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Reasons for delay in accessing free treatment of obstetric fistula in South-East Nigeria – A qualitative study
Get PDFObstetric fistula continues to be a menace in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. The national policy for its elimination makes surgical repair free in dedicated national centres. However, the majority of the clients present late for repair. The aim of the study was to explore the reasons for this delay in seeking treatment. It was a qualitative (exploratory) study carried out at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Abakaliki, Nigeria among obstetric fistula patients who presented for treatment with a duration of leakage of over six months. A consecutive sampling technique was used for patient recruitment. Data was collected from twenty patients using in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis of the responses and recurring patterns was done, with themes illustrated using the word cloud. The mean age of the participants was 37.1 years (range = 21-75 years) while the mean duration of leakage was 64.3 months (range = 8-564 months). Reasons for delay in accessing treatment of obstetric fistula were lack of awareness of the availability of free treatment in a specialized centre, delay in referral from index health care facilities, wrong information from health care workers, failed repairs at other health facilities, secondary delay due to transportation challenges, cultural beliefs and other issues peculiar to the patients. The commonest reason for the delay in accessing treatment for obstetric fistula is a lack of awareness on the part of patients, the public, and health workers. We recommend improved campaigns, advocacy, and community mobilization. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26 [12]: 23-31).
La fistule obstétricale continue d'être une menace au Nigéria et dans d'autres pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire. La politique nationale d'élimination rend la réparation chirurgicale gratuite dans des centres nationaux dédiés. Cependant, la majorité des clients se présentent en retard pour la réparation. L'objectif de l'étude était d'explorer les raisons de ce retard à se faire soigner. Il s'agissait d'une étude qualitative (exploratoire) réalisée au Centre national de la fistule obstétricale (NOFIC), Abakaliki, au Nigeria, chez des patientes atteintes de fistule obstétricale qui se sont présentées pour un traitement avec une durée de fuite de plus de six mois. La technique d'échantillonnage consécutif a été utilisée pour le recrutement des patients. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de vingt patients à l'aide d'entretiens approfondis. Une analyse thématique des réponses et des schémas récurrents a été effectuée, avec des thèmes illustrés à l'aide du nuage de mots. L'âge moyen des participants était de 37,1 ans (intervalle = 21-75 ans) tandis que la durée moyenne des fuites était de 64,3 mois (intervalle = 8-564 mois). Les raisons du retard dans l'accès au traitement de la fistuleobstétricale étaient le manque de sensibilisation à la disponibilité d'un traitement gratuit dans un centre spécialisé, le retard dans l'orientation des établissements de soins de santé de référence, les informations erronées des agents de santé, l'échec des réparationsdans d'autres établissements de santé, le retard secondaire dû aux difficultés de transport, aux croyances culturelles et à d'autres problèmes propres aux patients. La raison la plus courante du retard dans l'accès au traitement de la fistule obstétricale est le manque de sensibilisation de la part des patientes, du public et des agents de santé. Nous recommandons d'améliorer les campagnes, le plaidoyer et la mobilisation communautaire. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[12]: 23-31)
Aspirin protects against preeclampsia via p38MAPK signaling pathway
Get PDFPurpose: To investigate the protective effect of aspirin against preeclampsia and the involvement of p38MAPK signaling pathway in the process.Methods: Sixty pregnant women who underwent antenatal care and delivery at Chancheng Central Hospital from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected and equally assigned to control group (CG) and experimental group (EG). From the 12th week of gestation, EG was administered 100 mg of aspirin and 1000 mg of calcium carbonate daily, while CG was given only 1000 mg of calcium carbonate daily. Both groups were treated up to the 35th week of gestation. Thereafter, blood samples were taken for measurement of serum levels of p38MAPK. In addition, the blood pressure of the women was measured. The incidence of preeclampsia and maternal-infant outcomes were assessed.Results: EG had a lower p38MAPK level at week 35 of pregnancy, and lower blood pressure levels at the 27th and 35th weeks of gestation, than CG (p < 0.05). There were 5 cases of preeclampsia (16.7 %) in EG, and 13 cases (43.3 %) of preeclampsia in CG, with a lower incidence of preeclampsia in EG than in CG (ꭓ2 = 5.079, p < 0.05). The numbers of newborns through premature delivery and cesarean section, as well as Apgar score ≤ 7 were lower in EG than in CG (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Aspirin exerts a protective effect against preeclampsia through via p38MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, aspirin treatment may be useful in reducing the incidence of preeclampsia and improving maternal-infant outcomes. However, further clinical trials are recommended prior to application in clinical practice
Hypaphorine ameliorates lipid accumulation and inflammation in a cellular model of non alcoholic fatty liver by regulating p38/JNK and NF κB signaling pathways
Get PDFPurpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of hypaphorine in a cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods: Palmitic acid (PA) was used to induce a NAFLD phenotype in hepatocytes. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. Inflammatory response was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of hypaphorine on lipid accumulation was evaluated using Oil Red O staining and triglyceride kits. Activation of p38/c–Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-κB pathways were analyzed by immunoblot assay.Results: Hypaphorine significantly improved cell viability (p < 0.01), suppressed inflammatory response (p < 0.01), and reduced lipid accumulation (p < 0.01) in PA-treated hepatocytes. Hypaphorine ameliorated lipid accumulation and inflammation in PA-treated hepatocytes by targeting p38/JNK and NF-κB pathways.Conclusion: Hypaphorine may serve as a therapeutic target in NAFLD. However, in vivo studies to validate this finding are required
Effet de la densite de charge sur les performances zootechniques du tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (linne, 1758) eleve en bacs en Beton: Effect of stocking density on zootechnical performance of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (linne, 1758) reared in concrete tanks
No full textAfin d’évaluer l’effet de la densité de charge sur les performances zootechniques des juvéniles du tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) en bacs, une étude de 168 jours a été réalisée à l’unité de Recherche et de Développement en Aquaculture, sise à l’Université de Lomé, de janvier à juillet 2018. L'expérimentation a été menée sur 450 juvéniles monosexes mâles du tilapia d’un poids moyen de 16 ± 0,33g. Ces juvéniles ont été répartis en triplicat dans 09 bacs en béton de 600 litres d’eau de capacité chacun. Trois différentes densités ont été utilisées notamment, D1 (50 individus dans 125 L), D2 (50 individus dans 250 L) et D3 (50 individus dans 500 L). Les poissons étaient nourris manuellement trois fois par jour avec un aliment standard, Raanan à 32% de protéines brutes. A la fin de l’étude, les poids moyens finaux ont varié entre 169,7 ±2,5 g et 253,7± 5,0 g. Le taux de survie a varié de 96,0 ± 2,0% à 97,3 ± 1,2%. Le taux de croissance journalier (TCJ) était de 0,9 ± 0,02 g/j pour D1 ; 1,4 ± 0,03 g/j pour D2 et D3 a donné 1,2 ± 1,2 g/j. Le taux de conversion alimentaire (TCA) a varié de 1,4 ± 0,43 à 1,8 ± 0,08 en fonction des différents traitements. Il ressort de cette étude que la densité D2 a présenté les meilleures performances zootechniques.
In order to assess the effect of stocking density on the zootechnical performance of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in tanks, a 168-day study was carried out at the Aquaculture Research and Development unit, inside the University of Lome, from January to July 2018. The experiment was carried out on 450 monosex male tilapia juveniles with an average weight of 16 ± 0.33g. These fishes were distributed in triplicate in 09 concrete tanks with a capacity of 600 liters each. Three different densities were used, D1 (50 fishes in 125 L), D2 (50 fishes in 250 L) and D3 (50 individuals in 500L). The fish were fed manually three times a day with a standard feed, Raanan at 32% crude protein. At the end of the study, the final mean weights varied between 169.7 ± 2.5 g and 253.7 ± 5.0 g. The survival rate ranged from 96.0 ± 2.0% to 97.3 ± 1.2%. The daily growth rate (DGR) was 0.9 ± 0.02 g / d for D1; 1.4 ± 0.03 g / d for D2 and 1.2 ± 1.2 g / d for D3. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied from 1.4 ± 0.43 to 1.8 ± 0.08 depending on the different treatments. The production parameters were improved with the density D2 which seems to be the interest density for O. niloticus on growing
Morbi-mortalite du nourrisson de moins de trois mois apres sortie precoce de maternite a Lome : Morbidity and mortality of infants under three months of age after early discharge from maternity hospitals in Lome
No full textIntroduction : Les nouveau-nés et les nourrissons de moins de trois mois sont fragiles en raison d’une maturation progressive de leurs différents systèmes de défense face aux agressions de la vie extra-utérine. Les sorties précoces et mal préparées de maternité contribuent à augmenter la morbi-mortalité de cette tranche d’âge.Objectif : décrire le profil épidémiologique, diagnostique et évolutif des enfants venus au monde avec une bonne adaptation initiale à la vie extra-utérine, mais ré-hospitalisés avant l’âge de trois mois.Patients et méthodes : une étude transversale incluant une série de 80 enfants nés à terme sans détresse immédiate notifiée, sortis initialement du lieu de naissance et hospitalisés avant l’âge de trois mois a été menée du 1er juin au 31 juillet 2019 dans les services de pédiatrie de deux structures sanitaires de la ville de Lomé (CHU Sylvanus Olympio et Hôpital de Bè).Résultats : la population d’étude représentait 7,26 % de l’ensemble des enfants hospitalisés. Le taux de ré hospitalisation était de 1,2%. Un enfant sur quatre avait passé plus de 24 heures à la maternité à la naissance. L’âge moyen était de 29,17 jours. La fièvre (56,3%), les difficultés respiratoires (30%), la toux (20%) et l’ictère (15%) étaient les principaux motifs de consultation. La morbidité était dominée par les pathologies infectieuses (53,7%) et respiratoires (27,5%). Le taux de mortalité était de 8,75%. L’ictère était associé au décès (p=0,006). Les pathologies infectieuses et malformatives étaient les principales causes de décès.Conclusion : Un enfant sur cent est réadmis en hospitalisation après sortie précoce de maternité et parmi eux un sur dix décède de pathologies qui auraient pu être diagnostiquées et prises en charge si la durée du séjour recommandée en maternité était respectée ou si la sortie précoce était mieux préparée.
Introduction: Newborns and infants under three months of age are fragile because of the progressive maturation of their various defense systems in the face of the aggressions of extra-uterine life. Early and ill-prepared maternity discharges contribute to increase the morbidity and mortality of this age groupObjective: to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic and evolutionary profile of children born with a good initial adaptation to extra-uterine life, but re-hospitalized before the age of three months.Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study including a series of 80 children born at term without immediate distress notified, initially discharged from the birthplace and hospitalized before the age of three months was conducted from June 1 to July 31, 2019 in the pediatric departments of two health structures in the city of Lomé (CHU Sylvanus Olympio and Hôpital de Bè).Results: the study population represented 7.26% of all hospitalized children. The re-hospitalization rate was 1.2%. One in four children had spent more than 24 hours in the maternity ward at birth. The average age was 29.17 days. Fever (56.3%), respiratory difficulties (30%), cough (20%) and jaundice (15%) were the main reasons for consultation. Morbidity was dominated by infectious diseases (53.7%) and respiratory diseases (27.5%). The mortality rate was 8.75%. Jaundice was associated with death (p=0.006). Infectious and malformative pathologies were the main causes of death.Conclusion: One child out of one hundred is readmitted to hospital after early discharge from maternity and among them one out of ten dies of pathologies that could have been diagnosed and managed if the recommended length of stay in maternity was respected or if the early discharge was better prepared
Representations sociales des fentes labio-palatines au Mali : Social representations of lip and palate clefts in Malian people
No full textL’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier les représentations sociales des fentes labio-alvéolo-palatines au Mali.Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale descriptive menée de Mars 2020 à février 2021 dans 3 hôpitaux du Mali et a concerné 60 enfants porteurs de fentes labio-palatines et leurs mères.L’âge moyen des patients était de 7 ans 8 mois +/- 5,85. Le sexe masculin a représenté 68% des cas avec un sex-ratio de 2,15. La fente labio-alvéolo-narinaire unilatérale a été la plus rencontrée avec 55% des cas. Les réponses données par les enquêtées quant à la cause de la malformation étaient : fatalité (83,3%), sort (8,3%), toxoplasmose « tonsognimi » en langue Bambara (5%), maladie sexuellement transmissible (1,7%) et malédiction (1,7%). Le recours à la consultation d’un tradipraticien pour connaitre la cause de la malformation a été l’attitude en premier lieu chez 11,7% des mères et pour celles-ci, le traitement de la malformation relevait du pouvoir du tradipraticien. Le sentiment de responsabilité dans la survenue des malformations avait été affirmé par 39,4 % des mères enquêtées. Par crainte de revivre la même expérience, elles avaient souhaité ne plus avoir un enfant.Les causes des fentes labio-palatines sont souvent recherchées dans le domaine du surnaturel d’où le recours aux tradipraticiens en premier lieu.
The objective of this work was to understand the social representations of lip and palate clefts (LPC) in Malian setting.In Mali, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2020 to February 2021 and has concerned mothers of patients suffered from LPC. The study involved mothers who agreed to participate in. The sample was consisted of 60 cases.The mean age of patients was 7 years and 8 months +/- 5.85. The male sex represented 68% of cases. A unilateral labial-alveolar-nasal cleft was the most common in 55% of cases. Mothers’ answers to the cause of the malformation were: fatality (83.3%), fate (8.3%), toxoplasmosis “tonsognimi” in Bambara language (5%), sexually transmitted disease (1.7%) and curse (1.7%). In 11.7% of mothers, a traditional healer consultation was the first attitude to find out the cause of the malformation and for them, the treatment of the malformation fellwithin the power of the traditional healer. The feeling of responsibility for malformation occurrence has claimed by 39.4% of mothers. For fear of reliving the same experience, they’d wished not to have a child afterwards.The causes of LPC are often sought in the field of the supernatural. These causesmotivate the use of traditional healers in the first instance
Single and Competitive Removal of Pb(II) in the Presence of Ni(II) using Polyacrylamide Grafted Rice Husk
Get PDFIn a quest to find efficient adsorbents for metal ions, studies on various adsorbents for metals have been of interest since the past several decades. The present study is focused on the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution using poly acrylamide grafted rice husk by batch studies. Industrial waste waters generally contain metals present as mixtures, therefore the effect of Ni (II) on the removal of Pb(II) from mixtures of Pb(II)+Ni(II) ions has also been investigated. The adsorbent has been prepared by the treatment of rice husk with acrylamide in the presence of N,N-methylene bis acrylamide and potassium persulphate. The adsorbent has been characterised by infrared spectral studies. Maximum adsorption obtained is 93% at pH 5, metal ion concentration 300mg/L in 180mins at 298K. Isotherm analyses show that both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are best obeyed. The process is endothermic and spontaneous in nature and follows pseudo first order kinetics. Intraparticle diffusion also occurs but is not the rate determining step. Application of Langmuir competitive model for the binary system shows that adsorption of Pb(II) has been supressed by presence of Ni(II) ions. Studies suggest that the adsorbent is effective and can find industrial applicability
Indoor Air Quality and Microclimatic conditions in selected Restaurants and Kitchens at a Tertiary Institution in Benin City, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigated the levels of selected indoor air pollutant concentrations and microclimatic conditions in restaurants and kitchens at a tertiary institution in Benin City using standard procedures. Ten (10) restaurants and kitchens were randomly selected within the University environment. Indoor particulates (PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10), Carbon monoxide (CO), Relative humidity (RH), Temperature (Temp) and Wind speed (WS) were measured using Handheld Portable Air Samplers. The results showed that the indoor meteorological and air quality parameters ranged between 34.8 - 35.8°C and 34.5 - 35.9°C (Temp); 42.8 -70.2% and 39.7 - 66.9 (RH); 1.1 - 2.0 m/s and 1.2 - 1.8 m/s (WS); 0.0 - 25.4 and 0.0 - 28.7 mg/m3 (CO); 28.9 - 42.4 µg/m3 and 24.4 µg/m3 - 30.6 (PM1.0); 47.0 - 75. µg/m3 and 37.4 - 50.3 µg/m3 (PM2.5); 62.3 - 91.0 µg/m3 and 53.6 - 56.8 µg/m3 (PM10) within the restaurants and kitchens respectively. The mean concentrations of the CO and particulates were above the recommended regulatory limits of the WHO in all sampling sites. There were generally weak significant associations between the observed meteorological parameters and the indoor air pollutants (R= -0.352, - 0.419 p<0.001), except for CO and indoor temperature in the kitchens (R=0.649, R2 = 0.429 p<0.001). The Air Quality Index (AQI) status of the sampled sites varied from moderate to unhealthy. This study underscores the need for adequate ventilation in the sampled restaurants and kitchens and the creation of awareness of the health risks associated with indoor air pollutants in the study area
Production of Bioflocculant through Fermentation of Spoilt Orange Juice with Bacillus spp Isolated from Sediment of Local Clay Pot
Get PDFThe biodegradable and non-toxic Bioflocculants have attracted considerable interest as alternative to non-biodegradable chemical flocculants. However, the cost of fermentation media for bioflocculant production and low flocculation efficiency is a major challenge. In this study, we grow Bacillus spp isolated from sediment of local clay pot on spoilt orange juice to produce bioflocculant. The culture supernatant of the bacilli grown on spoilt orange juice were screen for bioflocculant production using Jar test method and Kaolin clay suspension as model wastewater. The effect of pH and temperature on the bioflocculant production were also studied. The effect of cations on bioflocculation rate of the bioflocculant produced were tested via hybridization of the bioflocculant with the cations. The bioflocculation efficiency of the bioflocculant on sample wastewaters were also determined. The bacilli isolated initially had flocculation rate between 31.1±1.6 % to 76.4±1.2% when cultured on screening media. Bioflocculation rate peaked to 77.9% at 40 oC while the lowest flocculation rate (55.41%) was obtained at 25 oC. The optimum bioflocculant production (about 78%) was recorded at pH 6 – 7 while the highest bioflocculant production (84.2%) was achieved at 96th hour of incubation. Na+ and Fe3+ had serious inhibitory effect on the bioflocculant while K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Al3+ had less or no effect on the bioflocculant. The bioflocculant had up to 77.7% and 64.5 % on Kitchen wastewater and aquaculture wastewater. This study reveals the potential for utilization of spoilt orange juice as fermentable substrate for bioflocculant production especially if the fermentation conditions and flocculation parameters are well optimized
Structural lineament mapping using remote sensing in the aures massif (ne algeria)
Get PDFThe Aures massif is located in the eastern part of the Atlasic Domain and formed by Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. The main objective of this study is to map the structural lineaments and geologically analyze their different geometric aspects, like orientation and distribution, using remote sensing data. Another important aim is to track the extent of lineaments, understand how they integrate into the regional structure and trace the main tectonic events responsible for the Aures' structuration. Both manual and automatic approaches were employed to achieve the study's objectives. More than twelve thousand lineaments were identified, and grouped into four direction families: NW-SE, NE-SW, E-W, and N-S. Two main factors control the orientation: density and distribution of the lineaments, and topographic and geologic factors. A good correspondence was found between literature and techniques employed in this work regarding structural lineament analysis showing that the Aures lineaments result from the succession of Alpine orogeny tectonic phases. Mainly two phases were responsible on its structuration: the major Atlasic event, which occurred during the Lutetitian stage with NW-SE trending, and the Alpine which happened in late Miocene with N-S compression