Showing papers by "University of Nigeria, Nsukka published in 2002"
TL;DR: In this paper, the design, construction and performance evaluation of a passive solar powered air heating system is presented, which has potential applications in crop drying and poultry egg incubation, consisting of a single-glazed flat plate solar collector integrated with a phase change material (PCM) heat storage system.
158 citations
TL;DR: The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, at the individual level, the presence of onchocercal reactive skin lesions was the most important risk factor for pruritus, with an odds ratio of 18.3 and 95% confidence interval of 15.19-22.04, which justifies the inclusion of regions with onchopercal skin disease in control programmes based on ivermectin distribution.
Abstract: An attempt was made to assess the true public-health importance of onchocercal skin disease throughout the African region and hence provide an objective basis for the rational planning of onchocerciasis control in the area. The seven collaborative centres that participated in the study (three in Nigeria and one each in Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania and Uganda) were all in areas of rainforest or savannah-forest mosaic where onchocercal blindness is not common. A cross-sectional dermatological survey was undertaken at each site following a standard protocol. At each site, the aim was to examine at least 750 individuals aged 5 years and living in highly endemic communities and 220-250 individuals aged 5 years and living in a hypo-endemic (control) community. Overall, there were 5459 and 1451 subjects from hyper-and hypo-endemic communities, respectively. In the highly endemic communities, the prevalence of itching increased with age until 20 years and then plateaued, affecting 42% of the population aged 20 years. There was a strong correlation between the prevalence of itching and the level of endemicity (as measured by the prevalence of nodules; r=0.75; P<0.001). The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, at the individual level, the presence of onchocercal reactive skin lesions (acute papular onchodermatitis, chronic papular onchodermatitis and/or lichenified onchodermatitis) was the most important risk factor for pruritus, with an odds ratio (OR) of 18.3 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 15.19-22.04, followed by the presence of palpable onchocercal nodules (OR=4.63; CI=4.05-5.29). In contrast, non-onchocercal skin disease contributed very little to pruritus in the study communities (OR=1.29; CI=1.1-1.51). Onchocercal skin lesions affected 28% of the population in the endemic villages. The commonest type was chronic papular onchodermatitis (13%), followed by depigmentation (10%) and acute papular onchodermatitis (7%). The highest correlation with endemicity was seen for the prevalence of any onchocercal skin lesion and/or pruritus combined (r=0.8; P<0.001). Cutaneous onchocerciasis was found to be a common problem in many endemic areas in Africa which do not have high levels of onchocercal blindness. These findings, together with recent observations that onchocercal skin disease can have major, adverse, psycho-social and socio-economic effects, justify the inclusion of regions with onchocercal skin disease in control programmes based on ivermectin distribution. On the basis of these findings, the World Health Organization launched a control programme for onchocerciasis, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), that covers 17 endemic countries in Africa.
105 citations
Abstract: Over the years several, sometimes conflicting, theories attempting to explain the development of professions have emerged. The “functionalist” and “interactionist” theories have since lost the spotlight to a more critical approach based on the Weberian concept of closure. Limitations in the concept and practice of this neo-Weberain concept have led to suggestions that research into the sociology of professions, should also include historical analyses of professionalism that capture historical specificities with the aim of generating theory that sees beyond “just massive historical variation” [Collins, R. (1990). Changing conceptions in the sociology of the profession. In R. Torstendahl, & M. Burrage, The formation of professions: Knowledge, state and strategy. London: Sage Publications]. Such research should also investigate the structural conditions under which the professionalisation process takes place [Johnson, T. (1977). The profession in the class structure. In R. Scase, Industrial society: Class, cleavage and control. London: George Allen and Unwin.]. In order to achieve this, there is the need to critically study the relationship of the State and the profession [Klegon, D. (1978). The sociology of professions: an emerging perspective. Sociology of Work and Occupations, 5, 3, 259–283.] and to document more extensively, the process, rather than the product, of closure [Chua, W. F., & Paullaos, C. (1993). Rethinking the profession-state dynamic: the case of the Victorian Charter Attempt, 1885–1906, Accounting, Organizations and Society, pp. 128–691; Chua, W. F., & Paullaos, C. (1998). The dynamics of “closure” amidst the construction of market, profession, empire and nationhood: an historical analysis of an Australian Accounting Association. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 23 (2), 155–187; Ramirez, C. (2001). Understanding social closure in its cultural context: accounting practitioners in France (1920–1939), Accounting, Organizations and Society.]. Such is the approach of this article, which focuses on the development of the accounting professions in Nigeria. It critically examines the profession/ State dynamics that have helped shape the outcome of the various episodes in the history of the accounting profession in Nigeria. An important influence in this dynamics is the nature of government in place (i.e. military or civilian).
98 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that paucity of good knowledge of epilepsy probably resulted in negative attitude and beliefs despite the teachers' high level of education.
Abstract: The social problems encountered by schoolchildren with epilepsy as a result of negative attitudes and beliefs are enormous. Varying reports on teachers' perception of epilepsy abound. Furthermore previous research has shown that urbanization and differences in socio-cultural environments could also influence teachers' perception of epilepsy. A few studies have explored the knowledge, attitude and beliefs of schoolteachers towards epilepsy in urban schools in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to examine teachers' perception of epilepsy in the rural communities with regards to knowledge, attitude and beliefs. A cross-sectional survey, using a self-administered questionnaire, was carried out among rural community primary and secondary schoolteachers in schools randomly selected from three local government areas in Enugu. One hundred and twenty five teachers correctly completed their questionnaires. Despite a fairly high level of education of the teachers, the mean overall score for correct response for knowledge was 59.2%. A majority of the teachers had negative attitudes and beliefs. None had received any form of health education on epilepsy. The level of education significantly affected various aspects of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. This study concluded that paucity of good knowledge of epilepsy probably resulted in negative attitude and beliefs despite the teachers' high level of education.
91 citations
TL;DR: The main strategy of APOC, of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), has enabled the programme to reach, empower and bring relief to remote and under-served, onchocerciasis-endemic communities.
Abstract: The main strategy of APOC, of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), has enabled the programme to reach, empower and bring relief to remote and under-served, onchocerciasis-endemic communities. With CDTI, geographical and therapeutic coverages have increased substantially, in most areas, to the levels required to eliminate onchocerciasis as a public-health problem. Over 20 million people received treatment in 2000. APOC has also made effective use of the combination of the rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO) and geographical information systems (GIS), to provide information on the geographical distribution and prevalence of the disease. This has led to improvements in the identification of CDTI-priority areas, and in the estimates of the numbers of people to be treated. A unique public-private-sector partnership has been at the heart of APOC's relative success. Through efficient capacity-building, the programme's operations have positively influenced and strengthened the health services of participating countries. These laudable achievements notwithstanding, APOC faces many challenges during the second phase of its operations, when the full impact of the programme is expected to be felt. Notable among these challenges are the sustainability of CDTI, the strategy's effective integration into the healthcare system, and the full exploitation of its potential as an entry point for other health programmes. The channels created for CDTI, could, for example, help efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (which will feature on the agenda of many participating countries during APOC's Phase 2). However, these other programmes need to be executed without compromising the onchocerciasis-control programme itself. Success in meeting these challenges will depend on the continued, wholehearted commitment of all the partners involved, particularly that of the governments of the participating countries.
87 citations
TL;DR: It was observed that the Bamako Initiative facilities had a better availability of essential drugs both in number and in average stock, however, the BI has given rise to more drug prescribing, which could be irrational.
Abstract: Findings: An average of 35.4 essential drugs was available in the BI health centres compared with 15.3 in the non-BI health centres (p < 0.05). The average drug-stock was adequate for 6.3 weeks in the BI health centres, but for 1.1 weeks in non-BI health centres (p < 0.05). More injections (64.7 vs. 25.6%) and more antibiotics (72.8 vs. 38%) were prescribed in BI health centres than in the non-BI health centres (p < 0.05). The BI health centres had an average of 5.3 drugs per prescription against 2.1 in the non-BI health centres. However, the drugs prescribed by generic name and from the essential drug list were higher in the BI health centres (80 and 93%) than the non-BI health centres (15.5 and 21%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that the BI facilities had a better availability of essential drugs both in number and in average stock. However, the BI has given rise to more drug prescribing, which could be irrational. The findings call for strategies to ensure more availability of essential drugs especially in the non-BI PHC centres as a strategy to decrease medical costs and improve the quality of PHC services, while promoting rational drug use in all PHC centres. More detailed studies (for example, by focus group discussion or structured interviews) should be undertaken to find out reasons for the over-prescription and to develop future interventions to correct this.
86 citations
TL;DR: Three specific constraints on child protection are examined in this article, namely poverty, HIV/AIDS infection, and war, which use their experience in Africa to raise issues of resilience and adaptation, dangers to child protection programs, and possible solutions.
79 citations
TL;DR: The results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of H. madagascariensis leaf extracts for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Abstract: Aqueous extracts of the leaf of Harungana madagascariensis were analysed phytochemically and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against strains of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Glycosides, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids were detected in the plant material. B. subtilis, E. coli and S. typhi, but not Ps. aeruginosa, showed susceptibility at MICs of 2.0 and 15.6 mg/mL; and MBCs of 2.0-3.9 mg/mL and 15.6-31.3 mg/mL, respectively, for the cold and hot extracts. Staph. aureus showed susceptibility only to the hot extract. Concentrations of 2.5-10.0 mg/mL of the cold extract killed over 7 log(10) of the test bacterial population within 30-60 min of exposure. The hot extract needed higher concentrations and longer treatment to achieve similar levels of bacterial cell killing. The results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of H. madagascariensis leaf extracts for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
77 citations
TL;DR: There is a need to educate husbands and their pregnant wives on sexual matters during pregnancy, making approximately one‐third of husbands engage in extra‐marital relationships as a way to satisfy their unmet sexual need during pregnancy.
68 citations
TL;DR: This paper studied the effect of adding crop residues and manure to soil, at five sites in Ethiopia, on carbohydrate properties, aggregate stability and the C and N distribution within water-stable aggregates.
Abstract: When over exploited and coupled with climatic conditions, tropical soils are subject to increased erosion and a loss of soil organic matter. Countermeasures include the incorporation of organic materials such as crop and animal residues. We studied the effect of adding crop residues and manure to soil, at five sites in Ethiopia, on carbohydrate properties, aggregate stability and the C and N distribution within water-stable aggregates. The effects of organic amendments varied between sites. The largest content of carbohydrates was obtained in the control treatment at Holeta, Ginchi (91 kg ha -1 mustard meal), Jimma (5 t ha -1 cow dung +9 t ha -1 coffee husk), Awassa (forested soil), and Sirinka (soil alley-cropped with Leuceanae). The aggregate stability of these soils was highly correlated with the OM content but not with carbohydrates. The smaller aggregates ( 1.00 mm), thereby suggesting a protecting effect within the finer soil fractions. A protecting role played by humified OM components was also indicated by the C and N distribution as well as the C:N ratios which showed preferential accumulation in small rather than in large aggregates. The isotopic 13 C-OC values of carbohydrate extracts were generally low, suggesting that OM was from plants with C3 photosynthetic pathways. Soil treatments with maize alone or combined with coffee husks at Jimma decreased the δ 13 C‰ values slightly, revealing that maize contributed a share of the labile OM. Despite the improvement in the soil OM content, neither the carbohydrate content nor the aggregate stability were increased to the level of the forested sites, suggesting that the additions of crop residues and manure were not alone sufficient to restore the soil physical quality.
66 citations
TL;DR: There is need to provide students with correct, detailed, and broad-based information on reproductive health as part of the school curriculum to help them acquire adequate knowledge and develop appropriate attitude and behavior towards HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
TL;DR: The study demonstrates the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of Nigerian surgery trainees in 1997 and the need for policy guidelines to manage all aspects of the healthcare worker (HCW), patients, and HIV/AIDS interaction.
Abstract: Background
The incidence of HIV infection and AIDS is rising in Nigeria. Surgeons are at risk of occupationally acquired infection as a result of intimate contact with the blood and body fluids of patients. This study set out to determine the knowledge, attitude and risk perception of Nigerian surgery residents to HIV infection and AIDS.
TL;DR: Investigation of the existence of starting-point bias in the bidding game contingent valuation elicitation technique when determining the willingness to pay (WTP) for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and ITNs re-treatment in rural Nigeria found no conclusive evidence.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the phenomenon of drug resistant malaria infection in a hyperendemic region by a system of ordinary differential equations models and show that the equilibrium points are (locally) asymptotically stable.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe the phenomenon of drug resistant malaria infection in a hyperendemic region by a system of ordinary differential equations models. Different situations on both vectors and humans are described. The first presentations deal with single population each for both humans and vectors (with the human population fixed). These models are without resistant strains. The second group of models deal with both resistant and sensitive strains. Our focus in analysing the models is on establishing a unique positive asymptotic equilibrium for each of them. It is shown that (under suitable conditions in most cases) the equilibrium points are (locally) asymptotically stable. The biological significance of each of these points emerges as a by-product. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this paper, structural properties, electronic energy band structure and some optical properties of the IV-VI compounds SnTe and GeTe are calculated using the fullpotential linearized augmented plane wave method within the local density approximation and the generalized gradient approximation schemes.
Abstract: The structural properties, electronic energy band structure and some optical properties of the IV–VI compounds SnTe and GeTe are calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the local density approximation and the generalized gradient approximation schemes. The calculations were also performed incorporating the effects of spin–orbit interactions. The calculated structural properties, energy band structures and optical spectra are in reasonable agreement with available experimental data. The response of the bandgaps to temperature and the presence of some prominent features in the energy bands as well as the dielectric functions are discussed.
TL;DR: Results show that the aqueous methanol extract has potential use in the management of painful episodes experienced by sickle cell patients and is found to be concentration‐dependent.
Abstract: The aqueous methanol extract (3:1, v/v) of the seeds of Cajanus cajan was investigated for antisickling properties. The extract possessed significant antisickling activity and was found to be concentration-dependent. The kinetics of reversal of presickled erythrocyte (HbSS) cells using the extract at 0.5 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL, 2.0 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL showed first-order kinetics with rate constants of 5.833 × 10−3 min−1, 6.143 × 10−3 min−1, 5.957 × 10−3 min−1 6.00 × 10−3 min−1 and 6.046 × 10−3 min−1, respectively, and with an average half-life 115.6 min. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of free amino acids, phenolic compounds, tannins, globulins and saponins. These results show that the extract has potential use in the management of painful episodes experienced by sickle cell patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: There can be intra-community subsidisation by the rich for the poor who may not be able to pay for the nets, and community mobilisation and sensitisation should be used to encourage able households to actually pay at least the amounts they have stated.
TL;DR: The linkages of the glucan produced in palm wine during fermentation were determined by 13C NMR spectroscopy as discussed by the authors, showing it to be a dextran in the main chain.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: For an improvement in the exclusive breast-feeding rate of this population, health workers should highlight to mothers the dangers of water supplementation and the dynamics of breastmilk supply through health education, home visits and the formation of community based lactation support groups.
Abstract: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 235 infant-mother pairs in five Baby Friendly pairs in five Baby Friendly Hospitals in Enugu-Nigeria in 1998. The aims were to study their breast-feeding practices and associated factors. The exclusive breast-feeding rate was 33.3% while the predominant breast-feeding rate was 50.2%. Factors associated with exclusive breast-feeding included infants' birth order (P = 0.015), fathers' education (P =0.0244), mothers' education (P = 0.000001), occupation (P = 0.0069) and parity (P = 0.004). However, the infants' age (P = 0.054) and sex (P = 0.403), mothers' age (P = 0.2005), number of breast-feeding counseling attendances (P = 0.0883) and the breast-feeding initiator (P = 0.473) were comparable irrespective of breast-feeding practice. In the mothers' perspectives, the commonest reasons for not breastfeeding exclusively included; insufficient breast milk (58,37.0%) and the sociocultural practice of giving water to babies because of the hot climate (52,33.1%). For an improvement in the exclusive breast-feeding rate of this population, health workers should highlight to mothers the dangers of water supplementation and the dynamics of breastmilk supply through health education, home visits and the formation of community based lactation support groups.
TL;DR: Although the majority of infertile Nigerian women have heard of child adoption, only a minority knew its real meaning, its legality and the process it entails, and child adoption as a treatment option should be offered early so that willing couples can initiate the processes.
Abstract: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of child adoption among infertile Nigerian women we undertook a questionnaire survey of 279 consecutive infertile women seen in three tertiary care centres in South Eastern Nigeria within a 9-month period. The data were analysed by means of simple percentages and descriptive and inferential statistics, using t-tests, chi-square tests and regression equations at the 95% confidence level. Two hundred and sixty-four questionnaires were analysed. Although 228 (86.4%) of the respondents were aware of child adoption, only 72 (27.3%) knew its correct meaning. Fifty-seven (21.6%) women knew how to adopt a baby while the rest did not; 183 (69.3%) respondents expressed their unwillingness to adopt a baby while the remaining 81 (30.7%) were willing. Twelve (14.8%) of these 81 respondents (or 4.5% of all respondents) had either adopted or made an effort to adopt a child at the time of the study. The major reasons given by the 183 respondents unwilling to adopt a child were: adoption not a solution to their infertility (84 respondents); adoption psychologically unacceptable (78 respondents); fear of unknown parental background (75 respondents) and abnormal behaviour in the child (75 respondents). Univariate analysis showed six factors significantly associated with a favourable attitude to child adoption: a correct knowledge of the meaning of adoption (P=0.00007), duration of infertility >5 years (P=0.0002), previous orthodox specialist treatment (P=0.0002), tubal infertility (P=0.002), no living child (P=0.02) and maternal age >35 years (P=0.03). In a multiple logistic regression involving these six factors, with attitude to adoption as the dependent variable, two factors were associated significantly with a favourable attitude to adoption: correct knowledge of the meaning of adoption (OR=1.9, P=0.04) and previous orthodox specialist treatment (OR=2.9, P=0.05). Although the majority of infertile Nigerian women have heard of child adoption, only a minority knew its real meaning, its legality and the process it entails. Approximately one-third of them were disposed favourably to adoption as a treatment option for their infertility. The Nigerian experience was compared and contrasted with the experiences of other countries. Factors associated with a favourable attitude to adoption were presented and discussed. In the presence of such factors, especially when the probability of cure of infertility is small, child adoption as a treatment option should be offered early so that willing couples can initiate the processes.
TL;DR: The results indicated that concurrent administration of both agents significantly decreased average serum concentration, peak plasma concentration, and elimination rate of ciprofloxacin HCl, whereas the half-life and clearance rate were increased, and biphasic interaction was observed.
Abstract: The effect of Garcinia kola seed extract (100 mg/kg) on the pharmacokinetic and antibacterial effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (40 mg/kg) was studied. The results (mean +/- SEM) indicated that concurrent administration of both agents significantly (P < 0.05) decreased average serum concentration, peak serum concentration, and elimination rate of ciprofloxacin HCl, whereas the half-life and clearance rate were increased. The decrease in clearance rate was not significant. There was no difference in time to peak plasma concentration of ciprofloxacin HCl in both groups (n = 5), which occurred at 1 hour. However, the peak plasma concentration of ciprofloxacin HCl was 46.90 +/- 9.50 microg/mL in the group that received ciprofloxacin HCl alone as against 35.80 +/- 9.30 microg/mL noted in the group that received both agents (difference of 22.24%). At 2.5 hours and longer, the values were higher in the group that received both agents, but these were not statistically significant. The reciprocal serum inhibitory titer (SIT) was 33.33 and 50.00% higher in group that received ciprofloxacin HCl alone at 1 and 2.5 hours, respectively; the highest value for both groups being at 1 hour. In contrast, at 4 hours, the value of reciprocal SIT was 66.67% higher in the group that received both agents and at 24 hours, the value was zero for both groups. The observed pharmacokinetic and antibacterial interactions at various time interval indicate biphasic interaction. The interaction was antagonistic at 1 and 2.5 hours, but exhibited potentiation at 4 hours. The precise mechanism underlying the observed biphasic interaction is not fully understood.
TL;DR: The results indicate that it is possible to gain a significant market share for prepackaged drugs using locally available distribution channels and the value lies in using a variety of channels, both ones that are centrally located and others that are accessible to scattered, outlying communities that are poorly served by orthodox medicine.
Abstract: Among the strategies being tested to improve prompt and appropriate treatment of febrile illness, especially malaria, in young children is the prepackaging of antimalarial drugs in easy to use dail...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A cross-sectional ophthalmological survey to determine the ocular health in Nigerian industries showed a high frequency of eye injuries among industrial workers and a low level of use of protective eye cover while at work, and it is recommended that legislation requiring the use of Protective devices in high-risk industries should be vigorously enforced.
Abstract: A cross-sectional ophthalmological survey to determine the ocular health in Nigerian industries was undertaken in four randomly selected industrial establishments in Enugu State of Nigeria. The industrial establishments studied were the cement factory, coal mine, saw mill and iron/steel works where motor spare parts are fabricated. Of the 646 workers, 184 (28.5%) had a history of industrial accidents, 81 (12.5%) of which affected the eye. Eye injury was most commonly caused by metal chips, cement dust, fragments of wood, pieces of coal stone and welders' arc rays all of which could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eye coverings. Contusion injury was the most common type of injury reported. Eye accident rate varied from factory to factory as also did the wearing of protective eye devices. overall, the percentage of workers using protective eye cover was 16.7% but there was a significant difference between the factories in this respect, protective eye wear being more often used in factories with higher eye accident rates. A total of 646 technical workers had detailed ophthalmological examination. The types and frequencies ofvisual disorders seen as well as the nature and causes of eye injuries were determined. Five hundred and twenty-eight workers (81.7%) had eye disorders. Presbyopla was responsible for 203 (31.4%) of these disorders while 169 (26.2%) were refractive errors. Of the others, pterygium and pingueculum together numbered 179 (27.7%) while cataract was found in 79 (12.2%) subjects. The results showed a high frequency of eye injuries among industrial workers and a low level of use of protective eye cover while at work. It is recommended that legislation requiring the use of protective devices in high-risk industries should be vigorously enforced to improve the eye health of Nigerian industrial workers.
TL;DR: The capacity of young Nigerian West African Dwarf (WAD) goats to express good acquired immunity to their native geographic strain of Haemonchus contortus and the correlates of this responsiveness were studied in a laboratory experiment involving forty 7-8 month old kids.
TL;DR: Since the majority of lameness cases were observed during the wet season (especially in sheep), it is suggested that these small ruminants be closely monitored during this season and foot lesions promptly attended to.
TL;DR: Pregnant Nigerians’ beliefs about cesarean section are more important than formal education in determining whether or not they accept it, hence the need to correct such false beliefs during antenatal classes.
TL;DR: The index of food significance (IFS) showed that fish and insects were equally important, followed by molluscs and crustaceans, and C. ebriensis is a new host record for these helminth parasites.
TL;DR: Intestinal helminth infection was most prevalent in adolescents aged 12-17 years, except for ascariasis, where the 6-11 year age group had the highest prevalence.
Abstract: A two- year retrospective study between 1996 and 1997 was carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, to determine the patterns of intestinal helminth infection. A total of 13385 stool samples were examined using the direct smear technique. Some samples were also examined using the formal ether concentration method when direct smears were negative. Hookworm, Ascaris, Trichuris and Strongyloides were the most common helminths. Hookworm was the most prevalent (14.3%). Generally infection was most prevalent in adolescents aged 12-17 years, except for ascariasis, where the 6-11 year age group had the highest prevalence. Multiple infections were common (12.6%), with the most common combination being hookworm and ascariasis. To reduce the prevalence of various helminth infections the level of environmental sanitation, socioeconomic status of the populace and water supply should be improved.
TL;DR: In this article, a separator was designed to remove the palm kernels from the shells based on relevant physical properties of palm kernels and shells, and the separator is power-driven and can reciprocate at three different crank speeds of 93, 120 and 200 min−1 and five crank radii of 20, 25, 35, 40 and 45 mm.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Intestinal cryptosporidiosis is not common in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhoea in Enugu, and more studies are needed to further confirm this trend.
Abstract: Cryptosporidium is the most frequently implicated organism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diarrhoea worldwide. Because of the increasing incidence and prevalence of HIV infection in Nigeria and the associated increase in the number of patients presenting with chronic diarrhoea, it has become necessary to determine the prevalence of this organism in HIV-infected patients in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria. One hundred and eighty nine (189) adult patients with chronic diarrhoea admitted to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu from August 1996 to October 1997 were further evaluated by serological testing for HIV infection. Their stool specimens were examined by light microscopy after staining by a modified cold Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method. Out of the 189 patients (117 males and 72 females), 161 had HIV infection (85.19%) whereas 28 (14.81%) were HIV-negative. Neither the HIV-infected nor the HIV-negative patients had cryptosporidium oocysts or any other acid-fast organism in stool. Intestinal cryptosporidiosis is not common in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhoea in Enugu. More studies are needed to further confirm this trend.