ABSTRACT
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a notifiable and reportable disease recognised by the Office Internationale Epizooties (OIE) and penned for eradication by 2030. It is an endemic and devastating disease of small ruminants in some countries of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The disease militates against small ruminant production and increased flock numbers in the region. Information and literature on the current review was especially obtained and compiled from CABI abstract data base, PubMed, Scopus, Elibrary USA and other online publications. This review highlights the viral structure, epidemiology, predisposing factors, clinical signs, pathology, immunoprophylaxis, diagnostic techniques and therapeutics of the disease with a view to generating increased scientific research interests on PPR. It is hoped that more robust scientific research breakthroughs could emerge particularly in the area of immunoprophylaxis, rapid penside diagnosis, and alternative therapeutics such as the use of probiotics. This will in no small measure boost small ruminant production, alleviate poverty and increase food security in countries endemic with the disease.
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The methods adopted to preserve fish can affect its nutritional quality owing to the likelihood of deposition of chemical and biological agents, which can also be injurious to health upon consumption. This study aimed to assess the impact of these preservation methods on the health of the people of Sampou. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among people of Sampou, aged between 15-60 years. Data were collected from 364 respondents using interview and self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study shows that smoking is the most common method of fish preservation in Sampou because it's easily accessible. Result of the study also revealed that fish preservation methods have health implications, such as burns, eye irritation, cough, asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, fever and chest pain. Although, smoking tends to prolong the shelf life of the fish it impacts adversely on health. It was recommended that farmers should seek support to build a solar powered cold room storage in Sampou, while the government should provide funds which will help fish farmers get better equipment. Medical officers and other healthcare workers should encourage regular medical screening and check up for fish farmers.
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The median nerve (MN) is widely known among Anatomists to innervate the forearm. It usually gives out a branchto the Pronator Teres muscle as it enters the arm, while the muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm aremajorly innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). An accessory branch of MN was noticed in the leftarm during student’s dissection of a male cadaver to innervate the lower part of the Brachialis muscle (BM). Thebranch was given out at the infero-lateral side of the nerve and it coursed lateral to the lateral brachial vein andafter small distance it disappeared into the Brachialis muscle to supply it. It is in view of the above that we areadvocating that surgeons, neurologists and anaesthists should also be conscious of these variations and bemeticulous in their efforts to interpret some of the symptoms induced by nerve lesion. This branch could be vitalin reduce Brachialis muscle palsy in event of damage to MCN.
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The tendo calcaneus is a vital structure in the bipedalic system of human propulsion. Its thickness (TCT) was assessed in an apparently healthy young adult population of Southeast Nigeria using ultrasound. The relationship between TCT and other anthropometric parameters was also evaluated. 120 young adults with age ranging between 19 and 30 years volunteered for the study and their TCT was assessed using B-mode ultrasound. Height, weight, foot length and midcalf circumference were measured while Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) were calculated for the sample population. Results show that the mean values of TCT were 6.26±0.56mm and 6.32±0.58mm for the right and left sides respectively. TCT correlated positively with all the anthropometric variables assessed except age and BMI. TCT also showed significant sexual dimorphism (P=0.000), laterality and bilateral asymmetry with the left being thicker (P=0.000). These findings will further emphasize the biomechanical relationships of the large tendon. The study is the first to report lateralization and significant sexual dimorphism in a young adult population.
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Objectives: The present study aimed at measuring the length and width of the head and face of children under the age of six years in Anambra state, a South Eastern state of Nigeria. Data obtained was used to calculate their respective craniofacial indices. Methods: Four hundred and fifty four children (226 males and 228 females) below the age of six were randomly sampled from pre-nursery and nursery schools. Subjects with signs of deformities or history of head and facial injuries and mental retardations were excluded from the study. Measuring tape and spreading callipers were used to measure the length and width of the head and face. Results: Results indicated that the mean head length and breadth, face length and breadth, cephalic index and facial index did not indicate significant gender differences. Mesocephalic head type was the predominant, accounting for 39.9% of the study population; brachycephalic, dolicocephalic, hyperbrachycephalic heads accounted for 35.9%, 12.1% and 7.7% respectively, while ultrabrachycephalic was the least prevalent (4.4%). The dominant type of face was found to be hypereuryprosopic accounting for about 44.5% of the study population. Euryprosopic, mesoprosopic, and leptoprosopic types of face accounted for 39.2%, 11.2%, and 4% of the sampled population respectively, while the rare type was found to be hyperleptoprosopic with 1.1%. Conclusion: This study indicates no significant gender differences in the craniofacial variables in a cross-section of Nigerian children under 6 years of age. The most prevalent type of head was the mesocephalic type while the most dominant type of face shape was hypereuryprosopic in both male and female subjects.
ABSTRACT
Pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis are often untreated and evidence from the biology and epidemiology of the organism suggests that it may play an important role in causing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Using high vaginal swab from consenting pregnant women, a follow-up hospital based survey of T. vaginalis infection and its effect on pregnancy outcome among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics was conducted. Pregnancy outcome was determined on the basis of delivery before 37 weeks of gestation (according to general standards), low birth weight infants and neonatal conjunctivitis. The presence of T. vaginalis was re-examined at the point of delivery to exclude treated cases of infection during gestation period. Of the 688 pregnant women who gave birth within the study period, 89(12.9%) were positive for T. vaginalis with 31(19.38%) of the positive patients having pre-term delivery. Also, of the total of 89 infants from the infected mothers, 21(24.14%) had low birth weight of below 2.5 Kg, while 31(18.8%) had conjunctivitis. The result shows that the infection of T. vaginalis during pregnancy is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. In view of the public health importance of this common sexually transmitted disease (STD), we advocate routine surveillance of trichomoniasis among pregnant women and prompt treatment of infected individuals and their sexual partners.
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Background: There is paucity of data on cardiac sizes and other related parameters among Africans. This study aims to establish normal values of aortic, cardiac and thoracic diameters and the cardiothoracic ratio in a normal Nigerian population. Methods: The cardiothoracic ratio of 200 males and 200 females aged between 5 and 95 years were calculated from the cardiac and thoracic diameters in posteroanterior chest radiographs in a cross-sectional study at two imaging and radiodiagnostic centres. The mean and standard deviation of aortic, cardiac, thoracic diameters and cardiothoracic ratio were established. Results: The mean values for cardiac diameter for males and females were 13.8±1.89 and 13.2±1.28cm respectively. The mean values of cardiothoracic ratio for both male and female were 46% and 48% respectively. Conclusion: The cardiothoracic ratio increased with age in both sexes. These values were larger than those reported for the Caucasians.
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Background:The degree of physical activity may induce strain and stress on the Achilles tendon because of its role in the elastic mechanics of gait. Material &Methods: The study was carried out to determine the effect of occupation-related physical activity on the thickness of the Achilles tendon. The effect of occupation- related physical activity on the thickness of the Achilles tendon in three phases (ATT at Normal phase, ATT at Dorsiflexed phase and ATT at Plantarflexed phase) was assessed, by ultrasound, among four classes of occupations- Labourers/farmers, Dancers, Athletes and a less active class (control group). Results: Results show that the less active (control group) had the least value for ATT (normal) (3.31±0.50mm) being almost at par with those of the dancers. The athletes and labourers/farmers had significantly higher values than the control (P=0.000 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusion: Our findings have conclusively established that occupation-related prolonged physical activity induces thickening of the Achilles tendon.
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Background: The heel pad is an important element of foot biomechanics and knowledge of structural inclinations in populations is important in the pathological assessment of the foot. Subjects and Methods: The thickness of the Heel pad (HPT) was evaluated in a student population in Nigeria using ultrasound and correlated with some anthropometric variables to assess which variable can easily be used to predict HPT. Results: Results showed a mean HPT of 9.06±1.26 and 9.00±1.73 (mm) for the right and left side respectively; height, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) showed positive correlation with the HPT. As a result Simple regression equations were deduced for HPT using height, BMI and BSA as independent variables. Conclusion: The results are not comparable to previous studies and suggest ethnic/racial impact on heel pad fat distribution and thus, opined the validation of these equations for expanded use in our population.
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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.
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Role extension in any occupation can affect both psychosocial and biomechanical stress levels and thus; have some consequences on efficiency in service delivery. The study was aimed to determine the impact of role extension of medical radiographers into sonography. 50 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to radiographers and to sonographers (radiographers with sonography responsibility). The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer and sonographer; anatomical regions of biomechanical symptoms/stress and visual analogue scale (VAS); which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 96of the questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically using SPSS 11.0 software with P 0.05 indicating level of significance. Sonographers had more prevalence of biomechanical stress symptoms than the radiographers. Job satisfaction for sonographers (58.75) was lower than that for radiographers (64.29). Anxiety level was higher among sonographers even though this was not statistically significant. Sonography responsibility on radiographers did not have any significant effect on psychosocial stress. A balance in the extended role could aid efficiency in service delivery while improving the social strength of the individual
Subject(s)
Humans , Hospitalists , Stress, Physiological , Sound Spectrography , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Role extension in any occupation can affect both psychosocial and biomechanical stress levels and thus; have some consequences on efficiency in service delivery. The study was aimed to determine the impact of role extension of medical radiographers into sonography. 50 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to radiographers and to sonographers (radiographers with sonography responsibility). The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer and sonographer; anatomical regions of biomechanical symptoms/stress and visual analogue scale (VAS); which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 96of the questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically using SPSS 11.0 software with P 0.05 indicating level of significance. Sonographers had more prevalence of biomechanical stress symptoms than the radiographers. Job satisfaction for sonographers (58.75) was lower than that for radiographers (64.29). Anxiety level was higher among sonographers even though this was not statistically significant. Sonography responsibility on radiographers did not have any significant effect on psychosocial stress. A balance in the extended role could aid efficiency in service delivery while improving the social strength of the individual
Subject(s)
Personal Satisfaction , Radiography , Stress, Physiological , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Amodiaquine and artesunate are two antimalarial drugs sold in combination as Larimalr'. This drug is a very effective artemisinin-base combination. This study was to access the effects of amodiaquine and artesunate combination on the histology of the cerebellum. Twenty adult Wistar rats weighing between 150-180g were divided into four groups (A; B; C and D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and the animals received distilled water; while group B received 8.75+2.86mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for three days; group C received 8.75+2.86mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for six days and group D received 17.50+5.71mg/kg of amodiaquine and artesunate combination for three days. Histological sections showed destruction of the Purkinje cortical layers in group B; with increased destructions in groups C and D compared to the control. These results reveal that amodiaquine and artesunate combination causes histological alterations; which were dose and time dependent and these may result in cerebellar dysfunction
Subject(s)
Amodiaquine , Cerebellum/drug effects , Drug Combinations , Histology , RatsABSTRACT
The emotional and sociocognitive aspects of human dissection are important aspects of professionalism in medical training and so should be critically evaluated in the present day changing society. Medical students of Ebonyi State University; Nigeria completed 390 questionnaires. The questionnaires included questions seeking demographic information; open-ended questions on their first experience of dissection and suggestions on improvements in training. The Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess anxiety and satisfaction levels. The questionnaires were analyzed statistically with P0.05 indicating level of significance. Majority (35.7) of the students was excited/fulfilled after their first experience and 41.5were of the opinion that life in humans is more appreciated by dissection. Their mean anxiety level was 3.42 while satisfaction rating was 7.13 on a scale of 1-10. A greater number of students suggested that conducive learning environment and improved preservation techniques would improve satisfaction (30.3and 33.1respectively). A Conducive environment and better preservation of cadavers are the major factors that improve satisfaction. Psychosocial factors should be assessed constantly to ascertain attitudinal changes of students; which will be helpful in quality of professional formation
Subject(s)
Humans , Education , Perception , Students , CadaverABSTRACT
This study aimed to identify the existence and interaction of some of the factors which facilitate community participation or community involvement in a rural setting. Data were generated from questionnaire and field observations. Relevant community groups and leadership were interviewed. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information about knowledge, attitude and practice. It was administered to one resident per household in Inua-Akpa village, Cross River State of Nigeria. Seventy-nine respondents out of 114 households [69.29%] were interviewed. Socio-cultural information, showed that the village was highly organized, hierarchical, and most people belonged to at least one secondary group/organization in the village. There was awareness about elements of health promotion, and preference for orthodox health care [despite inaccessibility]. There was evidence of self-help and community participation, derived from community development activities. Infectious diseases were most prevalent and there was no evidence of organized health projects. Only occasional visits from the Comprehensive Health Centre [8 km away] provided basic health services. Relative Mean Response [RMR] to major findings was introduced to link the enabling factors of community involvement. Social Action Model was built into a 'sequence' of awareness-understanding-motivation-mobilization-participation-involvement. Entry-points for external input to facilitate health/community development exist. It is concluded that this study has serious implications for rural health development in Nigeria
Subject(s)
Humans , Community Health Planning , Health Promotion , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the urgent need to reorient health planners, professionals and the community towards primary health care [PHC] as a system. The structural and functional transition and relationships of health care delivery systems in Nigeria, from the old monosectoral health services to a new multisectoral PHC-based one, is illustrated. PHC-based system is consistent with Nigeria's new national policy on health which promiscs the realization of the global goal of health for all. Effective implementation of expert PHC-model plans in Nigeria is beset by constraints posed by entrenched negative professional and community attitudes. Reorientation or "retooling" of health care operators, providers, communities and the whole system is advocated. Reorientation demands attitudinal change from the existing basic services approach to a health systems development. Such an intervention requires that structure be articulated with process to produce desirable PHC outcome. A reorientation matrix is a possible tool can be applied to detect and evaluate indicators of actions and impact of reorientation. Overall, the roles of health education and research are shown to be pervasive. These roles are explained as the cohesive force that would help to bridge the gap between planning and implementation in PHC. Appropriate field examples in Nigeria are cited