A secure authentication scheme for bluetooth connection

Recently, Bluetooth technology is widely used by organizations and individuals to provide wireless personal area network (WPAN) because the radio frequency (RF) waves can easily penetrate obstacles and can propagate without direct line-of-sight (LoS)

Evaluation of HIV Non-occupational Post-exposure Prophylaxis Utilisation in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria

Background The Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 70% of the global burden of HIV infections. Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis, when initiated within 72 hours of HIV exposure for 28 days, can prevent seroconversion in 80% of HIV exposures. Objectives To evaluate the characteristics, prevalence and outcome of non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis utilization in a tertiary hospital. Method This was a retrospective study that involved the medical records of 143 patients who sought HIV non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis between 1st June 2011 and 31st May 2021. A questionnaire was used to collect information about the socio-demographic data, profiles of both the source and exposed persons, antiretroviral completion rate and outcome at follow-up. Results Females accounted for 125 (87.4%). Sexual assaults were the main reasons for seeking non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis in 119 (83.2%). High-risk exposures were observed in 134 (93.7%). HIV status of the sources was unknown in 126 (88.1%). 123 (86.0%) initiated antiretroviral within 72 hours of exposure and antiretroviral completion rate was 70.6%. Only 28 (19.6%) reported for follow-up scheduled HIV screening and were all negative. Conclusion Early initiation of postexposure prophylaxis, improvement in baseline HIV testing of the source, and follow-up HIV screening, will significantly improve services and outcomes. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(3):264-27

Enhancement of bluetooth security authentication using hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) algorithm

Recently, Bluetooth technology is widely used by organizations and individuals to provide wireless personal area network (WPAN). This is because the radio frequency (RF) waves can easily penetrate obstacles and can propagate without direct line-of-sight (LoS). These two characteristics have led to replace wired communication by wireless systems. However, there are serious security challenges associated with wireless communication systems because they are easier to eavesdrop, disrupt and jam than the wired systems. Bluetooth technology started with a form of pairing called legacy pairing prior to any communication. However, due to the serious security issues found in the legacy pairing, a secure and simple pairing called SPP was announced with Bluetooth 2.1 and later since 2007. SPP has solved the main security issue which is the weaknesses of the PIN code in the legacy pairing, however it has been found with some vulnerabilities such as eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Since the discovery of these vulnerabilities, some enhancements have been proposed to the Bluetooth Specification Interest Group (SIG) which is the regulatory body of Bluetooth technology; nevertheless, some proposed enhancements are ineffective or are not yet implemented by Manufacturers. Therefore, an improvement of the security authentication in Bluetooth connection is highly required to overcome the existing drawbacks. This proposed protocol uses Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC) algorithm with Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256). The implementation of this proposal is based on the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) as software and a Bluetooth (BT) Shield connected to an Arduino Uno R3 boards as hardware. The result was verified on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) built in Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 with C sharp as default environment. It has shown that the proposed scheme works perfectly with the used hardware and software. In addition, the protocol thwarts the passive and active eavesdropping attacks which exist during SSP. These attacks are defeated by avoiding the exchange of passwords and public keys in plain text between the Master and the Slave. Therefore, this protocol is expected to be implemented by the SIG to enhance the security in Bluetooth connection

Mother Tongue and Learning Environment as Students’ Predictors of Academic Achievement in Reading Comprehension

The study examined mother tongue and learning environment as students’ predictors of academic achievement in reading comprehension. This study adopted an ex-post facto design. The population consists of all senior secondary school students in Ijebu-North and Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in selecting the sample. Four (4) senior secondary schools were randomly selected from each of the Local Government Area, making a total number of eight (8) senior secondary schools. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 50 students from each of the selected senior secondary schools, 25 students each represent the gender totaling 400 students selected for this study. The instruments used for this study were two instruments, a questionnaire and an achievement test on reading comprehension. Kurder-Richardson 21 formula was used to obtain the inter-item reliability coefficient of 0.72 and items on achievement test on reading comprehension was extracted from a past questions of Ogun state unified examinations on English Language. The data analysis involved multiple regressions Analysis. The results were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the findings, it was deduced that there is no significant composite influence of mother tongue and learning environment on students’ achievement in English Language. There is no significant relative influence of mother tongue on students’ achievement in reading comprehension. Part of the recommendations made was that teachers should be encouraged in using mother tongues in teaching. Teachers should cultivate a positive perception towards the use of English in school

Occurrence of Orthetrum abbotti Calvert (1892) (Odonata, Libellulidae) and intraguild predation on Clarias gareipinus Burchell, 1822 (Suliformes, Clariidae) and Oreochromis niloticus L., 1758 (Perciformes, Cichlidae) fry in Lagos fish farms

Intraguild predation occurs when species competing for the same resource prey upon or parasitize one another. This may result in economic losses under commercial circumstances. A survey of the insect species of fish farms in Badagry and Ojo Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria was carried out followed by an evaluation of the predatory ability of Orthetrum abbotti nymphs on fish fry. Nymph predation was evaluated in the laboratory against fry of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus. Samples of insects were randomly collected from 10 earthen ponds, 10 concrete ponds and the vegetation surrounding the ponds and identified over a period of 12 weeks from three study fish farms. Six species of insects belonging to four orders namely Notonecta unifasciata, Gerris remigis, O. abbotti, Aedes aegypti, Dysticus marginalis and Acentria ephemerella syn. niveus were collected from the ponds. Studies on feeding preference of 5th nymphal instar of O. abbotti on fry of C. gariepinus and O.  niloticus over other food types revealed  that the dragonfly preferred to feed more on C. gariepinus fry than on O. niloticus although there was no significant difference in the number of O. niloticus and C. gariepinus fry preyed upon by O. abbotti nymphs

Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Management

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an itchy chronic relapsing inflammatory skin condition mostly affecting children than adults. Eczematous conditions are common worldwide with increase in the prevalence in both developed and developing countries. AD in adults is of two types – the first type starts as AD in childhood and gradually progresses to adulthood (Persistent AD) and the second type results from AD developing in adulthood (Adult-onset AD). The article reviews and discusses this condition in adults considering the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and management of this condition

A Retrospective Review of Chronic Non-Communicable Dermatoses Among Older Adults at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Southwestern Nigeria

Introduction: Aging is a ubiquitous human trait that predisposes older persons to chronic diseases. Compared with systemic non-communicable diseases, a significant gap exists in literature on the burden of non-communicable dermatoses (NCDs) amongst older adults, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the epidemiology and clinical pattern of non-communicable skin diseases among older adults in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of ambulant adults aged ≥60 years referred for dermatological care at a teaching hospital in Southwestern Nigeria between February 2017 and February 2022. The frequency and pattern of NCDS were recorded for descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS 20 statistics software.  The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Result : A total of 553 medical records were reviewed with a female: male ratio of 1.3:1 The mean age of the study population was 68.85 ±7.87. Six out of every 10 patients (60.6%) had at least one chronic NCD. The incidence of chronic NCDs declined with increasing age. Chronic eczemas (22.4%), pigmentary dermatoses (9.4%), and skin tumors (8.7%) were the most frequent chronic non-communicable dermatoses recorded. Older males had a significantly higher incidence of chronic eczemas while chronic urticarias and skin tumors demonstrated significant female preponderance. Conclusion: There is a high burden of Chronic NCDs with significant gender disparities among older adults with skin problems in Nigeria. Pre-emptive planning and resource allocation towards specialist geriatric-dermatology services are needed to address the skin-health needs of the growing geriatric population

Evaluation of Current Knowledge, Awareness and Practice of Spirometry among Hospital -based Nigerian Doctors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spirometry is a cost-effective diagnostic tool for evaluation of lung function and for case-finding in a resource-limited setting. The acceptance of this test depends on the awareness of its indications and the ability to interpret the results. No studies have assessed the knowledge of spirometry among Nigerian doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current knowledge, awareness and practice of spirometry among hospital-based Nigerian doctors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out a cross-sectional survey among 321 doctors working in Nigerian hospitals between March 2008 and June 2008. Information on knowledge, awareness, practice of and barriers to spirometry were obtained using a pre-tested, self-administered structured questionnaire and the data were then analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 321 doctors that participated, 108 (33.6%) reported that they have good knowledge of spirometry. One hundred and ninety-five (60.7%) were aware of the importance of spirometry in aiding the diagnosis of respiratory diseases; 213(66.4%) were aware of the importance of spirometry in determining the severity of diseases. Medical school was the most common source of knowledge on spirometry (64.5%). Eighty-one (25.2%) doctors reported having a spirometer in their hospitals. Doctors having access to a spirometer used it more frequently for aiding the diagnosis of COPD (40.7% vs.27.5%) and for monitoring of asthma (18.5% vs.11.3%) than those without access to a spirometer. The doctors working in University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMC) (22.4% vs. 4.5%) and those having access to a spirometer (40.7 vs.11.3%) were very confident of interpreting spirometry results compared to those working in District and General Hospitals and without access to a spirometer. Irrespective of access to a spirometer or the type of hospital they were employed in, doctors reported that unavailability of a spirometer was the greatest barrier to its use (62.5%) followed by lack of awareness about its usefulness (17.2%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The knowledge and practice of spirometry were poor among hospital-based Nigerian doctors because of unavailability of spirometers in most hospitals. These findings have implications for further evaluation, planning and management of patient care in respiratory disease. Spirometers should be made available in all hospitals, and the knowledge of spirometry should be improved among doctors.</p

Fixed drug eruption induced by Fixed drug eruption induced by Moringa oleifera Moringa oleifera leaf leaf extracts - A case report extracts - A case report

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a commonly encounter cutaneous drug reaction at the dermatology clinics. The diagnosis is made when a characteristic lesion occurred repeatedly at the same site following re-exposure to the precipitating agent. We are presenting Moringa oleifera as a cause of FDE in a 55 year old man making the plant part of the growing list of implicating agents causing FDE. The mechanism by which it causes the lesion may not be completely understood but may probably be due to high sulphur content in the leaf extracts. The sulphur may serve as hapten and activate CD 8+ effector/memory T- cell leading to generation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma which causes tissue damage