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African trypanosomosis remains one of the major diseases affecting food security and human healthy living in sub-Saharan Africa. This study screened domesticated animals for the presence of pathogenic trypanosomes in 1,050 slaughtered animals comprising 858 and 100 cattle respectively from Zango and Kawo abattoirs and 92 camels from Zango as Kawo abattoir neither slaughters nor sell camel meat. Both abattoirs are government-owned and located in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The animals examined were sourced from Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Chad Republic. Blood samples were collected from each animal at the point of slaughter and examined using the buffy coat technique and Leishman-stained thick film for trypanosome identification. Packed cell volume (PCV) determination was conducted to assess the level of anaemia. Results indicated that 25 cattle and 2 camels (27) had an overall trypanosome infection rate of 2.57%. The trypanosomes observed were mainly Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma congolense, and Trypanosoma vivax. This study showed that sources of livestock slaughtered at various abattoirs can be a useful indicator in quantifying trypanosomosis risk. Continuous sensitization and awareness creation among the herders at the grass-root level is recommended for effective disease management towards increased livestock production and productivity required to sustain the rural economy and improve the livelihoods of the local populace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed livestock for human and animal infective trypanosomes in seven remote communities of Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. Blood samples collected at random from 330 cattle and 20 sheep were examined using the buffy coat technique and Leishman stained thin film. Packed cell volume and differential leukocyte counts were determined and interviews conducted. Animals examined showed clinical symptoms; emaciation (2%), rough hair coat (0.57%), body weakness (3.14%), ocular discharge (1.43%), dermatophylosis (0.57%) and ticks (0.57%). Leishman stained thin blood films indicated 34 cattle (9.71%) infected with Trypanosoma congolense, 0% infection in sheep and 100% slides positive for Anaplasma and Babesia parasites with no Trypanosoma brucei species. Anaemia was recorded in male cattle between 1year and 10 years old and was statistically significant (p<0.05). Acute inflammatory responses revealed by neutrophilia, lymphocytopaenia and lymphocytosis; 21.81%, 1.51% and 10% respectively in cattle suggested underlying bacterial or parasitic infections. All (100%) herdsmen confirmed presence of tsetse and other biting flies in bush and canopies around water bodies and stated observable signs and symptoms of trypanosomiasis (samore) which could wipe off the whole herd if untreated. Risk of trypanosome infection remained high as long as the old systems of cattle rearing exist; and urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal ailments due to lack of access to clean and portable water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in livestock to ascertain their reservoir role and also screened for other pathogenic trypanosomes of animals in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state, Nigeria. A total of 460 livestock comprising (cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs) selected at random were bled, examined using the buffy coat and Giemsa stained thin film and packed cell volume estimated. Questionnaire was filled for each animal on demography, awareness and management practices. An overall prevalence of 2.17% with Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, T. vivax and a mixed infection of T. brucei and T. congolense observed microscopically awaiting characterization. Interviews revealed high awareness (82.8%) of tsetse and trypanosomiasis described as bush disease and abortion in four cows. The PCV values were within the normal range, however, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in sheep aged 7months to 4years in two communities. Therefore, the study indicated the presence of T. brucei and other trypanosomes suggesting that animal trypanosomiasis is still a problem to animal health and wellbeing in the study area. The study recommends effective integrated chemotherapy and vector control including livestock rearing under intensive management system to boost livestock production and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the extent to which the rural development programs of Evangelical Church of West Africa-People Oriented Development (ECWA-POD) and Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN) contribute to the development of rural communities in Plateau State. A comparison of the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) was done to examine the factors that explain variation in the organizations. A total of 150 respondents made up of community members and staff of the organizations randomly selected from four Local Government Areas responded to the structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the major rural development programs of the NGOs were agricultural programs, health programs, human resource development, community development and industrial and trade promotion programs. Analysis carried out showed a significant relationship (P2=0.023; p#0.05) in the program orientation of the two organizations. Majority (57.8% for ECWA-POD and 75.6% for COWAN) of the respondents considered the programs of the organizations as beneficial and benefitted more concerning potable water and community sanitation facilities. Participation of the community members at various stages of the program and type of participation was also identified. The perceived level of goal attainment of the organization was higher (t=2.72; p#0.05) in COWAN than ECWA-POD. It was recommended that government should collaborate with NGOs through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) concerning project identification, design and implementation of rural development programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organ transplantation program in developing countries is still significantly dwarfed. Health workers are undeniably important in the success of transplantation. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of health workers toward organ donation in South-West Nigeria with a view to explaining reasons for these shortcomings. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted on 850 health care workers, self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information from participants. Results: Of 850 participants, 766 (90.1%) returned their completed questionnaires. The mean±SD age of participants was 36.7±9.2 years. Majority (93.3%) of participants had heard of organ donation; 82.5% had desirable knowledge. Only 29.5% and 39.4% would be willing to donate and counsel potential organ donors, respectively; 36.5% would consider signing organ donation cards. Only 19.4% believed that organ transplantation is often effective and 63.4% believed they were permitted by their religion to donate. Permission by religion (OR 3.5; 95% CI 2.3 to 5.3), good knowledge (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.7), readiness to sign donation cards (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.8), discuss organ donation (OR 2.7; 95%CI 8.0 to 63.8), and knowing somebody who had donated (OR 2.9) independently influenced willingness to donate organ. Conclusion: There is disparity in knowledge of organ donation and willingness to donate among health care workers. Efforts should be intensified to give comprehensive and appropriate education to health care workers about organ donation to bridge this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shattering loss and loss due to pest attack significantly reduce the quantity and quality of cowpea that can be harvested from the field, hence, the possibility of early harvest of cowpea was investigated. Thin-layer drying kinetics of IT 97K-56S-IS was experimentally investigated in a convective dryer and the data were fitted to five thin layer drying models. Samples harvested 60, 64, 68 and 72 Days After Planting (DAP) were dried at temperatures of 55°C, 65°C, 75°C and 85°C. The effect of period of harvest and drying temperature on the drying characteristics and nutritional content of the dried products were discussed. The models‟ fitting was evaluated by comparing the Coefficient of Determination (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) relating the experimental and predicted moisture ratios through non-linear regression analysis. Drying process was discovered to have taken place during falling rate period in all the samples. The R2 and RMSE vary from 0.967 - 1.000 and 0.001 - 0.061 respectively. Page and Logarithmic model gave the best fit with the highest R2 value of 0.998 and 1.000 and lowest RMSE values of 0.015 and 0.001 respectively. Proximate analysis result of IT 97K-56S-IS indicated that, carbohydrate content and crude protein ranges between 61.91% - 64.40%; 20.74% - 21.17% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A letter to the editor is presented related to a study on nutritional deficiency in elderly people, which discusses the different grades of body mass index (BMI) values including severe (<16), moderate (16-16.9), and mild (17-18.99) chronic energy deficiency.

Aims and Objectives: Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD) has been documented as part of neurological complications in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). There is little information on CAD from sub-Saharan Africa with 25-40% prevalence rate of sickle cell trait. This study therefore assessed cardiovascular autonomic reflex function in a group of Nigerians with SCA., Subjects and Methods: Forty SCA and 44 controls (Hemoglobin AA) were studied. They were assessed using 6 non-invasive cardiovascular autonomic reflex (CAR) tests. Parasympathetic functions were assessed with heart rate variability (HRV) to deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver and lying-to-standing test while sympathetic blood pressure regulation was assessed by systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses to lying-to-standing position and isotonic handgrip test., Results: Mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration of SCA patients and controls were 8.4 +/- 2.4 g/dl and 13.1 +/- 0.9 g/dl, respectively. Baseline heart rate was significantly faster in the SCA patients (84 +/- 12 beats/minute) than in controls (76 +/- 11 beats/minute) [P < 0.05]. Eleven SCA compared to 2 controls had abnormal responses to deep breathing test (P = 0.003); 15 SCA and 6 controls had impaired Valsalva ratio (P = 0.01); 8 SCA and 4 controls had abnormal responses lying-to-standing test (P = 0.2). Although, more SCA patients compared to controls had abnormal responses to sympathetic mediated blood pressure tests the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05). Overall 21 (53%) SCA patients compared to 4 control subjects (9%) fulfilled the criteria for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (presence of e"3 CAR tests) with p < 0.05., Conclusion: CAN occur in Nigerians with SCA with relative preservation of the sympathetic blood pressure reflex control compared to parasympathetic heart rate regulation. Increase baseline heart rate associated with SCA in the presence of chronic anaemia could result in myocardial hypertrophy and dilatation. This is likely to be predispose sicklers to hypoxia-related arrhythmia.

Background: Despite availability and usage of wide array of antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure has remained poorly controlled in most health care settings particularly in Africa. The cost of these drugs among other factors strongly determines the prescription and usage pattern which ultimately affects control of blood pressure particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the current utilization pattern of antihypertensive drugs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria in line with the regional and international guidelines for hypertension management and to compare with similar studies in other parts of the country to generate the national outlook., Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 805 adult hypertensive patients who were on treatment at the Medical Out-Patient Department of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, a country with the most populous black hypertensive patients. Data were collated from the patients' records and evaluated according to drug classifications., Results: 787 patients out of the 805 evaluated were eventually included in the analysis. Mean age was 57.88 + or - 12.59 years with 490 (62.3%) females. Frequency of use of classes of antihypertensive was: diuretics (D, 84%), calcium channel blockers (CCB, 66%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI, 65%), a-methyldopa (ALD, 26%), beta-blockers (BB, 11.9%) and angiotensin receptor blockers (3.8%). Proportions of number of drugs usage per patient were: 0 (2.2%), 1 (9.1%), 2 (37.1%), 3 (35.8%), 4 (15.6%), and 5 (0.1%). The most commonly used combinations of drugs were ACEI + CCB + D (21.6%), followed by CCB + D (14.5%), ACE + D (11.4%) and ACEI + D + ALD (9.8%). Other recent studies in Nigeria revealed diuretics and multiple agents as the prevalent prescription pattern., Conclusion: Antihypertensive utilization in Ilorin, Nigeria like some parts of the country conforms to the guidelines for the management of hypertension in blacks with majority of patients on diuretics particularly in combination with other agents. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are increasingly being used whereas beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor antagonists are still less utilized.