RÉSUMÉ
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is typically characterised by motor shortfalls. However, non-motor symptoms like mood disorders (anxiety, depression) and impaired cognition are also associated features. Previous studies have demonstrated a neuroprotective effect a plant against a disease. Consequently, this current study was focused on assessing its efficacy in extenuating non-motor shortfalls such as anxiety-like behaviour and impaired cognition induced by rotenone. Methods: PD was induced in rats by administering rotenone (10 mg/kg BW orally) for 28 days. The vehicle and the test drug were given orally daily for one hour prior to rotenone administration. The protective effect of methanol extract of A. viridis (500 mg/kg BW) was assessed through an array of tests; elevated plus maze test, Morris water maze test, and novel object recognition test. The rats were sacrificed on day 28th and neurobiochemical analyses of the hippocampus were performed using HPLC. Results: The findings of this study showed that co-administration of A. viridis reversed the rotenone-induced anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive shortfalls to a significant extent (p<0.001). It also restored the hippocampal neurotransmitters [(5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA), and dopamine (Da)] significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions: Amaranthus viridis offered neuroprotective effects that ameliorate non-motor symptoms in PD. This could be a novel insight into the therapy of PD. This study provides scientific evidence that A. viridis attenuates non-motor symptoms like anxiety-like behaviour and cognitive deficits in Parkinsonism. This extract can be a potential candidate in herbal formulations as a neuroprotectant against PD.
RÉSUMÉ
Background: This study was designed to determine the level of knowledge and the extent of practice of the components of essential new-born care (ENC), and the effects of a training programme on the knowledge and practice of ENC among nurses in rural primary health cares (PHCs) in Ebonyi state Nigeria. Methods: This study was a one group pre-test and post-test intervention design. The components of ENC considered were: New-born initiation of breastfeeding, thermoregulation, new-born cord care, newborn eye care, initiation of breathing and administration of vitamin K. A neonatal care knowledge and practice assessment (NCKPA) questionnaire tested for validity and reliability, with a Spearman’s correlation coefficient of 0.81, was used for data collection among the (48) available nurses (All female). Results: There was significant improvement in the level of knowledge and extent of practice of the components of ENC following the training programme. Despite the improvement, there were gaps in knowledge and practice of the components of ENC amongst the nurses in rural PHCs and affected were the level of knowledge of eye care 20 (41.6%) pre-intervention, and least knowledge of cord care 35 (72.9%) and eye care 45 (93.8%)-post-intervention. Conclusions: Increase in knowledge corresponded with increase in good practice of ENC. The concern with knowledge transfer and translation of knowledge into practice could be achieved by pre-service and in-service education, update courses and workshops, and this will empower the nurses, getting them familiar with current trends and practices for improved child survival rate.
RÉSUMÉ
Background: Throughout history, society has always employed several means to promote maternal healthcare services to save pregnant women and their unborn babies from expected or unexpected dangers during pregnancy, birth and after birth. This study investigated the determinants of maternal health care services utilization in selected communities. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for this study using a questionnaire as a quantitative tool. The population of the study comprised women of reproductive age group (15-49) Edo Central Senatorial District, Edo State Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 561 study participants from the target population. A total of 561 copies of the questionnaire were administered but 490 of them were retrieved and found to meet criteria for analysis. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and computed for descriptive statistics- frequency with percentage counts, mean and standard deviations. Additionally, inferential statistics chi-square used to test the stated hypotheses. Results: The finding showed that the women’s mean age of 28±5.37. Residential location of the participants did not significantly influence their utilization of maternal healthcare services. Educational qualifications, were found to influence the utilization of maternal healthcare services than those of lower educational levels (p<0.05). In addition, 364 (74.2%) respondents agree that free or low cost of maternal health services would prompt and promote regular visits to clinic. Conclusions: It is recommended that the government should provide freer or low-cost.