University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Comparative study of the use of natural and artificial coagulants for the treatment of sullage (domestic wastewater)

Abstract: This work presented a comparative study of the effectiveness of natural coagulant (Moringa oleifera and hydrolyzed cassava) extracts and artificial coagulant (alum) as primary coagulants for sullag...

Where do people from different socio-economic groups receive diagnosis and treatment for presumptive malaria, in south-eastern Nigeria?

Abstract: The relationship between the socio-economic status (SES) of a household and its sources of malaria diagnosis and treatment was explored in south-eastern Nigeria. One aim was to see if, as seems likely, the poorest people generally seek care from 'low-level' providers, such as traditional healers and community-based healthworkers, because of their severe budget constraints. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information from 1197 randomly selected respondents from four villages where malaria is holo-endemic. An index was used to categorize the study households into SES quartiles. The self-diagnosis of presumptive malaria and the use of patent-medicine dealers for treatment were very common among all the SES groupings. Compared with the other interviewees, however, the least-poor were significantly more likely to rely on laboratory tests for diagnosis and to visit hospitals when seeking treatment for presumptive malaria. The most-poor, in contrast, were significantly more likely to seek treatment from traditional healers or community-based healthworkers. Thus, even though the use of low-level providers was so common, there was still evidence of wealth-related inequity--in terms of the probabilities of the good diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Improvements in the quality of malaria diagnosis and treatment by the providers patronised by the most-poor villagers would help to redress this inequity, at least in the short- to medium-term.

A natural focus of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii is a bat cave

Abstract: The natural reservoir ofHistoplasma capsulatum var.duboisii, the etiological agent of histoplasmosis duboisii (African histoplasmosis) is not yet known. We report the isolation ofH. capsulatum var.duboisii from soil admixed with bat guano and from the intestinal contents of a bat in a sandstone cave in a rural area, Ogbunike in Anambra State of Nigeria. Eight of 45 samples of soil admixed with bat guano yieldedH. capsulatum var.duboisii. Of the 35 bats belonging to the speciesNycteris hispida andTadirida pumila examined, only one (N. hispida) yielded this fungus from its intestinal contents. Identification of the isolates asHistoplasma was confirmed by exoantigen tests and by mating with tester strains ofH. capsulatum. In vitro conversion to large yeast from suggestive ofH. capsulatum var.duboisii was obtained on brain heart infusion agar supplemented with sheep blood and glutamine or cysteine. Pathogenicity tests with mice for all the isolates confirmed their identity by the demonstration of large yeast forms (8–15 µm in diameter) within giant cells in the infected tissues. Investigations on the possible occurrence of human infections in the area are in progress.

Rethinking health systems in the context of urbanisation: challenges from four rapidly urbanising low-income and middle-income countries

Abstract: The world is now predominantly urban; rapid and uncontrolled urbanisation continues across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Health systems are struggling to respond to the challenges that urbanisation brings. While better-off urbanites can reap the benefits from the ‘urban advantage’, the poorest, particularly slum dwellers and the homeless, frequently experience worse health outcomes than their rural counterparts. In this position paper, we analyse the challenges urbanisation presents to health systems by drawing on examples from four LMICs: Nigeria, Ghana, Nepal and Bangladesh. Key challenges include: responding to the rising tide of non-communicable diseases and to the wider determinants of health, strengthening urban health governance to enable multisectoral responses, provision of accessible, quality primary healthcare and prevention from a plurality of providers. We consider how these challenges necessitate a rethink of our conceptualisation of health systems. We propose an urban health systems model that focuses on: multisectoral approaches that look beyond the health sector to act on the determinants of health; accountability to, and engagement with, urban residents through participatory decision making; and responses that recognise the plurality of health service providers. Within this model, we explicitly recognise the role of data and evidence to act as glue holding together this complex system and allowing incremental progress in equitable improvement in the health of urban populations.

Prevalence of hypertension and its complications among medical admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (Study 2).

Abstract: Background To evaluate the prevalence pattern of hypertension and its complications among medical admissions and compare the findings with those of a previous study conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Method A review of all the admissions into the medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, between December 1998 and November 2003, was done. Results Of the 7399 patients admitted during the period, 1360 (18.4%) had hypertension related diseases. These were 798 (58.7%) males and 562 (41.3%) females, giving a male: female ratio of 1.4:1. There was a progressive increase in the age-specific prevalence of hypertension cases with advancing age, but presenting with only 6 (0.4%) patients in the over 90 years age group. Hypertensive congestive heart failure accounted for 26.5% of the cases and 46.1% of the hypertensive complications. Myocardial infarction was documented in 7 patients. Hypertension with its complications, contributed more than two thirds (69.6%) of the cardiovascular system admissions. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension, with its complications, is increasing, when compared with a previous study. This calls for a multifaceted approach aimed at ensuring the achievement of better blood pressure control, so as to obviate the attendant complications.