Case finding of hypertension at a secondary health care facility in south-west Nigeria

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is higher in Semi-urban areas than in rural areas. There is a rising prevalence of hypertension in developing countries. Significant independent association has been found between age, family history and prevalence of hypertension according to the literature. This study sought to determine the prevalence of hypertension at the State Hospital Oyo and provide evidence for routine checks of blood pressure (BP) for adult patients.Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at the General Outpatient Clinic of the State Hospital Oyo. 350 adults between the ages of 18 and 70 years were recruited for the study. A total sampling technique was used to recruit consecutive patients until a sample size of 350 was achieved.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 102/350 = 29%. Thirty (29.70%) of respondents who were 55 years and above had systolic hypertension while 24 (23.80%) had normal BP (x2 = 87.62, p-value = 0.0001). Majority (57.6%) of respondents who had tertiary education had normal blood pressure while 24 (20.3%) had systolic hypertension (x2 = 39.88, p-value = 0.0001). Twenty one (36.8%s) of respondents who were obese had systolic hypertension while 16 (28.1%) had normal blood pressure (x2 = 20.61 , p-value = 0.02). Thirteen (12.80%) of respondents who were 55 years and above had diastolic hypertension while a majority (58.40%) had normal BP (x2 = 33.40, p-value = 0.0001).Conclusions: Age, obesity and education were found to be risk factors for developing hypertension. However after adjusting for other variables, the predictor of risk of developing hypertension was age of respondents.Keywords: Obesity, Age, Prevalence, Hypertensio

Repellant Effect of Urine Insecticides Spray and NPK (15:15:15) Compound Fertilizer Application on the Growth and Yield of watermelon (Citrullu lonatus Thumb)

A field study conducted to investigate the Repellent effects urine insecticide spray and NPK(15:15:15) compound fertilizer on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus Lonatus Thumb) in forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, (FRIN) experimental plot at Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Four regimes of Urine insecticide spray and four rate of NPK compound fertilizer application were factorially combined and laid out in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replication. Urine insecticide spray and fertilizer application did not affect the period of flowering and poddring significantly (P> 0.05). NPK compound fertilizer application significantly (P< 0.05) increase the number and length of main vines, pod number and yield while Vines insecticide spray significantly (P< 0.05) increase the length of the main virus and yield. In the rate of application, 200kg/ha NPK was optimum and this recommended for watermelon cultivation. Twice spray regimes of urine insecticide was recommended for watermelon cultivation

Insecticidal Effect of Piper guineense Seed Powder in the Control of Beans Weevil Callosobruschus maculatus (Fabr)

Piper guineense commonly called Usira in Edo, Uziza in Igbo and IgherelIyere in Yoruba belongs to the family piperaceae. The efficiency of its seed powder in the control of callosobruschus maculatus (beans weevil) was investigated in the Science Laboratory Department of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State Nigeria. The seed powder was applied at the rate of O control, 15, 25, 50 and 100 (gkg-1). The result obtained shows that piper guineense seed powder at 25gkg-1 to 100gkg-1 were effective in the control of callosobrusus maculatus at 0.01% level of significance. It  was revealed that a very strong insecticidal action of I. piper guineense on beans weevil. However, the efficiency of this  insecticidal action on callosobruschus maculatus with increasing concentration of the plant material seed powder with  100gkg-1 giving the highest mortality rate, residual action and egg plugs of the weevils. This finding is critical to resource poor farmers in developing countries who will find this trial practicable and affordable. colourkasi hustlers. &nbsp

Assessment of testicular volume: A comparison of fertile and sub-fertile West African men

Background: While the semen analysis appears to be the cornerstone in the evaluation of testicular function, the testicular volume has long been associated with testicular function. However, racial variations in testicular volume do exist. Neither the critical minimum testicular volume that guarantees adequate function, nor the optimal testicular volume that indicates peak testicular function are also known. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between testicular volume and function using scrotal ultrasound scan in black West African men. Patients and methods: The study examined 236 subjects over a period of one year. The subjects comprised of 136 patients with diagnosis of male infertility, as well as 100 healthy individuals as control. The relevant clinical history of each patient was extracted from their case notes. All the subjects had their testes examined using a high frequency (7.5 mHz) linear transducer of an ultrasound scanner. The results were expressed as percentages and tests of significance were done using the chi-square and Student's t-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean testicular volume for the sub-fertile patients was 15.32 ml while it was 19.89 ml in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the testicular volumes in fertile and infertile men at different age groups, while there was an inverse relationship between testicular volume and severity of oligospermia. This was, however, not directly linear as a mean testicular volume of 18–20 ml was associated with highest semen density. Volumes higher than 20 ml and lower than 18 ml were associated with reduced sperm density. There was also a sharp decline in sperm density when the mean testicular volume reduced from 14 ml to 13 ml. Severe oligospermia (<5 million/ml) was associated with mean testicular volume less than 12 ml. Conclusion: Testicular volume on scrotal ultrasound correlates well with severity of oligospermia in men with sub-fertility. While the critical mean testicular volume necessary for adequate spermatogenesis has not been determined, it appears there is an optimal testicular volume of 18–20 ml at which spermatogenesis is at its peak in sub-fertile Nigerian men

Scrotal abnormalities and infertility in west African men: A comparison of fertile and sub-fertile men using scrotal ultrasonography

Objective: To determine and compare the spectrum of scrotal abnormalities in fertile and sub-fertile west African men using scrotal US. Subjects and methods: The study examined 249 subjects over a period of 13 months. The subjects comprised 149 patients with diagnosis of male infertility, as well as 100 healthy individuals for comparison. The relevant clinical history of each patient was extracted from their case notes. All the subjects had their testes examined using a high frequency (7.5 MHz) linear transducer of an ultrasound scanner. Images in B-mode ultrasound scan and color Doppler were acquired in the supine and upright position. The results were expressed as percentages and tests of significance were done using the chi-square and Fisher's t-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of abnormal scrotal findings in the sub-fertile and fertile men was 65.1% and 23% respectively (P  0.05), while testicular tumor was confirmed in one sub-fertile patient. With the exclusion of varicocele, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the other abnormalities between the sub-fertile and fertile groups. Conclusion: Male sub-fertility was associated with a higher prevalence of scrotal abnormalities. Apart from the diagnoses of the possible causes of the sub-fertility, routine scrotal US was able to diagnose other abnormalities of clinical relevance in the sub-fertile male. Scrotal US is a valuable tool in the evaluation of the sub-fertile west African man and should be considered in the routine evaluation of the sub-fertile west African man