An Evaluation of Hand Hygiene Practice by Health Care Personnel at a Tertiary Hospital in North Eastern Nigeria

Background: Hand hygiene when done satisfactorily is one of the most effective ways of preventing hospital acquired infections. However elementary the process may seem, it is one that has been shown to significantly elude health care personnel (HCP).This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of hand hygiene by HCP at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, North-Eastern Nigeria.Methods: The study was a cross sectional survey of HCPwho make direct contact with patients at four randomly selected units of FMC Azare. Using the purposive sampling technique, a structured questionnaire was administered on the respondents. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Presentation of data was done with tables, in proportions and percentages.Results: Eighty-two (82) HCP were recruited into the study, 64 (78.0%) were males and 18 (22.0%) were females, giving a ratio of 3.6:1. Nursesmade up 43.9%, health assistants 34.1% and doctors 22.0% of the total number. The respondents exhibited a good knowledge of hand hygiene (93.2%). Seventy-seven (93.9%) of the respondents showed a positive attitude while 6.1% had a negative attitude towards hand hygiene. All categories of respondents had good practice scores regarding hand hygiene.Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practice of hand hygiene of HCP at FMC Azare is optimal. However, continuous training on infection prevention and control with emphasis on hand hygiene and other strategies is recommended to allow for improvement in compliance to the concept of standard precautions

comparison of rumination in patients with major depression disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and normal individuals

Background and Purpose: Rumination is one of the effective factors on the onset and maintenance Major Depression Disorder [MDD]. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare the rumination and its components in normal subjects and patients with Major Depression Disorder [MDD] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [OCD] and Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD]

Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study, 28 patients with GAD, 28 patients with OCD, 28 patients with MDD and 28 normal individuals were selected through convenient sampling method. The participants completed Rumination Responses Scale [RRS]. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 using Multivariate Analysis of Variance [MANOVA]

Results: Mean rumination score in MDD, OCD, GAD and normal subjects were 62.36?13.38, 63.50?12.76, 54.79?15.60 and 44.57?15.25 respectively. The result showed that there are significant differences in the mean rumination scores and its components across the four groups [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The result showed that rumination occurs in both clinical and non-clinical populations, and its incidence is not confined to any specific psychopathology

Protective effect of melatonin against chlorpromazine-induced liver disease in rats

To evaluate the possible protective effect of orally administered melatonin against Chlorpromazine [CPZ]-induced liver disease in rats. We performed this study in the College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad during the period from May to October 2004. The hepatoprotective effect of melatonin was studied through treatment of rats with single dose [10 mg Kg-1] orally, 7 days before and during the period of CPZ treatment, and 7 days after the induction of suspected hepatotoxicity. The parameters of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde [MDA] and glutathione [GSH] in liver tissue homogenate, activities of the liver aminotransferases, alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST] in serum, in addition to serum level of bilirubin [total and conjugated] were evaluated. Liver tissue sections were examined to follow histological changes. Analysis of data showed that treatment with melatonin significantly attenuated the oxidative stress parameters as evidenced by lowering MDA levels in tissue homogenate while not affecting GSH levels. Serum activities of ALT, AST and serum bilirubin were normalized with both pre-treatment and post-treatment with melatonin. Data revealed that post-treatments with both saline and melatonin restore hepatic activity; however, melatonin showed significant reduction in ALT activity and bilirubin level than saline post-treatment. Additionally, histological evaluation revealed improvement of liver damage in this respect. The presented data indicated that orally administered melatonin in pharmacological doses protects against CPZ-induced liver disease in rats

Effect of some adenosine compounds on smooth muscles of the sheep bladder osteius ovis L

Purines have widespread and specific extracellular ignaling actions in the regulation of a variety of functions in many tissues of both invertebrates and vertebrates. The effect of some adenosine compound on sheep bladder smooth muscle contraction induced by KCl and Ach was investigated invitro. Preperations were prepreated with adenosine or ATP be for agonist exposure. It was found that adenosine inhibited K- induced contracture and enhanced Ach- induced contracture. These actions were blocked by Pi antagonist theophylline. The results also show that ATP potentiated both KCl and Ach induced contracture. Theses actions antagonized by P[2] receptor antagonist Quinidine. These results suggest that blader smoth muscle may have A[j], A[2] and P[2x] receptors

Plasma cell leukemia

Plasma cell leukemia is a rare disorder. A case of 45 years old male, admitted with the complaints of generalized weakness, dizziness, recurrent epistaxis and swelling in front of his neck but not lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenimegaly. There were 24% plasma cells on peripheral film. Skeletal survey did not show any lytic lesions. Cell markers were positive for CD-38 but negative for CD-56. This favours the diagnosis of primary plasma cell leukemia

Assessment of severity of cirrhosis in hospitalized patients

Background: To assess the severity of cirrhosis at the time of presentation to hospital and to seek association between sociocultural, demographic and geographic variables and severity of chronic liver disease

Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive cases of cirrhosis of liver admitted in Nishtar Hospital, Multan were included in this study. After history, physical examination and relevant investigations, patients were segregated into Child grade A, B and C depending upon the severity of liver disease

Results: Among 100 cases studied, 48 were male and 52 female; the mean age was 47 years [range 20 to 80 years]. Majority of the patients were from low socio economic group. Out of 100 cases 72% were from rural areas and 28% were from urban areas. It was found that most of the patients [92%] presented to hospital when their liver disease was advanced [46 patients of Child grade B and 46 patients of Child grade C] while only 8 patients had mild liver disease [Child Grade A]. Rural population had more severe disease at the time of presentation as compared to urban population. Poor and middle socioeconomic group had more severe and advanced chronic liver disease as compared to rich class [p=0.0306]. It was found that female had more severe disease at the time of presentation [P=0.0346]. Frequency of cirrhosis was found to be more above 40 years of age

Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that cases of cirrhosis of liver are referred to tertiary care units when their disease is advanced with serious complications. Moreover there is a significant association between geographic and socioeconomic status of the patients and severity of cirrhosis. It is recommended that health care personnel should be properly trained for health education and early recognition and referral of the patients of chronic liver disease to tertiary care units. This will prevent complications and with help to decrease the morbidity and mortality

Effect of some adenosine compounds on smooth muscles of the sheep bladder Osteius ovis L.

Purines have widespread and specific extracellular signalling actions in the regulation of a variety of functions in many tissues of both invertebrates and vertebrates. The effect of some adenosine compound on sheep bladder smooth muscle contraction induced by KCI and ACh was investigated invitro. Preparations were prepreated with adenosine or ATP befor agonist exposure. It was found that adenosine inhibited K- induced contracture and enhanced Ach-induced contracture. These actions were blocked by P[1] antagonist theophylline. The results also show that ATP potentiated both KCI and ACh induced contracture. Theses actions antagonized by P[2] receptor antagonist Quinidine. These results suggest that blader smoth muscle may have A[1], A[2] and P[2x] receptors

Nitric oxide mediated effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors

Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS] have long been used as anti-inflammatory agents, yet their mode of action is not entirely clear. The inhibitory effects of NSAIDS on prostaglandin production can only partly explain their anti-inflammatory actions. This study was aimed at defining the role of cyclo-oxygenase [COX] inhibitors on nitric oxide [NO] production in murine macrophages in vitro. METHODS: Murine macrophages were obtained from the peritoneum and after exposure, in vitro to lipopolysaccharide [LPS] produced nitrite, measured after 24 hours by Griess reaction. The macrophages were pre-incubated with aspirin or indomethacin before activation with LPS. Treatment with aspirin resulted in an increase in nitric oxide production. A similar response was obtained with indomethacin treatment. This study shows that COX inhibitors significantly increase NO production in murine macrophages in vitro and this may be one of the mechanisms by which they exert their anti-inflammatory effects

Inciolence of molder pregnancy in a University Hospital in Tehran: age and birth oroler

In a hospital-based study in Tehran from October, 1988, to October, 1989, the pathology findings of all D and Cs reported for abortion, hydatidiform mole, and blighted ovum are analyzed, and also the total number of term deliveries for this period are recorded. Overall incidence of hydatidiform mole in this study is 6.7/1000 live deliveries. First birth order at all age groups decreased the relative risk of hydatidiform mole which is statistically significant. The incidence of mole for first and second birth order at age group 15-19 is 0.4 and 10.6 per 1000 live births, respectively. At 20-24, the relative risk for hydatidiform mole is 2.13, which is statistically significant. The incidence of mole for this age group is 6.3/ 1000 live births for the first birth order and 23.8/1000 live births for 6th + birth order, which can mean that early and closely-spaced child bearing can be a contributory factor in this respect. Age 45 and over increases the risk of mole by 32 times. Since the risk of choriocarcinoma is increased after delivery of mole, recommendations are made for delay of child bearing for the young and against any pregnancies at older age