Relationship Between Body Weight and Growth Traits of Crossbred Fulani Ecotype Chicken in Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria.

This study was conducted to determine the genetic relationship between body weight and growth trait of crossbred Fulani ecotype chicken at different ages. The data used in this study were obtained from hybrid of a cross between Harco Black (Cock) and Fulani ecotype chicken (Hen) raised for twelve weeks. Growth traits measured were body weight (BW), shank length (SL), wing length (WL), body length (BL), beak length (BKL), keel length (KL), neck length (NL) and body girth (BG). The correlation procedure of SAS was used to generate Pearson’s correlation coefficient between body weight and other measured traits. Genetic correlation between body weight and linear body measurement were generally positive and significant (P<0.05) at all ages. The values ranged from 0.13 - 0.99 at week 2, 0.27 - 0.98 at week 4, 0.3 - 0.98 at week 6, 0.23 - 0.98 at week 8, 0.3 - 0.98 at week 10 and 0.24 - 0.99 at week 12. Highly significant correlation coefficients were obtained between BW and BG, BW and BL, BW and WL, BW and KL, BW and BKL at all ages. In conclusion, meaningful improvements can be made through selection of pair of traits that were positive and significant.Keywords: Correlations, body weight, Body measurement, chicken

Comparative efficacy and safety of cefixime and ciprofloxacin in the management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Initial antibiotic therapy in upper and lower respiratory tract infections is usually empirical. However, the decreasing susceptibility of respiratory pathogens to antibacterials have raised concerns about the decreasing efficacy of currently available antibiotics.Objective: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of cefixime and ciprofloxacin in the empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia among adult Nigerian patients in Ibadan.Methods: This was an open-labelled, randomized, parallel-group study of seventythree (73) radiologically and bacteriologically confirmed adult cases of community-acquired pneumonia, between July 1 and September 31, 2011 at two health care facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria. All of these patients had severity index (CURB 65) scores of either 1 or 2. They were treated with either Cefixime, 400mg twice daily or Ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily for 14 days. They were evaluated four times during the course of their treatment for clinical responses, radiological and bacteriological clearances and safety of therapy.Results: There were 39 (53.4%) patients in the Cefixime group and 34(46.6%) in Ciprofloxacin group. On day 7, patients on cefixime had a statistically significant lower temperature than patients on ciprofloxacin (P<0.01). By day 14, only 10.3% of patients in cefixime group still had persistent residual radiological changes compared to 38.2% in the ciprofloxacin group (P < 0.01). Bacteria cure was obtained in 96% of the patients in the cefixime group and 83% in the ciprofloxacin group.Conclusion: Cefixime was found to be superior to ciprofloxacin in terms of efficacy in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in adults in Nigeria. However, both antibiotics were well-tolerated by all the patients as there were no reports or documentation of adverse events.Keywords: Cefixime, Efficacy, Safety, Community-acquired pneumoni

Effect of iron on pancreatic beta cell function and insulin resistance in female albino rats

Background: Increase in total body iron store has been reported in the aetiology and development of diabetes mellitus. The effect of iron supplementation in female with respect to the incidence of diabetes mellitus was investigated on the pancreatic beta cell function and insulin resistance in normal female rats. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats (150-200g) were divided into 6 groups as follows; Group 1 (control) received 0.3ml distilled water, groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 received iron (10mg/kg, 20mg/kg, 40mg/kg, 80mg/kg and 160mg/kg respectively) daily for 12days. Blood from the tail vein of each animal was assessed for blood glucose level on days 0, 3, 6 and 12 using glucometer. At 12 days post iron treatment, blood (3ml) was obtained from the retro-orbital sinus of each animal and allowed to coagulate. Serum obtained was analysed for insulin concentration using ELISA method. Histopathology of the pancreas was assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin technique. Data were expressed as Mean ± SEM and analyzed using two-way ANOVA at P<0.05. Results: Blood glucose level, insulin concentration, insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function increased significantly with increased concentration of iron. Histology of the pancreas showed fat infiltration of both acini and islets with increased iron concentration. Mild inflammation of the islets was observed at 160mg/kg. Conclusion: Administration of iron at 40mg/kg and above in female rats caused hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, inflammation and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction thus predisposing the animal to type 2 diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Iron, Hyperglycaemia, Insulin resistance, Hyperinsulinaemia, inflammation, Beta cell dysfunction

The managed hypertensive: the costs of blood pressure control in a Nigerian town

Background: The health systems designed to cater for patients with chronic illnesses like hypertension have not fully evaluated the burden oflong term therapy and its effect on patient outcome. This study assessed the financial implication and cost effectiveness of hypertension treatmentin a rural Nigerian town. Methods: A chart review of 250 rural patients with primary hypertension at a regional hospital in Southwest Nigeria wasconducted. Results: The mean age of patients was 61±11.2 years, 59.2% were females, 67% had an income < .20,000 ($133.3) monthly.Diuretics and alpha-Methyl Dopa were the most prescribed drugs. The median number of prescribed drugs was two (range1-4). Mean cost oftreatment was .1440±560 ($9.6±3.7) with 52.8% spending = 10% of their income on treatment. The most cost effective therapies were MethylDopa and Diuretics with Cost-effectiveness ratios of 8 and 12.8 respectively. Patients with co-morbidities, stage 2 hypertension and those on three or four drug regimen had significantly higher treatment costs. Conclusion: The financial burden of long term antihypertensive therapy appears substantial, cost reduction strategies are needed to optimize hypertension treatment in societies with limited resources. Hypertensive management therefore requires a response adapted to the local context.Key words: Hypertensive, management, financial, cost, time, burden, Nigeria, therapy, patients, drugs, resource

Health Literacy Amongst Tuberculosis Patient in a General Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Background: Healthy literacy has been shown to improve health care access and adherence to Tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Still it remains largely unstudied in many high risks, underserved and low literacy African populations. This study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap by assessing health literacy among patients with TB in a rural town in Northern Nigeria.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among patients who attended the TB clinic of a secondary health care facility in Babura, Jigawa State, Nigeria between Oct 2008 and March 2009. All patients who visited the TB clinic during this period were interviewed.Result: Many (71.6%) reported having been educated about TB by a health worker, mostly on predisposing factors 43.2%, general facts (31.1%) and disease process (21.6%) but less on patient's role in disease management (1.4%). Functional health literacy was high; mean score was 7.9±0.3 out of 10. Knowledge about the disease process, diagnostic requirements and treatment regimen were the highest. However 97.3% felt drugs were no longer necessary once symptoms abated. Patient involvement in treatment decisions was also suboptimal as only 52.7% reported making a joint decision about drug “pick up” options with their physicians.Conclusion: Very high functional literacy score seemed to have been achieved among these rural low literacy TB patients even without a structured health literacy program. However patient participation in treatment seems to be underemphasized and was thus suboptimal. An important gap in patient education regarding continued TB treatment was identified and should be targeted for intervention.Keywords: Health Literacy, Tuberculosis, General Hospital, Nigeri

Relationship of Waist-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index to Blood Pressure of Individuals in Ibadan North Local Government

Several studies have shown that there is a significant relationship between relative weight and hypertension. The anatomical distribution of weight has also been shown to be a factor in determining which people are more susceptible to hypertension and thus at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the relationship between two anthropometric measurements for obesity – body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), and the blood pressure of Nigerians aged 15-85 years. The study employed a cross-sectional survey of individuals living in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. Four hundred and four male and female individuals were recruited using a non-probability sampling technique. Measurements taken include subjects’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist and hip girths, height, and weight. Information was obtained about lifestyle and occupation as well as familial history of hypertension, diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with alpha set at 0.05. Results show that WHR and BMI had a linear relationship with the blood pressure of the participants. KEY WORDS: blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, hypertensio

Evaluation of phosphorus fertilizer rates for maize and sources for cowpea on different soil types in southwestern Nigeria

Flexible phosphorus (P) fertilizer rate recommendation could be based on variations in soil characteristics that affect yield responses. Experiments were conducted in the Department of Agronomy, LAUTECH, on the effects of P rates on maize and P sources on cowpea in four soil types. On average, soil types and P rates influenced maize height and grain yield. Iwo and Egbeda soils supported taller plants than Itagunmodi soil. Phosphorus fertilization enhanced height and grain yield compared with no P. To optimize maize grain yield for Itagunmodi and Egbeda soils, application of 15 kg P2O5 ha-1 was sufficient while for Majeroku and Iwo, it was 30 and 75 kg P2O5 ha-1, respectively. Cowpea grain yield and P uptake were significantly affected by soil types and P sources. Iwo and Egbeda soils supported higher grain weights and P uptake than Itagunmodi and Majeroku soils. Triple super phosphate (TSP) and no P supported higher grain weights and P uptake than rock phosphate (RP) and single super phosphate (SSP)

Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites Infection among Primary School Pupils in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia among primary school pupils in four communities of Bosso Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Stool samples from 250 pupils were collected and examined for Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia using formol ether concentration technique. Out of the 250 samples analyzed, 115 (46%) for either Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia lamblia or both. Ninety (36.0%) subjects were positive for Giardia lamblia while 46 (18.4%) subjects had Entamoeba histolytica. Single species infection was seen in 78 (67.8%) of the infected pupils whereas 47 (40.9%) were infected with both parasites. The age group (9-10) years had the highest rates of infection of 14 (21.5%) and 37 (56.9%) for G. Lamblia and E. histolytica respectively. Males had the highest rate of infection (53.5%) compared to the females with (46.3%). Poverty, ignorance and poor environmental sanitation were factors found to be associated with the high prevalence rates recorded.Keywords: Protozoan, Parasites, Infections, Pupils, Bosso, Niger State, Nigeria

Prevalence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Coinfection among HIV-Seropositive Patients Attending the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria

Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been accompanied by a severe epidemic of tuberculosis (TB), although the prevalence of coinfection is largely unknown, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of TB coinfection among HIV-seropositive Nigerians. Methods: The case files of HIV/AIDS patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from January to December 2006 were reviewed. Results: A total of 1320 HIV/AIDS patients had complete records and were reviewed, among which 138 (10.5%) were coinfected with TB (95% CI, 8.9% to 12.2%). Pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 103 (74.6%) patients, among whom only 18 (17.5%) were sputum-positive. Fifty (36.2%) coinfected patients had some type of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB); 15 had both pulmonary TB and EPTB. Among the 35 patients with EPTB only, 20 (57.1%) had abdominal TB, 5 (14.3%) had TB adenitis, 5 (14.3%) had spinal TB, 3 (8.6%) were being monitored for tuberculous meningitis, and 1 (2.9%) each had renal TB and tuberculous adrenalitis. The highest prevalence of TB, 13.7% (n = 28), was seen among patients aged 41–50 years. TB coinfection was significantly associated with marital status, WHO clinical stage, and CD4 count. Marital status (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.28–3.59; P = 0.04), WHO clinical stage at presentation (4.81; 1.42–8.34; P = 0.001), and baseline CD4 count (2.71; 1.51–6.21; P = 0.02) remained significant predictors after adjustment for confounding. Conclusions: The moderately high prevalence of TB among HIV-seropositive patients underscores the urgent need for strategies that lead to rapid identification and treatment of coinfection with active or latent TB