Effect of graded levels of Saccharum officinarum as an additive to Panicum maximum (Jacq) silage

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) as an additive to Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) silage. A previously established guinea grass plot, totaling an area of 625m2 was cut back and fertilized with urea at the rate of 200 kgN/ha. The pasture was then harvested at 6-weeks regrowth, chopped (5-10cm long), mixed with chopped sugar cane (1-3cm long) and ensiled in stack silos. Four treatments were formulated as follows: Treatment A = 10%w/w Sugar cane with Panicum maximum; Treatment B = 20%w/w sugar cane with Panicum maximum; Treatment C = 30%w/w sugar cane with Panicum maximum; Treatment D = Panicum maximum without additive; with the fresh Panicum maximum serving as Control. The yield values of 6,169 and 4,850 Kg DM/ha was observed for the fresh and ensiled P. maximum, respectively. The pH values of the ensiled forage were significantly (P< 0.05) highest in Treatment D (5.72) and least in Treatment C (4.20), while Treatments A and B were similar. Results showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in the pH value of the ensiled grass as the content of sugar cane increased. Total cell wall (NDF) contents were similar and significantly reduced in ensiled guinea grass. Crude protein (CP) level was highest (P<0.05) in 30% sugarcane additive silage (Treatment C) but similar in Treatments A, B, D and Control. The Crude fibre (CF) content was highest (P<0.05) in the 10% sugarcane additive silage and lowest (P<0.05) in the fresh un-ensiled guinea grass forage. Nitrogen Detergent Fibre (NDF) of the Control was higher (P<0.05) than the ensiled grass across the treatments, while Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) values of the ensiled grass increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing sugarcane inclusion with highest (P<0.05) value recorded for the 30% sugarcane additive silage (Treatment C). It can, therefore, be concluded from this study that sugarcane can serve as an additive in ensiling guinea grass up to the rate of 30% w/w.Key words: additive, ensiling, sugarcane, forage , Guine

Treatment of hypertension in rural Cambodia: results of a 6-year programme

This study was aimed to describe the outcomes of a hypertension treatment programme in two outpatient clinics in Cambodia. We determined proportions of patients who met the optimal targets for blood pressure (BP) control and assessed the evolution of mean systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) over time. Multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of BP decrease and risk factors for LTFU. A total of 2858 patients were enrolled between March 2002 and June 2008 of whom 69.2% were female, 30.5% were aged >/=64years and 32.6% were diabetic. The median follow-up time was 600 days. By the end of 2008, 1642 (57.4%) were alive-in-care, 8 (0.3%) had died and 1208 (42.3%) were lost to follow-up. On admission, mean SBP and DBP were 162 and 94 mm Hg, respectively. Among the patients treated, a significant SBP reduction of 26.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 28.4-25.3) was observed at 6 months. Overall, 36.5% of patients reached the BP targets at 24 months. The number of young adults, non-overweight patients and non-diabetics reaching the BP targets was more. Older age (>64 years), uncontrolled DBP (>/=90 mm Hg) on last consultation and coming late for the last consultation were associated with LTFU, whereas non-diabetic patients were 1.5 times more likely to default than diabetics (95% CI: 1.3-1.7). Although the definite magnitude of the BP decrease due to antihypertension medication over time cannot be assessed definitely without a control group, our results suggest that BP reduction can be obtained with essential hypertension treatment in a large-scale programme in a resource-limited setting

Estimating the burden of selected non-communicable diseases in Africa: a systematic review of the evidence

Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and particularly in Africa, where the health focus, until recently, has been on infectious diseases. The response to this growing burden of NCDs in Africa has been affected owing to a poor understanding of the burden of NCDs, and the relative lack of data and low level of research on NCDs in the continent. Recent estimates on the burden of NCDs in Africa have been mostly derived from modelling based on data from other countries imputed into African countries, and not usually based on data originating from Africa itself. In instances where few data were available, estimates have been characterized by extrapolation and over-modelling of the scarce data. It is therefore believed that underestimation of NCDs burden in many parts of Africa cannot be unexpected. With a gradual increase in average life expectancy across Africa, the region now experiencing the fastest rate of urbanization globally, and an increase adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, the burden of NCDs is expected to rise. This thesis will, therefore, be focussing on understanding the prevalence, and/or where there are available data, the incidence, of four major NCDs in Africa, which have contributed highly to the burden of NCDs, not only in Africa, but also globally. Methods I conducted a systematic search of the literature on three main databases (Medline, EMBASE and Global Health) for epidemiological studies on NCDs conducted in Africa. I retained and extracted data from original population-based (cohort or cross sectional), and/or health service records (hospital or registry-based studies) on prevalence and/or incidence rates of four major NCDs in Africa. These include: cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types (cervical, breast, prostate, ovary, oesophagus, bladder, Kaposi, liver, stomach, colorectal, lung and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma). From extracted crude prevalence and incidence rates, a random effect meta-analysis was conducted and reported for each NCD. An epidemiological model was applied on all extracted data points. The fitted curve explaining the largest proportion of variance (best fit) from the model was further applied. The equation generated from the fitted curve was used to determine the prevalence and cases of the specific NCD in Africa at midpoints of the United Nations (UN) population 5-year age-group population estimates for Africa. Results From the literature search, studies on hypertension had the highest publication output at 7680, 92 of which were selected, spreading across 31 African countries. Cancer had 9762 publications and 39 were selected across 20 countries; diabetes had 3701 publications and 48 were selected across 28 countries; stroke had 1227 publications and 19 were selected across 10 countries; asthma had 790 publications and 45 were selected across 24 countries; and COPD had the lowest output with 243 publications and 13 were selected across 8 countries. From studies reporting prevalence rates, hypertension, with a total sample size of 197734, accounted for 130.2 million cases and a prevalence of 25.9% (23.5, 34.0) in Africa in 2010. This is followed by asthma, with a sample size of 187904, accounting for 58.2 million cases and a prevalence of 6.6% (2.4, 7.9); COPD, with a sample size of 24747, accounting for 26.3 million cases and a prevalence of 13.4% (9.4, 22.1); diabetes, with a sample size of 102517, accounting for 24.5 million cases and a prevalence of 4.0% (2.7, 6.4); and stroke, with a sample size of about 6.3 million, accounting for 1.94 million cases and a prevalence of 317.3 per 100000 population (314.0, 748.2). From studies reporting incidence rates, stroke accounted for 496 thousand new cases in Africa in 2010, with a prevalence of 81.3 per 100000 person years (13.2, 94.9). For the 12 cancer types reviewed, a total of 775 thousand new cases were estimated in Africa in 2010 from registry-based data covering a total population of about 33 million. Among women, cervical cancer and breast cancer had 129 thousand and 81 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 28.2 (22.1, 34.3) and 17.7 (13.0, 22.4) per 100000 person years, respectively. Among men, prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma closely follows with 75 thousand and 74 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 14.5 (10.9, 18.0) and 14.3 (11.9, 16.7) per 100000 person years, respectively. Conclusion This study suggests the prevalence rates of the four major NCDs reviewed (cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types, and chronic respiratory diseases (COPD and asthma) in Africa are high relative to global estimates. Due to the lack of data on many NCDs across the continent, there are still doubts on the true prevalence of these diseases relative to the current African population. There is need for improvement in health information system and overall data management, especially at country level in Africa. Governments of African nations, international organizations, experts and other stakeholders need to invest more on NCDs research, particularly mortality, risk factors, and health determinants to have evidenced-based facts on the drivers of this epidemic in the continent, and prompt better, effective and overall public health response to NCDs in Africa

Exploitation of unconventional protein sources in the feed of weaner rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus Linn.)

An experiment was conducted to explore the use of some leguminous shrubs, commonly accepted as protein sources for feeding ruminants but rarely considered as feed for micro livestock animals such as rabbits. Thirty two weaner rabbits of heterogeneous population, aged 4 weeks and balanced for sex, were randomly allotted to four experimental diets, in a completely randomized design, containing Moringa oleifera, Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium, with Centrosema pubescens serving as control. Total feed on offer was done at 4% body weight with concentrate supplementation at 25% of the total feed while forages were fed fresh. Results indicated that the crude protein content of the forages ranged from 21.64 g/100g DM to 26.88 g/100g DM in Centrosema pubescens and Moringa oleifera, respectively. Similarly, the crude fibre contents of the forage ranged from 14.47 g/100g DM to 21.89 g/100g DM Centrosema pubescens and Moringa oleifera, respectively. Although rabbits on Centrosema pubescens had the least weight (P<0.05) throughout the experiment, yet they recorded the highest total feed intake (P<0.05) of 6.348 kg, while the least feed intake was recorded for rabbits on Gliricidia sepium (5.48 kg). Rabbits on Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala gave the best (P < 0.05) daily weight gain of 10.52 and 10.38g/d respectively, followed by those on Gliricidia sepium (10.05g/d) and least for rabbits on Centrosema pubescens (9.90g/d). The feed conversion ratios of rabbits on the forages were similar (P>0.05) except for rabbits on Centrosema pubescens (P>0.05). Nitrogen intakes of the rabbits from the different forage sources were similar (P>0.05) but the nitrogen utilization differed significantly (P<0.05) with rabbits on Leuceana leucocephala recording the highest value (78.52%), closely followed by rabbits on Moringa oleifera (76.46%) but the nitrogen utilization of rabbits on Gliricidia sepium and Centrosema pubescens are similar (66.23% and 66.11%, respectively). It can therefore be concluded that the unconventional forage shrubs hold potential as alternative feed sources for grower rabbits and Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala can conveniently replace Centrosema pubescens in the feeding of rabbits especially where the latter is depleted in stock.Key words: Forages, Leguminous shrubs, Micro livestock, Nitrogen utilizatio

Partial replacements of Stylosanthes scabra forage for lucerne in total mixed ration diet of Saanen goats

The inclusion of Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca forage in the total mixed ration (TMR) as partial replacement of lucerne (alfalfa) was evaluated for its effects on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in Saanen goats. Three experimental diets were formulated having 0 % Seca (T1), 15 % Seca (T2) and 30 % Seca (T3) as partial replacement of lucerne forage in the TMR diet for goats. Eighteen Saanen goats of about 7 months old were divided into three groups of six animals per group. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in a complete randomised design, and the study lasted for a period of 21 days. There was an increase in fibre and mineral content of the diets as Seca inclusion increased, but this resulted in the decrease of crude protein contents and in vitro organic matter digestibility. Animals that were fed 15 % Seca recorded higher voluntary dry matter and nutrient (organic matter and fibres) intake, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) as compared to the other treatments. Nutrient digestibility as well as nitrogen balance was not significantly different across the three diets. The lack of significant differences in feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation following the inclusion of Seca in the TMR suggests that S. scabra forage can partially replace lucerne in the TMR diet of goats.Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and National Research Foundation (NRF).http://link.springer.com/journal/112502016-10-31hb201