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Various activities in chemical stores such as production, packaging, repackaging, offloading, and storing of chemicals can emit toxic chemicals into the ambient air which may be detrimental to health. This research work aimed to determine whether or not there is hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity in chemical storekeepers. A total of twenty male adult storekeepers of four chemical stores were used as subjects. Four male storekeepers of a garment store 1km from the chemical stores of the same market were used as control subjects. Heavy metals in the indoor air of the shops and the blood samples of the subjects were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while an aerocet analyzer was used for the measurement of particulate matter. Kidney and liver function tests were carried out on the serum of subjects using standard analytical test kits. Concentrations of all the assayed heavy metals in the ambient air of the chemical stores and the blood samples of chemical storekeepers were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the controls. Particulate matter concentrations in all the chemical stores increased significantly (p<0.05). Serum urea, creatinine, sodium ion, potassium ion, chloride, and bicarbonate were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the chemical storekeepers compared to control subjects. Concentrations of serum bilirubin and liver enzymes were significantly elevated (p<0.05) while total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the majority of the chemical storekeepers compared to the control subjects. There were strong indications of renal and hepato-toxicities in the chemical storekeepers at Ariaria International Market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac damage resulting from diabetes poses a significant health risk, underscoring the need to investigate potential therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of flavonoid-rich extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The study involved diabetic rats administered low and high doses of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf flavonoid-rich extracts (LDHSFL and HDHSFL), along with metformin (MET), diabetic control, and normal groups. The experiment evaluates various cardiac parameters, including redox stress biomarkers, ATPase activities, gene expression of p53 and VCAM, phosphatase activities, transaminase, serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activities, cardiac troponins, and natriuretic peptide levels. The results reveal that the administration of LDHSFL and HDHSFL in diabetic rats significantly (p < 0.05) improved the level of GSH, activities of antioxidant enzyme, ATPase, phosphatase, transaminase, and CKMB. Also, diabetic rats treated with LDHSFL and HDHSFL significantly enhanced the relative gene expression of p53 and VCAM when compared with diabetic control. Added to this, there were reductions in the level of MDA, serum cardiac troponins, and natriuretic peptide in diabetic rats administered LDHSFL and HDHSFL. Furthermore, the administration of LDHSFL and HDHSFL in diabetic rats restored the cardiac muscle. The study suggests a potential therapeutic role of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts in mitigating diabetic-induced cardiac dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-led tuberculosis (TB) active case finding is widely promoted, heavily funded, but many efforts fail to meet expectations. The underlying reasons why TB symptom screening programs underperform are poorly understood. This study examines Nigerian stakeholders' insights to characterize the mechanisms, enabling structures and influences that lead programs to succeed or fail. Eight focus group discussions were held with Community Health Workers (CWs) from four models of community-based TB screening and referral. In-depth interviews were conducted with 2 State TB program managers, 8 Community based organizations (CBOs), and 6 state TB and Leprosy Local Government supervisors. Transcripts were coded using Framework Analysis to assess how divergent understandings of CWs' roles, expectations, as well as design, political and structural factors contributed to the observed underperformance. Altruism, religious faith, passion, and commitment to the health and well-being of their communities were reasons CWs gave for starting TB symptom screening and referral. Yet politicized or donor-driven CWs' selection processes at times yielded implementers without a firm grounding in TB or the social, cultural, and physical terrain. CWs encountered suspicion, stigma, and hostility in both health facilities and communities. As the interface between the TB program and communities, CWs often bore the brunt of frustrations with inadequate TB services and CBO/iNGO collaboration. Some CWs expended their own social and financial capital to cover gaps in the active case finding (ACF) programs and public health services or curtailed their screening activities. Effective community-led TB active case finding is challenging to design, implement and sustain. Contrary to conventional wisdom, CWs did not experience it as inherently empowering. Sustainable, supportive models that combine meaningful engagement for communities with effective program stewardship and governance are needed. Crucially effective and successful implementation of community-based TB screening and referral requires a functional public health system to which to refer. • Altruism and passion were reasons community workers started TB symptom referral. • The selection processes of community workers were often politicized. • Community workers encountered stigma in health facilities and communities. • Lack of training, supervision, necessary equipment, and funds were challenges. • Some CWs saw themselves more as exploited workers than as volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There has presumably been an increase in cases of sexual assault in Nigeria; however, accurate data on the characteristics of the survivors and perpetrators are not readily available in most cases. Aim To report the pattern and characteristics of sexual assault perpetrators and survivors managed at the Mirabel Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja – a three-year review. Methods A retrospective audit carried out in the sexual assault referral centre (SARC) – Mirabel Centre, LASUTH, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 2160 case files from July 2013 to January 2017 were assessed for age group of survivors and gender, among others. Results A total of 2160 cases were analysed. The mean age of survivors was 13.9 (± 4.4) years with the 11–20 years age group having the highest number of survivors (48.4%) and the 0–10 years age group having 35.9% of survivors. Majority of the survivors (97.7%) were female. The majority of the perpetrators were known to the survivors with 10.3% being family members. Defilement (71.6%) was the most reported type of assault at the centre with rape (20.3%) being the second most common. The majority of the referrals to the centre were from the police (76.7%), while self-referrals made up 8% of referrals. Conclusion Minors and adolescents formed the majority of the survivors. Defilement was the most reported form of sexual violence. There needs to be special intervention for better monitoring and protection of minors and youths against sexual assault. The establishment of more sexual assault referral centres in Nigeria will increase reportage and treatment of survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction First aid with cool running water reduces the severity of burn. Low level of knowledge of first aid in burns was shown in previous studies with few patients receiving first aid by water lavage. A study investigating the use of water lavage as first aid in patients presenting to hospital with burn in Lagos, Nigeria was carried out. Methods Patients admitted to a University Teaching Hospital for treatment of burns were recruited for this prospective study. Data detailing demographics, scene and aetiology of burns, material used for first aid, who administered first aid, level of education and relationship of first-aider with patients, length of hospital stay, complications and outcome of treatment were collected and statistical analysis performed. Results 168 patients; 73 (43.4%) children and 95 (56.6%) adults were seen. Burns were sustained at home in 95 (74.2%) cases and outside in 33 (25.8%). Water lavage was used in 49 (29.2%) cases, raw eggs in 21 (12.5%), pap in 16 (9.5%) and other materials in 48.8%. 40 (23.8%) patients had not received any form of first aid at presentation. Patients that received no water first aid had higher complication rate (35.3% versus 18.4%) compared with those that had water first aid. Conclusion and recommendations The use of water first aid in burns was shown to reduce complication rate in this study. People should be educated on the efficacy of water first aid in pre-hospital care of burns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]