Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviours among University Students in Namibia as Risk Factors in Acquiring HIV Infection

Background: Having multiple sexual partners is an important risk factor in acquiring HIV infection. It is also considered as one of the confounding factors in studies that implicated the use hormonal contraceptive as risk factor in HIV/STIs acquisition. Namibia is one of the countries in Africa with high HIV prevalence. With increasing burden of HIV infection among the youth globally, with about 31% of new HIV infection in 2008; occurring among people within the age 15-24. The need to understand the association between contraceptive use especially hormonal contraceptive and multiple sexual partners is important. More so that there are no studies on contraceptive use amongst young men and women in Namibia which is considered to be highly sexually active group, and especially on the association between contraception and multiple sexual partners (especially concurrent). The latter of which is considered to be a major perpetuating factor for HIV transmission, there is need to explore more on this area. Hence, the need to determine sexual and reproductive health behaviours among university students in Namibia as risk factors in acquiring HIV infection.Methods: Data was collected using questionnaires for quantitative cross-sectional survey among students in classes selected through simple random sampling in each stratum (University Campus). Relationship between independent variables (method of contraception, relationship status, misconceptions about the role of contraceptives in preventing STIs/HIV, transactional sex, HIV/STIs Risk perception) and dependent variable (multiple sexual partners) was measured using multivariate model of logistic regression analysis. Result: Condom (70.7%) was the most common birth control method used in the most recent vaginal sex, followed by withdrawal (20.6%) and 7.2% used birth control pills. Significant association was found between the use of birth control pills and multiple sexual partners, but there was no association between condom use and multiple sexual partners. Conclusion: Discussions on safe sexual behaviour and dual contraceptive should form important part of family planning counselling process, particularly when dealing with young people. This may aid reduction of HIV/STIs infection rate among the youth. Keywords: Contraception, Safe sexual behavior, Students, Multiple sexual partners, HIV/STIs, Yout

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF SOME EXTRACTS USED IN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Investigation into proximate content of some extracts ( used for alternative medicine was conducted. Proximate analysis showed 0.05) among the extract samples. contents from the extract samples were 0.00% recorded in the earthworm extract. The protein content in the earthworm extract was vera was and Aloe vera extract had the lowest value. The highest fibre content was recorded in fibre was detected in the snail water. the lowest carbohydrate content was recorded in the earthworm extract. The results of the proximate analyses of the extracts nutritional deficiencies and diseases. However, their usefulness in different cases would depend on their compositions

Toxigenic fungal contamination of cocoa-based beverages: A possible public health concern in a tropical country

Food safety is a call for concern nowadays. Food borne disease and microbial spoilage of food result from the failure of or inability to control microorganisms at one or more stages of food chain, from raw material production to consumption of the final product. This study was undertaken to screen some cocoa-based beverages sold in Nigeria in order to ascertain the mycological and aflatoxin status of such foods. Seventy-nine (79) samples of different brand of cocoa beverages collected from different markets in Benin City, Nigeria was evaluated by estimating the fungal load; using standard plate count method, and aflatoxin B1(AFB1) level by immunoaffinity silica gel column extraction and thin layer chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. Colonies of mould isolated from the samples were identified by standard mycological methods as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. Zamis beverage sample recorded the highest fungal count of 5500 cfu/g, AFB1 level of 40.6 ± 3.2 μg/kg and moisture content of 4,00%; while Peak beverage sample recorded the least fungal count of 500 cfu/g, AFB1 level of 5.3 ± 2.5 μg/kg and 1.00% moisture content. AFB1 was not detected in Ovaltine and Benco beverage samples. The most frequent genera of moulds in all samples was A. flavus, having an incidence of 63.3%. Sachet cocoa-based beverages sold in Benin metropolis carry potential health hazard. Thus, improved handling through food processing, preservation and storage can minimize aflatoxins in foodstuffs and ensure sustainable quality of food supply. This findings suggest needs for urgent attention to the possible public health implications.Las enfermedades transmitidas por los alimentos y su deterioro microbiano son el resultado de la incapacidad de regular o controlar los microorganismos en una o más etapas de la cadena alimentaria, desde la producción de la materia prima hasta el consumo del producto final. Este estudio se realizó para detectar algunas bebidas a base de cacao que se venden en Nigeria, con el fin de determinar el estado micológico y aflatoxínico de dichos alimentos. Setenta y nueve (79) muestras de diferentes marcas de bebidas de cacao recogidas de diferentes mercados en la ciudad de Benín (Nigeria), se evaluaron mediante la estimación de la carga de hongos; utilizando el método de recuento de placa estándar y el nivel de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) por extracción de columna de gel de sílice de inmunoafinidad y cromatografía de capa fina con detección espectrofotométrica. Las colonias de moho aisladas de las muestras se identificaron mediante métodos micológicos estándar como Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger y Aspergillus fumigatus. La muestra de bebidas Zamis registró el mayor recuento de hongos de 5500 ufc /g, nivel de AFB1 de 40,6 ± 3,2 μg/kg y contenido de humedad de 4,00%; mientras que la muestra de bebidas Peak registró el menor recuento de hongos de 500 ufc /g, el nivel de AFB1 de 5,3 ± 2,5 μg/kg y el contenido de humedad del 1.00%. AFB1 no se detectó en muestras de bebidas de Ovaltine y Benco. Los géneros más frecuentes de moho en todas las muestras fue A. flavus, con una incidencia de 63,3%. Las bebidas con bolsita de cacao que se venden en la metrópolis de Benin conllevan un riesgo potencial para la salud. Por lo tanto, una mejor manipulación a través del procesamiento, la conservación y el almacenamiento de los alimentos puede minimizar las aflatoxinas en los alimentos y garantizar una calidad sostenible del suministro de alimentos. Estos hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de una atención urgente a las posibles implicaciones para la salud pública

Antibacterial Activities of Selected Fruit Peels against Organisms Associated with Urinary Tract Infection

The use of natural products as anti-infective agents, have given rise to new chemical diversity and are preferred in modern world. Among all these natural sources, plants and its products is more reliable because of its renewability.Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infectious diseases occurring in either the community or healthcare setting. Orange and Plantain peels were used to determine the antibacterialactivities. A measure of 50 grams of powder was filled in the thimble and extracted with 150 ml of ethanol successively up to 48 hours. The solvent extracts were concentrated separately under reduced pressure, 2g of each concentrated solvent extracts weredissolved in 20 ml of 20% dimethyl sulphoxide and used for antibacterial assays using agar well diffusion and broth method. The phytochemical analysis of sweet orange peel shows that carbohydrate, reducing sugars, tannins and flavonoids were present, The zone of inhibition effect of the extracts on selected organism was concentration dependent (25<50<75<100). Higher concentration of extract recordedlarger/wider effect on each test organism.Musa paradisiacalpeel showed no effect on test organism except at 100mg/ml that recorded 4.7±0.47mm against E. coligrowth. The MIC and MBC of both orange peel and plantain peels suggest potency against test organisms.Orange peel has advantage over plantain peel;S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosawere susceptible tothe extract exemptingK. pneumonia, whichshowed no susceptibility to the duo extracts. The peels of Citrus sinensisand Musa paradisiacalexhibited inhibitory activity against certain bacteria, which can be attributed to the presence of certain secondary metabolites. But when compared with standard antibiotics, the ethanoic extracts of the duo was less efficient as there was a smaller size of zone of inhibition against the luxurious growth of tested organism

Seroprevalence of HBsAg//HIV among Pregnant Women Attending State Hosiptal Antenatal Clinic, Ijebu-Ode

The rate of HBV and HIV infections in developing countries is alarming and may contribute to infant mortality. Therefore, there is a need to examine the prevalence of both infections among pregnant women, with an aim to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV and rate of co - infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. From 489 women attending antenatal clinic, individual serum was obtained and screened for HBV and HIV antibodies respectively using chromatographic immunoassay. Bio data, occupation, living conditions and parity was obtained using structured questionnaire. A total of 489 pregnant women within age 15 – 39-year-old were screened, HBV infection recorded 33 (6.7%) while HIV was 20 (4.1%). The duo was higher among 20 - 24 years age group: HBV 13(10.4%) and HIV 9 (7.2%), and co-infection was 2 (0.004%). The incident of infections was higher among the artisans: HBV 20 (8.0%) and HIV 9 (3.6%) than others categories in relation about occupation. Increased frequency of HBV and HIV infections among pregnant women is alarming public health issues and should be given proper attention. The prevalence of the duo infections may be culpable in infant mortality, and complication following child birth for the mothers. Therefore, pregnant women should be screened for both HBV and HIV infections during antenatal care. Enlightenment campaign on the routes, modes of transmission and control measures should be step-up at antenatal clinics across the board