ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND RISK PERCEPTION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT MPOX INFECTION IN NIGERIA.

Background: Since the resurgence of mpox disease in 2017, Nigeria alone has accounted for about 60% of confirmed cases reported in the African region. This study therefore aimed to understand the knowledge and perception of the general public towards the mpox infection. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 958 community members across three states (Oyo, Lagos and Jigawa) in Nigeria. Knowledge of mpox infection was assessed across four domains: (1) general knowledge, (2) transmission, (3) signs and symptoms, and (4) prevention and treatment where we assigned a score of 1 for each correct response. Binary logistic regression was conducted to explore factors associated with knowledge of mpox infection at 5% level of significance. We assessed perception of mpox infection across 5 constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy) from the health belief model, using 3-point Likert scales. We used Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney- U tests to assess factors associated with each construct. Results: Overall, only about one-third (38.3%) of community members were aware of mpox infection. There were variations in perceptions and knowledge across the three states. Knowledge of mpox infection transmission, prevention, and treatment was low across the states. Only 28.9% of respondents knew that sharing utensils with an infected person is a means of contracting the disease, and just 15.9% were aware that mpox infection may resolve spontaneously. The mean of general knowledge scores was higher in Jigawa 14.8 (±3.2) compared to Lagos 12.1 (±4.1) and Oyo states 12.5 (±5.6) (p<0.001).Respondents with tertiary-level education (p=0.001) were significantly more likely to perceive themselves as susceptible to mpox while males (p<0.001) and respondents who live in Jigawa state (p=0.002) were significantly more likely to perceive mpox as severe with 90.5% believing that being infected will stop their daily activity (p<0.001). Perceived barriers to adherence to mpox preventive strategies were higher in Jigawa state (p<0.001), with 68.3% reporting that use of hand sanitizers might be expensive for them. Conclusion: The analysis of our findings revealed significant knowledge gaps and a very low level of public awareness about mpox. Key areas of limited knowledge included the disease's route of transmission, as well as its prevention and treatment. To control the spread of mpox infection, there is need to strengthen public health risk communication focusing on the transmission and preventive actions.

Lipid-laden bronchoalveolar macrophages in asthma and chronic cough.

BACKGROUND: The presence of lipids in alveolar macrophages (AMs) may impair their phagocytic response, and determine airway inflammation and obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors such as severity of asthma, chronic cough, airway inflammation and obesity that may influence the presence of lipids in lung macrophages. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from 38 asthmatics (21 severe and 17 mild/moderate), 16 subjects with chronic cough and 11 healthy control subjects. The presence of lipids in macrophages was detected using an Oil-red-O stain and an index of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMI) was obtained. RESULTS: LLMI scores were higher in healthy subjects (median 48 [IQR 10-61]) and the severe asthma group (37 [11.5-61]) compared to mild/moderate asthmatics (7 [0.5-37]; p < 0.05 each). Subjects reporting a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) had higher LLMI values (41.5 [11.3-138] versus 13 [0-39.3], p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between LLMI and chronic cough, BAL cell differential counts, FEV1, FEV1/FVC or body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced LLMI in mild/moderate asthma may be related to lower incidence of GORD. However, this was not related to the degree of airflow obstruction, obesity or airway inflammation.

Productivity potentials and nutritional values of semi-arid zone earthworm (Hyperiodrilus euryaulos; Clausen, 1967) cultured in organic wastes as fish meal supplement.

In the present study 60 Adult Earthworms (H. euryaulos) of weight and length range 1.7-3.0 g (mean-2.34 +/- 0.91 g) and 13.0-28.0 cm (mean-21.5 +/- 5.8 cm), respectively were cultured for 12 weeks. The productivity potential and nutrient composition of earthworm (H. euryaulos) cultured in two rearing substrata (Cellulose Substrate (Control)--Coded Hs1 and Dry Neem and leaves and soil Substrate--Coded Hs2) were assessed using six wooden boxes stocked in triplicates at the rate of 92.7 g earthworms per box. The higher total final weight, weekly weight gain, relative growth rate, specific growth rate and survival of 400.6 g kg(-1) of substrate, 25.7 g/week/substrate, 332.5, 0.76/day and 99.0% while the lower of 367.5 g kg(-1) of substrate, 22.9 g/week, 296.4, 0.71/day and 98.0% were recorded in earthworm cultured in cellulose substrate and the soil substrate respectively. The proximate analyses, mineral compositions and amino acids indices were comparable to those of conventional fish meal. Based on the results of this study, the utilization of cellulose substrate is recommended for the culture of earthworm and the inclusion of the earthworm meal is guarantee as a reliable and nutritional dependable fish meal supplement.

Piscicidal potential of mesocarp of neem plant (Azadirachta indica L.) fruit on hybrid, "Heteroclarias".

The piscicidal potential of water-extract mesocarp of Azadirachta indica (L) was studied in static bioassay experiment with continuous aeration to determine its acute toxicity The mortality rate and opercular ventilation under laboratory conditions over 96 hr exposure were monitored. The 96 hrLC50 was 81.28 mgl(-1) while the threshold value was 21.13 mgl(-1). The fish exhibited respiratory distress (such as gasping air), loss of appetite, loss of balance and erratic swimming prior to mortality.