EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHERS IN THE DETECTION OF EYE DISORDERS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ABAKALIKI METROPOLIS, EBONYI STATE NIGERIA.

Background: Schoolteachers who have knowledge on eye diseases can detect early children with eye disorders and refer them promptly to an eye specialist. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of teachers in a vision screening program for primary school children in Abakaliki. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 randomly selected primary schoolteachers in Abakaliki to screen for vision abnormalities and detect eye problems among 350 children from 5 schools. Teachers participated in a 2-day training using a modified training algorithm on vision screening using a Snellen's chart and in the identification of common ocular abnormalities. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 statistical program and a p-value of <0.05 at 95% confidence level was statistically significant. Results: A total of 379 children were enrolled into the study however, 350 (92.3%) children participated in the study. School teachers correctly identified 283 (92.8%) children who had normal vision and 33(73.3%) who had impaired vision. Overall 60 (17.1%) children with perceived eye defects were referred to the ophthalmologist for re-examination. Refractive error and allergic conjunctivitis were the most common eye problems identified and children with refractive error and other ocular morbidity were referred to the base hospital. Conclusion: Teachers are a valuable resource in the detection of eye disorders among school children. Their effectiveness can be further enhanced by regular training, and collaboration with eye care professionals. Addressing these limitations through policy implementation can lead to better eye health outcomes for school children in Nigeria.

Posture-induced intraocular pressure changes among patients with primary open angle glaucoma in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: Any implication for management.

Background and Aim: To determine the effect of postural changes on intraocular pressure (IOP) among newly diagnosed patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 55 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with POAG attending Glaucoma clinics at a Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, from July to September 2017. Patients IOPs were measured in the sitting position, supine without a pillow, and supine with pillow positions using Perkin's handheld applanation tonometer. All data were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of 55 subjects were recruited comprising 30 (54.5%) males and 25 (45.5%) females, with a mean age of 50.13 ± 9.97 years and an age range of 30-79 years. The mean intraocular pressure was 27.54 ± 3.98 mmHg in the sitting position, 30.15 ± 4.41 mmHg in the supine with pillow position, and 35.22 ± 4.61 mmHg in the supine without pillow position. The mean difference of mean IOP of sitting compared to supine without the pillow was 7.68 ± 2.08 mmHg (P-value < 0.001, 95% CI: 7.12-8.24); sitting compared to supine with the pillow was 2.61 ± 1.49 mmHg (P-value < 0.001, 95% CI: 3.01-2.21), whereas supine without the pillow compared to supine with the pillow was 5.07 ± 2.24 mmHg (P-value 0.001, 95% CI: 4.47-5.68). Conclusion: IOP was lowest in the sitting position and highest in the supine without pillow position. There was a statistically significant reduction in IOP on the assumption of supine with pillow position compared to supine without pillow position. The use of thick pillows in supine positions (such as during sleep or relaxations) rather than lying supine without pillows may reduce IOP spikes in POAG patients. This may have a positive effect as regards treatment and progression of glaucoma.

Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of pipeline transport interdiction in Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Over the years, pipelines have been the most economic medium for transporting crude oil to production and distribution facilities in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. However, damages to the pipelines in this area by interdiction have hampered the continuous flow of crude oil to the facilities. Consequently, the revenue of the government dwindles, and the environment is severely degraded. This study assesses the economic and environmental impacts of pipeline interdiction in the Niger Delta region. Data from National oil spills detection and response agency, Nigeria is used to map spatial distribution of oil spills using Kernel Density Estimation with Geographic Information System. Literature was assessed to synthesize the historical, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of oil spills and pipeline interdiction. Soil samples were collected from study area to determine the types of hydrocarbon pollutants and their concentrations in comparison with uncontaminated sites in the area. Results show that the range of concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) for the impacted soil (IMP) was 17.27-58.36 mg/kg; remediated soil (RS) was 11.73-50.78 mg/kg which were higher than the concentrations of 0.68 mg/kg in the control samples (CS). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations were in the range of 0.43-77.54 mg/kg for IMP, 0.42-10.65 mg/kg for RS, against CS value of 0.49 mg/kg while BTEX ranged between 0.02 - 0.38 mg/kg for IMP, 0.01-2.7 for RS against CS value of 0.01. The values of the PAH were higher than the limits of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria. This study also revealed that pipeline interdiction has affected the livelihood of the inhabitants of the study area and the revenue of the Nigerian government. The major hotspots for oil spills in the Niger Delta region are Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states.

Practice of trabeculectomy by ophthalmologists in Nigeria.

AIM: To assess the practice of trabeculectomy among ophthalmologists in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which structured, self- administered questionnaires were distributed to 80 consenting ophthalmologists present during the 2010 annual scientific session of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria. All consenting ophthalmologists treat glaucoma patients. Information obtained were demographic characteristics, glaucoma outpatient load, number of trabeculectomies performed in the preceding 1 year and during residency training, and factors influencing trabeculectomy practice. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science version 16.0. Relationships between variables were tested using the ×2 test for statistical significance. RESULTS: Sixty-five of the 80 consenting ophthalmologists responded to the questionnaires (81.3% response rate); 32 (53.3%) were females and 28 (46.7%) were males (5 non-responders). Ages ranged from 30 to 60 years with a mean of 44 years ± SD 7.7. Only 36 (57.1%) performed trabeculectomy in the 1 year preceding the study. There was an overall trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month. Of the 15 respondents who performed more than 15 trabeculectomies during residency, 14 (93.3%) also performed the surgery in the year preceding this study (P = 0.001). The main limitation to the practice of the procedure was patients' unwillingness to accept surgery, as identified by 50 (89.3%) respondents. CONCLUSIONS: A low trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month was found in this study. It was significantly associated with insufficient exposure to the surgery during residency training and patients' poor acceptance of the surgery.

Practice of trabeculectomy by ophthalmologists in Nigeria

Aim: To assess the practice of trabeculectomy among ophthalmologists in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which structured, self- administered questionnaires were distributed to 80 consenting ophthalmologists present during the 2010 annual scientific session of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria. All consenting ophthalmologists treat glaucoma patients. Information obtained were demographic characteristics, glaucoma outpatient load, number of trabeculectomies performed in the preceding 1 year and during residency training, and factors influencing trabeculectomy practice. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science version 16.0. Relationships between variables were tested using the Χ2 test for statistical significance. Results: Sixty-five of the 80 consenting ophthalmologists responded to the questionnaires (81.3% response rate); 32 (53.3%) were females and 28 (46.7%) were males (5 non-responders). Ages ranged from 30 to 60 years with a mean of 44 years ± SD 7.7. Only 36 (57.1%) performed trabeculectomy in the 1 year preceding the study. There was an overall trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month. Of the 15 respondents who performed more than 15 trabeculectomies during residency, 14 (93.3%) also performed the surgery in the year preceding this study (P = 0.001). The main limitation to the practice of the procedure was patients' unwillingness to accept surgery, as identified by 50 (89.3%) respondents. Conclusions: A low trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month was found in this study. It was significantly associated with insufficient exposure to the surgery during residency training and patients' poor acceptance of the surgery

The perception of health professions on causes of interprofessional conflict in a tertiary health institution in Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional conflict in university teaching hospitals in Nigeria is on the increase. This study was aimed at assessing the health professions' perception of factors responsible forconflict. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive survey among six health professions. RESULTS: The perceived causes of conflict include differential salary between doctors and others, physician intimidation and discrimination of other professions, "inordinate ambition" of the other professions to lead the health team, and envy of the doctor by the other professions. Doctors differed significantly from the other professions on the role of each of these in causing conflict. Mutual respect for each other's competence, proper remuneration and clear delineation of duties for all, and other groups appreciating the salary differential between them and doctors were perceived as means of resolving the conflict. While all accepted mutual respect and proper remuneration as effective, other health workers differed significantly from doctors on the effectiveness of appreciating salary differential between them and doctors in resolving the conflict. CONCLUSION: Differential salary between the doctor and the other health workers is the main factor perceived to cause interprofessional conflict. The government and all health professions should accept, and maintain the relativity in salary differential between doctors and other health professions.

The Perception of Health on Causes of Inter professional Conflict in a Tertiary Health Institution in Abakaliki; Southeast Nigeria

"BACKGROUND: Interprofessional conflict in university teaching hospitals in Nigeria is on the increase. This study was aimed at assessing the health professions' perception of factors responsible for conflict. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive survey among six health professions. RESULTS: The perceived causes of conflict include differential salary between doctors and others; physician intimidation and discrimination of other professions; ""inordinate ambition"" of the other professions to lead the health team; and envy of the doctor by the other professions. Doctors differed significantly from the other professions on the role of each of these in causing conflict. Mutual respect for each other's competence; proper remuneration and clear delineation of duties for all; and other groups appreciating the salary differential between them and doctors were perceived as means of resolving the conflict. While all accepted mutual respect and proper remuneration as effective; other health workers differed significantly from doctors on the effectiveness of appreciating salary differential between them and doctors in resolving the conflict. CONCLUSION : Differential salary between the doctor and the other health workers is the main factor perceived to cause interprofessional conflict. The government and all health professions should accept; and maintain the relativity in salary differential between doctors and other health professions."

Growth and mineral nutrition of Gmelina arborea Roxb. seedlings fertilized with four sources of nitrogen on a latosolic soil.

The growth and mineral nutrition of Gmelina arborea Roxb. seedlings were investigated in response to four nitrogen-based fertilizers applied at 0, 2.5, 5.0 or 7.5 g N per plant. Nitrogen sources included NH(4)-N as ammonium sulfate, NO(3)-N as potassium nitrate, NH(4)NO(3)-N as calcium ammonium nitrate, and urea-N as urea. Seedlings fertilized with NH(4)NO(3)-N or urea-N had greater height, collar diameter, dry weight, net assimilation rate, and relative growth rate than seedlings fertilized with NH(4)-N or NO(3)-N. For all sources of nitrogen, increasing the amount of exogenously supplied N per plant promoted shoot growth more than root development, hence the root to shoot ratios of all fertilized seedlings were smaller than those of the unfertilized controls. Applications of NO(3)-N increased the nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus concentrations of fertilized seedlings. Regardless of source, a nitrogen application of 2.5 g N per plant was apparently optimal for the growth of Gmelina seedlings on a latosolic soil.

Some diseases and their treatments

"Onwuejeogwu and Okoro recognized three categories of traditional medical practitioners according to their specific functions: 1. ""Dibia Afa"" - specialist in the processes of divination. They were essentially priests who attributed their successes to the ""voices"" of deities (arusi); ancestors or spirit (mmuo) in response to incantations and the throwing of ""afa seeds""."

Aflatoxin and human diseases

Fungi invasion of our agricultural products and food lead to mouldiness and production of mycotoxin . These mycotoxin are toxic secondary metabolites elaborated by the fungi. They can cause diseases generally referred to as mycotoxicoses; the fungi per se are not involved in the disease process. One of such secondary metabolites of mouldiness is aflatoxin (which are exotoxin). The aflatoxin - producing species of fungi belong to the genus aspergillus Micheli 1729; which forms a large proportion of all the moulds encountered in our agricultural and industrial works. Their contamination of the foods and feeds (maize; sorghum; millet; rice; wheat soyabean etc) constitute an important toxicological hazard