Variant formula for predicting peak expiratory flow rate in pregnant women in Kura Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria

Observed Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), Predicted and Variant PEFR values in 123 females at their reproductive ages, living in Kura local government area of Kano State, Nigeria and its environs were obtained. The prediction and variant formulae used were; PEFR= 0.36AGE – 0.47WT + 391.67 and K = mean CC x mean TL /mean PEFR respectively. A constant value was derived in the second formula, which was used to calculate a variant PEFR value using the individual Chest Circumference (CC) and Thoracic Length (TL) values obtained during the study period. Analysis of variance was used to compare the three different PEFR values; Observed PEFR = 375.20 ± 3.12 L/min, Predicted PEFR = 375.05± 0.29 L/min and Variant PEFR = 375.62 ± 3.09 L/min with P> 0.05. Further more, graphs were plotted to show the variation of the three values of PEFR with age in the subjects. Data for plotting the graphs were generated using the prediction and variant formulae generated from this study. The graph illustrates close association of variant formula with the observed values of PEFR obtained from the study. Variant formula may be useful in clinical setting to assess people with respiratory disorders especially asthma. Key words: Variant formula, Peak expiratory flow rate, Pregnancy, Kura local government are

Reference population equations using peak expiratory flow meters: an over view

Many formulae for predicting lung function values for Nigerians have been produced by a lot of investigators. The same principle but different statistical methods were adopted by different authors in generating these equations, hence the variability observed among these formulae. Most equations in current use are based on linear statistical models which are subject to change and they did not express the lower limit of normal. Therefore, in this study an attempt was made to give an over view of the currently available PEFR prediction equations that are in use in some of our out patient clinics in Nigeria. Some recommendations were also given on how to improve on future prediction formulae. Keywords: Reference population equations, PEFR, over vie

Serum lipid profile in non-pregnant and prenant Hausa-Fulani women at second and third trimester of pregnancy in Kura local government area, Kano State, Nigeria

Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CH) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) concentrations were determined in two hundred and fifty (250) apparently healthy females of child bearing age ( non pregnant, 127 and pregnant 123) who attended the antenatal and other clinics at Kura Comprehensive Health Centre, Kano State from August to December 2005. Body weight and height of each subject were taken to calculate body mass index (BMI). Mean serum TC, HDL-CH and BMI values were found to be higher in pregnant than in non pregnant subjects. When the pregnant subjects were classified on the basis of gestational age, 35.0% were in second trimester and 65.0% were in the third trimester. Mean serum TC, HDL- CH and LDL- CH values were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in second trimester subjects than third trimester subjects. Though a preliminary study, the result of this work will contribute in unraveling the serum lipid profile among pregnant and non pregnant Hausa - Fulani women in Northern Nigeria. Key word: serum lipoproteins, pregnant women, Hausa-Fulani, Northern Nigeri

Median lethal dose (LD50) evaluation of some polyherbal formulations marketed in northern Nigeria

The polyherbal preparations reported here are traditionally used in Northern Nigeria for the treatment of wide range of illnesses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity potential of 70% ethanol extracts of forty polyherbal products by determining their median lethal dose (LD50) estimates intraperitoneally and orally using the Lorke’s method in mice. Overall 90% of the extracts indicated values that were either less toxic or slightly toxic intraperitoneally, while 10 % had values that were practically non toxic using the same route. Oral administration of the extracts showed that 25% had values that were only slightly toxic while 75 % of the herbal products had median lethal dose values that were practically non toxic. From our results this could imply that most of the extracts tested may be safe for oral use and this could explain the continuous use of the polyherbal preparations by the local people in traditional management of various ailments in the Northern part of Nigeria.Keywords: Herbal products, AcuteToxicity, Lorke’s method, Northern Nigeri

Predicted peak expiratroy flow in human and the clinical implications of differences across related formulae: a proposed guideline standard reference for Asthma

In an attempt to examine the differences between Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) formulae in the literature so as to assess the potential impact of those differences on the interpretation of clinical guidelines for asthma management, the present study was carried out. We calculated 100% PEF values using formula developed by (Gregg, 1973) at 50th percentile for age, height and weight obtained from our study (Salisu et al., 2007) and classified the percent predicted PEF in to severity groups according to national asthma guidelines (NAEPP, 1991 and 1997). Choosing different formulae could give an individual in the age range of 15-19 years a 100% predicted PEF as low as 402 L/min and as high as 412 L/min; and another woman in the age range of 30-34years a classification of severe (47%) using one, but moderate (71%) using another. This indicates that predicted PEF varied widely across formulae and choice of a particular formula may alter guidelinebase care. This work has therefore accepted a recently published population-base equation proposed as the reference standard for future asthma guidelines. Keywords Peak expiratory flow, Asthma, Practice guidelines, reference value

Inter-professional rivalry in nigerian health sector: a search for a potential beginning

Inter-professional rivalry (IPR) in Nigerian health sector has become a commonpractice for over a decade due to abuse of the existing laws and ethics governing the operations of the professional cadres manning the health institutions in the country. This has led to incessant strikes by the different cadres in the hospitals across the country, thereby affecting the quality of services delivered by all the categories of healthcare staff. This study was aimed at identifying the initial source of the problem by interviewing the students of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and that of Yusuf Maitama Sule University (YUMSUK) and those that have passed their examinations and joined the clinical and allied science departments in Bayero University Kano. The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is the initial confluent point where all medical and students of allied sciences receive their training together especially in the first and second year of their training. Method: A random sampling method was used to select the subjects. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed but 139 (69.5%) students at various levels of training filled and returned the questionnaire. Results: Females constituted 62 (44.6%), while the male were 77 (55.4%). Those in level 4 and 6 dominated the study with 55 (39.6%) and 41 (29.5%) respectively. Medical students and students of Physiology program constituted 42(30.2%) and 23(16.5%) respectively. Majority of the students 126 (90.6%) chose their respective courses without external influence and 85 (61.2%) believed that their course of study has a supportive role in the health care system. Up to 63 (45.3%) believed there is no superiority among the various courses of study. Of the factors fueling superiority feelings among students, 70 (50.4%) did not provide any reason, while those that believe professional bodies encourage it constituted 40 (28.8%), followed by teachers 11 (7.9%) and students themselves 10 (7.2%). Superiority feelings lead to rivalry among the various programs as opined by 78 (56.1%), chaos in the health sector 26 (18.7%) and poor patients management 12 (8.6%). Majority, 61 (43.9%) believed that rivalry in health sector can be prevented by giving uniform opportunity to all professional group. Conclusion: It is clear that half of the students interviewed were not aware of superiority feeling among the different programs of study. However, professional bodies rank first among the factors fueling superiority feeling during undergraduate training. Superiority feeling has negative effects on the healthcare system, one of which is rivalry among the healthcare staff and it can be avoided by giving uniform opportunity to different professional groups