Impacts of soil conservation techniques on soil erodibility on an Alfisol.

Soil erosion is a serious challenge for sustainable crop production. Alfisols in Nigeria are easily prone to soil degradations which have significantly reduced soil productivity, crop yield and increased cost of production. The use of soil conservation measures are vital interventions for sustainable crop production against the effects of erosion. The impacts of soil conservation on erodibility of an Alfisol was investigated in a tropical alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. The study utilized four-soil conservation measures - Irvingia wombulu, Irvingia garbonensis, paddock and Cynodon plectostachyus was established on 20.4 ha land for 25 years, and replicated thrice based on land area. Empirical soil erodibility factor using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) erodibility factor models was determined. Analysis of variance analysis was done using R statistics to ascertain response patterns of the soil conservation measures to erodibility. Correlation was conducted for the conformity and relationship between erodibility models and soil properties. I. garbonensis soil conservation measure gave the least erodibility factor (K = 0.07), among paddock (K = 0.09), I. wombulu (K = 0.11) and C. plectostachyus with the highest erodibility factor (K = 0.17), indicating that I. garbonensis has the highest potential for soil conservation. Soil conservation measures significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced soil properties. Wischmeier and Mannering's USLE erodibility and WEPP's rill and inter-rill erodibility were not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) different across the soil conservation measures. Elswaify and Dangler's USLE erodibility correlated best with Wischmeier and Mannering USLE erodibility (r = 1.00) and WEPP's rill (r = 0.8) and inter-rill (r = 0.8) erodibility. Sand, silt, organic carbon, available phosphorus and aggregate stability significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with USLE erodibility factor. Elswaify and Dangler USLE erodibility gave higher precision in erodibility determination of the soils. I. garbonensis was more efficient in reducing soil erosion, indicating that it is the best soil conservation measure for sustainable agriculture in alfisols in the tropics.

Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Medical Doctors in Southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high global burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), doctors' knowledge of OSA was reported to be generally poor. Data on knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors regarding OSA are scarce in Africa. The only Nigerian study providing data on this included few participants and did not assess practice. We assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of doctors regarding OSA in southern Nigeria with the aim of finding gaps in knowledge and practice. METHODS: We sent out online survey monkey self-administered structured questionnaires to the WhatsApp numbers or e-mails of 1917 eligible medical doctors. The questionnaires were used to collect data on demography of the medical doctors, their professional history and knowledge of OSA symptoms; general facts, risks factors, and treatment regarding OSA; and their attitude and practice in relation to OSA. RESULTS: Data from five hundred and eighty one respondents (mean age, 39.8 ± 8.7) were analyzed. Overall mean knowledge score was 25.3±6.3 (68.6±17.2 percent). The mean knowledge score of Internists, Family Physicians, General practitioners and Surgeons were 28.2±5.0; 25.0±6.9; and 24.5±5.8 and 24.2±6.7 respectively. Only 47% and 51% of the respondents respectively affirmed that hypertension and diabetes mellitus were associated with increased risk of OSA; and 7.2% referred suspected OSA patients for polysomnography. CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge of OSA among participating doctors was poor. Most of them had the right attitude to OSA but their practice and care of OSA patients was suboptimal. We suggest improvement in care through education and provision of diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Evaluation of postgraduate educational environment in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Congenial educational environment (EE) is paramount to effective impartation of knowledge as required in residency training. In this study EE for residency training is evaluated using Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM). OBJECTIVES: To assess the postgraduate educational environment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), South-East Nigeria, using PHEEM and to determine if there are significant differences in PHEEM scores amongst various sub-groups of resident doctors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, employing a census survey, involving the administration of validated PHEEM questionnaires to residents in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Pediatrics and Surgery in the year 2018. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS. ANOVA assessed significance of total scores and sub-scale scores. Cronbach's alpha was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 114 Males and 46 females; 93 registrars and 67 senior registrars responded giving 71% response rate. Overall PHEEM score was 85.82; Role autonomy (29.27), Perception of teaching (34.80), Perception of social support (21.55). Males scored more than females in total PHEEM score (p = 0.000, F = 148.235), perception of teaching (P = 0.000, F = 420), and perception of social support (p = 0.000, F = 162.95), but not in role autonomy (p = 0.748, F = 0.104). Registrars scored more than senior registrars in total PHEEM (p = 0.000, F = 67.159), role autonomy (p = 0.000, F = 25.123), Perception of teaching (p = 0.000, F = 18.042) but not in perception of social support (p = 0.31, F = 1.045). There were significant differences in total and subscale scores amongst the specialties. Cronbach's alpha was 0.915. CONCLUSIONS: Postgraduate educational environment in UNTH has more positives than negatives but with room for improvement. There are significant differences in PHEEM scores among various groups of resident doctors.

A patient with persistent consolidation and a pulmonary mass.

Community-acquired pneumonia is a common condition and 6-24% of patients will fail to improve as expected. We present a patient who was initially treated for community-acquired pneumonia but did not make the anticipated recovery. We explore potential differentials, and the investigation and management of the rare condition we subsequently diagnosed.

Practical Steps in the Rehabilitation of Children with Speech and Language Impairment in Nigeria

Background: Medical and allied health professionals and educators are often the first point of contact for parents who are concerned with their child's communication abilities. Because there are few speech-language pathologists in Nigeria; it becomes imperative for medical and educational professionals to provide practical steps and suggestions to parents to help facilitate their child's speech and language development.Objective: To provide an overview of speech and language development and impairment and ultimately empower professionals with the practical steps to guide parents on ways to facilitate their child's communication development.Method: Review of studies that have investigated methods of treating speech and language impairments was performed.Results: The practical steps and suggestions presented have been proven to be effective at facilitating children's speech and language development.Conclusion: Medical and allied health professionals and educators should avail the parents with appropriate and effective information that would enable them to address their child's speech and language impairment

Evaluation of Inhaler Techniques among Asthma Patients Seen in Nigeria: An Observational Cross Sectional Study

Background: An Adequate and an effective dose of inhalation drugs can be administered only if the correct inhaler-specific technique is followed by asthma patients. There is paucity of data on this subject among Nigerians and Africans. Aims: This observational study was to assess the inhaler techniques among asthma patients in Nigeria and also to identify the factors related to an inaccurate or poor inhaler use. Subjects and Methods: Consenting asthma patients on inhalers; who attended medical out-patients clinic; of two university hospitals in Nigeria were asked to use their inhalers while an inhaler-administration checklist was used to assess each patients inhaler technique. Information on demographics; asthma symptoms history and history of technique education were obtained. Data was analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: A total of 140 asthma patients participated out of which 75 were females. All the patients used pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI) type; 51 of them used dry powder inhalers (DPI) in addition. For pMDI; 22.1 (31/140) completed all required steps while 37.3 (19/51) did so for DPI (P = 0.04). Patients with higher educational qualification (P 0.01) and those with less frequent asthma symptoms (P 0.01) are more likely to use the pMDI inhalers more accurately while patients who have been taught previously by a Doctor were more likely to use the DPI better. Conclusion: Majority of asthma patients use their inhalers inaccurately. Patient-dependent factors were identified as the cause of incorrect technique of inhaler use. Asthma patients on inhalation medications should have routine assessment of their inhaler technique at every visit and corrected if found to be poor

HIV/AIDS in ophthalmic patients: The Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and pattern of ocular problems of HIV/AIDS at the Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha, Nigeria. METHODS: The case files of all patients who had HIV test at the Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha over a 6-year period were examined. Those who tested positive for HIV were further analysed. Information obtained included patients' demographic characteristics, clinical diagnosis, ocular and systemic co-morbidity, visual acuity and follow-up. RESULTS: Of 1011 patients, 100 (9.9%), 51 males and 49 females, were confirmed HIV-positive. The age range was 21 - 80 years; median -31 years. Fifty-five patients (55%) were or had been married; 45 (45%) were single. Herpetic eye disease constituted 50% of the cases with herpes zoster ophthalmicus accounting for 48%. Bilateral ocular disease occurred in 19 patients (19%) viz: cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (6%); corneal ulcers (6%); uveitis (4%); ocular motor palsy (2%) and ocular gunshot injury (1%). Non-HIV ocular lesions occurred in 20 patients (20%) as follows: bacterial corneal ulcer (8%); globe laceration (6%); non-CMV associated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, cataract, and secondary orbital tumour (2% each). Systemic co-morbidities were present in 10 patients (10%), namely, emaciation (6%), pulmonary tuberculosis and abdominal malignancy with orbital metastases (2% each). Twenty three patients (23%) had bilateral blindness; 45 (45%) had uniocular blindness; 73.4% of the affected eyes were blind at presentation with 25% having no light perception (NPL). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HIV seropositivity doubled in the hospital over nearly 10-year period. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus remains the commonest ocular manifestation although CMV retinitis is becoming common. Since 20% of the patients had non-HIV ocular lesions, eye-health workers are advised to always take universal precautions in order to prevent the spread of the infection within and outside the hospital.

Tonometer-induced corneal injury: a report of two cases.

To avoid cross-infection, tonometers are sterilised before use on patients. When not carefully handled, the sterilising solutions could cause ocular injury. Two cases of corneal damage caused by alcohol used in sterilising the Schiotz tonometer are reported. Suggestions are made on how to avoid such iatrogenic injuries.

Glycogen, protein and lipid content of adult Fasciola gigantica (Trematoda).

The concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in the whole worm, gut, and body musculature of Fasciola gigantica was investigated from worms collected from cattle slaughtered in the Jos abattoir. Protein accounted for the highest concentration of the constituents constituting 62.59 +/- 0.86% of the dry weight of the fluke. This was followed by lipid with 28.15 +/- 0.86% of the dry weight while carbohydrate (glycogen) was 6.29 +/- 0.11% of the dry weight. Thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of six distinct bands of neutral lipids, namely: monoglycerides, 1,2-diglycerides, 1,3-diglycerides, free fatty acids, triglycerides and sterol esters from both whole worm homogenate and fractions of the gut and muscle tissues. In the case of phospholipids, lysophosphatidyl choline, sphingomyeline, phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl-ethanol amine were recovered. When the free fatty acids were subjected to further fractionation, palmitic, stearic, as well as oleic acids were recovered in appreciable quantities indicating that lipids are being catabolized in these trematodes.