Environmental Characteristics of HIV/AIDS Affected Households in a Nigerian Rural Community.

A study of environmental attributes of HIV/AIDS affected households in Ijesa region, Nigeria (N = 297). Data from both primary and secondary sources were used to establish the relationship between socio-economic and environmental characteristics at different rural community zones; namely traditional core, post traditional and contemporary. There were more female HIV/AIDS patients, located in traditional core zones (78.1%) with high house density, living in shared apartments where residents shared sleeping and bath/toilet rooms. Thus, rape was significantly associated with the design and habitation density of households. In addition, widowhood, young age, informal education, menial jobs and unemployment of patients did not correlate with most environmental variables related to HIV/AIDS in contemporary zone compared with traditional zone. However, wealth status and quality education in relation to good housing environment and decent house density were significant in contemporary zone respectively. The study concluded that policies on HIV/AIDS prevalence at rural community level should focus more on high density areas having poor socio-economic and environmental characteristics.

Assessment of dental waste management in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

This study assessed the practice of disposing of waste from the eight dental clinics of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. All the cleaners (14) in the hospitals were surveyed through questionnaire. Information obtained from the cleaners included socio-economic characteristics (biodata), personal protection, facilities available for them to work with and job satisfaction. Two soil samples were obtained from the open dump site (0.15 and 0.30 m depth) and two water samples were also collected (at 0.00 and 50.00 m) within the vicinity of the dump site. Both the soil and water samples were taken to the central science laboratory for chemical analyses. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 cleaners were not satisfied with their job. The laboratory findings suggested a very high content of lead, chromium, mercury, cadmium and manganese in both soil and water samples in comparison with the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency standards. The study concludes that the use of tooth-coloured restorative materials and digital X-ray facility to serve as alternatives to the generation of these wastes is recommended and that farming activities should not be allowed in the area until an audit of the soil and water have been performed.