The Menace of Boko Haram in Hospitality Patronage in Nigeria And its Effect on Health and Healthcare.

It has been observed that most hospitality industry is not having up to 40% occupancy in their business. This has prompted the research topic: The Effect of “Boko Haram” on the Development of Tourism Industry (A Case Study of Jos Metropolitan Council of Plateau State, Nigeria). A total of 140 copies of questionnaire were distributed and only 130 were returned. Simple percentage was use in the analysis of the data. It was concluded that there are negative effects on the hotel patronage because of insecurity. Tourists that were able to still make it were not able to access healthcare in the immediate vicinity. We then recommended that the state government in collaboration with the owners of hospitality industries should ensure proper security training for the security personnel. All effort should be made to cater for the health of the displaced people. Keywords: Tourism, Boko Haram, Insecurity, Hospitality Industr

An Evaluation of Biochemical Composition of Beef, Mutton and Fish Seasoned With Iyere (Allium Sativum) Uziza (Piper Guineense), Eru (Xylopia Aethiopicum) and Ariwo (Manodoro Myristica)

The study evaluated the biochemical and antinutrient composition of beef, mutton and fish seasoned with Iyere (allium sativum),  Uziza (piper guineese), Eru (xylopia aethiopicum) and Ariwo (manodoro myristica). The samples were classified as follows: Sample A=Beef with Iyere Uziza, Eru, Ariwo; Sample B =Mutton with Iyere, Uziza, Eru, and Ariwo and Sample C= Fish with Iyere, Uziza, Eru and Airiwo. After subjecting the samples to chemical analysis, it was later analyzed statistically with samples T-test. The results obtained from the comparative analysis of chemical and antinutrients composition of spiced and unspiced samples (beef, mutton and fish) showed that out of chemical and antinutrients composition of the spiced and unspiced samples, mutton seemed to be the most resistant to spice effect. This might not be unconnected to the high fat content of mutton that does not absorb liquid content easily. Spicing of mutton therefore requires special adjustment to get the desired effect. Besides, the analysis of the antinutrient composition of the spiced beef, mutton and fish revealed the side effect of application of spices on the samples (i.e. beef, mutton and fish). Across all the antinutrient components (i.e. Phytate, Oxalate and Tannin), there was positive mean difference which indicates that the antinutrient composition of the spiced beef, mutton and fish is higher than that of the unspiced samples. Keywords: Indigenous spices, beef, mutton, fish, biochemical & antinutrient composition

The effect of Moderate Beer consumption on Plasma Homocysteine and Cholesterol Level

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is implicated in various disease states and conditions including cardiovascular diseases. Various studies have shown that moderate beer consumption helps to lower the level of plasma homocysteine which is beneficial to human health. The aim of this study is therefore the determination of the effect of beer on plasma Homocysteine level in healthy adults in Ekpoma, Nigeria. 40 Healthy fasting adult males and females were screened and randomized into two groups; control (water) and beer (1bottle). They had venepuncture while supine and without tourniquet. Homocysteine, tHcy, assay was done using ELISA with tHcy binding protein as the capturing enzyme.  Excluded from the study were subjects with impaired renal and hepatic function. Hypertensives and diabetics were also ruled out.  The mean level of tHcy in males and females were 8.4 ± 0.8µmol/L and 7.1 ± 0.5µmol/L respectively and these reduced markedly after two weeks of moderate beer consumption.  The cholesterol level before and after two weeks of beer in males and females are as follows; 4.5 v 3.9, 4.1 v 3.6 mmol/L. It remained unchanged in the control group. Moderate consumption of beer lowers tHcy. Keywords: Homocysteine, plasma, proteins, Beer, cholesterol, Nigeri

An Assessment of the Knowledge of Clinical Researchers In Nigeria About the Responsible Conduct of Clinical Research.

An assessment of the knowledge of clinical researchers in Nigeria about the responsible conduct of clinical research has become important because of the growing need of same. This study assessed the knowledge of clinical researchers in Nigeria about responsible conduct of research. This has become necessary because of the difficulty faced in finding a local, well-trained work force to conduct clinical trials in the developing world. This study surveyed clinical researchers in Nigeria to determine their level of clinical knowledge within a specific arena of Good Clinical Practice (GCP): the responsible conduct of research.   This is a pilot study and the sample size was 50. Subjects were medical researchers trained in Nigeria and currently involved in clinical research. These were drawn from academia, research institutes, teaching hospitals, regional and state hospitals and specialist treatment centers all over the country.  After getting the Institutional Review Board [IRB] approval from Northwestern University, Chicago, an introductory email with a link to the 5 minute survey on surveyMonkey was sent to clinical researchers in Nigeria. Two subsequent reminders were sent one week apart. There were 14(61%) males and 9(39%) females. Subject ages ranged between 30 and 69 years with the majority between 40 and 49 (43%) years. Most respondents (78%) graduated from medical schools more than 20 years ago. The respondents attended medical schools all over Nigeria; South West (39%), South South (22%), North Central (26%) and South East (13%). Almost all of the respondents, 21 (91%), volunteered that they have completed a formal training in responsible conduct of research. Locations of RCR training included medical school, postgraduate residency training and teaching hospital. Clinical researchers in Nigeria have some knowledge of RCR but more needs to be done in the area of training. There is a great need for the incorporation of training modules in RCR in the curriculum of students at undergraduate and graduate levels in Nigeria. A follow up study is recommended to more precisely determine the level of knowledge of clinical researchers in Nigeria about Responsible Conduct of Research. Keywords: responsible conduct of research (RCR) , GCP, Nigeria, clinical Research

Is Gestational Third Trimester Testosterone Level a Good Predictor of the Fetal Sex?

Desire to know fetal gender is wide spread and cut across many cultures and religious believes. Current methods of determining this include the ultrasound scanning and karryotyping among others. This study set out to determine if gestational third trimester testosterone level is a good predictor of fetal gender. A four month longitudinal study was carried out. All pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic up to the third trimester of pregnancy had 5ml of intravenous blood taken from either ante cubital fossa between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. These were checked again to ascertain the gender of the baby after delivery. The third trimester testosterone levels in pregnancies with male and female fetuses are 2.6 ± 1.6 vs 2.5 ±1.6 nmol/L. There is no significant difference between the third trimester testosterone levels in pregnancies with male and female fetuses p = 0.05. Thus, the gestational third trimester is not a good predictor of fetal sex. Other tests should be used to determine the fetal sex/gender at this gestational age. Keywords: fetal sex, testosterone, pregnancy

Effect of forced migration on electrolyte profile of refugees

Forced migration, whether internally or outside the national borders do come with problems and challenges. These challenges are common irrespective of migratory status (Refugee or Internally displaced persons).Some of the challenges are those of electrolytes imbalance and literature contains limited materials in this important group of people. Therefore, this paper assessed some electrolytes (sodium and potassium) level among refugees at Oru refugee camp, Nigeria. Subjects were adult (18-55yrs) males and females, 100 in two groups: local residents and refugees that just moved into camp within last 6months. Venous blood was collected from each volunteer, centrifuged and stored at -200C until analysis at the chemical pathology departmental laboratory of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Mean values of Sodium and Potassium in refugees and residents are respectively; 136±2.4, 3.9±0.3 mmol/L, Vs 137±2.6, 3.7±0.2 mmol/L. There is no significant difference in electrolyte levels of both groups. This may be because the refugee population is settled. The electrolyte levels should be checked routinely in migrating populations and as soon as they are settled in a camp. Keywords: Electrolytes, Sodium, Potassium, IDPs, Refugee

Monitoring Diabetes Mellitus with HBA1C: The Abakaliki, Nigeria Experience

Glycated hemoglobin (HBA1C) is a known and reliable method of having a window retrospectively of how glycemic control has been in the recent past (6-8weeks). This test is not routinely done in many parts of Nigeria. There are many diabetics patients being managed and there is every need to look into the effectiveness of the management hence the need for this study. The study involved patients attending the diabetic clinic at the Stae teaching hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria in 2009. The mean level of HBA1C for males and females were within the set limits by the American Diabetic Association(ADA) for diabetics under control. The mean value for the control population is also within the normal limits with those of females being closer to the upper limit for normal. There is need for routine check of HBA1C to assure the quality of diabetic control and prevent the dreaded complications of diabetes mellitus