Towards Inculcating Morality among the Youths in Nigeria: The Holy Family Youth Village Example

The youths form the essential segment of every human society. They are the driving force that determines the future and hope of the society. Any human society devoid of the youths is bound to collapse. The impact of the youths at home, church, community and the society at large cannot be overemphasized for they are most cherished by the human society. The youths like the yam stem, require the utmost attention of the society .In an attempt to realize themselves, youths are affected and influenced by the social environment and the social structure in which they live. It is,  therefore, pertinent to acquaint youths with the basic veritable norms,  values, social consciousness and code of conduct without which human  co-existence would be impossible. The family, church, educational   institutions and the State have a stake in this regard. This paper  therefore, examines the effort of ‘Holy Family Youth Village’ towards inculcating morality among the contemporary youths in Nigeria. The paper concludes that the family, church and the state as agents of moral formation have irrevocable responsibility over the youths. However, individuals, industrialists and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) could also venture into the welfare of the youths in Nigeria by initiating programmes that will ensure the realization of morally sound youths so as to ensure healthy human society

Towards bridging ethnic and religious divides in Nigeria: Exegetico-hermeneutical application of Gal.3:26-29

Nation building is the primary target of every nation especially, the developing states. To achieve this goal effectively, the collaborative effort of every citizen is required. It is obvious that Nigeria is a heterogeneous society with multi-ethnic groups and religious affiliations. The peculiarities of each ethnic group and religious ideology as unique as they appear, if properly harnessed and harmonized could foster nation building. Observations have shown that ethnic tensions and religious divides are banes that confront Nigeria’s nation building. It is therefore, the interest of this paper to bridge ethnic and religious tension in Nigeria by stimulating greater self-consciousness of the nation’s unity in diversity using Paul’s religious principle of unity “in Christ” as upheld in Gal.3:26-29. This work adopts exegetico-hermeneutical approach. The paper concludes that to build a formidable nation, principle of unity in diversity should take priority over ethnic and religious divides in Nigeria

Cardiovascular risk associated with high sodium-containing drugs: A systematic review.

Excess dietary sodium is associated with increased blood pressure (BP). Some drugs are associated with high sodium intake (in particular effervescent tablets), but the cardiovascular risk associated with such high sodium-containing drugs (HSCD) is largely underevaluated.To summarize the evidence for a potential cardiovascular risk associated with exposure to HSCD, and to highlight possible risk factors associated with this iatrogenic issue; in general and/or specific populations.We conducted a systematic review, by searching electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL and grey literature between 1960 and 2015. We included studies that reported modification of cardiovascular parameters or incidence/prevalence of cardiovascular outcomes, between a group of subjects exposed to HSCD relative to a non-exposed group. The threshold used to identify HSCD was 391 mg/day. We did not consider studies evaluating exposure to sodium as an active ingredient or those focusing on dialysis solutions or enteral/parenteral nutrition. Study quality was assessed using the EPHPP tool.A total of eight studies met our inclusion criteria. Four reported results for short-term exposure to HSCD (≤ 7 days) on BP fluctuations. One study reported an elevation of BP (associated sodium intake: 1,656 mg/day). Four studies evaluated a long-term exposure (≥ 2 years or discontinuation of a chronic treatment). Two studies reported iatrogenic risk. For these studies, drug associated sodium intake was high (> 1,500 mg/day) in patients with comorbidities (in particular, diabetes mellitus and hypertension).Despite numerous study limitations, this systematic review suggests three potential synergistic risk factors for cardiovascular complications after exposure to HSCD: a high sodium intake (≥ 1,500 mg/day), a long duration of exposure, and the presence of comorbidities. Further studies are required to characterize this iatrogenic risk.PROSPERO CRD42016047086

Community Study of Maternal Mortality in South West Nigeria: How Applicable is the Sisterhood Method

A significant reduction in maternal mortality was witnessed globally in the year 2010, yet, no significant reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Nigeria was recorded. The absence of accurate data on the numbers, causes and local factors influencing adverse maternal outcomes has been identified as a major obstacle hindering appropriate distribution of resources targeted towards improving maternal healthcare. This paper reports the first community based study that measures the incidence of maternal mortality in Ibadan, Nigeria using the indirect sisterhood method and explores the applicability of this method in a community where maternal mortality is not a rare event. A community-based study was conducted in Ibadan using the principles of the sisterhood method developed by Graham et al. for developing countries. Using a multi-stage sampling design with stratification and clustering, 3,028 households were selected. All persons approached agreed to take part in the study (a participation rate of 100%), with 2,877 respondents eligible for analysis. There was a high incidence of maternal mortality in the study setting: 1,324/6,519 (20.3%) sisters of the respondents had died, with 1,139 deaths reportedly related to pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium. The MMR was 7,778 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 7,326–8,229). Adjusted for a published Total Fertility Rate of 6.0, the MMR was 6,525 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 6,144–6,909). Women in Ibadan were dying more from pregnancy related complications than from other causes. Findings of this study have implications for midwifery education, training and practice and for the first time provide policy makers and planners with information on maternal mortality in the community of Ibadan city and shed light on the causes of maternal mortality in the area