EVALUATION OF MALE SEX HORMONES AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN MALE TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS ATTENDING NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL DIABETIC CLINICS.

BACKGROUND: There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of male sex hormones and several trace elements are altered in type 2 diabetic mellitus and may have specific role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. AIM: To assess the levels of male sex hormones and trace elements in type 2 diabetic patients and to ascertain an association between male sex hormones and trace elements among diabetic subjects. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 125 diabetic and 50 non diabetic subjects. Venous blood samples were collected from all respondents and estimated for fasting blood glucose, male sex hormones and trace elements. The results were subjected to statistical analysis and comparison using Students' test and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean testosterone level was significantly lower in diabetics than in controls (3.9 ± 1.9ng/ml) in comparison with (5.1 ± 1.7ng/ml; P < 0.05). The mean value of Zinc, Manganese, Selenium and Chromium were significantly lower among the diabetics when compared with the controls (Zn;898.7 ± 131.0 µg/l; Mn:0.30 ± 0.06 µg/l;Se:51.3 ± 11.1 µg/l; Cr: 0.04 ± 0.03 µg/I) in comparison with (Zn: 1007.3 ± 85.2 µg/l; Mn: 0.05 ± 0.07µg/l; Se: 62.1 ± 11.1 µg/l; Cr: 0.06 ± 0.01 µg/l; P < 0.05).The mean Fasting Blood Glucose in diabetic subjects was significantly higher when compared with the controls (7.9 ± 3.7 mmol/l) in comparison with (4.6 ± 0.4 mmol/l; P < 0.05).The trace elements showed a positive correlation with testosterone in diabetic subjects (Zn r = 0.359, Ser = 0.443, Mn r = 0.350, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study observed decreased levels of testosterone and trace elements in type 2 diabetics and a positive correlation between low testosterone and low trace elements levels in diabetic subjects. These trace elements are antioxidants and their low levels in diabetic patients may further increase the severity of the disease.

Parents' perceptions of timing of initiation of sexuality discussion with adolescents in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the perception of the timing and practice of sexuality discussion among parents in South Eastern Nigeria. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive, community-based study. SETTING: The study was carried out in 3 randomly selected Local Government Areas in Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: The study participants were parents with adolescent children resident in the study areas for at least 2 years. RESULTS: Most parents opined that sexuality discussion should be initiated after puberty. Only 20% of them discussed reproductive health issues often with their adolescents, while another 20% never discussed such issues with their adolescent children. Topics most commonly discussed bordered on the adverse consequences of sex rather than measures for preventing them. About half of parents were willing to discuss contraception with their adolescent child. Predictors of parent-child communication were age, gender, and educational status. CONCLUSION: Common reasons for low parental involvement in sexuality discussions were due to their lack of capacity and the perception that discussing such issues before puberty is ill timed. Therefore, measures should be taken to improve the capacity of parents to engage in such conversations to provide sexuality information to their teens.

Iron status of some pregnant women in Orlu town--eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of anaemia has been reported among pregnant women especially in developing nations. This paper considers maternal haemoglobin (Hb) level, serum total iron, iron binding capacity, and serum ferritn iin antenatal women in Orlu-Imo State Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Haemoglobin level, serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured in different trimesters among 90 pregnant women aged 20-45 years, on iron supplements attending antenatal clinic of Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu. First trimester comprised of 16.7% (n = 15), second trimester comprised of 50% (n = 45) while as third trimester comprised of 33.3% (n = 30). 30 non-pregnant women aged 26-40 years were used as controls. RESULT: The mean Hb level was 11.28 +/- 1.4 g/dl in first trimester, 9.51 +/- 1.9 g/dl in second trimester, 10.4 +/- 1.2 g/dl in third trimester, and 10.9 +/- 1.5 g/dl in controls. Mean serum iron level was 142 +/- 23 microg/ml in first trimester, 235 +/- 118 microg/ml in second trimester, 251 +/- 118 microg/ml in third trimester, and 99.7 +/- 19.4 microg/ml in controls. Mean serum ferritin was 57.7 +/- 30 ng/ml in first trimester, 37.6 +/- 17 ng/ml in second trimester, 37.3 +/- 20 ng/ml in third trimester, and 86.7 +/- 16.9 ng/ml in controls TIBC was 337 +/- 90 microg/dl in first trimester, 441 +/- 19 microg/dl in second trimester, 482 +/- 149 microg/dl in third trimester and 271.8 +/- 89.0 microg/ml in controls. Hb level was relatively stable in pregnancy, but was significantly (p < 0.05) lowest in the second trimester compared with controls Serum iron and TIBC progressively increased from first trimester to third trimester. Conversely, serum ferritin declined progressively from first trimester to third trimester. The increments in serum iron was statistically significant (p < 0.05) between first and second trimester, but not significant between second and third trimester. TIBC was significantly higher in third trimester compared with first trimester. Serum ferritin was significantly lower in second and third trimesters compared with controls. This implies a progressive mineral transfer from mother to fetus. TIBC and serum iron were significantly (p 0.05) lowest in non-pregnant controls compared with the three trimesters of pregnancy. Conversely ferritin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among the non-pregnant controls compared with the three trimesters of pregnancy. This implies that the nonpregnant women had more iron store and had less iron need than their pregnant counterpart. The higher iron need in pregnancy necessitated its mobilization from its stores. CONCLUSION: This study encourages more critical antenatal care especially at second trimester of pregnancy with much emphasis on dietary supplementation of iron and minerals through adequate consumption of local vegetables and other food diets rich in iron. There was poorest antenatal attendance in the first trimester. Pregnant women in this environment should be encouraged to register early for antenatal care.

Prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, biological contaminants largely bacteria and other parasites constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food, water, nails, and fingers contaminated with faeces. Accordingly, food-handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of infections by these micro-organisms. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a descriptive one in which a multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Subjects' stool, urine, and fingernail analyses were carried out and the result scientifically scrutinized. RESULTS: FINGERNAIL BACTERIA ISOLATES INCLUDE: E. Coli (1.8%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus(7.1%), Klebsiella species (2.4%), Serratia species (1.2%), Citrobacter species (1.2%), and Enterococcus species (1.8%). The subjects' stool samples tested positive: For A. lumbricoides (14.9%), T. trichuria (1.8%), S. starcolaris (3.0%), E. histolytica (10.7%), G. lambilia (1.8%), S. mansoni (1.2%), and Taenia species (4.8%). Furthermore, 42.3% and 15.5% of the stool specimen tested positive for Salmonella and Shigella species, respectively. CONCLUSION: Food establishments should screen and treat staff with active illness, and regularly train them on good personal and workplace hygiene practices.

Selenium, zinc and magnesium status of HIV positive adults presenting at a university teaching hospital in Orlu-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased nutrient requirement. Information on micro-mineral status in HIV infected in Nigerians is lacking. We evaluated the impact of HIV infection on selenium, zinc and magnesium status of HIV infected adults presenting at Imo State University Teaching Hospital. METHODOLOGY: Fifty one (51) consecutive adult HIV patients (aged 18-56 years), presenting at the HIV treatment unit of the hospital over a period of 3-months who gave informed written consent participated. Also 48 HIV sero-negative adults (aged 19-59 years) were recruited as controls. Blood samples were collected from all subjects for mineral estimation by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results were presented as means (+/- SD) and variables compared using unpaired t-test. RESULT: Selenium, zinc and magnesium levels in HIV patients were 0.23 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.04 +/- 1.26 mmol/L and 104.61 +/- 24 mmol/L respectively. Minerals in controls were 0.29 +/- 0.09 mmol/L, 9.73 +/- 1.15 mmol/L and 125.57 +/- 29.55 mmol/L respectively. All minerals were significantly lower in HIV patients (P < 0.05). In male controls, mineral levels were 0.32 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.97 +/- 2.96 mmol/L and 94.93 +/- 28.63 mmol/L respectively. In male HIV patients minerals were 0.02 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, 8.74 +/- 1.23 mmol/L and 93.42 +/- 19.79 mmol/L respectively. All minerals were significantly lower in male HIV patients than male controls. In female controls selenium, zinc and magnesium levels were 0.28 +/- 0.09 mml/L, 9.57 +/- 1.17 mmol/L and 121.39 +/- 29.89 mmol respectively. Minerals in female HIV patients were 0.25 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.17 +/- 1.29 mmol/L and 110.77 +/- 24.42 mmol/L respectively. There were no significant differences in respective micro-mineral level between female controls and female HIV patients. CONCLUSION: Selenium, zinc and magnesium were depleted in HIV infected suburban Nigerian subjects. Depletion was predominant in males possibly due to better health seeking behavior of females than males causing early presentation in females.

Prevalence and Pattern of Bacteria and Intestinal Parasites among Food Handlers in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Background: In developing countries; biological contaminants largely bacteria and other parasites constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food; water; nails; and fingers contaminated with faeces. Accordingly; food-handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of infections by these micro-organisms. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive one in which a multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Subjects' stool; urine; and fingernail analyses were carried out and the result scientifically scrutinized. Results: Fingernail bacteria isolates include: E. Coli (1.8); coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9); Staphylococcus aureus(7.1); Klebsiella species (2.4); Serratia species (1.2); Serratia species (1.2); Citrobacter species (1.2); and Enterococcus species (1.8). The subjects' stool samples tested positive: For A. lumbricoides (14.9); T. trichuria (1.8); S. starcolaris (3.0); E. histolytica (10.7); G. lambilia (1.8); S. mansoni (1.2); and Taenia species (4.8). Furthermore; 42.3 and 15.5 of the stool specimen tested positive for Salmonella and Shigella species; respectively. Conclusion: Food establishments should screen and treat staff with active illness; and regularly train them on good personal and workplace hygiene practices