Trends in childhood intussusception in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Background: Early presentation, high rate of successful non-operative treatment, low morbidity and mortality in childhood intussusception is common in High and Upper Middle-Income Countries but not in many Lower middle- and Low-income countries. Aim: To assess the trends in the profile, treatment modalities and outcomes of intussusception in our hospital. Materials and methods: Retrospective study over a 12-year period divided into two 6-year periods. Data entry/analysis was done using SPSS and various indices were compared between these two periods. Two-tailed t-test for two independent means was used to compare means while two-tailed Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Results were presented as tables, means, ranges, percentages and a p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: There was a significant increase in the proportion of successful non-operative treatment (18.6% vs 34%, p=0.03), reduction in the incidence of operative manual reduction (27.1% vs 12.8%; p=0.026), reduction in operative treatment (78.5% vs 63.9%, p=0.034), increased utilization of pre-intervention ultrasound (75% vs96.7%, p<0.0001) and reduction in hospital stay duration (10.47 ±7.95days vs 7.24±4.86 days; p=0.004). Conclusions: Contribution of successful non-operative treatment to the overall treatment of intussusception significantly increased while that of operative manual reduction significantly reduced and bowel resection showed no change. Preoperative utilization of ultrasonography significantly increased while mean duration of admission reduced significantly, but late presentation, morbidity and mortality rates had no significant changes.

BODY STALK ANOMALY: CLINICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS OF THIS RARE ANOMALY IN A NIGERIAN NEWBORN.

Introduction: Body stalk anomaly (BSA) is a rare and severe congenital malformation in which the exact pathophysiology is still unknown. The possible causes of body stalk anomaly include early amnion rupture with direct mechanical pressure and amniotic bands, vascular disruption of the early embryo, or an abnormality in the germinal disk. Case presentation: We report a case of sonologically delayed diagnosis of BSA which was confirmed post-delivery following histopathological examination and we reviewed relevant literature regarding this phenomenon. Sonographic features of the foetus included a wide anterior abdominal wall defect (omphalocele) with protrusion of the liver into the amniotic cavity. The umbilical arteries show normal calibre, flow, velocimetry, and spectral waveform. Conclusion: Body stalk anomaly is accepted as a fatal anomaly, so it is important to differentiate it from other anterior abdominal wall defects prenatally and this could guide the management options.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Nigerian Hypertensives With Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Introduction To enhance the diagnosis of anatomic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using electrocardiography (ECG), we aimed to identify common ECG amplitude and non-amplitude abnormalities in Nigerian patients with hypertensive echocardiographic LVH. Method The study included 1,765 patients with essential hypertension aged 18 years and older from the Federal Medical Centre Abuja Hypertension Registry (FMCAHR). Participants underwent echocardiography and ECG following the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Results The prevalence of overall ECG LVH amplitude criteria (43.8%) and individual criteria of Cornell voltage (27.1%), Sokolow-Lyon voltage (23.2%), and Gubner-Ungerleider (13.9%) were higher than non-amplitude ECG abnormalities among patients with echocardiographic LVH. The sensitivity and specificity of LVH criteria were 43.8% and 79.5% for overall ECG LVH, 23.2% and 87.2% for Sokolow-Lyon voltage, 27.1% and 93.3% for Cornell voltage, and 13.9% and 95.4% for Gubner-Ungerleider criteria, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, non-amplitude ECG changes, including prolonged corrected QT (QTc) (odds ratio (OR): 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-2.66), left ventricular (LV) strain pattern (OR: 1.83, CI: 1.23-2.72), left axis deviation (OR: 1.56, CI: 1.09-2.24), poor R wave progression (OR: 2.36, CI: 1.40-3.97), premature ventricular contractions (OR: 1.80, CI: 1.10-2.91), premature atrial contractions (OR: 2.06, CI: 1.10-3.87), atrial fibrillation (OR: 2.40, CI: 1.20-4.82), and left atrial abnormality (OR: 8.43, CI: 2.95-24.05), were associated with echocardiographic LVH (p < 0.05). Conclusion In our cohort of hypertensive patients, ECG LVH amplitude criteria were the most frequently observed abnormalities associated with echocardiographic LVH. Our findings suggest that despite the low sensitivity, ECG LVH amplitude criteria may remain valuable in diagnosing echocardiographic LVH.

Antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and its association with psychosocial factors in Nigeria: comparative study of sexual minority and heterosexual men living with HIV.

Sexual minority men (gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; SMM) in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to heterosexual men. There is a dearth of research on the correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence and correlates in both groups. The current study examined the associations of ART non-adherence with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics among a sample of Nigerian heterosexual and SMM. Between March and September 2014, we surveyed 120 SMM and 108 heterosexual men receiving ART in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. We specified univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine correlates of ART non-adherence. We found that 50.8% and 29.6% of sexual minority and heterosexual men respectively self-reported ART non-adherence which was significantly associated with psychosocial factors such as stigma, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. Mental health care and psychosocial support should be incorporated into routine HIV care for Nigerian SMM living with HIV.

Durability of bitumen binder reinforced with polymer additives: Towards upgrading Nigerian local bitumen.

One of the major obstacles to Nigeria's techno-economic development has been a lack of good road infrastructure. Despite a large deposit of natural bitumen in the form of semi-liquid and bitumen sand, the reliance on imported bitumen/asphalt for road construction and maintenance in Nigeria has reduced road coverage and quality. To use local bitumen as a binder in pavement construction, an efficient upgrading process is required using polymers, nanomaterials, and other chemical additives. However, the selection of an appropriate modifier depends on many factors including the origin, elemental and chemical composition of bitumen. This review presents vital properties of Nigerian bitumen extracted from oil wells and tar sands with the view to identifying potential additives as solutions for its upgrading. Based on predefined selection criteria, we conducted a systematic review of the literature. We gathered information on the current state of knowledge about the major issues encountered during the polymeric modification of bitumen. In addition, data on existing practices used by various road researchers to address such issues was gathered. Effort was made to review waste packaging polymers and plastics for possible utilization to ensure sustainable pavement infrastructure in Nigeria. The results of this review showed relatively little information on Nigerian bitumen upgrading. Many authors have investigated different polymer additives on asphaltic bitumen sourced from different countries and the results has pointed to the capability of polymeric modification to improve some of the properties of bitumen. A knowledge gap however, exists in the optimization of polymer dosage, and characterization of bitumen at the SARA level to aid the understanding of the effects of polymeric modification and mechanisms involved during the pavement degradation. Additionally, it has been challenging to generalize the effects of different polymers due to the variation of bitumen properties from different sources. This review identifies the potential for upgrading Nigerian bitumen using polymer additives, the potential of waste plastics, crumb rubbers, and packaging waste materials as alternative and sustainable additives also highlighted.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of chemotherapy management among nurses at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Objective: Cancer is a leading global health challenge with increasing morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, cancer leads to over 100,000 new cases and 70,000 deaths annually. In resource-constrained countries such as Nigeria, registered nurses (RNs) that provide oncology care lack specialty education in oncology nursing care. Nigerian nurses are the largest portion of the healthcare workforce and can play a key role in improving oncology care. This study aimed to assess RNs' knowledge, willingness, and ability to perform tasks related to chemotherapy administration and symptom management, assess current practices, identify available resources, and identify gaps in RNs' knowledge of oncology care. Methods: A descriptive, correlational, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study was conducted using a modified Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice questionnaire and a questionnaire adapted from the Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment. The principle investigator (PI) adopted the role as an observer to witness an accurate picture of nursing practice at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) and identify gaps in education and knowledge around oncology nursing care. A Research Electronic Data Capture database was developed using paper-formatted questionnaires that were exported to Excel for statistical analysis. Results: This study supports findings from literature highlighting that nurses working in oncology units lack specialized oncology training, which leads to gaps in knowledge and practice. Questionnaire responses and clinical observations at OAUTH support RNs' willingness to learn skills related to oncology nursing care. Nurses are self-aware that they have more to learn about how to prepare and administer chemotherapy, and 90% of nurses reported that an ongoing chemotherapy training program would be helpful at OAUTH. Conclusions: By identifying gaps in education and knowledge about oncology care and by identifying available resources, an oncology training program could be developed for nurses working in oncology units at OAUTH and other Nigerian hospitals, leading to improved oncology patient care and outcomes.

Exploring the dietary practices and perceptions of African immigrants in Illinois- a qualitative study of immigrants from Nigeria and Congo.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies suggest an increased prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases among African immigrants with increased length of stay in the U.S. The objective of the current study is to understand the dietary practices and perceptions of recent African immigrant families. DESIGN: Focus group sessions were conducted with Nigerian and Congolese immigrant parents residing in Illinois. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods and focus group sessions were conducted via videoconference. Participants discussed dietary practices, meal preparation, and family mealtimes for their families. They also discussed experiences with eating different kinds of foods since arrival in the U.S. Verbatim transcription of focus group sessions were completed and deductive thematic analysis of transcribed data was conducted using NVivo (QSR International Pty Ltd. [2020] NVivo [version 12]). RESULTS: Twenty African immigrant parents (Mean age: 42 years, Female: 95%) residing in Northern and Central Illinois participated in a total of five focus group sessions. Seven themes were derived from the analysis. Participants had a positive attitude toward healthy diet and had a high level of interest in receiving educational resources to make healthier food choices. Participants preferred and mostly consumed foods they were familiar with before migration. A majority of the participants perceived 'American foods' as unhealthy, characterizing them as containing a high amount of sugar and salt. Parents reported that their school-aged children often preferred a western diet over traditional African meals. CONCLUSION: This study helps to understand unique diet-related practices and perceptions of recent Nigerian and Congolese African immigrants in Illinois. Findings could help to inform cultural adaptation of evidence-based nutrition education programs for these groups of African immigrants.

Exploring Religion as a Path to Meaning: The Role of "Pastrotherapy" in Supporting Young People's Quest for a Good Life in Nigeria.

This paper examines suicide prevalence among Nigerian youth struggling to find meaning in life. Frustrated by unattainable ideals, they experience despair. The study explores religion's role in providing support for meaning-seeking individuals. Utilizing an explorative approach, the paper highlights how religion can play a role in offering solidarity, morality, and hope as vital resources for creating a meaningful life. It introduces "Pastrotherapy" as a pastoral care approach to addressing existential questions. Findings emphasize the importance of religious communities and leaders in promoting resilience and addressing underlying causes of despair. This study reveals how religious beliefs and practices support Nigerian youth facing existential challenges, shedding light on the intersection of religion, meaning-making, and mental health.

Morphological features of the late-embryo-stage gastrointestinal tract of free-roaming light ecotype Nigerian indigenous chicken.

Morphological changes in the late-embryo-stage gastrointestinal tract of Nigerian indigenous chicken were investigated using anatomical techniques. The paraffin-embedded sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff-Alcian blue (pH 2.5) stains. During the late pre-hatch period, the framework of the stomach was already established, but glands were yet poorly developed. Randomly oriented pre-glandular cells in the lamina propria mucosae at embryonic day (ED) 14 became organized into elongated simple tubular glands at ED 19 and assumed adult morphology at post-hatch day (PD) 1. Acidic and neutral mucin deposits were associated with the glandular cells. In the small intestine, enterocytes of the tunica epithelialis mucosae transformed from cuboidal-shaped cells (at ED 14) to tall columnar cells (at PD 1). Short crypts of Lieberkühn, goblet cells, microfold cells and enteroendocrine cells were evident at ED 19, while the lamina propria mucosae and submucosa contained mesenchymal cells, reticular cells and isolated lymphoblasts. Similarly, the crypts, lymphoblasts, mesenchymal and reticular cells were also associated with the lamina propria mucosae and submucosa of the caecum and colorectum at ED 19. It was inferred from these findings that extensive cellular and tissue modifications occur in the gastrointestinal tract within the narrow window of the late pre-hatch period. The definitive gut tunics, epithelium, glandular tissues, immune-competent cells and tissues are formed as a result. Thus, the embryonic gut of the bird is made capable of assuming its necessary functions of food digestion, nutrient absorption, water and ion re-absorption, immune surveillance, antibody production and immune responses at hatch.

Comorbidities in Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis has been infrequently reported among African black populations. Recent data have shown increasing reportage. Comorbidities are increasingly recognised as important in the overall morbidity, mortality and response to management. There have been few reports from Africa on the frequency and role of comorbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Africans. METHODS: This 20-year retrospective study looked at the frequency of various comorbidities among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a rheumatology facility. Data were obtained from the case record files of 283 RA patients. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between patient characteristics and the presence of comorbidity, while logistic regression was used to determine factors that were independently associated with the occurrence of comorbidities in these patients. RESULTS: The frequency of comorbidities among RA patients is high at 52.3%, mainly from common conditions such as hypertension (22.3%), dyslipidaemia (11.3%), osteoarthritis (8.1%), diabetes mellitus (7.1%), peptic ulcer disease (6.4%) and interstitial lung disease (3.5%). Increasing age (χ2 47.74, P<0.001) and prolonged duration of symptoms before diagnosis (χ2 9.0, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with the presence of comorbidity on univariate analysis, and only age was found to be independently associated with comorbidities on logistic regression. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of these comorbidities are similar in certain aspects to other such reports but differ from others. An important factor may be the delay in presentation to a rheumatologist. It is hoped that other more extensive studies will elucidate some of these findings.

Microplastic particles in river sediments and water of southwestern Nigeria: insights on the occurrence, seasonal distribution, composition, and source apportionment.

Microplastics (MPs) are globally recognized as an emerging environmental threat, particularly in the aquatic environment. This study presents baseline data on the occurrence and distribution of MPs in sediments and surface water of major rivers in southwestern Nigeria. Microplastics were extracted by density separation and polymer identification using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR). The abundance of MPs in surface sediment and water samples across all locations ranged from 12.82 to 22.90 particle/kg dw and 6.71 to 17.12 particle/L during the dry season and 5.69 to 14.38 particle/kg dw and 12.41 to 22.73 particle/L during the wet season, respectively. On average, fiber constituted the highest percentage of MP in sediments (71%) and water (67%) while foam accounted for the lowest values of 0.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the main MPs across all locations based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MPs of size < 1 mm were the most abundant (≥ 55%) on average in both water and sediments. The study identified run-off from human activities and industrial wastewater as potential sources of MP exposure based on positive matrix factorization. The study suggests assessing the impact of different land-use activities on MPs occurrence and distribution in addition to quantifying MPs in seafood as a way forward in food safety management systems for further studies. This study confirmed the occurrence and widespread distribution of MPs in surface water and sediments and provides a database on MP pollution in Nigeria.

Prevalence of brain fag syndrome and its correlation with stimulant use and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics among university undergraduate students in Nigeria

Background: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a culture-bound syndrome characterized by cognitive and somatic symptoms, commonly reported among African students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students and examine its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students from a university in the northwest region of Nigeria. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, stimulant use, course of study, and academic performance. The presence of BFS was assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Results:The study included a total of 625 participants, in their young adulthood. The prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students was found to be 62.7%. The majority of affected students were aged 20-30, male, and from the Hausa ethnic group. No significant association was found between stimulant use and BFS. However, there was a significant relationship between the course of study and the occurrence of BFS. Academic performance (CGPA) showed a weak negative association with BFS. Other socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, relationship status, birth position, type of home, and family income did not predict the occurrence of BFS. Conclusion: The high prevalence highlights the need for attention to mental health issues among this population. The results emphasize the importance of considering the course of study and academic performance when studying BFS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions for students affected by BFS.

A national perspective on exposure to essential surgical procedures among medical trainees in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, recent graduates from medical school provide more direct surgical and procedural care to patients than their counterparts from the Global North. Nigeria has no nationally representative data on the procedures performed by trainees before graduation from medical school and their confidence in performing these procedures upon graduation has also not been evaluated. METHODS: We performed an internet-based, cross-sectional survey of recent medical school graduates from 15 accredited Federal, State, and private Nigerian medical schools spanning six geopolitical zones. Essential surgical procedures, bedside interventions and three Bellwether procedures were incorporated into the survey. Self-reported confidence immediately after graduation was calculated and compared using cumulative confidence scores with subgroup analysis of results by type and location of institution. Qualitative analysis of free text recommendations by participants was performed using the constant comparative method in grounded theory. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-nine recent graduates from 6 geopolitical zones participated, representing 15 out of a total of 44 medical schools in Nigeria. Male to female ratio was 2:1, and most respondents (59%) graduated from Federal institutions. Students had greatest practical mean exposure to bedside procedures like intravenous access and passing urethral foley catheters and were most confident performing these. Less than 23% had performed over 10 of any of the assessed procedures. They had least exposures to chest tube insertion (0.24/person), caesarean Sect. (0.12/person), and laparotomy (0.09/person). Recent graduates from Federal institutions had less procedural exposure in urethral catheterization (p < 0.001), reduction (p = 0.035), and debridement (p < 0.035). Respondents that studied in the underserved North-East and North-West performed the highest median number of procedures prior to graduation. Cumulative confidence scores were low across all graduates (maximum 25/60), but highest in graduates from Northern Nigeria and private institutions. Graduates recommended prioritizing medical students over senior trainees, using simulation-based training and constructive individualized non-toxic feedback from faculty. CONCLUSION: Nigerian medical students have poor exposure to procedures and low confidence in performing basic procedures after graduation. More attention should be placed on training for essential surgeries and procedures in medical schools.

The perception and practice of routine lingual flap retraction in lower third molar surgery among oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria.

Background: Lingual nerve injury is a known complication of mandibular third molar (M3M) surgery, and retraction of the lingual flap is reported to reduce the incidence of this complication. However, there is no global consensus on the routine retraction of lingual flap. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the perception and practice of lingual flap retraction amongst oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional national survey was conducted amongst 122 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria from January 2023 to March 2023 using a validated, structured, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections and 14-item questions. Section A consists of the sociodemographic questions, Section B comprises questions on perception towards lingual flap retraction, whereas Section C consists of questions on the practice of lingual flap retraction. These questionnaires were deployed as an online survey and as hard copies. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed. A critical probability level (P < 0.05) was used as the cut-off level for statistical significance. Results: Most of the participants (47.6%) belong to the age group of 31-40 years. The male-to-female ratio was 6:1. Only 12 (9.8%) participants had a positive perception towards routine lingual flap retractions following M3M surgery. Perception of lingual flap retraction was found not to be associated with the demographic variables of the participants (P > 0.05). A total of 95 participants (77.9%) did not raise nor retract the lingual flap during lower third molar surgery. The rate of practice of lingual flap retraction during third molar surgery was not influenced by any of the factors studied (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria do not agree that routine retraction of the lingual flap is necessary to reduce lingual nerve injury and majority, too, do not practice this in their management of impacted lower third molar.

Prevalence, trends, and determinants of contraception use among women in Nigeria: An analysis of Nigeria demographic and health surveys 2008 to 2018.

Within Africa, maternal mortality remains a concern that can be prevented and addressed. Among the various African countries, Nigeria has one of the highest mortality rates, particularly in a context where the population continues to rise. The relationship between contraceptive usage among married Nigerian women and low socioeconomic development contributes to another concerning public health issue- performing unskilled abortions. This cross-sectional study examines how seven (7) key social determinants of health impact the usage of contraceptive methods among Nigerian women ages 15-24. Data were analyzed and acquired from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and the National Population Commission (NPC) in 2008, 2013, and 2018. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses illustrate social determinants have a deep effect on access and usage of contraceptives in Nigeria. Results yielded that as factors such as age, education, and socioeconomic status increase, the use of contraceptives increases as well. While autonomy has little to no significance, religion and urbanity present challenges to Nigerian women who are interested in using contraceptives. More so, this study suggests a stronger need for education for Nigerian women at an early age and deepening the understanding of the barriers to contraception use with the help of the community and religious leaders.

En Afrique, la mortalité maternelle reste une préoccupation qui peut être évitée et traitée. Parmi les différents pays africains, le Nigeria présente l'un des taux de mortalité les plus élevés, notamment dans un contexte où la population ne cesse d'augmenter. La relation entre l'utilisation de contraceptifs chez les femmes nigérianes mariées et le faible développement socio-économique contribue à un autre problème de santé publique préoccupant : la pratique d'avortements non qualifiés. Cette étude transversale examine l'impact de sept (7) déterminants sociaux clés de la santé sur l'utilisation des méthodes contraceptives chez les femmes nigérianes âgées de 15 à 24 ans. Les données ont été analysées et acquises à partir de l'Enquête démographique et de santé nigériane (NDHS) et de la Commission nationale de la population (NPC) en 2008, 2013 et 2018. Les analyses de régression logistique bivariées et multivariées illustrent que les déterminants sociaux ont un effet profond sur l'accès et l'utilisation des contraceptifs. au Nigéria. Les résultats ont montré qu'à mesure que des facteurs tels que l'âge, l'éducation et le statut socio-économique augmentent, l'utilisation de contraceptifs augmente également. Même si l'autonomie n'a que peu ou pas de signification, la religion et l'urbanité présentent des défis pour les femmes nigérianes qui souhaitent utiliser des contraceptifs. Plus encore, cette étude suggère un besoin plus fort d'éducation des femmes nigérianes dès leur plus jeune âge et d'approfondir la compréhension des obstacles à l'utilisation de la contraception avec l'aide de la communauté et des chefs religieux.

High-resolution genetic linkage map and height-related QTLs in an oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) family planted across multiple sites.

A refined SNP array containing 92,459 probes was developed and applied for chromosome scanning, construction of a high-density genetic linkage map and QTL analysis in a selfed Nigerian oil palm family (T128). Genotyping of the T128 mapping family generated 76,447 good quality SNPs for detailed scanning of aberration and homozygosity in the individual pseudo-chromosomes. Of them, 25,364 polymorphic SNPs were used for linkage analysis resulting in an 84.4% mapping rate. A total of 21,413 SNPs were mapped into 16 linkage groups (LGs), covering a total map length of 1364.5 cM. This genetic map is 16X denser than the previous version used to establish pseudo-chromosomes of the oil palm reference genome published in 2013. The QTLs associated with height, height increment and rachis length were identified in LGs TT05, 06, 08, 15 and 16. The present QTLs as well as those published previously were tagged to the reference genome to determine their chromosomal locations. Almost all the QTLs identified in this study were either close to or co-located with those reported in other populations. Determining the QTL position on chromosomes was also helpful in mining for the underlying candidate genes. In total, 55 putative genes and transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis, conjugation and signalling of the major phytohormones, especially for gibberellins and cell wall morphogenesis were found to be present in the identified genomic QTL regions, and their potential roles in plant dwarfism are discussed. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01360-2.

Violent crimes and insecurity on Nigerian highways: A tale of travelers' trauma, nightmares and state slumber.

This paper examined the vulnerability of travelers to kidnapping, abduction and armed robbery attacks and in some extreme cases, death along Nigeria's highways. Insecurity on the nation's highways became a contemporary criminological discourse following the emergence of new strands of criminality like militancy, terrorism, kidnapping, herdsmen-farmers violence, communal conflicts and banditry. Nigerian highways have become the major operational hotspots for criminals who harass, terrorize, and traumatize travelers at will. With the ever-rising insecurity on Nigerian highways, the military and paramilitary offensives deployed by the Federal Government have not yielded the desired results culminating in the description of government's inertia as a form of state slumber. Data for this study were sourced from a content analysis of reported violent highway crimes by credible mainstream Nigerian newspapers, spanning a period of one year, from July 2020 to July 2021. Adopting the Social Disorganization Theory, the study indicated that the worrisome nature of insecurity on Nigeria's highways resulting in the high rate of abduction and murder of people of diverse military, professional, socioeconomic and political backgrounds has engendered a sense of helplessness, trauma and vulnerability among Nigerian road travelers. The paper recommends the de-centralization of Nigeria Police Force structure to create State Police that will encourage and electrify effective and better people oriented patrolling and management of insecurities on the Nigerian highways.

Maternal and child factors associated with late neonatal bathing practices in Nigeria: evidence from a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Twohundred and seventy out of every thousand live births died in Nigeria in 2019. These deaths were attributable to infections, complications of preterm birth, and intrapartum-related conditions. The World Health Organization recommends withholding bathing of neonates until 24 h after birth or until their vital signs become stable to prevent hypothermia. Despite the link between neonatal bathing and thermal control, the subject is understudied in Nigeria. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with late neonatal bathing practices in Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and extracted data from the women's file of the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey. The unit of analysis was limited to 12,972 women who had complete data for the study. We applied chi-square test of independence to ascertain the association between the outcome variable and explanatory variables. At 95% confidence interval, two logistic regression models were built with Model I consisting of only maternal factors whilst Model II contained both maternal and child factors, and results were presented in adjusted odds ratio. RESULTS: Descriptively, 12% (CI = 0.122-0.134) of the women bathed their neonates after 24 h of delivery. Inferentially, women with secondary/higher education [AOR = 1.30, CI = 1.05-1.61], the rich [AOR = 1.24, CI = 1.03-1.50], those with access to mass media [AOR = 131, CI = 1.15-1.50], women that professed other religions [AOR = 9.28, CI = 4.24-17.56], those who delivered in a health facility [AOR = 1.93, CI = 1.66-2.25], whose child was small in size at birth [AOR = 1.46, CI = 1.21-1.77] and delivered by caesarean section [AOR = 2.50, CI = 1.97-3.18] had higher odds of bathing their neonates 24 h after birth. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of women who practised late neonatal bathing was generally low. To improve the practice of late neonatal bathing, much-concerted effort should be directed to women's education and approaches to increasing receptivity of late neonatal bathing among pregnant women through the media. The Nigerian Ministry of Health should incorporate routine counselling on the risks of bathing newborns prematurely into antenatal and postnatal care services.

Neonatal pain perception, management and review of practises among medical workers in Nigeria newborn units.

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. The perception of pain is variable and knowledge may not match practise. Aims: To ascertain the knowledge, attitude and practice of neonatal pain management (NPM) among HCW in newborn units across Nigeria. Methods: The validated questionnaire administered to consenting doctors and nurses working in various newborn units in Nigeria was utilised. Results: There were 256 respondents from tertiary institutions 228 (89.1%) located in 31 states of Nigeria. There were 91% doctors and 8.6% nurses'. The perception of newborn pain was high (≥95%) among doctors and nurses . Up to 67.1% of the doctors and 57.1% of nurses were aware of NPM. One third (37.3%) of doctor respondents knew of NPM from friends and colleagues while half of the nurses knew from course textbooks.Pain definition was in most by sensation (94%), 50% by emotion. Most nurses were aware of the subjective report of potential tissue damage and knew the facial expressions of pain compared to doctors. Crying was equally recognised as an expression of pain. Perception of non-pharmacologic methods of NPM was highest for massaging and KMC; the knowledge of Sucrose analgesia was low. Procedural pain perception was poor and analgesia was for few procedures. Conclusions: Perception of pain was high but did not match knowledge and practice of NPM. Formal education on NPM was lacking in the training of HCW.

What factors are associated with anaemia in pregnancy among Nigerian women? Evidence from a national survey.

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy remains a severe public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria. Objectives: To assess factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy among Nigerian women. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2018 Nigeria demographic health survey was conducted to determine the predictors of anaemia among Nigerian pregnant women (N=1522). SAS 9.4 was used for the analysis. Results: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 61.1%. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, women in the North-central (AOR=2.52, CI=1.46-4.35) and South-south (AOR=2.21, CI=1.06-4.59) had increased odds of anaemia in pregnancy, compared to those in the Northwest. Women with no education (AOR=2.38, CI=1.28-4.44), primary education (AOR=3.06, CI=1.58-5.96) and secondary education (AOR=1.75, CI=1.04-2.94) had increased odds of anaemia in pregnancy compared to women with teriary education. Also, women not in marital union had increased odds of anaemia in pregnancy compared to women in a union (AOR=2.56, CI=1.15-5.72). Women in the second (AOR=2.42, CI=1.79-3.29) and third trimesters of pregnancy (AOR=2.83, CI=2.07-3.89) had increased odds of anaemia. Conclusion: These findings are important for the control of anemia among pregnant Nigerian women. Women in the Northcentral and Southsouth zones are particularly at risk for anaemia in pregnancy and should receive special attention during antenatal care.