Climate Change: Vulnerability of the Niger Delta Region, in Nigeria

Climate change is not just a global threat, but an unprecedented public health emergency. Climate change has been characterized by global warming, increased frequency and intensity of precipitation, catastrophic wind events, and extreme weather events, associated with heat waves, flooding disasters, and prolonged droughts. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) attributes climate change to anthropogenic or human activities. Globally, the most vulnerable regions, to hazardous impacts of climate change, are the mega-deltas of Africa and Asia, due to high exposure to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas. The vulnerability of the Niger Delta region, is exacerbated by oil spillages, gas flaring. and environmental degradation. This review article highlights, the urgent implementation of mitigation and adaptation as opportunities for full transformation of economies, of the Niger delta region, in line with sustainable developmental goals (SDGs).

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Niger Delta region, Nigeria

Objective: To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods: Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105 ℃ until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO3: HClO4:H2SO4), and then the digested samples were diluted to 100 ml with deionized water. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Iron Fe, and Cd) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Our results revealed that concentrations and distribution patterns of all heavy metals studied varied significantly (P < 0.05) amongst the fish tissues analyzed and sampling sites. Moreover, liver tissue of fish caught from Finima creek accumulated the highest concentrations of Cu (52.64 ± 3.01μg/g dry wt), Zn (166.50 ± 6.45μg/g dry wt) and Fe (801.50 ± 14.15μg/g dry wt) in comparison to the liver of fish caught from Bonny river in which the levels of Cu, Zn and Fe were (45.00 ± 2.79), (49.90 ± 2.91) and (216 ± 6.11μg/g dry wt), respectively. In addition, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd exhibited their highest concentrations in gills from both locations. As expected, muscle tissue contained the least concentrations of all metals investigated from both sampling sites. Furthermore, all the metals investigated exhibited highest concentration in fish collected from Finima creek. These abnormal high level heavy metals accumulation observed in this location could be linked to the frequent crude oil spills as well as industrial activity around the area which might get discharged into Finima creek. In general, the mean concentrations of some toxic heavy metals investigated exceed the recommended maximum permissible limits set by the Joint FAO/WHO committee. However, some metals are within the acceptable limits. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data showed the abnormal higher concentration of these metals and this might be toxic to the fish and other aquatic organisms directly or by extension to humans that frequently consumed such contaminated fishes.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Niger Delta region, Nigeria

Objective To investigate the level of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe Mn Ni, Pb and Cd) in muscles, gills and liver tissue of Croaker fish from oil spilled rivers of Bonny and Finima, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Methods Twenty four Croacker fishes (Genyonemus lineatus) weighing between 250 and 260 g and 24–26 cm length were collected from each sampling sites (Bonny and finima rivers). The frozen fishes were thawed and dried at 105 °C until they reach a constant weight. The dried samples were homogenized and digested with 10 ml tri-acid mixture (HNO

Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Uptake among Women in Peri-Urban Communities of Port Harcourt City, Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of contraceptive uptake among women of reproductive age in semi-urban communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. The information will be useful in reordering priorities and strategies for family planning interventions in the state. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional, household-based study, employing a cluster sampling technique proportionate to size, to recruit eligible participants. Study Location: The study was carried out in September 2013 in five contiguous communities located at the fringes of the Port Harcourt city. Methodology: Anonymous questionnaires were administered to 772 women of reproductive age normally resident in these five communities. Visitors were excluded. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 software package. The Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between contraceptive use and demographic and socioeconomic variables, while Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of contraceptive uptake. The level of statistical significance was set at p= .05. Results: A total of 772 women aged (15-49) years participated in the study and 731 (94.7%) knew about modern contraceptives and their benefits. Young age (15-34 years old), (χ2= 12.7, df = 3, p= .01) and being single, (χ2=16.270, df=3, p < .01) were significantly associated with contraceptive usage. Younger women had six times higher odds of contraceptive usage than older women; [O.R (95% C. I) = 5.97 (1.56-22.90) and 5.96 (1.63 -21.71)], and women with contraceptive knowledge had 19% higher odds of usage than contraceptive naïve women [O.R (95% C. I) = 0.19 (0.09-0.40)]. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of young age and knowledge about contraceptives in promoting its acceptance among women. We therefore advocate for an early introduction of curriculum-based family planning education in schools, local media campaigns and peer education to create more awareness about contraceptives.

An Audit of Medical Autopsy: Experience at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

Background: Autopsy is an essential auditing tool in clinical practice. ObjectiveS: The study set out to review all autopsies that were performed over a four-year period in order to determine the rate, indications, as well as the age and sex distribution of dead bodies, which autopsies were performed on them in the Hospital. Setting and Design: This was a retrospective study that was undertaken at the department of Pathology of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, Nigeria between January 2007 and December 2010. Materials and Methods: All the cases of death that underwent pathological autopsies in the UUTH were reviewed. The autopsy records, clinical case notes, gross and histopathological specimens as well as slides were retrieved and examined. Results: A total of 1679 dead bodies were received at the mortuary of the institution studied during the 4-year period. Autopsies were performed in 78 cases giving a request rate of 4.7%. Coroner's autopsy was commonly performed, and this accounted for 60 (76.9%) cases, while the remaining 18 (23.1%) were clinical autopsies. Autopsies were commonly performed on male bodies more than females (M: F = 2.6:1.0) with the majority having died at their second decade of life. It was observed that the majority (57.7%) of the request for autopsies were from peripheral centers outside the teaching hospital, while the remaining 42.3% cases were drawn from various clinical departments in the teaching hospital. Road traffic accident was the leading indication for coroner's autopsy (51.7%), while gastroenteritis and chronic liver disease were the two most common indications for clinical autopsy, 27.8% and 22.2% respectively. The concordance rate between clinical diagnosis and autopsy diagnosis was found to be 72.2% (13/18 cases). Conclusion: The rate of request for Autopsy at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital during the period of this study was low, similar to other previous reports.