Communities In Southwestern Nigeria Research Articles

Prevalence and modes of complementary and alternative medicine use among peasant farmers with musculoskeletal pain in a rural community in South-Western Nigeria.

BackgroundAnecdotally, use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Musculoskeletal Pain (MSP) is common in Nigeria; however, there seems to be a dearth of empirical data on its prevalence and mode of use. This study investigated the prevalence and modes of use of CAM for MSP among farmers in a rural community in South-western Nigeria.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey employed multistage sampling technique guidelines for conducting community survey by the World Health Organization among rural community farmers in Gudugbu village, Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire developed from previous studies and validated by expert reviews was used to assess prevalence and modes of CAM use. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.ResultsA total of 230 consenting rural farmers volunteered for this study with a valid response rate of 93.9 % (n = 216). The lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of CAM for MSP was 96.8 % respectively. Herbal therapy and massage were the predominant types of CAM therapies among previous (83.8 and 80.1 %) and current CAM users (37.5 and 37.5 %). CAM was largely used as sole therapy for MSP (75.5 %) and also in combination with orthodox medicine (23.6 %), and it is consumed on daily basis (21.8 %). CAM was perceived to be very good in maintaining a healthy life (87.1 %) and has less side effects (74 %) and more healthy than taking doctors’ prescriptions (63.4 %).ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of CAM among Nigerian rural farmers. The most commonly employed CAM for MSP were herbal remedies and massage which are attributable to beliefs on their perceived efficacy.

WITHDRAWN: Prevalence and correlates of depression among elderly people living in rural communities in Southwestern Nigeria

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Co-endemicity of loiasis and onchocerciasis in rain forest communities in southwestern Nigeria.

BackgroundLoiasis is currently receiving attention as a disease of public health importance because of the possibility of increased risk of developing neurologic serious adverse event following mass ivermectin treatment against onchocerciasis in individual co-infected with Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa.Methodology/Principal FindingsRapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA) was conducted in 12 communities covering the 3 senatorial districts of Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 960 people were interviewed for history of eye worm using the WHO guidelines for rapid assessment. The survey confirmed the presence of loiasis in all the 12 communities with 4 in Osun East/Ife south senatorial district being at high risk with a prevalence of over 40%. Based on the RAPLOA results, communities within Osun East/Ife south senatorial district were selected for microfilaraemic assessment of L. loa and O. volvulus. A total of 1115 and 1091 individuals were screened for L. loa and O. volvulus microfilaria worms respectively. 160 (14.3%) had L. loa microfilaria detected in their blood with 8 (5.0%) individuals having L. loa loads above 8000 mf/ml. 166 (15.2%) subjects had O. volvulus microfilaria (range 4-504 mf/ml) detected in their skin snip. 30 (2.69%) subjects were co-infected with both L. loa and O. volvulus. There was a significant variation in the prevalence (2.1% to 33.3%) of onchocerciasis in the communities studied (p = 0.001). Five (41.7%) of the studied communities had a prevalence that is equal to or greater than 20%.Conclusions/SignificanceLow prevalence of onchocerciasis and loiasis co-infection in this study suggests that loiasis may not pose a serious epidemiological threat to the continuous distribution and sustainability of ivermectin for the treatment of onchocerciasis. Evaluation of the interruption of onchocerciasis transmissions in this region using all the indicators set forth by WHO is therefore suggested.

Immunity to poliovirus serotypes in children population of selected communities in South-west, Nigeria.

Poliovirus outbreaks are still reported in Nigeria despite renewed efforts to improve vaccine coverage, thus suggesting the existence of susceptible hosts. Also, there is anecdotal evidence of variation in vaccine coverage by region and specifically between urban and rural communities. Consequently, this study assessed neutralizing antibodies to poliovirus serotypes among children in selected urban and rural communities in south western Nigeria. Two hundred and forty-four {(M=119, F=125); Urban: 142 (M=63, F=79); Rural: 102 (M=56, F=46)} children of consenting parent/guardian aged one week to 15 years were enrolled for the study. About 2-3ml of blood was collected from each child by venepuncture into a labelled sterile container free of anticoagulants. Subsequently, questionnaire was administered to the parent/guardian of each child to retrieve relevant information. Recovered sera were analysed for detectable neutralizing antibodies to poliovirus serotypes by the standard method of constant virus, varying serum dilutions. Overall, 64.3% (n=157) of the children had detectable neutralizing antibodies to the three poliovirus serotypes. Also, 84.8% (n=207), 91.0% (n=222) and 75.0% (n=183) of the children had detectable antibodies to poliovirus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Eighty seven (35.7%) of the children had no detectable neutralizing antibody to at least one of the three poliovirus serotypes, while 9 (3.7%) children had no detectable neutralizing antibody to the three poliovirus serotypes. Geometric mean titre (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies to the three poliovirus serotypes varied significantly (p=0.0005). Disparity in immunity to poliovirus infection and existence of children with low or zero neutralizing antibody levels were confirmed.

Hygiene Practices among Workers in Local Eateries of Orolu Community in South Western Nigeria.

Background:Activities of local food premises and monitoring of food handlers are usually not regulated.Aim:The objective of this study was to determine food hygiene (FH) practices among food handlers in rural communities in South Western Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 235 food handlers; data collection was by interviewer administered questionnaires. Using the SPSS software, multivariate analysis in two separate models was done to explore the predictors of correct knowledge and good hygiene practices. The model fit was assessed as good using the Hosmer and Lemeshow test.Results:Mean age of respondents was 31.8 (10.8) years. Of the respondents (134) that had training, 17.2% (23/134) had formal training, and 82.8% (111/134) had apprenticeship; about 31.5% (74/235) of respondents maintained a good level of hygiene in their practices. Significant predictors of correct knowledge were found to be being trained (significant 0.01, odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.8) and receiving the training as an apprentice (significant 0.01, OR – referent group); or in a formal setting (significant 0.01, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6–7.0) and having no formal education (significant 0.04, OR – reference group).Conclusion:Good knowledge and attitude but low level of good practices toward FH characterized food handlers under study.

Prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among Yoruba adults in a semi-urban community in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Previous cross-cultural and mono-cultural studies have reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms to vary across different populations and ethnic groups. Research on prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among adults in the different geopolitical regions of Nigeria is sparse, despite the differences in sociocultural attribute. Aim: The aim was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among Yoruba adults in South-Western Nigeria. Methods: Data on 200 Yoruba adults residing in Ile-Ife, Nigeria were collected using a questionnaire composed of socio-demographic data, quality of life (QoL), overall health, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the respondents was 17.0% (male = 15.9%, female = 18.3%). The depressed respondents reported higher mean scores on all items of the Zung’s self-rating depression scale compared to the non-depressed except in suicidal rumination. Smoking of tobacco was significantly associated depression (P < 0.025). The non-depressed respondents reported significant higher mean scores on overall QoL and overall health compared to the depressed respondents (P < 0.001). However, depressed respondents reported significant higher perceived stress when compared to the non-depressed (P < 0.001). The predictors of depressive symptoms were perceived stress (odds ratio [OR] = 1.409, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.167-1.702) and overall health (OR = 0.288, 95% CI = 0.130-0.638). Conclusion: Prevalence of depressive symptoms is high among our sample and factors that significantly predicted it includes high perceived stress and poor self-rated overall health. The findings in this study support the development of interventional strategies targeted specifically at ameliorating stress levels and improving general health at the level of the community.

Relating self-perceived with objective risk for breast cancer among women in rural and urban communities in southwestern Nigeria

Background: In an effort to enhance the value of early detection of breast cancer, attempts are now being made to relate a woman’s perceived risk of developing breast cancer with her actual risk. Women at increased risk but who underestimate this risk may unnecessarily defer the benefits of screening. Objective: To compare the self-perceived risk for developing breast cancer with their objective risk, as determined by the objective breast cancer risk (OBCR) and the Gail’s risk score. Materials and Methods: Quantitative methods utilized a cross-sectional comparative study design. Six hundred and eighty women aged 20 years or older were interviewed using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and selected using a multistage sampling technique from two predominantly rural and urban local government areas. A study set criteria on the OBCR was determined and classified into average or high risk for developing breast cancer (AOBCR and HOBCR, respectively), based on whether or not the respondent showed any of the two of four strong risk factors for breast cancer. Objective risk was also determined using an Internet-based Gail’s breast cancer assessment tool. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16.0. Qualitative methods comprised focus group discussion sessions for women in both rural and urban areas, which were analyzed using detailed content analysis, and the results were presented in Z–Y tables. Result: The result of this study suggested that majority of women did not accurately assess their risk of developing breast cancer as nine in 10 women at high risk underestimated their true risk of developing breast cancer. Using the study set criteria, about one in 20 respondents were assessed to have HOBCR. Among women in rural communities, about 95% and 4% revealed AOBCR and HOBCR, compared with 93% and 11% of women in urban communities showing AOBCR and HOBCR, respectively. The Gail’s risk assessment tool was able to classify just two (5.6%) respondents as being at a high risk of developing breast cancer. The sensitivity of the Gail’s model when applied to the respondents was 5.56%. Conclusion: The study showed that OBCR has a potential of being used as a high-risk screening tool for breast cancer in middle- or low-resource setting. Therefore, clients who screen positively as HOBCR can subsequently be offered targeted screening, intensive health education, and counseling on various risk-reducing options.

Helmet use among motorcycle riders Insemi-Urban communities in Southwestern Nigeria

Helmet use among motorcycle riders Insemi-Urban communities in Southwestern Nigeria

Willingness to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy among women in rural and urban communities in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women with highest mortality in developing countries due to late presentation. The decision to remove both breasts through preventive bilateral mastectomy among high risk individuals in developing countries would transcend social, cultural and even spiritual boundaries. Preventive mastectomy if considered among women at high risk, can significantly reduces the life time risk of developing breast cancer. The study compared willingness to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy among women who reside in urban and rural communities in South-West Nigeria. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. The quantitative study was a cross-sectional comparative survey among 680 women aged 20 years and above selected using a multi-stage sampling technique from two predominantly rural and urban Local Government Areas. Participants were interviewed using semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires. In the qualitative study, focus group discussion sessions were held with the women in both rural and urban areas and analysed using detailed content analysis and results presented with Z-Y tables. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS software version 16.0. Results: Results showed that One hundred and sixty seven (49.1%) and 132 (38.8%) of women in urban and rural areas respectively were willing to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy as a primary prevention strategy if they are identified to be at high risk. (χ 2 =7.3, P = 0.007). For those who were unwilling to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy as an option for breast cancer prevention, the commonest reasons were cosmetic-related (disfigurement and scars). The determinants of willingness to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy among women in rural areas were: self-perceived risk in urban areas and level of education (P = 0.035). Respondents at high self-perceived risk of breast cancer in rural areas were 1.94 times more likely to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy compared with those at average self-perceived risk (OR 1.94, CI 1.22-3.08). Conclusions: The study concluded that respondents with increased knowledge of breast cancer, high level of educational attainment and high self-perceived risk of breast cancer were more likely to accept preventive bilateral mastectomy as a primary prevention strategy if found to be at high risk for developing breast cancer.

Older persons' views and experience of elder abuse in South Western Nigeria: a community-based qualitative survey.

Conventionally, existing information on elder abuse has been institution based, professionally driven, and in high-income countries. This study addresses the prevailing gap in knowledge through direct consultation of older persons in the community about their perceptions of elder abuse. Eight focus group discussions were carried out among males and females aged 60 years and above in a rural and an urban community in south western Nigeria. Data were transcribed and analyzed based on emergent themes. Findings from the study show that the perception of abuse by the respondents included the standard typologies except sexual abuse as well as societal issues such as disrespect and lack of recognition. Our study revealed a high level of awareness and experience of elder abuse among the participants in both communities. Effective social welfare and health services aided by targeted government policies are needed to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

Deciding to Settle: Rural-Rural Migration and Agricultural Labour Supply in Southwest Nigeria

The study investigates the factors that influence rural migrants’ decision to settle in rural communities as farm labourers in southern Nigeria. This is against the backdrop of the critical roles play by the migrants infilling the farm labour supply deficit; which is occasioned by high rural-urban drift (annual estimate is 37%). Data for the study were obtained from a sample survey of 766 rural migrants drawn from 81 communities in Southwestern Nigeria via a multistage sampling technique. The result shows that the migrants were from within and outside the country. About 76% of the migrants worked as farm labourers in the receiving community while wage employment accounted for about 80% of total employment. The logistic regression estimates reveal that, among other factors, previous migration efforts, household’ and community’ socio-economic and development statuses reduce the odds in favor of migrants’ willingness to settle in the receiving rural community.

English

Sunflower is a crop with high oil and economic values which portends its great potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation among smallholder farmers. These notwithstanding, optimum benefit of the sunflower value chain have not been adequately harnessed. Conceived with the backdrop of lack of awareness about the commercial, nutritional and medicinal potentials of sunflower among the rural farm families, the study assessed the utilisation of sunflower among smallholder farmers in two southwestern states (Ogun and Ekiti) of Nigeria, and two districts (southeast and Kgatleng) of Botswana in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of two hundred smallholder farmers were randomly chosen from four purposively selected farming communities in southwestern Nigeria and Botswana districts. Results showed that 49 and 84% of the respondents were aware about the sunflower crop in Nigeria and Botswana, respectively, while only 10 and 25% cultivated the crop, respectively. The results further showed that all those (25%) who cultivated the crop in Botswana utilised it as animal feed only, while their Nigerian counterpart utilised it for variety of purposes. While 6 and 7% utilised it as animal feed and manure/fertiliser production, respectively, in Nigeria, 2, 5 and 8%, respectively, used it for cake/snack production, and traditional and ornamental purposes. Yet, another 6% cultivated the sunflower crop for seed oil extraction. The study concluded that, although, higher proportion of smallholder farmers from Botswana knew about and cultivated the sunflower crop, yet, their Nigeria counterpart utilised the crop more. The need for continuous popularization of the production and utilisation of sunflower crop among smallholder farmers was therefore recommended in both Bostwana and Nigeria. &nbsp; Key words: Sunflower utilisation, smallholder farmers, value chain.

Health risk behaviors and sexual initiation among in-school adolescents in rural communities in southwestern Nigeria

Adolescents exhibit numerous risky sexual behaviors leading to initiation of sexual intercourse not mindful of the many consequences. To determine the prevalence and pattern of sexual risky behavior and its association with sexual initiation. This was a school-based descriptive cross-sectional study among 377 in-school adolescents, who were selected using multistage sampling methods. Research instruments were semistructured self-administered questionnaires. The mean age of respondents was 15.7 (+1.8) years. Most of the respondents claimed to have heard about sex education at one time or another. About 53 (14.1%) had their first sexual experience before or at the age of 15 years. The mean age of the first sexual experience for males was 14 years 3 months and 15 years 3 months for females. Fourteen (3.7%) had no fixed sexual partner; most of the sexually active respondents did not use a condom during their last intercourse. Only 7.7% of the respondents reported to have had a sexually transmitted infection. Most of the 207 female respondents (85.5%) had never been pregnant while 88.9% of those who had been pregnant had an abortion. Females were about 1.5 times more likely to have had first sexual intercourse before the age of 15 years, though the observed likelihood was not statistically significant [odd ratio (OR) = 0.7, 95%; confidence interval (CI) = 0.3-1.5; p = 0.642]. Likewise, males were 1.7 times more likely to have used condoms at the last sexual intercourse, and the observed likelihood was not statistically significant (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 0.8-3.4; p = 0.079). In this study, adolescents were sexually active with negative consequences on their reproductive health. Stakeholders involved in the care of adolescents should take the consequences into consideration.

Is HIV/AIDS a consequence or divine judgment? Implications for faith-based social services. A Nigerian faith-based university's study

A contemporary reading of Romans 1:27 was disguised as a saying by Paul Benjamin, AD 58 and administered to 275 randomly selected members of a private Christian university community in south western Nigeria in West Africa. Participants were asked to respond to a two-item questionnaire on their perception of the cause of HIV/AIDS either as a judgment from God or consequence of individual lifestyle choices. The apparent consensus drifted in the direction of God as the culprit handing down his judgment to perpetrators of evil who engage in the homosexual lifestyle. The goal of this paper was to examine the implications of a judgmental stance on addressing the psychosocial needs of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in religious environments. It also explores how service providers in faith-based environments can work around the Judgment versus Consequence tussle in providing non-discriminatory services to persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

HIV Preventive Measures among Adolescents Attending Secondary Schools in an Urban Community in Southwestern Nigeria

Many studies carried out among adolescents in Nigeria generally report the practice of preventive measures against HIV to be poor. This study was carried out to assess the HIV/AIDS preventive measures among adolescents attending secondary schools in an urban community in Southwestern Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross sectional study, carried out among in-school adolescents in Osogbo metropolis, Southwestern Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents and data was collected with pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires which were self administered and supervised by trained research assistants. A total of 370 questionnaires were administered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Majority knew that HIV/AIDS could be prevented by not sharing sharp objects (305, 82.4%) and the use of condom (277, 74.9%). Three hundred and twenty nine (88.9%) of the respondents were aware of condom while 205 (55.4%) were aware of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT). Seventy four (20.0%) respondents were sexually exposed, and only 21 (5.7%) of the respondents had ever used condoms before. Only 15 (4.1%) of the respondents had had HCT before and 189 (51.1%) had had sex education before. Most of the respondents were aware of the disease called AIDS, but their comprehensive knowledge about the disease and its prevention was not correspondingly high. Twenty percent of the respondents were sexually exposed but their HIV preventive practice was generally poor; there was poor and inconsistent condom usage, poor uptake of HCT and sex education and a poor perceived self efficacy among nearly half of the respondents. The stakeholders in adolescent reproductive health should work towards the provision of straightforward and elemental information about sex, and related practical issues that normally affect adolescents, like contraception, abortion and sexually transmitted infections to adolescents.

Respiratory Symptoms among Crop Farmers Exposed to Agricultural Pesticide in Three Rural Communities in South Western Nigeria: A Preliminary Study.

Background:The improper use of pesticide is associated with respiratory morbidity in many developing countries.Aim:The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and its association with the use of agricultural pesticide among crop farmers in three rural communities in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Ijero local government in Ekiti State, Nigeria from June 2009 to August 2009. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers to obtain clinical information and exposure to pesticide and this was followed by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement using wright peak flow meter. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Corp., Chicago, IL, USA).Results:A total of 228 farmers participated in the study and 8.3% (19/228)of the farmers reported a lifetime exposure to pesticides. Recurrent breathlessness (odds ratio [OR] = 4.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65-10.86), chronic cough (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.21-7.23), chronic sputum (OR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.12-6.24) and nasal symptoms (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.21-7.25) were independently associated with pesticide exposure. Mean PEFR was lower in farmers using pesticide (323 [217] L/min) when compared with those not using pesticide (467 [189] L/min) P < 0.01. All the 228 (100.0%) respondents in this study were aware of the adverse effect of pesticide and only 2 (10.5%) of those exposed used a respiratory protective device. Previous pesticide education was not significantly associated with lower occurrence of respiratory symptoms.Conclusion:The use of pesticide among crop farmers is associated with increased respiratory symptoms and airflow limitations. Our results support the need for continuing pesticide education and promotion of safe practices among the farmers as the majority of them do not use protective devices.

Pattern of arthralgia in an urban community in Southwestern Nigeria

Arthritis is a common presentation among Nigerians, most especially in the elderly population. Easy access to over-the-counter drugs, paucity of data, and non-orthodox medical practice have underscored the need to examine the magnitude of the problem toward morbidity reduction risk factors. The objective of the study was to determine the pattern of arthralgia in Osogbo community in Southwestern Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between September 2010 and August 2011. Respondents were serially recruited as they presented to the randomly selected healthcare facilities. Interviewer administered questionnaires, and modified checklist were used for collecting clients information, physical examination, X-ray, and laboratory results. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. A total of 90 cases were screened, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5 and age range of 50-59 years. Females were more affected among the studied respondents, and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). About half (48.9%) used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for the pain, while about 17.8% used traditional herbs. Osteoarthritis of the knee was the most common radiological finding, constituting about 86.7% of the 30 respondents that had X-ray done. Only one case tested positive to rheumatoid factor in high-dilution titer. Notable complication of arthralgia in this study was loss of time off work in 46.6% of the respondents. Arthralgia of the knee joint was most common in the studied area, followed by that of hip and the ankle. Weight reduction strategies and prompt diagnosis and treatment were advocated. Since about half of the respondents used NSAID, the use of enteric-coated NSAID tablets would go a long way to minimize the unwanted side effects of NSAID, notably peptic ulceration and erosion.

Intestinal Helminthic Infection Increases Serum Levels of IL-2 and Decreases Serum TGF-Beta Levels in Nigerian Asthmatic Patients

Background: Asthma is less common in countries outside the organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD). One suggested mechanism for this disparity is the early life exposure to helminthic infection in non-OECD countries due to predominant Th1 immune response, which down-regulates Th2 responses required for exacerbation of asthma. This report is the first in the literature to describe the effects of helminthic infection on immune responses in asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic controls. Methods: We administered the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire to 1690 high school students in three rural communities in southwestern Nigeria. Based on questionnaire responses and medical examination, identified asthma cases were matched with controls. Stool samples were collected from all subjects and screened for intestinal helminthic infection. The serum of 12 asthmatics and 12 non-asthmatics (6 with intestinal helminthic infection and 6 without intestinal helminthic infection in each group) were assayed for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte macrophage colo- ny-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Results: The mean (±SD) serum levels of IL-2 significantly increased in asthma cases with intestinal helminthic infection compared with asthma cases without infection (41.5 ± 9.7 vs. 29.7 ± 10.3; p = 0.035), controls with intestinal helminthic infection compared with cases without infection (52 ± 4.7 vs. 29.7 ± 10.3; p < 0.001), and controls with intestinal helminthic infection compared to controls without infection (52 ± 4.7 vs. 34.2 ± 10.4; p = 0.003). Mean levels of TGF-β significantly increased in controls without infection compared with asthma cases with infection (1833 ± 93.1 vs. 633.3 ± 294.4; p < 0.001), controls without intestinal helminthic infection compared with asthma cases without infection (1833 ± 93.1 vs. 916.7 ± 204.1; p < 0.001), controls with intestinal helminthic infection compared to controls without infection (2366.7 ± 760.7 vs. 1833 ± 93.1; p < 0.001), and controls with intestinal helminthic infection compared with asthma cases without infection (2366.7 ± 760.7 vs.916.71 ± 204.1; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Intestinal helminthic infection independently increases IL-2 levels, while asthma decreases the level of TGF-β, which is further depressed by intestinal helminthic infection.

Perceptions and Use of Antimicrobials Among Staff of a University Community in Southwestern Nigeria

Public attitude and knowledge of antibiotics are determinants of rational use of antibiotics and prevention of antimicrobial drug resistance. This study assessed perception and use of antimicrobials among staff members of a University in Southwestern Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study among 450 staff members of Osun State University in Southwestern Nigeria using multistage sampling method was carried out. Semi-structured self-administered and pre-tested questionnaires were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software Version 17.0. Binary logistic regression models for the outcome variable of composite knowledge and attitude scores toward antimicrobials and their possible predictors were done and level of significance was set at p values ≤ .05 and confidence interval of 95% for all inferential analyses. Mean age of respondents was 26.8 (±11.1) years, and 331 (73.6%) had up to tertiary-level education. One hundred eighty-three (40.7%) and 267 (59.3%) had good and poor knowledge scores, respectively; 175 (38.9%) had positive attitude whereas 275 (61.1%) had negative attitude toward the use of antibiotics. About 279 (62.0%) were informed about judicious use of antibiotics, 398 (88.4%) had ever used antibiotics in the past 1 year with the Ampicillin and Cloxacillin combinations being the most commonly used. Eighty-eight (22.1%) used antibiotics for more than 10 days as at the last use. Predictors for having good knowledge and attitude include age, educational status, and ever having used antibiotics. Inadequate knowledge and attitude toward antibiotics were observed, and this necessitates sustained health education campaign to stakeholders on rational use of antibiotics, especially toward prevention of antimicrobial resistance.

A Retrospective Evaluation of Challenges in Urethral Stricture Management in a Tertiary Care Centre of a Poor Resource Community

BackgroundManagement of urethral stricture has evolved over the years with better understanding of the pathology, advancement in imaging, and introduction of several techniques of urethral reconstruction. In sub-Saharan Africa, advancement in management of urethral stricture may not be comparable with what obtained in most developed nations because of problems like late presentation and persistence of rare complications still reported in recent literature from the region.ObjectivesWe set to evaluate the challenges faced by urologists involved in the management of urethral strictures in Osogbo, a poor resource community in south western Nigeria.Patients and MethodsA retrospective study was performed in the urology unit of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria between July 2007 and July 2012. Information was retrieved from patients’ clinical notes and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.ResultsEighty-four patients were treated during the period of study, their ages ranged between 19 and 89 years with the mean age of 52.3 years. The mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 3 years and 1 month. Inflammation resulting from sexually transmitted infection was the commonest etiology and more than 50% of the patients presented with complications. Sixteen patients (19.1%) received no treatment due to lack of fund. More than 90% were dependent, unemployed or underemployed. Single stage reconstruction by urethral substitution was the commonest form of repair with the restenosis rate of 4.4%.ConclusionsPrevalent socio-cultural and economic situation in south western Nigeria have added some peculiar challenges to the management of urethral stricture in the region.