Rural-urban disparities in maternal immunization knowledge and childhood health-seeking behavior in Nigeria: A mixed method study

Background: Immunization and appropriate health-seeking behavior are effective strategies to reduce child deaths.Objectives: To compare maternal knowledge about immunization, use of growth chart and childhood health-seeking behavior in rural and urban areas.Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study done in Lagos, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey and focus group discussions were done. 300 respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling while discussants were purposively selected.Results:Awareness of immunization was high but knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) was poor in both areas. Urban women utilized preventive services more; growth monitoring (p<0.001) and immunization (p<0.001) while higher proportions of rural women utilized nutritional counseling (p=0.005) and treatment of illness (p<0.001). Growth chart utilization was better in the urban areas (p<0.001). Increasing maternal education increased use of growth chart in both areas. Both groups of women use multiple treatment sources for children (more in urban), determined by cost, time, perceived severity of illness and type of ailment (urban) and peculiarity of illness (rural). There is a preference for orthodox care in the rural area.Conclusions:Knowledge of VPDs was poor and multiple treatment sources were common among rural and urban women. Education is vital to improve immunization knowledge and health-seeking behavior in both areas.Key Words: Immunization; growth chart; health-seeking behavior; child health; Nigeri

Effectiveness of road safety education in Nigeria using a quasi-experimental trial: Findings from the Road Safety Intervention Project

Road traffic injuries pose a serious public health problem worldwide, especially in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a post-license road safety education intervention programme in terms of increased knowledge and self-reported behaviour among commercial minibus drivers in Lagos, Nigeria. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in three phases. Participating motor parks (selected by simple random sampling) were assigned to either the intervention or control group. All eligible minibus drivers were included with no matching. Data analysis was done with Epi-info version 3.5.1. Comparison was done in terms of group driver education versus no education, and pre- versus post-intervention. Out of an estimated 500 male drivers, 407 participated in the study. Most had some form of formal education. For both groups, pre-intervention knowledge scores were poor but improved significantly post-intervention in the intervention group. None of the drivers in the intervention group had good scores but this increased to 66,1% post-intervention. Their mean score increased from 34,4 ± 9,1 to 72,3 ± 10,2. Adherence to speed limits did not improve. The control group showed no significant changes. Post-license road safety education significantly improved knowledge but not self-reported adherence to speed limits. Similar, sustainable programmes should be offered to improve commercial drivers’ poor knowledge. Further studies are needed to determine deterrent factors to behaviour change.Keywords: road safety, intervention, commercial drivers, Nigeri

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Pleurotus Tuber-Regium on Ethanol Induced Peptic Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: There is increasing desire for pleiotropic plant-based remedies for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease due to its prevalence and the challenges associated with existing therapies. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuber-regium (PT) on ethanol induced peptic ulcer in male Wistar rats. Methods: This animal experiment used 30 male Wistar rats. They were divided into five groups (6 rats each) namely: Normal control (Group A), Ulcer control (Group B), Ulcer+omeprazole treatment (Group C), PT pre-treatment ulcer (Group D), and Ulcer+PT treatment (Group E). Peptic ulcer was induced by administration of 1 ml of 80% ethanol orally to each animal from group B to E. Four hours after the induction of gastric ulcer, the rats were sacrificed, the abdomen was opened to remove the stomach for histological study and gastric content to determine the gastric juice volume (ml/4 h). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 25. Findings: Treatment of ulcer with PT in group E and omeprazole (group C) significantly decreased the free acidity (E=0.83±0.20, C=1.20±0.11, p<0.05), total acidity (E=3.10±0.60, C=9.10±0.32, p<0.05) and ulcer index (E=5.00±2.02, 7.83±4.04, p<0.05) in comparison with group B (free acidity=3.06±1.09, total acidity=22.86±2.51 and ulcer index=32.83±1.74) and group D (free acidity=4.16±0.69, total acidity=17.06±1.91 and ulcer index=35.66±1.96). Group E showed higher percentage of ulcer inhibition (84.77%) than group C (76.15%), while group D showed no inhibition. Also, there were improvements in the macroscopic and microscopic structure of the stomach tissue‎. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that P. tuber-regium extract could serve as a better alternative to standard anti-ulcer drugs and considering that it is nutraceutical, it is a safe and more affordable alternative for the treatment of peptic ulcer

Particle release from implantoplasty of dental implants and impact on cells

Abstract: Background: With increasing numbers of dental implants placed annually, complications such as peri-implantitis and the subsequent periprosthetic osteolysis are becoming a major concern. Implantoplasty, a commonly used treatment of peri-implantitis, aims to remove plaque from exposed implants and reduce future microbial adhesion and colonisation by mechanically modifying the implant surface topography, delaying re-infection/colonisation of the site. This in vitro study aims to investigate the release of particles from dental implants and their effects on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), following an in vitro mock implantoplasty procedure with a diamond burr. Materials and methods: Commercially available implants made from grade 4 (commercially pure, CP) titanium (G4) and grade 5 Ti-6Al-4 V titanium (G5) alloy implants were investigated. Implant particle compositions were quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) following acid digestion. HGFs were cultured in presence of implant particles, and viability was determined using a metabolic activity assay. Results: Microparticles and nanoparticles were released from both G4 and G5 implants following the mock implantoplasty procedure. A small amount of vanadium ions were released from G5 particles following immersion in both simulated body fluid and cell culture medium, resulting in significantly reduced viability of HGFs after 10 days of culture. Conclusion: There is a need for careful evaluation of the materials used in dental implants and the potential risks of the individual constituents of any alloy. The potential cytotoxicity of G5 titanium alloy particles should be considered when choosing a device for dental implants. Additionally, regardless of implant material, the implantoplasty procedure can release nanometre-sized particles, the full systemic effect of which is not fully understood. As such, authors do not recommend implantoplasty for the treatment of peri-implantitis

Predictors of maternal health service utilization: a community based, rural-urban comparison in Nigeria

Objectives: Provision of skilled health care during pregnancy, childbirth and the early postpartum period is an effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality. This study was done to determine and compare the utilization of antenatal and delivery services in an urban and rural area of Lagos State.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was done in Surulere and Ibeju Lekki LGAs among mothers of under-fives. Multistage sampling was used to select 600 respondents in both LGAs. Information was collected with a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed with Epi info 3.5.1 and inferential statistics done were chi square, fisher’s exact and t tests at p&lt;0.05. Multiple logistic regressions were also done to determine predictors of utilization.Results: Eighty four percent of women in both areas had formal ANC; 79.7% (rural) and 75.0% (urban) had institutional delivery for their last confinement. Among both groups of women, increasing maternal age increased ANC use while higher maternal education was associated with delivery in a health facility. Predictors of ANC use were being married (rural), Christianity and lower parity (urban). For both groups of women, religion, maternal and spouse’s education had a positive effect on having skilled delivery. Among the rural women, ANC utilization positively influenced institutional delivery. Predictors of use of skilled delivery were being older, being married or co-habiting and lower parity (rural); being younger and higher educational level (urban).Conclusion: There is high utilization of ANC services in both groups of women with a lower use of institutional delivery services in the urban area. There is need for intervention to further improve use of skilled delivery.Keywords: Health-seeking behavior, ANC, Delivery, Rural, Urban, Nigeri

Phytoplankton diversity and abundance as a function of water quality for fish production: a case study of two man-made Reservoirs in Zaria, Nigeria

Water quality and phytoplankton composition of two Reservoirs (Bomo and Kubanni) in Zaria, Nigeria, were investigated for their fish production potentials from April to June 2011. April represented the dry period, while May and June were months with rains. Physicochemical parameters of the two Reservoirs showed significantly different (p &lt; 0.05) characteristics. Nutrient concentrations were higher in Bomo Reservoir than those obtained in Kubanni Reservoir during the study period. A total number of 46 and 20 phytoplankton species belonging to Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae were recorded in Bomo and Kubanni Reservoirs, respectively. Relative abundance (RA) of Chlorophyceae in Bomo Reservoir was 50.1% and 63.7% in April and May, respectively. However, in Kubanni Reservoir 83.3% RA of Bacillariophyceae was obtained in April and 71% of Cyanophyceae in May. Community structure analyses showed a higher diversity and species richness in Bomo Reservoir than Kubanni Reservoir during the study period. A significant correlation was obtained between most physicochemical parameters analyzed with the occurrence and abundance of several phytoplankton species. The high species diversity obtained especially of phytoplankton groups other than the cyanobacteria in Bomo Reservoir shows that Bomo Reservoir will be very suitable for sustainable fisheries production compared to Kubanni Reservoir with fewer species and as much as 71% RA of cyanobacteria in May. However, there is the need to control the irrigational farming activities around the Bomo Reservoir and also to prevent the discharge of domestic effluents into it.Key words: Microalgae, Cyanobacteria, community structure, physicochemical parameters, Aquacultur

Spontaneous Scrotal Enterocutaneous Fistula: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Background: Spontaneous scrotal enterocutaneous fistula(SSECF) is a rare entity both in our local and international literature.No report of such has emanated from south eastern Nigeria. Method: The case note of the patient was retrieved and relevant data extracted and summarized. An extensive pubmed search was done and results reviewed and compared with the present case. Result: The case report of the successful surgical management of a 7week male who developed right hemiscrotal SSECF as a result of neglected, irreducible right inguinoscrotal hernia is outlined. A review of current literature is also highlighted. Conclusion: Spontaneous scrotal enterocutaneous fistula is a very rare complication of neglected, irreducible, strangulated inguinoscrotal hernia. Treatment is invariably inguinal exploration, excision of diseased bowel with end to end anastomosis. Early detection and early repair policy will prevent this. Keywords: Spontaneous,scrotal,enterocutaneous fistul

Histopathologic effect of potassium bromate on the kidney of adult wistar rats.

Objective: We aimed to demonstrate the histopathologic effects of potassium bromate (KBrO ) on the kidney tissues of rats following 3short-term and long-term exposures.Method: Twenty young wistar rats of weights 180-250g were divided into three groups. The control group A was sub-divided into two groups of three rats each and orally administered with 1ml of distilled water daily for 7 days and 21 days respectively; the experimental groups B and C were administered with 75 mg/kg body weight/day dosage of KBrO orally for 1 week and 3 weeks 3 respectively.Results: Histopathological examination of the experimental groups showed haemorrhagic, necrotic and degenerative changes in the kidney tissues compared with the control group, which maintained normal kidney tissues. These histological changes were marked in group C animals exposed to KBrO for 3 weeks compared to those exposed for 1 week. 3             Conclusion: The present study indicated that both short-term and long-term exposures to sub-lethal dose of KBrO caused alterations 3in the histology of the kidney of wistar rats. These alterations may account for the various nephrotoxic effects associated with exposure to KBrO In addition, some of the histopathologic effects were marked in long-term compared to short-term exposure to 3. KBrO , thus indicating duration-dependent effect of KBrO consumption.Key Words: Potassium bromate, Wistar rats, Histopathology, Kidneys, Nephrotoxi