Showing papers by "University of Nigeria, Nsukka published in 2006"
TL;DR: Factors which will positively influence women to deliver in health institutions in Enugu, Nigeria include a variety of interacting social, economic and health system factors, which operate at various levels-the household, community, the health institutions and the larger social and political environment.
284Â citations
TL;DR: More than 90% wound healing was recorded in the extract and cicatrin powder treated groups by 14 days post surgery, where as 72% healing was observed in the distilled water-treated group, significantly different from those of extract and antibiotic-treated groups.
275Â citations
TL;DR: A study of 1000 Nigerian albinos, all of Negro stock, showed various types of albinism with their different modes of transmission—oculocutaneous, ocular and cutaneous.
Abstract: A study of 1000 Nigerian albinos, all of Negro stock, showed various types of albinism with their different modes of transmission--oculocutaneous, ocular and cutaneous. The much higher incidence among the more settled communities in the south, compared with the more nomadic communities in the north, may be related to greater inbreeding tendencies in the south. The sun and society are hostile to the albinos. Under the tropical sunshine, their melanin-deficient skin develops wrinkles, lentigines, actinic keratoses and epitheliomata from which they may die in early adult life or in middle age. Myopia and other ocular defects retard the progress of many albinos in school and they eventually drop out to seek disastrous menial outdoor occupations. Registering albinos early in life, assuring their families that albino defects are confined to the skin and eyes, advising on protective clothing and sun-screening agents, correcting myopia, assisting with indooor occupations, and early treatment of actinic keratoses and skin cancer should help many albinos to attain social acceptance and a ripe old age.
163Â citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated extraction yields, elemental composition, isotopic d 13 C abundance and solid-state 13 C NMR spectra of humic fractions isolated from five forested and cultivated soils in Ethiopia.
115Â citations
TL;DR: Investigation of whether the people's level of education and what they know about malaria affects how they seek treatment and prevention for the disease indicates that education can have a positive impact on the malaria burden and medium/long-term improvement of overall literacy rates.
109Â citations
TL;DR: More action research and interventions to improve prescription and referral practices and giving verbal advice to care-givers is recommended and ways to integrate the drug sellers in the health system are also recommended.
Abstract: Malaria remains a major cause of mortality among under five children in Nigeria. Most of the early treatments for fever and malaria occur through self-medication with antimalarial drugs bought from medicine sellers. These have led to increasing calls for interventions to improve treatment obtained in these outlets. However, information about the current practices of these medicine sellers is needed before such interventions. This study aims to determine the medicine sellers' perspectives on malaria and the determinants that underlie their dispensing patterns of antimalarial drugs. The study was conducted in Ugwugo-Nike, a rural community in south-east Nigeria. It involved in-depth interviews with 13 patent medicine sellers. A majority of the medicine sellers were not trained health professionals and malaria is recognized as a major health problem by them. There is poor knowledge and poor dispensing behaviour in relation to childhood malaria episodes. Although referral of severe malaria is common, there are those who will not refer. Verbal advice is rarely given to the care-givers. More action research and interventions to improve prescription and referral practices and giving verbal advice to care-givers is recommended. Ways to integrate the drug sellers in the health system are also recommended.
96Â citations
TL;DR: Modifications of mixtures of beeswax and theobroma oil could be applied in the formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as these lipid matrices possessed crystal characteristics that favour such drug delivery systems.
88Â citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that formal education is still a significant predictor of whether women deliver within or outside health institutions in Enugu, south- eastern Nigeria.
Abstract: Although some previous studies have suggested formal maternal education as the most potent tool for reducing the mortality ratio in Nigeria, other studies found that the depressed Nigerian economy since 1986 has marginalised the benefits of education with the result that educated women stopped making use of existing health facilities because they could not afford the cost of health services. This study was carried out to determine the current influence of formal maternal education and other factors on the choice of place of delivery by pregnant women in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria. It was a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire study of women who delivered within 3 months before the date of data collection in the study area. In an increasing order of level of care, the outcome variable (place where the last delivery took place) was categorised into seven, with home deliveries representing the lowest category and private hospitals run by specialist obstetricians as the highest category. These were further sub-categorised into non-institutional deliveries and institutional deliveries. Maternal educational level was the main predictor variable. Other predictor variables were sociodemographic factors. Data analysis was by means of descriptive and inferential statistics including means, frequencies and chi2-tests at the 95% confidence (CI) level. Out of a total of 1,450 women to whom the questionnaires were administered, 1,095 women responded (a response rate of 75.5%). A total of 579 (52.9%) of the respondents delivered outside health institutions, while the remaining 516 (47.1%) delivered within health institutions. Regarding the educational levels of the respondents, 301 (27.5%) had no formal education; 410 (37.4%) had primary education; 148 (13.5%) secondary education and 236 (21.5%) post-secondary education. There was a significant positive correlation between the educational levels of the respondents and their husbands (r=0.86, p=0.000). With respect to occupational categories of the respondents, 88 (8.0%) of them belonged to occupational class I, 158 (14.4%) to occupational class II, 107 (9.8%) to occupational class III, 14 (1.3%) to occupational class IV and 728 to occupational class V. There was a significant positive correlation between the respondents' and their husbands' occupational levels (r=0.89, p=0.000). There were statistically significant associations between choice of institutional or non-institutional deliveries and respondents' educational level as well as place of residence (urban/rural), religion, tribe, marital status, occupational level, husband's occupational and educational levels, age and parity (p
76Â citations
TL;DR: Investigating if glaucoma patients have abnormal blood fatty acid composition found them to have reduced EPA, DHA and total omega3 LCPUFA in plasma CPG and triglycerides may be significant, since EPA and DHA could modulate impaired systemic microcirculation and ocular blood flow and optic neuropathy.
Abstract: The aetiology of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which is the commonest cause of non-remediable blindness and visual impairment, is not well understood. Nevertheless, increased intraocular pressure, and vascular factors such as ocular blood flow deficits are thought to be risk factors. There is evidence of decreased optic nerve blood velocity and increased red blood cell aggregability in POAG. These factors are influenced by fatty acids. We have investigated if glaucoma patients have abnormal blood fatty acid composition. Patients with POAG (n=10) and their healthy siblings (n=8) were enrolled. Compared with their healthy siblings, the glaucoma patients had reduced eicosapentaenoic (EPA, P<0.01), and docosahexaenoic (DHA, P<0.05) fatty acids and total omega3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) (P<0.05) in red cell choline phosphoglycerides (CPG); decreased EPA (P<0.05) in ethanolamine phosphoglycerides (EPG); lower EPA (P<0.05) and total omega3 LCPUFA (P<0.05) in serine phosphoglycerides (SPG). Similarly, they had reduced EPA, DHA and total omega3 LCPUFA in plasma CPG (P<0.005) and triglycerides (P<0.05). These findings may be significant, since EPA and DHA could modulate impaired systemic microcirculation and ocular blood flow and optic neuropathy, which are the main physiological changes associated with glaucoma.
74Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of preliminary investigation of the characteristic levels of heavy metals in surface soils of an oilfield in the Niger Delta, indicating higher concentration of the following metals: Cd, Pb, Cu; Ni, Zn, Cr, Mn and Hg in soils around the gas plant than the pipeline areas.
Abstract: This communication presents the results of preliminary investigation of the characteristic levels of heavy metals in surface soils of an oilfield in the Niger Delta. The results indicate higher concentration of the following metals: Cd, Pb, Cu; Ni, Zn, Cr, Mn and Hg in soils around the gas plant than the pipeline areas. There is a significant temporal and spatial variation in the concentrations of the heavy metals. Samples collected during the wet season showed lower concentrations of heavy metals. The distribution pattern of heavy metals follows the following order Fe> Mn> Zn> V> Cr> Pb> Cu> Ni> Cd> Hg> As. The soils around the oilfield could be considered unpolluted since the concentrations of the metals fit into background levels and concentrations found in natural and agricultural soils. Since metal build up is a gradual process, farmland, fishing ponds and water bodies closer to these facilities will be at risk of heavy metal pollution over time.
68Â citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of expository and guided inquiry on the achievement in and attitude to biology of students of different levels of scientific literacy in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Duration of utilization of these topical steroids was significantly associated with severe local and systemic consequences, while withdrawal of the offending steroids usually resulted in severe withdrawal dermatitis that was unpleasant to patients, which may suggest that discontinuation is impossible.
Abstract: This study was undertaken to document prevalence, motives and observed complications of steroid use as a depigmenting agent amongst African blacks in southeast Nigeria. This practice is very common in the African environment. Consecutive new patients attending the dermatology clinic of the University of Nigeria TeachingHospital, Enugu, from June to December 2004 were recruited. Active substances of products used were determined from packages, while unknown concoctions were analyzed. Chi-squared and Fischer tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significant threshold fixed at 5%. Females aged 18-69 years accounted for 75% (414) of patients. Main topical steroids used by both women and men were class-1 steroids, and these were often compounded with other bleaching products. Median duration of usage was 9 years +/- 1.3. Disorders observed included steroid-induced acne (45.3%), macular hyperpigmentation of face (37.2%), mycoses (40.4%), striae (28.3%), telangiectasis (21.3%), hypertrichosis (13.9%) and diabetes mellitus (2.1%). Duration of utilization of these topical steroids was significantly associated with severe local and systemic consequences, while withdrawal of the offending steroids usually resulted in severe withdrawal dermatitis that was unpleasant to patients. This may suggest that discontinuation is impossible.
TL;DR: A preliminary investigation into the situation regarding access to electronic healthcare information in developing countries, focusing on the circumstances in the Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, identifies a number of issues, including the lack of an adequate ICT infrastructure and affordable online access.
Abstract: This paper presents results from a preliminary investigation into the situation regarding access to electronic healthcare information in developing countries, focusing on the circumstances in the Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria. A review of current literature examines broader issues around access to electronic information in developing countries, and specific issues regarding electronic healthcare information. Studies that particularly focus on the situation in Nigeria are identified. Information gathered from a series of interviews with the librarian at the Medical Library identify a number of issues, including the lack of an adequate ICT infrastructure and affordable online access, and a need for library staff and library users to gain ICT skills and information seeking skills. Areas for further research are identified.
TL;DR: Morbidity and mortality with nephroblastoma is high in the authors' environment, and late presentation, poverty, ignorance and poor compliance to treatment constitute a great challenge to the paediatric oncologist in a developing country.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have used the concept of Da-Zarrouk parameters (transverse unit resistance (R) and longitudinal conductance (C)) in porous media to determine aquifer hydraulic characteristics within the middle Imo river basin.
Abstract: We have used the concept of Da - Zarrouk parameters (transverse unit resistance (R) and longitudinal conductance (C)) in porous media to determine aquifer hydraulic characteristics within the middle Imo river basin. The lithostratigraphic units within the study area include: Imo formation, Bende - Ameki formation, Ogwashi Asaba formation and Benin formation. The direct current electrical resistivity method was utilized for the present study. Twenty-four (24) vertical electrical soundings (VES) using the Schlumberger array was acquired for the study area. A maximum current electrode spacing (AB) of 1000 meters was used. Eight of the soundings were carried out near existing boreholes. A combination of curve matching techniques and computer iterative modelling was used in processing the data. Results show that the depth to water table varies between 12m at Ife and 153m at Aba Branch. Interpretative cross - section along two profiles show that aquifer thicknesses range between 9m and 104m. The diagnostic Ks = constant value was used to delineate the different lithostratigraphic units within the study area. We have also used the established relationship between aquifer characteristics and geoelectric parameters to estimate hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity values of all the sounding locations including areas where boreholes were non - existent. Hydraulic conductivity varies between 1.24 m/day at Amuzukwu and 26.41 m/day at Obinze. Transmissivity values also vary between 41m2/day at Osuachara and 1370 m2/day at Obinze.
TL;DR: The fact that traditional healers are important providers of treatment for severe malaria, especially convulsions, underlines the need to enlist their support in efforts to improve referral practices forsevere malaria.
Abstract: Malaria remains one of the main causes of mortality among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria traditional healers play an important role in health care delivery and the majority of the population depend on them for most of their ailments. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of traditional healers regarding causes, symptoms, treatment of uncomplicated malaria and referral practices for severe malaria with a view to developing appropriate intervention strategies aimed at improving referral practices for severe malaria. A qualitative study was carried out in Ugwogo-Nike, a rural community in south-east Nigeria, which included in-depth interviews with 23 traditional healers. The traditional healers believed that the treatment of severe malaria, especially convulsions, with herbal remedies was very effective. Some traditional healers were familiar with the signs and symptoms of malaria, but malaria was perceived as an environmentally related disease caused by heat from the scorching sun. The majority of traditional healers believed that convulsions are inherited from parents, while a minority attributed them to evil spirits. Most (16/23) will not refer cases to a health facility because they believe in the efficacy of their herbal remedies. The few that did refer did so after several stages of traditional treatment, which resulted in long delays of about two weeks before appropriate treatment was received. The fact that traditional healers are important providers of treatment for severe malaria, especially convulsions, underlines the need to enlist their support in efforts to improve referral practices for severe malaria.
TL;DR: It is shown that sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive variables and anthropometric measures are significant predictors of breast cancer risk in Nigerian women.
Abstract: This study evaluated the potential risk factors for breast cancer in Nigerian women using a case-control design of 250 women with breast cancer and their age-matched female controls. Both cases and controls were recruited from 4 University Teaching Hospitals in Midwestern and Southeastern Nigeria. Data on the clinical and epidemiological characteristics were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. The mean age of the cases and controls were 46.1 and 47.1 years, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of the cases were premenopausal while 43% were postmenopausal. The association of risk factors with breast cancer was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Positive family history of breast cancer in first- and second-degree relatives (Odds ratio [OR] = 8.07, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003, 64.95, p = 0.04), education of high school level and above (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.04, 1.74, p = 0.0205), age at first fullterm pregnancy (FFTP) greater than 20 years (OR = 1.32 95% CI 1.01, 1.71, p = 0.0413) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.27, 3.10, p = 0.0026) were associated with increased risk of breast cancer in the final multiple conditional logistic regression model. The findings from this study have shown that sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive variables and anthropometric measures are significant predictors of breast cancer risk in Nigerian women.
TL;DR: Two morphologically and functionally distinct cell types have been recognized in the trophectoderm of the placenta of ruminant animals and the occurrence, morphological characteristics, and specialized functions of these trophoblast cells, in relation to conceptus nutrition and survival in utero are discussed.
TL;DR: The significant risk factors for HBsAg positivity were higher mean parity, higher number of sexual partners since sexual debut, polygamy and previous positive history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
Abstract: We aimed to assess the risk factors for hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. This was a prospective case-control study of risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen positivity among pregnant women seen in two tertiary health institutions in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. It was carried out over an 8-month period, January - August 2005. Of the 1,499 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic, 4.6% (n = 69) were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen. A total of 35 (50.7%) HBsAg positive women and 71 negative controls were interviewed. The risk factors for HBsAg were present in 71% (n = 25) of the positive cases, while only 27% (n = 19) of the negative cases had risk factors. The significant risk factors for HBsAg positivity were higher mean parity, higher number of sexual partners since sexual debut, polygamy and previous positive history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) (p 0.05). Screening pregnant women for hepatitis B infection on the basis of presence of risk factors may not effective. Universal antenatal screening for HBsAg, health education aimed at reducing risk factors and immunisation of all newborn and those at risk of hepatitis B is advocated.
TL;DR: The methanolic bulb extract of C. jagus was able to significantly protect mice from death, myonecrosis and haemorrhage induced by the lethal effects of venoms of notable snake species in Nigeria.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed asymmetric angular-linear multivariate regression models, which were motivated by the need to predict some environmental characteristics based on some circular and linear predictors.
Abstract: We propose asymmetric angular-linear multivariate regression models, which were motivated by the need to predict some environmental characteristics based on some circular and linear predictors. A measure of fit is provided through the residual analysis. Some applications using data from solar energy radiation experiment and wind energy are given.
TL;DR: The genetic basis of IOP is investigated in a sample of West Africans with type 2 diabetes from Ghana and Nigeria and provides additional evidence that chromosome 5 contains susceptibility loci for glaucoma in multiple human populations.
Abstract: Purpose High intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Because it has been demonstrated that African populations are at increased risk for glaucoma, the authors investigated the genetic basis of IOP in a sample of West Africans with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from Ghana and Nigeria. Methods Genomewide linkage analysis was conducted for loci linked to IOP (measured by applanation tonometry) in 244 affected sibling pairs with T2D using 372 autosomal short-tandem repeat markers at an average spacing of 9 cM. Results Multipoint variance components linkage analyses revealed suggestive linkage on chromosome 5 (5q22) with a logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 2.50 (nominal P = 0.0003; empiric P = 0.0004) and on chromosome 14 (14q22) with an LOD score of 2.95 (nominal P = 0.0001; empiric P = 0.0003). Fine mapping at a marker density of 2 cM in the 5q region confirmed the linkage signal, with an increase in peak LOD score to 4.91. Conclusions The strong signal on chromosome 5 lies in the region in which a novel gene, WDR36, in the GLC1G locus was recently identified as causative for adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma and provides additional evidence that chromosome 5 contains susceptibility loci for glaucoma in multiple human populations. The evidence provided in this study is particularly important given the evolutionary history of these West African populations and the recent ancestral relationship to African Americans-a population with one of the highest rates of diabetes and associated complications (including glaucoma) in the world.
TL;DR: In this paper, the structural, electronic and optical properties of antiperovskite semiconductors AsNMg3 and SbNMg4 have been studied using the APW + lo ) method.
Abstract: The structural, electronic and optical properties of antiperovskite semiconductors AsNMg3 and SbNMg3 have been studied using the full-potential augmented plane wave plus local-orbital ( APW + lo ) method. The exchange correlation has been treated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The equilibrium lattice constant and other structural properties have been determined. The AsNMg3 is found to be a direct band gap semiconductor while SbNMg3 is indirect. The results for electronic band structures, density of states, charge densities as well as optical properties are presented and discussed.
TL;DR: Two of the isolates, which showed the highest growth during screening as demonstrated by an increase in their optical densities and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia respectively, were also able to grow in anthracene and carbazole, but not very much so in 2,4-dichlorophenol and D-camphor.
Abstract: Twenty-four bacteria capable of utilizing naphthalene, as their sole source of carbon and energy for growth were isolated from three different sites in Nsukka, Nigeria. By standard bacteriological methods, these bacteria were characterized taxonomically as belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, Burkholderia or Actinomycetes. Two of the isolates, which showed the highest growth during screening as demonstrated by an increase in their optical densities (OD600) and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia respectively, were also able to grow in anthracene and carbazole, but not very much so in 2,4-dichlorophenol and D-camphor. The isolates showed a concentration-dependent growth in all the compounds they grew in. There were visible changes in the colour of the growth medium of the isolates during their incubation, suggesting the production of different metabolites. There were also changes in their medium pH during growth. These studies demonstrate the possession by the bacterial species of novel degradative systems.
TL;DR: This paper explored three video genres that embody forms of political critique: the hardy genre of films about traditional rulership, the crime thriller, with several variants; and family melodrama, which tends to infiltrate all other genres.
Abstract: Video films have established themselves as the dominant form of Nigerian popular culture, with more than 1,000 titles being released every year. They arose during politically tumultuous times but have had a reputation for being studiously commercial and avoiding political subjects. This essay attempts to revise this conventional wisdom by exploring three video genres that embody forms of political critique: the hardy genre of films about traditional rulership; the crime thriller, with several variants; and family melodrama, which tends to infiltrate all other genres. It then surveys some films with directly political subjects made since the end of military rule in 1999.
TL;DR: Examination of the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of a range of indicators commonly used to generate SES indices as well as the composite SES index showed considerable variation, with some indicators having only low to moderate reliability.
Abstract: Socio-economic status (SES) indices are increasingly being used to characterise (in)equity, with the assumption that SES indices are reliable. However, the accuracy of such SES indices is questionable if they are unreliable. We examined the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of a range of indicators commonly used to generate SES indices as well as the composite SES indices. Results from research in southeast Nigeria showed considerable variation, with some indicators having only low to moderate reliability (reliability coefficients 0.25-0.77). Inter-rater and test-retest reliability of SES indices was 0.63 in both cases. Many households were misclassified because of the unreliable SES indices. Analyses of the distribution of resources based on such indicators could lead to inaccuracies in benefit incidence estimates and policy decisions based on low to moderately reliable SES indicators could worsen equity in access to and use of resources. Greater rigour is needed in conceptualising as well as undertaking SES measurements.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This study showed a strong association between CKD and LVH in patients in developing countries at the time of first evaluation by a nephrologist, and demonstrated a high prevalence of LVh in patients at first evaluation.
Abstract: Objective Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality all over the world. The combined effect of volume and pressure overload seen in patients with CKD is the primary cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Though it accounts for a significant proportion of patients dying in hospitals in Nigeria, information on CKD in African Blacks is lacking. This study evaluates the prevalence of LVH and factors affecting it in pre-dialysis patients by using echocardiography. Design, setting and patients One hundred consecutive patients with CKD who were attending the medical outpatient and renal clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, who satisfied the inclusion criteria were screened for the study. Eighty-eight patients completed the study. Forty-five age- and sex-matched subjects were selected as controls. Clinical and laboratory parameters and echocardiographic indices were measured. Results Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined in absolute terms as left ventricular mass index >134 g/m2 in men and >110 g/m2 in women was present in 95.5% of patients and 6.7% of controls. The most prevalent type of LVH was eccentric hypertrophy, which was found in 54.6%, while concentric was seen in 40.9%. Hypertension was present in 85.2% of the patients. The predominant causes of CKD were chronic glomerulonephritis (43.2%), hypertension (25%), and diabetes mellitus (14.8%). All the patients studied had advanced CKD, either stage 4 or 5 of the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative classification of CKD. Stepwise method of multiple linear regressions identified mean arterial pressure (32%), hemoglobin concentration (22%), male sex (17%), and creatinine clearance (24%) as predictors of LVH in CKD. Conclusion This study showed a strong association between CKD and LVH in patients in developing countries at the time of first evaluation by a nephrologist. It demonstrated a high prevalence of LVH in patients at first evaluation. The patients were often anemic and had severe hypertension even at first presentation. Early detection and treatment of causes of CKD should be pursued aggressively at the primary prevention level, as has been advocated by the International Society of Nephrology to reduce the effects of CKD and its attendant complications in the society.
TL;DR: It was concluded that dogs in Nigeria are infected with genuinely diminazene aceturate-resistant trypanosomes that appear to be cross-resistant to pentamidine isethionate.
Abstract: Trypanosomosis is a major cause of mortality for dogs in Nigeria and treatment with diminazene aceturate has steadily become less effective, either as a result of low quality of the locally available diminazene preparations or of drug resistance. To investigate these alternatives, samples of locally obtained drugs were analysed for diminazene aceturate content and a strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei was isolated from a diminazene-refractory dog in Nsukka, south-eastern Nigeria, and used to infect albino rats. The quality of diminazene aceturate-based preparations was variable, with two preparations containing less than 95% of the stated active compound. Rats infected with T. brucei isolated from the dog were treated 7 and 10 days after infection either with 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate (intraperitoneally, once) or with 4 mg/kg pentamidine isethionate (intramuscularly, 7 consecutive days). Relapse rates were 100% for both trypanocides in the groups of rat treated 10 days post-infection, and 83% and 50% of rats treated 7 days after infection relapsed to diminazene aceturate and pentamidine isethionate, respectively. Careful consideration of physiological parameters showed that pentamidine was only marginally superior to diminazene aceturate as applied in this study. It was concluded that dogs in Nigeria are infected with genuinely diminazene aceturate-resistant trypanosomes that appear to be cross-resistant to pentamidine isethionate.
TL;DR: The study showed that WHR is a significant predictor of breast cancer risk in Nigerian women and measures to sustain increased physical activity and ensure healthy dietary practices are recommended to reduce the burden of obesity in the population.
Abstract: The recent upsurge in global obesity and the recognition of the role of metabolic syndrome and other correlates of obesity in the etiology of breast cancer and other chronic diseases has created the impetus for renewed interest in the role of anthropometric measures in breast cancer risk. This case-control study was designed to evaluate the role of anthropometric variables in breast cancer susceptibility in an indigenous sub-Saharan African population drawn from midwestern and southeastern Nigeria, a population grossly underreported in the global epidemiologic literature. Study participants were 250 women with breast cancer who were receiving treatment in the surgical outpatient clinics and surgical wards of four university teaching hospitals located in midwestern and southeastern Nigeria, while the controls were 250 age-matched women without breast cancer or other malignant diseases being treated for other surgical diseases in the same institutions between September 2002 and April 2004. Waist:hip ratio (WHR) was associated with a significant 2.5-fold increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-4.41] and a 2-fold increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.04-2.53). Increasing height conferred a modestly nonsignificant increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.98-2.58). The study showed that WHR is a significant predictor of breast cancer risk in Nigerian women and measures to sustain increased physical activity and ensure healthy dietary practices are recommended to reduce the burden of obesity in the population.
TL;DR: The CHW strategy is a feasible and promising method of improving home-management of uncomplicated malaria and could be sustained since it was preferred and used by consumers over self-treatment in the homes as well as other strategies for improving treatment.
Abstract: Background: The African Heads of State meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on Roll Back Malaria adopted effective treatment of malaria nearer the home as one of the strategies for malaria control in Africa. A potentially effective strategy for bringing early, appropriate and low cost treatment of malaria closer to the home is through the use of community health workers (CHWs). There is paucity of information about people's actual preferences for CHWs and how stated preferences relates to revealed preferences for both the CHW strategy and other strategies for improving the timeliness of malaria treatment in not only Nigeria but in many malaria endemic countries. Objectives: To determine peoples' stated and actual preferences for different strategies for improving the timeliness and appropriateness of treatment of malaria before and after the implementation of a community health workers (CHW) strategy in their community. Methods: A prospective study was undertaken in a rural malaria holo-endemic Nigerian community. A questionnaire was used to collect information on health-seeking from householders before (first survey) and after (second survey) implementation of a CHW malaria treatement strategy. Results: The consumers mostly preferred the CHW strategy over self-treatment in the homes and other strategies of treatment. The use of community health workers (CHWs) increased from 0% to 26.1% (p < 0.05), while self-treatment in the homes decreased from 9.4% to 0% (p < 0.05) after the implementation of the CHW strategy. Use of patent medicine dealers also decreased from 44.8% to 17.9% (p < 0.05) after CHW strategy was implemented. Conclusion: Community health workers can be used to improve and ensure timely and appropriate treatment of malaria. The CHW strategy could also be sustained since it was preferred and used by consumers over selftreatment in the homes as well as other strategies for improving treatment. Hence, the CHW strategy is a feasible and promising method of improving home-management of uncomplicated malaria.