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This study was undertaken to undertaken to assess the Cryptosporidium burden in cattle in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. A total of 400 cattle fecal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts using Safranin-Methylene Blue staining technique. A questionnaire was used to analyze the possible factors driving the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in the study area. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 17.8% (71/400). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle was highest (32.4%, 22/68) in the Gwagwalada Area Council and lowest (12.1%, 8/66) in AMAC. There was a significant difference in prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle in the Area Councils (P= 0.010 < 0.005). There was a statistical difference in prevalence of Cryptosporidium and age, consistency of feces, breed, management practices and size of herd of cattle (P < 0.05) in the study area. There was no significant difference in sex and prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in the study area (P > 0.05). This study demonstrated a widespread prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Federal Capital Territory. More worrisome is their prevalence in asymptomatic cattle as reservoirs that may sustain zoonotic cycle of transmission in the humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various medical conditions in pregnancy may be traced to suboptimal levels of serum calcium during pregnancy. Communities' derivation of normal serum calcium reference interval is imperative. Objective: The objective was to determine the normal free (ionised) serum calcium reference interval among women of reproductive age in the federal capital territory (FCT) of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 240 women from six primary health-care facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. Their blood samples were collected in serum separator bottles. The outcome measure was the determination of the reference interval of free (ionised) serum calcium among the participants. Results: The obtained normal reference interval of ionised serum calcium (iCa) was 0.88–1.4 mmol/L. The accompanying reference intervals for total protein and albumin were 5.7–9.4 mg/dl and 3.3–5.2 mg/dl, respectively. Conclusion: The derived reference interval of iCa in this study was 0.88–1.4 mmol/L, while the total calcium range was 2.18–2.82 mmol/L. These intervals are recommended for use in the Nigerian FCT and its environs as it provides lower intervals compared to the operational values. There is a need for a national derived value as this may change the practice.

Introduction: School Health Service (SHS) is one of the five main components of the School Health Programme aimed at ensuring every child remains healthy to benefit maximally from his/her education. This study aimed to assess the level of implementation of SHS in primary schools in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in primary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council using a weighted School Health Service assessment checklist. Results: a total of 146 primary schools were studied. Ninety-five (65.1%) of the schools had no health personnel. First aid was offered by 129 (88.4%) of the schools for medical emergencies. All schools sent children with communicable diseases home. None of the public schools assessed had an ambulance or a sickbay. A total of 44 (30.1%) schools, made up of 8 (20.0%) public and 36 (34.0%) private schools, attained the acceptable minimum score of 19. The mean scores on school health services by the private and public schools were 16.31±3.96 SD and 16.23±2.87 SD respectively out of the attainable maximum score of 45 (t=0.145, p=0.885). Conclusion: the level of implementation of SHS in Gwagwalada Area Council is inadequate though with a slightly better situation in the private schools. For more effective SHSs in the study area, there is the need for the provision of sufficient human resources and facilities by stakeholders in Gwagwalada Area Council primary schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality healthcare delivery is imperative for sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction in any nation. It is a function of timely access to relevant and accurate patient health information by physicians, error-free prescription and medication, and the seamless transfer of patients from one level of care to another. However, the quality of healthcare delivery by physicians in Nigerian hospitals falls short of international best practices. The study investigated the influence of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) use on quality healthcare delivery by physicians in tertiary hospitals in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 610 physicians from the level of Registrar to that of Consultant in the three Federal Tertiary Hospitals located within the FCT. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 390 physicians (Registrars-Consultants) across all departments. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.89 to 0.98. The response rate was 99.5%. Data were analyzed using inferential (correlation, simple and multiple regression) statistics. Findings showed weak but significant relationships between quality healthcare delivery and Health Information Exchange (r(388)=.240, p<0.05), Computerized Physician Order Entry (r(388)=.173, p<0.05) and Clinical Decision Support (r(388)=.277, p<0.05). The study concluded that EHRs use contributes to quality healthcare delivery by physicians in tertiary hospitals in FCT, Nigeria. Therefore, the legislative arm of the government should enact a law on the adoption, implementation and use of electronic health records in the nation's tertiary hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various medical conditions in pregnancy may be traced to suboptimal levels of serum calcium during pregnancy. Communities' derivation of normal serum calcium reference interval is imperative. Objective: The objective was to determine the normal free (ionised) serum calcium reference interval among women of reproductive age in the federal capital territory (FCT) of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 240 women from six primary health-care facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. Their blood samples were collected in serum separator bottles. The outcome measure was the determination of the reference interval of free (ionised) serum calcium among the participants. Results: The obtained normal reference interval of ionised serum calcium (iCa) was 0.88-1.4 mmol/L. The accompanying reference intervals for total protein and albumin were 5.7-9.4 mg/dl and 3.3-5.2 mg/dl, respectively. Conclusion: The derived reference interval of iCa in this study was 0.88-1.4 mmol/L, while the total calcium range was 2.18-2.82 mmol/L. These intervals are recommended for use in the Nigerian FCT and its environs as it provides lower intervals compared to the operational values. There is a need for a national derived value as this may change the practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass migration that occurred during 2009-2013 and after the insurgency in northeastern Nigeria could have increased malaria incidence and Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in North Central Nigeria. To determine P. falciparum sequence diversity in this region, we screened 282 samples collected in regional clinics during 2015-2018 for Plasmodium spp. and, with positive samples, determined P. falciparum infection complexity and allele diversity using PCR. Of 34 P. falciparum-positive samples, 39 msp1, 31 msp2, and 13 glurp alleles were detected, and 88% of infections were polyclonal. We identified trimorphic and dimorphic allele combinations in a high percentage of samples, indicative of a high infection complexity in the study population. High genetic diversity is a catalyst for the evolution of drug-resistant alleles. Improved measures (e.g., better drug quality, diagnostics) are needed to control P. falciparum transmission and reduce the potential for the emergence of drug resistance in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants used to aid parturition in many parts of Nigeria are poorly described, though herbal remedies used to aid parturition in human and animal have long been recognized as one of the oldest form of remedies. The aim of this study was to identify native medicinal plants, their uses, methods of preparation and evaluation of their side effects in Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Data were collected from traditional medical practitioners, herbalists and herb sellers in twelve towns and villages in three local councils of FCT, 41 medicinal plants belonging to twenty one families were identified. The most frequently used families were Asclepiadaceae and Asdepiadaceae. This survey showed that Leptodenia lancifolia and Calotropis procera were among the frequently used plants to manage cases of dystocia, retained placenta and aid parturition in animals. This survey signifies the ethno medicinal value of many plant species found in Federal Capital Territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Urbanization, industrialization and changes in consumption patterns have compounded the problem of solid waste management in Nigeria. Poor waste management threatens the well-being and health of the local population, particularly those living adjacent to dumpsites. Objectives. An assessment of the impact of dumpsites in a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria was carried out to determine the level of biophysical/chemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, nutrients (calcium and magnesium), heavy metals (lead, chromium, zinc), and microbial burden) on the quality of soil and groundwater and their impact on health and the environment. Methods. Soil and ground water samples were collected in four different dumpsites (Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Azhatta) with reference samples taken from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and taken to the laboratory for biophysical/chemical analysis using standard methods. Results. The results were compared with the national and World Health Organization (WHO) standard limits for soil and water respectively. Except for zinc, the average concentrations for heavy metals in the soil samples were higher in all four dumpsites than the permissible levels. Soil and water parameters that exceed the standard limits pose significant health and environment risks to nearby residents. Conclusions. There is a need for raising the awareness of residents living close to dumpsites and those who use the well or nearby streams for domestic activities on the need to carry out adequate water treatment prior to its use. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

The Jama'atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda'wati wal jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad), popularly called Boko Haram, which literally means 'Western Education is Sin' was established in 2002 with the objective of restoring Islamic legal system (Sharia) in Northern Nigeria. It, therefore, started as a fundamental Islamic sect intended to supplant government structures that allegedly politicised, corrupted and bastardised proper implementation of Sharia in the North. In place of those structures, it will install an Islamic theocratic regime, in which Sharia law would be applied to the fullest. The sect carried out series of attacks on government facilities, security forces and later churches. In 2009, massive clampdown on the group by federal forces led to the death of one of its founders, Mohammed Yusuf. Boko Haram regrouped under a new leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2011 and embarked on a revenge mission for Yusuf's murder, leading to suicide bomb attacks on police, military and civilian targets. Although the Boko Haram violence occurs mostly in the Northeastern region of Nigeria, bringing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja (the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria) within its orbit raises the profile of the terror group. Attack on the FCT would also taunt the state over the vulnerability of the capital city as it also projects the state as incapable of fulfilling its primary responsibility of security of the lives and property of residents. The sect's violence on the FCT and its environs thus successfully imposed a climate of fear over the city and on the residents. In order to assess how residents of the FCT and its environs responded and are responding to the Boko Haram violence, this study adopts an eclectic blend of both survey and descriptive research methodologies. The study found out that the responses of residents of FCT to Boko Haram violence is spatio-temporal relating to space (area) or time. Areas (city centre or satellite towns) where residents lived or worked played a role in contributing to feeling of vulnerability and the fear of the sect was heightened among residents after the high-profile attack of the UN House Abuja in August 2011. However, with the inauguration mid 2015 of a new government headed by a Northern Muslim, the fear of potential Boko Haram attacks in the FCT and its environs has significantly abated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In developing countries, biological contaminants largely bacteria and other parasites constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food, water, nails, and fingers contaminated with faeces. Accordingly, food-handlers with poor personal hygiene could be potential sources of infections by these micro-organisms. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food handlers in the Federal Capital Territory. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive one in which a multistage sampling technique was employed to select 168 food handlers of various types. Subjects' stool, urine, and fingernail analyses were carried out and the result scientifically scrutinized. Results: Fingernail bacteria isolates include: E. Coli (1.8%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus(7.1%), Klebsiella species (2.4%), Serratia species (1.2%), Citrobacter species (1.2%), and Enterococcus species (1.8%). The subjects' stool samples tested positive: For A. lumbricoides (14.9%), T. trichuria (1.8%), S. starcolaris (3.0%), E. histolytica (10.7%), G. lambilia (1.8%), S. mansoni (1.2%), and Taenia species (4.8%). Furthermore, 42.3% and 15.5% of the stool specimen tested positive for Salmonella and Shigella species, respectively. Conclusion: Food establishments should screen and treat staff with active illness, and regularly train them on good personal and workplace hygiene practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: School Health Instructions (SHI) entail the instructional aspect of school health programme, which provides a classroom opportunity for inculcating healthy habits into the school- age child., Objective: To assess the status of implementation of school health instruction in primary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria., Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 146 primary schools in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Nigerian Federal capital was carried out to assess the implementation of SHI with respect to the contents, methods of delivery and teachers preparation for health teaching using an evaluation checklist for SHI., Results: Of 146 schools, 115(78.8%) schools attained the minimum acceptable score of 27. Of the 40 public and 106 private schools, 27(67.5%) public and 88(83.0%) private schools attained the acceptable minimum score of 27. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores attained cumulatively in the various components of the school health instruction by the public and private schools (t=2.721, p= 0.008). Public schools had significantly more teachers with education-related qualifications than private schools (p<0.001). Teachings on HIV/ AIDS, safety education and community health were undertaken by 95.9%, 93.2% and 95.2% schools respectively. Only 5(3.4%) schools followed the recommendation of giving health instruction at least thrice a week., Conclusion: Implementation of SHI was adequate in the study area, with a better performance among the private schools., Competing Interests: he author certifies that there is no conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All Conflict of Interest Forms are on file with the journal publication and are available on request., (Copyright © 2021 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Introduction: Early treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) cases is important for reducing transmission, morbidity and mortality associated with TB. In 2007, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria recorded low TB case detection rate (CDR) of 9% which implied that many TB cases were undetected. We assessed the knowledge, care-seeking behavior, and factors associated with patient delay among pulmonary TB patients in FCT., Methods: We enrolled 160 newly-diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in six directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) hospitals in FCT in a cross-sectional study. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic variables, knowledge of TB, and care-seeking behavior. Patient delay was defined as > 4 weeks between onset of cough and first hospital contact., Results: Mean age was 32.8 years (± 9 years). Sixty two percent were males. Forty seven percent first sought care in a government hospital, 26% with a patent medicine vendor and 22% in a private hospital. Forty one percent had unsatisfactory knowledge of TB. Forty two percent had patient delay. Having unsatisfactory knowledge of TB (p = 0.046) and multiple care-seeking (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with patient delay. After controlling for travel time and age, multiple care-seeking was independently associated with patient delay (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.09-4.35)., Conclusion: Failure to immediately seek care in DOTS centers and having unsatisfactory knowledge of TB are factors contributing to patient delay. Strategies that promote early care-seeking in DOTS centers and sustained awareness on TB should be implemented in FCT.