Voltammetric determination of tinidazole in pharmaceutical tablets using carbon paste electrode

Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical behavior of tinidazole at carbon paste electrode. Tinidazole showed an irreversible reduction peak at about -440 mV. The differential pulse voltammetric peak current of tinidazole showed linear dependence on concentration in the range 5.0-200 μM with LOD and LOQ of 5.1 10-7 and 1.7 10-6 μM, respectively. Relative to most of the reported works on the determination of tinidazole, the developed method using carbon paste electrode which is an environmentally friendly, cheap, and simple working electrode exhibited linear dependence of peak current on concentration in the lower concentration region with relatively low LOD. Excellent recovery results with low % RSD for spiked standard tinidazole in tablet samples showed the potential applicability of the developed method for the determination of tinidazole in real samples. KEY WORDS: Carbon paste electrode, Differential pulse voltammetry, Tinidazole, Pharmaceutical tablets Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2016, 30(1), 1-12.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i1.

Factors associated with compliance of prenatal iron folate supplementation among women in Mecha district, Western Amhara: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Iron and folate supplementation can effectively control and prevent anaemia in pregnancy. In Ethiopia, all pregnant women are prescribed iron folate during their ANC visit. However, limited adherence is thought to be a major reason for the low effectiveness of iron supplementation programs. Therefore this study was done to investigate factors associated with compliance of prenatal iron folate supplementation among women who gave birth in the last 12 months before the survey in Mecha district.Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was employed in Mecha district from June 25 - July 15/2013. A sample of 634 women who gave birth 12 months before the survey was included in the study. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique after allocating the total sample to each kebele proportionally. Data were  collected using a pre-tested structured Amharic questionnaire. Collected data were edited, coded and entered to Epi info version 3.1 and exported to` SPSS version 16. Bivariate and multivariable analysis was computed. Results: A total of 628 women who gave birth twelve months before the survey were enrolled. In this study only 20.4% of participants were  compliant with iron foliate supplementation. In multivariable analysis, age of the mother, educational status of the mother, knowledge of anaemia and iron folate tablets, and history of anaemia during pregnancy were  significantly associated with compliance to iron folate supplementation (P < .05). Belief that too many tablets would harm the baby and fear of side effects were the major reasons given for noncompliance.Conclusion: Compliance to iron folate supplementation is very low in the study area. Increasing female education and increasing knowledge of women about anaemia and iron folate tablets are recommended to  increase compliance to iron folate supplementation

Assessment of laboratory logistics management information system practice for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis laboratory commodities in selected public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Introduction: Logistics management information system for health commodities remained poorly implemented in most of developing countries. To assess the status of laboratory logistics management information system for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis laboratory commodities in public health facilities in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from September 2010-January 2011 at selected public health facilities. A stratified random sampling method was used to include a total of 43 facilities which, were investigated through quantitative methods using structured questionnaires interviews. Focus group discussion with the designated supply chain managers and key informant interviews were conducted for the qualitative method. Results: There exists a well-designed logistics system for laboratory commodities with trained pharmacy personnel, distributed standard LMIS formats and established inventory control procedures. However, majority of laboratory professionals were not trained in LMIS. Majority of the facilities (60.5%) were stocked out for at least one ART monitoring and TB laboratory reagents and the highest stock out rate was for chemistry reagents. Expired ART monitoring laboratory commodities were found in 25 (73.5%) of facilities. Fifty percent (50%) of the assessed hospitals and 54% of health centers were currently using stock/bin cards for all HIV/AIDS and TB laboratory commodities in main pharmacy store, among these only 25% and 20.8% of them were updated with accurate information matching with the physical count done at the time of visit for hospitals and health centers respectively. Conclusion: Even though there exists a well designed laboratory LMIS, keeping quality stock/bin cards and LMIS reports were very low. Key ART monitoring laboratory commodities were stock out at many facilities at the day of visit and during the past six months. Based on findings, training of laboratory personnel's managing laboratory commodities and keeping accurate inventory control procedures were recommended.Key words: Logistics management information system, stock outs, laboratory commoditie

Onchocerciasis in Gilgel Ghibe River valley Southwest Ethiopia

Objective: To determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis and the entomological transmission indices such as the parous rate and annual transmission potential (ATP).Setting: Gilgel Ghibe village, Gilgel Ghibe River Valley Southwest Ethiopia between April 1994 and March 1995.Subjects: Two hundred twenty eight subjects of the total 400 population in Gilgel Ghibe village were subjected to parasitological and clinical examinations.Method: Two skin snips per person were taken and examined for microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Fly collections were done from dawn to dusk from human baits seated in pairs at four representative sites at the river bank and away from the river bank. Flies were dissected for parity and infections with O. volvulus larvae.Results: Among the 228 people examined, the prevalence of the disease was low (17%), being higher in males (19%) than in females (14%). The geometric mean of microfilarial density was 11.1 (range, 1-132) mf per skin snip. Itching followed by pigmentary changes were the most common clinical signs and symptoms. The predominant anthropophilic blackfly species was Simulium (Edwardsellum) damnosum s.l. The annual parous rate and ATP were 74.7% and 1669.5, respectively, being higher at the river bank than at sites further away suggesting a greater risk of infection by the river side.Conclusion: The low prevalence of onchocerciasis in Gilgel Ghibe area vis-a-vis the high ATP level could be due to the possible presence of bovine onchocerciasis in the area. Further studies employing molecular techniques are thus required to identify O. volvulus from other filariae in flies

A monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the performance of innovation platforms in the context of livestock value chains

Growing local and informal markets in Asia and Africa provide both challenges and opportunities for small holders. In developing countries, market failures often lead to suboptimal performance of the value chains and limited and inequitable participation of the poor. In recent years, innovation platforms have been promoted as mechanisms to stimulate and support multistakeholder collaboration in the context of research for development. They are recognized as having the potential to link value chain actors, and enhance communication and collaboration to overcome market failures. Despite the increased use of innovation platforms in research for development projects and programs, a monitoring and evaluation framework that encompasses the dynamic nature of innovation systems and value chains is not available. In this paper, the authors aim to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for understanding and assessing the performance of innovation platforms in the context of pro-poor value chains, based on a discussion of various approaches

Anatomical variations and distributions of obturator nerve on Ethiopian cadavers

Variations in anatomy of the obturator nerve are important to surgeons and anesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the pelvic cavity, medial thigh and groin regions. They are also helpful for radiologists who interpret computerized imaging and anesthesiologists who perform local anesthesia. This study aimed to describe the anatomical variations and distribution of obturator nerve. The cadavers were examined bilaterally for origin to its final distribution and the variations and normal features of obturator nerve. Sixty-seven limbs sides (34 right and 33 left sides) were studied for variation in origin and distribution of obturator nerve. From which 88.1% arises from L2, L3 and L4 and; 11.9% from L3 and L4 spinal nerves. In 23.9%, 44.8% and 31.3% of specimens the bifurcation levels of obturator nerve were determined to be intrapelvic, within the obturator canal and extrapelvic, respectively. The anterior branch subdivided into two, three and four subdivisions in 9%, 65.7% and 25.4% of the specimens, respectively, while the posterior branch provided two subdivisions in 65.7% and three subdivisions in 34.3% of the specimens. Hip articular branch arose from common obturator nerve in 67.2% to provide sensory innervation to the hip joint. Accessory obturator nerve was not observed at all in this study. Key words: Variations, obturator nerv

Appraisal of jaw swellings in a Nigerian tertiary healthcare facility

Introduction: The mandible and maxilla can be the site of myriads of lesions that may be categorized as neoplastic, cystic, reactive and infective or inflammatory. Literature reviewing jaw swellings in an amalgamated fashion are uncommon, probably because aetiologies for these swellings are varied. However, to appreciate their relative relationship, it is essential to evaluate the clinico-pathologic profile of jaw swellings. The aim of this appraisal is to describe the array of jaw swellings seen at our hospital from 1990 to 2011, to serve as a reference database. Methodology: Biopsy records of all histologically diagnosed cases of jaw swellings seen at the department of Oral Pathology, University College Hospital between January 1990 and December 2011 were retrieved, coded and inputted into SPSS version 20. Data on prevalence, age, sex, site and histological diagnosis were analysed descriptively for each category of jaw swellings. All patients below 16 years were regarded as children. Results: A total of 638 jaw swellings were recorded in the 22-year study period. The Non Odontogenic Tumours (NOT) were the commonest, accounting for 46.2% of all jaw swellings. Odontogenic Tumours (OT) formed 45% of all adult jaw swelling while it formed 25.2% in children and adolescents. Ameloblastoma was the commonest while the most common NOT was ossifying fibroma (OF). Chronic osteomyelitis of the jaws was about 6 times commoner in adult females than males and mostly involved the mandible. The most common malignant jaw swelling was Burkitts' lymphoma (BL) that was about 7 times more in children than adults. Osteogenic sarcoma was the most common malignancy in adults. Conclusion: Jaw swellings are extensively varied in types and pattern of occurrence. This study has categorized jaw swellings in a simple but comprehensive fashion to allow for easy referencing in local and international data acquisition and epidemiological comparison

Oral health awareness, practices and status of patients with diabetes attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Background: Despite the reported increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, very few studies have documented report on oral health awareness and oral health conditions of individuals with diabetes mellitus from our environment. Thus this study aimed at assessing the oral health awareness, practices and status of individuals with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional survey of 143 patients with diabetes attending the medical outpatients' clinic of the hospital. Information was obtained from participants using pretested structured questionnaires and oral examination. Tests of associations were determined using Chi-square and student t test.Results: One-fifth (20.3%) of the respondents were aware of good oral health preventing oral diseases in diabetes. Thirty-five (24.5%) knew that diabetes could worsen oral health condition and only 3 (2.1%) could correctly explain the association between diabetes and oral health conditions. Forty-three (30.1%) had participated in an oral health education program focused on diabetes and oral health. The majority (88.6%) had calculus accumulation while none had a healthy periodontium.Conclusion: Oral health awareness, practices and status of patients with diabetes were poor in our environment. Thus, these individuals need to be better informed of the relationship between oral health and diabetes.Keywords: Oral disease; diabetes; awareness; oral health educatio

Larvicidal effects of Jatropha curcas L. against Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidea)

Crude and column chromatographic fractions of methanol leaf extract of Jatropha curcas were tested for their larvicidal activities against laboratory reared late third instar larvae of Anopheles arabiensis. Crude methanol leaf extract of J .curcas had similar larvicidal activity to 0.5 ppm Temephos (positive control) at test concentrations ranging from 125 -1000 ppm while column chromatographic fractions (F1 and F2 ) of the crude methanol leaf extract of J.curcas showed similar larvicidal activities to 0.5 ppm Temephos at 62.5 and 125 ppm test concentrations. Column chromatographic fraction three (F3) showed similar larvicidal activity to 0.5 ppm Temephos at 125 ppm test concentration. The LC50 and LC90 values of crude methanol leaf extract of J.curcas were found to be 92.09 and 241.09 ppm, respectively. Toxic activities of column chromatographic fraction one (F1) (LC50=28.65 ppm; LC90 = 49.20 ppm) were nearly equal to that of column chromatographic fraction two [F2] (LC50= 30.40 ppm; LC90 = 49.80 ppm). Least toxicity on the test larvae was observed by column chromatographic fraction three [F3] (LC50 = 80.70 ppm; LC90 = 123.70 ppm). Thus, the larvicidal activity of crude methanol leaf extract was not due to the synergistic effects of its fractions. Further studies are recommended to identify larvicidal active ingredients from the active column chromatographic fractions of crude methanol leaf extract of J. curcas. Key words: Malaria vector control, Anopheles arabiensis, Botanical larvicides J. curca