ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Noise remains a nuisance which impacts negatively on the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of man. It aggravates chronic illnesses like hypertension and other cardiopulmonary diseases. Unfortunately, increased activities from industrialization and technological transfers/drifts have tumultuously led to increased noise pollution in most of our fast growing cities today and hence the need for concerted efforts in monitoring and regulating our environmental noise. OBJECTIVE: To assess the equivalent noise level (Leq) in Abuja municipality and promote a simple method for regular assessment of Leq within our environment. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional community based study of the environmental Leq of Abuja municipality conducted between January 2014 and January 2016. The city was divided into 12 segments including residential, business and market areas via the Abuja Geographic Information System. The major markets were captured separately on a different scale. Measurements were taken with the mobile phone softwares having validated this with Extech 407730 digital sound level meter, serial no Z310135. Leq(A) were measured at different points and hours of the day and night. The average Leq(A) were classified according to localities and compared with WHO standard safety levels. RESULTS: LeqD ranged 71-92dB(A); 42-79dB(A) and 69-90dB(A) in business/ parks, residential and market places respectively. The Night measurements were similar 18dB(A)-56dB(A) and the day-night Leq(A)=77.2dB(A) and 90.4dB(A) for residential and business zones. CONCLUSION: The night noise levels are satisfactory but the day and day-night levels are above the recommended tolerable values by WHO and therefore urgently call for awareness and legislative regulations.
ABSTRACT
A review of eclampsia at a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria is presented with the objective of determining the incidence, clinical features and management outcome and to make recommendations for better outcome. Antepartum eclampsia occurred in 60% of the patients. The most important symptom was headache (100%), while hypertension (88.88%) and fever (42.22%) were the most common signs. Fit control was achieved in 66.6% of the patients with diazepam. Abdominal delivery occurred in 53.3% of the patients. There were 19 maternal and 20 perinatal deaths. There were 45 cases of eclampsia and 10,572 deliveries during the period of study. The incidence of eclampsia was 0.42% (1/235 deliveries); it was highest in the less than 20 years age group (1.68%), the nulliparae (1.27%) and the unbooked patients (1.23%). Eclampsia remains a serious obstetric disorder in tropical obstetric practice. Provision of good quality antenatal care, improving the emergency capability of hospitals and the establishment of Intensive Care Units for the care of eclamptic patients are recommended.
