Protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia haematodes Wall root on cognitive functions in scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats

Diminished cholinergic transmission may be responsible for development of amnesia. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia haematodes Wall root (HESH) on cognitive functions in scopolamine-induced amnesia in adult Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided randomly into five groups each consisting of five rats (n = 5). Rats of the groups I, II, III, IV, and V received orally normal saline (10 ml/kg b. wt.), normal saline (10 ml/kg), standard drug rivastigmine (1.5 mg/kg), HESH (20 mg/kg), and HESH (40 mg/kg), respectively once a day for fourteen days. Then, they were subjected to single dose of scopolamine (1 mg/kg b. wt. ip) except in group I on fourteenth day 60 min after respective normal saline or drug administration. They were observed for the effects on step down latency (SDL), locomotor activity and brain AChE activity for the learning and memory. The acquisition SDL, retention SDL and locomotor activity were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased while AChE activity was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in scopolamine-treated group II as compared to normal control group I. The acquisition SDL, retention SDL and locomotor activity were significantly (p < 0.01) increased while, AChE activity was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased with all the doses of HESH and in rivastigmine-treated group as compared to scopolamine-treated group II. Hydro-alcoholic extract of S haematodes root possesses protective effect on cognitive functions and may prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the management of cognitive dysfunctions as in amnesia and Alzheimer's diseases

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Experience of Sexual Violence among Female Employees in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria

This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and experiences of sexual violence among female employees in Sokoto metropolis. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 191 participants and a set of pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the participants. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 20. The mean age of the respondents was 28.9years ±6 with 102(53%) of them aged between 20-30 years. Up to 112(63.6%) of them were unmarried, 127(73%) were Muslims and 96(54.5%) in the upper socio-economic class (SEC). About 50% of respondents in both formal and informal settings had good knowledge of sexual violence and up to 36% and 64% of respondents in the formal and informal settings respectively have positive attitude towards sexual violence (SV). Overall prevalence of SV in the workplace was 63.8% (N=113) and significant predictors of SV in the work place include tribe (p=0.006), work setting (p=0.02) and society‘s perception of SV (P&lt;0.001). Respondents in this study showed high levels of awareness and knowledge regarding SV in the workplace. The study revealed a high prevalence of SV in the workplace especially among females in formal settings with several factors including, perception of the society on sexual violence and working in the formal sector were found to have influenced respondents‘ experience of SV in the workplace. There is the need, therefore for the government and relevant stake holders to put in place measures to curb SV in the workplace and protect victims of such practices with relevant legislations. Keywords: Sexual violence, female employees, knowledge, Sokoto metropolis Cette étude transversale descriptive a été réalisée pour déterminer les connaissances, l'attitude et les expériences de la violence sexuelle parmi les employées de la métropole de Sokoto. Une technique d'échantillonnage à plusieurs degrés a été utilisée pour sélectionner 191 participants et un ensemble de questionnaires structurés pré-testés a été utilisé pour obtenir des données des participants. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'IBM SPSS version 20. L'âge moyen des répondants était de 28,9 ans ± 6, dont 102 (53%) âgés de 20 à 30 ans. Jusqu'à 112 (63,6%) d'entre eux étaient célibataires, 127 (73%) étaient musulmans et 96 (54,5%) dans la classe socio-économique supérieure (SEC). Environ 50% des répondants dans les contextes formels et informels avaient une bonne connaissance de la violence sexuelle et jusqu'à 36% et 64% des répondants dans les contextes formel et informel respectivement ont une attitude positive envers la violence sexuelle (VS). La prévalence globale de la VS sur le lieu detravail était de 63,8% (N = 113) et les prédicteurs significatifs de la VS sur le lieu de travail comprennent la tribu (p = 0,006), le milieu de travail (p = 0,02) et la perception de la société de la VS (P &lt;0,001). La prévalence de la VS s'est avérée élevée dans cette étude. Il est donc nécessaire que le gouvernement et les parties prenantes concernées mettent en place des mesures pour limiter les VS sur le lieu de travail. (Afr J Reprod Health 2020; 24[2]: 164-175). Mots-clés: Violence sexuelle, employées, savoir, métropole de Sokot