Research was undertaken to assess the role of primary school teachers with regard to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were responded to by 210 teachers drawn from primary schools in Eastern Nigeria (with pupils aged 6-15 years). These were supplemented by focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings show that the teachers have a reasonably high knowledge of the modes of HIV transmission, the behavioural risk factors and modes of prevention. The teachers, however, are reluctant to teach this because of socio-cultural and religious factors, lack of teacher training in delivery of sex education as well as poor motivation. The motivation and participation of primary school teachers in the prevention of HIV in Nigeria are very low. This calls for serious and urgent policy intervention to remedy the situation and increase the role of primary school teachers in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. (Contains 3 tables.)

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The epidemic of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa varies significantly across countries in the region with high prevalence in Southern Africa and Nigeria. Cancer is increasingly identified as a complication of HIV infection with higher incidence and mortality in this group than in the general population. Without cancer prevention strategies, improved cancer treatment alone would be an insufficient response to this increasing burden among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although previous studies have noted low levels of awareness of cancers in sub-Saharan Africa none has examined the knowledge and perceptions of cancer among beneficiaries of a large PEPFAR program in Nigeria. METHODS: Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) were carried out in 4 high volume tertiary care institutions that offer HIV care and treatment in Nigeria. FGD and KII assessed participants' knowledge of cancer, attitudes towards cancer risk and cancer screening practices. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 38 years. Most participants had heard about cancer and considered it a fatal disease but displayed poor knowledge of the causes and of AIDs associated cancers. PLHIV in Nigeria expressed attitudes of fear, denial and disbelief as to their perceived cancer risk. Some of the participants had heard about cancer screening but very few participants had been screened. CONCLUSION: Our findings of poor knowledge of cancer among PLHIV in Nigeria indicate the need for health care providers and the government to intervene by developing primary cancer prevention strategies for this population. PMID:23098099

To show whether fuelwood use could contribute to household poverty in Nigeria, the paper has used the discounted cash flow microeconomic assessment to evaluate the annual worth cost of harnessing fuel wood for cooking and water heating in Nigerian households, for an average household size of five persons per day. Findings indicate that 9786 Naira is being expended on cooking and water heating activities at the household level in Nigeria which is much greater than the mean national household income of about 5150 Naira a year. The study has shown that households using fuelwood are made poorer and left with no savings. (Author)

Background: Poliomyelitis is endemic in Northern Nigeria where there is continuous transmission of wild poliovirus 1 and 3 (WPV1 and 3) and circulating vaccine derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) resulting in a high number of cases of children with acute flaccid paralysis. The seroprevalence of antibodies to polio serotypes which can be used to assess the immune status of children and the effectiveness of the vaccine against poliomyelitis is unknown, despite its endemicity in this part of the world. Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of poliovirus antibodies in children aged 1-10 years in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional, community based study was undertaken in Zaria, North Western Nigeria between 2008 and 2009. Two hundred and sixty-four ...

T. Angelica Herbal Tonic (TAHT) is a herbal product indicated for indigestion and constipation and highly patronized in Nigeria. In this study, the efficacy and safety of the herbal tonic in relation to the label claims were assessed. The effect on peristalsis in mice was evaluated by the charcoal m...

The history of water management in Nigeria has been essentially a history of large capital projects, which have often been executed without comprehensive assessments of either the effects on downstream users or on the environment. In the case of the Chad basin, the principal river systems bringing w...

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium, Vibrio cholera. Choleragenic V. cholera O1 and O139 are the only causative agents of the disease. The two most distinguishing epidemiologic features of the disease are its tendency to appear in explosive outbreaks and its predisposition to causing pandemics that may progressively affect many countries and spread into continents. Despite efforts to control cholera, the disease continues to occur as a major public health problem in many developing countries. Numerous studies over more than a century have made advances in the understanding of the disease and ways of treating patients, but the mechanism of emergence of new epidemic strains, and the ecosystem supporting regular epidemics, remain challenging to epidemiologists. In Nigeria, since the first appearance of epidemic cholera in 1972, intermittent outbreaks have been occurring. The later part of 2010 was marked with severe outbreak which started from the northern part of Nigeria, spreading to the other parts and involving approximately 3,000 cases and 781 deaths. Sporadic cases have also been reported. Although epidemiologic surveillance constitutes an important component of the public health response, publicly available surveillance data from Nigeria have been relatively limited to date. Based on existing relevant scientific literature on features of cholera, this paper presents a synopsis of cholera epidemiology emphasising the situation in Nigeria. PMID:22937199

Data from several parts of Nigeria point to increasing sexual activity among single adolescents of both sexes with progressive decreasing age at initiation and poor contraceptive use. This paper investigates the sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among teenage secondary school students in Ilesha, southwest Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional population survey of 300 male and female secondary school students within the age group of 13-19 years. The setting is secondary school coaching classes in Ilesha, southwest Nigeria. The outcome measures include prevalence of sexual activity, age at first sexual debut, circumstances leading to first sexual debut, number of sexual partners and family planning use. The result shows that out of the 300 studied, 50% were sexually active, the predominant age at first coitus was 15-19 years, and circumstances leading to sexual debut included mutual agreement, coercion and curiosity. Predominant proportion of sexually active teenagers (86.7%) did not use contraception at the time of first coitus and most of them had more than one sexual partner. The conclusion from this study is that 50% of teenage secondary school girls in this part of Nigeria are sexually active; 68.7% whom, have multiple sexual partners, and 86.7% of them did not use contraception at sexual debut. This unsafe sexual behaviour therefore put them at a great risk of acquiring STDs including HIV infection, and unwanted pregnancy. This study therefore recommends sex education/family life education for young people to encourage them to delay sexual activity as much as possible and practice safe sex when it eventually commences. There is also the need to sensitise the young people, parents, teachers, the community and all stake holders on the magnitude of the problem and to open up dialogue that will break the social, cultural and other mysteries hindering adolescents and youth reproductive health education and services in Nigeria. PMID:16147733

In 1988, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to interrupt transmission of wild poliovirus (WPV). By January 2012, indigenous WPV transmission had been interrupted in all countries except Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. However, importation of WPV caused outbreaks in 29 and reestablished transmission in four, previously polio-free African countries during 2003-2011. Transmission after WPV importation is considered reestablished when it continues for ?12 months; in Chad, transmissions of WPV type 3 (WPV3) and WPV type 1 (WPV1) were reestablished. WPV3 was imported from Nigeria in 2007 and continued to circulate; the latest reported WPV3 case occurred on March 10, 2011. Transmission of WPV1 continued after a WPV1 case was imported from Nigeria in September 2010; the latest reported WPV1 occurred on June 14, 2012. This report updates previous reports and describes polio eradication activities and progress in Chad during January 2011-August 2012, as of October 2, 2012. Five WPV1 cases were reported during January-August 2012, compared with 111 WPV1 cases and three WPV3 cases reported during the same period in 2011. Five circulating type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) cases occurred during July-August 2012. Current progress suggests that Chad could interrupt reestablished WPV transmission in 2012, although limitations in surveillance hamper the ability to detect ongoing transmission. Furthermore, with ongoing endemic WPV transmission in Nigeria, Chad remains at risk for new WPV importations. Efforts to strengthen surveillance and enhance routine and campaign immunization performance will need to continue in Chad to ensure interruption of reestablished WPV transmission, limit circulation after any WPV importation, and interrupt transmission of cVDPV. PMID:23095955

The agricultural sector in Nigeria is particularly important for the country's food security, natural resources, and growth agenda. The cultivable areas comprise more than 70% of the total area; however, the cultivated area is about the 35% of the total area. The most important components in the food basket of the nation are cereals and tubers, which include rice, maize, corn, millet, sorghum, yam, and cassava. These crops represent about 80% of the total agricultural product in Nigeria (from NPAFS). The major crops grown in the country can be divided into food crops (produced for consumption) and export products. Despite the importance of the export crops, the primary policy of agriculture is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in its food and fiber requirements. The projected impacts of future climate change on agriculture and water resources are expected to be adverse and extensive in these area. This implies the need for actions and measures to adapt to climate change impacts, and especially as they affect agriculture, the primary sector for Nigerian economy. In the framework of the Project Climate Risk Analysis in Nigeria (founded by World Bank Contract n.7157826), a study was made to assess the potential impact of climate change on the main crops that characterize Nigerian agriculture. The DSSAT-CSM (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer - Cropping System Model) software, version 4.5 was used for the analysis. Crop simulation models included in DSSAT are tools that simulate physiological processes of crop growth, development and production by combining genetic crop characteristics and environmental (soil and weather) conditions. For each selected crop, the models were calibrated to evaluate climate change impacts on crop production. The climate data used for the analysis are derived by the Regional Circulation Model COSMO-CLM, from 1971 to 2065, at 8 km of spatial resolution. The RCM model output was "perturbed" with 10 Global Climate Models to have a wide variety of possible climate projections for the impact analysis. Multiple combinations of soil and climate conditions and crop management and varieties were considered for each Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) of Nigeria. A sensitivity analysis was made to evaluate the model response to changes in precipitation and temperature. The climate impact assessment was made by comparing the yield obtained with the climate data for the present period and the yield obtainable under future climate conditions. The results were analyzed at state, AEZ and country levels. The analysis shows a general reduction in crop yields in particular in the dryer regions of northern Nigeria.

Background Despite growing recognition of the massive surgical burden of disease, unmet need, and disparities in access to care in many African countries, little is known about their capacity to deliver surgical, obstetric, emergency, and anesthetic care, particularly in the rural areas where up to 50 % of the population lives. This study aimed to quantify the surgical capacity of select healthcare facilities in rural southern Nigeria in five key areas: Workforce, Infrastructure, Skill, Equipment, and Supplies. Methods We assessed the surgical capacity of 41 private, rural hospitals in southern Nigeria using the Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment, and Supplies survey tool developed by Surgeons OverSeas. The survey was administered to surgical practitioners during their annua...

Background The assessment of lung function is of considerable importance in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, normal reference values need to be determined. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) is a simple, reproducible and easily affordable test of lung function which has been used in resource poor countries like Nigeria. A study PEF was carried out in medical students of the University of Maiduguri and the result was compared with various prediction equations calculated in other parts of Nigeria. Methods It was a cross-sectional study involving 255 medical students. Data was collected between March and June 2010 using MicroPeak™ peak flow meter (Micromedical MEI 2A2 Kent) as the instrument. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the measured PEF and the predicted values based on different formulae derived from the different parts of Nigeria. However, the values in females in this study was consistent with the one obtained by one investigator in the north western part of the country. PEF positively correlated with the measured anthropometric parameters and age. Conclusion The result of the study showed that the prediction formulae of Njoku et al and Salisu et al may be used in the assessment of PEF of individuals in this environment; however, further studies with larger sample size may be needed. PMID:15759000

In many Sub-Saharan countries such as Nigeria, inadequate access to safe drinking water is a serious problem with 37% in the region and 58% of rural Nigeria using unimproved sources. The global challenge to measuring household water quality as a determinant of safety is further compounded in Nigeria by the possibility of deterioration from source to point of use. This is associated with the use of decentralised water supply systems in rural areas which are not fully reticulated to the household taps, creating a need for an integrated water quality monitoring system. As an initial step towards establishing the system in the north west and north central zones of Nigeria, The Katsina State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, responsible for ensuring access to safe water and adequate sanitation to about 6 million people carried out a three pronged study with the support of UNICEF Nigeria. Part 1 was an assessment of the legislative and policy framework, institutional arrangements and capacity for drinking water quality monitoring through desk top reviews and Key Informant Interviews (KII) to ascertain the institutional capacity requirements for developing the water quality monitoring system. Part II was a water quality study in 700 households of 23 communities in four local government areas. The objectives were to assess the safety of drinking water, compare the safety at source and household level and assess the possible contributory role of end users' Knowledge Attitudes and Practices. These were achieved through water analysis, household water quality tracking, KII and questionnaires. Part III was the production of a visual documentary as an advocacy tool to increase awareness of the policy makers of the linkages between source management, treatment and end user water quality. The results indicate that except for pH, conductivity and manganese, the improved water sources were safe at source. However there was a deterioration in water quality between source and point of use in 18%, 12.5%, 27% and 50% of hand pump fitted boreholes, motorised boreholes, hand dug wells and streams respectively. Although no statistical correlation could be drawn between water management practices and water quality deterioration, the survey of the study households gave an indication of the possible contributory role of their knowledge, attitudes and practices to water contamination after provision. Some of the potential water related sources of contamination were poor source protection and location, use of unimproved water source and poor knowledge and practice of household water treatment methods, poor hand washing practices in terms of percentage that wash hands and use soap. Consequently 34 WASH departments have been created at the local government level towards establishment of a community based monitoring system and piloting has begun in Kaita local government area.

This study examined the factors that influence condom-use among young never-married males in Nigeria. Such information can help improve the design of a prevention programme for young never-married, especially, males to reduce their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS transmission. Data were derived from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Analysis of data was restricted to 827 males aged 15-24 years, who had never married or lived together with a woman. Both descriptive and analytical methods were used for assessing the net effects of socioeconomic factors on condom-use. The analysis used logistic regression models for determining the predictors of sexual behaviour and condom-use among young never-married males in Nigeria. About 43% of the study population was sexually experienced, and the use of a condom remained low. One in five reported the use of a condom at sexual debut. Level of education, place of residence in childhood, urban/rural region, religious affiliation, economic status index, and exposure to mass media were associated with sexual experience and use of protective measures. Economic status index and mass-media exposure were associated with the use of a condom by the respondents during their last sex encounter. About two-fifths (43%) of the young unmarried Nigerian men were sexually experienced but the condom-use remained low, thus making this sub-group of Nigerian population highly vulnerable to STIs, including HIV/AIDS. PMID:21766563

AIDS is a major public health problem in Nigeria. HIV counseling and testing (HCT) service is an important component of prevention and control programs. Little information is available about young persons' knowledge and use of HCT services in Nigeria. This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS and use of HCT services among secondary school students and apprentices in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected through 16 focus group discussions (FGD) and administration of a 36-item questionnaire to 1,281 randomly selected male and female secondary school students and apprentices aged 15-25 years. The respondents consisted of 54% apprentices and 46% students. Although virtually all respondents were aware of AIDS, only 15.8% of the sample had heard about HCT. Of those who were aware of HCT, 30.1% knew where to access the service. Students had superior knowledge of HCT than apprentices. Only 7% of those aware of HCT had ever taken the test. The percentage of those who had reportedly taken the test ranged from 11.3% of female apprentices to 6.3% of male students, 5.3% of female students, and 5.2% of male apprentices. The barriers identified by FGD participants to use of HCT services are fear of stigmatization, perceived exorbitant cost of testing, lack of knowledge of where HCT service are available, and belief that HCT is meant for only sexually active persons. However, 82.6% of the entire sample expressed the willingness to take HCT if it is provided free of charge, and there is a guarantee of confidentiality of results. Young persons have limited knowledge of HCT and under-utilize this service. Establishment of new HCT centers, promotion activities using the media, and peer education are recommended to increase uptake of this service among young persons in Nigeria. PMID:21576066

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the rate of adherence to medications amongst psychiatric outpatients in Nigeria and examine factors associated with medication nonadherence amongst this group. Method Psychiatric outpatients (n=342) from three centres were assessed for medication adherence using the Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire. Details regarding sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education, religion, marital status, employment, income, medication cost), illness related variables (diagnosis, duration, number of episodes/admissions, insight, severity of symptoms, mental state, functional status), medication related variables (type, mode of administration, side effect, attitude to medication) and perception related variables (self-stigma, perceived causation and ...

Abstract in spanish OBJETIVO: Determinar en qué medida el enfoque de dirección por la comunidad utilizado para combatir la oncocercosis en África podría aprovecharse para implantar efectiva y eficientemente la prestación integrada de otras intervenciones sanitarias. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental de tres años en 35 distritos de salud entre 2005 y 2007 en siete lugares del Camerún, Nigeria y Uganda. En cada sitio se seleccionaron al azar cuatro distritos de ensayo y (more) un distrito de comparación. Todos los distritos habían establecido programas de tratamiento con ivermectina, y en los distritos de ensayo se incorporaron progresivamente otras cuatro intervenciones de reconocida eficacia -suplementos de vitamina A, uso de mosquiteros tratados con insecticida, tratamiento domiciliario de la malaria y tratamiento breve bajo observación directa de los pacientes con tuberculosis- en un proceso de intervenciones dirigido por la comunidad (IDC). Al final de cada uno de los tres años de estudio se realizaron evaluaciones cuantitativas de la cobertura de las intervenciones y los costos relacionados con los proveedores, así como evaluaciones cualitativas del proceso de IDC. RESULTADOS: Mediante la estrategia de IDC se logró una cobertura significativamente mayor que con otras fórmulas de prestación de servicios en todas las intervenciones a excepción del tratamiento breve bajo observación directa. La cobertura de las intervenciones contra la malaria se más que duplicó. Los costos a nivel distrital de la aplicación de las cinco intervenciones fueron inferiores en los distritos de IDC, pero no se hallaron diferencias de costos en el nivel de los servicios de salud de primera línea. La evaluación del proceso reveló que: (i) el aspecto participativo era importante, (ii) los problemas que afectaron reiteradamente al suministro de material de intervención fueron un gran obstáculo para la aplicación; (iii) las comunidades y los ejecutores de cada comunidad mostraron un firme compromiso con el proceso de IDC; y (iv) los ejecutores de las comunidades estaban más motivados por incentivos intangibles que por incentivos financieros externos. CONCLUSIÒN: La estrategia de IDC, basada en los principios básicos de la atención primaria, es un modelo eficaz y eficiente para la prestación integrada de determinadas intervenciones sanitarias a nivel comunitario en África. Abstract in english OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the community-directed approach used in onchocerciasis control in Africa could effectively and efficiently provide integrated delivery of other health interventions. METHODS: A three-year experimental study was undertaken in 35 health districts from 2005 to 2007 in seven research sites in Cameroon, Nigeria and Uganda. Four trial districts and one comparison district were randomly selected in each site. All districts had establis (more) hed ivermectin treatment programmes, and in the trial districts four other established interventions - vitamin A supplementation, use of insecticide-treated nets, home management of malaria and short-course, directly-observed treatment for tuberculosis patients - were progressively incorporated into a community-directed intervention (CDI) process. At the end of each of the three study years, we performed quantitative evaluations of intervention coverage and provider costs, as well as qualitative assessments of the CDI process. FINDINGS: With the CDI strategy, significantly higher coverage was achieved than with other delivery approaches for all interventions except for short-course, directly-observed treatment. The coverage of malaria interventions more than doubled. The district-level costs of delivering all five interventions were lower in the CDI districts, but no cost difference was found at the first-line health facility level. Process evaluation showed that: (i) participatory processes were important; (ii) recurrent problems with the supply of intervention materials were a major constraint to implementation; (iii) the communities and community implementers were deeply committed to the CDI process; (iv) community implementers were more motivated by intangible incentives than by external financial incentives. CONCLUSION: The CDI strategy, which builds upon the core principles of primary health care, is an effective and efficient model for integrated delivery of appropriate health interventions at the community level in Africa.

Aflatoxins, the toxic secondary metabolites of Aspergillus flavus and Asp. parasiticus, constitute a serious food contamination problem in Nigeria and have been detected in the blood of healthy rural blood donors and primary liver cancer patients from the Guinea savannah region where traditionally brewed cereal beer is popular. A recent survey of traditional breweries in the Jos metropolis has shown a high incidence of aflatoxin B/sub 1/ contamination of their products. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of the traditional brewing in destroying aflatoxins in mould-infected substrate grains.

Inadequate management of waste generated from injection activities can have a negative impact on the community and environment. In this paper, a report on immunization wastes management in Kano State (Nigeria) is presented. Eight local governments were selected randomly and surveyed by the author. Solid wastes generated during the Expanded Programme on Immunization were characterised using two different methods: one by weighing the waste and the other by estimating the volume. Empirical data was obtained on immunization waste generation, segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal; and waste management practices were assessed. The study revealed that immunization offices were accommodated in either in local government buildings, primary health centres or community health...

Abstracts This paper attempts to put together details of dams? development in Nigeria. Case studies of dam-related incidents were highlighted. A typical case study of Kainji dam safety monitoring assessment was analysed and discussed. From the results obtained it is observed that majority of the piezometer plot of the spillway points to improving stability especially from year 2000 to 2001. The data collected and analysed indicated some displacement of about 25?mm. in some blocks, which shows an abnormal behaviour and require need for closer observations. The tape extensometers reading and the rod extensometer were briefly discussed.

BACKGROUND:: Female sex workers (FSWs) account for about 20% of new HIV infections in Nigeria. We estimated the change in HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors between two consecutive rounds of integrated biological and behavioral surveillance surveys (IBBSS) and determined correlates of HIV transmission among FSWs. METHODS:: In 2007 and 2010, HIV prevalence and risk behavior data on brothel-based (BB) and non brothel-based (NBB) FSWs from the IBBSS were evaluated in 6 Nigerian states. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of HIV infection. RESULTS:: A total of 2897 and 2963 FSWs were surveyed in 2007 and 2010, respectively. Overall HIV prevalence decreased in 2010 compared to 2007 [20% vs. 33%; peducation [AOR:0.70(0.60 - 0.80)] were less likely to be HIV-positive. CONCLUSION:: Results suggest significant progress in reducing the burden of HIV among FSWs in Nigeria, although low condom use with boyfriends continued to be a potential bridge between FSWs and the general population. Venue-based prevention programs are needed to improve safer sex practices among BB-FSWs. PMID:22918155

Migration has been associated with a higher risk of STI/HIV but few studies have assessed the sexual risk behaviour of migrant farm workers in Nigeria. An exploratory survey was conducted to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behaviours of migrant farmers in Saki West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, sexual behaviours and history of STI symptoms. Overall 518 respondents were interviewed, slightly over half were aware of HIV/AIDS; awareness was significantly lower among the females, those aged 15-24 years and those with no formal education. Majority (80.7%) were sexually experienced, the mean age at sexual debut was 19.4 +/- 5.2 years and 18.4 +/- 4.2 years for males and females respectively. Sexual intercourse with multiple sexual partners in the past year was reported by 24.6% (males, 35.7%, versus females, 10.4%, p sexual intercourse with a casual partner was reported by 9.1% (12.8% males versus 4.4% females). Only 18.2% used a condom during the last casual sexual contact. Level of awareness of HIV is unacceptably low and sexual risk behaviours are prevalent among these workers. Appropriate sexual health and HIV prevention interventions should be instituted. PMID:21834265

Abstract in spanish El uso de plantas medicinales entre los pacientes nigerianos y la tendencia a combinarlas con los medicamentos alopáticos mientras están hospitalizados han ido en aumento. Anteriores estudios muestran que los farmacéuticos comunitarios de Nigeria creen que necesitan más formación para aconsejar pacientes en el uso de sus plantas medicinales. Objetivo: Evaluar el conocimiento, uso, aceptabilidad, actitudes y creencias de los farmacéuticos y médicos de hospital en el (more) Suroeste de Nigeria ante las plantas medicinales/fitoterapia/suplementos dietéticos (PM/FT/SD). Métodos: Se usó un cuestionario de 20 preguntas que incluía 8 de plantas medicinales para evaluar conocimiento de los médicos y farmacéuticos sobre la farmacología de PM/FT/SD. Mediante la prueba exacta de Fischer, se evaluaron los efectos de los datos demográficos tal como edad, sexo, año de graduación, años de experiencia y área de especialización, sobre las puntuaciones obtenidas. El nivel de significación se situó en p Abstract in english The use of herbal medicines among Nigerian patients and the tendency to combine this class of medicines with allopathic drugs while on hospital admission have been on the increase. Earlier studies show that community pharmacists from Nigeria believe that they need more training to counsel patients on their use of herbal medications. Objective: To evaluate knowledge base, use, acceptability, attitudes and beliefs of hospital pharmacists and physicians in South-western Nige (more) ria on herbal products / phytopharmaceuticals /dietary supplements (HP/PP/DS). Methods: A 20-odd questionnaire including an 8-item herbal medicine question was used to assess the knowledge of the physicians and pharmacists in the area of pharmacology of HP/PP/DS. Effects of demographic information such as age, sex, year post graduation, years of experience and area of specialization on the scores obtained were evaluated using Fisher?s exact tests. Level of significance was set at p

Summary Objective To evaluate a rapid assessment method to estimate the overall prevalence of tungiasis and severity of disease in endemic communities. Methods We analysed data from 10 population-based surveys on tungiasis, performed in five endemic communities in Brazil and Nigeria between 2001 and 2008. To assess the association between occurrence of tungiasis on six defined topographic areas of the feet and the true prevalence/prevalence of severe disease, linear regression analyses were performed. Estimated prevalences were calculated for each of the 10 surveys and compared to true prevalences. We then selected the most useful topographic localization to define a rapid assessment method, based on the strength of association and operational aspects. Results In total, 7121 individuals of...

Abstract Rotavirus (RV) and norovirus (NoV) are considered the most common causes of viral gastroenteritis in children. In this study, the prevalence of RV and NoV infection in 55 children with diarrhea from the rural community Akinlalu in Southwestern Nigeria was investigated using real-time PCR assays. The RV and NoV strains were genotyped by PCR and/or sequencing. RV and NoV infections occurred with a prevalence of 34.5% and 25.5% respectively, with predominance in children <1 year. Most infections occurred during the dry season with increasing prevalence of RV as the dry season progressed (October-January). Infections with RV VP6 subgroup (SG) II were more prevalent (27.3%) than SGI (7.3%). Similarly, NoV genogroup II infections were more common (23.6%) than genogroup I (1.8%). Five ch...

Industrial evolution in developing countries, most especially Nigeria in the last century, has resulted in geometrical increase in waste generation compared to the arithmetic progress in management methods, thereby creating the problem of effective waste management and disposal. Wastes generated from industries have become a major source of pollution of groundwater when contaminants become leached into the groundwater. Water samples collected from 44 wells within 25 m radius from six refuse dump sites within Lagos metropolis during the months of February and September, 2006 were analyzed for nine heavy metals, namely, Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu), using AAS according to standard procedures. The result...

This paper describes the use of drama and participatory methods in a girls-only secondary school in Zaria, Nigeria, as a means of sexuality education, carried out by the Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance and the Second Chance Organization of Nigeria. The issues addressed had to come from the students, to allow them to develop critical thinking and learn useful lessons. The topics that concerned the group of 15 girls who participated from the school included abortion, premarital sex and pregnancy, teacher-student relationships and lesbianism. Participants developed a play about teacher-student relationships and presented it to the whole school. The presentation was stopped several times in order to involve the audience in discussing the choices available to the protagonist and what they would do in her place. This allowed all the students to explore the problem, generate and assess alternative solutions and communicate their learning to others. It also started a process of change in how the school dealt with girls who were forced to drop out due to sexuality-related problems, including pregnancy. Our long-term aim is advocacy to support the introduction of sexuality education as a permanent element in the curriculum throughout the school system. PMID:18513621

Abstract in spanish Objetivo: Evaluar la adherencia a la medicación entre pacientes ambulatorios con diabetes tipo 2, determinar el nivel de control glucémico, y evaluar las opiniones de los pacientes sobre las probables razones de la no adherencia con vista a identificar áreas de intervención en la mejora del cumplimiento. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo transversal en un hospital universitario terciario de 900 camas en Ibadan, Suroeste de Nigeria, entre junio y agosto de 2 (more) 009. De los 140 pacientes que consintieron, 114 (81,4%) respondieron correctamente al instrumento validado y pre-testado de recogida de datos y fueron consiguientemente analizados. Se usó estadística descriptiva para resumir los datos. Las medias y proporciones se compararon usando t de Student y chi cuadrado o test de Kruskal-Wallis, con p Abstract in english Objective: To assess adherence to medication among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes, ascertain the level of glycemic control, and evaluate patients´ opinions on probable reasons for non-adherence with a view to identify areas of intervention to improve adherence. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria between June and August, 2009. Out of 140 consented patients, 114 (81. (more) 4%) properly responded to the validated and pre-tested data collection tool and these were subsequently considered for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Means and proportions were compared using student t-test and chi-square or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate, with p

Objective: To characterize colorectal symptoms in women with a history of an obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). Methods: Patients under evaluation with a VVF during two 2-week surgical service trips to Evangel Hospital VVF Center in Jos, Nigeria, in 2010 were assessed for symptoms of fecal incontinence (FI) using the Vaizey and Colorectal-Anal Impact (CRAIQ) questionnaires. Women with rectovaginal fistulas were excluded. Each participant's impression of overall health was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 (poor) to 15 (excellent). A study nurse translated questionnaires into native languages. Results: The mean age of the 83 women included was 29years. Three women (3.6%) reported FI and 42 (50.6%) reported constipation. All of the women with FI reported that it affected ...

This paper explores patterns of growth in participation in six Anglophone and seven Francophone countries in SSA. The countries are Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Niger and Senegal. These countries all have large scale Universal Primary Education programmes and all have demographic and health survey (DHS) data sets collected at least ten years apart. These allow comparisons over time to see how participation has been changing. The results show that progress has been patchy and sometimes disappointing. Access remains strongly associated with household wealth despite commitments to pro-poor policies. The chances of the poorest being enrolled relative to the richest have generally not improved substantially, and in some cases have deteriorated. Reductions in numbers of out of school children have in some cases been accompanied by increases in the proportion over age. Poorer children and rural children are more likely to be over age and unlikely to complete schooling, especially if they are girls. The message is clear. Though there has been progress, it falls far short of the gains that were anticipated. Much more progress is needed to achieve universal access with equity and to close the gap between the poorer and richer households. (Contains 9 tables and 13 figures.)

University graduates in Nigeria have been reported to be poorly prepared for work in recent years. This has implications on the relevance of university education, the employability and productivity of university graduates. One of the reasons suggested for this condition by previous studies was skill mismatch--a situation where there is a disparity between the skills acquired by students in the universities and the actual skills needed in the labor market. However, not many of these studies have investigated the extent of skill mismatch in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examined the problem of skills mismatch and its prevalence in the Nigeria labor market. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design of "ex-post facto" type. The research was carried out in all the six geo-political zones of the country. Purposive sampling technique was used to select one town per geo-political zone. A total of 600 management staffs were randomly selected for the study. A set of questionnaire titled "Labor Market Demands and Employers Assessment Questionnaire" (r = 0.83) was utilized to elicit relevant information from employers of labor on the current labor market skill demands and their assessment of the performance of recently employed university graduates in 300 organizations (from both private and public sectors). Three research questions were answered and two hypotheses were tested at the significant level of 0.05. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA (analysis of variance) and t-tests. There was a significant negative relationship between skills demand and supply (r = -0.485; p less than 0.05). The extent of skills mismatch was 60.6% with major weaknesses found in communication, IT (information technology), decision-making, critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills. Analytical skill was the most required skill by the labor market and critical thinking the least. The mean for each of the skills demand was significantly different from its supply. University graduates were not adequately prepared for work with respect to skills demand of the labor market. Nigerian universities are therefore enjoined to inculcate the skills identified as critical but deficient in the graduates. Also, parents should understand the skills demand of the labor market in order to guide their wards appropriately. (Contains 6 tables.)

Progress reports are presented for: chemical flooding--supporting research; gas displacement-supporting research; thermal recovery-supporting research; geoscience technology; resource assessment technology; and microbial technology. (AT)

Previous research has demonstrated that having more children decreases marital satisfaction among parents. However, the universality of these findings is limited since the vast majority of the studies have been conducted in Western countries. In the present study, 374 people from the Igbo ethnic group (Nigeria) were assessed for levels of marital satisfaction and the number of children. In contrast to almost all previous findings, we found a positive relationship between the number of children and marital satisfaction among parents. Number of children was the strongest predictor of marital satisfaction even when compared to other variables like wealth and education. Our results suggest that the negative relationship between the number of children and marital satisfaction is not culturally ...

The concentrations of minerals and trace elements in the Lokpanta oil shale from the Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), respectively. X-ray diffraction data were evaluated using the SIROQUANT interactive data processing system based on Rietveld interpretation methods. A new method of trace element determination in oil shale, involving LA-ICP-MS analysis of glass beads prepared by fusing oil shale ash on an iridium strip heater was used, and the accuracy of the method was assessed by including a standard shale reference material (SGR-1b) in the analysis program. The minerals in the raw oil shales are mainly quartz, calcite and clay minerals, with the latter being represented...

Objective: To assess the availability of prenatal care and basic emergency obstetric care services at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in rural Nigeria. Methods: In total, 652 PHC facilities enrolled in the Midwives Service Scheme, a government-funded program designed to reduce the national shortage of skilled birth attendants, were surveyed. Results: In all, 44.0% of the PHC facilities evaluated did not provide all components of prenatal care, and only 39.0% of all pregnant women nationwide attended prenatal care clinics 4 or more times. In addition, 52.2% of the facilities were not distributing insecticide-treated nets to pregnant women, while only 36.8% of the PHC facilities provided services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. By contrast, 70.0% of the PHC facilities had...

Quality of life (QoL) studies have become acceptable globally as indicators of how well a people are living. They are increasingly being used to identify and design areas of intervention to raise the wellbeing of a population. While studies on livelihoods in the informal waste recycling system of developing country cities have also been on the increase in recent years, assessments of the QoL expectations within the livelihoods framework in the informal waste recycling sector seem surprisingly few. Studies of this nature have also not been undertaken in the context of Nigerian socio-political, cultural and economic environment. Applying qual-dominant mixed methods approach to the livelihood activity of waste picking in the commercial city of Aba in southeastern Nigeria, this paper identifie...

Background. To assess the antioxidant capacity of pregnant women in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods. The activities of total superoxide dismutase (total SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST), aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), and the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), were determined in the plasma and red blood cells of non-pregnant (n=20), normal healthy pregnant women during different trimesters of pregnancy (n=90), and pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (n=7). Results. A 2-fold increase in erythrocyte CAT activity was observed in the pregnant women (p<0.05), while CAT activity in the pre-eclamptic women was not significantly different from control (p>0.05). A 3-fold increase in plasma Mn-SOD was observed in the pregnan...

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of the administration of misoprostol, an orally active prostaglandin, in addition to routine uterotonic therapy as part of the active management of the third stage of labor. Methods: The present study was a hospital-based, decentralized, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. We enrolled 1103 women (out of a target sample size of 1180) at 4 hospitals in South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria. Participants received a sublingual dose of 400mg of misoprostol or a placebo, in addition to standard active management of the third stage of labor, after vaginal birth. Results: The baseline characteristics of the participants were comparable. The difference in the primary outcome of blood loss of 500mL or more within 1 hour of r...

Objective: To determine whether rectally administered misoprostol can induce intestinal motility compared with oxytocin infusion when used to prevent primary postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery. Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study in Nigeria, 218 parturients undergoing cesarean delivery who had risk factors for primary postpartum hemorrhage were enrolled between July 1, 2010, and March 31, 2011. Participants received 600mg of rectal misoprostol or 20 intravenous units of oxytocin for 4hours after surgery. The primary outcome was time until passage of flatus. Adverse effects, need for additional analgesic, and length of hospital stay were also assessed. Results: The misoprostol group had a significantly shorter mean postoperative interval to passage of flatus (...

Soil acidity or alkalinity is known to affect the persistence of some herbicides, which in turn could affect the duration and effectiveness of weed control. A randomized complete block field experiment was conducted over 2 years to evaluate the effect of lime on the herbicidal efficacy of atrazine applied at the recommended dose of 3.0kga.i.ha-1 or in combination with preplant soil-incorporated application of lime at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0tha-1 in a maize crop at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (7degree16primeN, 5degree12primeE), Nigeria. Assessment of herbicidal efficacy based on the Henderson-Tilton formula indicated that atrazine applied singly or in combination with varying rates of lime proved highly effective in controlling most of the bro...

Summary Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) but there is limited data to guide programs or plan interventions. To help set priorities and understand the needs for renal replacement therapy a baseline assessment is required. World Health Organization (WHO) databases and Medline were searched to determine the number of physicians, nephrologists, and dialysis centers and patients in SSA. Data on renal transplant (RTx) programs were collected from the WHO Global Observatory on Donation & Transplantation database for deceased-donor and living-donor RTx. Of the 47 countries in SSA only 15 had recent data with most rates of physicians per 10-000 population under 2.0. Nigeria and South Africa had the greatest absolute numbers of physicians and nephro...

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) involves the use of wireless technology to replace copper to connect subscribers to the telephone network. It is a variant of wireless broadband which provides an alternative in the so-called 'last mile' connectivity between the subscriber and the fixed telecommunications network. FWA could either be narrowband or broadband and it is predominantly deployed using the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. In assessing the extent of development and deployment of FWA, the perspective of the operators and users was elicited primarily through the use of questionnaires. Issues like setup cost, tax, Government incentive, availability of infrastructure and manpower applied to the operators while on the users' part factors like quality of service, signal strength as well as call rate were considered. The South western zone of Nigeria is regarded as one of the most urbanized regions in the south of Sahara, this is not out of place considering the fact that Lagos which is the nation...

Introduction The plant, Ficus exasperata is popularly used in Nigeria and in several parts of Africa for a variety of ailments. Aim of study This study was thus mapped out to investigate the toxicity profile of the aqueous leaf extract (AET) on haematological parameters, body weight and body temperature in mice. Methodology In the present study, AET was evaluated for acute toxicity over 24h and 14-day periods. The LD50 was assessed via oral and intraperitoneal administration. Results The LD50 was indeterminable via the oral route but was determined to be 0.54g/kg i.p. In the 24h and 14 days single dose study, oral administration of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20g/kg of AET produced neither mortality nor changes in behavior or any other physiological activity in mice. Body weights and body temperatures ...

Environmental pollution in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) coastal zone has caused eutrophication and oxygen depletion in the lagoon systems, particularly around the urban centres, resulting in decreased fish (reproduction) levels and waterborne diseases. A pollution sources assessment was undertaken by six countries in the region as a first step in defining a region-wide Environmental Management Plan. Results show that households produce 90% of solid waste. Industry, however, is responsible for substantial amounts of hazardous waste, specifically the Nigerian petroleum industry. The latter is also responsible for the spilling of large amounts of oil. BOD load from industrial effluents is slightly larger than domestic loads in the industrialised coastal zone. Wastewater treatment systems are either absent or inadequate. Apart from large-scale gas flaring in Nigeria, air pollution, in terms of COx, HC, NOx and SO2 emissions, is contributed mainly by traffic. Particulates, originate mainly from industries and domestic biomass burning. PMID:12222886

The descriptive cross-sectional study assessed contributions of Youth Environmental Scout (YES) clubs toward sustainable environmental programs in selected schools in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. It involved administration of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and observation checklists and results were analyzed using SPSS 10 software package. Results indicated deplorable state of infrastructure particularly basic amenities like water, excreta disposal, and waste management. Noise pollution was mainly due to vehicular traffic (40, 40%). However, Environmental Awareness (EA) in the three schools studied increased dramatically since the establishment of YES clubs. Waste recycling was found to be significantly associated (p less than 0.001) with the level of environmental awareness. Therefore, having YES clubs in schools would increase awareness and good environmental practices which key elements of environmental education. (Contains 3 tables and 6 figures.)

The study appraised local poultry biosecurity risks to highly pathogenic avian influenza by assessing farmers' knowledge, beliefs and poultry practices using a standard questionnaire. Farmers' knowledge on transmission and prevention was high but low on disease recognition. Radio was ineffective at informing Islamic educated farmers. Extensive knowledge on transmission and protection did not result in behavioural change as farmers engaged in risky practices of selling, eating or medicating infected poultry and not reporting poultry death. Islamic educated farmers do not believe highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious and preventable disease. Women are more likely to self medicate when experiencing influenza-like illness. Audio-visual aids would improve avian influenza recognition while involvement of community leaders would enhance disease reporting. Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in local poultry in Nigeria would follow a similar pattern in Southeast Asia if the risk perception among farmers is not urgently articulated. PMID:22869337

Abstract The study assessed poverty in rural areas of Ogun State, Nigeria through the food energy (calorie) intake approach. A sample of 60 households (comprising of 346 members) were selected using a multistage sampling technique and were interviewed with the aid of well-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using nutrient estimation techniques, cost of calorie method and poverty index. The estimated food poverty line was 64.72 naira. The incidence, intensity and severity of poverty were consistently higher among female-headed households and households that lack access to credit facilities with values 0.290, 0.359, 0.160 and 0.313, 0.371, 0.160 for the poverty measures respectively. Incidence of poverty reduces with educational level and age of household heads, but the correspondin...

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a schistosome-endemic rural community in Southwestern Nigeria. We assessed prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted nematodes and the co-occurrence with Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni. Urine and stool samples from 419 schoolchildren were examined, and a questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic characteristics. In total, 78.3% (328/419) were infected with at least one helminth species, with a prevalence (mean egg-count) of 55.1% (3069.2) of Ascaris lumbricoides, 41.1% (127.5) of S. haematobium, 22.7% (98.6) of hookworms, 17.9% (161.3) of Trichuris trichiura, and 10.3% (12.9) of S. mansoni. Multiple infections were significantly more common among children from households with more playmates, absence of toilet fac...

The various health risks associated with solid waste disposal workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria, were investigated. The aim is to assess the extent of exposure in terms of inhalation of toxic substances and its inherent adverse health effects on them since the workers are not adequately protected while doing their jobs. About 10 mL of venous blood was collected from each of the 35 solid waste disposal workers aged 21-50 years and from each of the 15 control subjects of the same age bracket who are not exposed. A well structured questionnaire was also given to all the solid waste disposal workers to assess their health profile. Haematological parameters, liver function test (LFT) and toxic substance (Pb, Cu, Zn) concentration in the blood were carried out. There were slight decrease in the haematological parameters and liver function test (LFT) results, as compared with the control subjects. The values obtained are: Hb 13.43±1.14 g dL-1, HCT 37.13±3.22%, WBC6.35±1.86x109 L-1, platelet 236.15±104.33x109 L-1, neutrophil 42.60±11.11% and monocyte 3.05±2.41% for solid waste workers. While the values for control subjects are: Hb 14.69±0.4 g dL-1, HCT 41.77±2.74%, WBC 7.23±1.21x109 L-1, platelets 282.40±33.76x109 L-1, neutrophil 58.65±5.87% and monocyte 5.77±2.03%. The lymphocyte counts for waste disposal workers was significantly higher (50.42±11.30%) and (32.83±5.32%) for the control subjects. The AST values increased significantly for solid waste workers with a mean AST concentration of (11.19±2.36 µ L-1) and 8.97±4.07 µL-1 for the control subjects. And mean total bilirubin increased progressively as the number of years of exposure increased (19.00 μmol L-1). The peak value was for workers exposed for about 7 year. The result also showed that mean lead, copper and Zinc concentrations were high for the solid waste workers (Pb = 0.07±0.05 mg L-1, Cu =0.22±0.08 mg L-1 and Zn = 0.56±0.48 mg L-1) while that of control subjects were Pb = 0.02±0.01 mg L-1, Cu =0.11±0.04 mg L-1 and Zn = 0.30±0.04 mg L-1. Malaria parasitaemia was high amongst the solid waste disposal workers. Adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be provided to avoid epidemic among the workers. It can be inferred that the lymphocytosis observed in this category of workers may indicate the presence of bacterial and protozoal infections, while a mild eosinophilia might be as a result of allergic disorders and helminthic infections.

Background Durable lining (DL) is a deltamethrin-impregnated polyethylene material, which is designed to cover domestic walls that would normally be sprayed with residual insecticide. The operational success of DL as a long-lasting insecticidal substrate will be dependent on a high level of user acceptability as households must maintain correctly installed linings on their walls for several years. Preliminary trials were undertaken to identify a material to develop into a marketable wall lining and to assess its level of acceptability among rural and urban populations. Methods In Angola (n=60), prototype DL and insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) were installed on urban house walls and ceilings, respectively, and acceptability was compared to indoor residual spraying (IRS) (n=20) using a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. In Nigeria (n=178), three materials (prototype DL, ITPS and insecticide-treated wall netting) were distributed among rural and urban households. User opinions were gathered from focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and KAP questionnaires. Results In Angola, after two weeks, the majority of participants (98%) expressed satisfaction with the products and identified the killing of insects as the materials’ principal benefits (73%). After one year, despite a loss of almost 50% of households to refugee repatriation, all 32 remaining households still asserted that they had liked the DL/ITPS in their homes and given the choice of intervention preferred DL/ITPS to IRS (94%) or insecticide-treated nets (78%). In Nigeria, a dichotomy between rural and urban respondents emerged. Rural participants favoured wall adornments and accepted wall linings because of their perceived decorative value and entomological efficacy. By contrast, urban households preferred minimal wall decoration and rejected the materials based upon objections to their aesthetics and installation feasibility. Conclusions The high level of acceptability among rural inhabitants in Nigeria identifies these communities as the ideal target consumer group for durable wall linings. The poorer compliance among urban participants suggests that wall linings would not be readily adopted or sustained in these regions. If DL is as well received by other rural populations it could overcome some of the logistical constraints associated with spray campaigns and has the potential to become a long-lasting alternative to IRS in malaria endemic areas. PMID:20637696

This report documents the results of the Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Progress Assessment of the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), Fernald, Ohio, conducted from October 15 through October 25, 1991. The Secretary of Energy directed that small, focused, ES&H Progress Assessments be performed as part of the continuing effort to institutionalize line management accountability and the self-assessment process in the areas of ES&H. The FEMP assessment is the pilot assessment for this new program. The objectives for the FEMP ES&H Progress Assessment were to assess: (1) how the FEMP has progressed since the 1989 Tiger Assessment; (2) how effectively the FEMP has corrected specific deficiencies and associated root causes identified by that team; and (3) whether the current organization, resources, and systems are sufficient to proactively manage ES&H issues.

Poliomyelitis is a disease of major public health importance. Since the launch of the Global Poliomyelitis Eradication Initiative in 1988, considerable progress has been achieved globally. At present, the causative agent for the disease--poliovirus--remains endemic in only four countries (Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan). The poliovirus eradication plan, as outlined in the WHO strategic plan for 2004--2008, incorporates priority activities for each phase of the plan: (i) polio eradication certification for regions, (ii) oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) cessation phase, and (iii) post-OPV phase. The ultimate goal to eventually stop all vaccination is, however, jeopardized by the emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses and the risk of bioterrorism. In the post-eradication era, individual countries will be presented with guidelines on OPV cessation and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) usage. This paper, presented during the Asian Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA) meeting in Pattaya, Thailand from 20 to 22 July 2006, provides an update on the current global situation, focusing on the progress and challenges faced by different countries in their quest for poliovirus eradication. PMID:18755232

Recent Lassa virus strains from Nigeria were completely or partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the predominance of lineage II and III strains, the existence of a previously undescribed (sub)lineage in Nigeria, and the directional spread of virus in the southern part of the country. The Bayesian analysis also provided estimates for divergence times within the Lassa virus clade. PMID:21191050

The Niger Delta area in Nigeria has major oil producing and refining centers that characterized enormous industrial activities, especially in the petroleum sector. These industrial processes release different kinds of atmospheric pollutants, of which there is paucity of information on their levels and health implications. The objective of this study was to determine the ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in communities of a local government area (Eleme) where oil wells, petrochemical installations, a refinery, and a fertilizer complex are located. Respirable particulate matter (PM) in air were collected using Anderson high-volume sampler with PM with aerodynamic diameter > 10 microm (PM10) inlet for collecting filterable, particle-bound PAHs according to standard methods. PAHs were analyzed following standard methods for the 16 World Health Organization (WHO) prioritized components. The results were compared against the levels in another local government area (Ahoada East) with low industrial presence. The average total PAH concentration in Eleme of 9.2 microg/m3 was among the highest in the world; by contrast, the average concentration in Ahoada East was only 0.17 ng/m3. The most prominent PAHs at Eleme were those known to be carcinogenic and included benzo(a)pyrene (1.6 x 10(4) ng/m3 at bubu), benzo(k)fluoranthene (2.4 x 10(4) ng/m3 at Akpajo where a petrochemical is located), pyrene (3.1 x 10(3) ng/m3 at Ogale), and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (9.1 x 10(3) ng/m3 at Akpajo). Data from this study emphasize the need for a comprehensive source apportionment study and an assessment of the health effects of oil production on local communities of Nigeria where no such information currently exists. PMID:22393806

Possible biochemical parameters that can distinguish clinically-failing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from clinically-stable PLWHA on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were investigated in a north central location of Nigeria. The major aim of the study was to determine possible diagnostic biochemical markers that can be helpful in resource- and manpower-poor environments. Eighty (80) consenting persons living with HIV/AIDS who were on combined ART while attending a tertiary hospital in the North Central part of Nigeria were recruited for the study. Fifty (50) persons had clinically failing (CF) conditions while 32 were clinically stable (CS). Of the 50 CF cases 32 persons switched drugs while 18 did not in the course of their ART. In all, serum total bilirubin, total protein, total cholesterol, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, creatinine, urea and CD4 cell count were assayed. The values of these parameters in the CF and CS persons were statistically compared. The same parameters in the CF cases that switched drugs and those that maintained their drugs were also statistically compared with the corresponding values for the same parameters in the clinically stable persons. Alkaline phosphatase activity and total cholesterol levels and CD4 count in the CF cases were significantly (pd"0.05) different from the values for the CS persons. Only creatinine levels in CF persons that switched drugs differed significantly (pd"0.05) from the corresponding values in CF, persons that did not switch drugs even when there was no difference in creatinine values between the latter and the CS persons. CD4 count and total cholesterol levels may serve as useful indicators of potential clinically-failing and/or clinically stable cases of PLWHA on antiretroviral therapy. Creatinine levels on the other hand, may be useful in distinguishing PLWHA that switched drugs and those that did not. These parameters may serve as reliable rapid assessment tools for HIV/AIDS research and diagnosis in resources-poor areas. PMID:22416656

In 2007, Nigeria passed an important milestone: one elected government passed power to another for the first time in the nation's history. Though imperfect, the poll demonstrated powerfully that Nigeria's representative democracy was not a transient phase between periods of military repression but a growing reality. For 20 years, the MacArthur Foundation has given grants in Nigeria, in the belief that Africa's most populous nation was going through a transition of significance for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. MacArthur has invested $100 million and supported almost 500 individuals and organizations committed to the vision of a Nigeria that is free and fair, and offers opportunity to all its citizens. MacArthur's efforts concentrate in three areas: (1) Strengthening Nigeria's universities; (2) Reducing maternal mortality and improving sexual and reproductive health; and (3) Advancing respect for human rights and the rule of law. This report describes the Foundation's grantmaking and lists the organizations it supports.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to determine whether the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale, a measure of disease severity, is associated with neuroanatomical changes in progressive supranuclear palsy. METHODS: We recruited 22 subjects with probable progressive supranuclear palsy who completed the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale at 2 time points. All subjects had magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Associations were assessed between whole brain volume, ventricular volume, midbrain area and superior cerebellar peduncle fractional anisotropy, and baseline/change of the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale. RESULTS: Superior cerebellar peduncle fractional anisotropy correlated with the total score and gait/midline subscore of the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale. Whole brain volume, midbrain area, and disease duration predicted subsequent change over time in the gait/midline subscore of the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging measures could be useful to help predict clinical progression in subjects with progressive supranuclear palsy. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society. PMID:22415715

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: White matter lesion (WML) progression has been advocated as a surrogate marker in intervention trials on cerebral small vessel disease. We assessed the rate of visually rated WML progression, studied correlations between lesion progression and cognition, and estimated sample sizes for clinical trials with pure WML progression vs combined WML progression-cognitive outcomes. METHODS: Those 394 participants of the Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study (LADIS) study with magnetic resonance imaging scanning at baseline and 3-year follow-up were analyzed. WML progression rating relied on the modified Rotterdam Progression Scale. The Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale global score and a composite score of specific executive function tests assessed longitudinal change in cognition. Sample size calculations were based on the assumption that treatment reduces WML progression by 1 grade on the Rotterdam Progression Scale. RESULTS: WML progression related to deterioration in cognitive functioning. This relationship was less pronounced in subjects with early confluent and confluent lesions. Consequently, studies in which the outcome is cognitive change resulting from treatment effects on lesion progression will need between 1809 subjects per treatment arm when using executive tests and up to 18 853 subjects when using the Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale score. Studies having WML progression as the sole outcome will need only 58 or 70 individuals per treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: WML progression is an interesting outcome for proof-of-concept studies in cerebral small vessel disease. If cognitive outcome measures are added to protocols, then sample size estimates increase substantially. Our data support the use of an executive test battery rather than the Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale as the primary cognitive outcome measure. PMID:22879094

Presently, Nigeria is one of the fastest growing Telecom markets in the world. The country's teledensity increased from a mere 0.4 in 1999 to 10 in 2005 following the liberalization of the Telecom sector in 2001. More than 25 million new digital mobile lines have been connected by June 2006. Large quantities of mobile phones and accessories including secondhand and remanufactured products are being imported to meet the pent-up demand. This improvement in mobile telecom services resulted in the preference of mobile telecom services to fixed lines. Consequently, the contribution of fixed lines decreased from about 95% in year 2000 to less than 10% in March 2005. This phenomenal progress in information technology has resulted in the generation of large quantities of electronic waste (e-waste) in the country. Abandoned fixed line telephone sets estimated at 120,000 units are either disposed or stockpiled. Increasing quantities of waste mobile phones estimated at 8 million units by 2007, and accessories will be generated. With no material recovery facility for e-waste and/or appropriate solid waste management infrastructure in place, these waste materials end up in open dumps and unlined landfills. These practices create the potential for the release of toxic metals and halocarbons from batteries, printed wiring boards, liquid crystal display and plastic housing units. This paper presents an overview of the developments in the Nigerian Telecom sector, the material in-flow of mobile phones, and the implications of the management practices for wastes from the Telecom sector in the country.

The Expanded Program on Immunization was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 to ensure universal access to routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Six vaccine-preventable diseases initially were targeted: tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles. In 1974, fewer than 5% of the world's infants were fully immunized; by 2005, global coverage with the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine (DTP3) was 79%, but many children, especially those living in poorer countries, still were not being reached. That year, WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) developed the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS), with the aim of decreasing vaccine-preventable disease--related morbidity and mortality by improving national immunization programs. One goal of GIVS was for all countries to achieve 90% national DTP3 coverage by 2010. This report summarizes the status of vaccination coverage globally and regionally in 2010 and progress toward meeting the GIVS goal. In 2010, 130 (67%) countries had achieved 90% DTP3 coverage, and an estimated 85% of infants worldwide had received at least 3 doses of DTP vaccine. However, 19.3 million children were not fully vaccinated and remained at risk for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis and other vaccine-preventable causes of morbidity and mortality; approximately 50% of these children live in India, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the overall improvement in vaccination coverage during the past 37 years, routine vaccination programs need to be strengthened globally, especially in countries with the greatest numbers of unvaccinated children. PMID:22071590

This case highlights the fact that bone involvement is the commonest clinical manifestation of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) both in the acute settings such as painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and as a source of chronic, progressive debility such as avascular necrosis (AVN), chronic osteomyelitis and fixed flexion deformity of joints.Protracted multiple bone involvement i.e. bilateral femoral and left humeral chronic osteomyelitis, Left elbow, Left knee and right humeral septic arthritis together with avascular necrosis of both femoral and right humeral heads, coupled with urinary tract infection (UTI) and decubitus ulcer in a young adult SCD patient is an unusual occurrence. This morbidities resulted into an uninterrupted 29 weeks of hospitalization for the patient who had previously enjoyed fairly good health.Various micro-organisms were sequentially cultured at various times and sites; these include E coli and Klebsiella in urine and klebsiella spp in the aspirates of the affected knee joint, elbow joint and femoral osteomyelitis. A screen for HIV 1 and 2 were non-reactive.Multidisciplinary approach was applied to the patient who was finally discharged home on a wheelchair. This case reflects not only the high susceptibility of SCD patients to infection, but also the morbidity and the attendant complications. It also highlights the need to forestall VOC which often predisposes to osteomyelitis. There is a need to have a highly organized, well-equipped and highly subsidized Sickle Cell and rehabilitation center in Nigeria in order to improve the medical care for SCD patients. PMID:22708038

We report the complete nucleotide sequence of DNA-A of a begomovirus naturally infecting Jatropha curcas L. in Nigeria. Symptoms observed on infected plants were severe mosaic, mottling and blistering of leaves. The virus, which we provisionally name "jatropha mosaic Nigeria virus" (JMNV), has a monopartite genome of 2,779 to 2,789 nucleotides. Pairwise comparisons of DNA-A sequences showed that JMNV had maximum nucleotide sequence identity (72%) with a strain of tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Since there are widespread infections of jatropha in Nigeria showing similar symptoms as those investigated in the present study, JMNV may represent a significant threat to a promising bioenergy crop. PMID:23074041

In Nigeria, the dominant type of basement rock intersected by wells drilled for hydrocarbons, limestone, or water is granite. The three sedimentary basins in Nigeria are underlain by continental crust except in the Niger delta, where the basement rock is interpreted to be oceanic crust. Most of the wells that penetrated the basement are in the Eastern Dahomey embayment of western Nigeria. A maximum thickness of about 12,000 m of sedimentary rocks is attained in the offshore western Niger delta, but maximum thicknesses of sedimentary rocks are about 2,000 m in the Chad basin and only 500 m in the Sokoto embayment.

ABSTRACT Most writing on informed consent in Africa highlights different cultural and social attributes that influence informed consent practices, especially in research settings. This review presents a composite picture of informed consent in Nigeria using empirical studies and legal and regulatory prescriptions, as well as clinical experience. It shows that Nigeria, like most other nations in Africa, is a mixture of sociocultural entities, and, notwithstanding the multitude of factors affecting it, informed consent is evolving along a purely Western model. Empirical studies show that 70-95% of Nigerian patients report giving consent for their surgical treatments. Regulatory prescriptions and adjudicated cases in Nigeria follow the Western model of informed consent. However, adversarial l...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The herbal preparation DAS-77, used for the treatment of various ailments in Nigeria, contains the milled bark of Mangifera indica L. and root of Carica papaya L. Toxicological assessment of the preparation was carried out in this study. METHODS: In the acute toxicity study, DAS-77 was administered to mice p.o.up to 10 g/kg and i.p. at 250-3000 mg/kg. Mortality within 24 h was recorded. In the chronic toxicity study, rats were treated p.o. for 90 days at doses of 80, 400 (therapeutic dose, TD) and 2000 mg/kg. By 90 days, animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Organs were harvested for weight determination, antioxidants and histopathological assessments. RESULTS: DAS-77 did not produce any lethality administered p.o. up to 10 g/kg but the i.p. LD50 was 1122.0 mg/kg. At TD, DAS-77 produced significant (p<0.05) reductions in body weight, food intake and K+, and increases in ovary weight, neutrophils and HDL, which were reversible. Histopathological presentations were generally normal. Effects at the other doses were comparable to those at TD except for reversible increases in antioxidants in the liver, kidney and testes, and sperm abnormality, and reductions in liver enzymes, sperm motility and count. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study revealed that DAS-77 is relatively safe with the potential for enhancing in vivo antioxidant activity. However, possibly reversible side-effects include electrolyte imbalance and sterility in males. PMID:22892317

Inappropriate solid waste management practices in schools in less-developed countries, particularly in major urban communities, constitute one of the major factors leading to declining environmental health conditions. The objective of the authors' descriptive, cross-sectional study was to assess solid waste management problems in selected urban schools in Ibadan, Nigeria. Eight secondary schools with average pupil populations not less than 500 per school were selected randomly. Four hundred questionnaires (50 per school) were administered. In addition, an observational checklist was used to assess the physical environment. Paper and plastics were the most frequently generated wastes. Common methods of solid waste disposal reported were use of dustbins for collection and open burning. Major problems perceived with current refuse disposal methods by the study students were odors, pest infestation, and spillages. Littering and spillages of solid waste were also common features reported. Data suggested inadequate waste management facilities and practices in study schools. The lack of refuse bins may have contributed to waste spillages and the burning practices. Odors may have arisen from both the decay of overstored organic waste rich in moisture and emissions from refuse burning. This scenario poses a community environmental health nuisance and may compromise school environmental quality. PMID:21949981

This paper describes a three-year project designed to build the capacity of members of research ethics committes to perform their roles and responsibilities efficiently and effectively. The project participants were made up of a cross-section of the membership of 13 Research Ethics Committees (RECs) functioning in Nigeria. They received training to develop their capacity to evaluate research protocols, monitor trial implementation, provide constructive input to trial staff, and assess the trial's success in promoting community engagement in the research. Following the training, technical assistance was provided to participants on an ongoing basis and the project's impacts were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicate that sustained investment in capacity building efforts (including training, ongoing technical assistance, and the provision of multiple tools) improved the participants' knowledge of both the ethical principles relevant to biomedical research and how effective REC should function. Such investment was also shown to have a positive impact on the knowledge levels of other RECs members (those who did not receive training) and the overall operations of the RECs to which the participants belonged. Building the capacity of REC members to fulfill their roles effectively requires sustained effort and investment and pays off by enabling RECs to fulfill their essential mission of ensuring that trials are conducted safely and ethically. PMID:22998425

Physico-chemical properties of surface water and groundwater samples from some developing countries have been subjected to multivariate analyses by the non-parametric multi-criteria decision-making methods, PROMETHEE and GAIA. Complete ranking information necessary to select one source of water in preference to all others was obtained, and this enabled relationships between the physico-chemical properties and water quality to be assessed. Thus, the ranking of the quality of the water bodies was found to be strongly dependent on the total dissolved solid, phosphate, sulfate, ammonia nitrogen, calcium, iron, chloride, magnesium, zinc, nitrate and fluoride contents of the waters. However, potassium, manganese and zinc composition showed the least influence in differentiating the water bodies. To model and predict the water quality influencing parameters, partial least squares analyses were carried out on a matrix made up of the results of water quality assessment studies carried out in Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Egypt, Thailand and India/Pakistan. The results showed that the total dissolved solid, calcium, sulfate, sodium and chloride contents can be used to predict a wide range of physico-chemical characteristics of water. The potential implications of these observations on the financial and opportunity costs associated with elaborate water quality monitoring are discussed.

In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio, which led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). In 2012, however, the transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) continued uninterrupted in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, leading the World Health Assembly to declare completion of polio eradication a programmatic emergency for global public health. This report updates previous reports and describes polio eradication activities and progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan during January 2011-August 2012, as of September 9, 2012. During 2011, 80 WPV cases were confirmed in Afghanistan, compared with 25 WPV cases in 2010; 17 WPV cases were confirmed during January-August 2012, compared with 34 WPV cases for the same period in 2011. In Pakistan, 198 WPV cases were confirmed in 2011, compared with 144 WPV cases in 2010; 30 WPV cases were confirmed during January-August 2012, compared with 88 WPV cases during the same period in 2011. During January 2011-August 2012, no WPV type 3 (WPV3) cases were confirmed in Afghanistan, and four confirmed WPV3 cases and one case with coinfection of WPV3 and WPV type 1 (WPV1) were reported in Pakistan. Violence targeting vaccinators has occurred previously in Afghanistan and recently in Pakistan. To progress further toward interruption of WPV transmission within their countries and across their shared border, the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan might consider reviewing the implementation of their national emergency action plans and determine how to enhance the safety of vaccination teams within conflict-affected areas of both countries. PMID:23034587

We assessed whether increase of subchondral bone density enhances cartilage stress during impact loading, leading to progressive cartilage degeneration and accelerated osteoarthrosis (OA) progression. Sixty-six male guinea pigs were randomly divided into six groups. During a 9-week treatment period,...

Background: The progression of Wilson disease (WD), a disorder of copper metabolism, can be arrested by chelation therapy. However, neurologic deficits may persist despite adequate treatment. MRI is used to assess patients with WD, but previous attempts to correlate clinical progression with the inv...

Nov 5, 2009 ... Install Unity intermodule ventilation modification .... did medical missions in Venezuela and Nigeria. ... necessary to be acquired by the Tracking ...... virulence factors of S. pneumonia. ..... For fact sheets, imagery and more on ...

heavy industry in space involving material tonnages and energy expen ditures on the scale of terrestrial ...... UAE KUW IPSAUDI AABI ad. 600. NIGERIA. NEEDED ...... I just can't resist remarking that all of that waste that you had indicated there ...

Shuttle was also a product of the Cold War environment of the nation. ...... erosion , deposition, and chemical ...... on a delta rocket to provide new information about the effects of clouds and aerosols ... the borders of Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and ...

In Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Portuguese Oversea. Spa ...... Federal Republic of Germany, the band 1540 to 1660 MHz is also allocated to the fixed ... application of satellite techniques should first consider the poss- ibility ...

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the skill requirements for the practice of corporate real estate management (CREM) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - Questionnaires were distributed to 270 practising estate firms in Lagos State, Nigeria, 145 final year students of Estate Management in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria as well as corporate real executive officers of the 24 recapitalised commercial banks, 21 insurance and five GSM communication companies in Nigeria. A total of 260 questionnaires (58 per cent) were returned and found useful for the study. The study adopted the descriptive method of percentages, mean and proportion method for analysis. Findings - The study found that in rank order, the skill requirements for CREM were financial performance skill, investm...

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Nigeria is in the early stages of carrying out its new national policy on sexuality and reproductive health education. Worldwide, school-based programs are an important element of efforts to improve the reproductive health of young people. This paper revi...

Oct 13, 2012 ... South of Idah, the Niger River ballooned into a sprawling temporary lake. Flash floods are common in Nigeria in the rainy season (May to September), ... floods had affected several other countries in west and central Africa by ...

Oct 13, 2012 ... South of Idah, the Niger River ballooned into a sprawling temporary lake. Flash floods are common in Nigeria in the rainy season (May to September), ... floods had affected several other countries in west and central Africa by ...

This review includes 43 countries, i.e., all of Africa except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, UAR, and Sudan. Overall statistics for Central and Southern Africa were severely affected by the civil war in Nigeria, which broke out at midyear, nearly closing petroleum operations in that country. Total annual production for Central and Southern Africa decreased 12.7% to 146,535,030 bbl. The decrease was mainly the result of partial shutdown in Nigeria. Gabon recorded a 132% increase whereas production in Angola and Congo declined 14.6% and 19.4%, respectively. No other countries produced oil in 1967. Exploratory drilling reached a new high of 149 wells completed, of which 24.6% were successful. Twenty-six discoveries were made in Nigeria and important discoveries also were made in Angola, Cameroun, Gabon, and Mozambique. In Angola, Gabon, and Nigeria, 122 development wells were drilled with 74.6% success.

The eclipse path begins in the tropical climate of northeastern Brazil, south of the ... Over northern Nigeria, the winds flowing into the ITCZ originate over the Sahara ..... The depressions have preferred basins for development, one of which lies ...

Mar 5, 2009... of Wautersia bacteria), condensate water (0.0 L), waste/EMU dump and other ... Yuri also took care of the regular daily IMS (Inventory Management ... CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Lagos, Nigeria Aerosol (the ...

Feb 28, 2009... includes removal of food waste products, cleaning of compartments with vacuum ... while tracking moves in the IMS (Inventory Management System). .... CEO photo targets uplinked for today were Lagos, Nigeria Aerosol ...

management of the earth's resources and for the protection of the environment that forms ..... toward the south will be extended toward Nigeria in the heart of Africa. ... about environmentally harmful industrial wastes in water and atmos- phere ...

Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Nigeria, Saudi. Arabia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, as well ... lar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System ..... Over the ocean, in addition to rain rates, AMSR-E provides sea ...

...286EAdditional allocation: in Cape Verde, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria...limited to the operation of wind profiler radars in accordance...arrival.G129Federal wind profilers are authorized...following conditions: (1) wind profiler locations...

This paper assesses whether human communication systems undergo the same progressive adaptation seen in animal communication systems and concrete artefacts. Four experiments compared the fitness of ad hoc sign systems created under different conditions when participants play a graphical communicatio...

This progress report is comprised of 5 summaries of manuscripts devoted to investigations of the behavior of transposable insertion sequences, unusual recombinational events, and alternative means of assessing genetic homology.

...student's lack of academic development in...scores, or other performance measures are...Learner's lack of academic progress in reading...assessment and intervention to maximize student...instruction and academic interventions. Retrieved...

Representative titles under this category are Assessing Technology Transfer, Conference .... Bioenergetics of Space Suits for Lunar Exploration ..... American, European, Asian, and Australian scientists reporting on research progress in the ...

The present study evaluated serial serum measurements of tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) in comparison with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for assessment of tumour progression in patients with advanced prostate cancer receiving intermittent androgen suppression therapy (IAS). Twenty-three...

...subject areas, such as mathematics, reading, writing, science, U.S. history, civics, geography, economics, technology and engineering literacy, and the arts. The National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act...

to assess NASA's research progress for compliance with the Government ...... knowledge; incorporates results into complex computational models that can be used to ...... volcanic inflation and inundation dynamics from lahars and floods.

The LLL safeguards research program includes inspection methods, facility assessment methodologies, value-impact analysis, vulnerability analysis of accounting systems, compliance with regulations, process monitoring, etc. Each of those projects is described as are their goals and progress. (DLC)

Elf Angola and Elf Petroleum Nigeria (subsidiary companies of TotalFinaElf) have adopted the solution of electro-chlorination of Socrematic, Sterelec, for their offshore sites of Girassol (Angola) and of Amenam Kpono (Nigeria); searchers are thinking to use the ocean deeps to store carbon dioxide at 800 m depth, the carbon dioxide will be dissolved into water and will not come up to the surface again until several hundred years, the only disadvantage: the acidification of water. (O.M.)

In this report present key achievements for each of the various cooperation countries. Oil for Development (OfD) assistance has been important for the ability of a country like Ghana to improve petroleum resource management on its most important oil and gas field, and to better safeguard that the petroleum activities are conducted in an environmentally sustainable way. Competence building on Increased Oil Recovery (IOR), and negotiation training have helped to increase both the resource extraction potential and the revenue generation potential of a more mature oil producing country like Iraq. Furthermore, OfD has contributed to improving the legislative frameworks in several of our cooperating countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia and Madagascar, although it will take time before we can assess to what extent the laws have been implemented. OfD's strong focus on providing legal assistance reflects our belief that clear divisions of roles and firm legal mandates are prerequisites for good governance of the petroleum sector and for attracting serious investors. A lot of our capacity building took place through seminars and more tailored workshops with a national or regional scope. We believe that some of these events have significantly increased awareness as well as the level of debate among government institutions and civil society. The oil production accounting workshop in Nigeria and the NOC workshop in Timor-Leste are particularly valid examples. Timor-Leste also addressed other petroleum sector governance issues with a focus on including civil society and by the end of 2009 had nearly fulfilled all criteria for becoming Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) compliant. It should be noted that OfD assistance only made a relatively small contribution to this process, which was very much nationally driven. Petroleum related environmental issues were addressed at different levels and from different angles. A thorough environmental needs assessment was conducted for the petroleum sector in Ghana, and will provide the basis for future capacity building in this area. In Uganda, the first part of the Albertine Graben sensitivity atlas will provide an important input for the planned strategic environmental assessment (SEA) related to the petroleum sector. In Vietnam, Petrovietnam conducted a baseline study which found that steering documentation and guidelines for health, safety and environment had to a large extent been developed, and that implementation of the steering documentation had been 30% completed by end 2009. The political situation in some of the cooperating countries has led to no or limited progress in the OfD programmes. In Madagascar, one of the core countries, cooperation was frozen in March 2009 and has not yet been resumed. In Mauritania cooperation was stopped in 2008 after the military coup, but was resumed in December 2009 after elections had been held. On the Palestinian Territory the programme continues, but no activities were carried out in 2009 due to the conflict with Israel. In 2009, OfD received a number of new requests for Norwegian assistance in petroleum sector management. There was not enough spare capacity within the programme to increase the number of bilateral cooperation countries, but we have done our best to meet the increased demand by stepping up our regional efforts, particularly in West Africa. We also continued to cooperate closely with the World Bank and the IMF, as well as with other multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and the UNDP. The assistance provided to government institutions was supplemented by support of local civil society organizations through Norwegian and international non-governmental organizations. In 2009, seven Norwegian organizations, in addition to the international organizations Revenue Watch Institute and Global Witness, were granted funds for this purpose. Thematically, OfD continued the three-pronged approach to sound petroleum sector governance: resource management, environmental management and revenue management. These three areas constitute a thematic whole, and governance principles such as sustainability, transparency and accountability are cross-cutting. To make our perspective more operational, we developed an indicator based check-list for governance of the petroleum sector. This list will be an important tool for OfD in planning new programmes and revising the existing ones. The overarching goal of all Norwegian development assistance is to reduce poverty. Through OfD, we aim to use Norway's specialist expertise to assist developing countries in managing their petroleum resources in a way that generates economic growth and promotes the welfare of the whole population in an environmentally sustainable way. The direct assistance of OfD covers, however, only a limited, albeit crucial, part of the results chain that ends with poverty reduction.

The ES&H Progress Assessments are part of the Department`s continuous improvement process throughout DOE and its contractor organizations. The purpose of the INEL ES&H Progress Assessment is to provide the Department with concise independent information on the following: (1) change in culture and attitude related to ES&H activities; (2) progress and effectiveness of the ES&H corrective actions resulting from previous Tiger Team Assessments; (3) adequacy and effectiveness of the ES&H self-assessment programs of the DOE line organizations and the site management and operating contractor; and (4) effectiveness of DOE and contractor management structures, resources, and systems to effectively address ES&H problems. It is not intended that this Progress Assessment be a comprehensive compliance assessments of ES&H activities. The points of reference for assessing programs at the INEL were, for the most part, the 1991 INEL Tiger Team Assessment, the INEL Corrective Action Plan, and recent appraisals and self-assessments of INEL. Horizontal and vertical reviews of the following programmatic areas were conducted: Management: Corrective action program; self-assessment; oversight; directives, policies, and procedures; human resources management; and planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. Environment: Air quality management, surface water management, groundwater protection, and environmental radiation. Safety and Health: Construction safety, worker safety and OSHA, maintenance, packaging and transportation, site/facility safety review, and industrial hygiene.

Fetal heart rate monitors, including the newer pulse-oximetry and STAN monitors, are designed to detect fetal distress that affects less than 1% of women in labor. Non-progressive labor is a much more common disorder than fetal distress, with approximately 50% of women in labor requiring oxytocin. Current technology assessing labor progress is subjective and inaccurate. There is a need for objective and accurate technology to measure labor progress and the effect it may have on managing labor and, specifically, non-progressive labor. PMID:16690509

Abstract in spanish OBJETIVO: Elaborar un diagrama adecuado para evaluar el riesgo de tricomoniasis, clamidiasis y gonorrea en una población de mujeres adolescentes, no todas las cuales habían tenido experiencias sexuales o mantenían en ese momento una relación. MÉTODOS: Los datos empleados para elaborar el diagrama se obtuvieron a partir de estudios microbiológicos transversales de muchachas de 14 a 19 años de Port Harcourt (Nigeria). En el diagrama se hace un cribado teniendo en cue (more) nta (i) la experiencia sexual; (ii) la actividad sexual reciente; (iii) la eventual positividad de la prueba de la esterasa leucocitaria (EL) en orina; y (iv), entre los casos EL-negativos, los antecedentes de flujo maloliente o pruriginoso. RESULTADOS: De todas las adolescentes sometidas a ese cribado, el 26,2% recibieron tratamiento contra una cervicitis o vaginitis, y las infecciones por clamidias, gonococos y tricomonas fueron diagnosticadas correctamente en el 37,5%, 66,7%, y 50% de los casos, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Tratándose de una población de adolescentes, el diagrama es preferible al algoritmo para flujo vaginal empleado en los protocolos de manejo sindrómico, pero adolece aún de imprecisión y ha de ser adaptado a las condiciones locales. Abstract in english OBJECTIVE: To devise a flowchart suitable for assessing risk of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea in an adolescent population, not all of whom will be sexually experienced or currently in a relationship. METHODS: The data used to derive the flowchart were generated from cross-sectional microbiological surveys of girls aged 14-19 years in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The flowchart screened on the basis of: (i) sexual experience; (ii) recent sexual activity; (iii) a posit (more) ive urine leukocyte esterase (LE) test; and (iv) among LE negatives, a history of malodorous/pruritic discharge. FINDINGS: Using this flowchart, we found that 26.2% of all adolescents screened would receive treatment for cervicitis and vaginitis. Chlamydial, gonococcal, and trichomonal infections were correctly diagnosed in 37.5%, 66.7%, and 50 % of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the flowchart is more suitable for an adolescent population than the vaginal discharge algorithm used in syndromic management protocols, it still lacks precision and needs adapting to local settings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Disease progression of osteoarthritis is usually assessed using radiographs. Utilizing sensitive measures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may allow us to understand the progressive trajectory of this disease from initial to joint failure stages. This review aims to describe the recent epidemiological and clinical evidence about osteoarthritis disease progression and the risk factors associated with disease progression. RECENT FINDINGS: Changes in MRI-detected structural abnormalities, including increases in cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions (BMLs), loss of cartilage volume and thickness, and alterations of compositional measures, have been utilized to assess osteoarthritis disease progression. Both clinical risk factors (such as obesity or body fat, muscle weakness, malalignment, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and joint pain) and joint structural factors (such as cartilage defects, BMLs, meniscal pathology, synovitis, and radiographic features) have been associated with osteoarthritis disease progression. With the modification of these factors through interventions such as weight loss, we may slow the progression. SUMMARY: MRI techniques allow us to measure osteoarthritis disease progression and to discover novel risk factors for prevention and innovative strategies for treatment. These also allow identifying persons at greatest risk of disease progression, which may enhance the efficiency of clinical trials through reducing sample size and shortening follow-up period. PMID:23080226

Agricultural sector PV market assessments conducted in the Phillippines, Nigeria, Mexico, Morocco, and Colombia are extrapolated worldwide. The types of applications evaluated are those requiring less than 15 kW of power and operate in a stand alone mode. The major conclusions were as follows: PV will be competitive in applications requiring 2 to 3 kW of power prior to 1983; by 1986 PV system competitiveness will extend to applications requiring 4 to 6 kW of power, due to capital constraints, the private sector market may be restricted to applications requiring less than about 2 kW of power; the ultimate purchase of larger systems will be governments, either through direct purchase or loans from development banks. Though fragmented, a significant agriculture sector market for PV exists; however, the market for PV in telecommunications, signalling, rural services, and TV will be larger. Major market related factors influencing the potential for U.S. PV Sales are: lack of awareness; high first costs; shortage of long term capital; competition from German, French and Japanese companies who have government support; and low fuel prices in capital surplus countries. Strategies that may aid in overcoming some of these problems are: setting up of a trade association aimed at overcoming problems due to lack of awareness, innovative financing schemes such as lease arrangements, and designing products to match current user needs as opposed to attempting to change consumer behavior.

This article examines the effectiveness of instructional technology in higher education institutions in relation to the role and usage of Information Communication Technology (ICT), its effectiveness in faculty teaching and its impact on student learning in universities in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. This study applied the Need Assessment Approach (NAA). A self-designed questionnaire, that employed benchmarks from similar studies conducted in the West, was used to collect data for this study. One hundred and twenty five (n = 125) respondents participated in the study. The results suggest that there are significant relationships between the impact of instructional technology, the usage of instructional technology and students' academic achievement. An absence of ICT instructional materials, ineffective policy implementation and a lack of other resources (infrastructures) to aid teaching and learning are responsible for short comings in the effective implementation of ICT in education. The study revealed that experience makes it easier to employ and exhibit greater proficiency when using ICT instructional material in the teaching and learning process. The findings and nature of this study bare implications for higher education administrators, faculty and researchers. By design, this research was based on a narrow field of literature and a small sample size. Consequently, it is recommended that further studies are based on a more widespread survey of literature and a larger sample size, which might also involve multiple case studies. (Contains 3 figures and 3 tables.)

Environmental change in the Sudan-Sahel region of West Africa (SSWA) has been much debated since the droughts of the 1970s. In this article we assess climate variability and environmental stress in the region. Households in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria were asked about climatic changes and their perceptions were compared across north-south and west-east rainfall gradients. More than 80% of all households found that rainfall had decreased, especially in the wettest areas. Increases in wind speeds and temperature were perceived by an overall 60-80% of households. Contrary to household perceptions, observed rainfall patterns showed an increasing trend over the past 20 years. However, August rainfall declined, and could therefore potentially explain the contrasting negative household perceptions of rainfall trends. Most households reported degradation of soils, water resources, vegetation, and fauna, but more so in the 500-900 mm zones. Adaptation measures to counter environmental degradation included use of manure, reforestation, soil and water conservation, and protection of fauna and vegetation. The results raise concerns for future environmental management in the region, especially in the 500-900 mm zones and the western part of SSWA. PMID:22270527

Sickle Cell disease is a major genetic disorder in tropical Africa; its severity is often ameliorated by the presence of high levels of HbF, which is genetically determined. HbF was assessed in healthy Nigeria adults using the two minutes alkali denaturation method of Betke. The subjects studied included twenty-six males and twenty-four females all with HbA this was compared with twenty heterozygotes (HbAS). The mean HbF of the entire subject studied was 2.5 +/- 1.7% (range 0.4-12.8%). The mean value for Individuals with HbA genotype was 2.7 +/- 3.4% (range 0.4-12.8%). While the AS subject had a mean of 2.4 +/- 2.2% (range 0.7-8.4%). Twenty-two percent of the population studied had value greater than 3%. The high Level of HbF among healthy adults is believed to be genetic and related to the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in this sub-region. The association between HbF and high Persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) and the thalassaemias are discussed. PMID:14529224

A shallow electromagnetic evaluation of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria main road base integrity has been undertaken in this study with the aim of identifying probable zones of untimely failure. Controlled-Source Electromagnetic Method (CSEM) was adopted for the study. The road segment investigated is underlain by four different lithologic units, which are the migmatite gneiss, quartzites, charnockite and granites along the west-east direction of the campus. Quadrature phase (conductivity) and in-phase (magnetic susceptibility) were measured in both vertical and horizontal dipoles. While the vertical dipole mode has a probing depth of 6 m, the horizontal dipole mode probes at a depth of 3 m. The range of quadrature and in-phase values obtained for horizontal dipole mode is from 6 to 50 mS m-1 and 0.808 to 20.47 ppt, respectively. For vertical dipole mode, the range of quadrature and in-phase values are -21.00 -71.00 mS m-1 and -20.07 to 20.47 ppt. The ratio of vertical conductivity value (CV) to horizontal conductivity value (CH) i.e., CV/CH was utilized in assessing road-base performance. Road stability was observed where this ratio is greater than 1 (CV/CH>1) while signs of distress characterized where the ratio is less than or equal to 1 (CV/CH = 1) in vertical dipole. Likewise, relatively high magnetic susceptibility values in vertical dipole mode characterized zones of early distress. This technique is presumed useful in fast and cheap roadwork performance evaluation.

In this study, we assessed whether peer education is an effective method of HIV/AIDS awareness, in terms of knowledge, misconception and behavior, among adolescents in the rural area of Nigeria. A comparative case series (n = 250), cross-sectional structured survey (n = 135) and focus group discussions (n = 80) were undertaken among adolescents. In both the case series and structured survey, a questionnaire was used which addresses the following issues: socio-demography, knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, accessibility to different sources of HIV/AIDS information, stigmatization and sexual behavior. Binary logistic regression was applied to compare responses from the peer-educated and not peer-educated populations. The model was adjusted for confounders. We demonstrated increased knowledge and decreased misconception and sexual risk behavior in adolescents receiving peer education as compared to adolescents not receiving peer education. These differences are apparent both over time (2005-2007) and cross-sectional (2007). In conclusion, peer education in rural areas can be effective in HIV/AIDS prevention. Knowledge and behavior can be influenced positively.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a schistosome-endemic rural community in Southwestern Nigeria. We assessed prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted nematodes and the co-occurrence with Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni. Urine and stool samples from 419 schoolchildren were examined, and a questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic characteristics. In total, 78.3% (328/419) were infected with at least one helminth species, with a prevalence (mean egg-count) of 55.1% (3069.2) of Ascaris lumbricoides, 41.1% (127.5) of S. haematobium, 22.7% (98.6) of hookworms, 17.9% (161.3) of Trichuris trichiura, and 10.3% (12.9) of S. mansoni. Multiple infections were significantly more common among children from households with more playmates, absence of toilet facilities and low income level (all plumbricoides infections was increased in co-infections with S. haematobium. Logistic regression analysis revealed infections by hookworms and S. mansoni (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.90, 95% Cl: 2.03-7.46; p<0.0001), and by hookworms and T. trichiura (aOR=2.46, 95% Cl: 1.44-4.22; p=0.001) as significant risk factors for multiple infections. Our study shows that polyparasitism is common in the study area. Focused interventions such as mass treatment with anthelminthics and health education are needed to improve the well-being of the affected population. PMID:22440198

In this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, we surveyed the attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of rubber dams (RDs) among dentists in southern Nigeria. The questionnaire, which was distributed and collected by one of the authors, requested information on the dentists' background characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge. Data were analyzed with SPSS, and the chi-square was used to assess differences in categorical variables. A total of 100 out of 108 dentists responded (92.6% response rate). The prevalence of RD use was 18%. Dentists in the government sector used RDs more often than did dentists in the private sector. About 77% of dentists had not used RDs or were unaware of how to use them. All specialists had seen RDs, but only 56% had used one in their practice. All dentists believed in the effectiveness of RDs. We conclude that rubber dams are underutilized in this population, and that dentists need to be made aware of the possibility of rubber dam use through an awareness campaign. (J Oral Sci 52, 245-249, 2010)   

This study assessed the practice of disposing of waste from the eight dental clinics of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. All the cleaners (14) in the hospitals were surveyed through questionnaire. Information obtained from the cleaners included socio-economic characteristics (biodata), personal protection, facilities available for them to work with and job satisfaction. Two soil samples were obtained from the open dump site (0.15 and 0.30 m depth) and two water samples were also collected (at 0.00 and 50.00 m) within the vicinity of the dump site. Both the soil and water samples were taken to the central science laboratory for chemical analyses. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 cleaners were not satisfied with their job. The laboratory findings suggested a very high content of lead, chromium, mercury, cadmium and manganese in both soil and water samples in comparison with the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency standards. The study concludes that the use of tooth-coloured restorative materials and digital X-ray facility to serve as alternatives to the generation of these wastes is recommended and that farming activities should not be allowed in the area until an audit of the soil and water have been performed. PMID:20124316

Although several reports have demonstrated the acutely toxic and genotoxic effects of landfill leachates in microbial organisms, plants and aquatic animals, the effects of pollutants present in these leachates have not been clarified yet in terrestrial animals. This study mainly aimed to evaluate a potential genetic effect of raw and simulated leachates from Orita-Aperin and Oworonsoki landfills in south-west Nigeria by use of the murine sperm-head abnormality test. These landfills neither have a synthetic membrane liner at the bottom, nor a natural layer of compacted soil with the desired hydraulic conductivity, nor a run-off control system. As a result, the leachates produced are discharged into the environment. Samples designated as Orita-Aperin Raw Leachate (OARL), Orita-Aperin Simulated Leachate (OASL), Oworonsoki Raw Leachate (OWRL) and Oworonsoki Simulated Leachate (OWSL) were analyzed in the sperm-head abnormality test at concentrations (v/v) of 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 25%. Mice were given 0.5 ml sample per day for five consecutive days by intraperitoneal injection. Each dose group comprised seven mice, and a 5-week exposure period was utilized. The data show that the test mixtures induced a dose-dependent, statistically significant increase (Pwaste management, and for the assessment of the hazardous effects of the chemicals in landfill leachates. PMID:15781207

Prevention of new HIV infections needs to move to the forefront in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In the current economic crisis, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) should invest limited resources to amass reliable evidence-based information about behavioral prevention efforts, and on behaviors that are driving the epidemic among people who are engaging in those behaviors. This paper aims to provide a systematic review and synthesis of behavioral interventions among a group of people in high HIV-burden countries: heterosexual men in LMICs. The review includes articles published between January 2001 and May 2010 that evaluated behavioral prevention interventions among heterosexual males aged 18+ years in LMICs. The studies were evaluated using the quality assessment tool for quantitative studies developed by the Effective Public Health Practice Project. The review identified 19 articles that met the review's inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in South Africa (n=6); two each in Uganda and Thailand; and one in each of Angola, Brazil, Bulgaria, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. Eight of 19 interventions increased condom use among their respective populations. Those interventions that sought to reduce the number of sexual partners had little effect, and those that addressed alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence had mixed effects. There was no evidence for any specific format of intervention that impacted best on any of the targeted risk behaviors. The paucity of evaluated interventions for heterosexual men in LMICs suggests that adult men in these countries remain underrepresented in HIV prevention efforts. PMID:23111548

Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common disorder worldwide and many affected babies become brain-damaged due to delay in seeking medical consultation. In order to assess the awareness and knowledge of expectant mothers about NNJ, women who registered for antenatal care at a tertiary health facility in the South-western part of Nigeria were consecutively recruited and interviewed by means of a questionnaire. There were 189 participants whose mean age was 30.1 plus or minus 5.2 years. Median parity was 2. Twenty-five (13.2%) of them completed primary education while 88 (46.6%) attended a tertiary institution. All the 189 participants have heard of NNJ, mainly from co-workers - 77 (40.7%) and hospital staff - 73 (38.6%). One hundred and seven respondents (56.6%) knew how to check a baby for NNJ correctly while only 12.2% knew some causes. Ninety-five (49.7%) did not know any danger sign of NNJ and 58 (30.7%) erroneously believed in the efficacy of drugs. Similarly 28 (14.8%) respondents wrongly believed in the use of unproven local remedy. None of the 189 would-be mothers knew any effective preventive measure. It is concluded that expectant mothers do not have adequate knowledge about NNJ. This can hinder effective management of jaundice in their unborn children. Greater public enlightenment campaign is recommended. (Contains 2 tables.)

Abstract in spanish OBJETIVO: Evaluar la validez de las observaciones de Loa loa a nivel ocular y de la tumefacción de Calabar como criterios de evaluación rápida de la prevalencia e intensidad de la loasis a nivel de la comunidad. MÉTODO: Participaron en el estudio 12 895 individuos mayores de 15 años de 102 comunidades de aldeas del Camerún y Nigeria. Se distribuyó entre los participantes un cuestionario normalizado y se les extrajeron muestras de sangre por punción digital para de (more) terminar la presencia de microfilarias de Loa loa. La evaluación rápida de la prevalencia e intensidad de la loasis se hizo a partir de los antecedentes de afectación ocular o de tumefacción de Calabar. RESULTADOS: Se observó una estrecha correlación entre los índices deparados por los procedimientos de evaluación rápida y los índices parasitológicos de endemicidad por L. loa. Los índices de evaluación rápida permiten identificar las comunidades de alto riesgo (sensibilidad: 94%-100%; especificidad: 66%-92%). La sensibilidad y especificidad más altas (100% y 79%-92%, respectivamente) se obtuvieron con el procedimiento de evaluación rápida basado en el criterio de unos antecedentes de afectación ocular de 1-7 días de duración, confirmados por el reconocimiento guiado, en una fotografía, de una filaria adulta de L. loa en el ojo. CONCLUSIÓN: Es posible efectuar una evaluación rápida de la prevalencia y la intensidad de la loasis a nivel comunitario utilizando como criterio la observación del nematodo en el ojo por espacio de uno a siete días, confirmada por el reconocimiento guiado, en una fotografía, de un ejemplar adulto de L. loa en el ojo. Abstract in english OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of observations on eye worm and Calabar swellings for the rapid assessment of the prevalence and intensity of loiasis at the community level. METHOD: A total of 12 895 individuals over the age of 15 years living in 102 communities in Cameroon and Nigeria took part in the study. A standardized questionnaire was administered to participants from whom finger-prick blood samples were collected and examined for Loa loa microfilariae. Rapid ass (more) essments of the prevalence and intensity of loiasis were made on the basis of a history of eye worm or Calabar swellings. FINDINGS: There was a strong correlation between the indices of the rapid assessment procedures and the parasitological indices of L. loa endemicity. The rapid assessment indices were effective in diagnosing high-risk communities (sensitivity 94-100%; specificity 66-92%). The highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (92%) were obtained with a rapid assessment procedure based on a history of eye worm lasting 1-7 days together with confirmation by the guided recognition of a photograph of adult L. loa in the eye. CONCLUSION: Rapid assessment of the prevalence and intensity of loiasis at the community level can be achieved using a procedure based on the history of eye worm lasting 1-7 days together with confirmation by the guided recognition of a photograph of an adult L. loa in the eye.

This report documents progress for the following major research projects: stabilization, engineering, and monitoring alternatives assessment for improving regulation of uranium recovery operations and waste management; attenuation of radon emission from uranium tailings; assessment of leachate movement from uranium mill tailings; and methods of minimizing ground-water contaminants from in-situ leach uranium mining.

In recent years important progress has been made in assessment of the lifetime behaviour of concrete bridges. Due to the large uncertainties related to the loading and the deterioration of such bridges, an assessment based on stochastic modelling of the significant parameters seems to be only releva...

For product control and quality assessment of ester oils efficient analytical methods are needed. This is especially true for the assessment of used oils. It is shown with neopentylpolyol ester oils that capillary gas chromatography in combination with chemical ionization (NH/sub 3/)-mass spectrometry presents a considerable progress in the characterization of complex ester oils and their additive systems.

An integration of sedimentologic and 3D seismic data provides a basis for unraveling complex depositional processes and sand distribution of the Intra Qua Iboe (IQI) reservoir (Pliocene), Edop Field, offshore Nigeria. Nearly 3,000 feet of conventional core was examined in interpreting slump/slide/debris flow, bottom current, turbidity current, pelagic/hemipelagic, wave and tide dominated facies. The IQI was deposited on an upper slope in close proximity to the shelf edge. Through time, as the shelf edge migrated seaward, deposition began with a turbidite channel dominated slope system (IQI 1 and 2) and progressed through a slump/debris flow dominated slope system (IQI 3, the principal reservoir) to a tide and wave dominated, collapsed shelf-edge deltaic system (IQI 4). Using seismic time slices and corresponding depositional facies in the core, a sandy {open_quotes}fairway{open_quotes} has been delineated in the IQI 3. Because of differences in stacking patterns of sandy and muddy slump intervals, seismic facies show: (1) both sheet-like and mounded external forms (geometries), and (2) parallel/continuous as well as chaotic/hummocky internal reflections. In wireline logs, slump facies exhibits blocky, coarsening-up, fining-up, and serrated motifs. In the absence of conventional core, slump facies may be misinterpreted and even miscorrelated because seismic facies and log motifs of slumps and debris flows tend to mimic properties of turbidite fan deposits. The slump dominated reservoir facies is composed of unconsolidated fine-grained sand. Thickness of individual units varies from 1 to 34 feet, but amalgamated intervals reach a thickness of up to 70 feet and apparently form connected sand bodies. Porosity commonly ranges from 20 to 35%. Horizontal permeability commonly ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 md.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic parasitic diseases and related conditions that are the most common diseases among the 2.7 billion people globally living on less than US$2 per day. In response to the growing challenge of NTDs, Ethiopia is preparing to launch a NTD Master Plan. The purpose of this review is to underscore the burden of NTDs in Ethiopia, highlight the state of current interventions, and suggest ways forward. RESULTS: This review indicates that NTDs are significant public health problems in Ethiopia. From the analysis reported here, Ethiopia stands out for having the largest number of NTD cases following Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ethiopia is estimated to have the highest burden of trachoma, podoconiosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the second highest burden in terms of ascariasis, leprosy and visceral leishmaniasis, and the third highest burden of hookworm. Infections such as schistosomiasis, trichuriasis, lymphatic filariasis and rabies are also common. A third of Ethiopians are infected with ascariasis, one quarter is infected with trichuriasis and one in eight Ethiopians lives with hookworm or is infected with trachoma. However, despite these high burdens of infection, the control of most NTDs in Ethiopia is in its infancy. In terms of NTD control achievements, Ethiopia reached the leprosy elimination target of 1 case/10,000 population in 1999. No cases of human African trypanosomiasis have been reported since 1984. Guinea worm eradication is in its final phase. The Onchocerciasis Control Program has been making steady progress since 2001. A national blindness survey was conducted in 2006 and the trachoma program has kicked off in some regions. Lymphatic Filariasis, podoconiosis and rabies mapping are underway. CONCLUSION: Ethiopia bears a significant burden of NTDs compared to other SSA countries. To achieve success in integrated control of NTDs, integrated mapping, rapid scale up of interventions and operational research into co implementation of intervention packages will be crucial. PMID:23095679

Nigeria's desire to maximize the benefits of space technology for its sustainable development, has become a reality with the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in May 1999 and the approval of the national Space Policy and Programmes in July 2001. In November, 2000, the Federal Government took a bold step with the signing of an agreement with the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) of United Kingdom (UK) for the design, construction and launch of a medium resolution micro-satellite - NigeriaSat-1 with a Ground Sampling Distance of thirty-two (32) meters. The agreement also covers the Know-How-Technology-Training (KHTT) to Nigerian Engineers and Scientists for a period of 18th months at SSTL‘s facility in the U.K.. NigeriaSat-1 was successfully launched into Leo Earth Orbit on 27th September, 2003. NigeriaSat- 1 is one of the five (5) satellites belonging to Nigeria, Algeria, Turkey, United Kingdom and China being operated in a Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The launch of NigeriaSat-1 has promoted access to information which has become a strategy for mass socio-economic development, as information underscores all developmental effort be it in education, provision of health services, marketing, construction industry, tourism, defense, etc. As a follow-up to the successful launch of NigeriaSat-1, the government of Nigeria started the implementation of a Nigerian communication satellite (NigcomSat-1) to address the problem of communication which is the greatest drawbacks to the socio-economic development of the country, particularly in the areas of rural telephone, tele-education, tele-medicine, egovernment, e-commerce and real-time monitoring services. NigcomSat-1, which carries 40- hybrid transponders in the C, KU, KA and L bands, has a 15 years life span and coverage of the African continent, Middle East and part of Europe was launched in May 2007. To satisfy geospatial data needs in sectors such as survey, housing, defence and security and urban renewal, and large scale mapping community, NASRDA has embarked on the development of a higher resolution satellite NigeriaSat-2 which carries spatial resolution pay loads of 2.5 and 5 meters in panchromatic and multi-spectral bands respectively. In addition, the satellite has been designed to provide stereo-imaging capability. It also carries a 32m resolution payload to ensure the continuity of NigeriaSat-1 data beyond its 2008 lifespan. The launch of NigeriaSat-2 is being planned for 2009. Furthermore, Nigeria's concern over the incessant cloud cover of a large area of its southern part has informed NASRDA's quest to acquire capacity for SAR-based image interpretation and application to socio-economic development. The programme will eventually lead to the acquisition of a SAR-based micro-satellite (NigeriaSat-3) in the near future.

It is argued that Nigeria must focus on effective environmentally protective intensive farming, resource management methods, and strong family planning programs. Other contributory factors are recognized as the lack of democracy and the "ill-advised" internal policies of the government. The emphasis is on man-made decisions about migration, natality, and land use practices that have ecological consequences that significantly affect the economy. Land degradation in Nigeria is attributed to improper agricultural and husbandry practices. Land degradation has severe ecological, economic, and human costs. Awareness of environmental problems in Nigeria is growing. Natural disasters such as the droughts of 1984-85, continued soil depletion, accumulations of soil wastes, increased flooding in urban areas, and land erosion in Anambra state are evidence of the growing environmental problems. Agricultural development should involve changing rural land use practices, using technology that is "appropriate" to the climate, crops, and culture of the people, and introducing agroforestry. Population growth in Nigeria puts pressure on the fragile ecosystem. Actual carrying capacity is a rough calculation. Nigeria's population growth patterns follow a pattern that suggests population pressure on carrying capacity. The acceleration of population growth has strained the traditional system of agriculture. Land is overused, and cultivation continues on unsuitable land. Domestic policies during the oil boom encouraged rapid industrialization at the expense of the environment. Migration increased to urban centers, but cities did not provide suitable housing, waste disposal, safe water supplies, and other basic facilities. PMID:12347030

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in several African armed forces are high, with gender inequality rendering female military personnel more vulnerable to the disease. The objective of this study was to replicate a successful videotape-based HIV prevention intervention among Nigerian female military personnel in an effort to establish the cross-cultural stability, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this approach in resource-limited countries. Enlisted women (N346) were recruited from two cantonments in Southwestern Nigeria and randomly assigned to either (a) a 5-session video-based, small group, cognitive-behavioral, HIV prevention intervention, or (b) a 5-session, video-based, contact-matched, HIV education control condition. Participants provided self-report of their HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviors at baseline, 3 and 6 months after completing the intervention. The results indicate that the motivational skills-building intervention did not improve participants' knowledge of HIV/AIDS any better than did the HIV education control condition at each assessment period, but it significantly increased condom use among women in this group by 53.6% at 3-month follow-up. HIV preventive behaviors among women in the motivational skills-building intervention group improved significantly, being 2 and 3 times more, compared to women in the HIV education control group at 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments. The intervention also significantly improved behavioral intentions of participants as well as reduced alcohol use before sex by 25%, after 3 months; and number of sexual partners by 12% after 6 months. Women in the intervention group were five times more likely than women in HIV education control group to suggest that their new male partners use condom. These findings indicate that a videotape-based, HIV prevention intervention is a feasible and effective approach to HIV prevention among female military personnel from sub-Saharan Africa. PMID:21106284

Inadequate management of waste generated from injection activities can have a negative impact on the community and environment. In this paper, a report on immunization wastes management in Kano State (Nigeria) is presented. Eight local governments were selected randomly and surveyed by the author. Solid wastes generated during the Expanded Programme on Immunization were characterised using two different methods: one by weighing the waste and the other by estimating the volume. Empirical data was obtained on immunization waste generation, segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal; and waste management practices were assessed. The study revealed that immunization offices were accommodated in either in local government buildings, primary health centres or community health care centres. All of the stations demonstrated a high priority for segregation of the infectious wastes. It can be deduced from the data obtained that infectious waste ranged from 67.6% to 76.7% with an average of 70.1% by weight, and 36.0% to 46.1% with an average of 40.1% by volume. Non-infectious waste generated ranged from 23.3% to 32.5% with an average of 29.9% by weight and 53.9% to 64.0% with an average of 59.9% by volume. Out of non-infectious waste (NIFW) and infectious waste (IFW), 66.3% and 62.4% by weight were combustible and 33.7% and 37.6% were non-combustible respectively. An assessment of the treatment revealed that open pit burning and burial and small scale incineration were the common methods of disposal for immunization waste, and some immunization centres employed the services of the state or local government owned solid waste disposal board for final collection and disposal of their immunization waste at government approved sites.

This qualitative case study assesses the impact of a three-year Hilton Foundation-supported, Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) in five African nations. The goal was to evaluate the SLDI program for increasing leadership capacities of 340 women in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to determine the program effectiveness, by observing the changes it effected in trainees and their communities. Another purpose was to assess the pedagogical practices used by both international (USA) and local (African) instructors to deliver instruction that directly applied to the trainees' workplaces. Also, the study evaluated the sustainability strategies in place to support trainee projects and future leadership programs. The design of evaluation is drawn from the theoretical perspectives elucidated by transformational leadership theory (Bass, 1985), diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers, 2003) and "culture software of the mind" (Hofstede & Hofstede, 2005). The methodology consisted on-site, data collection in Africa through in-depth interviews, site-visits observations, field notes, program document analysis, and informal conversations with subjects. The sample consisted of 45 interviewees, including 32 trainees drawn from the five sub-Saharan countries, ten instructors--four from East Africa, three from West Africa and the United States respectively, and three regional administrators. Results indicate that the program goals were attained, significant impact was evident in the trainees' adaptation of new leadership styles and models in their workplaces, innovative projects they implemented and measurable economic benefits realized Utilizing local and international instructors enhanced instruction by affording intercultural cross-fertilization. This study illustrates how the design of leadership programs can confirm the creation of innovative practice for effective organizational management in the developing nations. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.

This is the first Technical Progress report for the subject agreement. During the first six months of the project, progress was made in arranging participation by other CONSOL departments, identifying a prospective site, developing an environmental assessment report, and securing land and coal rights. In addition, correspondences were drafted in response to NETL inquiries. These aspects of the project are discussed in detail in this report.

This manuscript reviews the use of serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination of coronary atherosclerosis in recent observational studies and randomized trials that revealed the effects of cholesterol-lowering and lipid-modifying therapies and offered novel insight into plaque progression and regression. We discuss the value of plaque progression-regression as complementary imaging endpoint and potential surrogate marker of cardiovascular event risk. In addition, the progress in serial assessment of coronary plaque composition and plaque vulnerability by radiofrequency-based analyses is reviewed. Finally, we report on the evaluation of true vessel remodelling in recent serial IVUS trials and discuss the future perspective of serial invasive imaging of coronary atherosclerosis.

Background This prospective phase II study assessed the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy regimens commonly used in the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods Patients with mCRC who progressed or relapsed after first-line oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based treatment received bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg/week plus chemotherapy until disease progression. The primary endpoint was disease-control rate (DCR). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety. Results Fifty-three patients (66% men; median age, 62 years old) received second-line bevacizumab plus folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI; 57%), folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX; 26%), i...

A combination of gamma-ray spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis is adopted in the quantitative evaluation of the three major radioelements (U, Th and K) concentrations in some rock samples collected at previously delineated radiometric anomalies (Geological Survey of Nigeria, 1976), in the Ugep area of the Lower Benue Region of Nigeria. A preferential enrichment of Th to U and K is observed in most samples analysed, with U/Th ratios ranging from 0.11 to 0.25. K contents are fairly normal in some samples analysed, with Th (ppm)/K (%) ratios ranging from 2 to 5. Anomalous Th/K ratios, Th (ppm)/K (%) ratios ranging from 2 to 5 up to 16, were obtained for samples from those areas identified in the airborne survey maps as ''Th-anomaly zones'' (Geological Survey of Nigeria, 1976). (Author).

Nigeria, with its seven crude-oil export streams, dominated West African production and accounted for over 70% of the depressed 1.8 million b/d output from the region last year. However, during the 1970s a flurry of new producing fields, primarily off the African coast, diversified production among a number of countries and touched off a wave of oil activity. The Journal takes a close look at the quality of West African oil in this installment of assays on world export crudes. This issue covers, in alphabetical order, Bonny Light (Nigeria) to Espoir (Ivory Coast). A following issue will wrap up West Africa by presenting assays on crudes from Forcados Blend (Nigeria) to Zaire Crude (Zaire).

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors which discriminate between local and global architectural firms in Nigeria. The rationale was to examine how the globalization process differs in Nigeria and contribute to the discourse on globalization. Design/methodology/approach - The research is quantitative, using discriminant analysis to differentiate the global architectural firms from the local ones. The study used a random sample of 92 architectural firms in Nigeria, examining various characteristics of the firms through a questionnaire. Findings - There was a strong distinction between global and local firms. Compared to the local architectural firms, the global firms were larger, and mostly run by sole principals who were more experienced. The internet was used more t...

This paper is a proposal for a curriculum of the future in the changing society of Nigeria. A deliberate effort is made to prescribe and predict elements essential for a responsive and dynamic futuristic curriculum, without necessarily describing the specific details of such a curriculum. Although predicting the shape of education in the future is risky, it is contended that unless modern man adapts his thinking and his behavior to the realities of the present and plans for the future, he is most likely to repeat endlessly the mistakes of the past. Most of the ideas suggested for the future of the curriculum in Nigeria are accordingly offered as possible guides for Nigeria's new system of education. Topics covered include the concept of responsiveness to technological and social developments, the concept of balance in the curriculum of the future, teachers in the curriculum of the future, creativity, and decentralization. A five-item bibliography is included. (Author/TE)

Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree, Kola acuminata. These three compounds were adequately characterised using a combination of UV/visible, IR, NMR ((13)C-NMR and (1)H-NMR), DEPT, MS and two-dimensional correlation (H-H COSY, Hetero-nuclear Single Quantum Correlation (HSQC), HMBC, NOE and NOESY) studies as 7?,15?-dihydroxyl-lup-20(29)-ene-3?-esters of palmitic (I), stearic (II) and eicosanoic acids (III). The characterisation of other isolated compounds is ongoing. Remarkably, this is the first report of the existence of fatty acid esters of an unusual 7?,15?-dihydroxylated lupeol in the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe. These isolated compounds might contribute in part to the numerous established bio-activities of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoes. PMID:22007932

Purpose - In Nigeria, local fabricators of agro-processing equipment have designed and manufactured various improvised versions of imported bread-baking machines without due ergonomic considerations. Also, most of the processes of bread baking in Nigeria largely involve manual materials handling, which continues to represent a major loss source in the work place. The manual operations besides being uncomfortable are characterized by low output and unhygienic products. A study was therefore conducted in three southwestern states of Nigeria with the purpose of evaluating the energy requirements and man-machine relationships in bread-baking operations. Design/methodology/approach - The study, which lasted over one year, involved the use of three fuel sources namely, firewood, electricity and ...

Newcastle disease (ND), caused by Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1, is a highly contagious and devastating viral disease of poultry of worldwide distribution with an enormous economic impact. Although ND is reported to be endemic in Nigeria, little information exists on the molecular epidemiology and the lineage distribution of the Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) in the country, especially in the live bird markets (LBMs). Recent studies reported the identification of three unique sub-lineages. namely; 5f, 5g and 5h in West Africa, and sub-lineages 5f and 5g in particular in non-commercial farms in Nigeria. In this study, 33 NDV isolates, which included NDVs recovered from LBMs in Nigeria, during active surveillance from 2007 to 2008 and viruses recovered from outbreaks in backyard and commercia...

/ This paper is a presentation of the problems of solid waste management in Nigeria and certain important issues that must be addressed in order to achieve success. At the core of the problems of solid waste management are the absence of adequate policies, enabling legislation, and an environmentally stimulated and enlightened public. Government policies on the environment are piecemeal where they exist and are poorly implemented. Public enlightenment programs lacked the needed coverage, intensity, and continuity to correct the apathetic public attitude towards the environment. Up to now the activities of the state environmental agencies have been hampered by poor funding, inadequate facilities and human resources, inappropriate technology, and an inequitable taxation system. Successful solid waste management in Nigeria will require a holistic program that will integrate all the technical, economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors that are often ignored in solid waste programs.KEY WORDS: Solid waste; Management; Problems; Solutions; Nigeria PMID:9732514

The management of radioactive waste in Nigeria from early 1960 to date is reviewed. As in many developing countries, waste management in Nigeria has been shown to be ineffective. The factors that are responsible for this ineffectiveness are identified and discussed. The steps being taken by and the opportunities available to the newly established Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority towards addressing this problem of ineffectiveness are discussed. The efforts of this newly set up body towards managing the resultant radioactive wastes that will be generated during the use of a reactor and an accelerator that will soon be commissioned in Nigeria are also mentioned. Likely ways of further addressing the problems militating against waste management in developing countries are suggested. PMID:12729418

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to make a preliminary analysis of the potentials for the adoption of biofuels in Nigeria. This initial analysis aims to capture some of the possibilities in the adoption of biofuel and the promotion of the cultivation of energy crops and processing of biofuels in Nigeria. Taking a step towards biofuel adoption is crucial for Nigeria to remain an important player in the world energy market, as there is a shift in global fossil fuel consumption. Design/methodology/approach - The study adopted a desk review of existing literatures on global biofuels production potentials. A synthesis of data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) secondary database on major energy crops production was also conducted, while the GIS map was generated from GIS dat...

This article featuring Nigeria constitutes one of five articles in a collection of essays on local capacity-building in research ethics by graduates from the University of Toronto?s Joint Centre for Bioethics MHSc in Bioethics, International Stream programme funded by the Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences (FIC). The first National Health Research Ethics Committee was inaugurated in 2006. Since then, more institutional health research ethics committees continue to be formed. However, research ethics challenges in Nigeria are systemic and require a systems approach to address them effectively. Nigeria requires capacity-building for authentic acculturation of health systems as well as for health research, education, and advocacy within the research communi...

Between 1999 and 2007, a broad-based labour-led movement which focused most of its energies on its struggle against unpopular fuel price hikes in Nigeria was able to exert considerable, though limited, influence on an Obasanjo-led executive arm of government that was at best quasidemocratic in its orientation. This article argues that, despite the very important roles played by other factors (notably the presence of more democratic space in Nigeria post-1999), the movement's adoption of a mass social movement approach facilitated its ability to exert such influence.

This paper reports that an ambitious project to map African oil and gas prospects has produced its first findings in a report on the Niger Delta basin. In Nigeria, 73% of discoveries are smaller than 50 million bbl, with a 42% success rate for wildcats. There are 'out of round prospects off Nigeria, too, with a number of companies currently in discussions. Petroconsultants the there are further opportunities for exploration in the Northern Onshore Fringe Belt, which has an estimated potential of 500 million bbl of reserves. Three OPLs are open.

A review of the petroleum and gas reserves, production and exploration situation in the various West African countries is presented with maps and statistics. It is shown that numerous projects are developed, especially in offshore Guinea Gulf, with small and large petroleum companies rushing to Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, etc. The various projects and companies selected for Angola, Congo, Gabon and Nigeria oil fields are discussed, together with the prospectives for Ivory Coast and the evolution of legislation related to petroleum in Africa. Bouygues Offshore's strategy in the Guinea Gulf is exposed and the african contracts for the platform and pipeline specialist ETPM are detailed.

We employed structured interviews and focus groups to investigate reproductive health (RH) communication practices among 184 mother-daughter pairs in Ungogo, northern Nigeria. Transcripts were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. A total of 136 mothers reported discussing RH issues with their daughters. The majority of daughters acquired RH education from their mothers. Parents were more likely to discuss marriage, menstruation, courtship, premarital sex, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than other sex education topics. Mothers in northern Nigeria need to be empowered with knowledge and skills to improve the scope and quality of home-based RH education. PMID:22242654

Nigeria has tremendous agricultural potential particularly in forest resources. Whilst some efforts have been devoted towards tapping the forest resources, substantial evidence shows that forest residues and wood wastes in, for example, sawmills, have not been properly made use of. However, forest products such as fibreboard are being heavily imported in the wake of dwindling foreign exchange earnings. This paper projects the supply of forestry residues and wood wastes and presents ways in which they can be economically used to produce fibreboard in Nigeria. The use of such agricultural waste is called for in other less developed countries demanding an adoption of appropriate technology. 3 references.

Objectives The animal reservoir of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and ?-lactamases is still controversial and little information is available on the prevalence of these resistance determinants in developing countries. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize PMQR and ?-lactamases in a collection of commensal ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from healthy chickens and pigs at slaughter, collected in November–December 2006, in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods One hundred and sixty-two ampicillin-resistant E. coli were obtained from healthy chickens and pigs at slaughter in Ibadan, Nigeria. Strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by disc diffusion assay. MICs of ciprofloxacin were determined by Etest. Resistance genes were scr...

In contrast to skin sensitisation, there are no accepted tests for the identification of chemicals or proteins with the potential to cause sensitisation of the respiratory tract. Although progress has been made, the assessment of respiratory sensitisation potential remains associated with significant challenges and uncertainties. Nevertheless, there is interest in determining whether it is possible to assess the relative potency of respiratory sensitisers. The second Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) to the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation recently introduced changes to criteria for classification and labelling of chemicals and preparations, bringing it in line with the 3rd revision to the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chem...

A group of 111 patients with Huntington's disease (HD) underwent a minimum of three annual neuropsychiatric assessments, using the Problem Behaviors Assessment for Huntington's Disease (PBA-HD). Longitudinal prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms was notably higher than baseline prevalence, suggesting that previous studies may have underestimated the extent of this clinical problem. Moreover, apathy, irritability, and depression were each associated with distinct longitudinal profiles. Apathy progressed over time and across disease stages. Irritability also increased significantly, but only in early stages of HD. Depression did not increase significantly at any stage of disease. The neuropsychiatric syndrome of apathy appears to be intrinsic to the evolution and progression of HD. PMID:22450614

Abstract in spanish Objetivos: Este estudio trató de describir el patrón de prescripción ambulatoria de antimaláricos en un hospital secundario y terciario, y evaluar el cumplimiento de la Guía Nacional de Tratamiento Antimalárico (ATG). Métodos: Se realizó un audit de los archivos de prescripción de antamaláricos en dos establecimientos sanitarios de un periodo de seis meses en 2008. Se utilizaron cuestionarios semi-estructurados para recoger informaciones del conocimiento de méd (more) icos y farmacéuticos de la Guía Nacional de Tratamiento Antimalárico. Resultados: Los tratamientos de combinación con artemisina (TCA) fueron los antimaláricos más prescritos. Del total de prescripciones, el 81,4% TCA, de las cuales el 56,8% eran artemeter-lumefantrina. Sin embargo, el cumplimiento de los medicamentos indicados en las guías nacionales con el DU90% fue del 38,5% en el hospital terciario y del 66,7% en el secundario. La práctica de prescripción por nombre genérico todavía no era seguida en ninguno de los hospitales. El porcentaje de profesionales sanitarios que conocía las TCA era del 88,2% de los médicos y del 85,1% de los farmacéuticos. Sin embargo, el 13,3% y el 52,2% de médicos y farmacéuticos, respectivamente, no pudo enunciar adecuadamente la lista de medicamentos especificados en la guía. La amodiaquina fue la opción más frecuentemente preferida para tratar a niños de 0-3 meses con infección de malaria, en lugar de la indicada quinina oral. Conclusión: Este estudio mostró un aumento del uso de regímenes de combinación con artemisina para tratamiento de malaria no complicada en comparación con anteriores informes de Nigeria. Este estudio también remarca la necesidad de un periódico aseguramiento de la calidad interno entre los profesionales sanitarios, monitorizando el cumplimiento y el conocimiento de las guías clínicas para asegurar la práctica basada en la evidencia. Abstract in english Objectives: This study aimed at describing the pattern of outpatient antimalarial drug prescribing in a secondary and a tertiary hospital, and to assess adherence to the National Antimalarial Treatment Guideline (ATG). Methods: An audit of antimalarial prescription files from the two health facilities for a period of six months in 2008 was conducted. Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the doctors and pharmacists on their awareness and kno (more) wledge of the National Antimalarial Treatment Guideline. Results: Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) were the most prescribed antimalarials. Overall, 81.4% of the total prescriptions contained ACTs, out of which 56.8% were artemether-lumefantrine. However, adherence to the drugs indicated by national guideline within the DU90% was 38.5% for the tertiary and 66.7 % for the secondary hospital. The standard practice of prescribing with generic name was still not adhered to as evidenced in the understudied hospitals. The percentage of health care providers that were aware of the ATG was 88.2% for doctors and 85.1% for pharmacists. However, 13.3% and 52.2% of doctors and pharmacists respectively could not properly list the drugs specified in the guideline. Amodiaquine was the most commonly preferred option for managing children aged 0 - 3 months with malaria infection against the indicated oral quinine. Conclusion: This study showed an increased use of artemisinin-based combination therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria compared previous reports in Nigeria. This study also highlights the need for periodic in-service quality assurance among health professionals with monitoring of adherence to and assessment of knowledge of clinical guidelines to ensure the practice of evidence based medicine.

In the present study, sub-bituminous coals from Ribadu, Okaba, Okpara, Orukpa, Ogboyoga and Lignite from Asagba, all from Benue Trough, Nigeria were analyzed by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (EDXRF). Different concentrations of trace metals present in the coal samples were recorded and subsequently used to determine the origin, organic matter input, maturity and mineralogical importance of the coals. There is closeness between Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) content as well as V/Ni ratio for the coals suggesting that the organic matter is derived from terrestrial/marine and are of low maturity. Also, the low V/V+Ni ratios for all the coals suggest that they are deposited under oxic condition, which is in agreement with earlier work done on these coals by other workers. Therefore, these ratios compliment with other geochemical parameters can be a useful tool in geochemical studies. Preliminary assessments of the mineral contents of the coal samples reveal that there is possible occurrence of iron bearing minerals like pyrite, siderite and ankerite and titanium rich minerals; ilmenite and rutile in the studied area. This is due to high abundance of iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) in the samples. Also the level of some metals such as nickel, iron, titanium and copper in these samples indicate that the ash residue of these coals after burning could be a very good source of the metals. However, the presence of some trace elements like copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) that causes corrosion of the turbines and also poison catalyst, in the coals, necessitate incorporation of the removal procedures of these metals before refining stage.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are exposed to large volumes of water, separated from patients' blood by semipermeable membrane of dialyzers. Chemical contaminants in poorly treated water impact negatively on quality of life of these patients. This survey was carried out to assess the HD water quality in Lagos, Nigeria. Ten milliliters of feed and treated water from all six HD centers in Lagos were tested for aluminum, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium using atomic absorption spectrometry; sodium and potassium were tested using flame photometry, fluoride with molecular photoluminescence method; sulfate using turbidimetry, nitrates measured by cadmium column reduction method, chloramines and free chlorine were measured using N, N-diethyl-1-P-phenylenediamine colorimetric method. Information on sources of feed water, frequency of testing of HD water, methods of water treatment, type of water purification system and maintenance was also obtained. All centers used borehole as main source of water supply. None of the centers met Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines for most chemical contaminants. Only chlorine (0.48 ± 0.07?mg/L) and potassium (3.9 ± 0.95?mg/L) levels met AAMI standards after treatment. Mean levels of chemical contaminants in treated water were as follows: aluminum 0.04 ± 0.01?mg/L, zinc 0.27 ± 0.08?mg/L, chloramines 0.16 ± 0.03?mg/L, fluoride 1.83 ± 0.40?mg/L, sulfate 117 ± 86.1?mg/L which were mildly elevated; calcium 126.00 ± 22.7?mg/L, sodium 179 ± 25.6?mg/L, and nitrate 70.5 ± 50.8?mg/L, which were markedly elevated; and magnesium 8.3 ± 3.38?mg/L, which was moderately elevated above AAMI recommended levels. HD water quality is poor in our environment. Concerted efforts are required to ensure good quality water for HD. PMID:22537314

The interconnection between weather and climate and the performance, well-being, and human health cannot be overemphasized. The relationship between them is of both local and global significance. Information about weather, climate, and thermal environment is very important to human health and medical practitioners. The most crucial environmental information needed by medical practitioners and for maintaining human health, performance, and well-being are thermal conditions. The study used meteorological variables: air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and RayMan model as an analytical tool to compute physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) in order to assess thermo-physiological thresholds in Ondo State. The study revealed that there are marked spatial and seasonal variations in the environmental thermal conditions in the study area. The results of physiologically equivalent temperature for different grades of thermal sensation and physiological stress on human beings indicate that about 60 % of the total study period (1998-2008) fall under physiological stress level of moderate heat stress (PET 31-36 °C). In derived savannah, 32.6 % out of the total study period was under strong heat stress. In view of this, the study concluded that Ondo State may likely be prone to heat-related ailments and that some of the death recorded in the State, in recent times, may be heat-related mortality, but this is difficult to ascertain because there is no postmortem records in Nigeria where it could be confirmed. This type of study is relevant to help government to improve health care interventions and achieve Millennium Development Goals in health sector.

The aim of this paper is to assess how policy goals in relation to the promotion of green growth, energy security, pollution control and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions have been aligned in policies that have been implemented in selected countries during the last decades as a basis for discussing how a multi objective policy paradigm can contribute to future climate change mitigation. The paper includes country case studies from Brazil, Canada, China, the EuropeanUnion (EU), India, Japan,Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, SouthKorea and the United States covering renewable energy options, industry, transportation, the residential sector and cross-sectoral policies. These countries and regions together contribute more than two thirds of global GHG emissions. The paper finds that policies that are nationally driven and that have multiple objectives, including climate-change mitigation, have been widely applied for decades in both developing countries and industrialised countries. Many of these policies have a long history, and adjustments have taken place based on experience and cost effectiveness concerns. Various energy and climate-change policy goals have worked together in these countries, and in practice a mix of policies reflecting specific priorities and contexts have been pursued. In this way, climate-change mitigation has been aligned with other policy objectives and integrated into broader policy packages, though in many cases specific attention has not been given to the achievement of large GHG emission reductions. Based on these experiences with policy implementation, the paper highlights a number of key coordination and design issues that are pertinent to the successful joint implementation of several energy and climatechange policy goals.

Background Mortuary workers like other health workers are exposed to blood borne pathogens at work. A baseline assessment is important to plan for programmes to safeguard the health of workers. The aim of this study is to determine exposure rates to blood among mortuary workers in teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out between March and May 2008. All mortuary workers working in six (6) teaching hospitals, 80 in total were included in the study. Data was collected with the aid of a 15- item self administered questionnaire. Data was analysed with the aid of EPI-INFO 2002. Statistical associations were explored using odds ratio and confidence intervals. Results A total of 76 respondents completed questionnaire giving a response rate of 95%; 3 males and 1 female declined to participate, the mean age of respondents was 38.2 years, 48(72.6%), 53(85.5%) and 50(73.5%) of the workers had been exposed to blood through cuts, blood splash and needle stick injury. Duration at work was significantly associated with blood splash. Workers who had worked 5years and above were 0.10 times (95% confidence interval 0.00–.0.78) as likely to experience blood splash compared to those who had worked under 5 years. Only 5(10.4%) of workers with needle stick injury had completed three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. The specific confirmation by antibody titre was however not done in this study. Conclusion Exposure to blood was very common with blood splash emerging as the most common route of exposure. There is a need for vaccination of all mortuary workers with three doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine to protect their health. In addition, education of workers on risks and institution of standard operating procedure are crucial to safeguard the health of mortuary workers. PMID:12163861

To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene10, 2012; 245-249 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00537.x Azodo CC, Ezeja EB, Omoaregba JO, James BO. Oral health of psychiatric patients: the nurse's perspective. Abstract:? Objective:?To assess nurses' perspectives on character, prevalence and cause of oral diseases among psychiatric patients and also their approach and suggestions in relation to the care of oral problems. Materials and Methods:?A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of all cadres of nurses (n?=?136) at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, was conducted between December 2010 and January 2011. Results:?Two-thirds (67.6%) of the respondents reported that psychiatric in-patients in comparison with the general population have a higher occurrence of oral and dental problems. Commonly cited reasons for the poor oral health of patients included as follows: sedation for long periods, lack of care by family, psychopathological symptoms, poor access to dentists and lack of oral hygiene advice. The common oral health complaints received by the respondents included toothache, pain from the gums and inability to open the mouth. Majority (91.4%) of respondents claimed to be presently involved with oral care of psychiatric in-patients but oral care delivery is however bedevilled with lot of barriers like uncooperativeness of patients and lack of oral care materials. Conclusion:?Oral complaints received are frequent and numerate with limited palliative action rendered. Attaching dentists to psychiatric hospitals and regular training of psychiatric nurses on oral care delivery are recommended to comprehensively cater for the oral health problems of psychiatric in-patients. PMID:22192470

Anopheles funestus is a primary vector of malaria in Africa south of the Sahara. We assessed its rangewide population genetic structure based on samples from 11 countries, using 10 physically mapped microsatellite loci, two per autosome arm and the X (N = 548), and 834 bp of the mitochondrial ND5 gene (N = 470). On the basis of microsatellite allele frequencies, we found three subdivisions: eastern (coastal Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar), western (Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and western Kenya), and central (Gabon, coastal Angola). A. funestus from the southwest of Uganda had affinities to all three subdivisions. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) corroborated this structure, although mtDNA gene trees showed less resolution. The eastern subdivision had significantly lower diversity, similar to the pattern found in the codistributed malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. This suggests that both species have responded to common geographic and/or climatic constraints. The western division showed signatures of population expansion encompassing Kenya west of the Rift Valley through Burkina Faso and Mali. This pattern also bears similarity to A. gambiae, and may reflect a common response to expanding human populations following the development of agriculture. Due to the presumed recent population expansion, the correlation between genetic and geographic distance was weak. Mitochondrial DNA revealed further cryptic subdivision in A. funestus, not detected in the nuclear genome. Mozambique and Madagascar samples contained two mtDNA lineages, designated clade I and clade II, that were separated by two fixed differences and an average of 2% divergence, which implies that they have evolved independently for approximately 1 million years. Clade I was found in all 11 locations, whereas clade II was sampled only on Madagascar and Mozambique. We suggest that the latter clade may represent mtDNA capture by A. funestus, resulting from historical gene flow either among previously isolated and divergent populations or with a related species. PMID:16313589

Urban centres produce most of the world's waste and between a third and a half goes uncollected. The answer to the problem of waste disposal lies partly in agriculture, as waste can be extremely nutrient-rich. In the last decade there has been a tremendous increase in the developing world in total city area under informal food production and there are many examples of waste recycling onto the urban or peri-urban plots. Farmers on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria, have developed a successful soil fertility management strategy based on the combination of inorganic fertilisers, manure and urban waste ash. This study sought to provide some preliminary data on urban waste ash produced by open burning and used in farming in a developing country. Ash samples were collected from different locations around Jos and tested for C, N, pH, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb. It was found that ash is an effective liming material (because of the high pH, and high Ca, Mg and K contents), and has the potential to contribute significant quantities of micro-nutrients such as Mn, Zn and Cu. Ash, however, is far from being a homogenous material and its variability means that its fertilising potential will vary between batches and that, even if mean and median levels are low, there is the risk of the formation of localised areas of soil with excessive heavy metal contents (this is particularly the case with Pb). Further research is required to determine the plant-availability of these elements in the ash and to assess the wider environmental and health implications of uncontrolled, open burning of waste as a means of producing ash for agricultural purposes. PMID:14967513

Self-assessment is a win-win evaluation system. Evaluees, not the department or university, control the process by selecting the evaluation criteria. Self-assessment also eliminates the uncomfortable and burdensome task of peer evaluation. Self-evaluation allows for a thoughtful assessment of yearly progress on objectives, and challenges to meeting those objectives. It is by far the fairest, least aggressive, and most reliable way to evaluate college faculty. Finally, unlike other forms of assessment, self-evaluation can never be performed without an investment from the professor being reviewed.

To determine the possible diagnostic and prognostic value of cartilage biomarkers in early-stage progressive and nonprogressive knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a population-based cohort of middle-aged subjects with chronic knee pain. Design tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) radiographs were graded in 128 subjects (mean age at baseline, 45 ± 6.2 years) in 2002, 2005, and 2008. Cartilage degradation was assessed by urinary C-telopeptide fragments of type II collagen (uCTx-II), synthesis by serum type II A procollagen N-terminal propeptide (sPIIANP), and articular tissue turnover in general by cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP). Several diagnostic associations were found between all studied biomarkers and progressive osteophytosis. COMP and CTx-II had a predictive value for subsequent progressive osteophytosis in multiple knee compartments and in case of CTx-II-also for progressive JSN. Over the first 3 years (2002-2005), significant associations were observed between COMP and progressive osteophytosis, whereas 3 years later (2005-2008) between CTx-II and progressive JSN. Thus, the associations between cartilage markers (COMP, CTx-II) and progression of radiographic OA features-osteophytes and JSN-were different between 2002-2005 and 2005-2008. Logistic regression revealed that for every unit increase in COMP level, there was 33 % higher risk for TF osteophyte progression. During early-stage OA, the presence and progression of osteophytosis is accompanied by increased level of cartilage biomarkers. This is the first study to demonstrate biochemical differences over the course of knee OA, illustrating a phasic nonpersistent character of OA with periods of progression and stabilization. PMID:22821260

In recent years important progress has been made in assessment of the lifetime behaviour of concrete bridges. Due to the large uncertainties related to the loading and the deterioration of such bridges, an assessment based on stochastic modelling of the significant parameters seems to be only relevant modelling. However, a great number of difficulties are involved in the modelling. The main purpose of this paper is to give an overview of areas where more research is needed and in some cases propose solutions.

In this report, the author describes the findings obtained from his experience of accident sequence precursor (ASP) assessment during 1-year staying in Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and presents the progress in the ASP program and its technical issues based on the open informations from literatures. Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) aiming at analysis and assessment for the occurrence frequency, progressing processes and influences on the public health and the environment of various accidents which might happen in nuclear power plants, has been utilized in many plants since 1975 and Risk Assessment Review Group (1978) concluded that to assess the potential significance of ASP using a similar way to the WASH-1400 method is important. The ASP program was thus started in NRC. ASP assessment is a method to quantitatively evaluate the significance of accident and failure incidents developed in nuclear power plants from an aspect of the possibility for occurrence of core damage accident resulting from them, by the means of PSA. This method has been developed and utilized by NTC. Since the accuracy of assessment has been improved accompanying to the recent advances in PSA procedures. ASP assessment is now widely utilized not only for analysis and assessment of operational events but also for various purposes including the examination of validity for the results from PSA. (M.N.)

Background With the advent and widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), persons living with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are living good quality, longer, and healthier lives. Many couples affected by HIV, both serodiscordant and seroconcordant, are beginning to consider options for safer reproduction. The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive health concerns among persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Methods and results The subjects were aged 18–58 (mean 41.25 ± 11.50) years, with 88 males (45.1%) and 107 females (54.9). Of the 195 subjects studied, 111 (56.9%) indicated a desire to have children. The main reasons for wanting to procreate included ensuring lineage continuity and posterity (52.3%), securing relationships (27.0%), and pressure from relatives to reproduce (20.7%). Single subjects were more inclined to have children (76.3%) compared with married (51.5%), widowed (18.2%), and separated/divorced subjects (11.1%, P = 0.03). Of the 111 subjects who indicated their desire to have children, women were more inclined to have children (64.5%) than men (47.7%). The major concern among the 84 (43.1%) subjects not desiring more children were the fear of infecting a serodiscordant partner and baby (57.1%), fear of dying and leaving behind orphans (28.6%), and fear that they may become too ill and unable to support the child financially (14.3%). Persons with no formal education were more likely to have children irrespective of their positive HIV status (66.7%) than persons educated to tertiary education level (37.0%, P = 0.01). Of 111 subjects who desired to have children, only 58% had attended reproductive health counseling with HIV counselors. Reasons for not seeking advice were anticipated negative reactions and discrimination from counselors. A significant number of subjects were only aware of some of the reproductive health options available to reduce the risk of infecting their partners and/or baby, such as artificial vaginal insemination, intrauterine insemination, cesarean section, avoidance of breast feeding, and offering prenatal pre-exposure prophylaxis to the fetus. They were unaware of other options, such as sperm washing, in vitro fertilization, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Of the 43.1% not anticipating more children, 36.9% were anticipating adoption. Conclusion Our study has shown that a significant number of HIV-infected persons in the Niger Delta of Nigeria desire to have children irrespective of their positive serostatus. There is the need to support the sexual and reproductive rights of HIV-infected individuals. Additional training needs to be offered to HIV counselors on evidence-based best and affordable practices regarding reproductive health issues among persons living with HIV. Policies that support availability and accessibility to relevant reproductive and sexual health services, including contraception and procreation, need to be developed. Public enlightenment programs on HIV are needed to reduce the stigmatization that HIV-infected persons face from family members and their communities. PMID:18438515

In the Nigeria desert, Cogema works two uranium deposits and realizes a processing then and there. It was decided to renovate the process control installations. A centralized channel system Delta V of Emerson Process Management replaced the classical board control. The new installation is technically and economically described. (A.L.B.)

Although the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate wild poliovirus (WPV) by 2000, four countries have yet to interrupt transmission of WPVs. As of 2009, Nigeria has reported the largest burden of poliovirus of any single country for 5 of the last 6 years and been responsible for the largest o...

The study area, offshore Nigeria, is located in one of the compressional zones within the Niger Delta, which is characterized by imbricate thrust structures. Although the low mean slope angle (around 2°), bathymetry data from the study area have shown the existence of several submarine landslides wh...

The Niger delta region of the Republic of Nigeria is Africa`s largest oil producing area. It is clear that Nigeria will continue to contribute significantly to world petroleum production well into the 21st century: with increases in recoverable oil reserves in the Niger delta onshore and offshore; the promising potential of the Niger delta deepwater region; and a lesser but not insignificant contribution from the unexplored onshore Benue trough, part of the mid-African rift system, which has already proved to hold substantial oil reserves in the Doba basin of neighboring Chad. This is the first of five parts on Nigeria`s oil and gas potential. The later articles deal with Niger delta oil reserves and production, Niger delta gas reserves, the delta`s deepwater region, and the Benue trough and onshore cretaceous rift basins. This article deals with the geologic setting of the Niger delta-Benue trough region, the synrift deposits, marine sedimentation, margin evolution, geologic strata and reservoirs, reservoir character, structure and traps, hydrocarbon types, geotemperatures, and source rock quality.

Sep 21, 2007 ... density of ISA on a one-km2 grid based on two coarse resolution indicators .... lights from natural gas flares present on land areas in places such as Nigeria .... For the conterminous USA the aggregate area of ISA in the USGS ...

Promoting safety of medicines for children is a global concern which has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch a campaign of "Making Medicines Child Size". Children in Nigeria were once victims of unethical clinical medicine trials and repeated victims of use of fake and adulterated medicines. Considering the magnitude of harms children had suffered in Nigeria from the use of medicines, there is a need for literature review to identify the factors preventing children from accessing safe medicines and to suggest remedies to the problems. Lack of access to up- to- date medicine information, lack of training and research in pediatric clinical pharmacology, deficiencies in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of medicine risk management and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, irrational medicine use due to lack of pediatric focus on essential medicine list and inappropriate home storage of medicines by parents, lack of evidence- based medicine (EBM) practice, lack of national adverse drug reaction surveillance among children, and weak national drug policies were the major problems identified. It is to be hoped that development and provision of a pediatric national drug formulary for health professionals in Nigeria, creating a comprehensive national pediatric drug research network in collaborations with developed countries, reviewing the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum in pediatrics to include teaching of basic elements of rational prescribing, drug dose calculations, adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance, increasing access to essential medicines for children, postgraduate teaching of EBM, and strengthening of the national drug policies would improve children's access to safe medicines in Nigeria. PMID:20935418

Highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) viruses have seriously affected the Nigerian poultry industry since early 2006. Previous studies have identified multiple introductions of the virus into Nigeria and several reassortment events between cocirculating lineages. To determine the spat...

This report examines the economical effects, and environmental and health wise risks of exporting electronic waste from the European Union to Nigeria. The report accounts for the global situation on e-waste and presents data from the EU on e-waste and illegal shipments. It also shows data on amounts...

Three cases of Lassa fever occurred in Onitsha, East Central State, Nigeria, in January and February 1974. The first case was a 19-year-old Nigerian; the other 2 cases were German missionary physicians at St Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, one of whom cared for the patient who was the first case...

Rodents were trapped in the Benue-Plateau and North-Eastern States of Nigeria where Lassa fever had been reported in previous years. Eight Lassa virus strains were isolated from tissues and blood of rodents identified in the field as being of 3 different species: Mastomys natalensis, Rattus rattus, ...

This article discusses how Africa's large producers are offering incentives to attract exploration. Egypt is pushing new gas development, while Nigeria announced reduced taxes to lure foreign operators. Gabon has rejuvenated its production with discovery of a large new oil field. Libya is offering liberal concession terms, though the status of U.S. firms is uncertain.

Cocoa husk, cow dung, poultry droppings, siam weed - Chromolaena odorata and tea fluff are common farm wastes in Nigeria. They were used as manures as sole and in combination with inorganic fertilizer as organominerals (OMF), compared to NPK (5:l:1) a reference fertilizer, to supply 150 kg N ha-l to...

Vast financial investments have been made in the upstream crude-oil and natural-gas (CONG) sector in Nigeria, but have not resulted in significant benefits for most Nigerians. The associated major activities, e.g., exploration, drilling, production, well intervention and service provision r...

Processes typical of arid environments can be monitored from space by ... tion west of the Nile Delta of approximately 1108 km2 in 10 years; .... the deposition of the sand is not constrained by .... ders of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad in ...

A methodology for the development of PM using the modern approaches of FMEA, root-cause analysis, and fault-tree analysis is presented. Applying PM leads to a cost reduction in maintenance and less overall energy expenditure. Implementation of PM is preferable to the present reactive maintenance procedures (still prevalent in Nigeria). (author)

FAO, IPGRI/SAFORGEN, DFSCand ICRAF have cooperated on the compilation of17 booklets on the state of Forest Genetic Resources for thecountries listed below. When ordering your book please remember to write the country required on the email. Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d\\Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinee, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, North of Nigeria, North Cameroon, Senegal, Sudan, Tchad and Togo.

The long history of political uncertainty and corruption in Nigeria is outlined with particular emphasis on its impact on the National Nigerian Petroleum Company (NNPC). Recent political developments and the consequent crackdown on rampant corruption has meant that there are better prospects for NNPC to begin to properly contribute to joint ventures with the major international oil companies. (UK)

Prostate cancer (CaP) disparities in the black man calls for concerted research efforts. This review explores the trend and focus of CaP research activities in Nigeria, one of the ancestral nations for black men. It seeks to locate the place of the Nigerian research environment in the global progres...

This paper aimed at identifying factors influencing the use of ethno-veterinary practices amongst goat and poultry farmers in Ekiti state, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; identified some diseases of goats and poultry with their corresponding indi...

The subject of this paper is the Nigerian Trade Union Congress (NTUC), the Communist trade union organisation in Nigeria. More specifically, it is about the central leadership of the NTUC, since the organisation is in origin and structure a central, national and Lagos-based federation of trade union...

In April 1982, Katsina, in Northern Nigeria, was affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with Vibrio cholerae serotype 'Ogawa' and 662 patients were admitted to the Katsina General Hospital during a 16-week period. The outbreak affected all ages and both sexes and all parts of the town...

Over the past year, our oral history team, Rebecca Wright and Sandra Johnson, have been .... from the Federal Records Center related to the Electronics Research Center, a ..... This comprehensive text addresses all medical and public health issues ..... Signals were received by stations in Florida, Singapore, Nigeria, and ...

The crude oil degradability and plasmid profile of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter species, isolated from mangrove sediment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were studied. The effects of temperature, pH and optical density on the utilization of different carbon sources by t...