Studies on Malaria Vector Population Density in Three Selected Areas in Sokoto Metropolitan, Sokoto State - Nigeria

This study is conducted to determine the population density of mosquitoes in three selected area (Kofar Taramniya, Mabera and Bello Way) in Sokoto metropolis. To identified and count the population of mosquito, different breeding sites were investigated for the preferences of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae were collected using dipper, ladle spoon from drainages, stagnant water, gutters, open wells, local pots, water tanks and cattle sheds. A total population of 4,764 mosquito larvae were collected and identified From the three (3) selected areas larvae and pupae were encounters in abundance. In Mabera area, a total of 1799 (37.7%) larvae are collected in which 1199 (45.8%) belonging to Anophelesgenera and 600 (27.9%) belong to culexgenera. In kofar Taramniya a total of 1649 (34.6%) larvae are collected in which 1000 (38.2%) belong to Anopheles genera and 649 (30.2%) belong to culexgenera, in Bello Way, A total of 1317 (27.5%) larvae were collected,417 (15.9%) belong to Anophelesgenera and 900 (41.9%)belongto culexgenera. Statistical analysis conducted indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) between the three collections. Mosquitoes encountered belong to two genera of Anophelesand Culex. The predominant genus was Anopheleswith a total of 2,615 larvaewhile Culexhas a total of 2149 larvae in all the three study areas. Considering the medical importance of mosquitoes, the information provided from this study will serve as a basis for understanding the implication of mosquitoes nuisance and provide effective control strategies against the vector and to reduce mosquitoes born disease

use of medicines in Oman: public knowledge, attitudes and practices

The objective of this study was to identify the common problems of medicine use in Oman in order to improve the appropriate use of medicines. A cross-sectional, pilot-tested questionnaire was administered to 6,675 Omani patients or their carers on exit from primary health care centres. 66% of respondents visited multiple facilities on the same date for the same complaint and 51% failed to go for follow up to the same facility. 39% did not accept non-drug therapy and 30% preferred prescription of 3 or more medicines per visit. Many failed to ask how or when to take the medicines, where to store them at home and did not mention any current therapies they were taking. A total of 70% stopped taking their medicines when symptoms disappeared; 26% were unaware that most medicines have side-effects and 61% did not realise that injections are the riskiest dosage form. A total of 54% had definite colour and taste preferences; 43% practised self-medication and 68% never consulted the dispenser; 36% chose medicines based on previous experience and 33% exchanged medicines with others; 55% stored all their medicines in a fridge and 17% did not check the expiry date; 45% threw unused medicines away; 41% kept them for future use and only 12% returned them to a pharmacy or health facility. There is a widespread lack of knowledge about the appropriate use of medicines in Oman. Certain attitudes and beliefs can contribute to health risks and unnecessary expenditure. Many of these results could be improved by a well-targeted public education campaign

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

A 12-years-old female presented with clinical and radiological findings of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system [few pediatric series have been published]. We report this case to stress the importance of early screening by magnetic resonance imaging and early therapeutic intervention in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis fin the prevention of high rates of morbidity and mortality

community-based study of common hereditary blood disorders in Oman

We assessed the prevalence of three common hereditary blood disorders [sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency] among the Omani population. We interviewed a representative sample of 6103 Omani households and blood samples from 6342 children aged 0-5 years were collected. About 27% of Omani males had inherited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [compared with 11% of females] while countrywide prevalence rates for the sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits were estimated to be 5.8% and 2.2% respectively and showed no significant gender differences. There was a significant association between all three disorders and region of the country

importance of ancillary findings on MR imaging of the chronically torn anterior cruciate ligament

Magnetic Resonant Imaging [MRI] is the examination of choice in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] tear. Direct signs of ACL tear on sagittal images, include focal or diffuse increased signal intensity within the ligament, focal discontinuity, acute angulation and wavy contour of the ligament. The ACL appears abnormal on sagittal images in some cases in spite of the absence of ligamentous tear, which may be due to: oesinophilic or mucoid degeneration within the ligament, partial volume effect with the lateral femoral condyle or periligamentous fat, or due to suboptimal selection of the sagittal planes. For these reasons many authors recommend to look for indirect signs of ACL tear on sagittal MRI. These signs are due to instability associated with ligament deficiency. To study the value of indirect signs in cases of ACL tear, we retrospectively reviewed the MR images in patients with ACL tear which were confirmed surgically, and compared them with those of patients with normal ACL on MRI and surgery

MRI findings in children with neurofibromatosis-1 [NF - 1]

To demonstrate the brain MRl findings in children with NF-1. Patients and Six children, with an age between 1-10 years who have been diagnosed as NF-1 were included in the study. MRl scan was done using T1. T2 Wand post IV. GD DTPT T1 W images. Hyperintense lesions on T2 W images were confined to the globus pallidi in two patients, and associated with sphenoid wing hypoplasia in one patient, and globus pallidi and cerebral peduncles in three patients, including a patient with optic nerve and optic pathway tumor. In globus pallidi, cerebral peduncles and cerebellum white matter in one patients. Due to the high incidence of hyperintense lesions on T2 W images in the brain, the brain findings justify the incorporation of these findings in the diagnostic criteria of NF-l