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A nation relies on its educators to provide skills for upcoming learners and workers. To do this, they need to have good health security in their qualified position and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should effectively support this. Researchers have carried out studies on NHIS in Nigeria but none have considered private school employees who are thought leaders and a significant category of the beneficiary population in the health insurance system. This research in Felele, Oluyole, and Bodija included six hundred questionnaires in sixty private schools in three selected localities alongside focused group discussions (FGDs) in six schools to elicit private school workers’ perception of the Nigerian NHIS scheme. Theoretically anchored in Health Belief Model (HBM) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), this study assessed the awareness, perception and enrolment levels of private school workers towards NHIS to bridge the information gap and improve their contributions and health of targeted workers. Results revealed a high level of awareness (81.7%) but a very low enrolment level (7.8%) of private school workers in the NHIS. As well, it was found that the lack of NHIS law enforcement, poverty, inequality, unfavourable registration process and lack of interest hinder enrolment. Based on this data; the authors claim it is important to raise awareness, perception and enrolment levels of private school employees. The conclusion reached is that, relevant authorities in Nigeria need to develop a workable system of combating healthcare issues in the country by considering targeted subsidies, involving potential beneficiaries in reviewing the NHIS’s policies and re-strategizing information flow or dissemination on the programme as well as removing obstacles that are preventing potential enrolees from registering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of the solution-defying incidence of child labourers in Nigerian cities, this study examined the relationship between public spaces and incidence of child labourers in Ibadan Municipality, Nigeria. Data were obtained through direct counting of child labourers and cursory observation of the physical and environmental compositions of their places of operation. The direct counting was conducted for seven days of the week in the morning, afternoon and evening within defined activity-nuclei purposively selected across three densities of residential areas of the municipality: high, medium and low. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics. Findings showed that the incidence and categories of child labourers varied with public spaces and density of residential areas, and also followed the concentric, sector and multiple nuclei theories of urban land use. The study, therefore, recommended that urban planners and government have roles to play in offering lasting solution to the menace of child labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal myomectomy is a common modality of treatment for large and symptomatic uterine fibroids in women who wish to retain their fertility. Black women have higher rates and larger sizes of uterine fibroids. We aimed to determine the presentation patterns, peri-operative complications, and determinants of complications in patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy. This was a retrospective review of women who had abdominal myomectomy between July 2016 and June 2019. There were intra-operative complications and post-operative complications in 25% and 29.3% of patients respectively. There were higher odds for developing intra-operative complications among those who had general anaesthesia [OR = 3.514, 95%CI (1.951–6.331)], more than 10 fibroid nodules enucleated [OR = 4.917, 95%CI (2.600–9.298)], pre-operative Packed cell volume (PCV) < 30% [OR = 4.831, 95%CI (2.370–9.880)], presence of adhesions [OR = 2.680, 95%CI (1.510–4.730)], fibroids larger than 10 centimetres [OR = 1.98, 95%CI (1.13–3.49)], previous pelvic surgery [OR = 2.68, 95%CI (1.52–4.63)]. Post-operative complications were higher in those who had general anaesthesia or pre-existing medical conditions. What is already known on this subject? Abdominal myomectomy is a major surgical procedure globally with a significant morbidity rate. Sufficient evidence relating to the determinants of peri-operative complications are lacking. What do the results of this study add? Our results highlight the factors associated with increased odds of developing complications following abdominal myomectomy. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study complements existing data on the peri-operative complications following abdominal myomectomy. It also reflects the possibility of mortality albeit a rarerity. A retrospective multivariate analysis like this, while classifying morbidities into intra-operative and post-operative complications, is required to start an audit cycle. Knowing these determinants will help improve patient optimisation for surgery, identify high risk women and enhance more directed counselling. The results from this pilot study will also be used to design a prospective study to be undertaken by the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are interactive physical platforms that respond to touch command of the user when an account holder inserts a coded bank card. They are operated with finger impressions of bank customers after insertion of the coded card. Objective: To determine the prevalence of isolates, quantify and determine the susceptibility of the isolates to conventional antibiotics and to test the efficacy of disinfectants on the bacterial isolates from these selected ATMs. Methods: Ten(10) ATMs were selected per Local Government Areas (LGA) in five LGA. Sterile swab impregnated with physiological saline was aseptically impressed and rolled over the keypad and screens of the ATMs. The swabs were inoculated in peptone broth and incubated for 24 to 48hours. The inoculums from the broth were streaked on five (5) different selective agar media and standard biochemical tests were used to confirm the bacterial isolates. Results: The prevalence rates of the bacterial agents found on the ATMs were as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (30; 60%), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp (10; 20%), Pseudomonas spp (16; 32%), and Streptococcus spp (20; 40%) respectively. Antibiogram was carried on biochemically identified isolates, and most of the isolates showed varied susceptibility to the antibiotics and the disinfectants tested. Conclusion: Multiple bacterial isolates found in this study have the potential to attain pathogenic status in compromised hosts and the possibility of transmission of these isolates from one user to another is a challenge of epidemiological magnitude.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem with associated high morbidity and mortality. This study was a retrospective review of post-mortem examination findings of hospitalised patients with DM for causes of death. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional autopsy review of all the patients with DM in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2017 was conducted. The causes of death were classified into cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, acute diabetic emergencies, infection, cancers and unnatural deaths. The demographic data and clinicopathological parameters were extracted, and the data were analysed using the SPSS software version 23. Results: A total of 1092 cases of autopsy were done within the study period, of which 91 cases were on patients with diabetes accounting for 8.3%. Infections with sepsis were the major cause of death, accounting for 51.6% followed by cardiovascular diseases (16.5%), cancers (14.3%), acute diabetic emergencies (6.6%) and cerebrovascular accidents (6.6%), with renal complications and road traffic accidents accounting for 2.2% each. Patients' age ranged from 31 to 84 years, with a modal age of 57 years. There was a male predominance with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. Systemic hypertension co-morbidity was statistically significantly more common in patients aged 60 and above (P = 0.035). The most common lesion observed in the kidneys was benign nephrosclerosis (43.2%). Conclusions: This study suggests that majority of our patients with diabetes mellitus die from infections with attendant sepsis. Older patients appear to have co-morbid systemic hypertension. Patient education on infection prevention and prompt treatment might be life-saving.

Background: The appendix is a vestigial tube-like organ. Its exact physiological function is unknown. Appendectomies are done usually following a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Neoplasms can arise from this organ as well. Carcinoids are the most common neoplasms arising commonly at the tips. This retrospective review of neoplasms of the appendix was aimed at identifying the incidence and describing the histological variants of neoplasms of the appendix in our environment. Materials and Methods: This study was a 10-year retrospective review of all appendectomy specimens submitted to the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Microscopy was done examining the longitudinal sections from the tip to the base of the appendix. The histological diagnosis was extracted from the records in the department and classified using the WHO classification of tumors of the appendix (2019). Patients' biodata such as age and sex were also extracted. The data were analyzed for frequency distribution using SPSS 23. Results: The incidence of neoplasms in the appendix was 0.84% of the 1071 appendectomies received in our department over the study period. Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) was the most common histological variant accounting for 55.5% of neoplasms, followed by metastatic carcinoma at 22.2% and carcinoids at 11.1%. There was a female preponderance of 77.8%. Conclusion: Neoplasms of the appendix are rare in our environment, and LAMN was the most common neoplasm of the appendix in our institution. There is a female preponderance among patients with appendiceal neoplasms.

Background: Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is the fourth-most common cancer among women worldwide, and the leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries. Objective: Cervical carcinoma is a major cause of mortality in a developing nation such as Nigeria. This study provides an update on the prevalence of pathological variants of cervical carcinomas seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study involving the review of all the histologically diagnosed cervical carcinoma in the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan between January 2012 and December 2016. The histologically diagnosed cancers and the relevant clinical and histopathological information relating to these tumors were extracted from the records of the department. All cases were treated as anonymous with strict confidentiality. The cases were classified using the World Health Organization histological classification of tumors of the cervix (2014). The obtained data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Results: A total of 294 cases were included in this study. The peak age of diagnosis was in the 6th decade. Two hundred and fifty-two cases (86.0%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 18 cases (6.1%) were adenocarcinomas, 16 cases (5.5%) were adenosquamous carcinomas, and 6 cases (2.2%) were adenoid cystic carcinomas, and one representing 0.3% was a neuroendocrine carcinoma. The most common histological grade was moderately differentiated (Grade 2). The large cell nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological variant.Conclusion: A majority of cervical carcinomas are squamous cell carcinomas and are majorly the large cell nonkeratinizing variant.

The aetiology of OSCC remains unclear, however, aberrant methylation of CpG island promoters of tumor suppressor genes have been identified as contributory developmental pathways in several cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of RUNX3 gene methylation and how its association with patients' demographic variables such as gender, age, histologic class and tumor location could be of diagnostic value for OSCC. Sixty-seven formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) solid tissue blocks of OSCC, and nine blocks of benign oral lesions of epithelial origin retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, South-West Nigeria were used for the analyses. Frequency of CpG island methylation in the promoter region of RUNX3 was determined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Association between gender, age, tumor location, histologic class and promoter methylation in RUNX3 was assessed with Pearson's X2 test. Overall, 45% (30/67) of OSCC demonstrated methylation in the RUNX3 promoter indicating a high frequency of methylation of the CpG island promoter region of RUNX3. There was no association between gender, age, histologic class and promoter methylation in RUNX3 (P > 0.05), however a significant association was observed between tumor location and promoter methylation of RUNX3 (P < 0.05). Aberrant methylation of the CpG island promoter region of RUNX3 together with tumor location could therefore be critical in the development and diagnosis of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examines the influencing factors in sustaining psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Hence, this paper proposes increasing and sustaining psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. The paper espoused a quantitative research approach based on a survey research design. The results showed that psychological distress, social support, domestic violence, and family conflict resolution significantly jointly and independently influence psychological wellbeing among married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. The results show that family conflict resolution is a noteworthy moderator of the negative influence of psychological distress and domestic violence in sustaining psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Besides, the outcomes indicate that religion significantly influences psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Therefore, developmental psychologists, organizational managers, human resources practitioners, counselors, and religious organizations should encourage reducing psychological distress by increasing social support, reducing domestic violence, and achieving consistent conflict resolution within families. This step will sustain psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Nigeria. Thus, this paper has recognized psychological distress, social support, domestic violence, family conflict resolution, and demographic factors (for instance, religion) as significant influencers in sustaining psychological wellbeing amongst married career women in Ibadan, Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burden of mental health problems among medical students is on the increase especially when compared with their counterparts in other disciplines. This has counterproductive impact on the society. Understanding the prevalence and predictors of common mental health problems can inform early intervention to curb this menace. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, pattern and correlates of common mental health problems (anxiety and depression) amongst medical students of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 690 pre-clinical and clinical medical students of the University of Ibadan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression at p < 0.05. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 26.5% and 10.1%, respectively, with 6.8% having both. Perceived risk factors included overwhelming academic workload (65.2%) and failure to meet up with academic expectations (64.1%). The predictors of comorbid anxiety and depression were: polygamous family setting (OR 2.7: 95% CI: 1.156–6.536) and preclinical studentship (OR: 6.2; 95% CI: 2.282–16.868). This study shows that the prevalence of mental health problems is high among medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa with a prevalence rate of >7%. It is an important clinical problem due to its potential adverse sequelae, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The additional challenge of its associated chronic infection makes its prevention difficult despite the widely available vaccine. Infectious chronic HBV carriers are likely to be the most common source of HBV infection in the community. This study aims to study the degree of infectiousness of HBV carriers by testing for HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) and antibody among HBV carriers attending the gastrointestinal clinic at University College Hospital (UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria). This is a cross-sectional study among 129 consecutively recruited HBV infected individuals who gave informed consent to participate in the study. The participants of the study were recruited from clients attending the gastrointestinal clinic of UCH. The sera obtained from the participants were tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, and antibodies to HBV envelope antibodies (HBeAb) using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits by DIA.PRO (Diagnostic Bioprobes Srl, Milan, Italy) according to the manufacturer's instruction. Of 129 samples collected, 63 (48.8%) tested positive for HBeAg, whereas 72 (55.8%) tested positive for HBeAb (p = 0.012); HBeAg prevalence was higher in females than males and also prevalent among the age group of 31–40 years. Seventy-four (57.4%) of the participants also tested positive for both HBeAg and HBeAb, whereas 55 (42.6%) were negative for both. This study shows that there is a high level of infectiousness among HBsAg-positive individuals in Ibadan, Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association of Hirschsprung's disease with anorectal malformation (ARM) is both diagnostically and surgically challenging, in addition to it being a rarity. Symptoms attributable to post-repair of ARM may mask the underlying Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and become worse after closure of stoma. We aim to highlight this rare finding, the challenges associated with the management and the consequent multiple surgeries the patient underwent., Case Presentation: We report the case of a seven-year-old boy who had a diverting Devine descending colostomy for high ARM and was followed up until he had a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). He thereafter re-presented with complaints of intermittent constipation which was not responsive to rectal washout necessitating a levelling colostomy and subsequently an abdominal Swenson's pull-through procedure. Postoperative period was complicated with a colo-urethral fistula (Urethroscopy findings https://youtu.be/lxzyp1uHFpE?feature=shared) necessitating multiple staged surgeries. He has been followed up in clinic for over one-year post-surgery with complaints relating to frequent bowel motion, passes well-formed stool about three times daily. We report a rare case of HD associated with ARM, highlighting the delay in diagnosis, the associated morbidities requiring multiple surgeries and the challenges encountered in the management of the patient., Conclusion: Hirschsprung's disease in a patient with anorectal malformation is a very rare occurrence, which can be fraught with delayed diagnosis and consequences as a result of the previous anorectoplasty. There is need to have a high index of suspicion and we hope this report will help raise the awareness of this association., (© Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan.)

INTRODUCTION: The tobacco control interventions targeted at preventing the initiation of tobacco habits are crucial to effective control of tobacco use among adolescents. An understanding of the predictors of susceptibility to or future intention to smoke is important in developing effective intervention programmes. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence and predictors of susceptibility and future intention to smoke cigarettes among school-going adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: a cross-sectional study among 830 school-going, non-smoking adolescents, who were randomly selected from 18 secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria. Using a self-administered, structured questionnaire, information on socio-demography, tobacco attitudes and habits were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: the prevalence of susceptibility and future intention to smoke cigarette were 25.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Predictors of susceptibility were low social-class (aOR:1.68; 95%CI:1.01-2.80); cigarette sale near schools (aOR:2.04; 95%CI:1.16-3.61); poor attitude (aOR:1.93; 95%CI:1.29-2.89); no harm-perception to smoking (aOR:3.55; 95%CI:2.13-5.92), exposure to SHS (aOR:2.31; 95%CI:1.52-3.50) and perceived safety of short-term smoking (aOR:1.59; 95%CI:1.02-2.44). Predictors of future intention to smoke were: ever-tobacco smoking (aOR:2.05; 95%CI:1.003-4.170); cigarette sale near schools (aOR:1.79; 95%CI:1.09-2.94); poor attitude (aOR:1.95; 95%CI:1.31-2.88), no harm perception to smoking (aOR:3.87; 95%CI:2.38-6.31), exposure to SHS (aOR:2.45; 95%CI:1.64-3.67) and perceived safety of short-term smoking (aOR:1.59; 95%CI:1.05-2.44). CONCLUSION: a significant proportion of the population had high susceptibility to smoking as well as future intention to smoke. Sales of cigarettes near schools, poor attitude and poor perception about the harm from smoking and exposure to SHS were important predictors of both susceptibility and future intention to smoke among respondents.

INTRODUCTION: nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively common in our environment. It is one of the most difficult malignancies to diagnose at an early stage. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical features, clinical disease stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at presentation and at diagnosis as well as the histologic types at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: this was a ten year retrospective study of all histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma between January 2007 to December 2016 using clinical and pathology records and files. RESULTS: there were 73 cases. The male: female ratio was 1.7. The age of patients ranged from 12 to 80 years with a mean age of 39 ± 16 years. The median age at diagnosis was 40 years. The peak age group of occurrence was 40-49 years. The most common symptoms were namely epistaxis in 67.1% of patients at presentation, neck mass/swelling (64.4%) and nasal mass/obstruction (63.0%). Majority (54.8%) of the patients presented late with stage 3 or 4 disease. Most (94.5%) of the tumours were of the non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma subtype. The keratinizing and basaloid variants accounted for 4.1% and 1.4% of the tumours respectively. CONCLUSION: vague, non-specific symptoms make patients present at late stages of the disease, makings it almost impossible to attempt cure. The dominant histopathological type is non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and resembles that seen in most parts of Nigeria and endemic areas of the world.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most important female malignancy in terms of incidence and mortality in Nigeria and globally. This burden of breast cancer requires preventive efforts directed at modifiable risk factors especially within a population at risk. Percentage body fat has previously been found to be higher among breast cancer patients compared to matched controls in global studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between percentage body fat and breast cancer in the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. METHODOLOGY: The percentage body fat, estimated through two different techniques (bioelectric impedance assay and skin fold thickness), of 70 breast cancer patients and 71 age and gender matched controls were compared. RESULTS: The cases of breast cancer had lower mean percentage body compared to their controls. However, the difference was only significant when estimated by skinfold thickness (SFT). There was an independent association between low percentage body fat (SFT) and breast cancer on multiple logistic regression with an OR of 0.921 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The study indicated an independent significant association between low percentage body fat and breast cancer. This pattern is peculiar to our environment and is due to the advanced stages at which breast cancer patients present to the UCH, Ibadan. As such, there is a need for advocacy to encourage patients to present early. Furthermore, larger longitudinal or cohort studies need to be done in Nigeria to precisely define the relationship between percentage and breast cancer.

There has been proliferation of mobile phone base station towers in recent years due to an expansion of mobile telephone networks. This has been accompanied by an increase in the community concern about possible radiation exposure due to the radio frequency (RF) radiation emissions from antennae mounted on the base station towers. This work presents RF measurements and information on the levels at selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. The highest RF power density of 499.6 μW/m2 obtained at Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) 1800 band occurred at Apete market. The lowest RF power density of 0.1 μW/m2 was also obtained at Alesinloye for GSM 1800, Dugbe, and Ogunpa for GSM 900; at this point of measurement, the base transceiver station was not in the line of sight. The measured RF levels were compared with the maximum permissible limit for nonoccupational exposure with respect to the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation – Human Exposure) Standard 1999 which specifies a maximum nonoccupational exposure limit of 2 W/m2 (equivalent to 200 μW/cm2) at relevant base station frequencies. The results showed that the RF exposure levels were several orders of magnitude below the maximum permissible limits around the environments of the major markets in the city of Ibadan.

In this paper, detailed and comprehensive analysis of the technical, environmental and economic benefits of providing adequate water supply using solar PV system for three selected abattoirs (Bodija, Akinyele and Iyana church abattoirs) in Ibadan are presented. First, an estimate of average daily water requirement for slaughtering and cleaning cattle is obtained for each of the abattoir. This was achieved through oral interviews conducted at the different abattoirs to arrive at a reliable estimate. Thereafter, the total water requirement, the water storage capacity and the electrical load requirement necessary for the sizing of solar PV system that will enhance the smooth operation of the abattoir are determined. Some of the key results revealed that the water requirements of the abattoirs are 208,780, 91,632 and 78,590 l/week, respectively. The most suitable submersible pump for the three abattoirs is 60GS50 (5hp, 60gallon/min Goulds series). The cost of pumping water and providing lighting for smooth operation of the abattoirs are $0.23, $0.21 and $0.19, respectively. The results also show that 16,300, 15,200 and 14,600 kg/yr of carbon dioxide as well as 46.37, 43.36 and 41.45 kg/yr of carbon monoxide could be avoided, respectively with the implementation of the project.

Introduction: The high mortality associated with fulminant Hepatitis E infection in pregnancy justifies the need to assess the epidemiologic proportion of this underestimated virus. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the burden of HEV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal Clinic in Ibadan. Methodology: HEV IgG and IgM serological surveys were carried out among 230 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria. Serum and stool samples from HEV IgM positive women were further analysed using two independent reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) assays, targeting ORF1 region of HEV genome. Socio-demographic variables associated with HEV in these women, were analyzed to estimate statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: Eleven (4.8%) women had HEV IgM, while 39 (17.0%) women had HEV IgG. Three (27.3%) of the 11 anti-HEV IgM positive samples were positive for HEV RNA while all stool samples tested negative for HEV RNA. HEV infection among pregnant women was statistically associated with age (p = 0.044), and educational status (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Recent HEV infection among this pregnant population is on the lower part of the scale, compared with other Sub-Saharan African countries. However, the HEV IgG seroprevalence rate suggests indirect evidence of past contact with HEV.

The study examined the stop-making behaviour of households during evening commute across residential zones in Ibadan, Nigeria. 1,794 commuting household heads were selected from 15 wards in the city. Significant relationships were established between evening intervening stops and most socioeconomic characteristics. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between residential zone and time added to evening commute, while distance added to evening commute varied across the three residential zones. Unlike most previous studies, the study came up with some important findings that are capable of enhancing our understanding of the trip-chaining behaviour of households with no access to private vehicles.

The urban Ibadan market is not only important for its economic value, but also for its representation of the worldview of the Yoruba people of South-Western Nigeria. Yoruba urban markets are adorned with different spiritualists who also earn their livelihood in the market space. Hence, through the employment of observations and in-depth interviews, the study examines how spirituality shapes child health and mothers' health seeking behaviours in Ibadan urban markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on police interrogation have examined interrogating police officers' (IPOs') deployment of power abuse in gleaning confessional statements from suspects. However, studies on how IPOs handle denials during interrogation has not been given adequate attention. Therefore, this study investigates discourse strategies of handling denials in police -- suspect interaction in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Spencer-Oatey's rapport management theory served as theoretical background. Recorded police interrogation sessions at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Ìyágankú, Ibadan, constituted the data. Four cases (assault, stealing, Internet fraud and robbery) were sampled, owing to their robust manifestation of facial, sociality, and interactional cues between the IPOs and suspects. While suspects adopt empathic and explanatory forms of denial to threaten IPOs' goals, IPOs make lexical, discursive, and paralinguistic choices to negotiate discursive acts of appealing to suspects' needs, constructing testimonies against suspects, emphasising suspects' rights and engaging detention and investigation to threaten the face, sociality rights, and goals of suspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orphanages have traditionally played a key role in meeting the needs of abandoned and displaced children. This is still the case in many countries like Nigeria where they provide shelter for children of all ages presenting a variety of needs. For those defined as orphaned and vulnerable, there are few alternatives and no budgetary allocations for residential provision. In this situation, the management of orphanages has become a salient issue and the dearth of research is serious as social and family systems are under increasing pressures and more children from Africa are entering care in developed countries. This article provides an ethnographic and cross-sectional study of the current situation in one Nigerian city. It shows that residential institutions provide a comprehensive service for children requiring substitute care, fulfilling many different functions and meeting all needs. The homes are run by a mixture of state, voluntary and private organisations, leading to considerable variation in the resources available and the quality of care. Some of the reasons why children are admitted are now rare in developed countries and reflect the prevailing legislation, cultural values and poverty in the region. Given the rising number of children with African heritage entering care in the UK and the arrival of others via intercountry adoption, the article alerts social workers to information that might aid their understanding of these children's histories and the nature of the services they have received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using urban legibility elements, this paper examined residents' experience and satisfaction with navigation in Ibadan metropolis. This was with a view to suggesting policy response to enhance the livability and sustainability of the city and others with similar background. Five local government areas make up Ibadan municipality and comprise three residential areas (core, transition, and suburban). One ward was randomly selected in each residential zone of the city. A total of 14,269 residential buildings were identified in the selected areas. Using systematic sampling, every 50th building in each of the wards was selected for questionnaire administration culminating into 285 household heads. The study established that variation existed in the availability of urban legibility elements in different residential districts in the city. Also, residents experience varying difficulties with giving/receiving description in the city. Furthermore, variation existed in the effectiveness and satisfaction residents derived from the use of available urban legibility elements. It established that residents' experience of urban legibility in the study area is determined by age, monthly income, number of years spent in the city, and educational attainment. The study recommended the integration of urban legibility elements in the preparation and implementation of layouts in order to aid navigation and delivery of urban services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the tobacco control interventions targeted at preventing the initiation of tobacco habits are crucial to effective control of tobacco use among adolescents. An understanding of the predictors of smoking susceptibility and future intention to smoke is important in developing effective intervention programmes. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence and predictors of susceptibility and future intention to smoke cigarettes among school-going adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: a cross-sectional study among 830 school-going, non-smoking adolescents, who were randomly selected from 18 secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria. Using a self-administered, structured questionnaire, information on socio-demography, tobacco attitudes and habits were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: the prevalence of susceptibility and future intention to smoke cigarette were 25.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Predictors of susceptibility were low social-class (aOR:1.68; 95%CI:1.01-2.80); cigarette sale near schools (aOR:2.04; 95%CI:1.16-3.61); poor attitude (aOR:1.93; 95%CI:1.29-2.89); no harm-perception to smoking (aOR:3.55; 95%CI:2.13-5.92), exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) (aOR:2.31; 95%CI:1.52- 3.50) and perceived safety of short-term smoking (aOR:1.59; 95%CI:1.02-2.44). Predictors of future intention to smoke were: ever-tobacco smoking (aOR:2.05; 95%CI:1.003-4.170); cigarette sale near schools (aOR:1.79; 95%CI:1.09-2.94); poor attitude (aOR:1.95; 95%CI:1.31-2.88), no harm perception to smoking (aOR:3.87; 95%CI:2.38-6.31), exposure to SHS (aOR:2.45; 95%CI:1.64-3.67) and perceived safety of short-term smoking (aOR:1.59; 95%CI:1.05-2.44). Conclusion: a significant proportion of the population had high susceptibility to smoke as well as high future intention to smoke. Sales of cigarettes near schools, poor attitude and poor perception about the harm from smoking and exposure to SHS were important predictors of both susceptibility and future intention to smoke among respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oncologic surgical extirpation, the mainstay of loco-regional disease control in breast cancer, is aimed at achieving negative margins and lymph node clearance. Even though axillary lymph nodal metastasis is a critical index of prognostication, establishing the impact of lymph node ratio (LNR) and adequate surgical margins on diseasespecific survivorship would be key to achieving longer survival. This study examines the prognostic role of pN (lymph nodes positive for malignancy), LNR and resection margin on breast cancer survival in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 225 patients with breast carcinoma, documented clinico-pathologic parameters and 5-year follow up outcomes - distant metastasis and survival. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the interaction of resection margin and proportion of metastatic lymph nodes with patients' survival. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the proportion of metastatic lymph nodes which predicted survival. The survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Sixty (26.7%) patients of the patients had positive resection margins, with the most common immuno-histochemical type being Lumina A. 110 (49%) patients had more than 10 axillary lymph nodes harvested. The mean age was 48.6 + 11.8 years. Tumour size (p = 0.018), histological type (p = 0.015), grade (p = 0.006), resection margin (p = 0.023), number of harvested nodes (p < 0.01), number of metastatic nodes (p < 0.001) and loco-regional recurrence (p < 0.01) are associated with survival. The overall 5-year survival was 65.3%. Conclusion: Unfavourable survival outcomes following breast cancer treatment is multifactorial, including the challenges faced in the multimodal treatment protocol received by our patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER--2) protein has been shown to have both prognostic and therapeutic values in several malignancies including urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder (UCB). Aims: This study aimed to determine HER--2 protein overexpression and evaluate its correlation with clinico--pathological parameters in UCB. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive--analytical study involving the immunohistochemical review of all histologically diagnosed urinary bladder malignancy in the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, between January 2002 and December 2016. Urinary bladder malignancies whose tissue blocks could not be found and/or demographic data were not available were excluded. Immunohistochemistry analysis was done using rabbit anti--HER--2 antibody (Biocare) and American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guidelines established for breast cancer were used for HER--2 status scoring. The statistical analysis was carried out usingthe Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: HER--2 overexpression was found in four (6.3%) cases. All the HER--2--positive cases were males. One (2.9%) of the 35 high--grade UCB showed positive HER--2 overexpression, whereas three (10.7%) of the 28 low--grade tumor were positive for HER--2 protein overexpression. There was no statistically significant association between HER--2 protein overexpression and histological grades of UCB and muscle invasion by the tumor. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the low percentage of HER--2 overexpression in UCB with no significant association with tumor grades and muscle invasion. Larger samples involving multiple centers can provide more robust information and further evaluate HER--2 overexpression in urothelial carcinoma in our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths infection is a major limiting factor of pig production, which poses a public health challenge and increases cost of production. There are also problems in the diagnosis and effective health management of pigs in Nigeria. A cross sectional study of 10 different pig farms was carried out in Ibadan to determine the prevalence of GI helminths infection and the associated factors. The breed, age, sex and body condition score of each screened pig were documented. Faecal sample was collected directly from the rectum and processed with MiniFLOTAC method, using zinc sulphate floatation solution. Two hundred and seventy-five (275) pigs were screened and 73 (26.5%) were positive for GI helminths, namely: Strongyles spp, Strongyloides ransomi, Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis. Statistical significance taking p-value to be < 0.05 was observed between overall GI helminths prevalence and (farm, age) while GI helminths prevalence was not significantly (p>0.05) related to breed, sex and body condition score. The prevalence of GI helminths in pigs obtained in this study provides an updated information on the status of GI helminths in pigs raised in Ibadan. It is therefore necessary that concerted and focused effort on the part of the farmers and the government be made to completely stamp out GI helminths disease completely in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively common in our environment. It is one of the most difficult malignancies to diagnose at an early stage. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical features, clinical disease stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at presentation and at diagnosis as well as the histologic types at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: this was a ten year retrospective study of all histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma between January 2007 to December 2016 using clinical and pathology records and files. Results: there were 73 cases. The male: female ratio was 1.7. The age of patients ranged from 12 to 80 years with a mean age of 39 ± 16 years. The median age at diagnosis was 40 years. The peak age group of occurrence was 40-49 years. The most common symptoms were namely epistaxis in 67.1% of patients at presentation, neck mass/swelling (64.4%) and nasal mass/obstruction (63.0%). Majority (54.8%) of the patients presented late with stage 3 or 4 disease. Most (94.5%) of the tumours were of the non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma subtype. The keratinizing and basaloid variants accounted for 4.1% and 1.4% of the tumours respectively. Conclusion: vague, non-specific symptoms make patients present at late stages of the disease, making it almost impossible to attempt cure. The dominant histopathological type is non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and resembles that seen in most parts of Nigeria and endemic areas of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operational characteristics as influenced by management systems are crucial to the sustainability of fish seed production industry. However, there is a dearth of technical information on the characteristics and financial performance of most fish hatcheries in Nigeria. There is, therefore, a need to provide this information to properly guide existing operators and the will-be investors on operational features that will ensure sustainability of fish seed production in Nigeria. The study was, therefore, carried out to compare and understand the performance of different fish seed production management systems in Ibadan, Nigeria. A survey of 51 registered and operational hatcheries employing flow-through (FL), recirculating cum flow-through (RCFL) and recirculating systems (RC), in the eleven Local government areas of Ibadan metropolis was carried out between April and May, 2017. Technical information was sourced using structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and oneway ANOVA with means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The study showed that the average African Catfish hatchery production was 4.90 million seed per year as computed from the mean from the three systems (2.29 million, 2.63 million and 9.79 million for RC, RCFL and FL systems, respectively). On average, 64.6% of hatchery production was sold as fingerlings (5cm), while 35.4% of seed production was sold as juveniles (8 -15cm). Total costs and total revenues in FL hatcheries (N21.38 million and N86.09 million, respectively) were highest and least values (N5.62 million and N22.72 million, respectively) were recorded in RC hatcheries. Net profits were significantly higher in FL systems (79.6% of sales) and RC systems (79.2% of sales), than RCFL (67.7% of sales) and. A 50% reduction in seed price and 75% increase in operating costs resulted in losses only in RCFL system. Main challenges of hatchery operation were price fluctuation, a high cost of power and availability of high-quality broodstock, among other factors. Flow-through culture system is mostly adopted in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria and gave the highest net profit as a percentage of sales, but profit was marginally higher than the result from the recirculating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are increasing in proportion in developing countries. Ovarian cancer has the highest case fatality rate among gynecological cancers but forms only 3%. Its etiology is unknown, and no cost-effective screening program exists due to the absence of well-defined precursor lesions. Early symptoms are vague but can be used to detect Stages I and II diseases. Documented knowledge or awareness of ovarian cancer varies between 4.4% and 15%. However, this is the first community-based survey in Africa to determine knowledge of ovarian cancer by females. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was semi-structured and interviewer administered. Females aged 15 years and above were selected through a four-stage process involving urban/semi-urban settings, local government areas, wards, and units. We randomly selected 424 participants, equally distributed between urban and semi-urban areas. Bivariate and linear regression analyses were done. Results: Most (83.5%) of the respondents were

Background: Postgraduate training in Family Medicine in Nigeria began over three decades ago, but it was not until recently that the National University Commission (NUC) made it a policy for all Nigerian universities to include undergraduate Family Medicine training in their curriculum. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of Family Medicine among medical students at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of four weeks (June 11–July 6, 2018) among 131 fourth-year, 118 fifth-year and 163 sixth-year medical students at UCH, Ibadan. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Data were collected from 309 (75% of the target population). The mean age of the respondents was 22.3 ± 2.3 years. The majority (74.4%) did not have a family member who was a doctor and only 2.3% had a family member who was specialising in Family Medicine. Most of the participants (68.9%) had good knowledge of Family Medicine, while 57.3% had good perception of Family Medicine as a specialty. Importantly, an increase in year of clerkship was associated with an increase in the knowledge of Family Medicine among the respondents. Conclusion: It was observed that with increase in length of exposure to Family Medicine as a specialty, knowledge and perception of the specialty improved among the medical students. It is imperative that all the medical schools in Nigeria implement the NUC directive and start undergraduate Family Medicine training.

INTRODUCTION: Dry eye is a fairly common ocular surface disorder which significantly affects the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, and relationship between dry eye and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) among patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a descriptive hospital-based study conducted among patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and attending the Diabetic Clinic at a tertiary health facility in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Dry eye was assessed using the standardized Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire administered to the eligible respondents on dry eye symptoms. Detailed ocular examination including the tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer I test were carried out; and, a recent glycosylated haemoglobin value was also obtained. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-nine Type 2 diabetic patients were studied, with 68.8% female and a mean age of 60.2, 10.3 years. The frequency of dry eye among patients was 21.7% (95% CI, 15.8-27.6). The most commonly reported symptom of dry eye was "feeling of gritty sensation" (78%, 95% CI, 65.4-90.7) and "blurred vision" (73.2%, 95% CI, 59.6-86.7) while "discomfort in windy areas" (61%, 95% CI, 46.0-75.9) was the most common environmental trigger. No statistically significant correlation was noted between dry eye and HbA1c (r = 0.086, p= 0.239), and age (r = 0.096, p = 0.190). CONCLUSION: Dry eye is fairly common among patients with diabetes mellitus with most frequent symptoms being gritty sensation and blurred vision. No significant correlation was noted between dry eye and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection (IPI) is a serious public health challenge often neglected in most developing countries. Pregnant women are a high-risk population for these infections which can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as maternal anaemia, preterm delivery and low birth weight., Objective of the Study: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with the risk of acquisition of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in selected public hospitals in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria., Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 598 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in selected public hospitals in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria. Five public hospitals were purposively selected based on their antenatal clinic client attendance before this study. Data was collected to assess sociodemographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviours, water sanitation and hygiene practices (WASH). Stool samples from each pregnant woman were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by microscopy using the direct wet mount and Ziehl Neelsen staining technique., Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was (96, 16.1%). Ascaris lumbricoides were the most prevalent parasites (68, 71.0%) followed by Enterobius vermicularis (16, 17.0%), Entamoeba histolytica (8,8.0%) and the least identified parasite was hookworm (4, 4.0%). At bivariate analysis level, level of education, maternal income and type of waste disposal system in use were significantly associated with IPI infection. Using multivariate logistic regression, the age range of 30-34 years (AOR= 0.24, CI 0.08, 0.70) and having a degree (AOR=0.21 CI 0.05-0.85) were independent predictors of IPIs., Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among pregnant women in our setting. The main predictive factors were the educational status and age of the pregnant women. There is therefore need for continuous health education to prevent intestinal parasitic infections in the at-risk population., Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists, (Copyright © 2024 by West African Journal of Medicine.)

Intestinal helminthiasis associated with malnutrition in children remains endemic in developing countries despite considerable efforts at control. This study was carried out to determine the current prevalence status and the risk factors associated with intestinal helminth infections among primary school children in Ibadan. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 5-16 year old pupils, from 7 primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State. Microscopic examination of stool for ova was carried out using a formol-ether concentration technique. Predisposing risk factors were determined from questionnaire data while anthropometric indices consisting of weight, height and age were the measured indicators of the nutritional status. Of the 485 pupils examined, 187(38.6%) had helminth infections and the parasites identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (35.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis (12.4%), hookworm (8.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (4.9%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.4%). More male pupils (52.9%, p = 0.05) than females (47.1%) had infections. Pupils aged between 9-12 years (p = 0.02) had highest (49.2%) infection rates. Infections were recorded in 13(18.57%) of 70 pupils treated with levamisole by the local health centres 2 weeks prior to this study. Wearing of footwear, parent's occupation, drinking water sources, family size and toilet type were risk factors significantly associated (p<0.05) with infection in this study. The overall prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight were 24.4%, 28.8% and 7.8% respectively, there was however, no statistical relationship (p>0.05) between the prevalence of infection and malnutrition. Intestinal helminthiasis is still prevalent in schoolchildren despite targeted chemotherapy. It is therefore suggested that chemotherapy should include all children in the communities along with continuous enlightenment to ensure the disruption of parasite transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts by governments, over the years, to curb cybercrime- yahoo-yahoo- in Nigeria have not yielded much positive results. The restrictive measures put in place by cyber security operatives, law enforcement agencies and the government have only largely resulted in operational dynamism of cybercriminals including introduction of spiritual/fetish dimensions to cybercrime-yahoo-yahoo-which has come to be known as yahoo-plus. The empirical basis for this paper was from in-depth interviews with 15 yahoo boys and 30 community members in Ajibode, Apete and Ring road regarding the community reactions and obstacles to curbing yahoo plus in Nigeria with Ibadan as case study. Findings suggest that yahoo boys get help from many places to perpetrate their crimes. Sources of help include the families, musicians, celebrities, religious leaders, politicians, police officers and bank officials. These sources of help to yahoo boys are obstacles to curbing yahoo boys- including yahoo plus activities, in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reality of climate variability is evident across all sectors of the economy including the agricultural sector. Urban farmers in Ibadan, an indigenous city in Africa, carry various perceptions as regards climate variability which trigger their behaviour towards the stress on urban agriculture from climate variability. This study examined urban farmers in Ibadan perception of climate variability and its effect on urban food production making use of cross-sectional survey method. The study was anchored on the concept of climate variability and perception. The study revealed that indigenous knowledge techniques and personal observation (44.3%), radio and television (20.9%), extension workers (20.1%) were the main medium through which the farmers know of climate variability. The study concluded that the farmers are well informed of variation in climate and the perceived changes will influence their decision-making on their farming activities and type of responses to climatic issues. Improved food production process was also encouraged among urban farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]