received FEE (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) only for 4 weeks. Post-euthanisation, kidney tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation and processed for light microscopy. Plasma malondialdehyde and tissue nitric oxide were determined. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, nitrite, and albumin concentrations were measured for the evaluation of renal function. The diabetic rats significantly lost more weight and their blood glucose levels were significantly elevated as compared to the ‘control’ group of animals. Renal dysfunction was evidenced by kidney hypertrophy, decreased renal blood flow, and increased serum creatinine and nitrite concentrations. Furthermore, vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased carotid blood flow, was observed in the diabetic rats. FEE treatment positively ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical variables in the STZ + FEE-treated rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FEE treatment ameliorates STZ-induced nephrotoxicity

Pancreatic beta cell protection/regeneration with phytotherapy

Although currently available drugs are useful in controlling early onset complications of diabetes, serious late onset complications appear in a large number of patients. Considering the physiopathology of diabetes, preventing beta cell degeneration and stimulating the endogenous regeneration of islets will be essential approaches for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The current review focused on phytochemicals, the antidiabetic effect of which has been proved by pancreatic beta cell protection/regeneration. Among the hundreds of plants that have been investigated for diabetes, a small fraction has shown the regenerative property and was described in this paper. Processes of pancreatic beta cell degeneration and regeneration were described. Also, the proposed mechanisms for the protective/regenerative effects of such phytochemicals and their potential side effects were discussed

Limb deformities: the Lagos, Nigeria experience

Background: Individuals with various forms and degrees of limb deformities are common on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. State-sponsored screening and surgical correction of the deformities were carried out in Lagos between June 2004 and May 2006. A report on the pattern of limb deformities is presented. Methods: This was a prospective study of all the patients that were seen and treated during the various screening programmes and operating sessions. Data was stored electronically and analysed using Microsoft Excel software. Results: A total number of 1,321 patients were screened, and 344 satisfied the inclusion criteria for enrolment. They were aged between 9 months and 64 years but only 20% were aged 5-years and below. Females constituted 58.2% and males 41.8%. A total of 513 limbs were surgically corrected. The most frequent deformity and disease entity were bilateral genu varum (45.1 %) and Blounts disease (48.7%), respectively. Proximal tibial wedge corrective osteotomy was the most frequent surgical procedure performed. Most beneficiaries presented late and were discharged within 48-hours of hospital admission. Conclusions: Improved public awareness about the availability of hospital based resources to solve the problem of limb deformity is advocated. Keywords: Limb deformity, corrective surgery, public awareness.

Perceived Effects Of Charcoal Production And Usage On Human Health In Ogbomoso Zone Of Oyo State

The production and usage of charcoal by rural dwellers as source of energy has contributed significantly to the development of the rural people but nevertheless, it has come with a huge price on the health status of individuals involved in its production and usage. This study therefore determined the perceived effects of charcoal production and usage on the health status of the rural dwellers in Oyo State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select Ninety (90) respondents (both producers and users). Data for this study was collected through structured interview schedule and analyzed with frequency counts, percentage, mean and ranking as main descriptive statistical tools while Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) was employed to make inference between the variables. The mean age of the respondents was 33.8 years, both male (68.9%) and female (31.1%) constituted the sampled population, almost all the respondents were literate with varied level of educational status with a mean of 6.7 years of experience in production and usage of charcoal as a source of energy. All (100%) the respondents used earth mound method for charcoal production while none of the respondents indicated metal kiln as a method used for charcoal production. Body pains, injuries and wounds to charcoal producers and rural dwellers, laceration of hands due to production and body odour to users and charcoal producers were the major effects on health status of the respondents. Selected socio-economic variables (age- -0.285**, p<0.01; household size- 0.314**, p<0.01; years of experience- -0.375**, p<0.01; income- -0.413**, p<0.01; quantity of charcoal produced- -0.450**, p<0.01) exhibited significant relationship with respondents perception on effects of charcoal production and usage on health of rural dwellers. Subject matter specialist should enlighten rural dwellers and charcoal producers association on ways to curtail health hazard incurable from charcoal production and usage

Assessment Of Health Hazards Incurable From Charcoal Production And Its Usage In Ogbomoso Zone Of Oyo State

Charcoal has been a blessing to the rural populace who are either producers or users. It contribution to the society is evident and this has encouraged people to engage in the charcoal production and usage but nevertheless, it is associated with its own risk to both producers and users. This study therefore identified the health hazards and methods used to control health hazards incurable from the production and usage of charcoal in Ogbomoso zone of Oyo state. Data for this study were elicited through the use of a well-structured interview schedule and were analyzed with frequency counts, percentages, mean and Chi-square. The mean age of the respondents was 33.8 years, both male (68.9%) and female (31.1%) constituted the sampled population, almost all the respondents were literate with varied level of educational status with a mean of 6.7 years of experience in production and usage of charcoal. All (100%) the respondents indicated back pain and injuries while majority indicated headache as health hazard incurable. Bathing immediately after production and use of charcoal and use of nose pad when producing and utilizing charcoal produced. Chi-square revealed that selected socio-economic variables (sex- x2=76.364, p<0.01; primary occupation- 248.750, p<0.01; secondary- 157.648, p<0.01; membership to association -77.175**, p<0.01) exhibited significant association with health hazards incurable from charcoal production and usage. Subject matter specialist should make provision for availability of safety materials and seminars to curtail the side-effects of charcoal producers and users in the study area