Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency Across Trimesters of Pregnancy in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

To determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency across trimesters of pregnancy. A cross-sectional study involving 160 women (40 in each trimester of pregnancy making a total 120 and 40 non-pregnant controls) was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018. The subjects of the study were randomly recruited at the booking clinic. Socio-demographic characteristics, staple food and gestational age were obtained. Blood sample was collected for 1,25(OH)2 D3, total protein and albumin. The data was analyzed using the Minitab statistical software version 12.21 (Minitab Inc, Pennsylvania, USA). The Mean±SD age of the patients studied was 28.2±4.1 year and 114 (71.3%) were city dweller. There were no statistically significant differences in the parity, BMI, total protein and albumin in both the subjects and controls. On the other hand, the Mean±SD Vitamin D level was lower (23.11±4.27Miu) among the pregnant women compared to 34.78±2.96 Miu in the non-pregnant (F=17.40, P<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was 52.5% in the first trimester, increased to 55.0% in the second trimester and dropped to 22.5% in the third trimester. While, vitamin D insufficiency roused from 40.0% in the first trimester to 60.0% in the third trimester. There is high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among pregnant women in Maiduguri. There is need to provide vitamin D supplementation preconception or early in the antenatal period so that the women will achieve Vitamin D sufficiency in pregnancy and beyond

Prevalence and Nature of Sexual Assault among Female Students in a Tertiary Institution in Maiduguri, Nigeria – A Cross Sectional Study

Purpose: Sexual assault is a violent crime against both the individual and society but is largely underreported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and nature of sexual assault among female students in the University of Maiduguri. Methods: A crossectional descriptive study using a close ended, self –administered questionnaire administered to female students of a tertiary institution in Maiduguri was used to survey 400 female students in University of Maiduguri. Results: Most of the respondents were single 349 (87.3%) and in the age range of 20-24 {202 (50.5%)}. 205 (51.3%) of them reported to have been sexually assaulted. In 154 (87.2%) of the cases, the respondents had a close relationship with the assailant. The commonest location of the assault was in a party 101 (49.3%), which was followed by classroom 45 (22%). Most of the sexual assault reported (57.6%) occurred in the evenings and nights. In 35.6% of the cases, the respondents sustained extra-genital trauma, while others had psychological (24.9%) and genital trauma (15.6%). Conclusion: Sexual assault rate among female students in the University of Maiduguri is high and is associated with physical and psychological traumas.Keywords: Sexual assault, Physical trauma, Psychological trauma, Maiduguri

Emergency obstetrics care in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a 20 year review of umblical cord prolapse

Context: Umbilical cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality unless prompt delivery by the fastest and safest route is carried out. Objectives: To determine the incidence ofumbilical cord prolapse, predisposing factors, and fetal outcome. Study design, setting and subjects: A20 year retrospective study of all women who presented with umbilical cord prolapse atUniversity of MaiduguriTeachingHospital,Maiduguri.North-EasternNgeria. Results: During the study period there were 27,753 deliveries and 75 women had cord prolapse, giving the incidence of 1 in 370 deliveries (0.27%). Significantly more patients with non vertex presentation, twins and preterm delivery had cord prolapse. The highest occurrence was in those with unengaged presenting part(65.2%), spontaneous rupture of membrances(62.1%) and grandmultiparous women(57.6%). Caeserean section was carried out in 50% of cases, with mean decision-delivery interval of 77.1+- 21.7 minutes and 28/33(84.9%) of babies deliveredwithin 60minute had normalApgar scores. The Knee-chest position was most commonly used method of alleviating cord compression while arrangement for caesarean section was being made.The perinatalmortalitywas 27.3%. Conclusion: umbilical cord prolapse is a brisk obstetric emergency with high perinatalmorbidity andmortality unless prompt delivery is undertaken. Better communication and prompt response to emergency by the theatre teamto reduce the decision-delivery intervalwould improve the perinatal outcome.Keywords: Umblical cord, grandmultiparous, Apgar, asphyxia, perinatal mortality and perinatal outcom

Assessing Institutional characteristics, Factors influencing Profitability and Constraints of Millet Farming in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

The study assessed institutional characteristics, factors influencing profitability and constraints of millet farming in Wukari Local Government area of Taraba State. Multistage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 respondents for the study. Results showed that family labour (42.5%) was the major source of labour among millet farmers and the mean cost of labour was N9,615.00. About 43.3% of farmers used the mixed farming system compared to mono-cropping (31.6%) and mixed cropping (25.1%). Majority (89.2%) of the millet farmers used fertilizer (both organic and inorganic) and 63.6% used less than 50kg of fertilizer. About 34.7% used agro-chemicals in their millet farms and the average cost of agro-chemicals purchased and quantity of agro-chemicals used was N 16,706.00 and 47.8kg respectively. Using multiple regression analysis to examine factors influencing profitability of millet farming, educational level, farming experience and age had positive significant coefficients, while household size and labour cost had negative significant coefficients. Using principal component analysis, constraints of millet farming were categorized into three main components: institutional factors, cost factors and economic factors. Results show that millet farming is profitable in the study area. The study recommended policies that will boost millet production and provide solutions to challenges militating against millet farming in the country

Effects of dietary levels of enzyme (Maxigrain®) supplemented yam peel meal on performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits

A study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary levels of enzyme supplemented yam peel meal (YPM) on performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. Five diets were formulated using YPM to replace maize at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% representing diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. All the diets were supplemented with Mixagrain® enzyme at 200g except the control diet 1 (0%). Thirty weaner rabbits consisting of mixed breeds and sexes were randomly allotted to the five dietary treatments with six rabbits per treatment and replicated 3 times with 2 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design. On the 56th day of the experiment, 3 rabbits from each treatment were randomly selected for carcass and internal organs evaluation. Result of performance shows no significant differences (P>0.05) across the treatments for all the parameters measured for growth performance. Feed cost/kg (₦ /gain) reduces from ₦225.68 in diet 1 – ₦189.15 in diet 5 (100%) while cost savings increased from ₦ 0.9 in diet 1 - ₦28.33 in diet 5 (100%). Result of carcass and internal organs characteristics did not show any significant differences (P>0.05) except for small and large intestine length in diets 4 (75%) and diet 5 (100%). Based on this result therefore, enzyme supplemented YPM can be used to replace maize completely.Keywords: Enzymes, yam peel meal, performance, carcass, weaner rabbit

Preliminary Study on the Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Naphthol Green B by Dichromate Ion in Aqueous Hydrochloric Acid Medium

- The kinetics of the oxidation of naphthol green B (NGB3-) by Cr2O7 2- has been studied in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium at an ionic strength, I = 0.50 mol dm-3 (NaCl), H+ =1.0 10-4 mol dm-3 (HCl) and T = 25 1C. The redox reaction displayed a stoichiometry of 1:1 and obeys the rate law: -dNGB3-/dt = k2NGB3-]Cr2O7 2- . The second order rate constant increases with increase in acid concentration and in the ionic strength of reaction medium. The rates of reaction displayed a positive salt effect. Addition of acrylonitrile to a partially reacted mixture in the presence of excess methanol did not lead to gel formation. Added cations and anions inhibited the naphthol green B - Cr2O7 2- reaction. Results of the Michaelis – Menten plot gave no evidence of intermediate complex formation during the course of the reaction. Based on the results obtained, the reaction is believed to proceed through the outersphere mechanistic pathway

Risk factors of prelabor rupture of membranes at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri: A cross‑sectional study

Background: Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is a common obstetrics problem associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Patients and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study to determine the risk factors for PROM among women presenting to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. It was conducted between 1st May 2016 and 28th February 2017. Sociodemographic and obstetrics variables were obtained from the patients, and risk factors such as previous preterm delivery, previous PROM, miscarriages, fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, urinary tract infection, abdominal distension, trauma, and coitus were sought. For each patient, an endocervical swab, high vaginal swab, and urine samples were taken for microbacteriologic studies. The next patient without PROM is used as control. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20. A total of 258 (129 with PROM and another 129 without PROM) were analyzed.Results: The mean age, gestational age, and parity were 27 ± 6 years, 33 ± 0.3 weeks, and 1 ± 0.92, respectively. A majority of the women (55%) had parity between 1 and 4. Term PROM recorded the highest frequency [49 (37.9%)]. Previous history of PROM [odds ratio (OR) 5.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.31–11.62], history of Preterm Delivery (OR 3.26, 95% CI: 1.16– 9.19), low socioeconomic status (OR 1.95 95%, CI: 1.15–3.31), and genitourinary infection are highly predictive of PROM.Conclusion: The modifiable or treatable risk factors should be addressed during the antenatal care to reduce the risk of PROM. High-risk patients should be counseled and monitored closely to optimize pregnancy outcomes.Keywords: Maiduguri; morbidity; mortality; prelabor rupture of membranes; risk factor

Perinatal outcome in patients with pre-eclampsia at the university of maiduguri teaching hospital, Nigeria

Pre-eclampsia, a common maternal disease in pregnancy is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Objectives: To determine the perinatal outcome of patients with pre-eclampsia in our environment. Methods: A retrospective review of the perinatal outcome of patients with pre-eclampsia managed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from January 2005 to June 2007. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic and obstetrics factors that are independently associated with perinatal mortality in these patients. Results: During the study period, there were 84 cases of preeclampsia and 3,560 deliveries giving a pre-eclampsia prevalence of 2.36%. Sixty-nine cases (82.1%) were available for review. The mean booking diastolic blood pressure of the study group was 78.6±15.7 mmHg. Majority of the patients 55(79.7%) were in the age group 19-35 years and 33(47.8%) were primigravidae. In 36(52.2%) of the cases, the birth weight of the babies was <2.5 Kg and IUGR was diagnosed in 37(53.6%). There were 16 perinatal death giving a perinatal mortality rate of 262/1000 live birth. IUGR (OR=11.35, 95%CI=2.06-62.55, p=0.005) and diagnosis of PE at a gestational age <32 weeks (OR=3.39, 95%CI=1.09-10.55, p=0.04) were found to be independently associated with perinatal mortality in patients with preeclampsia. Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is associated with adverse perinatal outcome, with early onset disease and IUGR being independently associated with an increase risk of perinatal mortality

Marchés Publics et Petites et Moyennes Entreprises au Burkina Faso : Quelle Gouvernance ?

Cette étude avait pour objectif de montrer que la corruption existe dans les marchés publics de matériels et de fournitures de bureau et que sa pratique était bénéfique aux PME attributaires de marchés  publics. Pour y parvenir, nous avons estimé différents modèles à l'aide de la méthode TSPLS et celle de Heckman et utiliser des données d'enquêtes primaires de 351 PME des villes de Ouagadougou et de  Bobo-Dioulasso du Burkina Faso