Hydro-Chemical Studies and Assessment of Trace Elements and Bacterial Contamination of Shallow Groundwater of Oyo Area, Southwestern Nigeria

Groundwater from shallow hand-dug wells is the only reliable source of water supply in the ancient town of Oyo in the southwestern region of Nigeria. The present work studied the water quality in twenty-five wells across this area by measuring the ancillary parameters, and analyzing the major and trace elements and taking the inventory of the wells as well as assessing the total coliform and Escherichia coliform in sampled water. The field measurement showed that the groundwater is slightly acidic with an average pH of 6.6 and fresh from the total dissolved solids values between 70 and 630 mg/L. From the average concentrations of major ions, the dominance order of the cations constituents in groundwater is in the order- Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Na+ and HCO- > CI- > NO3- > SO42- for anions. The ranges of trace elements concentrations were; Iron II- 0.01 – 0.06; Chromium VI: 0 - 0.34; manganese 0 – 1.2 in mg/L, while Copper was between 0.38 – 32.7; Cadmium 0.03 – 1.87; lead 0.02 – 3.57; Zinc 0.01 – 7.79; and Arsenic 0.05 – 7.35 in µg/L. The total coliform count ranges from 6 – 1860 cfu/100 mL while Escherichia coliform (E. coli) units was between 2  and 1640 cfu/100 mL with frequency occurrence from nil in three wells representing 12% of the wells, 1 – 50 units (28%), 51 – 100 (20%), 101 – 500 (20%) and > 500 units (20%). The groundwater is grossly contaminated with nitrate and coliform bacteria while four wells were found to be contaminated with manganese and chromium. It is mandatory that the water be treated for metal and bacterial contaminations prior to consumption and public enlightenment on drinking water guidelines be in place. Keywords: Groundwater. Major ions. Trace elements. Coliform Bacteria. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-3-02 Publication date: April 30th 2023

Profiling cervical ripening for induction of labour with Foley’s balloon catheter in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The ripeness of the cervix is an important prerequisite to a successful labour induction. Use of extra-amniotic Foley catheter is a mechanical method of cervical ripening with proven efficacy. This study compared the difference in efficacy between 30 ml and 60 ml of water for inflation of Foley catheter balloon when used for cervical ripening during induction of labour.Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled study where 260 term pregnant women with intact membranes and unfavourable cervix were selected for induction of labour and randomized into two equal groups (30 ml- and 60 ml- groups) from October, 2019 to July 2020. Each participant had cervical ripening with the catheter bulb inflated with either 30 ml or 60 ml of sterile water (as assigned to the individual). After achieving favourable cervix (BS ≥6), oxytocin titration was commenced and the labour monitored with the outcomes well documented and statistically analysed.Results: Mean duration to favourable Bishop Score significantly reduced in the 60 ml group (10.8 hours±2.99) as against 12.7 hours±10.0 in 30ml group (p=0.038). Mean duration of active phase of labour was significantly reduced in 60 ml group (5.6 hours±2.4) as against 8.4 hours±3.2 in 30 ml group (p=0.010). Caesarean delivery rate was significantly reduced in the 60 ml groups (p=0.027).Conclusions: The use of 60 ml inflated Foley’s balloon catheter when compared with 30mls to ripen the cervix effectively reduced the duration to favourable Bishop Score, duration of the active phase of labour and the rate of Caesarean sections.

Short-term outcomes after hospital discharge in patients admitted with heart failure in Abeokuta, Nigeria : Data from the Abeokuta Heart Failure Registry

BACKGROUND: Compared to other regions of the world, there is a paucity of data on the short-term outcome of acute heart failure (AHF) in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. We examined the six-month outcomes (including case fatalities) in 285 of 309 AHF subjects admitted with HF to a tertiary hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria. METHODS: The study cohort of 285 subjects comprised 150 men (52.6%) and 135 women (47.4%) with a mean age of 56.3 ± 15.6 years and the majority in NYHA class III (75%). RESULTS: There were a number of differences according to the subject’s gender; men being older and more likely to present with hypertensive heart disease (with greater left ventricular mass) while also having greater systolic dysfunction. Mean length of stay was 10.5 ± 5.9 days. Mean follow up was 205 days, with 23 deaths and 20 lost to follow up. At 30 days, 4.2% (95% CI: 2.4–7.3%) had died and by 180 days this had increased to 7.5% (95% CI: 4.7–11.2%); with those subjects with pericardial disease demonstrating the highest initial mortality rate. Over the same period, 13.9% of the cohort was re-admitted at least once. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of this AHF cohort in Nigeria were different from those reported in high-income countries. Cases were relatively younger and presented with non-ischaemic aetiological risk factors for HF, especially hypertensive heart disease. Moreover, mortality and re-admission rates were relatively lower, suggesting region-specific strategies are required to improve health outcomes

Contemporary profile of acute heart failure in Southern Nigeria : Data from the Abeokuta Heart Failure Clinical Registry

Abstract not availableOkechukwu S. Ogah, Simon Stewart, Ayodele O. Falase, Joshua O. Akinyemi, Gail D. Adegbite, Albert A. Alabi, Akinlolu A. Ajan, Julius O. Adesina, Amina Durodola, Karen Sliw

Short-term outcomes after hospital discharge in patients admitted with heart failure in Abeokuta, Nigeria : data from the Abeokuta Heart Failure Registry : cardiovascular topic

BACKGROUND: Compared to other regions of the world, there is a paucity of data on the short-term outcome of acute heart failure (AHF) in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. We examined the six-month outcomes (including case fatalities) in 285 of 309 AHF subjects admitted with HF to a tertiary hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria. METHODS: The study cohort of 285 subjects comprised 150 men (52.6%) and 135 women (47.4%) with a mean age of 56.3 ± 15.6 years and the majority in NYHA class III (75%). RESULTS: There were a number of differences according to the subject’s gender; men being older and more likely to present with hypertensive heart disease (with greater left ventricular mass) while also having greater systolic dysfunction. Mean length of stay was 10.5 ± 5.9 days. Mean follow up was 205 days, with 23 deaths and 20 lost to follow up. At 30 days, 4.2% (95% CI: 2.4–7.3%) had died and by 180 days this had increased to 7.5% (95% CI: 4.7–11.2%); with those subjects with pericardial disease demonstrating the highest initial mortality rate. Over the same period, 13.9% of the cohort was re-admitted at least once. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of this AHF cohort in Nigeria were different from those reported in high-income countries. Cases were relatively younger and presented with non-ischaemic aetiological risk factors for HF, especially hypertensive heart disease. Moreover, mortality and re-admission rates were relatively lower, suggesting region-specific strategies are required to improve health outcomes

ANTIMICROBIAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES OF RICINODENDRON HEUDELOTII (BAILL.)

 Objective: This work assessed the antimicrobial activity and toxicological consequence of the ethanolic extract of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill).Methods: The antimicrobial potential of the leaf extract was investigated against 9 different microorganisms using the agar well diffusion method while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was ascertained. Toxicity evaluations were carried out on five groups of seven albino rats each for 28 days. Rats in Group A received normal saline, while those in Groups B, C, D, and E received 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of the extract. After treatment, they were anesthetized, blood samples collected for biochemical assays; organs isolated, weighed, and processed for histopathological studies.Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of glycosides, tannins, polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids while saponin was absent. Antimicrobial effect was observed against 7 of the 9 microorganisms tested with inhibition zone and MIC ranging from 18 to 36 mm and 31.25 to 62.5 mg/mL, respectively. Liver function tests were significantly (p<0.05) increased, whereas no significant change in total protein and creatinine levels was observed. Histology showed a sinusoidal congestion and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in groups administered higher doses, and a dose-dependent reduction was observed in some hematological parameters.Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that the R. heudelotii may not induce significant toxic effect below 3600 mg/kg b.w. and could serve as an effective antibiotic