ABSTRACT
Enteric fever remains a tropical disease of public health significance in Africa, due to its high endemicity and transmission rates, more in sub-Saharan Africa with 7.2 million cases of typhoid fever annually and incidence rate of 762 per 100 000 person-years when compared with Northern Africa with a reported incidence rate of 557 per 100 000 person-years and lower. Recent studies show that almost all regions of sub-Saharan Africa are tending towards high incidence rates, especially Central and Western Africa. Though clinically indistinguishable from paratyphoid fever, typhoid fever causes more morbidity and mortality than paratyphoid fever, with a greater threat to children. Risk factors include consumption of contaminated water, patronizing food vendors and a history of contact with a case or a chronic carrier, amongst others. Environmental factors such as the rainy season, open sewers, contaminated water bodies and areas of low elevation have been implicated. Diagnosis in Africa is challenging due to resource constraints, as many centres still depend on clinical diagnosis and serodiagnosis using Widal test, in an era where more sensitive and specific tests exist. The polymerase chain reaction is one of the most sensitive diagnostic methods, while culture (particularly bone marrow) is considered to be one of the most specific. Quinolones (ciprofloxacin) and third-generation cephalosporins, amongst others, remain potent in the management of enteric fever, with resistance to quinolones gradually on the rise. Poor diagnostics, poor antibiotic stewardship and lack of drug (antibiotic) regulation are contributors to the problem of antibiotic resistance in Africa. Prevention of typhoid fever through vaccination, especially in children is still under investigation, with steady progress being documented. Overall, long term prevention strategies for typhoid fever should be based on improved sources of drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene, food safety and poverty alleviation.
ABSTRACT
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) occur when workers are repeatedly exposed to forceful and prolonged activities in awkward postures, disproportionate force, abnormal movement, vibration, unsympathetic environments, and psychological stress. Aim: To describe the pattern of WRMSD and its consequences on workers at a brewery in southwest Nigeria. Study Design: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among brewery workers in Southwest, Nigeria. Methods: Ethical approval was granted by the research and ethics committee of the University. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire to cover 4 sections of interest to the researchers. Collected data were analyzed using relevant statistical software. Results: 69% of the respondents had WRMSD with work-related functional impairment mostly manifesting as back pain (65.2%) which was managed with several strategies including the use of over the counter medication (21%). The most common etiology of MSDs among brewery workers was awkward positioning while performing their duties (25.4%). Conclusion: Our study showed that increasing age and years of service in the brewery significantly affected the development of MSD (p<0.05). MSD is common in brewery workers hence occupational health services and education should be incorporated into small and medium scale industries with perhaps subsidy from the government for their services, so as to reduce the burden of MSDs and improve the quality of life of workers.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of graded doses of aqueous leaf extracts of Momordica charantia on fertility hormones of female albino rats.Methods:moderate dose (MD) and high dose (HD) groups which received 12.5 g, 25.0 g, 50.0 g of the leaf extract respectively and control group that was given with water ad libatum.Result:Estrogen levels reduced by 6.40 nmol/L, 10.80 nmol/L and 28.00 nmol/L in the LD, MD and Twenty adult, healthy, female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: low dose (LD), HD groups respectively while plasma progesterone of rats in the LD, MD and HD groups reduced by 24.20 nmol/L, 40.8 nmol/L and 59.20 nmol/L respectively.Conclusion:Our study has shown that the antifertility effect of Momordica charantia is achieved in a dose dependent manner. Hence, cautious use of such medication should be advocated especially when managing couples for infertility.