Exploring the role and lived experiences of people with disabilities working in the agricultural sector in northern Nigeria

It is estimated that over 75.0% of households in sub-Saharan Africa are involved in agriculture, and the majority of the poor in rural areas rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. One billion people living with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries are argued to make up the poorest of the poor, yet to our knowledge, no literature has captured the livelihood of people living with disabilities in the context of farming in Nigeria, specifically northern Nigeria where most of the households are involved in agriculture and related activities. Objectives: This article reports on findings from a study that sought to understand disability in the context of northern Nigerian farming, with a particular focus on the role and lived experiences of people living with disabilities working in the agricultural sector. Method: A survey questionnaire was developed and captured the experiences of 1067 people living with disabilities working in the agricultural sector across five states (Adamawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna and Yobe) in northern Nigeria. Results: Findings indicate that people with disabilities are actively participating in agricultural activities for several reasons, which specifically included 'forced to and for survival'. When participants reported needing care, this was predominantly provided by family members. Findings also showed that participants with disabilities experienced several economic and sociocultural challenges because of their impairments. Conclusion: This study adds to the very limited literature on farmers living with disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa and so highlights the need for more research to be conducted with farmers living with disabilities in Nigeria, particularly female farmers living with disabilities. These will provide more evidence pertaining to the experiences of farmers living with disabilities in order to provide effective disability- and gender-inclusive agricultural and entrepreneurship programs in Nigeria. Contribution: The results of this research reveal important insights relating to the experiences of farmers living with disabilities in northern Nigeria, which can contribute to informing future developmental projects to achieve effective inclusion and actively benefit people living with disabilities.

Ultrastructure of the thyroid gland in adult West African dwarf goat (Capra hircus) / Ultraestructura de la glándula tiroides en la cabra enana africana occidental (Capra hircus)

The present study examined ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of adult West African Dwarf (WAD) goat in order to further understand the ultrastructural morphology and some of the changes in the components of the thyroid gland in goat with age. Thyroids glands obtained from fifteen adult WAD goats of different ages and sexes slaughtered at the local abattoirs were used in this study. Electron microscopic techniques were used to study the fixed tissue with emphasis on the follicular and parafollicular cells. The results showed that the ultrastructure is generally similar to that of some domestic animals. Follicular cells were cuboidal in young adult goats thyroids but were flattened in older goat thyroids of 5­7 years. These cells remarkably showed highly dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum which decreased in frequency the older goats. Microvilli were short and sparse on the follicular cells and the number decreased in the older goats. Different sizes of apical vesicles of varying electron density were encountered that included colloid droplets, secretory vesicles and lysosome-like bodies and the appearance of these vesicles changed with age. Parafollicular cells were encountered in the basal position between follicular cells in all thyroids examined. Numerous dense cytoplasmic granules were observed and they were not apparently different from that described in several mammals.

El presente estudio examinó la ultraestructura de la glándula tiroides en cabra enana de África occidental adulta con el objetivo de tener un mejor conocimiento de la morfología y algunos de los cambios en los componentes de esta glándula en cabras de mayor edad. Se estudiaron glándulas tiroides obtenidas de quince cabras adultas de diferentes edades y sexos, sacrificadas en los mataderos locales. Se utilizaron técnicas de microscopía electrónica para estudiar el tejido con énfasis en las células foliculares y para foliculares. Los resultados mostraron que la ultraestructura generalmente era similar a la de algunos animales domésticos. Las células foliculares en la tiroides de cabras adultas jóvenes eran cúbicas, no obstante en cabras adultas de mayor edad (5 a 7 años) se observaron células aplanadas en las tiroides. Estas células mostraron cisternas de retículo endoplasmático rugoso muy dilatadas que disminuyeron en frecuencia en las cabras de más edad. Las microvellosidades eran cortas y escasas en las células foliculares, y el número disminuyó en las cabras de más edad. Se encontraron diferentes tamaños de vesículas apicales y se observaron gotitas coloidales, vesículas secretoras y organismos similares a los lisosomas; la aparición de estas vesículas fue cambiando en cabras de mayor edad. Se encontraron células parafoliculares en posición basal en todas las células foliculares examinadas. Se observaron numerosos gránulos citoplasmáticos densos sin aparente diferencia de aquellos descritos en otros mamíferos.

Cerumen auris in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University teaching hospital Bauchi, North-eastern Nigeria

Cerumen Auris [Ear Wax] is a naturally occurring normally extruded product of the External Auditory Canal [EAC]. Despite lots of work on cerumen auris in other parts of Nigeria and the world at large, there was no documented prevalence study in North-eastern Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of cerumen auris, evaluate the methods of its removal and to evaluate the possible complications of methods of cerumen removal in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi Northeastern Nigeria. A 1-year retrospective study of all patients seen with cerumen auris at the study center. Patients case files were retrieved, and data on demography, clinical presentation, examination, intervention, as well as complications, were extracted. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. A total of 442 patients' case notes was reviewed, consisting 218 males and 224 females, age ranges from 1-month to 93 years, mean age was 18.76 +/- 1.78, most frequent affected age group was 0-9 years accounting for 43.7%. The calculated hospital prevalence was 4.6%. Ninety-five percent of the patients had their cerumen auris removed via ear syringing. Twenty-one [4.8%] of the patients had canal abrasion, 2.3% had bleeding in the EAC, 1.4% of the patients had vertigo. Cerumen auris, when untreated, can lead to hearing loss and loss of concentration hence its removal using a safe and effective method is paramount. Ear syringing is found to be safe and effective method of cerumen auris removal

Clinical profile and management of aerodigestive foreign bodies in North-western Nigeria

Aeordigestive tract emergences in Nigeria occur in all age groups. They sometimes have dreaded outcome if lodged in air passages. The aim is to present the results of this problem in a 5-year retrospective survey of cases in the Emergency Unit of the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria, from January 2009 to December 2013. Retrieved cases were studied noting the clinical history, examination and intervention. The study included all patients diagnosed with aerodigestive foreign bodies within the period stated. Fifty-seven thousand nine hundred and four patients were studied. Fifteen thousand eight hundred and fifty were emergencies. The hospital prevalence was 0.61% and the average annual incidence was 0.13%, male preponderance with male to female ratio of 2.24-1.00. All patients were symptomatic. Mortality was recorded in one patient who had a co-morbidity of esophageal perforation. Aerodigestive foreign bodies pose a serious challenge in a setting of poor resources and scarcity in diagnostic and interventional facilities

Sexual assault against female nigerian students

Sexual assault is a common social disorder among students in our tertiary institutions. This study ascertains the extent and effect of sexual assault among Nigerian students. Two hundred and Sixty Eight structured questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected students in 4 tertiary institutions, information on socio demography, sexual history and consequences of their exposure were obtained for analysis and interpretation. Thirty seven (13.8%) of the respondents were sexually assaulted as a student and 19 (7.1%) were assaulted by their lecturers and fellow students, Younger age at coitarche, history of forced coitarche, marriage, coitarche with relations and unknown persons, significantly influenced subsequent risks of sexual assault. Improve security, moral behaviours enforcing dress code and stiffer penalties were suggested ways to prevent sexual assault among the students. Sexual assault is still a common finding in our institutions; effort should be made by all stake holders to prevent this social embarrassment (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 189-193)