ABSTRACT
Farming is a prime livelihood activity of people of Southeast (SE) Nigeria. In the age of climate change, farmers have to cope with highly variable, short and unpredicted rainfall to sustain their enterprise. This study reviews the effects of climate change on agriculture production, identifies farmer's views on the impact of climate change on crop production in the southeast, reviews the adoption of CSA in Nigeria and identifies the importance of climate information service in agriculture in Southeast Nigeria. From the review, farmers within the SE are aware of climate change and they have adopted improved innovative strategies to adapt to the negative implication associated with climate change and variability but more awareness is needed in the area of climate information services (CIS) to assist them to cope better. Therefore, this study recommends the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach to educate farmers more on how to manage their enterprise in the face of climate change and variability.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Evidence is increasing to indicate that individuals with mental illness may be at risk of premature death. We studied the prevalence of QTc prolongation, QT dispersion (QTd) and cardiac arrhythmias in patients on psychotropic drugs. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine and Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Between Januaryand June 2010. Methodology: One hundred and ninety-one consecutive patients on psychotropic medications with 121 controls were studied. All the subjects had detailed clinical examination and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at 25mm/sec. QTc was determined using Bazett formula and QTd by subtracting shortest from longest QTc in 12-lead ECG. Results: Mean QTc of the patients (450±46msc) was longer (p=0.0001) than that of the controls (390±27msc) but mean QTd was similar (p=0.13) in both groups. QTc was prolonged in 68(35.6%) patients compared to 11(9.1%) controls, p=0.0001. LVH, arrhythmias and abnormal T-wave morphology occurred more (p=0.01, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively) in the patients than controls. Age, duration of treatment and total daily doses of antipsychotics were independent predictors of QTc. Cardiac arrhythmias were seen in 24.1% of the patients but none had ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusion: Psychotropic drug use is a risk factor for QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. We suggest periodic electrocardiography, discourage polypharmacy and recommend drug holiday in stable patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major cause of premature death and morbidity in Nigeria. Majority of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are in the productive age bracket. Haemodialysis is the most commonly available mode of renal replacement therapy. The quality of life of the few that can afford the cost of haemodialysis is poor when compared to the transplanted patients. A survey is carried out to assess factors affecting attitudes towards kidney donation in Ilorin; Nigeria. Methods: A total of 600 self administered; semi-structured questionnaires were distributed amongst asymptomatic adults (aged 17years) with a response rate of 88. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social studies (SPSS) version 14. Results: There were 282 males (53.4) and 246 females (46.6) with age range of 17-65years and a mean of 34.76+14.9. Two hundred and ninety two (55) were willing to donate a kidney (165 males; 127 females). Majority of the willing donors (86) were between 30 and 50 years of age. Though educational level positively influenced the knowledge about the kidney failure; it did not influence willingness to donation of a kidney. There was religion related gender disparity in the willingness to donate a kidney as more male Christians and Muslims were willing to donation than their females. Conclusions: The main constraints to kidney donation were fear of surgical pains; belief in life after death and uncertainty of donor outcome. This calls for awareness programmes on the safety of kidney donation for transplantation