Timescales of Quantum Equilibration, Dissipation and Fluctuation in Nuclear Collisions.

Understanding the dynamics of equilibration processes in quantum systems as well as their interplay with dissipation and fluctuation is a major challenge in quantum many-body theory. The timescales of such processes are investigated in collisions of atomic nuclei using fully microscopic approaches. Results from time-dependent Hartree-Fock and time-dependent random-phase approximation calculations are compared for 13 systems over a broad range of energies. The timescale for full mass equilibration (∼2×10^{-20} s) is found to be much larger than timescales for neutron-to-proton equilibration, kinetic energy, and angular momentum dissipations which are on the order of 10^{-21} s. Fluctuations of mass numbers in the fragments and correlations between their neutron and proton numbers build up within only a few 10^{-21} s. This indicates that dissipation is basically not impacted by mass equilibration, but is mostly driven by the exchange of nucleons between the fragments.

Injection safety practices in a main referral hospital in Northeastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: No adherence of safe injection policies remains a major challenge, and, worldwide, annually, it leads to 21 million new hepatitis B cases and 260,000 HIV infection cases. This descriptive observational survey was conducted to determine the level of adherence to universal precaution for safe injection practices in the hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study units were selected using a simple random sampling of injection services provider/phlebotomist in 27 units/wards of the hospital. The study instruments were observation checklist and interviewer administered questionnaires. EPI info (version 3.5.2) software was used for data entry and generation of descriptive statistics was done with units of analysis (units/wards) on injection safety practices of health workers, availability of logistics and supplies, and disposal methods. RESULTS: Only 33.3% of the units (95% CI, 16-54) had non-sharps infectious healthcare waste of any type inside containers specific for non-sharps infectious waste and 17 (77.3%) of the observed therapeutic injections were prepared on a clean, dedicated table or tray, where contamination of the equipment with blood, body fluids, or dirty swabs was unlikely. Absence of recapping of needles was observed in 11 (50.0%) units giving therapeutic injections. Only 7.4% of units surveyed had separate waste containers for infectious non-sharps. CONCLUSIONS: This study depicts poor knowledge and a practice of injection safety, inadequate injection safety supplies, and non-compliance to injection safety policy and guidelines.

Knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding in Kware, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: For almost all infants, breastfeeding remains the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method that fulfils the infants' needs. Despite strong evidence in support of Exclusive breast feding (EBF) for the first six months of life, its prevalence has remained low worldwide. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving women of child bearing age in Kware town of Sokoto State. One in eight samples of 179 mother-child pairs were selected and information regarding their knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding obtained using a set of structured interviewer administered questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 54(31%) of the mothers had adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding with 94(53%) of them initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth. Only 55(31%) of the mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Out of the 53 mothers that stopped breastfeeding, 85% of them did so between 16-20 months. CONCLUSION: Although breastfeeding was universal in this community, the knowledge and practice of EBF was low. There is a need to institute interventions aimed at early initiation of breastfeeding and improving the knowledge and practice of EBF towards achieving the goals of MDG-4 in the study community.

Microscopic study of the triple-α reaction.

We present a microscopic dynamical study of the reactions involving three 4He clusters. We show that the much discussed triple-α linear chain configuration of 12C is formed with a certain lifetime and subsequently makes a transition to a triangular configuration of 12C and then to a configuration near the ground state. Time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory coupled with a density constraint is used to study the properties of these configurations.

Determinants of Utilization of Maternity Services in Gidan Igwe; Sokoto; Nigeria

Background: The provision of antenatal care is regarded as the cornerstone of maternal and perinatal health care especially in developing nations and is expected to have a significant impact on achieving the fifth millennium development goal. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of utilisation of maternity services in Gidan Igwe; Sokoto. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive one involving 300 women of child bearing age selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a set of semi-structured interviewer and self administered questionnaires. Results: Majority; 214 (71.3) of the respondents had no formal education; visited a health facility for antenatal care during their last pregnancy; 218 (72.7) and had their last delivery at home; 190 (63.3). Of the 190 subjects that delivered at home; 165 (85) were assisted by Traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Education was statistically significantly associated with ANC attendance and hospital delivery (P=0.0012). Conclusion: Although; a high proportion of the respondents visited health facilities for ANC; only a few of them delivered in these facilities. There is need to increase public awareness on the use of antenatal care services and delivery by skilled attendants

Training needs and risk assessment among farmers and animal handlers on zoonoses in Sokoto metropolis.

INTRODUCTION: Zoonotic diseases are detrimental to animal health resulting not only in great economic loss due to reduced production of meat, milk, wool, etc, but also a threat to national food security and to achieve the millennium development goals on eradicating extreme hunger and poverty. An important factor that aids the spread of zoonoses is the working conditions and habits (behavioural risks) of livestock farmers and handlers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: This study was designed to assess the knowledge gap and risk reduction needs among farmers and animal handlers in Sokoto through an explorative cross-sectional study. A total of 400 respondents were recruited through a multi stage and proportionate sampling technique. RESULTS: Overall, there is a knowledge gap on aetiology, mode of transmission and preventive measures with only 31.9%, 25.9% and 25.5% respectively, of the respondents having adequate knowledge, positive health, promotive or disease preventive attitude and having practised effective preventive measures against zoonotic diseases consistently. Respondents' place of work (P<0.0001), educational attainment (P<0.0001), training status on rearing or handling of livestock (p<0.0001) and number of years of experience in livestock production and handling (p<0.001) were the consistent important determinants of the level of knowledge, attitude to and use of preventive measures against the zoonoses. CONCLUSION: There is therefore the need for training, retraining, inter-sectoral sensitisation and awareness creation forum to promote effective prevention and control practices.

Malaria case management among Primary Health Care workers in Sokoto.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: Among the current strategies for malaria control in Nigeria include early recognition and adequate treatment of cases through capacity building of health workers. This therefore forms the basis of this study; so that an evidence based intervention programme will be designed for area and cadre specific identified gaps among PHC Workers in Sokoto with a view to achieve better control measures. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: A total of 195 PHC Health workers in Sokoto who met the eligibility and inclusion criteria were enlisted and enrolled into the study (descriptive cross-sectional) using table of random numbers. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing relevant questions on respondent biodata and Knowledge on the management of cases of malaria. RESULTS: Overall, only 71 (36.4%) of respondents were found to have adequate and effective treatment practices of malaria infection. However, age (p=0.4294), professional cadre (p=0.2988) and years of experience (p=0.1922) are not important determinants of malaria treatment pattern observed among respondents. CONCLUSION: This finding highlights ineffective treatment practices that may hinder the attainment of the goals of roll back malaria to reduce malaria cases by 50% by the year 2015. Hence periodic training and re-training of health workers based on identified gaps must be undertaken.

Breastfeeding practices of mothers in a rural community of Sokoto, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants and has a unique biological and emotional influence on the health of both mother and child, hence the global effort aimed at promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of breastfeeding in a rural community of Sokoto state. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 260 standardized pre-tested structured questionnaires were interviewer administered based on a set of eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Out of the 260 mothers that were eligible for the study, 240 agreed to participate in the study. Only 20 (8%) of the respondents had initiated breastfeeding less than one hour after delivery, while majority, 165 (69%) did so after 24hours. Exclusive breastfeeding was highly practised in this community as 188 (78.7%) of the mothers gave only breast milk up to six months after delivery. None of the mothers breastfed for less than six months while 171 (71%) did so for 19-24 months. The relationship between educational attainment and duration of breastfeeding was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Majority of the mothers 141(76%) continued breastfeeding even when they felt their child was old enough to be weaned. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of breastfeeding was found to be high in this community; however, there is the need to promote early initiation of breastfeeding to sustain and improve on the rates.

The Prevalence and Intensity of Urinary Schistoso-miasis Among School Children Living along the Bakalori Dam, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Children are known to be the major reservior of urinary schistosomiasis in endemic communities. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among school children living along the Bakalori dam. METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross sectional assessment using a pre-tested standardised structured questionnaire interviews. A total of 240 pupils were recruited through a multistage sampling technique. Urine samples from the pupils were examined for the presence of ova of schistosoma haematobium. RESULTS: A total of 125(52.1%) of respondents were 11-12 years old with a mean age of 11.7 +/- 1.4 years. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children was found to be 42.1%. The highest age and sex specific prevalence rate was recorded among the 13-14 years age group for both males (43.1%) and females (50.0%). The age, sex, level of school attainment, occupation of respondents' father/guardian and source of water for domestic use were found to have a significant statistical association with the risk of being infected (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis is high. To reverse the situation requires mass chemotherapy, community mobilisation and provision of portable water. Key words: schistosomiasis, prevalence, intensity, school children, dams.

AIDS: Perceptions and Misperceptions among Students of a Nigerian University.

INTRODUCTION: The AIDS pandemic has led to the global clamouring for its control. This work was aimed at assessing the level and factors that determine the awareness of undergraduate Students of Usmanu Dandfodiyo University, Sokoto. METHODOLOGY: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 450 students were recruited by means of multistage and simple random sampling techniques. RESULTS: Overall, there is a knowledge gap on aetiology, mode of transmission and preventive measures with only 40.2% and 38.5% of the respondents having adequate knowledge and indicated their willingness to learn more about AIDs respectively. Age (P<0.05), Sex (P<0.005) and number of years spent in the University (P<0.025) are important determinants of level of AIDS knowledge. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This finding could be as a result of strong interactions between the social environment and human sexuality. Hence, student bodies should be involved in reproductive health programmes. Key words: awareness, university students, AIDS.