Body mass index variations among adolescents from Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Bodyweight and height measurements were carried out on 2, 100 healthy teenagers (1050 males and 1050 females) randomly selected in Kano metropolis. These measurements were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the formula weight (kg)/height2 (m). Mean BMI values increased with age in the subjects irrespective of sex. However, female subjects had higher mean BMI values than their male counterparts in all the age groups. Mean BMI values ranged from 17.0 to 20.9 in males and from 18.0 to 24.0 in females. These BMI ranges of values were used as the basis for classification of the subjects as underweight, normal and overweight. Key words: adolescence, body mass index, anthropometric assessment, nutritional statu

Energy- Drinks: Composition and Health Benefits

In recent years, there has been an increase in the consumption of energy drinks, containing besides calories, other ingredients suspected to boost mental, emotional and physical alertness of the consumers. Such drinks are widely consumed by young people for a variety of reasons. However, from a public health point of view, little seems to be understood of the health benefits and other implications of these drinks by their consumers. Therefore, the understanding that energy drinks have stimulating properties that can boost heart beat rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body, aggravate the effects of other stimulants, and prevent sleep may help as a decision making tools for the consumers of such products. This review examines some of the important active ingredients of energy drinks, their origins, sources, benefits and side effects. It is concluded that energy drinks, despite the variations in brand name contain bio-active ingredients; therefore further research is needed on their potential hazards.Keywords: Energy drinks, Composition, Effects, Consumer

A Study of the Phytochemical Properties and Synergistic Antibacterial Activity of Annona comosus (LINN) Merr. Peel and Citrus senensis Peel Extracts on Aeromonas hydrophila and Salmonella species.

In Nigerian traditional medicine, the combination of A. comosus and C. senensis peels has antibacterial effect against typhoid fever and diarrhoea due to Aeromonas hydrophila. A. comosus and C. senensis peels were extracted using percolation method and ethanol solvent. The antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract of A. comosus and C. senensis peels were investigated by disc diffusion and broth dilution techniques. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures. This study was aimed at verifying the synergistic effects of the two plant extracts against some clinical isolates: six Salmonella paratyphi B, one S. typhi and three A. hydrophila. The antibacterial activity of the combined extracts was 7-12mm and from 15- 42mm for the standard antibiotic disc. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the combined extracts was 0.25-12.50mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.50-50.00mg/ml. Phytochemical investigation of the extracts revealed the presence secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids and phytosterols in C. senensis peels while alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids and phytosterols were found in A. comosus peels. In-vitro antibacterial potential was confirmed and no synergism was demonstrated at a combination ratio of 1:1 of the extracts tested (P = 0.05).Keywords: - Anti-bacterial, Annona comosus, Citrus senensis, synergism, Extract

Effect of antiretroviral therapy on some liver enzymes in HIV/AIDS breast fed and non breast fed children

The relationship and effect of antiretroviral therapy with associated hepatotoxicity were investigated in different paediatric age groups using serum alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) biomarkers. The study consisted of a total of onehundred and twenty (120) participants; fifteen (15) each from different age groups of HIV infected children at baseline and three (3) months after initiation of therapy as well as a control group. Ninety three percent (93%) of the children studied acquired HIV infection through vertical transmission with seventy percent (70%) having mixed feeding as their feeding pattern. Before treatment initiation, total serum ALT and AST values (mean±S.E.M.) (25.7±4.8 and 69.6±3.6 U/L) were significantly higher (p<0.05) among the baseline than the control groups (21.1±1.9 and 17.9±3.6 U/L). After treatment, total serum transaminases and ALP values were found to besignificantly lower (p<0.05) among the treated (24.4±3.6, 38.4±5.4 and 255.5±77.5 U/L) than the baseline (25.7±4.8, 69.6±3.6 and 262.1±114.8 U/L) groups, except for the children in the least age group. This study concluded that antiretroviral drugs have effect on liver enzymes and are risk factors for developing hepatotoxicity especially in children at lower age groups. Children therefore require frequent evaluation during antiretroviral therapy even in the absence of signs and symptoms of metabolic complications.Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy, hepatotoxicity, transaminases, paediatric

Cross sectional study of malarial parasite among patients attending general hospital, Hadejia, Jigawa state, Nigeria

A study was conducted to find out prevalence of malarial parasite among patients attending Hadejia General Hospital. A total of 227 people were screened in the  study area. Out of this number 150(66.1%) were males, while 77(33.9%) were females. Overall prevalence of malarial parasite was found to be 114(50.2%). Prevalence of malarial parasite in males was found to be 78(52%), while prevalence in females was found to be 36(46.8%). There was no significant difference (p >0.05) between the sex of the people and prevalence of the infection. Prevalence of malarial parasite in children aged 0 to 5 years has highest prevalence37(53.4%), followed by children aged 6 to 15 years with prevalence of 56(50.3%) and lowest prevalence was obtained in people aged 15 years and above 25(40.4%).There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the age of the people and prevalence of the infection. The prevalence of malarial parasite was found to be high among patients attending Hadejia General Hospital.Keywords: Hospital, Malaria, Prevalence, Parasite, Patient

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACOVIGILANCE AMONG OPERATORS OF PHARMACIES AND PATENT MEDICINE STORES IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Background: The weak pharmacovigilance (PV) systems in many developing countries of the world have undoubtedly hampered the global quest for safe drug use. Operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores have important roles to play in developing the PV systems in these countries being the main source of medicines for acute conditions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacovigilance among operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores selected by multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a set of pretested self- administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Although, the majority, 173 (69.5%) of the 249 respondents were aware of PV, less than a fifth (17.3%) had good knowledge of it. Despite positive attitude towards PV, only about half, 56 (52.3%) of the 107 respondents that had observed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in clients reported; and of these, only about a tenth (12.8%) formally reported to the organization in charge of PV. The most commonly cited reasons for non-reporting were that they didn’t know where and how to report (51.0%), and unavailability of reporting forms (23.5%). Conclusion: This study showed poor knowledge of PV and sub-optimal ADRs reporting despite positive attitude towards it by operators of pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Sensitization of the populace and training of healthcare providers on PV and ADRs reporting are necessary for revitalizing the PV system in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, knowledge, attitude, practic

A survey on drug related problems in cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria

A drug-related problem (DRP) is an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired outcome. The complexities in drug regimens used in cervical cancer chemotherapy has led to more serious problems. The aim of this study is to investigate DRPs in cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The study was a retrospective cross sectional study on patients receiving cervical cancer chemotherapy at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria (ABUTH). Patients’ medication charts were reviewed from July, 2015 to June, 2016. Data were collected using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) Classification of DRP V 6.20. A total of 224 DRPs cases were identified from 65 cervical cancer patients. The DRPs were mostly on treatment effectiveness (28.1%), adverse reaction (29.0%), and cost (26.8%), while the causes were majorly drug selection (28.1%) and dose selection (29.0%). The risk factors for the DRPs were found to be comorbidities and polypharmacy. In conclusion, DRPs were common among cervical cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at ABUTH. Pharmacist interventions to achieve a better therapeutic outcome are necessary.Keywords: Cervical cancer, chemotherapy, drug related problem, pharmacist, polypharmac

Efficacy of Parazoquantel against Schistosoma Heamatobium Enfection among Residents of Wasai Dam in Minjibir Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a chronic debilitating infection due to Schistosoma species belonging to parasitic trematode worms. It continues to threaten millions of people, particularly the rural poor in the developing countries. A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis among dwellers of Wasai dam in Minjibir, Kano State and to evaluate efficacy of single dose of Parazoquantel. A total of 402 people in four selected villages residing around the study area were screened for the present or absence of Shistosoma haematobium ova and efficacy of single dose Parazoquantel was evaluated. Eggs of S. haematobium were examined using urine concentration sedimentation technique. The overall prevalence of the infection was 61.9% and Mean Eggs Per cubic Centilitre (EPC) of 31.8% were recorded. Males were more infected (67.9%) than females (54.8%). Cure rate in the present study was 97.9%. There was significant difference between mean EPC and cure rate (p<0.05). This study concludes that Parazoquantel is still highly efficacious at a single dose for the treatment of S. haematobium infection.Keywords: Parazoquantel, therapy, Schistosomiasis, Wasai, Dam, Kano-Nigeria

Uptake and distribution of ions reveal contrasting tolerance mechanisms for soil and water salinity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomato (Solanum esculentum)

Okra and tomatoes are major vegetable crops commonly grown under irrigation, and understanding whether they respond to salinity by withstanding (tissue tolerance) or avoiding (salt exclusion) accumulation of salt in the shoots will assist with management for optimizing yield under declining soil and water resources. Both crops were grown in non-saline (0.0 dS/m) and saline (3.0 dS/m) loamy sand and drip irrigated with water of 0.0, 1.2 or 2.4 dS/m. Differences in the growth and yields of the two crops under saline conditions were associated with uptake and distribution of cations, especially Na. The tomato employed tissue tolerance mechanism in response to salinity and produced fruits even when shoot/root Na concentration was >3.0; concentrations of Na in tomato tissues was in the order shoots > roots ≈ fruits. Okra was sensitive to shoot Na such that a shoot/root Na concentration as low as 0.13 reduced yield by as much as 35%; this crop employed salt exclusion mechanism and minimized shoot accumulation of Na, which was distributed in the order fruits > roots > shoots.Root and shoot concentrations of Na, P and S were correlated with flower abortion and negatively correlated with yield and yield components in both crops. Fresh fruit produced on the saline soil were reduced by 19% in tomato compared with 59% in okra, relative to yields on non-saline soil. Water salinity reduced fresh fruit yields in the tomato by as much as 36% with every unit (dS/m) rise in water salinity compared with 27% in okra. Soil salinity significantly reduced water-use by 6% in tomatoes and 29% in okra, but had no impact on water use efficiency (WUE) that averaged 3.9 g of fresh fruits/L for tomatoes and 1.75 g/L for okra. Every 1.0 dS/m rise in water salinity reduced water-use by 0.33 L in okra and 3.31 L in tomatoes, and reduced WUE by 2.61 g/L in tomatoes and 0.53 g/L in okra. Soil salinity explained <5% of the variance in yields in tomatoes and 10–20% in okra, while water salinity explained 48–68% of the variance in tomatoes and about 40% in okra. We conclude that (1) water salinity was more injurious to yield in both crops than soil salinity, and (2) yield losses due to salinity can be minimized through frequent leaching of soil salt under okra and increased irrigation intervals in tomatoes

Co-hort study of urinary schistosomiasis among two villages residing along Hadejia Valley, Jigawa State, Nigeria

A study was carried out to determine prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis among two villages located along Hadejia valley in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 125 urine sample from people residing in each of the two villages (Yamidi and Shawara), were screened for the presence or absence of S. haematobium eggs. Urine sample were screened using Concentration Sedimentation Technique. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection in Yamidi was 76.8% with mean Eggs per cubic Centiliter (EPC) of 2.9, and in Shawara the overall prevalence was 77.6% with mean EPC of 3.4. Males were found to be more infected than female in both the two villages. People aged 1 to 5 years have highest prevalence of the infection in both the two villages than people among older age group. People with haematuria have highest prevalence of 95.1% and mean EPC of 6.0 than people without haematuria that have lower prevalence of 72.0% and mean EPC of 3.4.There was no significant relationship (p &gt; 0.05) between the infection and presence or absence of haematuria. This study has established that urinary schistosomiasis is endemic in the study area.Keywords: Hadejia, Haematuria, Infection, Jigawa, Nigeria, Schistosomiasi