Prevalence of brain fag syndrome and its correlation with stimulant use and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics among university undergraduate students in Nigeria

Background: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a culture-bound syndrome characterized by cognitive and somatic symptoms, commonly reported among African students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students and examine its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students from a university in the northwest region of Nigeria. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, stimulant use, course of study, and academic performance. The presence of BFS was assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Results:The study included a total of 625 participants, in their young adulthood. The prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students was found to be 62.7%. The majority of affected students were aged 20-30, male, and from the Hausa ethnic group. No significant association was found between stimulant use and BFS. However, there was a significant relationship between the course of study and the occurrence of BFS. Academic performance (CGPA) showed a weak negative association with BFS. Other socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, relationship status, birth position, type of home, and family income did not predict the occurrence of BFS. Conclusion: The high prevalence highlights the need for attention to mental health issues among this population. The results emphasize the importance of considering the course of study and academic performance when studying BFS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions for students affected by BFS.

Knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 infection and anxiety levels of Nigerian youths regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives@#Youths can function as agents of change by disseminating essential information, but they are also considered a vulnerable group in the COVID-19 pandemic. Literature on COVID-related knowledge, attitude, and anxiety has not focused comprehensively on youths. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and anxiety level of youths in eastern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*Methods@#We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an online survey among young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years in southeastern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed data using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 software. We used descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to measure the associations. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95 percent confidence level.@*Results@#We included 397 participants. Majority of the study participants (88%) had a high level of knowledge about COVID-19. Around 68% showed a good attitude toward COVID-19 prevention, overall low anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic was proportionally higher at 57.43%. Knowledge and educational level were statistically significantly associated with anxiety levels related to the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Conclusion@#The young adults had a good knowledge of the COVID-19 transmission and symptoms, positive attitude, and low anxiety levels. Those with higher educational levels had good knowledge and lower anxiety level. Public health and mental health experts can use this material to help reduce high levels of anxiety among the vulnerable population affected by the pandemic.

Healing Potentials of Nigerian Bee Propolis on Meticillin- Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infected Skin Wound of Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effects of Nigerian Bee Propolis extract on Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infected skin wounds of albino rats. Two full thickness circular wounds were created each on the dorsum of eighteen (18) healthy adult male albino rats with mean body weight of 126±7.09g. Each wound was contaminated with 108 colony forming unit of MRSA. The rats were then randomized into three (3) treatment groups (n=6) with topical application of Propolis extract (PE Group), Silver sulphadiazine (SS Group) and untreated Control (UT Group). Gross wound healing indices (exudation, edema, hyperemia, wound contraction), histopathologic (granulation, angiogenesis, fibroplasia, epithelialization) and immunologic healing indices were evaluated using standard methods. Bacteria clearance was through culture and quantification. The wound surface exudation and edge edema and hyperemia were prominent in all the groups from day 0 to 6 but persisted in the untreated group till day 12. Wound contraction was gradual in all the groups from day 0-18, it was higher between days 0 and 3 in the PE and SS than the UT group (P<0.05). Complete wound closure occurred on SS (day 15), and PE (day 16). The histopathological changes observed showed neutrophils regressed on day 6 to 18 in all groups and was faster in PE and SS groups (P<0.05). Platelets reduction was ` gradual from days 3 to 18 in all groups and was absent from days 6 to 18 in the PE group. Nigerian Bee propolis has a profound bacteria clearance and healing effect on wound infected with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) comparable to silver sulphadiazine and therefore recommended for infected wound treatment.

Morphological evaluation of the humeral length and application as indicator of sexual dimorphism among Southern Nigerian children

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate humeral length among children in Southern Nigeria and to describe its sexual dimorphism among study population.Methods: This study involved 450 children (230 males and 220 females) between 3-14 years old in Southern Nigerian.  The humeral length was measured as distance between lateral epicondyle distally palpated when elbow was flexed to 90 degrees and acromion proximally palpated lateral end of clavicle. Definitive right and left humeral lengths (RHL and LHL) were derived by subtracting 2.5 mm from measured length. Average values of RHL and LHL were evaluated as morphological humeral length (MHL) for each subject. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 20 and statistical comparisons done using t-test with p < 0.05 regarded as level of significant difference.Results: In all age groups, non-significant bilateral variation was observed with the RHL higher than the LHL among both male and female subjects. In addition, the results showed significant (p<0.05) sexual dimorphism in all age groups with mean±SEM of MHL among 3-6 years old higher in females (19.45±0.81) than in males (18.63±0.83).  However, the reverse was observed among higher age groups with mean±SEM of MHL in 7-10- and 11-14-years old males (24.43±0.95 and 28.75±0.94) significantly higher than in 7-10 years old and 11-14 years old females (22.85±0.91 and 26.73±0.84) respectively.Conclusions: Based on findings of this study, humeral morphometrics particularly the humeral length can be applied as a significant indicator of sexual dimorphism among the study population.

Descriptive Study of School Feeding Practices in Nigerian Children and the Risk of Dental Caries

Background:Nutrition is important in development, growth and maintenance of overall well being of an individual andplays a significant role in children’s cognitive, behavioural and emotional development. Poor diets may initiate or exacerbate chronic diseases including dental caries which has dietary fermentable carbohydrates as one of its aetiologies.Objectives:To describe the school feeding practice in Nigerian schools and relate the contents of their lunch boxes to risk of having dental caries and determine the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the content of lunch boxes.Study Design:This was a descriptive cross sectional study.Methodology:Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting participants from 12 schools in Southern Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and contents of lunch boxes were elicited using structured questionnaires. The contents of lunch boxes were categorized as balanced (cooked meals with vegetables or fruits), overloaded (one cooked meal and snacks) and unbalanced-over loaded (no lunchbox, or greater than one snacks). Information elicited were analyzed using SPSS version 22 and the level of significance was set at <0.05 Results:There were 152 (49.8%) males and 153 (50.2%) females with a mean age of 10.1 (+2.2) years who participated in the study. One hundred and fifty two (49.8%) pupils brought lunch boxes to school. The category of meals taken during lunch breaks was mostly [157 (51.5%)]unbalanced-overloaded. There were statistically significant associations between the mothers’ occupation (<0.001), number of siblings (p<0.001), type of school (p=0.001) and the presence of lunch boxes. There was also statistically significant associationbetween the types of schools and contents of lunch packs. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (OR=0.116, CI=0.030-0.447;p=0.002) and number of siblings (OR=0.286; CI=0.097-0.841; p=0.023) were significant predictors of bringing lunch box to school.Conclusion:Type of school, age of the children, their mothers’ social class/occupation and family size were significantly associated with possessing lunch packs. Their lunch meals were majorly confectioneries thus a high risk to dental caries

Alternative Models Examination and Gender Measurement Invariance of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire among Nigerian Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the factor structures of the a priori alternative models of the 12-items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), its psychometric characteristics and gender measurement invariance in a sample of non-clinical Nigerian adolescents (n=1326; M(age)=15.16).METHODS: The sample consisted of 606 (45.7%) males, who completed the GHQ-12 in addition to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). We compared 21 models to identify which has the best fit indices applying confirmatory factor analysis. Gender measurement invariance was examined with nested multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA).RESULTS: The model that best captures psychological distress was a three-factor model that was initially described among the Australian general population (CFI=0.952, SRMR=0.0310, RMSEA=0.042) (90%CI=0.035–0.049). The internal consistencies (ω) of this model and its dimensions were modestly satisfactory. The criterion validity of this model was supported via significant correlations with the other study measures. MGCFA supported the configural, metric and scalar gender invariances of this model.CONCLUSION: A three-factor GHQ-12 model (anhedonia/sleep disturbances; social performance and Loss of confidence) is useful as a psychological distress assessment tool among Nigerian adolescents.

Relationship between masseter muscle thickness and overbite values in a Nigerian population

Objective: This study determined the relationship between masseter muscle thickness and overbite values among Nigerians. Methods: The subjects included 66 consecutive patients (21 males and 45 females) who presented for fixed orthodontic appliance treatment. Overbite values were measured from standard lateral cephalometric radiographs taken for all patients,who were thereafter divided into three groups of reduced overbite (n=22, mean -1.11+ 2.18mm), normal overbite (n=22, mean 2.59+0.50mm) and increased overbite (n=22, mean 5.21+1.39mm). The masseter muscle thickness of each patient was measured bilaterally using ultrasonography. Associations between masseter muscle thickness and different overbite values were analyzed using unpaired t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison analysis. Results: Mean masseter muscle thickness was 11.23 ± 2.40 mm during relaxation and 12.81 ± 2.64 mm during contraction for study participants. The masseter muscle on the habitual side of mastication of participants was generally thicker but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was a progressive increase in masseter muscle thickness from reduced overbite through normal overbite to increased overbite groups and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Tukey's multiple comparisons showed significant differences between all the three overbite groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a direct relationship between the muscle thickness and overbite variations (AU)

Sexual Risk Practices of Undergraduate University Students in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implications for Planning Interventions.

Aim: To evaluate the sexual practices of undergraduate university students in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in order to provide evidence for appropriate interventions. Study Design: A multi-stage random sampling design and stratified sampling proportionate to size was used to select study participants. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in four out of the 18 public universities in the region between October and December 2013. Methodology: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 828 students selected from four faculties and eight departments of the universities. Married students and those from departments of medical and health sciences were excluded. Data was analyzed using Epi Info ver. 6.04d software package. The Chi-square test was performed at 95% confidence level and p-value set at P=.05. Results: A total of 391(47.2%) males and 437 (52.8%) females participated in the study. The majority of the students 444(53.6%) were in sexual relationships: 150 (33.8%) males and 294 (66.2%) females. Of these, 358 (80.6%) had had an HIV test and knew their HIV status: males 125 (34.9%) and females 233 (65.1%), but only 280(63.1%) had knowledge of the HIV status of their sexual partners: males 93(33.2%) and females 187 (66.8%). More females than males knew their HIV status and those of their sex partners (p=.00). Similarly, only 216(48.6%) used condoms in their last casual sex, while only 145(32.7%) used condoms consistently with a non-regular partner: males 71(49.0%) and females 74(51.0%) respectively. Finally, less than half of the students 216(48.6%) were consistent with safer sex negotiation with their partners. Conclusion: The study highlights the occurrence of high sexual risk behaviours among undergraduate university students. We advocate the inclusion of sexuality education in the General Studies curriculum for students and the provision of accessible Sexually Transmitted Infection services through youth-friendly channels, like Youth Friendly Centres.

Tumour cell membrane laminin expression is associated with basal-like phenotype and poor survival in Nigerian breast cancer

Introduction: Laminin is a glycoprotein with diverse functions in carcinogenesis including cell proliferation, invasion, metastases and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In breast cancer (BC) laminin expression is speculated to be associated with unfavourable clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. We hypothesize that laminin expression would contributed to the aggressive nature of basal like and triple negative BC phenotype observed in Black women. Methods: The expression of laminin was determined in a well-characterised Nigerian cohort of 255 BC using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Laminin expression was compared with clinical, pathological and survival characteristics. Results: Laminin was expressed in 146 (57.3%) cases and significantly correlated with younger age at diagnosis (p=0.005), premenopausal status (p=0.003), expression of EGFR (p=0.002), ID4 and MTA1, basal cytokeratin 5/6, p53, and triple negative tumours (all p<0.001). In addition, there was an inverse association of laminin expression with E-cadherin (p=0.03), ER and PgR (all p<0.001) and a trend with BRCA1 (p=0.05). Univariate survival analysis showed tumours positive for laminin had significantly poorer breast cancer specific survival (BCSS, p=0.009) and disease free interval (p=0.03), but not associated in Cox multivariate analysis. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that laminin expression may have important roles in the aggressive nature observed in the basal-like and triple negative molecular subtype of Nigerian BC women.

Breast self‑examination practices in Nigerian women attending a tertiary outpatient clinic.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality caused by breast cancer can be decreased by early detection with breast self‑examination (BSE). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and the factors determining the practice of BSE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 140 women aged above 18 years who presented consecutively in a General Outpatient’s clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. This was the baseline study from an intervention study which looked at the effect of demonstration of BSE on improving Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) among two groups of respondents. Structured questionnaires were validated and administered by an interviewer and the data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. RESULTS: The overall self-reported prevalence of BSE practice was 62.1% among the respondents. Older women (16, 76.2%), married women (63, 65.6%) and women with tertiary education (51, 68.9%) had the highest prevalence of BSE practice. Prevalence rate was highest for civil servant (25, 78.1%), P = 0.04. The practice of BSE was higher among women with a previous history of breast disease (15, 68.2%) and in respondents with a family history of breast disease (7, 63.6%), Only 11 (12.6%) performed BSE as per guidelines, which was once in a month. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of BSE was found to be high, especially in those with tertiary education and in those with a past personal or family history of breast disease. In resource‑constrained countries, BSE is a screening tool that can be employed to help reduce the breast cancer burden because routine mammography screening is not yet feasible. Women need to be informed about the when and how to perform BSE.

Relationship between Serum C-reactive Protein Levels and Severity of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Children Seen in South-South Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the relationship between serum C-reactive protein levels and severity of malaria infection in children aged six months to five years in a malaria endemic setting. Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Children Out-patient (CHOP) Clinic, Children Emergency Unit (CHEU), Child Welfare/Growth Monitoring Clinic, Immunization Centre and main Paediatric Ward of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State. It was conducted over a six month period. Methodology: We studied three hundred and sixty (360) children with microscopically confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria and three hundred and sixty (360) healthy controls matched for age and gender. Their serum C-reactive protein levels were measured using the highly sensitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: The serum C-reactive protein levels showed a positive correlation with the malaria parasite count (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). Children presenting with severe manifestations of malaria had significantly higher mean serum C-reactive protein levels (33.3± 6.88mg/l) than the 8.12±9.09mg/l obtained in those with uncomplicated malaria (t = -15.57; p = 0.001. Conclusion: This study shows that C-reactive protein levels are increased in children with malaria, especially in severe malaria. Its estimation therefore holds potential usefulness as an adjunct for assessment of malarial severity.

Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Children with Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Nigeria.

An estimated 2 million children die of malaria yearly, primarily because of Plasmodium falciparum and its complications. Plasmodium falciparum infection could lead to imbalance in micronutrient levels. Micronutrients such as zinc and copper are essential for immune functions. In this study, we determined the baseline serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria in Jos, Nigeria. This is essential because its result will give us a proper insight whether there is a need for a further study on zinc supplementation in these patients or not. Study Design: This was an analytical case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between August and November 2011 in various hospitals in Jos, North Central Nigeria. Methodology: The blood samples of 600 children aged zero to18 years from various hospitals in Jos were analyzed for malaria parasite (MP), zinc, copper, albumin and total protein. All statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 17. The results were expressed as means, standard deviation and percentages. Result: Out of 600 children, 306(51%) had malaria infection. Three hundred and thirteen (52.2%) were females. The overall prevalence of malaria was 51% while that of congenital and neonatal malaria were 2.0% and 1.5% respectively There was no significant difference in the serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria (p=0.404 and p=0.559). Serum zinc and copper levels were significantly higher in males (p=0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between parasite density and serum zinc and copper levels (p=000). Serum zinc, copper levels and temperature were not predictors of malaria. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the serum zinc and copper levels of children with or without malaria. This implies that there may not be need to supplement children with malaria with zinc or copper, as this may not be necessary in solving the menace of malaria morbidity.

Rostrofacial indices of the Nigerian local dog: implications in veterinary oral and maxillo-facial anaesthesiology of the dolichocephalic canine breed / Índice rostrofacial del perro local nigeriano: implicancias en anestesiología oral y maxilofacial veterinaria de la raza canina dolicocéfala

There has been a recent increase in the use of trained dogs in animal-assisted therapy programmes. This morphological study uses the Nigerian local dog as a prototype dolichocephalic to determine rostrofacial parameters which are of clinical and anesthesiological importance in veterinary oral surgery and intervention. Sixteen Nigerian local dog skulls of both sexes (seven males and nine females) were used. The females were observed to have higher values for most of the parameters measured. Statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was only observed in one parameter, distance between the mandibular foramen and the caudal border of the mandible, with the female value being higher. The length of the mandible from the most rostral point of the dental bone to the most caudal projection of the coronoid process (MDL-1) showed a positive correlation to the parameters depicting height, width and length of the mandible. Results obtained from this study will find application in veterinary comparative anatomy and in clinical application in oral and maxillofacial surgery and anaesthesia, especially in regions where the dental x-ray is not readily available.

Se ha observado un reciente aumento en el uso de perros entrenados en los programas de terapia asistida con animales. Este estudio morfológico utiliza el perro local de Nigeria como prototipo dolicocéfalo para determinar los parámetros rostrofaciales, de importancia clínica en la intervención quirúrgica y asistencia anestesiológica oral en veterinaria. Se utilizaron 16 cráneos de perros de ambos sexos (siete machos y nueve hembras). Se observó que las hembras tenían valores más altos para la mayoría de los parámetros medidos. Una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (P<0,05 ) sólo se observó en un parámetro, la distancia entre el foramen mandibular y el margen caudal de la mandíbula, donde las hembras registraron el valor más alto. La longitud de la mandíbula desde el punto del hueso dental más rostral, a la proyección caudal del proceso coronoides mandibular mostró una correlación positiva para los parámetros de altura, ancho y longitud mandibular. Los resultados obtenidos pueden ser aplicados en anatomía veterinaria, así como en clínica para cirugía oral, maxilofacial y el uso de anestesia, especialmente en lugares o situaciones donde la radiografía dental no siempre está al alcance.

Protective Role of Nigerian Honey on Sperm indices and Testis in Sucrose-Fed Rats.

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effect of high sucrose diet on male reproductive function and if Nigerian honey could exert a protective role. Methods: Twenty-four (24) rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of six animals and given water (control); honey (H); high sucrose solution (30%w/v) (HSS); and both high sucrose solution (30%w/v) and honey (HSS+H). Each rat on honey received a daily dose of 10ml honey/kg/5ml of distilled water. Food intake, body weight, organ weight, fasting blood glucose, LH, FSH, testosterone and sperm functions were assessed. Results: This revealed that sperm motility (p<0.05) and count increased in the HSS+ H and H- fed rats compared with HSS fed and control rats. Head and tail abnormalities sperm were also significantly reduced in the H fed rats (p<0.05).MDA level in the liver and not in the testes was significantly increased in the HSS fed rats compared with control while SOD activity was significantly increased in HSS+H rats compared with the HSS fed rats. Conclusion: The results indicate that sucrose feeding impact negatively on sperm function while Nigerian honey supplementation confers protective function on male reproduction.

Molecular profiling of breast cancer in Nigerian women identifies an altered p53 pathway as a major mechanism underlying its poor prognosis compared with British counterpart

Advances in breast cancer (BC) research have demonstrated differences between black and white women with regarding tumour behaviour, patient outcome and response to treatment which can be explained by underlying genetic changes. The tumour suppressor gene p53 has been speculated to be involved in tumour biology of triple negative and/or basal –like BC and more commonly observed in black than caucasian women. Materials and methods: In this study, the protein expression of p53 was investigated in tissue samples from a series of 308 Nigerian women, prepared as a tissue microarray (TMA), using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological parameters, biomarkers of functional significance in BC and patient outcome of tumours expressing p53 in Nigerian women were correlated with UK grade matched series. Results: A significantly large proportion of BC from Nigerian women showed high p53 expression compared with UK women (p<0.001). In those tumours showing positive p53 in the Nigerian series, a significant proportion were premenopausal, diagnosed before 50 years, larger in size, with evidence of metastasis into lymphatic vessels ( all p<0.001). In addition, p53 positive expression was also significantly correlated with negative expression of ER and PgR (p<0.001, p<0.03 respectively), BRCA1, MDM2 (all p<0.001), p21 (p=0.006) and E-cadherin (p=0.001) and positively associated with P-cadherin (p=0.001), triple negative phenotype, basal cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 expression (p<0.04) and basal phenotype compared with the UK series (p<0.001). Survival analyses showed Nigerian women with BC were significantly associated with poor BC specific survival (p<0.001, but no significant association with disease free interval was observed. Conclusion: In this study, protein expressions of p53 pathways are different between Nigerian and UK BC women and this may also contribute to differences in tumour biology. Therefore, targeting these p53 pathways for therapeutic usage might improve the poor outcome observed in Black Nigerian women.

Biochemical Effects of Some Traditional Nigerian Diets in Experimental Diabetic Rat Models.

Diet, besides its simplicity and affordability, has been clinically recommended as the first line of intervention in type 2 diabetes. However, compliance with the so-called diabetic diet has been notoriously poor, mostly because the social and cultural aspects of eating as well as the degree of difficulty involved in entrenching permanent changes in diet have greatly been underestimated. The present study therefore evaluated the suitability of some traditional Nigerian diets namely Garri with afang soup (GAS), pounded yam with edikang ikong soup (PYES) and ekpang nkukwo (EN) in alloxan diabetic rats. 15-day feeding with GAS and PYES respectively reduced (P<0.05) fasting blood glucose by 25.61% and 25.19%, compared to the reference diet, plantain with beans (37.22%). The glucose lowering effect of EN was however, not significant. Except GAS, the effect of the test diets on serum lipid profile was similar and comparable to the reference diet. Further, the impact on serum biochemical indices - β-carotene, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine, though not dramatic, was not different from the reference diet, except serum β-carotene that was higher in the reference diet-fed animals than others (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that the studied diets, can potentially offer the patients the needed dietary diversification in diabetes management.

Determination of the Contamination of Groundwater Sources in Okrika Mainland with Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

In this study, we examined the presence and concentrations of six polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in groundwater sources of Okrika mainland impacted by effluent discharges from a petroleum refinery into her surrounding Creeks. Sterile amber coloured bottles were used to collect 10 replicate borehole water samples from the mainland and fixed with concentrated H2SO4. Samples were transferred to the laboratory in iced coolers and analyzed using Gas chromatography coupled with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The interactions of the PAH components detected was determined using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) while spatial variance equality in means of concentrations was explored with the One-way ANOVA. Structure detection of observed inequalities was made with means plots. Concentrations of the PAHs were high and exceeded the WHO maximum permissible limit of 0.002mg/l in drinking water. Benzo(b)fluoranthene, with the highest mean concentration varied between 0.00037- 0.51266 (0.08117±0.03330159)mg/l, fluoranthene varied between 0.00060-0.32890 (0.0473946±0.01769877)mg/l, while benzo(k)fluoranthene with the least mean concentration varied between 0.00017-0.08478 (0.0237385±0.00610045)mg/l. However, pyrene concentration ranged between 0.00015 and 0.24757 (0.0508440±0.01859716)mg/l, benzo(a)anthracene between 0.00020-0.21972 (0.0512660±0.01688275)mg/l, and chrysene between 0.00013 and 0.16571 (0.0488975±0.01090264)mg/l. Strong associations were observed between all the PAH components measured at P<0.01. Significant heterogeneity in mean variance of the PAHs [F(211.9502)>Fcrit(3.921478)] was recorded across the sampling locations at P<0.05. Structure detection of mean difference revealed that the inequalities were most contributed in BH1, BH 2, BH 5 and BH 10, while equality in mean concentrations were observed between BH 1 and BH 4, and BH 5 and BH 6. BH 8 recorded the highest contamination level of the various PAHs due basically to its proximity to the refinery’s effluent channel. The most probable source of these PAHs is therefore the nearby Port Harcourt Refinery Company’s effluent discharges into the surrounding creeks of the mainland. This contamination is of public health concern as several PAHs are known carcinogens. It is recommended that advanced technological engineering be applied to contain the presence of these pollutants in drinking water sources of residents of the area.

Development And Validation Of The Brain Fag Propensity Scale

Objective: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a psychiatric disorder associated with study among African students. Among secondary school students, it affects two to four out of every ten students. One of the consequences of this illness is early foreclosure of education in affected students. However, clinical experience suggests that many students have sub-threshold symptoms of brain fag and are at risk for developing brain fag syndrome. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable psychometric instrument that measures brain fag syndrome propensity. Methods: External and internal expert panels as well as a patient focus group evaluated a large pool of potential item stems gathered from the psychological and psychiatric literature. Potential scale items were then administered to 250 students along with a set of validating questionnaires. Final item selection was based upon rigorous empirical criteria and the psychometric properties of the final scale were examined. Results: A final four dimensional 20-item scale, the Brain Fag Syndrome Propensity Scale, has a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.795, split half reliability of 0.813 for the part 1 (10 items) and 0.585 for the part 2 (10 items), and Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.557. The intrinsic validity yielded a coefficient of 0.892. Conclusion: The current results indicate the BFPS has an excellent internal consistency as well as good content and concurrent validity and should have significant utility as a brief, valid measure of propensity to develop brain fag syndrome or sub-threshold cases of BFS.

The bowel habits of adolescents in Nigeria.

Background: The implications of defaecation patterns to health are important. The abnormalities can be readily recognized and treated only if the normal pattern is known. Methods: This cross sectional study involved 1115 adolescents enrolled using a stratified multi-stage random sampling technique. A self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on stool frequency, volume, colour and consistency. Data were compared between low and high across socioeconomic strata. Results: There were 481 males (overall mean age: 15.2+1.9 years). Participants were on mixed carbohydrate rich diet with both high and low fibre content.. Stool frequency was at least once daily in 77.3%, once in alternate days (17.4%) and once in >3days (5.3%). There was no association between stool frequency and gender (p=0.141) or age (p=0.345). More participants from the high (64.9%) than the low (35.1%) social classes opened their bowels once in >3days (p=0.048). More males produced larger stool volumes (>200ml) than females, (p=0.000). More than half (50.5%) of the participants reported passing brownish stool, 46.3% yellow stool and 3.2% greenish brown stool. Passage of soft stool was reported by 74.9% of the participants. Overall, 3.4% of participants had passed blood in their stool at some time. Conclusion: Majority of Nigerian adolescents passed 25-200 ml of soft stool atleast once daily and age and gender did not affect stool frequency. High socioeconomic status was associated with passage of hard stool and less frequent bowel opening. This data could facilitate early recognition of deviation from normal bowel habits in Nigerian adolescents.

A comparative study of quinine and artemether in the treatment of severe malaria in Nigerian children

Purpose: Nigeria has adopted quinine as the drug of first choice in the treatment of severe malaria and artemether as an alternative therapy. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether artemether is a comparable alternative to quinine in the management of severe malaria in Nigerian children. Methods: We conducted a randomized prospective study comparing quinine and artemether therapies in 90 Nigerian children with severe malaria. Results: Mortality was lower in quinine group (13.0) than artemether (15.9); Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.446 (95Confidence Interval (CI); 0.124 to 1.603; p = 0.249 ). The parasitaemia clearance on day 3 by quinine and artemether was 96.8 and 99.0(p = 0.422); respectively; while on day 14 it was 100for both medicines. Fever clearance by quinine and artemether was 87.7 and 90(p = 0.753); respectively; on day 3 but it increased to 100 and 96.42(p = 0.072); respectively; on day 14. For the quinine group; 71.74of the patients spent less than one week in the hospital versus 61.76for the artemether group (p = 0.829; OR = 0.883; 95CI = 0.284 to 2.742). Conclusion: Artemether is a comparable alternative to quinine in the treatment of severe paediatric malaria