Correlates of illness behaviour related to orofacial infections of odontogenic origin among adults in a semi urban community in Nigeria

Background: Infections of facial spaces in the maxillofacial region occur in most cases as a complication of odontogenic infections. It often results in substantial morbidity, with serious and potentially life threatening outcomes if allowed to progress without prompt medical attention.Objective: To identify factors that determine illness behaviour related to maxillofacial space infections.Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of adult residents of pakoto community, Ifo local government area, Ogun state. The study was conducted using an interviewer administered questionnaire which included key information about respondents’ awareness of predisposing factors of maxillofacial space infections; common actions takenwith regards to treatment, and the factors that influenced their utilization of the available oral health care service.Results: A total of 187 individuals were sampled, mean age was 30.5(SD 11.7) years with majority being females (59.4%) The proportion of the total respondents who reported a history suggestive of orofacial space infection was 20.3% (n=38). Visiting a patent medicine dealer (26.3%) along with visiting a dentist (31.6%) were the illness behaviours most frequently engaged in by respondents who have had an orofacial swelling following a toothache, with majority (73.7%) indicating the action they took was based on what was most convenient.Conclusion: This study has revealed that engagement in unorthodox practises by individuals in a semi-urban community studied is prevalent, and influenced by factors such as age, gender, level of education and occupation.Keywords: Odontogenic infection, semi-urban community, illness behaviourFunding: Non

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil ameliorates Bisphenol‐A‐induced adipokines dysfunctions and dyslipidemia

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-12-25, rev-recd 2023-01-07, accepted 2023-02-06, pub-electronic 2023-02-18Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedThis study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced male Wistar rats. Six‐week‐old 36 albino rats of 100–200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p < .05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL‐C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p < .05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL‐C in adipose tissue and plasma (p < .05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL‐C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL‐C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications

Study protocol for a pilot quasi-experimental study on oral health education for nurses and community health workers in Nigeria

IntroductionThe primary health care system provides an ideal setting for the integration of oral health into general health care as well as equitable access to oral health care. However, the limited oral health knowledge of primary health care workers necessitates appropriate training before they can participate in health promotion efforts. This pilot training was designed to examine the impact of the Oral Health Education module for Nurses and Community Health Care Workers on their oral health awareness and referral practices.MethodsThis study will utilize a quasi-experimental design (pre-and post with a non-equivalent control group) to assess the impact of a five-day pilot oral health education program on the knowledge and referral practices of Nurses and Community Health Workers in primary health care centers in three states in Nigeria-(Lagos, Oyo, and Kano). The training modules were developed based on the six iterative steps described in the intervention mapping framework – needs assessment, highlighting program objectives and outcomes, selection of theory and mode of intervention, designing program based on theory, designing implementation plans, and developing an evaluation plan. Only the intervention group will participate in the full educational training sessions but both groups will complete the pre-and post-intervention questionnaires.DiscussionThis pilot training combined the standardized training modules from the recently launched “Oral Health Training Course for Community Health Workers in Africa” and a newly developed maternal and child oral health module by our group using an evidence-based approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first program to examine the impact of the standardized OpenWHO modules. The success of this training will lay the foundation for developing a sustained channel for providing oral health education at the primary health care level in Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa

Gender Differences related to HIV/AIDS in South West Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine some underlying gender differences in the pattern of infection in a group of HIV positive patients in Nigeria. It involved 328 consecutive HIV positive patients attending dedicated clinics at four teaching hospitals in the South western part of Nigeria. Information on patients' socio-demographic characteristics and their attitude towards disclosure of their HIV status were collected with an interviewer administered questionnaire. There was a significant difference in the age distribution between the genders with a higher proportion of those younger than 35 years being females and higher proportion of males in the older age groups (

Methods Adopted for Management of Teething Problems by Nigerian Mothers

Background: Several traditional and orthodox remedies are usually employed in the management of teething problems in Nigeria. Objectives: To describe the various methods used by Nigerian mothers for the management of teething problems. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 333 mothers attending Primary Health care centres at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government of Lagos State, Nigeria. Results: Majority of the mothers (95.2%) associated teething with various problems. The preventive practices reported by mothers included orthodox and traditional methods such as incisions, teething soap, herbal concoctions, teething mixtures, teething powders and analgesics. Conclusion: There is a need for targeted educational programmes for mothers at antenatal clinics directed at correcting and discouraging harmful practices and redirecting the harmless ones. Keywords: Teething, Preventive Practices, Management.Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 68-7

Postgraduate Dental Research in Nigeria: A Retrospective Appraisal of the Scope and Suggestions for Future Progress

Background: Research is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to answer questions and solve problems. This study was aimed at assessing the types and scope of researches being conducted by the postgraduate dental students of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons, and their relevance to solving oral health problems in Nigeria. Method: The study was conducted by reviewing all Nigerian dissertations submitted to the faculties of Dental Surgery of the two postgraduate colleges between 1984 and 2004. Results: Ninety two di.ssertations were included in the study of which 86 were descriptive studies. 37 of these were retrospective, 33 were cross-sectional, and 22 were prospective. Limitations identified by the researchers included lack of funding, low oral health awareness among the populace, lack of appropriate technology and poor social infrastructure. It however appeared as if these researches have not proffered solutions to the problems facing oral health care in Nigeria. Conclusion: There is a clear need for a shift of the focus of research from epidemiological to analytical and experimental studies. To achieve this, the level of funding needs to be improved. Interactions with Faculties of dentistry in developed countries are also vital. NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 66-6