Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Haematological and Oxidative Stress Levels in Commercial Photocopier Operators In Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Human exposure to hazardous substances in the environment has been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases. Photocopying machines have become a cheap source of self-employment in Nigeria. For obvious reasons the highest level of patronage is encountered in the campuses of educational institutions. However, the persons who operate the machines are always exposed to possible hazards associated with the job without protective devices.Objective: This study investigated the levels of oxidative stress, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and haematological parameters in blood samples of photocopier operators.Methods: The experimental procedure involved 50 consented subjects selected based on some criteria. The haematological parameters, oxidative stress and PAH levels were determined using standard methods.Results: The results showed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the haematological parameters between the test subjects and the controls. However, there were duration on the job (yrs) dependent significant decrease in the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the photocopier operators compared with the controls (> 5 years p≤ 0.0001; 4-5 years p≤0.001). The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly decreased across all lengths of duration on the job compared with the controls.Conclusion: The findings in this study revealed increased level of oxidative stress in photocopier operators with no significant change in haematological parameters. The health implication of operating photocopiers call for quick health education and intervention tailored to monitoring and guiding the photocopier operators. This will help to prevent or manage continuous exposure to the hazards of photocopying machines.Keywords: Photocopier operators, oxidative stress, PAH, haematology, Nigeria

Assessment of the living conditions of rural based people living with HIV/AIDS with clinical presentations in Nigeria

Objective: To describe the living conditions of rural based people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) and their clinical presentationsDesign: Descriptive cross-sectional studySetting: University College Hospital, IbadanSubjects: PLWHA on anti-retroviral therapyResults: One hundred and fifty PLWHA participated. The mean age of the respondents was 28.7±8.9 years. Majority of the respondents visited had advanced disease (97%), were poor (75%) and presented with opportunistic infections such as oral candidiasis (92%), chronic diarrhoea (70%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (46%). Majority were treated for malaria (72%) and anaemia (61%). All respondents lived in homes predisposed to these opportunistic infections. They drink unsafe water and had poor disposal of their domestic wastes.Conclusion: PLWHA visited lived in homes that predispose them to various opportunistic infections. Improved living conditions and economic empowerment will improve the health conditions of PLWHA

Unsafe "crossover-use" of chloramphenicol in Uganda: importance of a One Health approach in antimicrobial resistance policy and regulatory action.

Since the introduction of antibiotics into mainstream health care, resistance to these drugs has become a widespread issue that continues to increase worldwide. Policy decisions to mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance are hampered by the current lack of surveillance data on antibiotic product availability and use in low-income countries. This study collected data on the antibiotics stocked in human (42) and veterinary (21) drug shops in five sub-counties in Luwero district of Uganda. Focus group discussions with drug shop vendors were also employed to explore antibiotic use practices in the community. Focus group participants reported that farmers used human-intended antibiotics for their livestock, and community members obtain animal-intended antibiotics for their own personal human use. Specifically, chloramphenicol products licensed for human use were being administered to Ugandan poultry. Human consumption of chloramphenicol residues through local animal products represents a serious public health concern. By limiting the health sector scope of antimicrobial resistance research to either human or animal antibiotic use, results can falsely inform policy and intervention strategies. Therefore, a One Health approach is required to understand the wider impact of community antibiotic use and improve overall effectiveness of intervention policy and regulatory action

Survey of rabies virus antibodies in confined, hunting and roaming dogs in Ogun and Oyo states, Nigeria

In view of the recent upsurge in adoption of exotic and local dogs as pets in Nigeria associated with increased contact between the dogs and their owners, and the traditional close relationship between hunters and their dogs, there is a need for studies to determine the level of protection of these dogs against rabies. In this study, a community-based approach involving administration of questionnaires to dog owners was adopted to screen for rabies virus (RABV) antibodies in apparently healthy confined, hunting and roaming dogs. Sera from 230 (80 confined, 92 hunting and 58 roaming) dogs in some urban and peri-urban communities in Ogun and Oyo states, southwestern Nigeria were screened for RABV antibodies using the indirect ELISA method. Analysis of administered questionnaires showed that of 80 confined dog owners, 37 were aware of anti-rabies vaccination (i.e. they were informed) while 17 were negligent and 26 uninformed. Of the 230 sera tested, only 13 (5.7%) from vaccinated confined dogs in Oyo state were positive i.e. had optimal RABV antibody titres (mean 0.54; 95% CI: 0.42 – 0.67) while all confined dog sera in Ogun state were negative. Eleven (12.0%) and 14 (24.1%) of the hunting and roaming dogs respectively had sub-optimal RABV antibody titres while the rest were negative. Evidently, these groups of dogs are a totally unprotected and susceptible dog population that can serve as potential reservoirs of RABV in the study area. Moreover, the presence of sub-optimal RABV antibody levels in unvaccinated hunting and roaming dogs suggests they have had field exposure to rabies or rabies-related viruses. Responsible pet ownership, vaccination of hunting and roaming dogs, integration of veterinary and public health services in implementing mass dog vaccination programmes and community-based active rabies surveillance are therefore advocated in Nigeria.Keywords: Rabies virus, antibodies, confined, hunting and roaming dogs, southwestern Nigeria

Dicephalus and diprosopus foetuses: Gross and radiological observations in White Fulani cattle in Nigeria

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A survey of ethnoveterinary botanical remedies in Ogun State and their public health implications

Twenty four villages were visited during a cross sectional survey of ethno veterinary botanical remedies used for the management of animal diseases in four local government areas randomly selected cutting across the four geopolitical zones in Ogun State. A total of 323 households were purposively selected and administered with a semi structured questionnaire. A total of 319 questionnaires out of 323 were used for the analysis in the study.The farmers were assisted by the enumerators to fill the questionnaires in their homes: information on household demography, common animal diseases in the area, botanical remedies used for treatment, part of plant used, and source of prescription, methods of preparation and administration of these remedies were gathered.Most of the respondents were farmers, majority keeping goats. Out of the 319 respondents 110 (34.4%) admitted using plants in treatment of livestock diseases. Thirty two plant species were identified in the study area for treating livestock ailments. Leaves were the plant part mostly used. Adenopus breviflorus(Pseudocolocynth) is the most commonly used plant for treatment of many animal diseases in both ruminants and poultry. Most common livestock diseases condition is mange followed by Peste des petits ruminants; however in poultry the most important diseases are Newcastle disease and diarrhoea. Losses to livestock owners were mostly due to infection.There is need for government and non-government intervention in curbing the menace of diseases in livestock production. Reasons for utilization of botanical remedies were identified and public health implications of usage of these herbs were discussed. In conclusion,there is an urgent need for more of this documentationcum scientific and clinical validation of the claims;if not ethno-veterinary botanical knowledge faces the risk of going into extinction due to increasing modern veterinary medical intervention.Keywords: Ethnoveterinary, Botanical remedies, Public Health

Bacteriological Assessment of Quality of Water Used at the Bodija Municipal Abattoir, Ibadan, Nigeria

The water used for cleaning procedures and meat processing in the abattoir must meet drinking water standards. It must be freeof chemical substances or microorganisms in amounts that could cause hazards to health. The bacteriological status of water supply to the Bodija Municipal Abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, was evaluated. Water samples from different sources within and around the abattoir were collected and examined. Average coliform count per 100 ml and confirmatory Escherichia coli counts per 100ml respectively were determined using the multiple tube method. The surface tank had the highest mean coliform count of 173.6 ± 10.9 per 100 ml, while the borehole had the lowest mean count of 17.0 ± 8.1 coliform per 100 ml. The confirmatory Escherichia coliform count per 100 ml was highest for wells (20.8 ± 18.5) and lowest for borehole (1.0 ± 0.07). A significantly higher number of the samples(

Replacing maize and wheat offal in dient of cockerels with sun-dried cassava peel meal effect on the digestibility of cell wall constituents

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Evaluation of Kola-Pod Husk Meal in Broiler Finisher Diets

Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of kola nut. The pod husk, which constitutes over 50% of the kola fruit, has been a farm waste to date. Its crude protein content which is similar to that of maize suggests that it is possible to partially replace maize with pod husk meal (KPHM) in broiler finisher diets. In this study, KPHM was evaluated in partial replacement of maize in broiler finisher diets. Five diets were formulated in which diet 1 served as the control without KPHM and diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 10, 20, 30 and 40% KPMH as replacements of the maize portion of the diets. Each diet was offered to 30, 4-week-old broilers divided into three equal replicates for a period of 4 weeks in a completely randomized design. Results of the feeding trial indicated significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake and poorer feed conversion in the birds fed 40% KPHM diets. However, results obtained from birds fed the 10 - 30% KPHM inclusion diets were similar to those of the control. Final live weight across the treatments was not significantly different (p>0.05). Cost of feed intake and cost/kg gain were significantly lowered (p<0.05) as KPMH increased in the diets. The results of this study indicated good economic returns when maize was replaced in the diets up to the 30% level

Knowledge, attitude and practice of drug abuse among public secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: The use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances constitutes one of the most important risk–taking behaviour among adolescents and young adults in secondary schools. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria concerning drug abuse. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study which employed a multistage sampling method to select 400 participants. Data was collected using semi-structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results The mean age was 13.8±1.9 years. More than 50% knew the meaning of drug abuse, the dangers in using drugs wrongly and the legal status of drug abuse. Many of the respondents had positive attitudes to using illegal drugs (58.5%). The drugs mostly used by the students were coffee and analgesics while Indian hemp, alcohol and cigarettes were abused sparingly. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of the students concerning drug abuse was fair, many of the respondents had positive attitudes to using illegal drugs and the drugs mostly used were the socially acceptable ones; but they are likely to lead to the use of stronger ones later in life. Drug and alcohol education should therefore be strengthened in schools through the curriculum and drug abuse days. Legislation guiding sales of drugs should beenforced, the public should be educated and the sale of drugs monitored.Keywords: Attitude, Drug Abuse, Knowledge, Students.High Med Res J 2013;13:44-4