Some Aspects of the Growth Parameters of the Fishes of Ibrahim Adamu Lake, Kazaure Jigawa State, Nigeria

The growth parameters and age for the fish species from the lake (O. niloticus, S. galilaeus and B. bayad) were computed through interpretation of marks found on their Opercula bones which were then fitted into Vonbertallanfy growth model. Their asymptotic length (L∞) ranged from 175mm – 520nm. The growth performance index Ф’ ranged from 3.6622 – 4.9420 and K value from 0.10 – 0.35. O. niloticus L∞, K and Ф’ values ranged from 175mm- 192.5mm, 0.15 – 0.25, 3.6622 – 3.9668 and were found to live up to 7+ years in the lake. The values of S. galilaeus ranged from 200mm – 240mm, 0.12 – 0.17 and 3.8211 – 3.8222 and living up to 5+ while B. bayad had a range of 500mm – 520mm, 0.10 – 0.35, 4.4320 – 4.9420 and lives up to 6+ in the lake. All the growth parameters for the fish species were fitted into the Vonbertallanfy growth model.Lt=L∞ (i-e – k (t-to

Economic burden of diabetes mellitus in the WHO African region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2000, the prevalence of diabetes among the 46 countries of the WHO African Region was estimated at 7.02 million people. Evidence from North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean indicates that diabetes exerts a heavy health and economic burden on society. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of such evidence in the WHO African Region. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic burden associated with diabetes mellitus in the countries in the African Region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Drawing information from various secondary sources, this study used standard cost-of-illness methods to estimate: (a) the direct costs, i.e. those borne by the health systems and the families in directly addressing the problem; and (b) the indirect costs, i.e. the losses in productivity attributable to premature mortality, permanent disability and temporary disability caused by the disease. Prevalence estimates of diabetes for the year 2000 were used to calculate direct and indirect costs of diabetes mellitus. A discount rate of 3% was used to convert future earnings lost into their present values. The economic burden analysis was done for three groups of countries, i.e. 6 countries whose gross national income (GNI) per capita was greater than 8000 international dollars (i.e. in purchasing power parity), 6 countries with Int$2000–7999 and 33 countries with less than Int$2000. GNI for Zimbabwe was missing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 7.02 million cases of diabetes recorded by countries of the African Region in 2000 resulted in a total economic loss of Int$25.51 billion (PPP). Approximately 43.65$11,431.6, Int$4,770.6 and Int$ 2,144.3 per diabetes case per year in the three groups respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In spite of data limitations, the estimates reported here show that diabetes imposes a substantial economic burden on countries of the WHO African Region. That heavy burden underscores the urgent need for increased investments in the prevention and management of diabetes.</p

Effect of stocking density of fish on water quality and growth performance of European Carp and leafy vegetables in a low-tech aquaponic system

Aquaponics (AP) is a semi-closed system of food production that combines aquaculture and hydroponics and represents a new agricultural system integrating producers and consumers. The aim of this study was to test the effect of stocking densities (APL, 2.5 kg m-3; APH, 4.6 kg m-3) on water quality, growth performance of the European Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), and yield of leafy vegetables (catalogna, lettuce, and Swiss Chard) in a low-technology AP pilot system compared to a hydroponic cultivation. The AP daily consumption of water due to evapotranspiration was not different among treatments with an average value of 8.2 L d-1, equal to 1.37% of the total water content of the system. Dissolved oxygen was significantly (p < 0.05) different among treatments with the lowest median value recorded with the highest stocking density of fish (5.6 mg L-1) and the highest median value in the hydroponic control (8.7 mg L-1). Marketable yield of the vegetables was significantly different among treatments with the highest production in the hydroponic control for catalogna (1.2 kg m-2) and in the APL treatment for Swiss Chard (5.3 kg m-2). The yield of lettuce did not differ significantly between hydroponic control and APL system (4.0 kg m-2 on average). The lowest production of vegetables was obtained in the APH system. The final weight (515 g vs. 413 g for APL and APH, respectively), specific growth rate (0.79% d-1 vs. 0.68% d-1), and feed conversion (1.55 vs. 1.86) of European Carp decreased when stocking density increased, whereas total yield of biomass was higher in the APH system (4.45 kg m-3 vs. 6.88 kg m-3). A low mortality (3% on average) was observed in both AP treatments. Overall, the results showed that a low initial stocking density at 2.5 kg m-3 improved the production of European Carp and of leafy vegetables by maintaining a better water quality in the tested AP system

Africa's health: could the private sector accelerate the progress towards health MDGs?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Out of 1.484 billion disability-adjusted life years lost globally in 2008, 369.1 million (25%) were lost in the WHO African Region. Despite the heavy disease burden, the majority of countries in the Region are not on track to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 (reducing child mortality), 5 (improving maternal health), and 6 (combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). This article provides an overview of the state of public health, summarizes 2010-2015 WHO priorities, and explores the role that private sector could play to accelerate efforts towards health MDGs in the African Region.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Of the 752 total resolutions adopted by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC) between years 1951 and 2010, 45 mention the role of the private sector. We argue that despite the rather limited role implied in RC resolutions, the private sector has a pivotal role in supporting the achievement of health MDGs, and articulating efforts with 2010-2015 priorities for WHO in the African Region: provision of normative and policy guidance as well as strengthening partnerships and harmonization; supporting the strengthening of health systems based on the Primary Health Care approach; putting the health of mothers and children first; accelerating actions on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; intensifying the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases; and accelerating response to the determinants of health.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The very high maternal and children mortality, very high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, health systems challenges, and inter-sectoral issues related to key determinants of health are too heavy for the public sector to address alone. Therefore, there is clear need for the private sector, given its breadth, scope and size, to play a more significant role in supporting governments, communities and partners to develop and implement national health policies and strategic plans; strengthen health systems capacities; and implement roadmaps for accelerating the attainment of health MDGs relating to maternal and child health, reducing disease burden, and promoting social determinants of health.</p> <p>In order for governments to further explore the potential benefits of the private sector towards improved performance of health systems, there is need for accurate evidence on the private sector capacity in areas of prevention, promotion, treatment and rehabilitation; dialogue and negotiation; clear definition of roles and responsibilities; and regulatory frameworks.</p

Cost of mental and behavioural disorders in Kenya

BACKGROUND: The health and economic impact of mental and behavioural disorders (MBD) is wide-ranging, long-lasting and large. Unfortunately, unlike in developed countries where studies on the economic burden of MBD exist, there is a dearth of such studies in the African Region of the World Health Organization. Yet, a great need for such information exists for use in sensitizing policy-makers in governments and civil society about the magnitude and complexity of the economic burden of MBD. The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: From the societal perspective (specifically the families and the Ministry of Health), what is the total cost of MBD patients admitted to various public hospitals in Kenya? METHODS: Drawing information from various secondary sources, this study used standard cost-of-illness methods to estimate: (a) the direct costs, i.e. those borne by the health care system and the family in directly addressing the problem of MBD; and (b) the indirect costs, i.e. loss of productivity caused by MBD, which is borne by the individual, the family or the employer. The study was based on Kenyan public hospitals, either dedicated to care of MBD patients or with a MBD ward. RESULTS: The study revealed that: (i) in the financial year 1998/99, the Kenyan economy lost approximately US$13,350,840 due to institutionalized MBD patients; (ii) the total economic cost of MBD per admission was US$2,351; (iii) the unit cost of operating and organizing psychiatric services per admission was US$1,848; (iv) the out-of-pocket expenses borne by patients and their families per admission was US$51; and (v) the productivity loss per admission was US$453. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for research in all African countries to determine: national-level epidemiological burden of MBD, measured in terms of the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and, probably, the disability-adjusted life-years lost; and the economic burden of MBD, broken down by different productive and social sectors and occupations of patients and relatives

Levels of some trace metals and their potential health risks in water from Kwadon boreholes, Gombe State, Nigeria

No AbstractKeywords: Chronic Daily Intake, Hazard Quotient, Health risk, Total Hazard Inde

Effects of different heat processing methods on the antinutritional factors (ANFS) level ofP. reticulatum seed meal

The antinutritional factors (ANFs) in raw and differently heat processed P. reticulatum seed meal were evaluated. The seed was processed as raw seed (T1), 30 minutes boiled (T2), 60 minutes boiled (T3), traditionally boiled (T4), 40 minutes toasted (T5), 80 minutes toasted (T6), 120 minutes toasted (T7) and traditionally roasted seed (T8). The seed meal was evaluated for saponin, tannin, cyanide, oxalate, phytate and phenols. The result showed that heat processing significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected the ANFs in the seed meal. Highest value of saponin (0.07mg/100g) was recorded in T1, while zero level of saponin was recorded in T4. The highest value (0.26mg/100g) of tannin was recorded in T1, while T4 recorded the least value (0.05mg/100g). Cyanide highest value of (0.17mg/100g) was observed in T1, while T4 recorded the least value (0.02mg/100g). The highest oxalate level was observed in T1 (0.04mg/100g) and zero level was recorded in T3, T4 and T8. Phytate highest level (0.14mg/100g) was recorded in T1, and zero level of phytate was recorded in T4. The highest phenol level was observed in T1 (0.06mg/100g) while zero level of phenol was recorded in T4. T4 is the most effective processing method that reduced all the ANFs with 100% reduction in saponin, oxalate, phytate and phenols. The processing methods used reduced the seed ANFs and therefore, indicated the possible utilization of the seed in animal feed formulation (fish inclusive).Keywords: Antinutritional factors, heat, P. reticulatum, processing, seed

Impact of Urban Growth on Green Space in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State (1975 – 2015)

A green area in a city is an open space that is deliberately left untouched permanently. The trees, grasses and shrubs in a green area have special attributes associated with a planned city that nurture healthy living condition for the inhabitants of the city on a sustainable basis. The paper assessed the impact of urban growth on the green areas of Maiduguri city. Data was generated from the city plan and satellite images of 1975, 1986, 1999 and 2015 to determine the changing pattern of land use in the green areas. The study was conducted within an area of a 10 km radius that effectively housed the green areas of Maiduguri in 1975. The total area under study was 31,428 hectares comprising 3245 ha of green areas and 28,183 of other land use. In 1986 the green areas have reduced to 1889 hectares with a corresponding increase in other land use to 29,539 ha. The green area in 1999 has further reduced to 1114 ha with an increase of other land uses to 30,314 ha. The result indicated that the green area of 3,245 hectares in 1975 has virtually disappeared by 2015. At the same time, satellite images of the city suggest a progressive increase in other land uses (residential, institutional,commercial/industrial and transportation). The results indicated a tremendous decline in the green areas of the city. This can be attributed to a lack of adherence to planning rules and regulation and the growing need for housing and other infrastructural facilities in the city. The paper recommends the need for land-use land cover monitoring to restore the green areas in the city, pragmatic physical planning intervention by the government, an all-inclusive approach to green area management involving NGOs, individuals, traditional rulers and advocacy to regain the cities green areas among others. Keywords: Green Space, land use, Urban Growt