New crop and fodder genotypes for sustainable intensification in semi-arid agro-ecologies of Tanzania

United States Agency for International Developmen

Africa RISING genetic intensification in Central Tanzania and Zambia

United States Agency for International Developmen

Combined effects of municipal and industrial wastes on the quality of the new northern Calabar River, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of municipal and industrial waste discharges on the quality of the new northern Calabar River in the Niger Delta province (5.317°N, 6.467°E) of Nigeria. Water samples were collected in June 2015 from five regions along the stretch of the river. The five regions comprised three observed pollution sources (abattoir, open market, and noodle factory) and two non-pollution sources at the downstream and upstream sections of the river. Using standard analytical protocols, results showed that the current pollution loads of the river varied significantly (p < 0.05) across the three pollution sources. Over 33% of studied quality indicators of the river including total hardness (1526.19±154 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (10.14±4 mg/l), and chemical oxygen demand (57.62±13 mg/l) over time increased beyond their permissible limits due to the disposal of municipal and industrial wastes into the river. The present quality of the river was only fair with a Water Quality Index of 64.71. This result suggests that the water quality is usually protected but occasionally impaired by the wastes discharged into the river, leading to conditions that often depart from permissible levels

Uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives in north central Nigeria: a five-year review

Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are methods used in the prevention of pregnancy that are long lasting. They are effective and efficacious methods of contraception and return to fertility after removal is prompt. Objectives was to determine the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception and assess the characteristics of acceptors of these methods in the area.Methods: This was a retrospective study of clients’ who visited the family planning unit of the University of Abuja teaching hospital over a 5-year period, from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and specific methods selected were extracted from their records and represented on simple tables, graphs, and charts.Results: A total of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one (1,891) clients accepted available methods of contraceptives during the five-year study period. One thousand seven hundred and twenty-four (1,724) accepted LARC (91.1%) while only one hundred and sixty-seven (167) accepted non-LARC (8.9%). Majority 946 (54.9%) of the clients that accepted LARC were aged between 30-39 years and clients less than 20 years were 22 (1.3%). Clients with parity 3 and above were 1162 (67.7%), and majority of LARC acceptors wanted more children 1145 (66.4%). Amongst the LARC acceptors, most of the clients opted for subdermal implant either Jadelle or Implanon 940(49.7%). Three hundred and ninety-eight (23.1%) discontinued a form of LARC during the study period while 1127 (65.4%) continued with one form of LARC or another.Conclusions: The uptake of LARC in this region is very high. Teenagers and low parity rarely attended the family planning clinic

Current trend in water supply and consumption, and associated health implications ions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This paper briefly discussed potable water situation in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from the 1950s, and thenhighlighted major factors preventing the implementation of water projects. Due to the inability of governmentto provide water, and the regulatory agency to monitor the quality of water, entrepreneurs are marketing allsorts of packaged water. Analysis of sachet water from 30 manufacturers showed that all the sachets hadneither date of production nor expiry. Furthermore, 26.7% of the sachet water had E-coli ranging from 10 to110 MPN/100ml, while 33.3% had total coliform ranging from 10 to 530 MPN/100ml. These values areoutside those recommended by WHO. Records from Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital between 2010and 2014 revealed that the mortality rates, mainly among children, for gastroentritis, diarrhoea, and dysentrywere 9.46, 4.62, and 11.59% respectively. It was therefore suggested that government should accept its socialand moral responsibilities

Harnessing innovation platforms for sustainable intensification R4D experiences from Kongwa and Kiteto, Tanzania

United States Agency for International Developmen

Serum uric acid as a prognostic marker for preeclampsia at a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Preeclampsia is a recognized cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Some biomarkers such as uric acid are increased in the presence of the disease. This could serve as a marker of severity and provide a basis for making management decisions. This study sought to determine the association between elevated serum uric acid and adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia.Methods: A prospective case-control study was carried out on consenting preeclamptic (95) and normotensive (95) pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken for serum uric acid estimation at recruitment and delivery. Their Socio-demographic information was collected through a structured proforma. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean serum uric acid level was higher in the preeclamptic than in the normotensive controls (400.0±105.27 versus 256.31±67.18; p=0.001). High serum uric acid levels were associated with a higher incidence of AKI (p=0.005), birth asphyxia (p=0.002), and low birth weight (p=0.006) compared to preeclamptics with normal uric acid levels. The sensitivity of high uric acid in predicting the outcomes was 78-81% while the specificity was 48%. Serum uric acid ≥334 µmol/l was the threshold for predicting adverse outcomes.Conclusions: Women with preeclampsia had significantly higher serum uric acid levels. Hyperuricaemia in preeclampsia was associated with a high incidence of acute kidney injury, Birth asphyxia, and low birth weight. Serum uric acid ≥334 µmol/l was the threshold for the prediction of adverse outcomes.

Assessment of river water quality for irrigation using multiple indices

The use of a single irrigation water index in the characterization of irrigation water quality may not suffice because of the combined and individual impact of several primary water physiochemical parameters on the overall water quality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess irrigation water quality using multiple indices. Surface water samples were taken from ten locations and analyzed using standard methods. The potential effects of the water quality on soil salinity, sodicity, and permeability hazards were assessed by using derived parameters including sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), permeability index (PI), Kelly's ratio, potential salinity (PS) and cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS)indices.SAR and CROSS values ranging from 1-1.93 and 0.86-1.36 respectively showed that all ten water samples had no sodicity hazard potential. KR and SSP, with values ranging from 0.66-1.58and 39.82-111.32 respectively, showedfour and eight samples were without sodicity hazard potentials, respectively.PS and Electrical conductivity assessed salinity hazard potential, while permeability hazard potential was assessed by the combinative indices of PI, SAR, and CROSS. Results of the indices showed that all ten river water samples were without permeability hazard potentials. However, with salinity hazards, EC and PS values which ranged between 128-552.38 S/cm and 0.52-0.84 showed that 90% and 100% of the river samples respectively were suitable for irrigation. Based on the results, using multiple indices is effective, but for sodicity hazard, the combinative use of SSP and KR should be accompanied by soil analysis