Congenital malformations in ruminants and its surgical management: a retrospective study of Sokoto veterinary clinic, Nigeria

Background:Congenital defects, abnormalities of structures or functions present at birth, maybe as a result ofgenetic or environmental factors or both and in most cases; the exact etiology is not clear but can occur in all animals. These abnormalities are responsible for slowing down of genetic progress and economic loss for the breeders, due to the death of animals.Methods:Available record of cases presented to Aliyu JedoVeterinary Clinic,Sokoto from December 2015 to 2019 was used to investigate congenital malformation in ruminants based on species and sex. Surgery was carried out in all the cases with local anaesthesia (infiltration technique) using lignocaine. Surgical procedures carriedout were rectopexy (atresia ani), gingivectomy (gingival fibromatosis), superficial keratectomy and temporary tarssorhaphy (dermoid cyst), casting and physiotherapy (contracted tendons). Results:A total of 47 congenital malformations; atresia ani 22 (46.8%), gingival fibromatosis 18(38.3%), dermoid cyst 6(12.8%), and contracted tendon 1(2.1%) were reviewed in the study.The ovine species had the highest incidence of cases load recorded 23(48.93%) followed by bovine 17(36.17%) and then caprine species7(14.89%). The incidence of all malformations was higher in males (68.1%) than in females (31.9%). All cases were attempted surgically with success in all the procedures.Conclusions:It can be concluded that male ruminants have the highest prevalence of congenital malformation. Congenital malformations are more frequently seen in ovine and least seen in caprine. Atresia ani appeared to be the most commonly reported cases

Evaluation of lumbo-sacral epidural anaesthesia or analgesia with lidocaine-acepromazine combination in dogs undergoing cystotomy

Background:Epidural anaesthesia is one of the most frequently used regional anesthetic techniques recommended for surgical procedures caudal to the umbilicus in dogs. However, the use of lignocaine alone for epidural regional analgesia has been discovered to have shorter duration of analgesia and prolong onset of action, hence there is need to explore combinations of agents that will overcome this challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the anaesthetic/analgesic effect of cranial epidural anaesthesia in dogs undergoing cystotomy using Lignocaine in combination with acepromazine at the dose rates of 7 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg respectively.Methods:Eight apparently healthy matured, male and female dogs were used for the experiment. The onset and duration of analgesia was determined. The pulse rates, respiratory rates, mean arterial blood pressure, rectal temperature, complete blood count and the oxygen saturation level were determined at baseline, intra operative and post-operative.Results:There were no significant differences in all the parameters measured before and after the epidural administration of the agents. The onset of anaesthesia was rapid and the duration of anaesthesia was sufficient enough for the procedure to be carried out. However, there was significant difference in PCV, Hb and total RBC count between the baseline and other timing intervals. There were no significant differences in leucocytic and cardiopulmonary parameters between the baseline and other timing intervals.Conclusions:The epidural administration of lignocaine and acepromazine combination at the doses indicated can produced sufficientepidural anaesthesia with rapid onset for the purpose of cystotomy in dogs without major systemic influence on hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary changes

A 6-year review of post-neonatal tetanus at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Background: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease but its incidence has remained unacceptably high in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and outcome of post-neonatal tetanus at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. Children aged 1 month to 15 years diagnosed with post-neonatal tetanus were studied. Information from the admission files was extracted. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Total admissions during the study period were 14,458; 61 had post-neonatal tetanus, giving a prevalence of 0.4%. The M: F ratio was 1.5:1. The mean age was 7.4±3.2 years. Fifty-nine (96.7%) were not immunised against tetanus. Portal of entry for the organism was trauma injuries to the foot in 33(54.1%). Thirty-one (50.8%) were discharged, 5(8.2%) DAMA, while 25(41.0%) died, and case fatality was 41.0%. Conclusion: Post-neonatal tetanus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sokoto. There is need for improved health education, sustainability of immunisation programmes and coverage to eradicate this scourge

Blood pressure pattern and the relationship with body mass index among apparently healthy secondaryschool students in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

Background. Childhood obesity may result in the premature onset of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension, hence the need for proper screening. However, blood pressure (BP) is measured only once in most studies in Nigeria, probably because of difficulties in returning to the study areas for repeat measurement.Objective. To determine the BP pattern and assess its relationship with body mass index (BMI) in apparently healthy secondary-school students aged 10 - 18 years in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria.Methods. This study was descriptive and cross-sectional, and carried out between 13 October 2014 and 30 January 2015. In total, 800students from 6 schools were selected through multistage sampling. BP was measured on three separate days according to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program charts. BMI was categorised according to the Centers for Disease Control charts. The relationship of BP level with BMI was determined.Results. There were 424 (53.0%) males and 376 (47.0%) females, with a ratio of approximately 1:1. BP increased with age. The mean systolic and diastolic BP was significantly higher in females than males (systolic 113.1 mmHg v. 110.5 mmHg, and diastolic 69.0 mmHg v. 66.5 mmHg, respectively; p=0.01). Females had a higher mean BMI than males (18.7 kg/m2 v. 17.9 kg/m2, respectively; p<0.01). BP increased as the BMI percentile increased (p<0.001). The prevalence rates of hypertension were 6.1%, 3.5% and 3.1% at the first, second and third screenings, respectively, while the corresponding prevalence rates of prehypertension were 14.3%, 8.4% and 7.1%. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 0.3% and 5.9%, respectively.Conclusion. The prevalence rate of prehypertension and hypertension reduced with subsequent measurements, and the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were low. However, higher BP levels were associated with higher BMI, supporting its predictive significance for elevated BP

Pubertal breast development in primary school girls in Sokoto, North-western Nigeria

Background. There is wide variation in normal pubertal timing among various populations. Objectives. To determine the mean age of pubertal stages of breast development and menarche, and the influence of nutrition and ethnicity on pubertal onset in primary school girls in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria.Methods. A cross-sectional study using a multistage random sampling design was conducted on 994 primary school girls in grades 3 - 6. Weight and height measurements and Tanner breast staging were done. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and a BMI-for-age percentile was used to categorise nutritional status. There were four major ethnic groups. P≤0.05 was taken as showing statistical significance. Results. The participants' mean age was 10.23 years (standard deviation (SD) 1.70, range 6 - 15 years). Of the 994 girls, 628 (63.2%) were pre-pubertal, and 366 (36.8%) were pubertal. Of the latter, 158 (15.9%) were in breast stage 2, while 112 (11.3%), 70 (7.0%) and 26 (2.6%) were in breast stages 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The mean ages (SD; range) of pubertal onset and menarche were 10.50 (1.33; 8 - 13), and 12.67 (1.65; 11 - 15), years, respectively. The overnourished (overweight/obese) and Igbo ethnic group girls had early-normal pubertal onset (p=0.006 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion. The mean ages of Tanner breast stages 1 - 5 and menarcheal age of girls in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria, were within the age ranges reported worldwide. Pubertal onset was influenced by nutrition

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self Examination among Female Students of a Tertiary Institution in Sokoto, North-West Nigeria.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Early detection and prompt treatment offers the greatest chance of survival. We described the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self examination among female students of a tertiary institution in Sokoto, northwest Nigeria. Methods: A set of semi structured self administered questionnaire was used to seek information on respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self examination. A total of 80 female students were selected using stratified sampling technique, with a response rate of 100%. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Results: The mean age of respondents was 21 years ±SD1.83, with 48.8% of them being Hausa. They are predominantly Muslims and 85% are single. About 19% of the respondents have family history of breast cancer. Up to 96% of them have heard about breast cancer and 86.3% were aware of BSE, however, only 46% of them had adequate knowledge of BSE. Majority (96%) of the respondents had positive attitude towards BSE as 92.5% of them think BSE is necessary and a further 97.5% would like to know more about it. This study showed poor level of BSE practice with only 17.5% showing good practice out of the 45% of respondents that have ever practiced BSE. Conclusion: Most of the respondents have heard about BSE but only 46.3% had adequate knowledge. Majority of respondents demonstrated a positive attitude towards BSE; however, the practice was low.

Bacteriological quality of commercially prepared and self compounded poultry feeds in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Evidences arising from epidemiological studies as well as from detailed experimental investigations have indicated that there is strong relationship between certain feed ingredients and incidence of bacterial infections. A total of two hundred and thirty nine (239) Poultry feed samples comprising of two hundred and four (204) commercially prepared feed and thirty five (35) self compounded feed were collected from seventy six (76) identified poultry farms in Sokoto metropolis over a period of 12 months for assessing their microbiological (bacterial) quality. Of the total 80 questionnaires administered, 76 (95.00%) were responded to. Of the respondents, 53 (69.74%) indicated using commercially prepared feed while 23 (30.26%) compounded the feed by themselves. Similarly, 30.57% of the farms visited store their feed either within the poultry pen or in an open space. Out of total (n=239), commercially prepared (n=204) and Self compounded (n=35) feed samples, 217 (90.79%) samples yielded positive bacterial growth. Based on culture and identification, 263 bacterial species/genus were identified which include the following: Corynebacterium pyogenes (9; 3.42%), Bacillus subtilis (60; 22.81%), Enterobacter arrogenes (6; 2.28%), Escherichia coli (57; 21.67%), Listeria monocytogenes (19; 7.22%), Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (8; 3.04%), Pasturella multocida (3; 1.14%), Pseudomona aerogenosa (7; 2.66%), Proteus mirabilis (1; 0.38%), Proteus vulgaris (17; 6.46%), Salmonella spp. (10; 3.80%), Staphylococcu aureus (44; 16.73%), Streptococcus pyogenes (17; 6.46%), Yersinia enterocolitica (3; 1.14%) and (2; 0.76%) unidentified bacterial species. The presence of the above bacteria in all the feed samples calls for attention in the storage methods employed by the poultry and other livestock farmers, the warehouse condition, distributors and the sellers. This result could be used as a baseline data in setting public health standard for poultry feeds to achieve food security concern issues.

Age at Menarche among School Girls in Sokoto; Northern Nigeria

Background/Objectives: Menarche; the first menstrual period; is influenced by many factors including socio-economic status and rural or urban dwelling. The aims of the study were to compare the age at menarche between rural and urban girls and evaluate the anthropometric indices at menarche. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of rural secondary school girls and urban school girls. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on their age at menarche and other relevant data. Their weights and heights were measured using computerized scales and calibrated walls. Results: Two hundred and twenty eight (228) rural girls and four hundred and eighty (480) urban girls that had attained menarche within a year were studied. Mean age at menarche for all the girls was 15.26 years. Mean menarcheal age for the rural and urban girls were 15.32 years and 15.20 years; respectively. Mean weight and height were 47.6 kg and 156.76 cm; respectively for the rural girls and 48.12 kg and 156.8 cm; respectively for the urban girls. There was no significance difference in age of menarche among the groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: The mean age at menarche for the school girls is 15.26 years. There was no difference in menarcheal age between the rural and urban school girls. Further longitudinal studies to compare rural school girls and urban school girls in private schools are required