Snuff use and the risk for hypertension among black South African women

Background: Snuff or smokeless tobacco, used orally or by nasal application, is the predominant form of tobacco used by black South African women. Little is known about the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with the use of snuff in developing countries. This study therefore sought to determine the association between snuff use and hypertension among black South African women. Methods: This study involved secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional representative sample of black women aged 25 to 70 years (n = 4092) who participated in the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey, the largest to date. Data analysis included chi-square statistics, t-tests, ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis. The outcome measure was hypertension, defined as presenting with an average blood pressure (BP) of ≥ 160/95 mmHg, and/or reporting the use of antihypertensive medication. Results: The prevalence of snuff use and hypertension was 14.6% and 18.0% respectively. Compared to non-users of snuff, those who used snuff more than eight times a day had significantly higher mean systolic (131 mmHg vs. 121 mmHg) and diastolic (84 mmHg vs. 77 mmHg) BP. Hypertension was more prevalent among snuff users than among non-users of snuff (23.9% vs. 17%;

Assessment of Variation in the Fibre Characteristics of the Wood of Vitex doniana Sweet and Its Suitability for Paper Production

The study investigated the fibre characteristics and chemical composition of Vitex doniana towards determining its potentials for pulp and paper. Fibre dimensions are of great importance because of the strong correlation between it and the strength properties of wood and paper. Axial and radial examinations of fibre characteristics of naturally grown wood of Vitex doniana were investigated to determine its suitability for paper production. Wood slivers were prepared from slices, introduced into wash bottles containing equal volume (1:1) of glacial acetic acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide and investigated on a Rheichert Visopam microscope. Variations existed in the axial and radial direction of the wood. The mean values of fibre characteristics are: fibre length (1.48mm), fibre diameter (21.9μm), fibre lumen width (12.7μm) and fibre wall thickness of Vitex doniana was 4.9μ. The mean lignin, cellulose and extractive contents were 28.1%, 41.2% and 3.5% respectively. Based on the derived values: Slenderness ratio, flexibility coefficient and Runkel ratio, species of Vitex doniana were considered to be good paper making materials.Key Words: Fibre dimensions, axial variation, radial variation, Vitex doniana, lesser known wood specie

Prevalence of domestic violence against married women: A case study of Oiji Ward, a rural setting in North Central Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria, some provisions in the penal code still allow cultural acceptance of some forms of domestic violence, thereby providing avenue for many in the society to accept domestic violence as an accepted fact of life and as such many people live with it without feeling that it was anything wrong. In recent years, however, it has begun to be viewed as a criminal problem, as the case is increasing and is raising lot of concern especially regarding the victims. This study assessed the prevalence of domestic violence among married women in Oiji ward, a rural setting in Benue State, north Central Nigeria.Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional community-based descriptive survey of 384 married women selected by systematic sampling technique using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, with level of significance set at p< 0.05. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate independent predictors that had significant chi-square by controlling for possible confounders.Results: Two hundred and fifty eight (67.2%) had experienced domestic violence of different types, ranging from physical assaults (19.5%), to emotional/mental torture (30.2%). The age of the women({OR= 3.191, (95% CI = 2.002-5.087) p=0.000}, age at marriage(({OR= 1.027, (95% CI= 0.508- 2.073), forced marriage{OR= 0.0136 (95% CI = 0.084-0.221) p=0.000}, monthly income {OR= 1.665 (95% CI = -1.081- 2.564) p=0.001}, and freedom of sex expression {OR= 3.917 (95% CI = 1.999 – 7.676) p=0.000} were the main predicting factors.Conclusion: Married should be not being forced and women empowerment, Gender based violence awareness campaigns and legal protection of women should be encouraged in the rural areas.Keywords: Married, Domestic violence, Correlates, Rural, Nigeri

Response of Growing Pigs to Diet Physical Form and Allzyme® SSF Supplementation in a Palm Kernel Meal-Based Diet

. The increasing cost of conventional feeds calls for the unconventional ones. The effect of Allzyme®SSF and diet physical form on performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing pigs fed with palm kernel meal-based diet was determined. Twenty four growing pigs comprising of twelve male and twelve female weighing 8.95±1.01Kg were assigned into four dietary treatment groups involving dry mash diet, wet mash diet, dry mash diet+ Allzyme®SSF and wet mash diet+ Allzyme®SSF in a completely randomized design. After feeding experiment for six weeks, haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined. Growth performance was observed on a weekly basis for six consecutive weeks. The results showed that the diet physical form and Allzyme®SSF supplementation in a palm kernel meal-based diet did not significantly affect the haematological and serum biochemical parameters; however weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly influenced by the diet physical form and Allzyme®SSF supplementation, thus making dry mash diet + Allzyme®SSF the best dietary treatment. The experiment showed that the diet physical form and Allzyme®SSF supplementation in a palm kernel meal-based diet did not have any negative effect on the growing pigs and growth performance was not hindered; therefore palm kernel meal-based diet in wet or dry mash form with or without Allzyme® SSF supplementation could be fed to growing pigs

Phenotypic Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase and Metallo-β-Lactamase Produced by Escherichia Coli on Automated Teller Machines within Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

It is no longer a fallacy that environmental objects are grossly  contaminated by pathogenic microbes. ATMs especially which is used on daily basis by thousands of people have been reported to be potentialhabitat for these microbes. The worst-case scenario is the presence and ease of spread of Muti-Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing pathogens via these machines as a result of their huge patronage. The prevalence and fast spread of these MDR and ESBL producing strains constitute an emerging public health concern. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ESBL and MBL producing E. coli isolated on ATMs within Sokoto metropolis. A total of 194 isolates were obtained from the culture samples of 100 ATM swabs. The isolated E. coli were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests using the modified Kirby Baeur disc diffusion method on six (6) commercial antimicrobial discs (Oxoid, UK): Ceftazidime (CTZ, 30μg), Cefotaxime (CTX, 30μg), Gentamycin (CN, 10μg), Augumentin(AMC, 30μg), Ciprofloxacin(CIP, 5μg) and Imipenem(IPM, 10μg). The isolates were further screened for ESBL production and phenotypic confirmatory test.Confirmation of MBL production was also performed using antibiotic discs containing two Carbapenems (Imipenem IPM, 10μg and Meropenem MEM, 10μg). The result was interpreted using CLSI guideline 2015. Proteus spp (43%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria, followed by Shigella spp (31%) and E. coli 31(16%). Drug Resistant (MDR) ESBL producing E. coli of 93.3% and 4% MBL producer was recorded. It can be concluded that MDR and ESBL producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most prevalent species isolated and that the species isolated are more sensitive to Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Imipenem.Keywords: ESBL, MDR, ATM and Susceptibility

Development and preliminary testing of a culturally-friendly pain assessment tool for children (crying faces pain scale)

Background and aims: Having a universal tool for assessing pain in children is hamstrung by cultural sensitivity. This study aimed to develop and validate a culturally-friendly pain assessment tool (i.e. Crying Faces Pain Scale (CFPS)) among Nigerian Children. Material and methods: This study employed criterion-standard design. The study was in three phases, namely: (1) development of CFPS, (2) cross-validity and (3) validation of the CFPS. 70 children (39 (55.7%) males and 31 (44.3%) females) within the age range of 4-13 years who had post-surgical pain, orthopaedic pain, stomach pain or headache were involved in the validation phase. Psychometric properties and preferences for the CFPS compared with the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FACES) were examined. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: The median score of the CFPS was 4.60 compared to FACES median score of 4.49. There was weak correlation between FACES and CFPS (r=0.325; p=0.006). Preference score as a culturally friendly tool for CFPS and FACES was 6.07±1.23 and 3.67 ±1.09 respectively, based on a modified 0-10 numerical pain scale. Conclusions: The crying faces pain scale has fair psychometric properties for assessing pain in children. However, CFPS was preferred to FACES as a culturally friendly tool for assessing pain among Nigerian children. Implications: The CFPS is more culturally friendly and so might be better suited as a pain scale in Africa. However, due to its fair psychometric properties, further studies may be needed to improve upon this scale

Grand multiparity: Obstetric performance in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

No Abstract

Sorption and bending properties of wood cement panels produced from mixed Nigerian hardwoods at varying water/cement ratios

The study was carried out to investigate the influence of water/cement ratio on the moisture response and mechanical properties of wood cement panels fabricated with mixed hardwood species. The experimental boards so produced were subjected to modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS) and linear expansion (LE) tests. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and multiple linear regressions MOR and MOE ranged from 4.94 N/mm2 to 11.63 N/mm2 and 2340 N/mm2 to 4880 N/mm2 respectively. Strength (MOR) and stiffness (MOE) of the boards increased as water/cement ratio was raised from 0.50 to 0.60. Within these ranges, more dimensionally stable cement-bonded particleboards were obtained. As water/cement ratio was however raised from 0.60 to 0.65, weaker and inferior boards were produced. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that water/cement ratio (WCR), cement/wood mixing ratio (MR) and board density (BD) were positively correlated with MOR and MOE. Water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS) tests ranged from 16.27 to 48.82% and 0.49 to 2.30% respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the process variables WCR, BD and MR were significant at 1% level of probability on WA and TS. Moiture uptake and swelling of the panel decreased as water/cement ratio was raised from 0.50 to 0.60. Inferior panels were produced when water/cement ratio was increase beyond 0.60. Therefore 0.60 was considered uptimum level for board fabrication in this study.Key words: wood cement panels, bending properties, sorption properties, mixed hardwoods, water/cement rati

Flexural properties of wood cement board fabricated from cropping wastes of urban trees in a Nigerian University

The study was undertaken to investigate the possibilities of producing cement bonded particle boards from wood wastes generated from 3 urban wood species in University of Ibadan with a view to evaluating the bendingproperties of cement boards so produced. The materials used for the boards&#8217; fabrication were wood wastes of Gmelina arborea, Delonix regia, Samena sena, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), water and calcium chloride.. The bending properties evaluated are the Modulus of rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 probability level. Results showed that the mean MOR values obtained from the fabricated boards ranged from 3.71N/mm2 to 16.63N/mm2.while the mean MOE recorded ranged from1450.8N/mm2to 6654.9N/mm2. The highest mean MOR was recorded from the boards produced with Gmelina arborea but Samena sena produced the strongest boards. Stronger, and stiffer boards were obtained at increasing levels cement/wood mixing ratio. The effect of woodspecies, mixing ratio levels and interaction were significantly different at 5% significance level

Wood energy production efficiency in Akinyele local government area of Oyo State

A study was carried out to determine the efficiency of wood energy production in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State. Ten fuelwood and five charcoal wood species were selected as samples using availability as criterion. Energy parameters including moisture, ash and energy contents, and density of the samples were determined. The earth kiln system of charcoal production was used to determine the efficiency of the charcoal production method. Data analysis was carried out using a combination of t-tests and descriptive statistical methods. Results showed that the moisture contents ranged between 10.6 and 32.45% for the fuelwood species and 5.2 and 7.7% for charcoal. The ash contents ranged between 1.0 and 6.0% for fuelwood species and 1.0 and 5.0% for charcoal. Energy contents for fuel wood range between 15.79 and 28.58 MJ/kg and between 2.51 and 6.82 MJ/kg for charcoal respectively. Specific gravity for fuelwood species ranged between 0.53 for Markhamia and 0.89 for Funtumia and between 0.46 for Parkia and 0.63 for Butyreospermum for charcoals species. Outputs from the earth kiln method were found to be about 21.01% which implies that at least one kilogramme of charcoal is produced from five kilogramme of wood.Keywords: Fuelwood, Charcoal, Energy ParametersJournal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Volume9,: 42-4