Prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among primary school children in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal parasites are among the most common infection of school age-children worldwide and remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Thus the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminth infections was investigated among children in four primary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, Nigeria.Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study of one hundred and twenty children, selected using a multistage sampling method. Fecal samples were collected from the pupils and examined microscopically using direct smear and Formol- ether concentration technique. Each child was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed with Epi Info 6.Results: Their ages ranged from 5-19 years and most 63 (52.5%) were female. Thirteen (11%) of the samples were found positive. The two major intestinal helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (76.9%) and Hookworm (15.4%) with a mixed infection of both accounting for 7.7% of the samples. Females (69.2%) were more infected. The socioeconomic status (lower education and having a skilled job)of the parents, female gender, being in a higher class, use of pit latrines and use of well water were found to contribute to the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection, although showed no statistical significant association with the presence of parasites in their stool samples (P > 0.05).Conclusion: There is need to improve sanitation and peoples' living conditions, provide clean water, health education, chemotherapy and encourage good hygiene and healthy habits.Keywords: Prevalence, Helminths, School Children, Lagos, Nigeri

Evaluation of the chemical constituents and the antimicrobial activity of the volatile oil of Citrus reticulata fruit(Tangerine fruit peel) from South West Nigeria

The volatile oil of tangerine fruit (Citrus reticulata) was extracted by steam distillation and assessed for antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The volatile oil was tested against some Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter spp); Gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and a fungus (Candida albicans). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined with concentrations of oil extract ranging from 0.87 to 445 mg/ml. Result of the study showed that the oil has a broad spectrum antibacterial activity. MIC recorded were S. aureus (0.74 mg/ml), S. aureus ATTC 25923 (2.46 mg/ml), E. faecalis (1.26 mg/ml), S. typhi (2.07 mg/ml), K. pneumoniae (0.56 mg/ml), E. coli ATTC 35218 (0.19 mg/ml), E. coli (1.95 mg/ml), P. aeruginosa (0.97 mg/ml), C. albicans (0.68 mg/ml). Antioxidant screening with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was negative. Analysis of the chemical constituent by GC-MS showed the presence of D-limonene as the major constituent. Other constituents found were a-pinene and β-pinene

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020: A systematic analysis of current evidence

Improved understanding of the current burden of hypertension, including awareness, treatment, and control, is needed to guide relevant preventative measures in Nigeria. A systematic search of studies on the epidemiology of hypertension in Nigeria, published on or after January 1990, was conducted. The authors employed randomeffects meta-analysis on extracted crude hypertension prevalence, and awareness, treatment, and control rates. Using a meta-regression model, overall hypertension cases in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020 were estimated. Fifty-three studies (n = 78 949) met our selection criteria. Estimated crude prevalence of pre-hypertension (120-139/80-89 mmHg) in Nigeria was 30.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.0%-39.7%), and the crude prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) was 30.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-34.0%). When adjusted for age, study period, and sample, absolute cases of hypertension increased by 540% among individuals aged ≥20 years from approximately 4.3 million individuals in 1995 (age-adjusted prevalence 8.6%, 95% CI: 6.5-10.7) to 27.5 million individuals with hypertension in 2020 (age-adjusted prevalence 32.5%, 95% CI: 29.8-35.3). The age-adjusted prevalence was only significantly higher among men in 1995, with the gap between both sexes considerably narrowed in 2020. Only 29.0% of cases (95% CI: 19.7-38.3) were aware of their hypertension, 12.0% (95% CI: 2.7-21.2) were on treatment, and 2.8% (95% CI: 0.1-5.7) had at-goal blood pressure in 2020. Our study suggests that hypertension prevalence has substantially increased in Nigeria over the last two decades. Although more persons are aware of their hypertension status, clinical treatment and control rates, however, remain low. These estimates are relevant for clinical care, population, and policy response in Nigeria and across Africa

Patterns of physical activity and anthropometric indices among doctors in public health sector in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Research has reported low levels of physical activity among healthcare personnel despite the importance of diet and exercise as keys to maintaining health.Objective: This study determined the practice of physical activity among doctors and correlated the patterns of physical activity to the body mass indices and waist-hip ratios.Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of405 medical doctors employed in the public health sector of Lagos State, selected using a multistage sampling and interviewed using an adapted International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine the body mass indices (BMI) and waist-hip ratios (WHR). Data was analysed with Epi-info 2007 version (7.0.9.7). Chi-square test was used to test association sat p-value <0.05.Results: Respondents had a mean age of 35.3 + 5.3 years, were largely male (65.8%)and (61.7%) had postgraduate training. Over 80% of doctors spent 8 or less hours a week at work, and 51.4% reported that the job-related activity most frequently done was stair-climbing, walking, jogging or aerobics. Two-thirds(68.2%) reportedly walked over 10 minutesdaily,4.5%reportedno moderate physical activity as a daily habit, 71.4% were overweight or obeseand were in the risk category for WHR and BMI(P<0.0001).Conclusion: Majority of the respondents were physically inactive and higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower BMI and WHR.Doctors should find time to engage in more days of moderate physical exercise as recommended.Key words: Physical activity, doctors, body mass indices, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio

Knowledge and Practice of Medical Waste Management among staff of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos.

Background: Waste generated in hospitals have potential to transmit infections and other hazards to hospital staff and nearby community if not managed adequately. This has become a major concern in many developing countries including Nigeria due to its increasing generation, unsafe storage and poor disposal. The level of knowledge on waste handling, attitude and practices of healthcare workers regarding medical waste disposal is crucial to prevent these hazards.Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, practice and identified the factors influencing medical waste management (MWM) among staff of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 258 medical and non-medical staff selected by Simple random sampling between May to July, 2013. Data was collected using a quantitative and qualitative questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi info-7 version 3.1.5 and SPSS version 20.Results: More than half 148 (57.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge and 164 (63.6%) had positive attitude concerning medical waste management. Majority 181(70.2%) had good MWM practices although, about half (50.4%) of the respondents often put waste in the wrong bin. Factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of MWM among the staff were level of education, profession and gender. Males had a more positive attitude than females and also a better waste management practice.Conclusion: The level of knowledge, attitude and practices of MWM among staff of the health facility were above average. It is then recommended that all newly employed staff be trained on Medical Waste Management and that the old staff should have refresher trainings.Keywords: Medical Waste, Waste Management, Healthcare workers

Medicinal Plants Useful For Malaria Therapy In Okeigbo, Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria

There is increasing resistance of malaria parasites to chloroquine, the cheapest and commonly used drug for malaria in Nigeria. Artemisin, a product from medicinal plant indigenous to China, based on active principle of Artemisia annua, has been introduced into the Nigerian market. However not much has been done to project antimalaria properties of indigenous medicinal plants. This study thus, has the main objective of presenting medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Okeigbo, Ondo State, South west Nigeria. Focus group discussions and interview were held about plants often found useful for malaria therapy in the community. Fifty species (local names) including for example: Morinda lucida (Oruwo), Enantia chlorantha (Awopa), Alstonia boonei (Ahun), Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro) and Khaya grandifoliola (Oganwo) plants were found to be in use for malaria therapy at Okeigbo, Southwest, Nigeria . The parts of plants used could either be the barks, roots, leaves or whole plants. The recipes also, could be a combination of various species of plants or plant parts. This study highlights potential sources for the development of new antimalarial drugs from indigenous medicinal plants found in Okeigbo, Nigeria. Keywords: Malaria, Medicinal plants, antimalarial drugs, Okeigbo, Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 191-19

Recognition of childhood illness danger signs, prehospital actions and satisfaction to care at a tertiary health facility, Lagos, Nigeria

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Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of the Fruits and Leaves of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv (Guttiferae)

Purpose: To compare the phytochemical constituents in the leaves and fruits of Allanblackia floribunda and determine their free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The fruit and leaves of AF collected from the uncultivated farmlands of Okeigbo, Ondo State, Nigeria, were dried, milled and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by measuring the decrease in the visible absorbance of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) on addition of the plant extract. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50), which is the concentration of extract needed to decrease the initial absorbance of DPPH by 50% was determined graphically. Total phenolic, flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results: Alkaloids, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in both the fruits and leaves. Only AF fruit contained phlobatannins. IC50 values of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.1 mg/ml were recorded for Vitamin E, AF leaves and AF fruits respectively. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were 65, 0.07 and 2.38 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF fruits, and 12, 51.35, 19.5 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF leaves as gallic acid, rutin and catechin equivalents respectively. Conclusion: AF leaves are five times more potent as a free radical scavenger compared to the fruits though the fruit was found to contain a higher phenolic content. Keywords: Free radical scavenger, phenolic content, proanthocyanidin, flavonoids, DPPH, Allanblankia floribunda, tannins, steroids, alkaloids and anthraquinones