Arsenic and chromium in canned and non-canned beverages in Nigeria: a potential public health concern.

Numerous studies have described environmental exposure of humans to heavy metals in African populations. Little is known about the exposure to heavy metal toxins from processed or unprocessed foods consumed in Africa, and no data exists on the food concentrations of arsenic and chromium, which are potential carcinogens and systemic toxicants. This study determined the concentrations of arsenic and chromium in beverages and fruit drinks commonly sold in Nigeria. Fifty samples of commonly consumed canned and non-canned beverages (imported and locally manufactured) purchased in Nigeria were digested in nitric acid and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). 33.3% of the canned beverages had arsenic levels that exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.01 mg/L set by U.S. EPA while 55.2% of non-canned beverages had their arsenic levels exceeding the MCL. The arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.003 to 0.161 mg/L for the canned and 0.002 to 0.261 mg/l for the non-canned beverages. Whereas 68.9% of the non-canned beverages showed chromium levels that exceeded the US EPA's MCL of 0.10 mg/L, 76.2% of the canned beverages had chromium levels that were greater than the MCL. The concentration range of total chromium in the canned beverages was 0.04 to 0.59 mg/L and 0.01 to 0.55 mg/L for the non-canned beverages. The sources of arsenic and chromium in the commercially available beverages are unclear and merit further investigation. This preliminary study highlights the need to study the toxicological implications of chronic low-level exposure to heavy metals from African markets.

Religious leaders' perceptions and support of reproductive health of young people in Anambra State, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: This article assesses religious leaders' perceptions of young people's reproductive health in Anambra State. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Through self-administered semi-structured questionnaires, and in depth interviews, religious leaders perceptions of young peoples reproductive health in Anambra State Nigeria was elicited from two hundred and fifty religious leaders selected by multistage random sampling. RESULTS: Over 85% of the religious leaders thought that young people are sexually active, and are involved in high risk behaviour for unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and STD and HIV/AIDS. Eighty five per cent felt that there is need for sexuality education in schools, and that sexuality education will reduce unintended pregnancy, abortion, STDS and HIV/AIDS among young people. However 52.2% felt that sexuality education in school would increase promiscuity. Some religious leaders did not support teaching of contraception and safe abortion in schools. CONCLUSION: Religious leaders in Anambra State have a high awareness of young people's reproductive health problem, and are in support of sexuality education in schools. They differ however in what should be the content of the curriculum. There is need to harmonise and agree on programme contents to minimise sending conflicting and confusing messages to young people.

Maternal attitudes and values to youth sexuality-related activities in Delta State, Nigeria.

This descriptive study assessed maternal attitudes to youth-related activities in Delta State. Using an adapted questionnaire, 300 women with adolescent children were chosen through a multistage sampling technique and relevant data obtained regarding their socio-economic status, perceptions and values as well as their knowledge of basic reproductive health concerns. Most of the women interviewed (95%), believed it was very important that young people completed secondary education and another 72% said they would normally set rules in their homes regarding what young people should read or watch. Sixty-seven percent of those studied, discussed sexuality issues regularly with their adolescent children, though only 46.4% of them were comfortable discussing these issue and about 50% admitted having enough information in such discussions. Another 76% of the women would approve of their children receiving reproductive health information and service including contraceptive condoms. The mothers studied believed that guided reproductive health information and services should be routinely provided for young people. The findings strongly suggest that the mothers who are important stakeholders in Adolescent Health would most likely be supportive of youth programmes. Most of the findings differ from those of other studies, and a qualitative study would be carried out to identify the reasons for these interesting findings.