ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of the present research work had been done to evaluate the toxicity of crude extract of Carissa spinarum in Swiss albino mice. Methods: In studying the toxicity, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines were used. Experimental animals (mice), five mice in each, were grouped into four groups; three experimental groups and one negative control. In studying the acute toxicity, 2000, 3000 up to 5000 mg/kg crude plant extract was given orally using standard intragastric oral gavages. For acute toxicity, a single dose was given and gross behavioral changes were recorded. In sub-acute oral toxicity test, Carissa spinarum crude extract was given to the mice by standard intragastric oral gavages at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of hydro-methanolic extract and 200, 600 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight of chloroform extract in every single to 28 d and various hematological and physical parameters were recorded. Results: In acute toxicity, the given dose of the plant extract did not produce significant physical and behavior changes up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg extracts. In addition, no death was occurred in the given doses. In sub-acute toxicity studies of the hydro-methanolic and chloroform extracts, there was no recorded significant change (p>0.05) of hematological and physical parameters in the treated groups when compared to the control groups. Conclusion: from the present study it was revealed that the crude extract of the plant did not produce any significant toxicological effect in the experimental animals and this supports the use of the plant in folk medicines.
ABSTRACT
A case-referent study to identify factors influencing the use and non-use of modern contraception was conducted in Jimma Town; a major urban center in south-western Ethiopia. Two hundred and fifty eight contraceptive users; selected from the registration books of three family planning clinics using simple random sampling techniques; were compared with age (+-2 years) and neighbourhood (matched 258 contraceptive non-users). The study revealed that birth place; duration of urban residence; religion; ethnic origin; number of rooms available for living and availability of radio; television and telephone do not have statistically significant association with contraceptive use (P0.05 in all cases). On the other hand; statistically significant association was noted between contraceptive use and marital status; educational status; occupational status; family monthly income and higher mean number of pregnancies; live births and living children. Taking a one ratio of male to female children of the sex composition of living children as a reference group; lack of male child is associated with a lower chance of contraceptive use (odds ratio = 0.497; P0.05). Among married women; higher educational and occupational status and monthly income of the spouse were also found to be associated with a higher chance of contraceptive use. In view of the several socio-demographic factors identified by the study; a multisectoral effort geared at urban disadvantaged women is recommended