A Reappraisal of Indications for Abdominal Delivery at a Referral Health Institution in South East Nigeria

Background: There is a globalworry about the increase in the rate of caesarean section despite attempts to reduce the rising trend especially in developing countries where the figures are competing seriously with those for developed counties.Objective: The study assesses the current caesarean section rate in the hospital, compare it with past figures and appraise the indications for the Caesarean sections.Materials and Method: Case records of all cases of caesarean section managed in the hospital over a three-year period (1st of January 2006 to 31st of December 2008) were analyzed.Results: A total of 4005 deliveries were undertaken during the study period (1st of January 2006 to 31st of December 2008.Out of which 736 were caesarean section giving an incidence of Caesarean section tobe 18.4%. The commonest indication is previous Caesarean section, accounting for 19.6%. This is followed by obstructed labour (11.7%) and presumed foetal distress (7.9%).Conclusion: There is a rising trend in caesarean section rate. There is need for more comprehensive audit, taking into consideration the opinion of the consultants and patients if the rate should be curbed. There is also need to improve facilities to pick true foetal distress before embarking onCaesarean section.Key words: Caesarean Section, Indications, Fetal Distress, Obstructed Labour, Nigeria,Running Header: Indications for Abdominal Deliver

Effects of beans (Vigna unguiculata) consumption on anxiety and fear in Swiss white mice

Beans, the staple diet of Nigerians contains serotonin and its precursor, 5-HTP in significant amount. It was therefore the aim of this study to find out whether long term consumption of cooked beans (Vigna unguiculata) diet has effects on some neurobehavioral parameters notably; anxiety and fear. Thirty (30) adult Swiss white mice (18-30g body weight), were used for the study. The elevated plus maze (EPM) was employed for the evaluation of anxiety and fear related behaviour. Mice in the control group (n=10) were fed normal rodent chow while mice in the cooked beans (n=10) and serotonin precursor fed group (n=10) were fed cooked beans diet (50%w/w) and (0.2mg/50g w/w) serotonin precursor diet for 4 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water. Daily food intake, water intake and body weight change were measured. In EPM, the duration in the open arm and centre square duration was significantly higher (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively) in the test group, while the frequency of grooming and defecation was lower in the test group (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). Signifying a decrease in anxiety and fear, this was also observed in their head dips. There was also a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the duration of grooming in the elevated plus maze test for the cooked beans and serotonin precursor fed group when compared to the control. Thus, chronic consumption of cooked beans diet may decrease anxiety and fear related behavior.Keywords: Cooked beans, Mood, Reflex, Anxiety, Fear, Serotonin, Plus Maze and Mic

The Youth Advisory Centre and Contraception: Perception of Female Medical Undergraduates in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria

Background: Contraception prevents unwanted pregnancy. However, there remains an unmet contraceptive need and one of the contributory factors has been poor utilization resulting from lack of privacy, especially for the youths, at institutions offering family planning or contraceptive services.Youth friendly centres are established to ameliorate this. However, the extent to which the youths are aware of the existence of these centres and their services remains in doubt.Aim and Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the sources of contraceptives amongst Female medical undergraduates and their awareness of the Youth Friendly Centres.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey of female medical undergraduates of Ebonyi State University was done in November 2007 using self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussion was carried out. Information obtained was analyzed using Epi-info 2005 version 3.3.2. Statistical packageResult: Two hundred medical students at 100-600 levels participated in the study but 170 were analyzed. The respondents were aged 19 to 34 years, with a mean of 25.6 (+ 8) years. The modal age range was the20 to 24 year age group (42.4%). Sixty-six or 38.8% were sexually active of whom 60 or 90.9% used contraception. Thirty-six or 60.0% of the subjects who used contraception were introduced to it by their friends or peers. The condom (58 or 96.7%) and the pills (20.0%) were the commonly ever used methods. Students sourced contraceptives from pharmacy shops 83.3% (50) and private clinics 53.3%(32) among others. Only 14.1% (24) of the respondents were aware of the existence of the Youth Advisory Centre at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki but none had ever utilized its servicesConclusion: the Youth Friendly Centre is not being utilized by the youths for contraceptive services. There is need for mass campaign amongst the youth on the existence of this centre and the services it offers.Key Words: Youth Friendly Centre, Source, Contraception, Undergraduat

Strategies to Improve Attitude of Secondary School Students towards Physics for Sustainable Technological Developmentin Abakaliki L.G.A, Ebonyi-Nigeria

This study is aimed at the strategies to improve attitude of secondary school students towards physics for sustainable technological development in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. The population of the study consist of 270 physics teachers and students. A sample of 180 students and 18 teachers was selected through random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was  structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The findings were identifies as qualified/professional physics teachers, adequate instructional materials, equippment, teaching aids and tools, management/government intensive  funding, motivation of both teachers and students, comfortable classroom,  recommendation of textbook and comfortable library and laboratory. Based on the findings, the necessary recommendations was made. Government/school proprietor should provide teaching aids, materials and equippment for effective teaching and learning of physics. Provide incentives to physics teachers and students. The government/proprietor should provide sufficient/good classrooms, library and laboratory for students. Proper funding and timely release of fund for educational activities should be done

Anthropomorphic Patterns And Smoking In A Nigerian Population

Anthropomorphic measurements in terms of height, weight and body mass index determnied in 5000-volunteered males and females. These include 2000 smokers (1500 males and 5000 females) aged between 16 and 56 (±SD; 38 ± 16) years, 1000 ex-smokers (700 males and 300 females) in the same age bracket; and 2000 non-smokers (1000 males and 1000 females) aged 16 to 56 (mean ±SD; 39 ± 17)years, The group who had never smoked which formed the control group. When compared to other groups, the males that smoked tobacco were taller than all other groups; possibly because of the increased tallness, the male smokers also weighed much more than each of the other groups. It is possible that tobacco smoking increases the secretion of the male sex hormone testosterone, which promotes increased linear growth in males. On their other hand it may be possible that the gene which codes for tallness in men also encode male craving for tobacco. For tobacco smoking, which is implicated in many health hazards, male tallness may probably be the only health benefit. Key words: Tobacco smoking, males, females, anthropomorphic measurements Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy Vol. 4 (1): 2005 12-1

Evolution of Pressure Variations in the Neutral Atmosphere Acquired by Radiosondes

The variation in pressure is investigated with equation of state and hydrostatic equation in the neutral atmosphere of the earth with radiosondes. More details of the abstract can be found in the full text PDF

Fetal Umbilical Cord Length and Associated Intrapatum Complications In A Tertiary Institution, Southeast Nigeria.

Context: Extremes of umbilical cords have been associated with antepartum and intrapartum complications. Few studies which have investigated both risk factors and outcomes associated with these conditions contain conflicting reports. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at documenting the length of the umbilical cord in babies born in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), as well as any association between umbilical cord length and fetal sex, number of fetuses, presenting part, cord accidents and certain intrapartum complications. Methodology: Prospective study of umbilical cords length of deliveries conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of EBSUTH, Abakaliki, from 1st October, 2008 over a six months period was done. Analyses were done using EPI info. Results: A total of 588 consecutive deliveries met the inclusion criteria. The mean cord length was 57.87 +12.6 cm and ranged between 22cm and 124cm.The mean cord length for male babies were significantly more than the females (58.16cm vs 57.59 cm). Significant difference also existed in cord lengths for multiple deliveries and singletons. The mean umbilical cord length associated with loops was significantly higher than that of the study population 63.58cm vs 57.28cm. Shoulder dystocia, hand prolapse in a transverse lying fetus, abruptio placentae and prolonged second stage of labour had shorter cords while fetal distress, cord prolapse and mecunium stained liquor had longer cords when compared with the mean umbilical cord length of the study population. Conclusion: Umbilical cord length was positively associated with number of fetuses and sex of the babies, but not with FETAL presentations. Extremes of cord length could predispose to certain intrapartum complications.Keywords: Umbilical cord, Length, intrapartum complication