Risk Factors and Bacterial Profile of Suspected Neonatal Septicaemia at a Teaching Hospital in Kano; Northwestern; Nigeria

Neonatal septicaemia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and a major health concern. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bacterial profile; antibiotics susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors of suspected septicaemia in neonates in this locality. Five hundred and forty seven consecutive blood samples from neonates admitted in the special baby care unit (SCBU); Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH); Kano between January 2007 and December 2008 were cultured aerobically and anaerobically in the Microbiology Department; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital by standard bacteriological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was done by disc diffusion methods. One hundred and fifty two (27.8) positive blood cultures were obtained from the present study. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (25.0) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.1) and Escherichia coli (15.0). Gentamicin; ofloxacin; ceftriaxone and amoxycillin/clavulanate showed higher percentage antibiotic sensitivity pattern while chloramphenicol; cotrimoxazole and ampicillin showed very low percentage antibiotic sensitivity pattern against the various bacterial isolates. The present study showed that Staphylococcus aureus is the leading isolate in neonatal septicaemia in Kano. Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone are recommended as first line drugs in the management of neonatal septicaemia in our locality

Evaluation of Occupational Health Services and Hazards in a Car Assembly Plant in Kaduna; Nigeria

Background: The provision of occupational health services in most industries of the developing world has been very rudimentary. Various factors have been adduced to be responsible for this, none availability of protective devices, non-compliance by workers and managerial problems among others. Therefore this study was conducted to evaluate occupational hazards and the provision of occupational health services at Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Kaduna.Aim: To assess the extent of occupational hazards and the occupational health services provided by the industry (PAN). Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study in which cluster sampling technique was used to sample respondents. Structured, interviewer administered questionnaires with close ended questions were used to collect data.Results: One hundred and ten respondents participated in the study with a mean age of 32.7±2.8 years. Use of protective devices by respondents was: boots 96.3%, hand gloves 100%, and ear plugs 58% respectively. Pattern of occupational hazards were: exposure to chemical fumes 6.4%, noise pollution 40.9%, and chemical burns 9.1% respectively. Conclusion: Occupational hazards and injuries among PAN workers are a frequent occurrence. There is need for sustained public awareness campaigns among the workers and management on the importance of occupational safety to guide against injuries/ accidents at work sites and compliance to the use of protective devices. It is also recommended that the Inspectorate Division of Federal Ministry of Industries should pay periodic monitoring visits to industries in order to ensure a conducive and a safe working environment and also with the facility Act and related laws so as to curtail the rate of accidents and injures in Nigerian industries

Marijuana Smoking among Secondary School Students in Zaria; Nigeria: Factors Responsible and Effects on Academic Performance

Background: The use of Marijuana is on the increase worldwide especially among adolescents and youths. Marijuana smoking has gained a foothold in our environment because of peer group influence; accessibility and availability. Its medico-social effects could ruin the life and future of our youths. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the factors that influence secondary school students in Zaria LGA to smoke and the effects on academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed to generate data among secondary school students. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Data was collected with the use of a structured; pre tested self-administered questionnaire. c2 test was used to test for significance of association between categorical variables. Results: Of the 350 respondents; 262 (74.9) were males; while 88 (25.1) were females. The study shows that 33 of the students smoke marijuana giving a prevalence of 9.4. There were more smokers in the age group 15-19 years (54.6). Other factors that influence marijuana smoking include family background; peer pressure and attendance of social functions. There was better academic performance (51.1) among non smokers as compared to smokers (27.2); and this was found to be statistically significant (x2 = 11.73;df = 5;P .05) There was also statistically significant association between age and marijuana smoking (x2 ) were males; while 88 (25.1) were females. The study shows that 33 of the students smoke marijuana giving a prevalence of 9.4. There were more smokers in the age group 15-19 years (54.6). Other factors that influence marijuana smoking include family background; peer pressure and attendance of social functions. There was better academic performance (51.1) among non smokers as compared to smokers (27.2); and this was found to be statistically significant (x2 = 11.73;df = 5;P .05) There was also statistically significant association between age and marijuana smoking (x2