Association of Plasma Lead with Iron Indices and Complete Blood Count among Male Bricklayers in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Background: Analysis of cement dust by various investigators has revealed that its contents include mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb). Few studies done among cement factory workers in Nigeria showed conflicting results in haematological parameters which could not be related to any particular heavy metals. This necessitated the need for this study. Objective: This study aims to relate lead level with iron indices and complete blood count among bricklayers. Methods: Comparative cross sectional study among 45 bricklayers and 45 age and sex matched tailors. Questionnaire was administered to find out occupational practice. Plasma was analyzed for lead by Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) while serum was analyzed for ferittin and iron by ELISA and photometric method respectively. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and percentage Transferin saturation (%TFS) were derived by calculation while complete Blood Count (CBC) was determined using a Sysmex Kx21 auto-analyser. Results: Eighty seven percent of the bricklayers practice their profession without protective coverings. There was a significant increase in the plasma level of lead (p=.00) but decrease in ferrittin among bricklayers compared with controls (p=.00). Bricklayers with blood lead level above acceptable level (5 µg/dl) had significantly reduced ferittin (p=0.04). Conclusion: In this study showed a relatively lower serum ferritin level among bricklayers which was more pronounced with increasing lead level. This may suggest depletion of iron store with increasing lead level. The use of protective measures such as gloves, facemasks and protective garments when in contact with cement and regular medical checkups to prevent depletion of iron store and its consequences are hereby suggested.

A Cross-sectional Survey of the Willingness of Tertiary Hospital Staff to Donate Blood in Sagamu, Nigeria

Background: Available donor blood rarely meets the demand in sub-Saharan Africa due to obstacles to blood donation. Willingness to donate blood is adjudged an important step to the actual practice of donating blood.Objective: To assess the willingness of the members of staff of the hospital to donate blood and determine factors affecting their willingness or otherwise.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A proportional allocation of participants was carried out at the various departments in the hospital using self-administered questionnaire. Results: Overall, 183 (73%) of the 246 respondents expressed willingness to donate blood, 111(45%) of whom have been asked to donate blood in the past. Only 91(37%) had donated blood in the past. Significantly higher proportion of health staff showed the willingness to donate blood generally and voluntarily compared to non-health staff. Significantly higher proportion of respondents with tertiary education showed the willingness to donate blood. Two hundred and eighteen (88.8%) were willing to donate blood to help the patient in need while fear of exposure to HIV infection, needle prick and dizziness constituted the major factors discouraging blood donation (19.9%, 18.7% and 18.3% respectively.Conclusion: Willingness to donate blood was mostly based on the primordial motivation of helping the patient in need which does not translate to blood donation. There is a need to improve awareness and advocacy on blood donation among hospital staff and the general population

Role of hepatic enzymes in the biochemical assessment of the severity of sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various clinical and hematological indices have been used to assess the severity of Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA), however biochemical indices are lacking. Hepatomegaly has been a frequent finding in SCA and its persistence has been associated with increased disease severity. The association between hepatic enzymes and disease severity in SCA is undefined. This study was therefore designed to look at the association between clinical severity and hepatic enzymes in SCA subjects with persistent hepatomegaly (that is, lasting more than six months) in order to determine a possible role for hepatic enzymes as a biochemical index of severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (SAP) and gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) were determined in two groups of SCA subjects and in hemoglobin genotype AA (HbAA) controls. SCA group comprised of 37 subjects with persistent hepatomegaly equal to or greater than 10 cm (below right coastal margin) while the second group comprised another 38 SCA subjects without palpable hepatomegaly. 40 individuals with hemoglobin genotype AA served as control for both groups. Clinical and hematological parameters of severity which included steady state haematocrit, number of transfusions per year, number of crises per year and percentage HbF level were determined and scored in a manner similar to the Glasgow coma scale. Results obtained were analyzed with the aid of statistical package on EPI-INFO version 6.02. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in serum ALT, ALP and GGT levels in SCA with persistent hepatomegaly over those without hepatomegaly (p < 0.05, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). All the index scores and the final aggregate severity scores were also significantly higher in SCA subjects with persistent hepatomegaly. Only GGT demonstrated a fairly positive and significant correlation (r = 0.46, P < 0.05) with increased clinical severity among the hepatic enzymes. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum level of GGT in SCA during steady state is suggestive of increased disease severity.