RESUMO
Background: Syphilis is a multifaceted disease with serious implications for the pregnant women and the foetus. Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis has been a public health challenge for centuries. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women are wide spread in the developing countries, and constitute a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Information regarding the prevalence of syphilis in pregnant women is scanty from the north-west zone of Nigeria.Aims:Evaluation of seroprevalence of Treponema palliduminfection among pregnant women attending a selected hospital at Northern Nigeria was carried out, with view to assess the socio-demographic data and predisposing factors of syphilis among the study population.Methods: Exactly 200 pregnant women, who attended antenatal clinic of the selected hospital at Northern Nigeria, from July to September, 2015 were screened for syphilis using syphilis rapid immunochromatographic test for in-vitrodiagnostic technique. Patients’ demographic data and predisposing factors of syphilis were assessed using a structured questionnaire.Results: The result showed that 2.0% of the 200 pregnant women screened were positive. Basedon age, individuals who were less than or equal 20 years had the highest prevalence of 4.1% followed by those who aged 21-30 with the prevalence of 1.1%. Family type and place of the study subjects were significantly associated with the disease (Fisher’s exact test = 0.014 and 0.008 respectively). Therefore associated risk factors were age, family type and place of residence. While, educational status, employment status, gestational age and blood transfusion were not significantly associated with syphilis in the study area. While seroprevalence of 4(5.7%) was recorded in polygamous individual; no positive case was recorded among those practicing monogamy. Urban dwellers were found to have a prevalence rate of 6.6% with no infection detected among the rural dwellers. Conclusion: Theoverall prevalence of syphilis among the study population was 2.0%. The disease is more prevalent among middle aged, rural dwelling and polygamous pregnant women. Hence in a bid to control syphilis infection, both partners should be evaluated and treated. This study has further provided information on the prevalence of Treponema palliduminfection among pregnant women at Northern Nigeria
RESUMO
Sexual dimorphisms in biological structures such as brain and behaviour have been widely recognized in animals and humans. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are sex differences in the size of the cerebellum with other body traits, such as the head, tail and brain. Twelve grasscutters comprising of 6 males and 6 females were used in this study. Each brain was extracted from the skull by standard procedures and the mean values of the weights, dimensions and volumes of the brain, cerebellum, head and tail were compared in male and female using quantitative analytical statistical method. The results showed that the absolute mean brain weight and volume obtained in the male was slightly higher than that of the female, while the cerebellar mean weight was slightly higher in the female; although these values were not statistically significant [P> 0.05]. The mean cerebellar lengths and widths did not differ between the two sexes [>0.05], but the mean cerebellar circumference in the male was statistically higher than in the female [P<.05]. The female cerebellar length was positively correlated with the length of the brain, head and tail. In conclusion, the brain weight was slightly higher in the male than female, while the cerebellar weight was higher in the female than male. The significantly higher value of the cerebellar circumference in the male may partly be responsible for the big round head seen in the live male grasscutter